Na tentativa de compreender como ocorre um processo de autogestão no cotidiano, este estudo parte da abordagem metodológica da Teoria Ator-Rede para acompanhar as atividades de uma cooperativa de trabalho. Sem definições prévias, nem quadro teórico pré-estabelecido, descreve como a autogestão se constrói e é construída nas práticas do dia-a-dia e como é enactada através da articulação de diversos elementos heterogêneos. Considerando humanos e não-humanos como actantes na apresentação de uma experiência autogestionária em que movimentações, relações, tensões, híbridos estão em um constante organizando. Para a Teoria Ator-Rede realidades são enactadas no limite da noção de rede, sendo assim, pode-se questionar: qual a participação da Administração nessa construção? / In order to understand how the process of autogestion happens, this research, in agreement with the methodological approach of the Actor-Network Theory, follows the activities of a work cooperative. Without previous definitions neither a predetermined theory framework, the research describes how the autogestion is constructs and is constructed within day-to-day practices and how is enacted through the articulation of different heterogeneous elements. Considering humans and nohumans as actants in an autogestionary experience in which movements, relations, tensions and hybrids are in constantly organizing. Actor-Network Theory suggests that realities are enacted in the bound of network concept, so, it is possible to ask: what is the participation of the Management in this construction?

A partir da visão de organização como processo busca-se compreender como e por que ocorre o organizar na bioconstrução. A metodologia utilizada segue os pressupostos da Teoria Ator-rede e Depois que traz como conceito central o enactment aliada a discussão de coletivo para iniciar a pesquisa de campo. Os dados empíricos preliminares, obtidos com observação participante em três locais diferentes que trabalham com bioconstrução a partir da visão da Permacultura e analisados a partir da ótica da TAR e Depois que enfatiza as relações de humanos e não-humanos, destacaram a contribuição para o entendimento de prática e cooperação em termos do fazer/pensar indissociáveis. Assim, acrescenta-se na discussão teórica a noção de prática de Schatzki (2005) e a noção de cooperação a partir da proposta de Sennett (2013). Além de observação participante – usada durante toda pesquisa - os dados empíricos foram coletados – em um segundo momento - por entrevistas, questionário e observação não-participante resultando em uma análise temática baseada no entendimento de prática de Schatzki (2005). O texto se desenvolve através de descrição detalhada dos acontecimentos, intercalado com trechos de incursões teóricas que apresentam a assemblege do método conforme pressupõe a TAR e Depois. Com isso, entende-se e descreve-se a bioconstrução como prática de cooperação através das relações entre todos que enactam a bioconstrução – pessoas e a materialidade. Pela ótica da prática, embasada nos dados empíricos, a cooperação está na inteligibilidade prática do organizar da bioconstrução, assim o barro enacta a cooperação, que enacta a bioconstrução, que enacta o barro. Para existir cooperação não é suficiente uma visão comum ou uma moral social, é preciso o fazer/pensar que constitui e reflete, como processo, essa visão. A tese, através de casos empíricos, contribui para as discussões em Estudos Organizacionais sobre o organizar e em Gestão de Pessoas sobre como ocorrem relações de trabalho horizontais, ambos entendendo processo como o que está em constante mudança. Busca também fortalecer o uso da TAR e Depois como prática metodológica e lente de analise inicial, além de discutir a cooperação em termos de prática. A contribuição para o campo social está na sua ontologia política que dá visibilidade à bioconstrução como uma possibilidade de contrapor o senso comum estabelecido para construção de habitações em nossa sociedade atual. Assim como a bioconstrução nos ensina construir algo único com o que temos disponível, sua prática poderá nos ajudar a pensar criticamente a “monocultura da gestão”. / Considering the organization as a process, this thesis seeks to understand how and why is the organizing in the bioconstruction. The methodology follows the assumptions of Actor-Network Theory and After, that brings as a central concept the enactment combined with collective discussion to start the fieldwork. Preliminary empirical data obtained through participant observation in three different locations, working with bioconstruction from the vision of permaculture, and analyzed from the TAR and After optics, emphasizes the relationship of human and non-human, it highlighted the contribution to understanding the concepts of practice and cooperation in terms of doing / thinking inextricably linked. Thus, it was added to the theoretical discussion the notion of practice Schatzki (2005) and the notion of cooperation Sennett (2013). In addition to participant observation - used throughout research - the empirical data was collected - in a second stage – by interviews, questionnaires and non-participant observation resulting in a thematic analysis based on the Schatzki (2005) concept of practice. The text is developed through a detailed description of the events, interspersed with excerpts from theoretical incursions presenting the method assemblege as presupposes the TAR and After. Thereby, it is understood and described bioconstruction as practice of cooperation through the relationships between all that enact bioconstruction - people and materiality. From the perspective of practice, based on empirical data, cooperation is the practical intelligibility of bioconstruction organizing, so the clay enact cooperation, which enact bioconstruction that enact clay. To be cooperation, a common vision or a social morality is not enough, it is needed doing / thinking represents and reflects this view, as a process. The thesis, through empirical cases, contribute to the discussions in Organizational Studies on organizing and Human Resources about how horizontal working relationships occurs, understanding the process as it is constantly changing. It also seeks to strengthen the use of ANT and After as a methodological practice and initial analysis lens, and discuss cooperation in terms of practice. The contribution to the social field is in its political ontology that gives visibility to bioconstruction as a possibility to counter common sense established for housing construction in our present society. As bioconstruction teaches us build something unique with what we have available, this practice can help us thinking critically about the "monoculture of management."

Na tentativa de compreender como ocorre um processo de autogestão no cotidiano, este estudo parte da abordagem metodológica da Teoria Ator-Rede para acompanhar as atividades de uma cooperativa de trabalho. Sem definições prévias, nem quadro teórico pré-estabelecido, descreve como a autogestão se constrói e é construída nas práticas do dia-a-dia e como é enactada através da articulação de diversos elementos heterogêneos. Considerando humanos e não-humanos como actantes na apresentação de uma experiência autogestionária em que movimentações, relações, tensões, híbridos estão em um constante organizando. Para a Teoria Ator-Rede realidades são enactadas no limite da noção de rede, sendo assim, pode-se questionar: qual a participação da Administração nessa construção? / In order to understand how the process of autogestion happens, this research, in agreement with the methodological approach of the Actor-Network Theory, follows the activities of a work cooperative. Without previous definitions neither a predetermined theory framework, the research describes how the autogestion is constructs and is constructed within day-to-day practices and how is enacted through the articulation of different heterogeneous elements. Considering humans and nohumans as actants in an autogestionary experience in which movements, relations, tensions and hybrids are in constantly organizing. Actor-Network Theory suggests that realities are enacted in the bound of network concept, so, it is possible to ask: what is the participation of the Management in this construction?

Hare’s psychopathy construct as defined by the Psychopathy Checklist- Revised has been utilized internationally as a risk assessment instrument for quite some time. Despite this, since its inception it has and continues to raise criticism from the academic community. There is ongoing debate over what the construct entails and how it should be used. Most recent developments in the construct revolve around it being defined as a neurological manifestation. To explore the psychopathy construct’s connection with neuroscience, this thesis focusses on one foundational experiment by the most prominent team of researchers in the field. The exploration borrows from Science and Technology Studies, more specifically Actor-Network Theory and the semiotic of scientific texts. The goal of this analysis is not to criticize nor defend the psychopathy construct, but rather explore the facticity of psychopathy as a neuroscientific fact. Considering the widespread use of the construct across criminal justice systems and mental health practices, understanding the facticity of psychopathy is imperative. Our contention is that psychopathy as defined by neuroscience was not merely a pre-discovered fact of nature, but rather it is a fact that is hybrid; it is both built by researchers and a part of our natural world, social and real. Our findings reveal that the facticity of psychopathy as a neuroscience construct is reliant on it being a Boundary Object: a scientific object that is able to intersect multiple social worlds through its adaptability (Star & Griesemer, 1989). We show how the construct is a boundary object by detailing the many translations it undergoes while it connects with a variety of heterogeneous actors. For each translation, the construct is rendered qualitatively different, yet it proves to be robust enough to maintain the identity of psychopathy and transform it into a neuroscientific fact.

Cette recherche traite du phénomène immersif dans les mondes virtuels accessibles « grâce à » internet. Second Life sert de terrain d'analyse car il permet de discuter trois régimes immersifs : le perceptif, le narratif et le lien social. Au traversd'une approche formelle (Simmel) et de la théorie de l'acteur-réseau (ANT, Latour), nous analysons diverses médiations conditionnant ces régimes : les villes modélisées dans Second Life sont étudiées de façon approfondie comme le lieu duvivre ensemble et de l'hétérogénéité des publics et des usages.Notre thèse qui s'appuie sur la sociologie a également recours aux sciences de l'information et de la communication, à la philosophie, à la géographie de l'espace social et aux digital humanities. Il s'agit d'une approche transdisciplinaire sollicitant des matériaux variés : observations participantes, entretiens, questionnaires. Nous développons une techniqueautomatisée de « tracking » pour générer des « Big Data » permettant l'analyse des pratiques spatiales des avatars dans l'univers digital.Nous montrons que l'immersion dépend des choix de l'utilisateur (point de vue visuel, choix des activités, etc.) et des qualités et possibles de Second Life (architecture technique, carte du monde, forme du cadre bâti, etc.). Des phénomènes d'appropriation et d'attachement entre des acteurs et des lieux sont décrits et permettent de constater la formalisation d'un« chez-soi ». Les diverses étapes de ce travail contribuent à une théorie de l'habiter dans les mondes virtuels / This research deals with the phenomenon of immersion in virtual worlds which are accessible "thanks to" the internet. Second Life is used as fieldwork because it allows to discuss three immersion regimes: perceptive, narrative andsocial ones. Through a formal approach (Simmel) and actor-network theory (ANT, Latour), we analyze various mediations which condition these immersion regimes: cities modeled in Second Life are studied in depth as the place to live togetherand as heterogeneous audiences and uses.Our thesis which is based on sociology also uses information and communication sciences, philosophy, geography of social space, and digital humanities. It is a transdisciplinary approach using various methods: participant observations,interviews, questionnaires. We develop an automated tracker to generate "Big Data" for the analysis of spatial practices of avatars in the digital world.We show that the immersion depends on the choice of the user (visual point of view, choice of activities, etc.) and on qualities and potentialities of Second Life (technical architecture, world map, shape of the built environment, etc.).Appropriation and attachment phenomena between actors and locations are described and allow us to observe the formalization of a "home". The various steps of this work contribute to a theory of habitat in virtual worlds

Wearable technologies are being adopted in increasing numbers and the market space appears poised for continued growth in virtually all areas, from medicine, to self-quantification, to sports. While the overwhelming majority of work on wearables has been done on their medical applications and their role in shaping identity, this dissertation examines the roles that wearable technologies play on the decision-making processes in athletic contexts. Using new materialism and Actor Network Theory as lenses, I attempt to break from the Cartesian model that places human subjectivity and intentionality at the center of a rhetorical situation and, rather, allow that non-human actants are agentive. I examine the interactions that age-group triathletes have with their wearable technologies and the shifting agencies that accompany those interactions. These interactions call on disparate human and non-human actors in forming a series of temporary, shifting networks that utilize a distributed agency in the decision making process.

The physical landscape is a patchwork of different physical and immaterial structures and networks built up through time, where nature and culture cooperate in processes of shaping the landscape. Since the first settlers in Sweden the grass meadow has taken a central part in the agricultural practices, but today little of this landscape remains. As the most biodiverse land type in Sweden, the loss of meadows states a threat to many endangered species. To maintain an agricultural landscape with high variation in land use, where biological values and cultural environments are maintained, the current landscape pattern and activities must be redesigned. This thesis takes it departure from the territory of Småland as a region defined by its long agricultural practises. The research aims to provide new learnings and insights from the agricultural landscape through historic and modern activities and patterns, to understand how ecological processes and human actions has influenced the landscape. Theories and methods supporting the research and design choices are Actor-Network Theory, landscape ecology and case studies from the agricultural landscape. Actor-Network Theory is used to prevent braking down a complex problem into static actors, but to instead recognise the links and connection the actors already make. In this case the main actors are agricultural tools and structures, landscape elements, landscape ecology, plants and animals. Through a set of design guides based on landscape design principles and the understanding of the rules actors follow in the landscape network, a new diverse landscape pattern can emerge, defined as a meadowscape. As architects we have the possibility to thorough understanding the rules and logic of historic and modern actors in the landscape, rethink their patterns and use them to create a new type of landscape that cater both ecological activity.

Nanotechnology has captured the attention of governments and corporations around the globe. It has become the subject and context for numerous conferences, media articles, websites and scientific research papers. Nano enthusiasts and government officials claim that it is an area that promises new understandings of nature, and use of that understanding to build technologies that might change our lives. Despite the growing hype surrounding this new science, what appears to be lacking is scholarly literature that examines its growth and expansion from a social science perspective. This study addressed this limitation through a sociological analysis of the network of actors, events, rhetorical strategies, practices and instrumentation that went into the construction and growth of nanotechnology. Relying heavily on actor-network theory (ANT), this study focused on a small part of the total network referred to as the knowledge education production process, which involved the enrollment of high school teachers into the nanotechnology network through a series of collaborative workshops -- the Nanotechnology Curriculum Development Project (NCDP) -- with Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech) scientists over a period of two years. By investigating how the nanotechnology network was constructed and maintained, this case study examined the relevance of ANT as nanotechnology moved beyond the laboratory into the public domain of high school education. It looked at the intermediary role of high school science and math teachers and revealed the function of conflict, power, authority, hierarchy, interests, motivations, gender and race in the construction and expansion of scientific networks. / Ph. D.

Med det här kandidatarbetet vill vi belysa en alternativ väg att gå för att ge även de karaktärer som inte är knutna till det narrativa en större och mer betydelsefull plats inom digitala spel. Tillsammans med Bruno Latours Actor-Network Theory undersöker vi relationer mellan bland annat tid, plats och den vardagliga människan. Med observationer som startpunkt undersöker vi hur en identitet kan brytas ner för att omformas till något nytt, något som kan skapa en känsla av unikt och levande till den annars relativt tomma existens som är en ickespelbar karaktär. För att ta det här steget blir begreppet persona en viktig beståndsdel i skapandet av något mer lekfullt och livfullt. Genom att forma identiteter baserade på observationer och sedan förstå relationen mellan dessa identiteter och dess fiktiva egenskaper skapar vi personas med egna behov och bekymmer.   Detta kandidatarbete kommer att förklara olika metoder och processer till att skapa karaktärer och sedan analysera och diskutera resultatet i form av animationer där individers unika egenskaper och attribut förklaras och visualiseras. / With this bachelor thesis we want to shine a light upon an alternative path to take when it comes to giving characters that is not hard knitted to the narrative a greater and more meaningful place inside a digital game. Together with Bruno Latour's Actor-Network Theory we research the relations between time, place and the everyday person. With observation as a starting point we look at how we can break down an identity to reshape and make something new from it, something that can create a lifelike and unique feeling in the otherwise relatively plain and empty existence that is a non-playable character. For us to be able to take that step we include the concept of persona, an important factor in creating something more full of fun and life. Through the shaping of identities based on observation and understanding the relationship between these identities and their fictive attributes a persona is created with its own needs and worries.  This bachelor thesis will also explain the methods and processes needed to create characters followed by analysing and discussions based on the results, the animation of the unique attributes of individuals and how it is explained and visualised.

This study explores the social, technological economic, and environmental development of single-family residential water conservation programs at the Austin Water Utility and asks: What makes a conservation program successful? I hypothesize that water conservation programs will be successful if both institutional-producer goals and citizen-consumer goals are satisfied. While the findings suggest that this may be partially true, it also has become clear that my original actor-network model was too simple to predict the various types of influences on program success. Not only did I find other significant ‘actors’ involved in water conservation, I also found that utility and participant groups themselves represent a wide variety of interests. This study seeks to answer the research question by creating a series of narratives that critically explore water infrastructure and water conservation programs in Austin, Texas. Through a methodological lens referred to as ‘critical constructivism,’ I use mixed methods to analyze and interpret historic documents, interviews, and quantitative data as primary sources. Literature from Science and Technology Studies (STS) are used as secondary sources. This study will add to a body of knowledge that describes how and why we manage our environmental resources. The subject of conservation is especially relevant as urban growth continues with fewer affordable opportunities to increase regional water supplies. As we enter an era of expected water conflict, knowing how to conserve water effectively will help provide more opportunities for sharing a common resource amongst communities, industry, agriculture, and the environment. / text