Understanding problem structuring methods interventions with activity theory

This research aims to explicate how Problem Structuring Methods Interventions (PSMI) can be understood as practical accomplishments. Activity Theory (AT) is presented as a practice-based approach to re-establish connections between problem structuring methods and socio-cultural-technical environment...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Burger, Katharina Maria
Published: University of Bristol 2015
Subjects:
624
Online Access:http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.702229
Description
Summary:This research aims to explicate how Problem Structuring Methods Interventions (PSMI) can be understood as practical accomplishments. Activity Theory (AT) is presented as a practice-based approach to re-establish connections between problem structuring methods and socio-cultural-technical environments which are seen as mutually constitutive. An exploratory approach is developed to inquire into opportunities for social learning that are afforded by PSMIs which are entangled in multi-sited and multi-temporal socio-technical transitions. An ethnographic case study of a project in the area of sustainable city district redevelopment is presented. Video data was collected during two PSMI workshops. The data was complemented by in-depth interviews, project documentation and participant observation. The analysis of model-mediated in-situ interactions during the observed PSMIs suggests that processes of appropriation, transformation and co-creation took place. However, the findings also highlight the local, idiosyncratic and contingent characteristics of interactions during PSMIs. The inquiry into relations between the in-situ dynamics and the PSMIs in context indicates that the development of co-constructive and relational problem structuring processes in practice is an ongoing challenge. The research concludes that problem structuring methods interventions can be understood as the practical accomplishment of problem (infra)structuring.