Brown Bag: Prof Runde

Title: Sociomateriality, imbrication theory and the denizens of the digital

Abstract: 

This paper responds to two broad features of Sociomaterility as articulated by Orlikowski and Scott: (1) a denial of the existence of objects with intrinsic properties; and accordingly (2) a denial of there being something intrinsic to non-material things like software or search algorithms on the basis of which they can be distinguished from material things like computer keyboards and fibre optic cables. Our aim is to restore the idea that the world contains enduring objects with intrinsic properties, and specifically to develop an ontology for the digital realm that permits a clear distinction between material and non-material objects and is able to reveal important ways in which the two may be related. We begin by isolating the issues involved by comparing Sociomateriality with Imbrication Theory, a competing approach founded on the idea that organizational phenomena are the product of the interaction of pre-existing things with intrinsic properties. This is followed by a two-part section in which we develop the promised ontology. The remainder of the paper applies the theory to recent developments in machine vision for endovascular surgery and the emerging phenomenon of secondary markets for software.

About the Speaker:

Professor Runde is co-editor of the Cambridge Journal of Economics, and a member of the Cambridge Social Ontology. He is a former Fellow of the Cambridge-MIT institute, where he served as Associate Director of the Professional Practice Programme (2001-2003) and Director of Graduate Programmes (2003-2005), and currently serves as Chair of the Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Syndicate. He has previously served as Director of the MBA (2008-2013) and Director of Programmes (2007-2008) at Cambridge Judge Business School, on the Cambridge University Board of Graduate Studies (2003-2008), and on the Executive Committee of the University Careers Syndicate (2008-2011). Professor Runder’s most current research activity is concentrated in the areas of social ontology and the ontology of technology (in collaboration with Philip Faulkner) and decision-making under extreme uncertainty (in collaboration with Alberto Feduzi); additional interests in explanation in the social sciences, institutional economics and the economics of the Austrian School.

Seminar details: 

Date: 4 May, 2016

Time: 12:00-14:00

Location: WEV H 326, Weinbergstrasse 56/58

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