Lectures YSS-31806
Sociological perspective
Lecture 1 – Introduction (van Berkel)
Grand challenges:
- Global warming
- Pandemics
- Public health
- Food, water and energy supply
Studying technology and innovation:
Technological determinism (Veblen, 1857-1929): technology determines social
change. Why are innovations developed?
Social constructivism: society changes technology (Latour 1987). Why do some
innovations fail and some succeed in society?
Implications of Covid-19 for innovation:
Brem et al. (2021):
- Technological developments to cope with confinement
- Is there a back to old normal? Can “forced adoption” be reversed?
- Innovation processes may be beneficial in new crises
User perspective
Lecture 2 – User perspective and practices (Steenbekkers)
User: ‘a person who uses materials, technologies and/or services for basic needs in the
context of care taking in daily life with its known possibilities and limitations.’ The focus lies
on the interaction between user and technology. The outcome is used by consumers.
Interaction between user and technology
On different levels:
- Micro (individual)
- Meso (household)
- Macro (societal)
Consumer-Technology Interaction model
Black arrow = process
Red arrow = evaluation
Household group
- Forms the daily context of the user
- Household group: ‘performs activities aimed at the satisfaction of everyday material
needs of human beings and which creates material conditions for their immaterial
needs (Zuidberg, 1981).
Household activities
1
, - Done with a purpose, leading to the level of living
- Done for the members of the household
- Washing, cleaning, food preparation, etc.
- Management, planning, etc.
Resources
- Human: health/energy, knowledge/insights, skills/abilities, time
- Non-human: goods, housing/space, money, assets
- From outside household: facilities (e.g. electric power) and resources
Household system
- Input (outside sources) -> throughput -> output (positive and negative)
- Output: level of living = the result of household activities with or without the use of
technologies
Output versus standard of living
Standard of living: ‘complex of conceptions, views, habits and wishes of the members of a
household group with regards to the aim of household management and the way to employ
household resources.’
Norms and values
Standards are composed of and influenced by norms and values:
- From within and outside the household
- Leading to strategies
This is different for different household types (Groot-Marcus et al., 2006)
Feedback loops
- Level of well-being versus standard of living
- Level of well-being versus household activities
Summary
The households can be perceived as a dynamic system (e.g. members and standards) and
changing system, leading to strategies and feedback loops to better reach the aims.
Example related to food quality
Practice theory versus CTI-model
2
Sociological perspective
Lecture 1 – Introduction (van Berkel)
Grand challenges:
- Global warming
- Pandemics
- Public health
- Food, water and energy supply
Studying technology and innovation:
Technological determinism (Veblen, 1857-1929): technology determines social
change. Why are innovations developed?
Social constructivism: society changes technology (Latour 1987). Why do some
innovations fail and some succeed in society?
Implications of Covid-19 for innovation:
Brem et al. (2021):
- Technological developments to cope with confinement
- Is there a back to old normal? Can “forced adoption” be reversed?
- Innovation processes may be beneficial in new crises
User perspective
Lecture 2 – User perspective and practices (Steenbekkers)
User: ‘a person who uses materials, technologies and/or services for basic needs in the
context of care taking in daily life with its known possibilities and limitations.’ The focus lies
on the interaction between user and technology. The outcome is used by consumers.
Interaction between user and technology
On different levels:
- Micro (individual)
- Meso (household)
- Macro (societal)
Consumer-Technology Interaction model
Black arrow = process
Red arrow = evaluation
Household group
- Forms the daily context of the user
- Household group: ‘performs activities aimed at the satisfaction of everyday material
needs of human beings and which creates material conditions for their immaterial
needs (Zuidberg, 1981).
Household activities
1
, - Done with a purpose, leading to the level of living
- Done for the members of the household
- Washing, cleaning, food preparation, etc.
- Management, planning, etc.
Resources
- Human: health/energy, knowledge/insights, skills/abilities, time
- Non-human: goods, housing/space, money, assets
- From outside household: facilities (e.g. electric power) and resources
Household system
- Input (outside sources) -> throughput -> output (positive and negative)
- Output: level of living = the result of household activities with or without the use of
technologies
Output versus standard of living
Standard of living: ‘complex of conceptions, views, habits and wishes of the members of a
household group with regards to the aim of household management and the way to employ
household resources.’
Norms and values
Standards are composed of and influenced by norms and values:
- From within and outside the household
- Leading to strategies
This is different for different household types (Groot-Marcus et al., 2006)
Feedback loops
- Level of well-being versus standard of living
- Level of well-being versus household activities
Summary
The households can be perceived as a dynamic system (e.g. members and standards) and
changing system, leading to strategies and feedback loops to better reach the aims.
Example related to food quality
Practice theory versus CTI-model
2
