Social Action Perspective Research Articles

The Implied Who

This analysis applies theories of recognition explicated by Frantz Fanon, Nancy Fraser, and Pierre Bourdieu towards the semiotic analysis of Le Joli Mai (1963), The Battle of Algiers (1966), and La Haine (1995). This article argues that embodied affective histories (constituting the habitus) seek to be validated and recognised at the level of the individual, the collective group identity, and the nation-state. The films analysed constitute attempts at recognition within the global Bourdieusian field of cinema through means of semiotic communication. In doing so, this project hopes to analyse film from a social action perspective, focusing on the effects of the film with audience interaction in mind, and how toexplain the role audiences and publics have within the conceptualisation and execution of semiotic communication within the context of a postcolonial film.

Motif Da’i Berdakwah di Kota Ambon

This paper describes and explains the self experience of motive behind the preacher choosing to preach. Preaching experiences in Ambon City still get scorn, insult, ridicule from multicultural environment. Environment treats them with apathy, lack of acceptance, recognition, and less respected in preaching. The preacher conveys communication message of Islam, it is still not able to open mind and awareness, in fact, there are many muslims still follow their ancestor doctrines and cannot think crtically. Messages of religious communication should be communicated sympathetically and rationally. This research used subjective interpretive method with phenomenology approach. Researchers explored self experience preacher, conducted by using data collection through in-depth inter-views and participatory observation with supporting data based on social action perspective. The results showed that the subject interpreted himself choosing preacher as profession for reason and purpose motive in preaching communica-tion. Preacher communication action is not “single,” there is another phenom-enon shows the double motive of preaching, though the phenomenon is not likely to appear.

Motif Da’i Berdakwah di Kota Ambon

This paper describes and explains the self experience of motive behind the preacher choosing to preach. Preaching experiences in Ambon City still get scorn, insult, ridicule from multicultural environment. Environment treats them with apathy, lack of acceptance, recognition, and less respected in preaching. The preacher conveys communication message of Islam, it is still not able to open mind and awareness, in fact, there are many muslims still follow their ancestor doctrines and cannot think crtically. Messages of religious communication should be communicated sympathetically and rationally. This research used subjective interpretive method with phenomenology approach. Researchers explored self experience preacher, conducted by using data collection through in-depth inter-views and participatory observation with supporting data based on social action perspective. The results showed that the subject interpreted himself choosing preacher as profession for reason and purpose motive in preaching communica-tion. Preacher communication action is not “single,” there is another phenom-enon shows the double motive of preaching, though the phenomenon is not likely to appear.

An Integral Perspective of Social Action: Imagining, Assessing, Choosing (Onto-epistemology of Networks)

Starting from a formal and abstract perspective, the concept of networks is introduced with a view to possible connections to other fields of the sciences and to practical applications. The structural hierarchy of forms is identified expressing the conceptual organization of our observable world. In the case of social networks, it can be shown that they exhibit a characteristic type of self-reference, a result of their special relationship to the conditions of the human modes of cognition and communication. As to a possible derivation of strategic attitudes, it can be shown that a re-vitalization of the ancient concept of kalokagathía could turn out to be helpful in tackling present everyday problems. Hence, choosing the perspective of an explicit network paradigm entails a new reconciliation of aesthetics and ethics, respectively, including multifarious implications for a suitable foundation of praxis within pertinent crisis management.

Virtual environments for collaborative design: requirements and guidelines from a social action perspective

The paper is concerned with the design of virtual environments for collaborative design (VECD) – a particular class of collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) that focus on supporting design activities. VECD are becoming essential collaboration platforms for many designers and their clients, in a wide range of design domains including product, interior, architectural, automotive design, etc. However, the contemporary design considerations of VECD are mainly driven by systematic approaches that do not reflect upon knowledge regarding requirements that stem out of everyday collaborative design activities. A consequence is that they do not yield methodical guidance to designers of VECD applications. This paper takes a social action standpoint for the purposeful identification and organisation of collaborative design activities; proposes guidelines at multiple levels of abstraction for the design of VECD; and, finally, applies these to a case study development of a specific VECD for interior space design. The paper provides practical aids to designers of VECD so that they incorporate requirements about collaborative design early in the development lifecycle.

25 Years at the Margins— The Global Politics of HIV/AIDS

Today, more than 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, and well over 20 million more have died since the first case was diagnosed in 1981. When we include families and loved ones in the raw demographics, HIV/AIDS has touched a population at least equal to that of the United States. This collection of essays examines the complexity of the mobilization against HIV/AIDS, from the perspective of social action on one hand and the state on the other.

Socio–instrumental Usability: IT is all about Social Action1

Usability is an important concept that seems to receive less attention than it deserves outside of the core Human–Computer Interaction community. The reason for this apparent lack of interest may stem from an overly instrumental orientation towards usability that does not appeal to more socially oriented researchers. Three central criteria for usability, as reflected in the contemporary literature, are the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which users can achieve specified goals. These criteria are often expressed in terms of achieving goals, which, at least tacitly, seem to be restricted to goals related to an instrumental view on the use of IT. To broaden this view, the paper elaborates on how the concept of usability can be understood and used within a social action context. How social goals are related to the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction criteria is addressed specifically. It is argued that in order truly to understand usability, we must consider both instrumental and social goals since their combination constitute a fundamental part of the social action context in which systems are used. Both instrumental and social goals affect the way systems and use-situations are designed and conceived. Interpreting usability from this broad social action perspective may be a way to make the concept more accepted throughout the wide variety of areas dealing with the design of IT systems.

Perceptions of Trade Union Members and the Social Action Perspective

This paper aims at presenting the results of a study of trade union members in the United Kingdom and at establishing a central theoretical framework which will facilitate a systematic accumulation of knowledge on this subject.

Empowerment

• Either they overemphasised the one of the tensions, loosing the impor tance of the other side out of sight. For instance, structuralism can be seen as one important strand in this regard. Here we find the one axis of individual and society dealt with, whereas the axis of institutions and communities is left aside; • or they acknowledge the importance of the perspective of social and societal action, however then they draw attention solely to the histori cal perspective. Notwithstanding the importance of a historical per spective, such approaches for example connected with names as A.S. Maine and F. Toennies lack to address the challenge of actual action by people in a social context.

Inside the Black-box: Analysing the Generation of Core Competencies and Dynamic Capabilities by Exploring Collective Minds. An Organisational Learning Perspective

Inside the Black-box: Analysing the Generation of Core Competencies and Dynamic Capabilities by Exploring Collective Minds. An Organisational Learning Perspective** The paper combines resource-based thinking with perspectives from theories of organisational learning and knowledge management. According to the resource-based view (RBV) strategy can be defined as emergent pattern of interaction generating core competencies and dynamic capabilities. These processes of interaction and their relation to core competencies and dynamic capabilities are of major concern in the presented analysis. A synthesis with learning theories further leads to the basic assumption that processes of knowledge identification, knowledge diffusion, knowledge integration and the enactment of the environment are critical for generating core competencies. Moreover, learning theories show how to approach the causal ambiguityargument that is important in the explanation of core competencies given by RBV. It will be argued that the analysis of the shared mental model of the organisational members is a method to explore critical processes for generating core competencies. A related research instrument will be validated in a case study analysis that was conducted in a medium-sized enterprise aiming at testing the instrument and the aforementioned basic assumption. The instrument can explore the critical processes in which the generation of core competencies and dynamic capabilities is embedded in. It provides a better understanding of the critical processes within the organisation than the RBV. Key words: Causal ambiguity, collective minds, competitive advantages, core competencies, dynamic capabilities, knowledge management, organisational learning, resource-based view, strategic processes 1. Introduction The resource-based view (RBV) of the firm has been thoroughly discussed in strategic management literature. The basic assumptions of this approach have been developed further during the last twenty years, specified for certain organisational functions and validated in hundreds of empirical analyses (see Barney/Arikan 2001; Rouse/Daellenbach 2002; Ray/Barney/Muhanna 2004). As a consequence, the RBV became a leading paradigm in strategic management (Wernerfelt 1995; Bresser 1998). Even though there is considerable theoretical and empirical progress in resourcebased research shortcomings still exist in the theoretical underpinnings of the approach. These restrict related empirical investigations that try to measure critical resources and processes for sustainable competitive advantages. One of the major shortcomings of the RBV is the fact that the organisation remains a black-box even though it is considered as the source of organisational success (Ortmann/Sydow 2001; Priem/Butler 2001). There is a lack in explanations of how heterogeneity arises (Helfat/Peteraf 2003: 997). This is not only a limitation in the eyes of those who regard the RBV as a theory of competitive advantage - if the major interest relies on rules for richness, the causal ambiguity argument of the RBV is somehow dissatisfying. Causal ambiguity means that the link between the resources controlled by a firm, internal processes and sustained competitive advantages can neither be attributed from outside nor from organisational members (Barney 1991). Rather, the causal ambiguity paradox - even though it is inspiring - veils the view on organisational internal processes that might have a strategic impact. The RBV does not only lay emphasis on the internal organisation but also limits a deeper understanding of organisational internal strategic processes. For a further development of strategy research a broader perspective of social action within and between organisations as well as between organisations and environments is essential. As Mintzberg (1978, 1994) points out these processes of forming a pattern of strategic action have been neglected in strategy research (see also Quinn 1984). …

Reason in Emotions or Emotions in Reason

The four articles on rationality and emotions are examined here from an emotions perspective. Economists Frank and Hirshleifer view emotions as often facilitating self-interested rational choice. From a Weberian social action perspective, rational choice is so thoroughly imbued with emotion that emotion plays more than a supporting role in the so-called rational determination of action. Sociologists Collins and Jasso concede at the outset the fundamental importance of emotion in rational action. Collins argues that emotion is the fundamental utility sought in all social action but appears, like many who have offered similar arguments, to risk tautology. Jasso locates emotion centrally in her theory of social comparisons and rational choice and thereby affords an opportunity to extend her examination of the emotions that can result from varying outcomes and comparisons.

Ethnicity and Conflict in Physical Education

AbstractThere has been little research dealing with the issues of teaching ethnic minority groups in physical education (PE), in particular that which takes the perceptions of teachers and their pupils as the focal point to examine the issues and conflicts. This research takes a social action perspective by studying Muslim children in a northern comprehensive school. The areas of conflict are highlighted, such as PE kit, showers, Ramadan and extra‐curricular activities, through the pupils’ perceptions. This leads to a discussion on the clash of values between the PE teachers with their traditional values of PE and the Muslim cultural values. In particular it points out the dilemma of following policies of equality of opportunity at the same time as multicultural and anti‐racist ones in PE, the lack of awareness of Muslim values and feelings on behalf of the PE teachers; and the way the child is caught between the two cultures and values. The research points to the need for better preparation of teachers, in‐service education and training, anti‐racist policies and links with the community at the educationist's level, and the dilemma posed by empowerment at the political level. The discussion locates the issues in PE in the wider education and societal debate of different cultures.

Disengagement of Advanced and Elite Greek Male Athletes from Organized Competitive Sport

In contrast to previous quantitative research on the disengagement from sport which suffers from methodological weakness, in the present research it is argued that disengagement from sport can best be examined from a social action perspective, especially from a phenomenological perspective. Moreover, unlike previous research which presented a static and functional view of the world, former athletes in the present study made suggestions for a better or alternative structure of sport. Data was collected through questionnaires, single interviews, and small group interviews. 137 questionnaires were collected from advanced and elite ex-athletes in athletics, rowing and volleyball (return rate 87,3 %) in Salonica, Greece. 34 of these ex-athletes were interviewed 6 to 8 months after the delivery of questionnaires. Apart from factors leading to disengagement from sport, an attempt is made to examine any possible adjustment problems, the resocialization of drop- outs into other sports and physical activities and other aspects of the disengagement process. For the analysis of interviews the method of cognitive mapping, as described by Eden et al (1983) and Jones (1985), was used. A combination of factors both inside and outside the sporting environment influences the disengagement process.

The effectiveness of office information systems: a social action perspective

Abstract. The purpose of this paper is to show that a number of basic issues have not been adequately addressed in existing office information systems research. Prominent among these are the nature and role of offices, the goals of office information systems development, and the nature of its organizational and managerial consequences. It is proposed that office information systems should be analysed as social action systems the behaviour of which is strongly affected by socially determined forces and constraints such as the behaviour‐channelling influences of authority, norms, customs, habits and precedence. Four types of social action are discussed: instrumental, strategic, communicative and discursive. Three contexts for perceiving and analysing the effects of social action in offices are introduced: technology, language and organization. Office information systems changes affect elements and relationships in these three contexts in different ways. By cross‐relating social action types and contexts, nine classes of object systems are identified. Each object system class implies a different category of effectiveness concerns which in turn implies different office information system design requirements. The paper notes that the existing research literature has primarily been concerned with only three of the nine object systems. For more effective office information systems development, however, the other systems also need to be considered. The paper concludes by exploring how this may be done.

The Social Action Perspective: Attachments to Work and Productivity in the Research Function

This study examines faculty motivation and quantitative performance in the research function. Beginning with industrial theory, factor analysis is used to characterize individual motivations to work in terms of distinctive sets of goals sought from employment. These bases of motivation (or 'work attachments) are surprisingly comparable to the range of attachments found in industry: Moral, Calculative and Alienative. Regression analysis indicates that Moral and Alienative attachments make an appreciable contribution to the explanation of research productivity. The results of this exploratory study suggest that further research should be undertaken to consider the manner in which faculty make sense of their situations and develop goals from work. There is also a need to study the relationship between work attachments and performance in other academic functions. Finally, it is suggested that the implications of research on work attachments be considered in relation to work design, compensation and development activities.

Imputing Beliefs: A Controversy in the Sociology of Knowledge

The problem of imputation – how to ascribe ideas and beliefs to groups, or to individuals on the basis of their group membership – has occasionally occupied the attention of those working in the sociology of knowledge. This article offers a critical discussion of this debate. It is argued that the various proposed solutions – idealist, empiricist, and structuralist – do not adequately tackle the problem since each assumes a deterministic model of sociological explanation, and adheres to a dualism of actor versus structure. We suggest that a theory of group formation informed by a social action perspective may offer some pointers towards taking such issues beyond self-sustaining debate between sociological idealism and objectivism.

U.S. Coal Goes Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks.

U.S. Coal Goes Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks.

Coal Firms under the New Social Regulation. By Richard A. Harris (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1985. x, 188 p. $30.00). - U.S. Coal Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks. By Kathryn S. Rogers (Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1986. xii, 259 p. $38.95).

Coal Firms under the New Social Regulation. By Richard A. Harris (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1985. x, 188 p. $30.00). - U.S. Coal Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks. By Kathryn S. Rogers (Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1986. xii, 259 p. $38.95).

U.S. Coal Goes Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational NetworksU.S. Coal Goes Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks, by Rogers Kathryn S.. New York: Praeger Publishers Division of Greenwood Press, Inc., 1986, 253 pp., $38.95, cloth.

The article reviews the book “U.S. Coal Goes Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks,” by Kathryn S. Rogers.

U. S. Coal Goes Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks

U. S. Coal Goes Abroad: A Social Action Perspective on Interorganizational Networks