Organizational Transparency in the Internet Industry

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    Abstract

    Reporting from an empirical investigation at Google and Facebook, this paper conceptualizes the stabilization of transparency as a form and norm conduct connecting and shaping technical, financial, cultural and political processes in the Internet industry. Rather than approach transparency as a panacea to
    concerns about privacy, organizational conduct and accountability, this paper explores the boundary work that goes into doing and promising transparency Using insights from the literature on transparency, ´sociologies of translations' and process approaches to organization, this paper captures the enactments and circulations of transparency. The paper offers a theoretical contribution to existing STS scholarship by capturing the ‘crystallization of multiple trajectories’ at work when transparency orders and standardizes organizations and their
    surroundings. While there is a burgeoning literature on transparency, we have very few in-depth empirical investigations of its organizational and regulatory ramifications, particularly in the Internet industry. Based on interviews and extensive empirical material about Google's and Facebook's engagement with transparency idea(l)s, the paper shows how such institutionalized practices and norms are adopted, challenged and resisted.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication date2012
    Publication statusPublished - 2012
    EventThe 4S/EASST Joint Conference 2012: Design and displacement: Social Studies of Science and Technology - Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark
    Duration: 17 Oct 201220 Oct 2012
    Conference number: 2012
    https://sf.cbs.dk/4s_easst/final_conference_program_ready

    Conference

    ConferenceThe 4S/EASST Joint Conference 2012
    Number2012
    LocationCopenhagen Business School
    Country/TerritoryDenmark
    CityFrederiksberg
    Period17/10/201220/10/2012
    Internet address

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