Spontane strategier i innovationsnetværk: Materialitetens betydning for stabiliseringen af virtuelle verdner som professionelt kommunikationsmedie [Spontaneous strategies in innovation networks: The importance of materiality in stabilising virtual worlds]

Authors

  • Emil Husted Copenhagen Business School
  • Ursula Plesner Copenhagen Business School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/mediekultur.v28i53.6046

Keywords:

Virtuel Verdner, Innovation, Strategi, Aktør-Netværksteori, Translation, Interessement, Stedsontologi

Abstract

Much research has dealt with how social and organisational processes change when they take place in virtual spaces. This article considers innovation processes in which actors try to establish virtual worlds as platforms for professional communication. However, instead of focusing on internal communication processes in virtual worlds, the article seeks to question the dichotomy between physical and virtual worlds and to explore the importance of materiality in organising the virtual. Adopting a perspective inspired by actor-network theory, the article argues that physical places and objects do not only serve as context for innovation processes, but on the contrary are incorporated as strategic resources that actively help create the virtual worlds. The article is based on an empirical analysis of five Danish companies, and shows how companies make use of physical places and objects as strategic resources in the innovation process. Thus the article contributes to the literature on innovation in new media such as virtual worlds.

Author Biographies

Emil Husted, Copenhagen Business School

Forskningsassistent
Institut for Organisation
Copenhagen Business School – Handelshøjskolen
eh.ioa@cbs.dk

Ursula Plesner, Copenhagen Business School

Lektor, ph.d.
Institut for Organisation
Copenhagen Business School – Handelshøjskolen
up.ioa@cbs.dk

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Published

2012-09-26

How to Cite

Husted, E., & Plesner, U. (2012). Spontane strategier i innovationsnetværk: Materialitetens betydning for stabiliseringen af virtuelle verdner som professionelt kommunikationsmedie [Spontaneous strategies in innovation networks: The importance of materiality in stabilising virtual worlds]. MedieKultur: Journal of Media and Communication Research, 28(53), 19 p. https://doi.org/10.7146/mediekultur.v28i53.6046