Real Estate Decision-Making: An Actor Network Theory Analysis of Four, Small Charitable ...

140 Pages·2015·1.83 MB·English

by  Louis J. Grabowski

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Business Administration Dissertations Programs in Business Administration
Spring 5-5-2012
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Louis J. Grabowski
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Grabowski, Louis J., "Real Estate Decision-Making: An Actor Network Theory Analysis of Four, Small
Charitable Organizations." Dissertation, Georgia State University, 2012.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/2836770
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In presenting this dissertation as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree from Georgia State
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direction it was written or, in his absence, by the Dean of the Robinson College of Business. Such quoting, copying,
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Louis J. Grabowski
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The author of this dissertation is:

Louis J. Grabowski
5694 Mill Shire Lane
Dunwoody, GA 30338

The director of this dissertation is:

Dr. Lars Mathiassen
GRA Eminent Scholar, Professor and Co-Founder of Center for Process Innovation
Professor, Computer Information Systems
J. Mack Robinson College of Business
35 Broad Street, NW, Suite 427
Atlanta, GA 30303

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Real Estate Decision Making: An Actor Network Theory
Analysis of Four, Small, Charitable Organizations

BY

Louis J. Grabowski

A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
Of
Executive Doctorate In the Robinson College of Business
Of
Georgia State University

GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
ROBINSON COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
2012
y
3
Copyright by
Louis J. Grabowski
2012
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ACCEPTANCE

This dissertation was prepared under the direction of the Louis J. Grabowski Dissertation Committee. It has been
approved and accepted by all members of that committee, and it has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Executive Doctorate in Business in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business of
Georgia State University.

H. Fenwick Huss, Dean

DISSERTATION COMMITTEE

Dr. Lars Mathiassen
Dr. Mark Keil
Dr. Karen Gibler
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 6
TABLES AND FIGURES .............................................................................................................. 8
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... 9
1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 10
1.1 Research Domain ...................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Research Perspective ................................................................................................................. 11
1.3 Research Approach ................................................................................................................... 12
1.4 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 13
2 LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................... 15
2.1 For-Profit Real Estate Decision-Making ................................................................................... 15
2.2 Nonprofit Decision-Making ...................................................................................................... 22
2.3 Nonprofits and Real Estate ........................................................................................................ 26
3 ACTOR NETWORK THEORY ................................................................................ 30
3.1 Key Concepts and Constructs of Actor Network Theory .......................................................... 30
3.2 Applications of Actor Network Theory ..................................................................................... 32
4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................... 38
4.1 Research Design ........................................................................................................................ 38
4.2 The Four Cases ......................................................................................................................... 40
5 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS................................................................. 41
5.1 Data Collection Strategy ........................................................................................................... 41
5.2 Data Analysis Strategy .............................................................................................................. 44
5.3 Guides for Coding ..................................................................................................................... 47
6 RESULTS ................................................................................................................... 47
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6.1 The Cases .................................................................................................................................. 47
6.2 Real Estate Decision-Making in NP-Disabilities ...................................................................... 47
6.3 Real Estate Decision-Making in NP-Meals ............................................................................... 56
6.4 Real Estate Decision-Making in NP-Buildings ......................................................................... 65
6.5 Real Estate Decision-Making in NP-Volunteers........................................................................ 73
6.6 Cross Case Analysis .................................................................................................................. 81
7 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................. 93
7.1 Real Estate Decision-Making in Small, Charitable Organizations ............................................ 94
7.2 Actor Network Analysis of Real Estate Decision-Making ...................................................... 105
8 PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS ............................................................................... 108
9 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 112
9.1 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 112
9.2 Limitations .............................................................................................................................. 113
10 APPENDICES .......................................................................................................... 115
10.1 Actor Network Theory Constructs .......................................................................................... 115
10.2 Theoretical Replication Logic ................................................................................................. 116
10.3 Data Analysis: Within Case Analysis ..................................................................................... 118
10.4 Data Analysis: Cross Case Analysis ........................................................................................ 132
11 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 135
12 VITA ......................................................................................................................... 139

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TABLES AND FIGURES
List of Figures
Figure 4.2-1 Theoretical Replication Logic .................................................................................. 41
Figure 5.1-1 Data Sources-Interviews .......................................................................................... 43
Figure 5.1-2 Data Sources- Other ................................................................................................. 43
Figure 10.2-1 High vs. Low Space Requirement ........................................................................ 116
Figure 10.2-2 Need vs. Dream Decision Driver ......................................................................... 117
Figure 10.3-1 NP-Disabilities ..................................................................................................... 118
Figure 10.3-2 NP-Meals.............................................................................................................. 121
Figure 10.3-3 NP-Buildings ........................................................................................................ 124
Figure 10.3-4 NP-Volunteers ...................................................................................................... 128
Figure 10.4-1 Cross Case Analysis-Antecedents ........................................................................ 132
Figure 10.4-2 Cross Case Analysis-Process ............................................................................... 133
Figure 10.4-3 Cross Case Analysis-Outcomes ........................................................................... 134

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ABSTRACT

Real Estate Decision Making: An Actor Network Theory
Analysis of Four, Small, Charitable Organizations

BY

Louis J. Grabowski

April 24, 2012

Committee Chair: Dr. Lars Mathiassen

Major Academic Unit: Computer Information Systems

This in-depth exploratory case study examines the real estate decision-making processes in four small, charitable
organizations through the lens of Actor Network Theory (ANT). While decision-makers in these cases followed
logical pathways and criteria in searching for and evaluating alternatives, this investigation also found these
processes were often lengthy, complex, bounded rational, and political. The analysis looked at the relative roles
played by various internal and external actors (including influential non-human actors such as feasibility studies,
renderings, budgets, and plans) and the resulting fragile, but acceptable outcomes. From the presented engaged
scholarship, practical implications emerged that can aid nonprofit managers and their boards in their real estate
decision-making processes. Lastly, in addition to helping understand the process of creating real estate decisions in
the context of nonprofit organizations, the analysis demonstrates how ANT with its focus on how heterogeneous
human and non-human actors interact and come together to act as a whole, can be a valuable framework in
examining the socio-technical, political process of real estate decision-making.

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