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Working with activity theory: Context, technology, and information behavior

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  • David Allen
  • Stan Karanasios
  • Mira Slavova

Abstract

Over the last 7 years, the AIMTech Research Group in the University of Leeds has used cultural‐historical activity theory (CHAT) to inform a range of research activities in the fields of information behavior and information systems. In this article, we identify certain openings and theoretical challenges in the field of information behavior, which sparked our initial interest in CHAT: context, technology, and the link between practice and policy. We demonstrate the relevance of CHAT in studying information behavior and addressing the identified openings and argue that by providing a framework and hierarchy of activity‐action‐operation and semantic tools, CHAT is able to overcome many of the uncertainties concerning information behavior research. In particular, CHAT provides researchers a theoretical lens to account for context and activity mediation and, by doing so, can increase the significance of information behavior research to practice. In undertaking this endeavour, we have relied on literature from the fields of information science and others where CHAT is employed. We provide a detailed description of how CHAT may be applied to information behavior and account for the concepts we see as relevant to its study.

Suggested Citation

  • David Allen & Stan Karanasios & Mira Slavova, 2011. "Working with activity theory: Context, technology, and information behavior," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(4), pages 776-788, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jamist:v:62:y:2011:i:4:p:776-788
    DOI: 10.1002/asi.21441
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    Cited by:

    1. Franklin Riley & David K. Allen & Thomas Daniel Wilson, 2022. "When politicians and the experts collide: Organization and the creation of information spheres," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 73(8), pages 1127-1139, August.
    2. Evaristo Kangwa, 2022. "Compatibility of Problem Solving Theory and Activity Theory," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(10), pages 34-41, October.
    3. Polyxeni Vassilakopoulou & Eli Hustad, 2023. "Bridging Digital Divides: a Literature Review and Research Agenda for Information Systems Research," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 955-969, June.
    4. Isto Huvila, 2022. "Making and taking information," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 73(4), pages 528-541, April.
    5. Ann Svensson, 2020. "Identifying Motives for Implementing eHealth by using Activity Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-11, February.
    6. Ngoc Quyet Le & Shankar Sankaran, 2023. "The importance of interactions in supporting online study," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 39(1), pages 105-113, January.
    7. Nelson, Sarah Beth & Jarrahi, Mohammad Hossein & Thomson, Leslie, 2017. "Mobility of knowledge work and affordances of digital technologies," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 37(2), pages 54-62.
    8. Rong Tang & Bharat Mehra & Jia Tina Du & Yuxiang (Chris) Zhao, 2021. "Framing a discussion on paradigm shift(s) in the field of information," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 72(2), pages 253-258, February.
    9. Natalie Pang & Stan Karanasios & Misita Anwar, 2020. "Exploring the Information Worlds of Older Persons During Disasters," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 71(6), pages 619-631, June.

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