How can the loggerhead sea-turtle survive? Exploring the journeys of the Caretta caretta using ANT and critical realism

O'Mahoney, Joe, O'Mahoney, Hannah and Al-Amoudi, Ismael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4548-3125 2017. How can the loggerhead sea-turtle survive? Exploring the journeys of the Caretta caretta using ANT and critical realism. Organization 24 (6) , pp. 781-799. 10.1177/1350508416672738

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Abstract

The endangered loggerhead sea-turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on the shores of the Mediterranean, but faces threats to its existence from a variety of sources. Answering the question of how this species can survive is complex as it involves examining the relationships between the turtle, its natural environment, local tourists, property developers, conservation organisations, governments and law-makers. We argue that actor-network theory (ANT) provides a powerful methodology for tracing these relations and identifying crucial actors which enable the survival of this animal. Using a rich ethnography and drawing on insights from 116 interviews, we trace three actor-networks that highlight factors important to the survival of the species. Yet, we also highlight the conceptual difficulties that result from using an ANT ontology for understanding socio-ecological interactions and argue that these may be ameliorated by embedding the ANT methodology within a critical realist (CR) ontology. We argue that this engagement between CR and ANT offers researchers a powerful method for understanding relations between socio-ecological actors whilst overcoming some of the theoretical difficulties of ANT.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Publisher:	SAGE
ISSN:	1350-5084
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	14 October 2016
Date of Acceptance:	7 September 2016
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2024 14:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/94357

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