Coming Apart While Scaling Up – Adoption of Logics and the Fragmentation of Organizational Identity in Science-based Ventures

Abstract

When trying to commercialize, science-based ventures often face contradicting institu-tional logics. While stakeholders appreciate scientific ability, they also increasingly demand conces-sions to a commercial logic focusing on efficiency and profit. To satisfy stakeholders, science-based ventures must adapt their organizational identity to include the commercial logic. The study inves-tigates this challenge, relying on a 24-month in-depth study of a venture in the photonics industry. Based on the findings, I developed a process model that outlines how the logics shift from compat-ibility to incompatibility during the adoption process, thereby causing the organizational identity to fragment. The paper contributes to research streams on organizational identity processes, dynam-ics of institutional logics in organizations, and scaling of science-based ventures.