Do non-humans make a difference? Potentials and problems in applying Bruno Latour‘s Actor-Network-Theory to the study of (social) innovation Alexander Degelsegger Alexander Kesselring

2 Assumptions and Intentions All innovations are „social processes“ One general innovation theory comprising „technical“ as well as „social“ innovation An innovation theory and research methodology allowing to understand the relation between innovation processes and social change

3 The basic assumptions of Actor-Network-Theory (ANT) Assumption 1: “Any thing that does modify a state of affairs by making a difference is an actor” (Latour 2007: 71). Assumption 2: It is necessary to include non-human actors in sociological explanations of action and structure Assumption 3: The “social” is not an entity, but a relation between actors that forms a network Assumption 4: In performing this relationship, actors are transformed as is the meaning or force that is transported

4 Innovation as an arrangement between human and non-human actors “The social ‘material’ and the technical ‘material’ are both relatively malleable and the successful innovation is the one which stabilises an acceptable arrangement between human actors (users, negotiators, repairers) and the non-human actors (electrones, tubes, batteries) at the same time. The particular strength to the innovator is to permanently play with both registers, to treat nature and society symmetrically” (Akrich/Callon/Latour 2002, 210)

5 “Action is overtaken” Actions are... Distributed among actors: different entities (human, non-human) Distributed across space: what is acting at the same moment in any place is coming from many other places, many distant materials, and many faraway actors Distributed over time: elements have been produced at different times

6 A network is... a point-to-point connection which is physically traceable and thus can be recorded empirically a connection that is not made for free, it requires effort (“transaction costs”) a connection where any “meaning” or “force” that is transported is also “translated” mediators vs intermediaries

7 The Micro – Meso – Macro differentiation is... no well ordered zoom produced by actors (“globalisers” and “localisers”) Latour’s answer: flat social world no society/context – content distinction in description/explanation

8 Structure as action? Understanding „constraint“ as actor-network To be „under constraint“ means to be part of an actor-network Actor-networks can be more or less stabilised and stabilisation relies on different actors and different relations between actors Processes of stabilisation and de-stabilisation can be identified

9 Empirical approach map out controversies over agency Identify actors defining trajectories by actants’ association and substitution […] (9) roll film instead of plate film/ camera using the films // nothing other than heavy cameras using plate films exists on the market […] (11) Eastman/Walker/high status company/commercial network […] (14) paper/gelatin -//- fragile […] (18) early 1884 continuous paper machine for serial printing […] (26) film not good for professionals, good for amateurs (31) triumphant reception -//- film still fragile

10 Potentials... All innovations are studied with the same sociological language The inclusion of non-human actors in sociological analysis, in particular the analysis of „social innovations“ A stronger focus on relations and the process of translation A possible way to resolve the micro-meso-macro differentiation A possible way to resolve the agency – structure polarisation A focus on transformation, innovation and political action

11...and Problems Does ANT provide a theoretical and methodological concept for interpreting human accounts? Does ANT explain the attribution of agency? Is agency constituted by attribution? Most non-human actors are made by humans - Does ANT provide a theoretical and methodological concept for interpreting human objectivations? Is ANT providing empirical tools that are appropriate for studying human and non-human actors with a „higher resolution“?

12 Implications for innovation theory Innovation introduces new actors and/or changes the relation between actors and the actors themselves Actor-networks as process medium, constraint, target and outcome of innovation Intentions and meanings are always “translated” and are likely to change during the innovation process A sociology of innovation that describes relations, processes and actors in a balanced way. An innovation theory that understands resistence to change as well as change Innovation theory and social theory become more interdisciplinary.

13 Assumptions and Intentions All innovations are „social processes“ One general innovation theory comprising „technical“ as well as „social“ innovation An innovation theory and research methodology allowing to understand the relation between innovation processes and social change

14 Thank you for your attention! Contact: Alexander Degelsegger Alexander Kesselring Centre for Social Innovation Linke Wienzeile 246, A-1150 Vienna. Austria.