A succinct definition of Actor-Network Theory
The ISCID Encyclopedia of Science and Philosophy provides a very succinct definition of the Actor-Network Theory.
The definition emphasizes on the most important and pertinent aspects of ANT (actor-network theory) as a theory and methodology about how to describe the interplay between various elements (or actors) in networks where human and non-human elements (or nodes, or actors) are present.
In What is Actor-Network Theory: various ANT definitions I've provided few definitions taken from What is Actor-Network Theory?.
Back in July we had an interesting discussion about few ANT related concepts such as nodes, or actors, or networks with Jeremy Hunsinger. It is an interesting discussion that brings forth few different viewpoints and understandings. Other related ideas and thoughts can be found in the Actor-Network theory & methodology category.
It would be interesting to hear if anyone out there is using the actor-network theory and/or methodology in their research. I would be mostly interested about the challenges in such application.
- mind-mapping tool ... use of ANT apparent - Aug 17, 2004
- actor-network theory or ANT ? - Apr 25, 2004
- Theories informing my research - Mar 11, 2004
- Tenets of Actor Network Theory - Feb 03, 2004
- Does PowerPoint make us stupid? -- using actor-network theory - Jan 07, 2004
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Am I using ANT? Yes. Maybe. Sort of.
My research is into why and how and where speech recogntion is used and might be able to be used. I've just started looking at things from an ANT point of view. I am finding that ANT is a good way to explain why and how the same basic speech recogntion software is able to be part of the work process in some locations and causes no end of trouble for other people.
Extending from case studies of actual use of speech recogntion software to the possible use of it in a different organisation is, I think, one of my bigger challenges. I think that is problematic because it's hard to see how the technology might interact with the other elements in a new network - I'm pretty sure that it's easier to see the relevant actors/actants after the fact. Identifying the obdurate and flexible parts of an existing network could be tricky.
I wouldn't class myself as a sociologist - but I have a sociologist on my advisory panel.