L564: Information Technology & Society

Week 31S514: Social Aspects of IT2Disciplines related to SI Social ScienceManagementComputer Sci.Science & TechnologyStudiesMISInformationScienceSocial InformaticsCommunication3Scholars: Theoretical Perspectives Science & TechnologyStudiesMISInformationScienceSocial InformaticsCastellsKlingMarkusLambWebsterRosenbaumQualmanSawyerBeijkerSuchmanSocial ScienceManagementComputer Sci.CommunicationAroraSismondoTurkleMonbergWoutersSocial Informatics (Kling, Rosenbaum, & Sawyer, 2005)SLIS S5144Definition of SI:The interdisciplinary study of the design, uses and consequences of information technologies that takes into account their interaction with institutional and cultural contexts (Kling, Rosenbaum, & Sawyer, 2005, p. 6).

Social Informatics (Kling, Rosenbaum, & Sawyer, 2005)SLIS S51453 orientations in SI researchNormative ~= social realismE.g., participatory designAnalytical ~= social theoryE.g., Web model; STINCriticalQuestion the standard modelSocial Informatics (Lamb & Sawyer, 2005)SLIS S5146PeopleEnvironmentTechnologyWork PracticeSocio-technical perspectivesSocial Informatics (Kling, et al., 2005)SLIS S5147How would you explain social informatics to a friend?What is the difference between technological determinism and the contextual analysis identified in social informatics research?

Technological determinism: Technology as an independent variable directly effecting social change Consequences of ICTs for Organizations and Social Life (Kling et al., 2005)SLIS S5148Social Nature of ICTsICTs are interpreted and used in different waysICTs enable and constrain social actions and social relationshipsICTs provide a means to alter existing control structuresThere can be negative consequences of ICT developments for some stakeholders

Consequences of ICTs for Organizations and Social Life (Kling et al., 2005)SLIS S5149Technical Nature of ICTsICTs play both communicative and computational rolesThere are important temporal and spatial dimensions of ICT consequencesICTs rarely cause social transformationsICTs are not magic bulletsInstitutional Nature of ICTsSocial and technical consequences are embedded in institutional contextsICTs often have important political consequences

Analysis of Aroras ArticleThis paper won the ASIST SIG-SI best paper awards.

I was a discussant to talk about this paper (and another paper together).

What would be your comment to introduce Aroras article if you were the discussant for the SIG-SI best paper awards?SLIS S51410Messy Shapes of Knowledge (The Virtual Knowledge Studio, 2008)Impact talkE-science (European perspective) vs. Cyberinfrasturcutre (US perspective)Media inscribes our situation (p. 323)Inscriptions are self-producing and the product of labor (p. 339)Possibility for new methods with the Internet

SLIS S51411Three Shuttles (Giebryn, 2003)FieldLabFoundMadeHereAnywhereImmersedDetachedSocial Construction of Technology (Bijker, 2001)SLIS S51413Technology is socially constructedCriticize technological determinismSCOTs 3 research steps:Relevant social group and interpretive flexibility (e.g., ordinary bicycle)Closure and stabilizationTechnological frame

Social Construction of Technology (Bijker, 2001)Two important concepts of research on SCOTSeamless webMutual shaping of technology and societySymmetry Human and non-human actors should be treated similarly

SLIS S51414What is Actor Network Theory?E.g., driving a car

What is Actor Network Theory?E.g., driving a car

Actor-Network TheoryThe notion of Actor-network theory (ANT) helps us to map out the set of elements (the network) which influence, shape, or determine action (Monteiro).Methodologically, ANT has two major approaches. One is to "follow the actor," via interviews and ethnographic research. The other is to examine inscriptions (e.g., documents, images, graphics, etc.). (Van House, 1999)http://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/~vanhouse/bridge.html Basic Concepts in ANTInscriptionan artifact . . . embodies the innovators' beliefs, social and economic relations, previous patterns of use, legal limits, and assumptions as to what the artifact is about (Akrich, 1992). The term inscription is used when designers formulate and shape technology in such a way as to lead and control users. Inscription can also refer to the way technical artifacts embody patterns of use, including user programs of action. (Faraj et al., 2004)See also Van House (2004)Basic Concepts in ANTTranslationDesign is translation (i.e., users needs are translated into a set of specifications) Once an innovator's beliefs and interests are embodied in forms of inscription and technical arrangements, networks of actors with their own chains of translations can react to them. These actors can form an alliance of interests and compete for standards. The actors race first to choose the technology that seems most beneficial for them and then enroll this technology in their own actor-network (Faraj et al., 2004).See also Van House, N. A. (2004). Science and technology studies and information studies. Annual Review of Information Science & Technology, vol. 38.Basic Concepts in ANT (Allen, 2004)Enrollment The moment that another actor accepts the interests defined by the focal actor Process of persuasion and control which creates, and maintains actor-networks

see also Van House, 2004Basic Concepts in ANTBlack-boxingThe way scientific and technical work is made invisible by its own success. When a machine runs efficiently, one need focus only on its inputs and outputs and not on its internal complexity.Van House, 2004Group ActivitySLIS S51422Form 3 teams (3 people each) for 4 articles assigned for this week: A: Kling, Rosenbaum, & Sawyer Ch 1 & 2B: AroraC: Wouters et al

List P+, M-, I!, and Q? for each article individuallyCome up with a group decision of P+, M-, I!, and Q?