| While the concept of social structure is widely recognized as one of the most fundamental key ideas in the discipline of sociology, it remains one of the most elusive and abused concepts in sociological theory. This proposed study suggests that the continued status of the notion of social structure in contemporary sociological theory results from a significant lack of precise theories about social structure. The lack of an integrative theoretical approach leaves the concept of structure as only a preliminary scheme---foundational, yet impressionistic---which fails to provide explanatory utility for prevailing sociological theories.;The goal of this dissertation is to achieve a theoretical synthesis in order to form a basis towards a theory of social structure. I draw from two major currents of thought. On one hand, I attempt to revisit and reclaim the useful contributions made in the discourse concerning the issue of structure-agency. On the other hand, I draw from economic and organizational sociology in search of governance structures which, in essence, offer a viable conceptualization of social structure.;I examine five general structural mechanisms. (1) The issue of agency-structure is treated as a relatively coherent body of theoretical approaches consisting of diverse, yet consistent perspectives in which the notion of agency is re-conceptualized from a relational approach. (2) Markets as rational forms of governance mechanisms provide interdependency among individual economic action. (3) Hierarchies, which often involve the notions of power, authority, and contractual relationships, are contrasted with market mechanisms. (4) Finally, the concept of embeddedness is conceptually connected to network forms of social structure in a unified model. An assessment of the diverse sets of models of social structure is reflected in the elementary, yet integrative form of propositions which further specify and explicate the generic processes and relationships among relevant social elements. |
