The role of institute categorial definition in the institutional research

Abstract

Introduction. Institutionalism in modern conditions is the dominant theoretical area of social sciences. It has been proved the importance of understanding its categorical apparatus, particularly its use in studies of transformation processes of the domestic economy.

The purpose of the article. The features of different approaches to the interpretation of the category of "institution" are determined. The aspects of distinguishing of categories of "institute" and "institution" in the Ukrainian economic research are identified.

Methods. The study used methods of analysis (when studying the nature of category of "institution" in the evolution of institutionalism), synthesis (when combining the approaches to the interpretation of the category "institution"), methodological essentialism and nominalism (when describing the importance of clear definition of the investigated category), grouping (when characterizing national approaches to the categories of "institute" and "institution", contemporary approaches to the essence of the notion "institute").

Results. In the article there are the conceptual approaches to understanding the basic category of institutional analysis - "institute". On the basis of the analysis of research in the field of institutionalism in the Ukrainian and Russian economic literature we have identified several options for the use of the concepts of "institute" and "institution" and justified the author's position on this matter. It has been made the review of the essential characteristics of the category "institute" by leading Western scientists-institutionalists and famous Ukrainian experts. As a result of inspectionof approaches we have defined the main aspects of the interpretation of the category "institute". It has been considered the systematization of approaches to its interpretation. They are as the following: from the point of equilibrium institutes, institutes from the standpoint of regulations, institutes from the standpoint of statutory rules and positions of the synthesized approach.

 In the article it has been determined the importance of not only a clear categorical definition of "institute" but also the enrichment of causal analysis of phenomena under study and processes in the context of the outlined issues. The particular relevance of such research under the conditions prevailing in the domestic economy are indicated.