Fracking the future: the temporal portability of frames in political contests

Nyberg, D., Wright, C. and Kirk, J. ORCID: 0000-0002-0644-5671, 2020. Fracking the future: the temporal portability of frames in political contests. Organization Studies, 41 (2), pp. 175-196. ISSN 0170-8406

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Abstract

Despite scientific consensus on the need to rapidly decarbonize economic systems to limit global warming, the exploitation of fossil fuels continues unabated. This begs the question, why do we continue down this path? We argue that one reason is the way in which fossil fuel expansion is temporally framed. In this article, we examine the disputed development of hydraulic fracturing of shale gas (‘fracking’) in the United Kingdom. Through analysis of a series of public inquiries conducted by the UK Government we show how industry, government and NGOs have engaged in a framing contest in debating the future of fracking. The findings show how the framing of fossil fuel development was solidified over time through processes of certainty, simplicity and familiarity. We contribute by: (a) showing how actors mobilize temporality in constructing persuasive and actionable frames; (b) developing a theory of how frames gain temporal portability – a chronology between a dominant past and a recognized future; and (c) providing an alternative theory of short-termism in explaining the path leading us to a dangerous climate changed future.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: Organization Studies
Creators: Nyberg, D., Wright, C. and Kirk, J.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: February 2020
Volume: 41
Number: 2
ISSN: 0170-8406
Identifiers:
NumberType
10.1177/0170840618814568DOI
1756511Other
Rights: Reuse is restricted to non-commercial and no derivative uses
Divisions: Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by: Laura Ward
Date Added: 05 May 2023 14:39
Last Modified: 05 May 2023 14:39
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/48887

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