Start Date
12-13-2015
Description
Recent developments in information system research have increased the interest in understanding complex and large-scale efforts. This study examines infrastructuring as social action within the novel context of an educational network of a Finnish city. This longitudinal case involves various sub-projects and a multitude of actors. This study contributes to current research by offering nexus-analytic concepts—discourses in place, interaction order, and historical body—as theoretical tools for a better understanding of the complexity involved in infrastructuring. We identify the central social actors and their contributions to infrastructuring. The study acknowledges the longer temporal timescales of infrastructuring, especially the past temporal horizon and shared histories of the communities involved, which are examined using the concept of the historical body. In addition, the study delves into multi-sitedness, multi-vocalities, and political aspects of infrastructuring through the concept of interaction order. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Halkola, Eija; Iivari, Netta; and Kuure, Leena, "Infrastructuring as Social Action" (2015). ICIS 2015 Proceedings. 25.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2015/proceedings/HumanBehaviorIS/25
Infrastructuring as Social Action
Recent developments in information system research have increased the interest in understanding complex and large-scale efforts. This study examines infrastructuring as social action within the novel context of an educational network of a Finnish city. This longitudinal case involves various sub-projects and a multitude of actors. This study contributes to current research by offering nexus-analytic concepts—discourses in place, interaction order, and historical body—as theoretical tools for a better understanding of the complexity involved in infrastructuring. We identify the central social actors and their contributions to infrastructuring. The study acknowledges the longer temporal timescales of infrastructuring, especially the past temporal horizon and shared histories of the communities involved, which are examined using the concept of the historical body. In addition, the study delves into multi-sitedness, multi-vocalities, and political aspects of infrastructuring through the concept of interaction order. Implications for research and practice are discussed.