Categorization by Association: Nuclear Technology and Emission Free Electricity

Research in the Sociology of Work, Forthcoming

48 Pages Posted: 26 May 2010 Last revised: 7 Apr 2014

See all articles by Raghu Garud

Raghu Garud

Pennsylvania State University

Joel Gehman

George Washington University - Department of Strategic Management & Public Policy

Peter Karnøe

Copenhagen Business School

Date Written: May 24, 2010

Abstract

At different points in time, energy harnessed from nuclear technology for commercial purposes has been qualified as atoms for peace, too cheap to meter, unsafe, sustainable, and emission free. We explore how these associations – between nuclear technology (a category used in a descriptive way) and qualities such as emission free (categories used in an evaluative way) – are materially anchored, institutionally performed, socially relevant and entrepreneurially negotiated. By considering all these factors, our analysis shows that it is possible to understand how and why categories and their meanings continue to change over time. We flesh out the implications of these observations and suggest avenues for future research.

Keywords: Categories, Technology Entrepreneurship, Sociomateriality, Nuclear Power, Sustainability

Suggested Citation

Garud, Raghu and Gehman, Joel and Karnøe, Peter, Categorization by Association: Nuclear Technology and Emission Free Electricity (May 24, 2010). Research in the Sociology of Work, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1615436

Raghu Garud

Pennsylvania State University ( email )

University Park
State College, PA 16802
United States

Joel Gehman (Contact Author)

George Washington University - Department of Strategic Management & Public Policy ( email )

Washington, DC 20052
United States

Peter Karnøe

Copenhagen Business School ( email )

Solbjerg Plads 3
Frederiksberg C, DK - 2000
Denmark