Institutional Envy
noun
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/ˌin(t)-stə-ˈtü-sh(ə-)nəl ˈen-vē/*
Definition:
A psychological or sociocultural phenomenon in which an individual, group, or organization experiences jealousy or resentment toward the perceived prestige, resources, influence, or status of another institution—such as a university, corporation, government body, or cultural organization.
Often, this envy motivates mimicry: the emulation of aesthetic, procedural, or structural traits of higher-status institutions, sometimes regardless of their relevance or effectiveness. This can result in misplaced priorities, bloated hierarchies, and performative reform that prioritizes optics over outcomes.
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Examples:
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The small liberal arts college’s strategic plan, modeled almost entirely after Ivy League schools, was a clear case of institutional envy.
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Institutional envy drove the startup to replicate the management style of major tech firms, even when it didn’t suit their culture.
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The government agency expanded its layers of oversight and jargon-heavy processes in an effort to mirror corporate efficiency—an expression of institutional envy that ironically led to stagnation.
Contextual Note:
Institutional envy is frequently visible in bureaucratic systems, where the pursuit of increased budgets, staffing, and permanence mimics private-sector growth models—but without the market-based checks on efficiency or accountability. These behaviors, explored in critiques of public administration, illustrate how envy can entrench dysfunction while signaling prestige.
Etymology:
Early 21st century; modeled after the psychological term envy, extended to describe institutional behavior and inter-organizational dynamics.
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