I-Schools: Mice Roaring or the Future is Now Arriving?

Abstract

Through this essay we develop an argument for supporting the growth of I-Schools by building on the literature and concepts of institutions. We first argue that I-Schools, and the I-School movement, can be seen as engaging in a process of institutionalization. That is, they are seeking each and collectively to become self-sustaining and enduring social units. To support this argument we draw on the literatures regarding institutions and institutionalization. We do so to help clarify what those involved in the I-School movement might need to do to encourage the process of I-Schools becoming become enduring and self-replicating forms of organization in the contemporary university milieu. The literature on institutions and institutionalizing is vast, active, and multi-threaded. In this essay we draw from, but do not summarize or extend this work. We draw on concepts from institutional theory to frame our thesis: what can those involved in I-Schools do to encourage the growth and legitimization of these scholarly institutions?