'Adaptive Structuration Theory In The Movie Joker'

ADAPTIVE STRUCTURATION THEORY

PROLOUGE________________________________________

In one of my favourite movies, THE DARK KNIGHT, the antagonist “The Joker” tells Batman about something that happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object. I used to wonder what could be the deep rationale behind this statement. DeSanctis &Poole’s (1994) Adaptive Structuration Theory gave me the answer. The theory explains that “Structuration is observed when a freely chosen human action meets group structures that are no respecters of persons.” Structuration can be defined as "the production or reproduction of social systems through members' use of rules and resources in interaction". It can also be defined as “guidelines or routines people follow,

It can be formulated as “the production and reproduction of the social systems through members’ use of rules and resources in interaction”. Adaptive Structuration Theory is an objective approach to study the role of technology in changing the organization. This paper will discuss AST’s relevance to today’s organisations due to the humongous influence technological advancements have had with regard to “human-computer interaction” aspect of AST. Adaptive Structuration Theory views an organization as a system of communication. Individuals tell about their expectations from and for the group, and soon a structure, or a set of rules, begins to emerge. When individuals wish to create a group, they start by communicating. They establish the group by accepting the rules. As the members continue the course of making decisions while communicating, limitations or weaknesses in the structure start to become apparent. The members then modify the rules according to their preferences and needs. Now, as members change, they experience shifts in environment or draw upon new resources. The group hence, attempts to maintain stability by the means of structure alteration. Therefore, AST shows “how communication allows groups to be stable and evolve at the same

In her work group, everyone has a set of rules and resources. Some are shared and some are individual (from past experience or from outside influences). As rules or resources (which together form "structures") are used in interactions between group members, they are reinforced and reproduced. For example, if everyone follows the unwritten rule, "don't ask the boss for anything on Mondays," then that rule is unwittingly reinforced. "If the structure of a group stays the same, it is because members are acting in such a way that the same structure is created and maintained with every act."(Poole). The good news is that new rules and resources can be created by group members or appropriated from outside the group. So anyone can be a catalyst for change. However, it still isn’t easy. Once a new rule or resource is available, it still needs to be adopted and used and reinforced over time. By everyone. Adaptive structuration theory is a way of making visible the invisible communication processes that shape behaviour in groups. When change is needed, it helps identify shared responsibility and areas where new or different rules and resources should be introduced.

RELATING TO ADAPTIVE STRUCTURATION