Social positioning theory is an account of social constitution. Organised social totalities are the wholes of primary concern to social positioning theory and its central focus is on the manner in which the components of these totalities are constituted. Social positioning theory elaborates upon the relational structures that serve to coordinate the human interactions that take place in communities.

Within the theory, explicit attention is also given to the nature (and manner of social determination) of social objects. Social positioning theory has been developed extensively in recent years in response to review, critique and deployment. The purpose of this workshop is to take stock, reflect upon the basic principles of the theory and consider how it can be used.

10.45: Introduction

Stephen Pratten (King’s College London)

11.15 – 13.15: Issues in Social Positioning Theory

Tony Lawson (University of Cambridge)

14.00 – 15.30: The Development of Social Positioning Theory

Yannick Slade-Caffarel (King’s College London)

16.00 – 17.30: Social Positioning Theory and the Ontology of Money

Isabella Weber (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

This workshop is organised by the Social Ontology Research Unit based in the Public Services Management & Organisation Research Group at King’s Business School, King’s College London and is part of a series of King's College London colloquia on Theory and Method in Organisational Research.