Outline of a Theory of Practice.
About: This article is published in Contemporary Sociology.The article was published on 1980-03-01. It has received 14683 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Practice theory.
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TL;DR: This Special Issue of The Journal of Strategic Information Systems explores information systems strategy and strategizing from a practice perspective and the emergence of a body of research that focuses on strategizing or the ‘doing of strategy’.
Abstract: The ‘‘rigor versus relevance’’ debate and the questioning of the practical relevance of much contemporary research are recurring themes not just in the field of Information Systems (IS) (Straub and Ang, 2011; Klein and Rowe, 2008; Roseman and Vessey, 2008) but in the wider field of management (c.f. Kieser and Leiner, 2009; Knights and Scarbrough, 2010; Mohrman et al., 2001; Nicolai and Seidl, 2010; Moisander and Stenfors, 2009; Shrivastava, 1987). In IS in particular, this has led to some scholars questioning the practical value of much of the published research (cf. Benbasat and Zmud, 1999; Desouza et al., 2006; Keen, 1991; Lyytinen, 1999; Senn, 1998). A central premise of the arguments these protagonists present is that much research draws on methods that are inappropriate to the applied nature of the discipline (Breu and Peppard, 2003; Galliers and Land, 1987, 1988). The foundation of this argument reflects the social sciences ‘practice turn’ that sees all knowledge as existing within the fields of practice (Schatzki et al., 2001). In philosophy, the turn to pragmatism similarly values knowledge through practitioners’ eyes and places the practitioner at the center of theory development (Putnam, 1995; Rorty, 1998). This movement toward practical relevance prefers concrete micro actions rather than abstract macro analysis. People and knowledge that make a difference in practice are thus, or at least should be, central to research endeavours. In line with these arguments, the Strategic Management field has seen the emergence of a body of research that focuses on strategizing or the ‘doing of strategy’ (Jarzabkowski, 2004; Jarzabkowski and Spee, 2009; Jarzabkowski et al., 2007; Johnson et al., 2003a,b, 2007; Whittington, 1996, 2002a,b, 2006). Often referred to as the ‘‘Strategy as Practice’’ school, it emphasizes the actual day-to-day activities, contexts, processes and content that relate to strategic outcomes. This move towards a more micro perspective is in response to growing frustrations with contemporary strategy literature regarding its relevance to practitioners. Part of the problem is that there has been a dominant macro focus in strategic management research that is remote from practice, particularly the normative models resulting from it. Research in the Strategy as Practice genre emphasizes how people engage in the ‘real work’ of developing a strategy and strategizing. In addressing strategy as practice, the focus of research is on strategy praxis, strategy practitioners and strategy practices (e.g., Jarzabkowski et al., 2007; Whittington, 2002a) – the work, workers and tools of strategy in other words. In line with this movement, this Special Issue of The Journal of Strategic Information Systems explores information systems strategy and strategizing from a practice perspective. Reflecting the arguments for research relevance, the call for papers echoed Lee’s (2010: 346) recent comment that ‘‘the starting point of IS research need not be the existing theory (primarily epistêmê) located in the IS discipline’s own (or any other) research literature; rather, the starting point could be the technê
173 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a large sample of Black congregations across seven denominations was used to test aspects of cultural theory and found that the consistent, direct relationship between prayer groups and gospel music and various forms of community action and less influence by spirituals and the general usage of sacred scripture.
Abstract: Cultural theory posits that social groups possess a cultural repertoire or “tool kit” that reflects beliefs, ritual practices, stories and symbols that provide meaning and impetus for resource mobilization. However, little research based on quantitative techniques has been forwarded relative to the relationship between longstanding Black Church cultural components ‐ specifically, scripture, songs, prayers and sermons ‐ and activism among Black churches. Using a large national sample of Black congregations across seven denominations, I test aspects of cultural theory. Findings support the consistent, direct relationship between prayer groups and gospel music and various forms of community action and less influence by spirituals and the general usage of sacred scripture. 1 has long been considered a bulwark in the Black community. Research supports its’ religious, economic, socio-cultural and political dimensions (Billingsley 1999; Drake and Cayton 1962; Dubois 1953[1996], 1903[2003]; Ellison and Sherkat 2000; Frazier 1964; Lincoln and Mamiya 1990; Mays and Nicholson 1933; Morris 1984; Nelsen and Nelsen 1975). More contemporary studies tend to contradict some of these claims (Gregory 1998; McRoberts 2003). An ethnographic study by Pattillo-McCoy (1998) details aspects of Black Church cultural transference to Black community members in the Chicago neighborhood of Groveland. An important point of departure for her seminal analysis presupposes a relationship between cultural “tools” such as prayer, songs and other religious symbols, and community action among Black congregations. Although this correlation has been suggested based on theoretical, anecdotal or qualitative findings, to my knowledge, scholars have not tested this relationship using quantitative techniques. 2 To address this limitation, I assess whether key claims, derived largely from ethnographic studies, are evident for a national sample of 1,863 Black congregations in order to test aspects of cultural theory. This study investigates whether cultural symbols such as gospel music, spirituals, prayer and social justice sermons endemic to the Black Church engender community action. Although not an exhaustive test, this study examines existing literature on the role of the Black Church as a change agent as well as possible correlates between common cultural patterns and specific strategies to address social problems in the Black community.
173 citations
TL;DR: Sociologists have long recognized that cultural differences help explain the perpetuation of inequality by invisibly limiting access to elite cultural norms as discussed by the authors, however, there has been little investig...
Abstract: Sociologists have long recognized that cultural differences help explain the perpetuation of inequality by invisibly limiting access to elite cultural norms. However, there has been little investig...
172 citations
TL;DR: This qualitative paper explores the strategies and resources young people use to cope with sickle cell disorder or thalassaemia major, two haemoglobin disorders with serious implications for health and survival by focusing on coping strategies.
172 citations
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TL;DR: The term culture figures prominently in the literature on poverty, race, and ethnicity, though rarely with much theoretical or empirical sophistication as mentioned in this paper. But it has been widely used in the media.
Abstract: The term culture figures prominently in the literature on poverty, race, and ethnicity, though rarely with much theoretical or empirical sophistication.
172 citations