The influence of micro-practices to become Agile: Combining outcomes of an Actor-Network theory and Scandinavian institutionalism-based analyses

Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2023-07
Author(s)
;
Abstract
Translation studies increasingly focus on how micro-practices influence the local translation of a new management concept in an organization. Drawing on Scandinavian institutionalism and Actor-Network theory (ANT), this paper seeks to expand the understanding of the role of micro-practices in the translation process of a management idea. Combining insights from two distinctive empirical analyses on the translation of “Agile” in a Swiss bank we shed light on the micro-tactics relevant for the mobilization of allies developed to navigate organizational structures that encourage disconnected business units within the organization. Our empirical qualitative study based upon interviews and observations examines the implementation of Agile within a Swiss bank. The first analysis applying an ANT perspective revealed that the actors applied six different strategies to try to enroll further human or non-human actors to the Agile alliance. The second analysis under a Scandinavian institutionalism lens led to the identification of three different modes of translation that actors may engage in. The findings show that translation can be guided by various distinctive modes that involve various degrees of adaptations. Furthermore, this study contrasts the two outcomes derived from applying two different lenses under the Translation theory umbrella and derives that they lead to similar conclusions. Applying these two distinct theoretical frameworks can be connected to show a more nuanced understanding of how social action is shaped by institutional structures. Connecting ANT and Scandinavian institutionalism offers a promising way to enrich our knowledge of how institutional structures and non-human actors interact and co-evolve over time.
Language
English
Event Title
39th EGOS Colloquium
Event Location
Cagliari, Italy
Event Date
July 6-8 2023
URL
Additional Information
Stream 77: Translating Leadership: Tensions, contradictions, and ambiguities