Positioning Theory and Small-Group Interaction

Pasi Hirvonen

doi:10.1177/2158244016655584

Abstract

This study introduces positioning theory in the analysis of small-group dynamics in joint decision-making episodes. Specifically, it seeks to identify the key concepts that come into play when positioning theory is applied to analyze small-group interaction and small-group dynamics. Positioning theory aims to examine the discursive production of interpersonal positions that rely on the local moral orders of the interlocutors. The study presented here draws on transcribed material from four management board meetings of a Finnish public research institute, including a total of 18 decision-making episodes. First, the findings show how decision-making episodes consist of fluctuating storylines, how different positions are created, and how social positioning is connected to task positioning. Second, task positioning and the effects of the positioning negotiations are discussed, particularly, how positioning is connected to the progression of the meeting, to establishing the chair’s position as the facilitator, and to the negotiation of shared themes and concepts is shown. Third, the analysis indicates how the local moral orders of a small group are negotiated and constructed.

Highlights

Positioning Theory and Workgroups as MicroCulturesPositioning theory focuses on situation-specific actions and the construction of different positions in interaction stating the inability of the concept of role in explaining the finegrained dynamics of social behavior
The analysis presented in this work shows how positioning theory oriented analysis proceeds in a context of workgroup interaction study and how the basic concepts of the theory help us construe the micro-dynamics of small-group discourse
Management board meetings as social episodes, understood as “orderly sequences of meaningful actions . . . which seem to have some measure of coherence and structure” (Harré, 1993, p. 56), form an arena for positioning that differs in its structure and order from mundane conversations

Summary

Introduction

Positioning theory focuses on situation-specific actions and the construction of different positions in interaction stating the inability of the concept of role in explaining the finegrained dynamics of social behavior (see, for example, Harré, 2012b). The examination of the moral order of social actions and the rights and duties of the interaction participants to act and speak in certain ways forms the core of positioning theory. The focus of analysis is on the social realm where these rights and duties are distributed, negotiated, and disputed. Within this context, conversations are the central forum of this kind of discursive practice. Conversations are the central forum of this kind of discursive practice. (Harré, 2015; Harré & Van Langenhove, 2010; Van Langenhove & Harré, 1999) every social group has its own implicit structure of moral orders that guides the group interaction and the dynamics between the group members

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Conclusion