Institutional thinking, a concept that underscores the importance of internal perspectives and the enduring purposes of institutions, plays a critical role in maintaining societal stability and ethical governance. This paper explores the dual nature of institutional thinking, highlighting its positive aspects and inherent dangers. Through an examination of economic, political, and philosophical forces, the paper identifies modern challenges that undermine long-term commitments and ethical values within institutions. By drawing on historical and contemporary examples, including slavery, Nazism, and discriminatory practices, the discussion provides a comprehensive understanding of how institutional thinking can both promote human well-being and perpetuate systemic issues. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need to reaffirm institutional values, promote long-term thinking, and balance individual rights with collective responsibilities to harness the positive aspects of institutional thinking while mitigating its risks.

Small and medium-sized enterprises as the main body of Chinese enterprises should be an important driving force for China's economic development. However, the problems of salary management faced by small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly hindering their own survival and development. Whether it is standing on the position of the enterprise or the workers, the pay problem is that they are more concerned about the problem, while the remuneration is also an indispensable modern means of competition and incentives. Salary management is not only indispensable content of enterprise human resources, but also the establishment of modern enterprise system, and optimization of the allocation of social resources requirements. Enterprise salary management operation flexibility or not, directly affect the production and operation management, which will affect the long-term development of enterprises. This paper analyzes the problems of salary management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as unreasonable pay system, lack of forward-looking management system, and so on, and analyzes and discusses their own countermeasures.