目前任教於柏克萊大學的古典體制理論宗師Zelznick給「體制化」的定義是:the processes by which an organization “takes on a special character” and “achieves a distinct competence or, perhaps, a trained or built-in incapacity”。
因此他又說institutionalization是”the emergence of orderly, stable, socially integrating patterns out of unstable, loosely organized, or narrowly technical activities”;”The most significant aspect of institutionalization is the process by which structures or activities become “infused with value beyond the technical requirements at hand”。