Technology Generalization Involves Continuous Configurational Shifts and Diverse User Activities
The widespread adoption of new technologies is not a static event but a dynamic process characterized by ongoing changes in the technology itself, its supporting ecosystem, and the contexts of its use, driven by a variety of user engagement patterns.
Technological Forecasting and Social Change · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Technology generalization occurs through a series of 'configurational movements,' each involving changes in the technology, its actors, and its context.
- 02Eight distinct user activity types (e.g., adaptation, user innovation, community building, market creation) significantly shape the technology's evolution and societal impact.
- 03User engagement leads to systemic change beyond just the initial adoption phase.
Application
Design takeaway
Design for evolution, not just adoption; actively support diverse user engagement to foster successful technology generalization.
How to apply
When developing a new product or system, map out potential user activities beyond basic usage and design features that support adaptation, community building, and user-led improvements.
Project actions
- 01Consider how users might adapt or innovate with your design after its initial release.
- 02Think about the ecosystem of users and stakeholders involved, not just the primary user.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Longitudinal study provides rich insights into the evolutionary process.
- +Detailed categorization of user activities offers a practical framework.
Limitations
It can be challenging to predict all possible user activities or future 'configurational movements' for a new design.
Reliability & validity
The longitudinal nature and detailed case study enhance ecological validity, while the categorization of user activities provides a framework for reliability in analysis across different observations.
Think critically
To what extent can designers proactively design for 'configurational movements' and diverse user activities, or is this primarily an emergent phenomenon?
Design Principles
"Embrace iterative design and user co-creation throughout the technology lifecycle."
Understanding the continuous evolution of technology during its generalization phase is crucial for designers and strategists. It highlights that initial design decisions are only the beginning, and successful long-term integration requires anticipating and supporting ongoing adaptation and innovation from users.
What This Means for Your Design
New technologies don't just get used; they change and grow as people use them in different ways, and designers need to plan for this ongoing evolution.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the concept of 'configurational movements' to describe how your design might evolve or be adapted by users.
- 2.Analyze potential user activities that could influence your design's adoption and generalization.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2023). Series of configurational movements: User activities in technology generalization. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.123158 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/59c07240-2afb-4ff3-b0a7-da2e835968cb/technology-generalization-involves-continuous-configurational-shifts-and-diverse-user-activities
Paragraph starter
The generalization of new technologies is a dynamic process, involving continuous shifts in the technology, its stakeholders, and its context, driven by diverse user activities such as adaptation, innovation, and community building, leading to systemic change.
Source
Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Series of configurational movements: User activities in technology generalization
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about technology generalization involves continuous configurational shifts and diverse user activities?
- Design for evolution, not just adoption; actively support diverse user engagement to foster successful technology generalization. Evidence: Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2023).
- Why does "Technology Generalization Involves Continuous Configurational Shifts and Diverse User Activities" matter for design?
- Understanding the continuous evolution of technology during its generalization phase is crucial for designers and strategists. It highlights that initial design decisions are only the beginning, and successful long-term integration requires anticipating and supporting ongoing adaptation and innovation from users.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design for evolution, not just adoption; actively support diverse user engagement to foster successful technology generalization.
- What were the main findings?
- Technology generalization occurs through a series of 'configurational movements,' each involving changes in the technology, its actors, and its context.. Eight distinct user activity types (e.g., adaptation, user innovation, community building, market creation) significantly shape the technology's evolution and societal impact.. User engagement leads to systemic change beyond just the initial adoption phase.
- What research method was used?
- Longitudinal case study and qualitative analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Technological Forecasting and Social Change.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new product or system, map out potential user activities beyond basic usage and design features that support adaptation, community building, and user-led improvements.
- What are the limitations?
- The findings are specific to the context of heat pump adoption in Finland and may not generalize to all technologies or geographical regions without further investigation.
- Is there evidence that technology generalization affects design outcomes?
- New technologies change and evolve continuously as they spread, driven by diverse user actions like adapting, innovating, and building communities, leading to broader societal shifts. Understanding the continuous evolution of technology during its generalization phase is crucial for designers and strategists. It highli Source: Technological Forecasting and Social Change (2023).
- Where does this diverse user research apply?
- Energy transition technologies, specifically heat pumps in Finland It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
technology generalization design research · evidence on technology generalization · does technology generalization improve design outcomes · diverse user studies for designers · technology generalization and diverse user findings · innovation & design research evidence