Ambivalence in environmental representation
In this paper, we examine the phenomenon of representation through the theoretical lens of ambivalence, concentrating on the people involved in representation: representatives . We argue that the theoretical concept of ambivalence can be helpful in analysing and understanding the various tens...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Danish |
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Swedish Sociological Association
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Sociologisk Forskning |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sociologiskforskning.se/sf/article/view/18781 |
| _version_ | 1797937497410371584 |
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| author | Ylva Uggla Magnus Boström |
| author_facet | Ylva Uggla Magnus Boström |
| author_sort | Ylva Uggla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
In this paper, we examine the phenomenon of representation through the theoretical lens of ambivalence, concentrating on the people involved in representation: representatives . We argue that the theoretical concept of ambivalence can be helpful in analysing and understanding the various tensions environmental and other representatives encounter in their practice . Based on the concepts of “sociological ambivalence”, “ideological dilemma”, and “the organizational centaur”, as well as on insights from social studies of science and sustainability studies, the paper develops a typology of three potential sources of ambivalence: role conflicts, value conflicts, and conflicts between goals and means . In addition, the paper identifies various ways of co- ping with ambivalence, including the construction of meta-norms, organizational and network support, pragmatism, drawing boundaries for reasonable and acceptable actions, rule bending and discursive negotiation . The paper concludes that the concept of ambivalence adds crucial insights to the positions, practices, and challenges of environmental representatives and notes that ambivalence is not only a matter of tensions and conflicts but can be a source of reflexivity, learning, and agency.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T18:46:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d99bfd514f67473eb47e7610733d6f03 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0038-0342 2002-066X |
| language | Danish |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T18:46:33Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Swedish Sociological Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sociologisk Forskning |
| spelling | doaj.art-d99bfd514f67473eb47e7610733d6f032023-02-01T11:16:37ZdanSwedish Sociological AssociationSociologisk Forskning0038-03422002-066X2019-01-0155410.37062/sf.55.18781Ambivalence in environmental representationYlva UgglaMagnus Boström In this paper, we examine the phenomenon of representation through the theoretical lens of ambivalence, concentrating on the people involved in representation: representatives . We argue that the theoretical concept of ambivalence can be helpful in analysing and understanding the various tensions environmental and other representatives encounter in their practice . Based on the concepts of “sociological ambivalence”, “ideological dilemma”, and “the organizational centaur”, as well as on insights from social studies of science and sustainability studies, the paper develops a typology of three potential sources of ambivalence: role conflicts, value conflicts, and conflicts between goals and means . In addition, the paper identifies various ways of co- ping with ambivalence, including the construction of meta-norms, organizational and network support, pragmatism, drawing boundaries for reasonable and acceptable actions, rule bending and discursive negotiation . The paper concludes that the concept of ambivalence adds crucial insights to the positions, practices, and challenges of environmental representatives and notes that ambivalence is not only a matter of tensions and conflicts but can be a source of reflexivity, learning, and agency. https://sociologiskforskning.se/sf/article/view/18781representatives, coping, environment, organization, dilemma, sustainability, uncer- tainty, tension |
| spellingShingle | Ylva Uggla Magnus Boström Ambivalence in environmental representation Sociologisk Forskning representatives, coping, environment, organization, dilemma, sustainability, uncer- tainty, tension |
| title | Ambivalence in environmental representation |
| title_full | Ambivalence in environmental representation |
| title_fullStr | Ambivalence in environmental representation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ambivalence in environmental representation |
| title_short | Ambivalence in environmental representation |
| title_sort | ambivalence in environmental representation |
| topic | representatives, coping, environment, organization, dilemma, sustainability, uncer- tainty, tension |
| url | https://sociologiskforskning.se/sf/article/view/18781 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ylvauggla ambivalenceinenvironmentalrepresentation AT magnusbostrom ambivalenceinenvironmentalrepresentation |