Abstract
ABSTRACT Taking as reference the approaches adopted by Bourdieu (2010) and Jacobs (2011), the focus of this article is to present the findings of a research effort designed to investigate the relationships between the constructs Space and Social Dynamics. In this sense, it seeks to investigate in which manner did the relationships among different social agents - emphasizing the roles played by local entrepreneurs - which, upon mobilizing different capitals - economic, social, cultural and symbolic (BOURDIEU, 2010) - shape and are shaped by specific configurations, creators of socio-spatial dynamics that are diversity-enablers to a greater or lesser extent (JACOBS, 2011). For this purpose, an investigation inspired on the Grounded was undertaken, involving documentary analysis, direct observation and 41 semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs, dwellers, passers-by and opinion leaders inserted into the dynamics of an important peripheral street in the city of Sete Lagoas/MG. Notable findings include the relevance of studies that draw more systematic considerations, extrapolating economic, social, cultural and symbolic capitals (BOURDIEU, 2010), allocating a greater importance to spatial capital, usually relegated to a secondary plane not only in Bourdieu's Theory of Practical Action as well as in classical studies into Economics and Geography (SANTOS, 2012). Another of this study's significant findings is that the subjects personified in the different types of entrepreneurs identified - Traditional, Modern and Bricoleurs - do not emerge nor act in a socio-spatial void, nor are independent from each other. Quite the opposite, they are a part of a community social ecology (HANNAN; FREEMAN, 1984), rife with dispute, collaboration and intentional and unconscious synergies, in which space, in addition to technological-economical forces, plays a relevant role.
Highlights
The relevance of investigating the street as a for a more trustworthy understanding of the contemporary urban everyday life and the social interaction among its different social agents has been showing itself with increasing vitality in administrative and organizational studies (SANTOS, 2012; JACOBS, 2011; BOURDIEU, 2010)
Because it is a place of passage, circulation and of street corners, talks, violence, understanding, eroticism, diversity and, of sociability and construction of civilization; it is in the street space that contemporary social relations effectively happen (JACOBS, 1969). The approaches of these two authors – Bourdieu (2010) and Jacobs (2011) taken as reference a posteriori, of this article is to present the findings of a research effort designed to investigate the relationships between the constructs Space and Social Dynamics. It seeks to investigate in which manner did the relationships among different social agents – in this specific case emphasizing local entrepreneurs – which, upon mobilizing different capitals – economic, social, cultural and symbolic (BOURDIEU, 2010) – shape and are shaped by specific spatial configurations, creators of socio-spatial dynamics that are diversity-enablers to a greater or lesser extent (JACOBS, 2011)
Bourdieu’s “Theory of Practical Action” was chosen a posteriori as the theoretical framework for the analysis of relations among the social agents involved in the investigated street dynamics, notably his notions of Habitus, Field, Capital and Distinction
Summary
The relevance of investigating the street as a for a more trustworthy understanding of the contemporary urban everyday life and the social interaction among its different social agents has been showing itself with increasing vitality in administrative and organizational studies (SANTOS, 2012; JACOBS, 2011; BOURDIEU, 2010). Pierre Bourdieu’s contributions to sociology are, in this sense, paradigmatic, by allowing concrete elements factored into the understanding of such spatialities such as fight games and interactions, enabling the demonstration of the manner by which relationships among different agents contribute towards the production of diversity, innovation and change contexts This to the extent that the cities’ and their myriad places and dynamics’ production is intrinsically related to the (re-)production of discourses, relationships and social practices. Broadening possibilities regarding new looks and conceptual-methodological contributions that will favor the construction of urban and organizational contexts that are more adherent to diversity and vitality, core competitiveness elements in such coevality, as branded by post-industrial experience (HARVEY, 1989) It clearly shows potential for the application of still-scantily applied theoretical frameworks to Organizational and Urban Studies, notably in Brazil, such as Bordieu’s perspective. It provides elements for crafting policies and actions veered towards urban and organizational development that is more participatory and democratic, respecting the diversity and richness underlying the differences
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