This document provides a framework for exploring the complexity of institutions by outlining seven types of institutions: meaning, frameworks, association, relationships and transactions, control, formal and informal rules, and functions. It gives examples for each type of the underlying assumptions, theories, organizations, relationships, policies, rules, and functions that comprise institutions. The framework is intended to help understand how institutions shape individual and collective behavior.

1. A framework for exploring complexity of
Institutions (Woodhill, 2008) (7a)
http://www.thebrokeronline.eu/en/articles/Shaping-behaviour
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2. Type Description Examples
Meaning
Beliefs and The underlying and often deeply • Religious beliefs and values
values held assumptions on which people • Assumptions about human nature
base decisions • Beliefs about why some people are poor and
others are rich
• Beliefs about the extent to which governments
should intervene in markets
• Values in the management of a business that
drive it towards corruption or social responsibility
Frameworks for Language, theories and concepts • Language
understanding used to communicate, explain • Economic theory
phenomena and guide action • Principles of law and democratic governance
Association
Organizations Organizations created by • The United Nations
and networks government, business and civil • Global corporations
society • Government agencies
• Industry associations
• Small businesses
• Religious organizations
• International NGOs
• Producer organizations
• Coalitions of national NGOs
Relationships and The ways and means of building and • Markets
transactions maintaining relationships between • Global economic forum
individuals and among organizations • Business lunches
• Golf games among the ‘old boys network’
Control
Mandates, The mandates given or taken by • National constitutions
policies and particular groups and organizations, • Articles of association for a business
strategies the positions and policies they adopt • Global conventions
and the strategies the try to follow • National poverty-reduction strategies
• Corporate strategy for socially responsible
entrepreneurship
• NGO positions on GMOs
• Various forms of government policy (agriculture,
health, education)
Formal and The formal and informal rules that • Traffic rules and regulations
informal rules set the constraints for how • The way wedding ceremonies are conducted
organizations and individuals can • Laws regarding treatment of employees
behave in given situations • Environmental regulations
Action
Functions, The functions carried out and • Tax collection and administration
products and products and services delivered by • Provision of extension, health or education
services government, private and civil society services
organizations • Financial services provided by banks
• Provision of infrastructure by government
• Products produced by industry
Regular practices The practices and behaviours that • Individual patterns of shopping
and behaviours individual repeat in social, economic • Regular behaviours of actors in markets
and political life • How people greet each other
• How public servants interact with the public
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