Imagining a Feminist Actor-Network Theory

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Quinlan
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Scientific Practice ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Methodological Challenges ◽  
Intellectual Traditions

Feminism and Actor-Network Theory (ANT) have often been considered opposing theoretical and intellectual traditions. This paper imagines a meeting between these seemingly divergent fields and considers the theoretical and methodological challenges that ANT and feminism raise for one another. This paper examines an empirical project that calls for an engagement with both ANT and feminism. Through the lens of this empirical project, three methodological questions that an alliance between ANT and feminism would raise for any research project are considered: 1) Where does the analysis start? 2) What can be seen once the research has begun? 3) What about politics? The potential places where ANT and feminism can meet and mutually shape research on scientific practice and technological innovation are explored. In doing so, this paper moves toward an imagining of a feminist ANT.

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.

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.

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.

Actor-Network Theory Applied to Information Systems Research

2011 ◽  
pp. 20-24 ◽  
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 (Tatnall & Davey, 2005). 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” (Macquarie Library, 1981 p. 914). As the introduction or improvement of an information system in an organisation necessarily involves change, information systems research often involves research into technological innovation.

scholarly journals Meeting ontologies actor-network theory as part of a methodologically heterogeneous research project

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Arda Oosterhoff ◽  
Terrie Lynn Thompson ◽  
Ineke Oenema-Mostert ◽  
Alexander Minnaert
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Actor Network

Using Actor-Network Theory to Identify Factors Affecting the Adoption of E-Commerce in SMEs

2011 ◽  
pp. 152-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Tatnall ◽  
Stephen Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Medium Enterprise ◽  
Human Actors

Just because e-commerce seems like a useful tool that may assist a small to medium enterprise (SME) do its business better, it does not necessarily follow that it will be adopted by this business. The implementation of an e-commerce system in an SME necessitates change in the way the business operates, and so should be considered as an innovation and studied using innovation theory. In this chapter we will argue that the decision to adopt, or not to adopt, a new technology, has more to do with the interactions and associations of both human and non-human actors involved in the project than with the characteristics of the technology. Information systems are complex socio-technical entities and research into their implementation needs to take account of this complexity. This chapter describes three case studies of adoption (or, in one case, of non-adoption) of e-commerce by small business. The chapter describes a research approach based on actor-network theory and innovation translation that we show can be usefully employed in many socio-technical situations involving technological innovation.

Actor-Network Theory as a Socio-Technical Approach to Information Systems Research

2003 ◽  
pp. 266-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Tatnall
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Information Systems Research ◽  
New Business ◽  
Human Actors

An information system is a socio-technical discipline involving both human and non-human entities. Much of the research done in an information system context investigates changes caused by the introduction of new business or organisational system, or changes made to an existing system, and so can be regarded as research into aspects of technological innovation. Information systems are complex entities and their development is a complex undertaking. Research in information systems needs to take account of the complexity of information systems development rather than take steps to hide this. An approach to information systems research, based on actor-network theory, offers a good means of allowing impartial treatment of the contributions of both human and non-human actors, and of handling the complexities involved. This chapter outlines such an approach.

Mediators of Tradition – Embodiments of Doctrine in Rural Swedish Parish Life

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-69
Author(s):  
Jonas Ideström
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Local Church ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Northern Sweden ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Church Life ◽  
Personal Level ◽  
Church And Community

The aim of this article is to analyse how doctrines are embodied in local church life and how they mediate tradition in a local church and community. The article draws on a larger research project focusing on questions concerning ecclesial identity in rural areas of northern Sweden. The ecclesiological analysis and approach is inspired by Actor-Network Theory. The material embodiments of theological doctrines in the Eucharistic liturgy are interpreted as mediators of tradition within the thick fabric of the liturgy and the ecclesial context. The analysis results in a picture of the thick ecclesial fabric in which doctrines are mediated and given meaning in parish life. The article also shows how doctrines can be mediated and translated on a personal level in relation to the liturgy.

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