Discursive work within weak field mandate events: The case of a conference on assistive technologies for persons with disabilities. Issue 4 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kulkarni, Mukta
• Is Part Of: IIMB management review. Volume 30:Issue 4(2018:Dec.)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Discourse -- Field-level events -- Disability -- Assistive technologies; Management -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Periodicals; Industrial management; Management; India; Periodicals; 658
• DOI: 10.1016/j.iimb.2018.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0970-3896

Abstract

Abstract: The present study outlines discursive work in a weak field mandate event. The case is a conference focussed on assistive technologies that may help persons with disabilities gain better access to educational and employment spaces in India. Findings highlight three mechanisms which underpinned event-specific discursive work – discursive clarity, alignment, and coordination. In outlining such discursive work, the present study indicates how actors, who congregate as a group without high symbolic or resource support from powerful institutional elites, attempt to influence broader processes of institutionalisation.