Aleksandra Godzirova. Actor Network Theory. History of Business Networks. Dr. Gordon Winder. 26/05/08 Actor Network Theory 1

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1 Aleksandra Godzirova Actor Network Theory History of Business Networks Dr. Gordon Winder Actor Network Theory 1

2 Outline Introduction Definition Actor Network Theory Definiton Keywords Example I: Scallops and Fishermen Exapmle II: Actor-networks and the diffusion of management accounting innovations Critical issues Summary Actor Network Theory 2

3 Introduction Actor Network Theory (ANT) was pioneered in the 1980s by Michel Callon (1986), Bruno Latour (1987) and John Law (1987) Sociological definiton of science and technology ANT tries to explain how size, power or organisation are generated The theory can be found not only in sociological and technical papers, but also in economic ones Actor Network Theory 3

4 Definition - Theory ANT conceptualizes social interactions in terms of networks Networks integrate the material environment (e.g. technology) and the semiotic environment (e.g. concepts and symbolic meanings) Social interactions have both human and nonhuman (material) causes Knowledge and construction as a product of a network of relationships The growth of power as the result of development of size and knowledge (and so the growth of a network) Actor Network Theory 4

5 Definiton - Keywords Actor: entities that do things, not important who/what it is but what he/she/it does and the consequences Actors can be human and non-human (like things in nature, technology) Network: relationship, association between actors which have the same goals No actor without a network! This also applies vice versa! Translation: starting point of ANT, describes the process of forming a network Actor Network Theory 5

6 Definiton - Keywords Generalized symmetry: all actors, human and non-human, are described in the same terms Free association: follow the entities without locking them in fixed roles Hybridism: two actors working together, but also one actor in two networks Centre of calculation: place where knowledge is collected Multiple mobiles: things collected in the centre of calculation, e.g. books Actor Network Theory 6

7 Key properties within the network Trust: key issue Knowledge: knowledge in the network, not universal knowledge Positionality: some individuals have more access than another Extend of the network: the bigger the network, the more knowledge it contains Persistence in time: some of the informations collected are few hundred years old, but are still interesting and relevant for actors Actor Network Theory 7

8 Scallops and Fishermen Scallops fished in France at three locations: along the coast of Normady, in the roadstead of Brest and in St. Brieuc Bay Consumer prefer coralled scallops Brest: coralled scallops all year round, in the other regions just for six months But: declining stock of scallops Three french researchers which have been in Japan and have seen a new method to grow scallops The researchers returned to St. Brieuc Bay Actor Network Theory 8

9 Scallops and Fishermen - Four Moments of Translation Problematization: starting point of building a network What is the problem problem that has to be solved? What are the actors? Here the actors are: fishermen, scallops, scientific colleagues Obligary passage points: interest of the scientists lies in admitting the proposed research programme Actor Network Theory 9

10 Scallops and Fishermen - Four Moments of Translation The device of interessement: aims and utilities of the actors Getting the actors interested and negotiating the terms of their involvement Here: the three researchers work to convince the other actors that the roles it has defined them are acceptable Actor can use to get integrated within the plan or to define his goals and strategies in another manner Actor Network Theory 10

11 Scallops and Fishermen - Four Moments of Translation The enrolment: ways in which actors are enrolled Actors accept the roles that have been defined for them during interessement Here: Physical violence against predators, fishermen accept the coclusions The mobilisation of allies: choosing a spokesman Who speaks in the name of whom? Is the spokesman representative? Actor Network Theory 11

12 Actor-networks and the diffusion of management accounting innovations How are management accounting innovations produced, modified and accepted? From an ANT point of view, time/space movements and translations are linked There cannot be movements without some adaptation/translation and vice versa Any diffusion in time and space is a paradox as its outcome is both homogenization and heterogenization of practices Actor Network Theory 12

13 Critical issues Understanding ANT requires open mind ANT only works if all actors work together ANT ignores the resources obtained to build networks There is no untruth in the theory ANT is analytically radical in part because it treads on a set of ethical, epistemological and ontological toes Many misunderstandings due to the word network Actor Network Theory 13

14 Summary ANT is a distinctive approach to social theory and is interested in exploring how actor-networks get formed, hold themselves together, or fall apart Four moments of translation: Problematization Interessement Enrolment The mobilization of allies Knowledge is travelling with actors Actor Network Theory 14

15 References Alcouffe, Simon, Berland, Nicolas, Levant Yves: Actor-networks and the diffusion of management accounting innovations: A comparative study Akroyd, Chris: The Role of Management Control Systems within Actor-Networks during New Product Development Callon, Michel: Some elements in a society of translation: domestication of the scallops and the fishermen of St Brieuc Bay Latour, Bruno: On recalling ANT Actor Network Theory 15

16 References Law, John, Hassard, John: Actor Network Theory and after Law, John: Notes on the Theory of the Actor Network: Ordering, Strategy and Heterogeneity Murdoch, James: Towards a geography of heterogenus associations Shapin, Stephen: Placing the View from Nowhere: Historical and Sociological Problems in Location of Science Whatmore, Sarah, Thone, Lorraine : Wild(er)ness: reconfiguring the geographies of wildlife Actor Network Theory 16

Michel Callon: Some elements of a sociology of translation: domestication of the scallops and the fishermen of St Brieuc Bay

Michel Callon: Some elements of a sociology of translation: domestication of the scallops and the fishermen of St Brieuc Bay INF 5011- Feb2011/ Beata, Ebenezer, Elise Introduction Michel Callon and ANT