Short answer
Designers should leverage integrated sociotechnical frameworks to anticipate and manage the complex interactions between their designs and the societies they are intended for.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Social Studies of Science (2017)
- Method
- Expert review and synthesis of academic literature.
- Sample
- 35 experts
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A comprehensive review of 96 theories across 22 disciplines has identified 14 core conceptual frameworks that can be integrated to better understand and predict sociotechnical change. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in Social Studies of Science. Using Expert review and synthesis of academic literature. with 35 experts, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should leverage integrated sociotechnical frameworks to anticipate and manage the complex interactions between their designs and the societies they are intended for.
Integrating 14 Theories to Understand Sociotechnical Change
A comprehensive review of 96 theories across 22 disciplines has identified 14 core conceptual frameworks that can be integrated to better understand and predict sociotechnical change.
Social Studies of Science · 2017
Key Findings
- 01Identified 96 theories and conceptual approaches related to technology acceptance, adoption, use, and diffusion.
- 02Synthesized these into 14 most relevant and useful theories, including Sociotechnical Transitions, Social Practice Theory, and Actor-Network Theory.
- 03Developed two typologies to categorize theories based on agency/structure/meaning/relations/norms and functionalism/interpretivism/humanism/conflict.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should leverage integrated sociotechnical frameworks to anticipate and manage the complex interactions between their designs and the societies they are intended for.
How to apply
When initiating a design project, use the identified typologies to frame your research questions and analyze potential societal impacts, considering factors like user agency, structural constraints, and cultural meanings.
Project actions
- 01When researching a design problem, consider which of the 14 core theories best explains the user's interaction with technology.
- 02Use the typologies provided to analyze the different forces at play in the adoption of a technology.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive literature review across multiple disciplines.
- +Synthesis of a large number of theories into a manageable set of core frameworks.
- +Development of useful typologies for categorization.
Limitations
The complexity of integrating multiple theories can be challenging for a single design project. The availability of research on specific technologies might be limited.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings is supported by the extensive literature review and expert input. Validity is enhanced by the cross-disciplinary approach and the development of clear typologies for categorization.
Think critically
How might the 'Sociotechnical Imaginaries' theory influence the design of future technologies, and what are the potential ethical considerations?
Design Principles
"Technological innovation is inherently a sociotechnical process, requiring an understanding of both technical capabilities and social dynamics."
Understanding the complex interplay between technology and society is crucial for effective design. By synthesizing diverse theoretical perspectives, designers can anticipate adoption challenges, societal impacts, and opportunities for innovation.
What This Means for Your Design
This research looked at lots of ideas about how technology and people change together and found 14 main ways to think about it, helping us understand why new tech gets used or not.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference the identified theories when analyzing the context of your design project and the potential user base.
- 2.Use the typologies to structure your analysis of user behaviour and societal impact.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research provides a valuable framework for understanding sociotechnical change, identifying 14 core theories that can be integrated to analyze technology adoption and diffusion. The developed typologies offer a structured approach to examining the interplay of agency, structure, meaning, relations, and norms, as well as the underlying philosophical assumptions of functionalism, interpretivism, humanism, or conflict. This interdisciplinary perspective is crucial for designers seeking to anticipate and navigate the complex societal impacts of their innovations.
Source
Social Studies of Science
Ordering theories: Typologies and conceptual frameworks for sociotechnical change
journal · 2017
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about integrating 14 theories to understand sociotechnical change?
- Designers should leverage integrated sociotechnical frameworks to anticipate and manage the complex interactions between their designs and the societies they are intended for. Evidence: Social Studies of Science (2017).
- Why does "Integrating 14 Theories to Understand Sociotechnical Change" matter for design?
- Understanding the complex interplay between technology and society is crucial for effective design. By synthesizing diverse theoretical perspectives, designers can anticipate adoption challenges, societal impacts, and opportunities for innovation.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should leverage integrated sociotechnical frameworks to anticipate and manage the complex interactions between their designs and the societies they are intended for.
- What were the main findings?
- Identified 96 theories and conceptual approaches related to technology acceptance, adoption, use, and diffusion.. Synthesized these into 14 most relevant and useful theories, including Sociotechnical Transitions, Social Practice Theory, and Actor-Network Theory.. Developed two typologies to categorize theories based on agency/structure/meaning/relations/norms and functionalism/interpretivism/humanism/conflict.
- What research method was used?
- Expert review and synthesis of academic literature. with 35 experts.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2017 journal from Social Studies of Science.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a design project, use the identified typologies to frame your research questions and analyze potential societal impacts, considering factors like user agency, structural constraints, and cultural meanings.
- What are the limitations?
- The selection of 'most relevant' theories is based on expert opinion and literature review, which may introduce bias. The integration of these diverse theories can be complex.