Imitation, Repetition and Iterability

Moebius, Stephan

doi:10.1080/1600910x.2004.9672891

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Our focus is on highlighting where a focus on imitations might lead. In 1904 Bergson wrote that Tarde opened wide horizons (Moebius, 2004), but it is only comparatively recently that these have been pointed to in organizational research (Czarniawska, 2009). These opportunities come into view through a focus on the dynamics of imitation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This conceptual paper shows how Tardean ideas of imitation (as distinct from mimicry as understood from neo-institutional perspectives) can account for the generation of novelty and simultaneous maintenance of the conventional in shadow organizing. Imitation conceptualized as a process of differentiating repetition (Moebius, 2004) is a not simply a process of producing straightforward copies, but a relational process that produces novelty, part of an imitation/innovation dynamic through which new practices and forms of organizing take hold. This conceptual approach grounds an understanding of shadow organizing in practices, as we have illustrated with reference to the example of Tasmania’s Child and Family Centres.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The conceptual tools for this are available in the form of three imitative patterns. These have roots in Tarde’s (1962) original expression as “laws of imitation” but can coherently be positioned with more contemporary performative framings (Howaldt and Schwarz, 2017; Moebius, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tardean imitation has little to do with the diffusion of exact copies suggested by DiMaggio and Powell (1983; Powell and Dimaggio, 1991). In Tarde, invention/repetition “is not a dichotomy at all” (Czarniawska, 2009, p. 10); imitation is a process of differentiating repetition (Moebius, 2004). The process of imitation involves both alterity (formation of perceptions of being different) and identity (Czarniawska, 2005), thus explaining how novelty emerges and is maintained (see also Papilloud, 2011, on alterity).…”

Section: Gabriel Tarde and Imitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A third key concern with Tarde concerns his account of imitation in terms of universal laws, which seem a poor fit for much contemporary research. However, detailed philosophical and methodological writing suggests this need not be a problem: there are affinities between Tarde and poststructuralist sociology (Moebius, 2004), and with recent formulations of social practice theory (Howaldt and Schwarz, 2017). Tarde’s conceptual apparatus can be employed as a set of principles rather than methodological a priori (Howaldt and Schwarz, 2017), or explanatory concepts (Czarniawska, 2009) – the latter being particularly informative of our approach.…”

Section: Gabriel Tarde and Imitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shadow organizing and imitation: new foci for research

Hopwood

Jensen

2019

QROM

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Purpose Shadow organizing refers to the emergence of parallel arrangements that sit alongside and imitate mainstream or conventional ways of organizing. It can be a response to challenges that require new ways of working without abandoning what is valuable about conventional arrangements. However, the processes through which shadow organizing is accomplished are not well understood; there is a need to go beyond traditional notions of mimicry and metaphor. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper demonstrates how a Tardean approach to imitation can address this gap. It deploys imitation as an explanatory concept, based on contemporary readings of Tarde, as well as understandings of organizing as an unfolding process. Child and Family Centres in Tasmania (Australia), are used as an example of shadow organizing, delivering integrated health and education services in an emerging parallel arrangement. Findings The analysis highlights an imitation dynamic which is far from straightforward mimicry. Rather, it comprises repetition and generation of difference. This dynamic is conceptualized in Tardean fashion as three patterns: the imitation of ideas before expression; the selective nature of imitation; and insertion of the old alongside the new. Originality/value The paper moves beyond metaphors of shadow organizing, and understandings of shadow organizing as mimicry. Conceptualizing imitation in an alternative way, it contributes fresh insights into how shadow organizing is accomplished. This enriches and expands the conceptual apparatus for researchers wishing to understand the betwixt and between of shadow organizing.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%