Archives mensuelles : janvier 2025

Sustainability, Climate Change and Convention Theory

Sarah Lenz (2025)

In Rainer Diaz-Bone & Guillemette de Larquier (eds.), Handbook of economics and sociology of conventions. Cham: Springer, Online first

Abstract. The article explores the application of the economics and sociology of conventions (EC/SC or convention theory) to the study of sustainability, emphasizing its utility in addressing the complexities of climate change. It aims to explore how convention theory can illuminate the diverse understandings and practices around sustainability across various social groups and institutional frameworks. By employing EC/SC, it is demonstrated how different “worlds” or conventions—such as market, industrial, and green—shape the actions and justifications of actors in relation to sustainability goals. In doing this, it discusses the historical evolution of sustainability, tracing it from its roots in eighteenth-century agriculture to its current status as a global environmental policy principle, underscored by pivotal reports like the Brundtland Report. Furthermore, it examines how sustainability has been variably integrated into economic systems, often critiqued as an “empty signifier” due to its conceptual ambiguities and the challenge of implementing it in tangible policies. The article highlights the role of convention theory in revealing how sustainability is negotiated amid conflicting economic and ecological objectives, making it particularly pertinent for analyzing policy designs, institutional responses, and governance strategies at the United Nations climate summits and beyond. This contribution could not only enrich the understanding of sustainability dynamics but also proposes EC/SC as a crucial framework for critically assessing the interplay between environmental imperatives and socioeconomic structures in the era of climate change.

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Health, Algorithms, and AI: Perspectives from Economics and Sociology of Conventions

Karolin Eva Kappler (2025)

In Rainer Diaz-Bone & Guillemette de Larquier (eds.), Handbook of economics and sociology of conventions. Cham: Springer, Online first

Abstract. The economics and sociology of conventions (EC/SC) has been widely applied to health(care), identifying a plurality of values related to health as well as analyzing ongoing developments in terms of commodification, industrialization, and digitization. These transformations, also known as (digitally enhanced) evidence-based medicine, predictive medicine, patient-centered health, or smart health, are particularly driven by specific investment in forms—specifically algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI).
After a short introduction to algorithms and AI and their areas of application, such as public health, processes in healthcare (health services research), medical research, prevention, prediction, risk profiling, diagnostics, therapy, prognosis, rehabilitation, and care, the chapter will, in a first step, review the discourses around algorithms and AI from an EC/SC perspective, linking the promises and harms around these digital investment in forms with the corresponding order of justification and understanding of the common good. In a second step, a connection is made between data worlds and algorithmic worlds, discussing the value-driven conflicts between market-driven approaches, bias-critical, and decolonial movements, algorithms for public good-designs, and developments based on fairness, transparency, and accountability. With its focus on investments in forms, the EC/SC sheds not only an alternative light on the algorithmic construction of reality but offers insights into the ongoing negotiations on technological regulation and governance.

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Conventions, Rationality, and Social Interaction

Rouslan Koumakhov (2025)

In Rainer Diaz-Bone & Guillemette de Larquier (eds.), Handbook of economics and sociology of conventions. Cham: Springer, Online first

Abstract. The concept of rationality is a central concern for social sciences in general and for economics in particular. The chapter focuses on the role that rationality plays in the work of Olivier Favereau, cofounder of economics and sociology of conventions (in short, EC/SC or convention theory). One of the major pillars of Favereau’s account of conventions is the assumption of bounded rationality, a notion suggested and elaborated into a theory by the Nobel Prize-winning polymath Herbert Simon. The chapter discusses how the acceptance of bounded rationality distinguishes convention theory from dominant neoclassical economic theories. In Favereau’s account, rationality is inherently intertwined with various issues of social interaction, including coordination problems within collective entities. The chapter describes various connections between rationality, behavioral rules, and formal organizations. Such connections relate to key concepts of EC/SC, especially the notion of common worlds or quality conventions. The chapter emphasizes the links between Simon’s theory of bounded rationality and the emphasis on reflexivity and normativity in convention theory. It examines critiques of the assumption of bounded rationality as foundational to convention theory and discusses the related evolution of the role of rationality in the EC/SC program.

Fig. 1 Taxonomy of economic theories. (Based on Favereau 1989a, b, 2010, 2020)

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Tourism, Regions, and Convention Theory

Delphine Rime (2025)

In Rainer Diaz-Bone & Guillemette de Larquier (eds.), Handbook of economics and sociology of conventions. Cham: Springer, Online first

Abstract. This article demonstrates how economics and sociology of conventions (EC/SC) is useful for understanding the socioeconomic processes related to tourism. Compared to other economic activities, the value creation process in tourism is stretched from a spatiotemporal perspective: value is built in two places and two “moments.” To carry out these economic transactions, the conventions established by the actors involved (whether demand or supply-side actors) are particularly readable due to this spatiotemporal stretching. This peculiarity is explored through the general principles of EC/SC (conventions, valuation) and through two particular concepts of EC/SC (enrichment and business model). It is also shown that it is because of this spatiotemporal stretching that tourism particularly well allows an understanding of the value construction processes that concern all economic activities.
The chapter discusses tourism-dependent regional development processes, which differ from development processes dependent on traditional industrial activities. Practical consequences of the evolution of tourism at the global level for regions are considered. The now constant and multidirectional flow of mobile consumers is of considerable importance in development dynamics. Thus, the established conventions for attractiveness on the one hand, and for territorial management vis-à-vis mobile consumers, are also evolving. The development of regions now depends on innovations of a more political and social nature than those traditionally theorized by the literature in economic geography and regional development.

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The Financialized Enterprise: Alternative Perspectives of Convention Theory

Jürgen Kädtler (2025)

In Rainer Diaz-Bone & Guillemette de Larquier (eds.), Handbook of economics and sociology of conventions. Cham: Springer, Online first

Abstract. With respect to the enterprise as a subject of convention theory or economics and sociology of conventions (EC/SC), financialization stands for a somehow paradoxical history: At the beginning, one if not the main concern was on defending the plurality of logics of economic action and respective logics of coordination in companies against the unique optimization logic of mainstream economics’ agency theory. Financialization, together with the emergence of a “new spirit of capitalism”, stands for a reversal of perspectives, at least in an important stream of EC/SC’s research. In this perspective, the vision of the contractual enterprise seems to have become empirical reality by the implementation or the enforcement of financialized frameworks of valuation. On the other hand, there is another stream of research, drawing on financialization as one convention-based way of evaluation and coordination among others, with the financialized firm never being only financialized. The conclusion emphasizes the perduring relevance of initial concepts of EC/SC, which focus on the empirical analysis of coordination of action on the microlevel of enterprises and firms as fruitful as heuristics for corporate analysis, especially under the conditions of financialization.

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Discours de justification chez les étudiants indiens de MBA : Les cas d’étude : Les instituts publics et privés de gestion dans la province de Karnataka

Justification discourse among Indian MBA students: Case study: Public and private management institutes in Karnataka province

Maziar Jafary, (2025)

Thèse en sociologie soutenue le 14/01/2025, sous la direction d’André Tremblay
PhD thesis, supervisor : André Tremblay
Ottawa: University of Ottawa

Résumé. Cette thèse de doctorat porte sur l’analyse des dynamiques des discours de justification des activités socioprofessionnelles chez les étudiants des programmes de maîtrise en gestion (MBA ou son équivalent) en Inde. Ce qui m’intéresse dans cette thèse consiste en trois objectifs soient : 1- les types des discours mobilisés et les rapports entre les discours, 2- la projection discursive du cheminement socioprofessionnel (c’est-à-dire les orientations socioprofessionnelles) chez les étudiants, et, 3- les motivations pour les études en gestion et le rôle possible de ces études dans le développement des discours. J’argumente que certains éléments discursifs mobilisés par les futurs gestionnaires indiens créent un champ fertile pour le développement d’un modèle du capitalisme par le biais de discours justificatifs autres que les gains financiers ou l’efficacité organisationnelle.
Définissons d’abord ce qu’est un discours de justification. Je comprends par là un discours légitimé, donc faisant appel à une source légitime, et axé sur la justification que les individus mobilisent pour conduire leurs actions. Les discours de justifications sont donc présents dans toutes les sphères de la vie sociale et professionnelle des individus et sont essentiels à l’atteinte des trois objectifs de la thèse. Dans cette thèse, je me concentre davantage sur les discours de justification axés sur les activités professionnelles. Mon approche est subjectiviste et non-déterministe et j’approche le discours des étudiants et étudiantes en gestion en utilisant les théories de la justification de Luc Boltanski et la méthode idéal-typique.
Dans un premier temps je retrace à grands traits l’histoire récente de l’Inde et de la pensée gestionnaire en Inde et j’établis les grands paramètres de la société indienne. Ensuite, je passe en revue, l’histoire des écoles de gestion en Inde et l’implantation de ces écoles selon le modèle américain. Après avoir élaboré les objectifs et la méthodologie de la thèse, je m’attarde sur les analyses des données obtenues des observations et des entrevues.
Au niveau des études empiriques, je m’intéresse aux étudiants des programmes de maîtrise de 2 ans en gestion dans les instituts indiens de gestion. Ces programmes d’études tournent autour du développement de certaines aptitudes et compétences chez les étudiants pour les faire devenir des « leaders » et des « gestionnaires » en même temps qu’ils essaient de développer les connaissances scientifiques en gestion. Les cas d’étude consistent en quatre instituts public et privés de gestion de la ville de Bangalore dans la province de Karnataka en Inde. J’ai classé les quatre instituts analysés en deux groupes soit institut d’élite et institut populaire. Au total, 47 étudiants et étudiantes ont été rencontrés en personne ou en ligne et deux séjours en Inde en 2019 et 2021 m’ont permis de faire de l’observation non participante.

Abstract. This doctoral dissertation focuses on the analysis of the dynamics of discourses of justification of socio-professional activities among students in Master of Management (MBA or its equivalent) programs in India. What interests me in this thesis consists of three objectives, namely: 1- the types of discourses mobilized and the relationships between discourses, 2- the discursive projection of socio-professional pathways (i.e. socio-professional orientations) among students, and, 3- the motivations for management studies and the possible role of these studies in discourse development. I argue that certain discursive elements mobilized by future Indian managers create a fertile field for the development of a model of capitalism through justificatory discourses other than financial gain or organizational efficiency. First, let’s define a discourse of justification. By this I mean a discourse that is legitimized, i.e. that appeals to a legitimate source, and focuses on the justification that individuals mobilize to conduct their actions. Discourses of justification are therefore prevalent in all spheres of people’s social and professional lives, and are essential to achieving the three aims of this thesis. In this thesis, I focus more on discourses of justification centered on professional activities. My approach is subjectivist and non-deterministic, and I approach the discourse of management students using Luc Boltanski’s theories of justification and the ideal-typical method.
First, I outline the recent history of India and of managerial thought in India, and establish the major parameters of Indian society. Next, I review the history of management schools in India and the establishment of these schools according to the American model. Having set out the objectives and methodology of the thesis, I turn to the analysis of data obtained from observations and interviews. In terms of empirical studies, I’m interested in students in 2-year Masters programs in management at Indian management institutes. These study programs revolve around the development of certain skills and competencies in students to make them “leaders” and “managers” at the same time as they try to develop scientific knowledge in management. The case studies consist of four public and private management institutes in the city of Bangalore in the province of Karnataka, India. I divided the four institutes into two groups: elite and popular. A total of 47 students were interviewed in person or online, and two trips to India in 2019 and 2021 enabled me to carry out non-participant observation.

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コンヴァンシオン理論と芸術文化の価値形成 −アートと資本主義の融解/緊張をめぐって−

Convention Theory and Valuation in Comtemporary Art: The Convergence and Tension between Art and Capitalism

Junya Tatemi (2024)

Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, Vol.43 No.1-3 Autumn 2024 pp.2-19

Abstract. In this paper, we take Boltanski and Chiapello’s ‘The New Spirit of Capitalism’ as the warp and woof of a theoretical framework for understanding the valorization of art and culture in relation to the political economy process of contemporary capitalism. It is the theoretical framework for understanding the valorization of art and culture in relation to the political-economic processes of modern capitalism. The concept of ‘art world’ is discussed in the context of the political economy of contemporary capitalism. By rethinking the concept of the art world from the perspective of convulsion theory, the following findings were obtained. The value of art and culture is determined by the value of the art world. The value of art and culture is determined by the ‘quality practices’ shared within the art world. The value of art and culture arises as a result of a series of operations that highlight, evaluate, and test specific attributes inherent in objects/situations, with reference to the ‘quality practices’ shared within the art world. It is the result of a series of operations that highlight, evaluate, and test specific attributes inherent to an object/situation with reference to shared ‘quality practices’ within the art world. It is created through practices in pragmatic situations, in which not only people but also things are involved. Value is created and re-created through interactions in the complex interweaving of people and things (i.e., situations). With this, the art world is redefined not only as the world of people, but also as a world composed of people and things. This shows that the political economy over the power of valorization emerges as an important issue. This allows us to examine the relationship between the art world and its external world, especially capitalism. This provides a perspective from which to examine the relationship between the art world and its external world, and capitalism in particular.

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Circulación y recepción de la categoría Población Económicamente Activa en Argentina (1940-1955): contextos, vínculos internacionales y posicionamientos

Circulation and Reception of the Category Economically Active Population in Argentina (1940-1955): Contexts, International Links and Positioning

Lautaro Lazarte (2024)

Población y sociedad, 31(2) Open access

Resumen. Este artículo indaga sobre la construcción y circulación de categorías estandarizadas para cuantificar la fuerza de trabajo en el siglo XX, a partir del caso del indicador Población Económicamente Activa. Esta métrica formó parte de un movimiento global de producción homogénea de cifras, construcción de nuevos saberes disciplinares y la formación de redes de contacto. Para Argentina, se reconstruyen sus primeros usos por parte de José Francisco Figuerola, Juan Carlos Elizaga y Gino Germani, su vinculación con estos ámbitos internacionales y su posicionamiento respecto del término.

Abstract. This article investigates the construction and circulation of standardized categories used to quantify the labor force in the twentieth century, based on the case of the Economically Active Population indicator. This metric was part of a global movement toward the homogeneous production of figures, the construction of new disciplinary knowledge and the formation of contact networks. For Argentina, we reconstruct its early uses by José Francisco Figuerola, Juan Carlos Elizaga and Gino Germani, connection they had to international spheres and their positioning with respect to the term.

Spielräume des Ermessens. Praxeologische Überlegungen zu Aushandlungsprozessen in Fallbesprechungen der Jugendsozialarbeit

Scope for discretion. Practical considerations on negotiation processes in case discussions in youth social work

Michael Rölver (2024)

Weinheim: Beltz/Juventa. Open access

Über das Buch. Fachkräfte der Sozialen Arbeit sind herausgefordert, in komplexen, oftmals uneindeutigen Situationen Entscheidungen zu treffen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Ermessensspielräume in Fallbesprechungen der Jugendsozialarbeit empirisch nachgewiesen und in der Entstehung rekonstruiert. Bei ihrer interaktiven Aushandlung kommt nicht nur theoretisches, sondern auch praktisches, implizites Wissen zum Ausdruck. Auf spezifische Weise fallen in diesen Aushandlungsprozessen fachliche Autonomie und Reproduktion sozialer Ordnung zusammen. Im Umgang mit Uneindeutigkeiten werden Praktiken der Bewältigung erkennbar, die auf die Wahrnehmung von fachlichen Handlungsmöglichkeiten gerichtet sind. Ermessensspielräume werden daher als zentrale Orte der Vermittlung professionalisierter Praxis konzipiert.

Auszug: “Ein weiterer Ansatz, der sich mit der Bedeutung von Institutionen befasst, ist die Soziologie der Konventionen. Konventionen sind demnach Interpretationsrahmen zur Koordination und Evaluation von Handlungen […]. Situative Interaktionen und der Entwurf von Begründungsfiguren sind von entscheidender Bedeutung. Institutionen beruhen auf Konventionen, die ihrerseits auf Gesten und Bewertungen aufbauen, die wechselseitige Erwartungen erzeugen (vgl. Wagner 1993, S. 469 f.). Es wird ein alternativer Ansatz zu dem von Weber entwickelten Konzept instrumenteller Handlungen und der von Bourdieu vorgeschlagenen Theorie des Habitus entwickelt (Diaz-Bone/Thévenot 2010, S. 7).” (S. 101/102)

About the book. Social work professionals are challenged to make decisions in complex, often ambiguous situations. In this study, the scope for discretion in case discussions in youth social work is empirically proven and reconstructed in its development. In their interactive negotiation, not only theoretic but also practical, implicit knowledge is expressed. In these negotiation processes, professional autonomy and the reproduction of social order coincide in a specific way. In dealing with ambiguities, practices of coping become recognizable that are directed towards the perception of professional possibilities for action. Discretionary leeway is therefore conceived as a central place for the mediation of professionalized practice.

Extract: “Another approach that deals with the significance of institutions is the sociology of conventions. According to this, conventions are interpretative frameworks for the coordination and evaluation of actions […]. Situational interactions and the design of justification figures are of decisive importance. Institutions are based on conventions, which in turn are based on gestures and evaluations that generate mutual expectations (cf. Wagner 1993, p. 469 f.). An alternative approach to the concept of instrumental actions developed by Weber and the theory of habitus proposed by Bourdieu is developed (Diaz-Bone/Thévenot 2010, p. 7).” (S. 101/102)

Quantification as social technology: Integrating studies of quantification with philosophy of technology

Weibo Li (2024)

Technology and Society, Vol. 78, September 2024, 102635

Abstract. Studies of quantification are an emerging academic interest due to the datafication and quantification trends in modern society. The existing literature on this interdisciplinary field involves two approaches: a history of science approach and a sociology approach. This article argues for adding perspectives from the philosophy of technology. The philosophy of technology raises otherwise neglected ontological, epistemological, and ethical questions about the technology of quantification. Quantification as social technology is non-neutral and exhibits social constructed features, which beyond the commonly perceived realist opinions. The social-constructed quantification also has the ability to influence social agents, mediating the way humans exist in and understand the life world. Ethical and political questions about quantification call for integration into an already rich ethical and political discourse surrounding technological artifacts, actions, and political agendas.

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