Sociology of innovation: Social construction of technology perspective

Authors

  • Sara Yousefikhah Allameh Tabataba’i University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17230/ad-minister.30.2

Keywords:

Innovation, Sociology of Technology, Social Construction of Technology, Innovation policy, Entrepreneurship Promotion

Abstract

This theoretical paper describes the effect of social action on technological artifacts and explores how innovation may flourish or be diminished in  society. Using the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) perspective, three main elements namely, flexibility of interpretation, relevant social groups and technological frame are described and their impact on innovation is discussed. The paper proposes that in developing societies,  flexibility is hardly pressed by technological frames and concrete social norms do not allow the alternative designs and the useage of artifacts. This paper proposes that innovation might  flourish in a society if technological frame change, and entrepreneurship become technological frames that can change the fixed meaning of artifacts and create a path for alternative designs and interpretations.

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Author Biography

  • Sara Yousefikhah, Allameh Tabataba’i University
    PhD researcher in Political Sociology in Allameh Tabataba’i University. She earned her MA in Sociology with specialty in Youth Studies from University of Tehran. Her areas of interest are including sociology of Technology and Political sociology. She is also a lecturer in Payam Noor University, Taleghan branch and Allameh Tabatabae’i University.

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Published

2017-02-28

Issue

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

Yousefikhah, S. (2017). Sociology of innovation: Social construction of technology perspective. AD-Minister, 30, 31-43. https://doi.org/10.17230/ad-minister.30.2