Losing by Expanding: Corralling the Runaway Object
Abstract
Third-generation activity theory (3GAT) has become a popular theoretical and methodological framework for writing studies, particularly in technical communication. 3GAT involves identifying an object, a material or problem that is cyclically transformed by collective activity. The object is the linchpin of analysis in the empirical case. Yet the notion of object has expanded methodologically and theoretically over time, making it difficult to reliably bound an empirical case. In response, this article outlines the expansion of the object, diagnoses this expansion, and proposes an alternate approach that constrains the object for case-study research in writing studies.
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Strand 2 addresses smaller-scope objects-specific projects with a limited, defined set of stakeholders-but views these objects as fractional or multiple rather than multiperspectival.
“In contrast, Strand 2 addresses smaller-scope objects-specific projects with a limited, defined set of stakeholders-but understands these objects as fractional or multiple rather than multiperspectival (cf.[40][47]).”
From Fourth-Generation Activity Theory: An Integrative Literature Review and Implications for Professional Communication (2019) · cites this paper as [40]
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Cites
Expansive Learning at Work: Toward an activity theoretical reconceptualization
Engeström, Y. (2001) · Journal of Education and Work · doi:10.1080/13639080020028747 · Cited by 5,436 · see citing works
Learning by Expanding: An Activity-Theoretical Approach to Developmental Research
Engeström, Y. (2014) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9781139814744 · Cited by 4,991 · see citing works
Acting with technology: Activity theory and interaction design
Kaptelinin, V., & Nardi, B. (2007) · First Monday · doi:10.5210/fm.v12i4.1772 · Cited by 1,647 · cited 3× · see citing works
“…on activity theory have addressed how it must adapt to discussing knowledge work (Daniels, Edwards, Engeström, & Ludvigsen, 2010; Sannino, Daniels, & Gutierrez, 2009; Sawchuk, Duarte, & Elhammoumi, 2006), as have various monographs (Engeström, 2008; Kaptelinin & Nardi, 2006; Spinuzzi, 2008).”
BackgroundExpansive Visibilization of Work: An Activity-Theoretical Perspective
Engeström, Y. (1999) · Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) · doi:10.1023/a:1008648532192 · Cited by 492 · see citing works
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Working Alone Together: Coworking as Emergent Collaborative Activity
Spinuzzi, C. (2012) · Journal of Business and Technical Communication · doi:10.1177/1050651912444070 · Cited by 764 · see citing works
Self-citationSpinuzzi, C., & Guile, D. (2019) · 2019 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference (ProComm) · doi:10.1109/procomm.2019.00012 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Spinuzzi, C.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Austin (US)
- Corresponding author
- Spinuzzi, Clay
- ORCID
- Spinuzzi, Clay
- Venue
- Journal of Business and Technical Communication
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-06-20
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 449-486
- ISSN
- 0892-5720 (ISSN-L)
- 1050-6519
- 1552-4574
- OpenAlex
- W2007165671
- Cited by
- 63
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 17.47
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Business and Technical Communication (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Human Factors and Ergonomics › Innovative Education and Learning Practices
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Literature and Literary Theory › Discourse Analysis in Language Studies
- Keywords
- writing studies, technical communication, case study research, research design, collective activity
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