Working artefacts: ethnomethods of the prototype

Area of Science:

• Information Science
• Sociology of Technology
• Science and Technology Studies (STS)

Background:

• Recent studies theorize information technologies as socio-material configurations.
• Emergence of new technologies is increasingly viewed through ongoing practices rather than solely invention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how new information technologies emerge through socio-material practices.
• To analyze the role of prototypes in aligning diverse interests in technology development and use.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis informed by Science and Technology Studies (STS).
• Case study approach focusing on the concept and function of 'prototypes'.

Main Results:

• Information technologies are understood as socio-material configurations with varying durability.
• Prototypes function as exemplary artifacts that bridge the gap between research and development and actual use.
• Successful prototypes demonstrate both familiarity and novelty to stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• The emergence and adoption of information technologies are dynamic processes rooted in social and material practices.
• Prototypes are crucial for mediating and aligning diverse interests in the lifecycle of technologies.
• Understanding technology emergence requires focusing on the continuous work of assembly, demonstration, and performance.