scholarly journals Exploring the Organizational Proliferation of New Technologies: An Affective Actor-Network Theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Sage ◽  
Chloé Vitry ◽  
Andrew Dainty
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Innovation And Technology ◽  
Zero Carbon

In this paper we explore the role of affective encounters between human and non-human bodies in the proliferation of new technologies within and across work organizations. Our exploration challenges not only the long-standing rationalism within studies of technological innovation but the anthropocentrism of burgeoning studies of technology, innovation and affect. Responding to these proclivities, we propose and elaborate an affective Actor-Network Theory (ANT) as an alternative analytical approach by cross-fertilizing ANT concepts with Deleuze’s reading of the affective philosophy of Spinoza. Our approach is elaborated further with the technological innovation of zero-carbon homes in the United Kingdom. Affective ANT is proposed to explain the profound role of affects in the circulation of technologies and of technologies in the circulation of affects. This theory contributes by challenging: studies of affect, innovation and technology to examine the significance of relational human affects in the proliferation of new technologies; organizational studies to consider the interplay of human and technical affects; and Deleuzo-Spinozian organizational studies to conceptualize how affects are organized to serve managerial interests and agendas, such as technological innovation.

scholarly journals Art&science. Autoetnografia artystki realizującej projekty w laboratoriach biologicznych

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-126
Author(s):  
Karolina Żyniewicz
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Art And Science ◽  
Science Field ◽  
Actor Network

The aim of the text is to present the use of the analytical autoethnographic method in studying the “art&science” phenomenon. It is attempt to show that the role of the artist can combine with the role of the ethnographer. The objects of study are the multilevel relations emerging during the realization of artistic projects in biological laboratories. These relations concern both humans (the artist, the scientists) and non-humans (laboratory organisms, equipment). On the basis of actor-network theory, the author presents how the liminal status of ethnographic research is modified when it connects with art. The form of conducting the research is both an example of activity in the art and science field and a new methodological proposal for the study of science and technology.

Studying DNA

2014 ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Quinlan
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Scientific Practice ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
Feminist Thought ◽  
Intellectual Traditions

Feminist methodologies and Actor-Network Theory (ANT) have often been considered opposing theoretical and intellectual traditions. This chapter imagines a conversation between these seemingly divergent fields and considers the theoretical and methodological challenges that ANT and particular branches of feminist thought raise for the other. This chapter examines an empirical project that calls for an engagement with both ANT and feminist methodologies. Through the lens of this empirical project, four methodological questions are considered, which an alliance between ANT and feminist methodologies would raise for any research project: 1) Where do we start our analysis? 2) Which actors should we follow? 3) What can we see when we begin to follow the actors? 4) What about politics? The potential places where ANT and feminist methodologies can meet and mutually shape research on scientific practice and technological innovation are explored. In doing so, this chapter moves towards envisioning new intersections between feminist methodologies and ANT.

Deploying an ‘Out of Space' Technology

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-65
Author(s):  
Samo Grasic ◽  
Maria Udén
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Delay Tolerant Network ◽  
Space Technology ◽  
Project Development ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Delay Tolerant

This study investigates how environments into which new technologies are introduced interact and interfere with the deployment process, the deployed technologies as well as the research conducted. The material that is used in this study draws from the N4C project development and deployment of Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) technology in the remote Arctic villages of Ritsem and Staloluokta. As the development of DTN technology prior to the deployment was conducted primarily in the laboratories, its usability and functionality still needed to be proven on the field of deployment. Here, Actor Network Theory (ANT) was employed to reveal how climate, flora, fauna and other elements present in the field of deployment interacted and interfered with, but more importantly, drove the technological development and the continued research work.

Consumer Creativity as a Prerequisite for the Adoption of New Technological Products

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-69
Author(s):  
Marianne Harbo Frederiksen ◽  
Stoyan Tanev
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
New Product Adoption ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Value Perception ◽  
Potential Consumer ◽  
Adoption Research ◽  
Consumer Creativity ◽  
Technological Products

Creativity is often conceptualized as actions and outcomes related to the creation of novel and useful ideas within the context of the development of new products. It is usually positioned in the activities of designers who play the role of “the creator”. In this paper the authors suggest “changing the subject” to consumers by claiming that creativity plays a key role in the adoption phase when they attempt to address their needs and preferences by appropriating the use value of everyday technological products. They emphasize that the product value perception which makes a potential consumer buy is the result of this consumer's own activities and efforts. Thus, the intensity of consumers' creative activities becomes a critical adoption factor. The authors suggest that activity-based approaches such as actor-network theory and activity theory could be quite appropriate in studying the dynamics and the design of new product adoption, and offer a comparative analysis indicating that actor-network theory has a greater potential to contribute to the interplay between consumer creativity and technology adoption research.

Seven Years of IJANTTI Articles

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Arthur Tatnall
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Historical View

The International Journal of Actor-Network Theory and Technological Innovation (IJANTTI) is now in its eighth year, and this article provides a brief summary of the journal's content over its first seven years. It offers an historical view of how the articles have changed (or not changed) over this period as an indication of the range of some of the topics that have been subject to an ANT analysis. A brief summary of the types of issues covered is also provided.

Actor-Network Theory in Information Systems Research

2005 ◽  
pp. 42-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Tatnall
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research

Building an information system is a difficult task, partly due to the problem of ascertaining the requirements of the intended users, but also because of the complexity of the large number of human-machine interactions (Banville, 1991). This complexity is reflected in the difficulty of building these systems to operate free from error and to perform as intended. The dictionary defines innovation as “the alteration of what is established; something newly introduced”. As the introduction or improvement of an information system in an organisation necessarily involves change, information systems research often involves research into technological innovation.

The Role of Gossip in the Creation and Miscreation of Company Identity from the Perspective of Actor-Network Theory

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 40-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Bielenia-Grajewska
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Organizational Environment ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Informal Communication ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Creation

In this paper an attempt will be made to show how the grapevine shapes the relations between companies and stakeholders. To narrow the scope of the research, attention will be focused solely on one type of colloquial corporate socializing, namely gossiping. The company, its organizational environment and its relation with gossip are studied by implying the notion of company identity. The interrelation between gossiping and company identity has not been discussed by many researchers, although informal communication as such spans a number of disciplines. Consequently, in this work the author will try to show both the negative and positive sides of gossip in forming corporate communities and their character. Taking into account the growing role of networks in creating and sustaining different types of communication, gossiping is studied through the perspective of Actor-Network Theory that facilitates an understanding of how human beings and non-living entities shape the way company identity is constructed and maintained.

scholarly journals Indicator Culture in Sport for Development and Peace: A Transnational Analysis of Governance Networks

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Henne
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Sport For Development ◽  
Governance Networks ◽  
The United Nations

This article offers a transnational analysis of sport for development and peace (SDP) governance, focusing specifically on the role of indicator culture. Building on earlier attempts to use actor-network theory to study law and governance, it illuminates how a focus on indicator culture requires considering how actors, both human and nonhuman, inform SDP governance. It draws upon multi-sited ethnographic research conducted at the United Nations and in Oceania and considers how bureaucratic mechanisms, political and funding mandates, and postcolonial ideologies converge. Taken together, they point to emergent tensions within the broader embrace of indicator culture across domains of governance.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document