Social Influences On Information And Communication Technology Innovations

It has been over twenty years since developments in actor-network theory were first written on paper. Since then, the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) community has begun to discover the power of using actor-network theory as an explanatory framework for much of its research. This research community has come to an understanding that information systems are, of necessity, socio-technical in nature and require a socio-technical approach to their investigation. Thanks to developments in actor-network theory, researchers can now approach people and technology as one single entity that gives support to social influences on technological innovations. Social Influences on Information and Communication Technology Innovations discusses in great detail the use of actor-network theory in offering explanations for socio-technical phenomena, focusing greatly on information communication technologies. Implementation and use of information and communication technologies inevitably involves the interactions of both technology and people. This publication facilitates international growth in the body of research investigating the value of using actor-network theory as a means of understanding socio-technical phenomena and technological innovation.

What shapes the role of Information and Communication Technologies in our everyday life? Despite the speed with which information and communication technologies such as the PC, mobile telephone and internet have found their way into society, there remains a good deal of debate surrounding their adoption and use. Through empirical studies covering a broad range of everyday life and work settings, this volume provides grounded insights into the social dynamics influencing how ICTs are both shaped and experienced. Specifically, the book examines the contributions of diverse disciplines to our understanding of these processes, the symbolic nature of technologies, the influence of design on the experience of ICTs, the role of users in influencing that design, the social constraints affecting the use of those technologies, and strategies for evaluating the social consequences of ICT innovations.

What shapes the role of Information and Communication Technologies in our everyday life? Despite the speed with which information and communication technologies such as the PC, mobile telephone and internet have found their way into society, there remains a good deal of debate surrounding their adoption and use. Through empirical studies covering a broad range of everyday life and work settings, this volume provides grounded insights into the social dynamics influencing how ICTs are both shaped and experienced. Specifically, the book examines the contributions of diverse disciplines to our understanding of these processes, the symbolic nature of technologies, the influence of design on the experience of ICTs, the role of users in influencing that design, the social constraints affecting the use of those technologies, and strategies for evaluating the social consequences of ICT innovations.

Actor-Network Theory (ANT) has existed as a topic of interest among social theorists for decades. Due to the prevalence of technology in modern society, discussions over the influence of actor-network theory on the changing scope of technology can assist in facilitating further research and scientific thought. Technological Advancements and the Impact of Actor-Network Theory focuses on cross-disciplinary research as well as examples of the use of actor-network theory in a variety of fields, including medicine, education, business, engineering, environmental science, computer science, and social science. This timely publication is well-suited for reference use by academicians, researchers, upper-level students, and theorists.

Communication Technology and Social Change is a distinctive collection that provides current theoretical, empirical, and legal analyses for a broader understanding of the dynamic influences of communication technology on social change. With a distinguished panel of contributors, the volume presents a systematic discussion of the role communication technology plays in shaping social, political, and economic influences in society within specific domains and settings. Its integrated focus expands and complements the scope of existing literature on this subject. Each chapter is organized around a specific structure, covering: *Background—offering an introduction of relevant communication technology that outlines its technical capabilities, diffusion, and uses; *Theory—featuring a discussion of relevant theories used to study the social impacts of the communication technology in question; *Empirical Findings—providing an analysis of recent academic and relevant practical work that explains the impact of the communication technology on social change; and *Social Change Implications—proposing a summary of the real world implications for social change that stems from synthesizing the relevant theories and empirical findings presented throughout the book. Communication Technology and Social Change will serve scholars, researchers, upper-division undergraduate students, and graduate students examining the relationship between communication and technology and its implications for society.

This book is a useful text for advanced students of MIS and ICT courses, and for those studying ICT in related areas: Management and Organization Studies, Cultural Studies, and Technology and Innovation. As ICTs permeate every sphere of society - business, education, leisure, government, etc. - it is important to reflect the character and complexity of the interaction between people and computers, between society and technology. For example, the user may represent a much broader set of actors than 'the user' conventionally found in many texts: the operator, the customer, the citizen, the gendered individual, the entrepreneur, the 'poor', the student. Each actor uses ICT in different ways. This book examines these issues, deploying a number of methods such as Actor Network Theory, Socio-Technical Systems, and phenomenological approaches. Management concerns about strategy and productivity are covered together with issues of power, politics, and globalization. Topics range from long-standing themes in the study of IT in organizations such as implementation, strategy, and evaluation, to general analysis of IT as socio-economic change A distinguished group of contributors, including Bruno Latour, Saskia Sassen, Robert Galliers, Frank Land, Ian Angel, and Richard Boland, offer the reader a rich set of perspectives and ideas on the relationship between ICT and society, organizational knowledge and innovation.

"• Assistant Professor in Education, Pandaveswar College, Department of Higher Education under Kazi Nazrul University, Paschim Bardhaman, Government of West Bengal, India. • Recommended and appointed as the Assistant Controller of Examinations, University of Burdwan, Department of Higher Education under Government of West Bengal, India. • Recommended and Appointed as the District Inspector (D.I.) of Schools (S.E.), South 24 Parganas in the W.B.E.S. under Department of School Education, Government of West Bengal, India. • Recommended and appointed as an Assistant Professor in Bengali at Domkal Girls' College, Department of Higher Education under University of Kalyani, Goverment of West Bengal, India. • Recommended and appointed as the Sub-Inspector(S.I.) of Schools(P.E.) in the W.B.Sub.E.S. under Department of School Education, Government of West Bengal, India. • Former Headmaster at Udaychandpur High School(HS), Jibanti, Murshidabad under Department of School Education, Government of West Bengal, India. • Recommended and appointed as an Assistant Teacher in Bengali at Mozampur HSSB High School(H.S.), Kaliachak, Malda, Department of School Education under Government of West Bengal, India. • Recommended and appointed as an Assistant Teacher in Bengali at Topidanga High Madrasah(H.S.), Bhagwangola-II, Murshidabad, Department of Madrasah Education under Government of West Bengal. • Recommended and appointed as an Assistant Teacher in Bengali at Badaitari Uziria High Madrasah(H.S.), Falakata, Jalpaiguri Department of Madrasah Education under Government of West Bengal, India. • Former Assistant Teacher in Bengali at Choa B.B.Pal Vidyaniketan(H.S.), Hariharpara, Murshidabad, Department of School Education under West Bengal, India. • Former Assistant Teacher at Charlabangola Primary School, Bhagwangola Circle, Murshidabad, Department of Primary Education under Government of West Bengal, India. • Former Postmaster at Bhandara Branch Post Office, Department of Posts, Murshidabad Division of Post Offices under Government of India.