้how then is this tension between values resolved when the personal priorities of individuals are at odds with the dominant values expressed in the sociology-political environment within which they function? empirical studies provide a range of different scenarios in which the scope for individual agency varies considerably. commentators who see little opportunity for those at an institutional level to shape their own policy agendas emphasize the power of external structures. they argue that those working within educational organizations have no more than the most limited capacity to develop internal policy agendas that challenge external influences quite simply there are overwhelmed by the power of external structures whether it be the inspectorate, the local market context, or more likely, a confluence of the two. one of the clearest exponents of this perspective is wright (2001) who argues :