Performative Narrative and Actor-Network Theory – A Study of a Hotel in Administration

Abstract

Purpose –By weaving together Narrative Analysis (hereinafter NA) and ANT (hereinafter ANT) we address recent calls for performative studies to combine approaches and specifically to employ ANT. Particularly, we address how a conflicting narrative is mobilised through a network of internal-external and human-nonhuman actors.

Design/methodology/approach – A fragment of data, generated from a longitudinal case study, is explored using NA and ANT in combination.

Findings –By engaging with ANT’s rejection of dualisms (i.e. human-nonhuman, micro-macro) and its approach to relationality we inform NA and performative studies. We also add to the limited literature addressing how conflicting antenarratives are mobilised and shape the organisation’s trajectory.

Research limitations/implications – Generalizing from a single case study is problematic although transferability is possible. Generalisability could be achievable through multiple performative studies.

Practical implications – By demonstrating how counter networks form and antenarrative is constructed to supplant hegemonic narrative we are able to problematize the taken for granted and to highlight the possibilities offered by divergent voices.

Originality/value – Our perfomation provides a deeper understanding of organizational performance through our NA-ANT combination and we provide insight into the mobilisation of conflicting narratives in organisation studies.

Type - Research Paper