Schweber, L and Harty, C (2010) Actors and objects: A socio-technical networks approach to technology uptake in the construction sector. Construction Management and Economics, 28(6), pp. 657-674. ISSN 1466433X
Abstract
We explore the contribution of socio-technical networks approaches to construction management research. These approaches are distinctive for their analysis of actors and objects as mutually constituted within socio-technical networks. They raise questions about the ways in which the content, meaning and use of technology is negotiated in practice, how particular technical configurations are elaborated in response to specific problems and why certain paths or solutions are adopted rather than others. We illustrate this general approach with three case studies: a historical study of the development of reinforced concrete in France, the UK and the US, the recent introduction of 3D-CAD software into four firms and an analysis of the uptake of environmental assessment technologies in the UK since 1990. In each we draw out the ways in which various technologies shaped and were shaped by different socio-technical networks. We conclude with a reflection on the contributions of socio-technical network analysis for more general issues including the study of innovation and analyses of context and power.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 3D CAD; cm research; environmental assessment systems; methodology; practice; reinforced concrete; socio-technical networks; socio-technical systems |
| Index terms: | construction sector, environmental assessment, methodology, socio-technical system, reinforced concrete, configuration, meaning, historical study, France, management research, reflection, network analysis, case study, socio-technical |
| Subjects: | theoretical framing, research methods, Geography, professional development, sociology, industry analysis, systems engineering, data collection methods, research design and methodology, environmental impact, building materials, data analysis and analytics |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Construction Materials, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here