Syntehsis of Evolutionary theory and Social Shaping Theory
Newcastle University Business School
NBS8214 Technology Change and Innovation Management
Module assignment 1.:Question 3.
Synthesis of Evolutionary Theory and Social-Shaping Theory: Suggesting Drivers of Technology Change
Introduction
Technologies has been intertwined with our lives since the early days of mankind (MacKenzie and Wajcman, 1999), when stones where used as a cutting tool. Over time this ‘cutting tool’ was improved, substitutes were developed and the usage of some substitutes stopped; the technology changed. This is just one minor example of a technology change, many have taken place and will occur in the future. Because they have affected, are affecting and will affect our society, it is important to understand the process of technology change with its drivers. There is a large volume of published studies devoted to this understanding which developed multiple theories. The ‘Evolution Theory’ (ET) and the ‘Social-Shaping Theory’ (SST) are the most dominant. The foundations of ET rest on learning processes, involving imperfect adaption and unsuccessful discoveries (Dosi and Nelson, 1994). The SST, emerged through criticizing the ‘technological determinism’ aspect of ET, argues that technology is instead a social product (Williams and Edge, 1996). This essay reviews the literature concerning these theories to answer the question: “What drives technology change?”. The review is based on Geels (2005) four phases of technology change; 1.radical innovations emerge in small market niches, 2. new innovations are used in small market niches, 3. breakthrough of new technology, and 4. replacement by new technology. The two theories are synthesised in the discussion, which elaborates on the suggested drivers of technology change; ‘continuous learning’ and ‘continuous environmental adaption’. The conclusion of this essay provides a summary of the main findings and what implications can be derived.
Radical innovations emerge in
NBS8214 Technology Change and Innovation Management
Module assignment 1.:Question 3.
Synthesis of Evolutionary Theory and Social-Shaping Theory: Suggesting Drivers of Technology Change
Introduction
Technologies has been intertwined with our lives since the early days of mankind (MacKenzie and Wajcman, 1999), when stones where used as a cutting tool. Over time this ‘cutting tool’ was improved, substitutes were developed and the usage of some substitutes stopped; the technology changed. This is just one minor example of a technology change, many have taken place and will occur in the future. Because they have affected, are affecting and will affect our society, it is important to understand the process of technology change with its drivers. There is a large volume of published studies devoted to this understanding which developed multiple theories. The ‘Evolution Theory’ (ET) and the ‘Social-Shaping Theory’ (SST) are the most dominant. The foundations of ET rest on learning processes, involving imperfect adaption and unsuccessful discoveries (Dosi and Nelson, 1994). The SST, emerged through criticizing the ‘technological determinism’ aspect of ET, argues that technology is instead a social product (Williams and Edge, 1996). This essay reviews the literature concerning these theories to answer the question: “What drives technology change?”. The review is based on Geels (2005) four phases of technology change; 1.radical innovations emerge in small market niches, 2. new innovations are used in small market niches, 3. breakthrough of new technology, and 4. replacement by new technology. The two theories are synthesised in the discussion, which elaborates on the suggested drivers of technology change; ‘continuous learning’ and ‘continuous environmental adaption’. The conclusion of this essay provides a summary of the main findings and what implications can be derived.
Radical innovations emerge in
References: Dosi, G. and Nelson, R. R. 1994. An introduction to evolutionary theories in economics, Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 4, 153-172 Geels, F.W Genus, A. and Coles, A. 2008. Rethinking the multi-level perspective of technological transitions, Elsevier: Research Policy, 37, 1436-1445 Hard, M MacKenzie, D. and Wajcman, J. 1999. The Social Shaping of Technology, Berkshire: Open University Press McLoughlin, I Metcalfe, J.S. 1994. Evolutionary Economics and Technology Policy, The Economic Journal, 104(425), 931-944 Nelson, R Williams, R. and Edge, D. 1996. The social shaping of technology, Research policy, 25, 865-899