The Interactions among Structure, Institutions and Agents: How Entrepreneurs Shape Narratives

Abstract Agents, acting strategically as institutional entrepreneurs, utilise narratives that resonate with both the structure and institutions to promote change. The hypothesis in this article holds that if they intend to be successful, agents must behave strategically by taking into account the different policy domains and the dominant ideas therein. At the same time, the narratives of the institutional entrepreneur should take into careful consideration the various enabling conditions that may occur at multiple levels. The use of narratives are compared for two reforms – the “Jobs Act” and the “Buona Scuola – Good School” – formulated by the Italian government between 2014 and 2015.