ANT - Actor Network Theory A presentation by virtual team 6 April

Our case NOW IT’S US NOW IT’S US WSU and UiO WSU and UiO DOR – Department of Revenue in Olympia Washington DOR – Department of Revenue in Olympia Washington WOSYS – Work Order SYStem WOSYS – Work Order SYStem A WO (work order) is a request for computer support or maintenance A WO (work order) is a request for computer support or maintenance

History of ANT STS – Science and Technology studies STS – Science and Technology studies

Key concepts Socio tecnologial networks Socio tecnologial networks Both artifacts and human actors are actants in the network Both artifacts and human actors are actants in the network

System description System description

Key concepts Socio tecnologial networks Socio tecnologial networks Both artifacts and human actors are actants in the network Both artifacts and human actors are actants in the network Inscription Inscription The way technical artefacts embody patterns of use The way technical artefacts embody patterns of use Translation Translation Re-interpret, re-present or appropriate, others’ interests to one’s own Re-interpret, re-present or appropriate, others’ interests to one’s own Translation of inscriptions Translation of inscriptions

Document Standard File Structure Task assignment

Key concepts continued Alignment Alignment Alignment of actor networks Alignment of actor networks Translations are used in the alignment process Translations are used in the alignment process Enrolment Enrolment Expanding an actor network Expanding an actor network Actor networks need to be aligned in order for enrolment to occur Actor networks need to be aligned in order for enrolment to occur

Document Standard File Structure Task assignment

Key concepts continued Alignment Alignment Alignment of actor networks Alignment of actor networks Translations are used in the alignment process Translations are used in the alignment process Enrolment Enrolment Expanding an actor network Expanding an actor network Actor networks need to be aligned in order for enrolment to occur Actor networks need to be aligned in order for enrolment to occur Black boxing Black boxing The ability to ”zoom in” / view an actant as a more detailed network of (internal) actants The ability to ”zoom in” / view an actant as a more detailed network of (internal) actants The ability to ”zoom out” / view an actor network as one (composite) actant The ability to ”zoom out” / view an actor network as one (composite) actant

Document Standard File Structure Task assignment

The problems with ANT Artifacts as actors Artifacts as actors The ”world in your lap” The ”world in your lap”

Related concepts IS – Information Infrastructures IS – Information Infrastructures Installed base Installed base Network externalities Network externalities Universal design Universal design Path dependency Path dependency Lock-in Lock-in Bootstrapping Bootstrapping Globalisation and risk society Globalisation and risk society AT – Activity Theory AT – Activity Theory Subject – Object – Tool Subject – Object – Tool Activity – Action - Operation Activity – Action - Operation Collaboration Collaboration Breakdowns Breakdowns