The paper gives an overview of institutions observed in value chain models in the course of action research by the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) Program on Escaping the Middle-Income Trap: Chains for Change (EMIT C4C). It reviews key concepts and principles from new institutional economics (NIE) and other schools of institutionalism and illustrates these through observed examples from the models. Key concepts are drawn from the work of North (1990), Ostrom (1990; 1999), Greif (1993; 2005), and Coase (1937; 2005). Concepts found in sociology and political science (e.g., social homogeneity and polyvalent ties) are also introduced and pursued when relevant.