Actor-networks and implementation: examples from conservation GIS in Ecuador

Recommendations for implementation and evaluation of Geographical Informati on Systems (GIS) can benefit from a broader theoretical foundation to suppo rt investigation, understanding and improvement. This paper discusses Actor -Network Theory (ANT) as a framework to delineate and evaluate the social a nd technical interactions involved in GIS implementation. The proposed proc ess traces actor-network interactions through texts, technical objects, peo ple, money and control. Actor alignment, actor-network stability and obliga tory points of passage are evaluated to compare actor-networks. Case study research on conservation GIS implementation in Ecuador illustrates these me thods. The strength of these actor-networks is examined through analysis of actors' interactions and the presence and function of an obligatory point of passage. Stronger actor-networks exhibit alignment among actors, co-loca tion of an obligatory point of passage with the center of calculation and c redit sharing.