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Research Commentary ---Virtual Worlds: A Performative Perspective on Globally Distributed, Immersive Work

Author

Listed:
  • Ulrike Schultze

    (Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275)

  • Wanda J. Orlikowski

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142)

Abstract

Virtual worlds are immersive, simulated, persistent, and dynamic environments that include rich graphical three dimensional spaces, high fidelity audio, motion, viewpoint, and interactivity. Initially dismissed as environments of play, virtual worlds have gained legitimacy in business and educational settings for their application in globally distributed work, project management, online learning, and real-time simulation. Understanding the emergent aspects of these virtual worlds and their implications for organizations will require both new theories and new methods. We propose that a performative perspective may be particularly useful as it challenges the existence of independent objects with fixed or given properties and boundaries, and focuses instead on situated and relational practices that enact entangled and contingent boundaries, entities, identities, and effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Ulrike Schultze & Wanda J. Orlikowski, 2010. "Research Commentary ---Virtual Worlds: A Performative Perspective on Globally Distributed, Immersive Work," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 21(4), pages 810-821, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:21:y:2010:i:4:p:810-821
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.1100.0321
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Donald MacKenzie, 2006. "An Engine, Not a Camera: How Financial Models Shape Markets," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262134608, December.
    2. Alan Latham, 2003. "Research, Performance, and Doing Human Geography: Some Reflections on the Diary-Photograph, Diary-Interview Method," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 35(11), pages 1993-2017, November.
    3. Wanda J. Orlikowski, 2010. "The sociomateriality of organisational life: considering technology in management research," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 34(1), pages 125-141, January.
    4. Mats Alvesson & Hugh Willmott, 2002. "Identity Regulation as Organizational Control: Producing the Appropriate Individual," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(5), pages 619-644, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ferraris, Alberto & Devalle, Alain & Ciampi, Francesco & Couturier, Jerome, 2019. "Are global R&D partnerships enough to increase a company's innovation performance? The role of search and integrative capacities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    2. Yang, Liang & Xu, Yan & Hui, Pan, 2025. "Framing metaverse identity: A multidimensional framework for governing digital selves," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3).
    3. Joe Nandhakumar & Nikiforos S. Panourgias & Harry Scarbrough, 2013. "From Knowing It to “Getting It”: Envisioning Practices in Computer Games Development," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 24(4), pages 933-955, December.
    4. Silvano Corbella & Cristina Florio & Alice Francesca Sproviero & Riccardo Stacchezzini, 2019. "Integrated reporting and the performativity of intellectual capital," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(2), pages 459-483, June.
    5. Meißner, Martin & Pfeiffer, Jella & Peukert, Christian & Dietrich, Holger & Pfeiffer, Thies, 2020. "How virtual reality affects consumer choice," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 219-231.
    6. Christian Peukert & Hamed Qahri-Saremi & Ulrike Schultze & Jason B. Thatcher & Christy M. K. Cheung & Adeline Frenzel-Piasentin & Maike Greve & Christian Matt & Manuel Trenz & Ofir Turel, 2024. "Metaverse: A real change or just another research area?," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Christian Peukert & Christof Weinhardt & Oliver Hinz & Wil M. P. Aalst, 2022. "Metaverse: How to Approach Its Challenges from a BISE Perspective," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 64(4), pages 401-406, August.

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