Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2016 "Reasonably Bright Girls": Theorizing Women's Agency in Technological Systems of Power Emily January Petersen Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Women's Studies Commons Recommended Citation Petersen, Emily January, ""Reasonably Bright Girls": Theorizing Women's Agency in Technological Systems of Power" (2016). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 4924. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4924 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “REASONABLY BRIGHT GIRLS”: THEORIZING WOMEN’S AGENCY IN TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF POWER By Emily January Petersen A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Theory and Practice of Technical Communication Approved: _______________________________ _______________________________ Ryan M. Moeller, Ph.D. Rebecca Walton, Ph.D. Major Professor Committee Member _______________________________ _______________________________ Keith Grant-Davie, Ph.D. Keri Holt, Ph.D. Committee Member Committee Member _______________________________ _______________________________ Anita Armstrong, Ph.D. Mark R. McLellan, Ph.D. Committee Member Vice President for Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2016 ii Copyright Emily January Petersen 2016 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT “Reasonably Bright Girls”: Theorizing Women’s Agency in Technological Systems of Power By Emily January Petersen, Doctor of Philosophy Utah State University, 2016 Major Professor: Dr. Ryan M. Moeller Department: English A woman’s experience in the workplace is an inductive process into a technological, hierarchical, and often male-dominated system. This study examines how female practitioners in technical and professional communication confront the technological system of the workplace. I trace the forces that contribute to the hierarchy and power struggles women face, I present how they claim authority and agency within such hierarchical and technological systems, and I show how these experiences can lead to activism and advocacy. In addition, my findings suggest that some women leave the workplace altogether in favor of less structured and more innovative ways of communicating about technologies, particularly technologies and processes they find more applicable to their lives as women. The data from 39 interviews with female practitioners reveals that the traditional notion of the workplace is in crisis, and that women are asserting agency in order to disrupt the system and ensure a place for themselves within it. (226 pages) iv PUBLIC ABSTRACT “Reasonably Bright Girls”: Theorizing Women’s Agency in Technological Systems of Power Emily January Petersen A woman’s experience in the workplace is an inductive process into a technological, hierarchical, and often male-dominated system. This study examines how female practitioners in technical and professional communication confront the technological system of the workplace. I trace the forces that contribute to the hierarchy and power struggles women face, I present how they claim authority and agency within such hierarchical and technological systems, and I show how these experiences can lead to activism and advocacy. In addition, my findings suggest that some women leave the workplace altogether in favor of less structured and more innovative ways of communicating about technologies, particularly technologies and processes they find more applicable to their lives as women. The data from 39 interviews with female practitioners reveals that the traditional notion of the workplace is in crisis, and that women are asserting agency in order to disrupt the system and ensure a place for themselves within it. v DEDICATION To Mike, Olivia, and The Daphinator. For the women who shared their stories with me. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I have always been fortunate in being surrounded by smart, gracious, and giving people. My journey as a doctoral student has been no different. I’m grateful for the countless hours that Dr. Ryan Moeller has spent with me, shaping my identity as a scholar, critiquing my work, supporting my research, and sending gossip texts. I would not have the confidence I have built without Dr. Rebecca Walton. We have laughed together, talked fashion together, cried together, and most importantly thought together. She is the role model and mentor I needed. I also benefitted from the support, expertise, and encouragement of Dr. Keith Grant-Davie, who always listened when I needed advice and who sent me kind, encouraging, and funny emails. I also owe gratitude to Dr. Keri Holt and Dr. Anita Armstrong, whose strong research skills and expert guidance has molded me into the kind of scholar I have always wanted to be. I have similar gratitude for my historian friends and mentors: Dr. Jenny Reeder, Betsy Crane, and Cheré Clarke. I’m additionally thankful for the critiquing, supporting, writing, teaching, complimenting, traveling, debating, listening, venting, and lunching I have done with Adam Bair, Breeanne Martin, Chris Dayley, and Eric Stephens. I would be remiss if I did not mention the support of my husband, Mike, who has read every paper and listened to every presentation. I would have never pursued an academic career without his encouragement and support. My children have been patient with me as well. Daphne has learned to wait for help until I am finished typing, and Olivia has shown interest in my research topics and engaged me in thought-provoking conversations about the continuing struggle for women. And of course, there’s my wonderful dad, Ron January, who is always there. I am surrounded by people of integrity, intelligence, love, and ambition. vii CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................iii PUBLIC ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................iv DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .........................................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ix LIST OF FIGURES .....................................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1. ENTERING THE TRADITIONAL WORKPLACE ..........................................1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................1 Women at Work ...........................................................................................................12 Feminist Theory as a Lens for the Workplace .........................................................19 Procedures .....................................................................................................................25 Analysis ..........................................................................................................................29 Scholars Define the Field ............................................................................................36 Practitioners Define the Field ....................................................................................38 Tracing the Female Practitioner Experience ............................................................40 2. ARTICULATING VALUE AMID MISCONCEPTIONS AND FEMINIZATIONS ........................................................................................................43 Knowledge Work and All-Edge Adhocracies ..........................................................43 Women as Practitioners ..............................................................................................46 Viewing Misconceptions as Strengths .......................................................................48 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................56 3. SYSTEMS OF POWER: THE CRISIS OF THE WORKPLACE ........................58 Introduction ..................................................................................................................58 Workplace in Crisis ......................................................................................................61 Findings .........................................................................................................................65 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................83 4. CLAIMING AUTHORITY AND AGENCY THROUGH INTERACTIONAL POWER ............................................................................................................................85 No More Nylons ..........................................................................................................85 Interactional Power ......................................................................................................87