Is Actor Network Theory Critique?

Whittle, Andrea; Spicer, André

doi:10.1177/0170840607082223

Cited by 268 publications

(212 citation statements)

References 73 publications

(106 reference statements)

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“…Within ANT scholarship, a person, a plant, a machine, a weather system or even a germ (or an electron) are all referred to as "actors." As Whittle and Spicer (2004) note:…”

Section: Mobility Can Be Understood As a Socially-situated Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experts, theories, and electric mobility transitions: Toward an integrated conceptual framework for the adoption of electric vehicles

Sovacool

2017

Energy Research & Social Science

109

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I expand and integrate a theory of mobility (Automobility) with one of science and technology (Actor Network Theory) and one about social acceptance and user adoption (UTAUT).I apply this integrative framework to the diffusion (and non-diffusion) of electric vehicles and the process of electric mobility. I begin by presenting my methods, namely semi-structured qualitative research interviews with social theorists. Then, I present the three theories deemed most relevant by respondents. Automobility holds that, on a cultural or social level, automobiles exist as part of a complex, one that involves hardware and infrastructure-a hybridity between drivers and machines-along with patterns of identity and attitudes about driving pleasure. Actor Network Theory (ANT) involves the concepts of network assemblage, translation, enrollment, and actants and lieutenants. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, or UTAUT, states that on an individual level, the adoption of new technologies will be predicated on interconnected factors such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and other facilitating conditions.Based largely on the original interview data supplemented with peer-reviewed studies, I propose a conceptual framework of user acceptance consisting of motile pleasure, sociality, sociotechnical commensurability, and habitual momentum. I conclude with implications for research and policy.

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“…Within ANT scholarship, a person, a plant, a machine, a weather system or even a germ (or an electron) are all referred to as "actors." As Whittle and Spicer (2004) note:…”

Section: Mobility Can Be Understood As a Socially-situated Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experts, theories, and electric mobility transitions: Toward an integrated conceptual framework for the adoption of electric vehicles

Sovacool

2017

Energy Research & Social Science

109

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“…One of the most controversial challenges between ANT researchers can be projected through ANT's commitment to 'radical symmetry', which is the result of visualizing the power of humans and non-humans as equal, ambiguous and debatable (Whittle & Spicer, 2008). An early critique of the power was debated in Amsterdamska's (1990) review of science in action called "Surely you must be joking, Mr. Latour".…”

Section: Ongoing Debate About Powermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As Callon & Latour (1992) state, there is no agential priority between human and non-human which means a machine can presumably be thought of having the very same degree of agency as a human. Moreover, as Whittle & Spicer (2008) discuss, a symmetrical network acquires a heterogeneous engineer Law (1986) who collects and puzzles all materials and non-materials to form a stable network and has to make sure that the actors do not betray to their roles and promises. To make sure that actors do not step back from their positions and agreements, Latour (1987) proposes the "black boxing" strategy by which the actors are ensured to be enrolled in the existing network since they are enlightened that the cost of other alternatives will be high (Latour & Woolgar, 1986).…”

Section: Ongoing Debate About Powermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ANT perceives the line between social and technical as a border of negotiations that assists researchers in balancing the concerns between agency and structure (Latour, 1999b). But many ANT researchers criticize this as stating that if a human would be an agent of technology, then the technology is only represented through human needs, hence, this can not be a legitimate representation of technological artifacts (Whittle & Spicer, 2008).…”

Section: The Absurdity Of Assigning Agency To Non-human Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Translation includes non-sequential stages that Callon (1986b) interprets as moments of translation, which filters and distils loads of data in order to maintain a focus in processing a stable network. Stable network according to Whittle and Spicer (2008) is the one which its actors remain faithful to their promises. Translation is about taking someone's (human or non-human) interests and translating them in such a way that a sociotechnical artifact is the solution (Walsham , 1997).…”

Section: Introduction To Actor Network Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sustainability of a Web 2.0 application from the perspective of Actor Network Theory: The case of LibGuide

Koczkas¹,

Arasteh²

2012

PsycEXTRA Dataset

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PrefaceWriting this thesis has been more than just a writing process. We have shared all types of feelings through this journey that includes sleepless nights, doubts in our own work and capabilities, frustration and happiness. But in the end we can both conclude that it has led to an extension of our knowledge and experience when it comes to the field of Information Systems. We would like to take the opportunity to thank a number of people through this challenging act. Håkan Sterner our supervisor:An inspiring and helping hand throughout this entire process. Thank you for your constant support and believing us. All involved respondents:Thank you all for your participation in this research, without you wouldn't this be possible Professor Geoffrey C. BowkerThank you sir for taking your time and reading this thesis, sending us some valuable comments, especially when it came to the question about the abductive reasoning. Professor Anita MirijamdotterWe are grateful for the guidance and the constructive feedback we received after the presentation which helped us to improve to make this even better, thank you so much. Professor Christina MörtbergThank you for all the guidance and feedback, this helped us in so many ways.. Our beloved families and friends:For the constant support, love and motivation. Without you we wouldn't have the energy it took in order to write this thesis. 3 ABSTRACT Title:Sustainability of a web 2.0 application from the perspective of This thesis aims to focus on relational controversy about the causes behind the inconsistency in number of students who use a Web 2.0 application named "LibGuide" inside the Linnaeus University and the attempts of program coordinator to develop certain strategies to perform a better use of it in a particular department of Healthcare. The nature of the problem will be discussed, suggesting that how the these strategies maintained a high significant of use in that department. The research foregoes, as it uses a process of translation which are the moments of struggles by a program coordinator to impose itself by its role to the definition of the situation. The research suggests a network within which the series of processes and interrelation of the sociotechnical role of each member is drawn and allocated.

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Capturing the Elusive

Broad¹,

Lahiff²

2019

The Wiley Handbook of Vocational Education and Training

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Is Actor Network Theory Critique?

Cited by 268 publications

References 73 publications

Experts, theories, and electric mobility transitions: Toward an integrated conceptual framework for the adoption of electric vehicles

Experts, theories, and electric mobility transitions: Toward an integrated conceptual framework for the adoption of electric vehicles

Sustainability of a Web 2.0 application from the perspective of Actor Network Theory: The case of LibGuide

Capturing the Elusive

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