institution

Encompass all formal and informal interactions among stakeholders and social structures that determine how decisions are taken and implemented, how power is exercised, and how responsibilities are distributed.

Encompasses all formal and informal interactions among stakeholders and social structures that determine how decisions are taken and implemented, how power is exercised, and how responsibilities are distributed.

Institutions are the (informal) conventions and norms, and (formal) legal rules which influence choices at all levels of society. The concept also encompasses the notions of habits and practices, referencing to the habituation of conventions and norms. Institutions structure both formal and informal interactions among people and organizations and influence human-nature relationships. As social structures, they shape how decisions are made and implemented and how responsibilities are distributed. Institutions are power-carriers as they shape people's identities and behaviour regarding particular values and interests. See Value-articulating institution.