Translating macro-ideas into micro-level practices: The role of social interactions

Abstract

Translation studies have conceptualized language, editing and meaning in the adoption of new ideas or policies, but left the role of interpersonal relationships largely unexplored. This paper contributes to translation theory by using insights from social exchange theory to analyze the role of social interactions in translation. Our case is the translation of the macro-idea of ‘activation’ in practices of sickness absence management within Dutch and Danish hospitals. The study reveals that the translation of this macro-idea into micro-practices varies along with the local managers’ positive or negative interpretation of social interactions with their sick-listed employees. The findings thus suggest a crucial role for interpersonal relationships in explaining meaning, reciprocity and outcomes of translation. The findings are used to develop a model of how macro-ideas are related to micro-practices via mechanisms of social exchange.