institutional inertia
[/ɪnstɪˈtuːʃənəl ɪˈnɜːrʃə/]
nounfemininepl: inércias institucionais
inércia institucional
1. The tendency of established institutions to resist change and maintain their existing practices, structures, and policies despite external pressures or internal problems
The government agency suffered from institutional inertia that prevented modernization of its outdated systems.
A agência governamental sofria com inércia institucional que impedia a modernização de seus sistemas obsoletos.
2. The resistance to organizational reform or innovation caused by entrenched bureaucratic procedures and ingrained operational habits
Overcoming institutional inertia requires strong leadership and clear incentives for change.
Superar a inércia institucional requer liderança forte e incentivos claros para mudança.
This term is widely used in Brazilian academic, governmental, and corporate contexts to describe the common challenge of reforming large organizations. It reflects a cultural awareness of how difficult it is to change established systems, particularly in government agencies and older institutions. The concept resonates strongly in discussions about modernization, digital transformation, and public administration reform in Brazil.
Related Idioms & Phrases
quebrar a inércia institucional (to break institutional inertia)
vencer a inércia burocrática (to overcome bureaucratic inertia)
preso na inércia institucional (stuck in institutional inertia)
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