What impact do the institutions of society have on work? To answer this question a distinction was drawn between two models of social institutions, contrasting their characteristics and pointing out the implication of each model for an understanding of work and the production institution. It was concluded that the "multi-equal" model of social institutions provides a more adequate picture of industrial societies. This document sets forth the analytical grounds for developing the "multi-equal" model as well as implications for work that may be drawn from this model. Predictions are made regarding the relations between institutions and work in the future. (Author/JS)