Narrative action-nets: An approach to help theorize IT artifacts during process-oriented field studies

This paper examines how combining narrative research methods with an actor-network perspective is valuable for the process-oriented field studies that adopt an ensemble-view of technology. In response to a call by senior IS researchers to theorize the IT artifact, the paper draws on five premises previously identified as a basis for more seriously engaging such artifacts. The paper synthesizes actor-network theory and narrative methodologies to identify four key tenets that are useful for researchers who aim to show how and why information technology matters in our studies. In particular, through the concept of a narrative action-net readers are guided toward a method of operationalizing these five premises in their fieldwork.