Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 7-39 |
| Number of pages | 33 |
| Journal | Historical Social Research Vol. 47 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
Abstract
»Digitale Transformation(en): Zur Verflechtung von Prozessen der langen Dauer und digitalem sozialen Wandel«. Digitalisation oscillates between profound promises of transformation and a nebulous buzzword. The analysis of digital transformation processes leaves hardly any (analysis of) social phenomenon untouched. We argue for understanding digitalisation as a complex and heterogeneous process that cannot be rashly reduced to individual principles or uniform transformation effects. Starting from a working definition of digitalisation, we outline the challenges for social sciences research aiming to conceptualize this heterogeneity. We argue for a more differentiated and socio-historically informed analysis not only of processes of disruptive change through digitalisation, but also of continuities, modifications, and reinforcements. In view of the large number of individual case studies and to avoid one-sided generalisations, comparative analyses of different or supposedly similar digitalisation processes are central. Finally, micro-macro analysis opens up important insights into the multifaceted nature of digital transformation(s), especially in terms of breaks, frictions, and enablements of digitalisation through organising and organisations. Understanding digitalisation as a heterogeneous process does not imply multiplying observations of differences but paying attention to the complexity and embeddedness of digitalisation.
Keywords
- Digital transformation, comparison, cultural com-parison, digitalisation, micro-macro analysis, organisation, social change, socio-historical analysis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities(all)
- History
- Social Sciences(all)
- Sociology and Political Science
- Social Sciences(all)
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In: Historical Social Research Vol. 47, Vol. 47, No. 3, 2022, p. 7-39.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Digital Transformation(s): On the Entanglement of Long-Term Processes and Digital Social Change. An Introduction
AU - Büchner, Stefanie
AU - Hergesell, Jannis
AU - Kallinikos, Jannis
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - »Digitale Transformation(en): Zur Verflechtung von Prozessen der langen Dauer und digitalem sozialen Wandel«. Digitalisation oscillates between profound promises of transformation and a nebulous buzzword. The analysis of digital transformation processes leaves hardly any (analysis of) social phenomenon untouched. We argue for understanding digitalisation as a complex and heterogeneous process that cannot be rashly reduced to individual principles or uniform transformation effects. Starting from a working definition of digitalisation, we outline the challenges for social sciences research aiming to conceptualize this heterogeneity. We argue for a more differentiated and socio-historically informed analysis not only of processes of disruptive change through digitalisation, but also of continuities, modifications, and reinforcements. In view of the large number of individual case studies and to avoid one-sided generalisations, comparative analyses of different or supposedly similar digitalisation processes are central. Finally, micro-macro analysis opens up important insights into the multifaceted nature of digital transformation(s), especially in terms of breaks, frictions, and enablements of digitalisation through organising and organisations. Understanding digitalisation as a heterogeneous process does not imply multiplying observations of differences but paying attention to the complexity and embeddedness of digitalisation.
AB - »Digitale Transformation(en): Zur Verflechtung von Prozessen der langen Dauer und digitalem sozialen Wandel«. Digitalisation oscillates between profound promises of transformation and a nebulous buzzword. The analysis of digital transformation processes leaves hardly any (analysis of) social phenomenon untouched. We argue for understanding digitalisation as a complex and heterogeneous process that cannot be rashly reduced to individual principles or uniform transformation effects. Starting from a working definition of digitalisation, we outline the challenges for social sciences research aiming to conceptualize this heterogeneity. We argue for a more differentiated and socio-historically informed analysis not only of processes of disruptive change through digitalisation, but also of continuities, modifications, and reinforcements. In view of the large number of individual case studies and to avoid one-sided generalisations, comparative analyses of different or supposedly similar digitalisation processes are central. Finally, micro-macro analysis opens up important insights into the multifaceted nature of digital transformation(s), especially in terms of breaks, frictions, and enablements of digitalisation through organising and organisations. Understanding digitalisation as a heterogeneous process does not imply multiplying observations of differences but paying attention to the complexity and embeddedness of digitalisation.
KW - Digital transformation
KW - comparison
KW - cultural com-parison
KW - digitalisation
KW - micro-macro analysis
KW - organisation
KW - social change
KW - socio-historical analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85143827493&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.12759/HSR.47.2022.25
DO - 10.12759/HSR.47.2022.25
M3 - Article
VL - 47
SP - 7
EP - 39
JO - Historical Social Research Vol. 47
JF - Historical Social Research Vol. 47
IS - 3
ER -