The institutionalization of organizational fields: The influence of the protestant work ethic on the American film industry

In this study, the institutionalization process of cinema as an institution in the United States from the late 19th century, starting with the recording of moving images, up until the 1960s, is examined. Additionally, the influence of the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE), shaped by Protestantism, on this institutionalization process is explored. After World War I, the U.S. accepted many immigrants from various ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs to meet its labor needs, leading to the rise of Puritanism, a branch of Protestantism, influenced by Americanism. The Protestant Work Ethic, a result of Protestantism in the economic sphere, emphasized hard work, earning, saving, reinvesting profits, efficient use of time, and a disciplined lifestyle. Capitalism, with its focus on systematic profit generation, is aligned with the principles of PWE. In this study, by examining the most prominent directors of the period, the themes used in films, and the relationship of these themes with the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE), the influence of PWE on the formation of the American cinema industry is analyzed.