Valuation Studies: A Collaborative Valuation in Practice

Abstract

This discussion note provides a perspective on valuation studies by a group of PhD students. Based on impressions from the Valuation as Practice workshop at The University of Edinburgh in early 2014 we were inspired by the example of Kjellberg et al. (2013) to debate how we see, understand, and are inspired by the field of valuation studies. It is the hope of the editors that sharing the concerns of early-stage researchers starting out in a field in flux, may be of use to, and perhaps spur, senior contributors to further develop this emerging research landscape. Using the workshop experience as a springboard, we argue that the domain of valuation studies still relies heavily on influences from the study of economics, with a strong emphasis on processes of quantification and calculation. With apparent pragmatism within the field, concern as to what might be lost by this narrower perspective is raised. Additionally, we call for the exploration of the possibility of a common language of valuation, to better define shared features, and identify as well as manage conflicts within the field.

Calculating a life: classification, valuation and compensation in the British abolition of slavery

“…This is not to disregard the importance of the technical economic component of valuation, but rather to also recognize the role of social and cultural values; in other words, an encouragement to adopt a broader sociology of worth (Stark, 2000). Therefore valuation scholars emanating from within the social sciences are critical of the dominant hold that economics has traditionally exerted on notions of value (Haywood, 2014). They are critical of an ideology which has ignored important cultural agendas in explaining practices of valuation (Zelizer, 1994a).…”

“…2 academic neglect of valuation as a social practice and to ensure that a plurality of perspectives is heard, not just one centred in economic criteria (Haywood, 2014).…”

“…Such interest is an important recognition of the significance of practices of valuation in everyday life (Helgesson and Muniesa, 2013). It is also an attempt to redress the academic neglect of valuation as a social practice and to ensure that a plurality of perspectives is heard, not just one centred in economic criteria (Haywood, 2014).…”

Valuation in Welfare Markets : The Rule Books, Whiteboards and Swivel Chairs of Care Choice Reform

“…We might need to do more to question the imperative of economics to stipulate the 'investment in form' (Thévenot, 1984) that formats the possibilities to express worth in welfare reform. There is a prospect in valuation studies of working against the tendency to rely heavily on the influences of economics, which would pertain more strongly to the original spirit of pragmatism that valuation studies so eagerly claims to honour (Haywood et al, 2014). makes strong claims at explaining outcomes in reference to economic theory, which is something I do not attempt to do.…”

Weight, Density and Space in the Norwegian Reindeer Crisis–Notes Towards a Critique

“…The stance I adopt does raise some pertinent questions for the social study of valuation and valuation practices: what is the place of critique, given the commitments of valuation studies as an emerging field of inquiry (see e.g. Haywood et al 2014)? My own position here aligns broadly with Stengers', when she defines pragmatics as a "care of the possible" (Stengers and Bordeleau 2011).…”