Organizing in Action Nets
An Idea Whose Time Has Come!
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19245/25.05.pij.01.07.26.1Keywords:
action net, organizing, action, knotting, process, practiceAbstract
This article explores the concept of "action nets," introduced by Barbara Czarniawska. Unlike traditional organizational studies that focus on structures, entities, or predefined boundaries, the action net perspective emphasizes the connections between actions, arguing that organizations emerge as a result of these interactions rather than existing a priori. The article positions action nets in relation to organizational fields, networks, and actor-network theory, highlighting its unique focus on temporality, fluidity, and the interplay between human and non-human actors. The article also discusses the widespread application of action nets across disciplines, demonstrating its relevance in studies of policy implementation, technology, accounting, and institutional change. By shifting attention from organizations to the processes that constitute them, the action net framework offers a valuable lens for understanding contemporary forms of organizing, such as open innovation, platform organizations, and crisis response.
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