Theoretical Foundations for the Study of Sociomateriality
Item
Title
Theoretical Foundations for the Study of Sociomateriality
Abstract/Description
This paper compares two alternative theoretical foundations upon which the study of sociomateriality can be built: agential realism and critical realism. It begins by providing a brief overview of the sociomaterial perspective on organizational practices and considers why this perspective holds great appeal at this point in time. I then engage with Mutch's (2013) critique of the agential realist foundation upon which most current discussions of sociomateriality are constructed to highlight what practical problems are generated when authors attempt to map agential realism's philosophical discussion onto empirical phenomena. Next, I attempt to make explicit what Mutch leaves implicit in his paper: how building studies of sociomateriality on the theoretical foundation offered by critical realism can, potentially, overcome some of the practical problems created by a footing on agential realism. Finally, I push Mutch's arguments one step further to compare what practical consequences arise when researchers attempt to construct studies of sociomateriality on either of these two theoretical foundations. I suggest that there are important implications for what one can study, how one can study it, and how scholars can contribute to theory on technology and organizing based on the theoretical foundation they choose to build upon.
Author/creator
Date
In publication
Volume
23
Issue
2
Pages
59-76
Resource type
Research/Scholarly Media
Medium
Print
Background/context type
Conceptual
Open access/free-text available
Yes
Peer reviewed
Yes
ISSN
1471-7727
Citation
Leonardi, P. M. (2013). Theoretical Foundations for the Study of Sociomateriality. Information and Organization, 23(2), 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoandorg.2013.02.002
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