Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research

Lehenkari, J. (2000). Studying innovation trajectories and networks: The case of Benecol margarine. Science Studies, 13(1), 50-67.

Two theoretical empirical innovation study approaches - actor-network Theory (ANT) & activity theory (AT) - are used to analyze the case of Benecol margarine. The ANT approach is used to show how the relationships between actors are formed, revealing that credit for the innovation is eventually attributed to a single actor. Because the AT approach takes into account the historical axes of the participants, it is much better suited to illustrate the early innovative process & the networks of learning. The article suggests that it is important to study the development of innovation, noting details that would elude historical approaches. 37 References. R. Larsen. (Sociological Abstracts)