TY - JOUR

T1 - Algorithms as organizational figuration

T2 - The sociotechnical arrangements of a fintech start-up

AU - Dahlman, Sara

AU - Gulbrandsen, Ib T.

AU - Just, Sine N.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2021.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Building on critical approaches that understand algorithms in terms of communication, culture and organization, this paper offers the supplementary conceptualization of algorithms as organizational figuration, defined as material and meaningful sociotechnical arrangements that develop in spatiotemporal processes and are shaped by multiple enactments of affordance–agency relations. We develop this conceptualization through a case study of a Danish fintech start-up that uses machine learning to create opportunities for sustainable pensions investments. By way of ethnographic and literary methodology, we provide an in-depth analysis of the dynamic trajectory in and through which the organization gives shape to and takes shape from its key algorithmic tool, mapping the shifting sociotechnical arrangements of the start-up, from its initial search for a viable business model through the development of the algorithm to the public launch of its product. On this basis, we argue that conceptualizing algorithms as organizational figuration enables us to detail not only what algorithms do but also what they are.

AB - Building on critical approaches that understand algorithms in terms of communication, culture and organization, this paper offers the supplementary conceptualization of algorithms as organizational figuration, defined as material and meaningful sociotechnical arrangements that develop in spatiotemporal processes and are shaped by multiple enactments of affordance–agency relations. We develop this conceptualization through a case study of a Danish fintech start-up that uses machine learning to create opportunities for sustainable pensions investments. By way of ethnographic and literary methodology, we provide an in-depth analysis of the dynamic trajectory in and through which the organization gives shape to and takes shape from its key algorithmic tool, mapping the shifting sociotechnical arrangements of the start-up, from its initial search for a viable business model through the development of the algorithm to the public launch of its product. On this basis, we argue that conceptualizing algorithms as organizational figuration enables us to detail not only what algorithms do but also what they are.

KW - Algorithms

KW - ethnography

KW - figuration

KW - fintech

KW - living maps

KW - sociotechnical arrangements

KW - Management studies

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85108062390&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/20539517211026702

DO - 10.1177/20539517211026702

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85108062390

VL - 8

JO - Big Data and Society

JF - Big Data and Society

SN - 2053-9517

IS - 1

ER -