Rethinking constructive technology assessment as democratic, reflective, discourse

2006 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audley Genus
Keyword(s):  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Reflective Discourse ◽  
Constructive Technology Assessment

scholarly journals Constructive Technology Assessment: Systematic Review and Future Study Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (55) ◽  
pp. e12459
Author(s):  
Óscar Iván Rodríguez-Cardoso ◽  
Vladimir Alfonso Ballesteros-Ballesteros ◽  
Manuel Francisco Romero-Ospina
Keyword(s):  
Future Study ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
European Model ◽  
Technological Assessment ◽  
Constructive Technology Assessment

Engineering, understood as the gathering of scientific and technological knowledge for innovation, creation, advancement and optimization of techniques, as well as a set of useful tools to meet social needs and solve technical problems of both individuals and the community, makes its main actors, engineers, key players in sustainable development and in the creation of alternatives that minimize the negative effects of technology on society. It is in this sense that technology assessment approaches should take importance among those who manage technology development and implementation policies. Generally, the undesirable effects of the intrusion of a new technology are acted upon when they already occur, and technology assessment is intended to anticipate the risk. This paper presents a bibliographic review of technology assessment, its approaches and future study needs. Based on an articulating axis that positions technological change and innovation as an imperative need for social development, an exhaustive review of related articles in specialized databases was carried out. The most important results of this work reveal that the field of technological assessment has been strongly inclined towards the health or sanitary sector; however, research is being developed in central engineering topics such as the development of nanotechnology, robotics, and the handling of big data, where the European model stands out as a reference for technological assessment processes due to its inclusive and democratic nature.

scholarly journals Taming the Golem - an Experiment in Participatory and Constructive Technology Assessment

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-74
Author(s):  
Eva Heiskanen
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Real World ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Grocery Shopping ◽  
Constructive Approach ◽  
Market Evolution ◽  
Type Experiment ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Constructive Technology Assessment

This article examines the possibilities and limitations of constructive technology assessment in the light of a CTA-type experiment conducted in Finland on sustainable alternatives for online grocery shopping. The starting point of the analysis is the impasse created by the lack of dialogue between technology proponents and technology opponents. Constructive technology assessment is investigated here as a forum for constructive exchange and co-operation between seemingly antagonistic perspectives on technology. Thus, although the experiment did not provide visible practical outcomes in technology development or market evolution, it was successful in creating an atmosphere of dialogue and creativity that helped technology proponents and opponents to learn from each other. The article concludes that adopting a ‘constructive’ approach in the sense of making stakeholders work together on envisioning better alternatives appears to be useful in creating new discursive spaces, even when it does not lead to real-world outcomes. *Key words*: technology, assessment, participation

Reverse Technology Assessment in the Age of the Platform Economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-27
Author(s):  
Koen Frenken ◽  
Peter Pelzer
Keyword(s):  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Market Exchange ◽  
Negative Externalities ◽  
Public Interests ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Local Initiatives ◽  
Constructive Technology Assessment ◽  
Platform Economy

The rise of what is often referred to as the sharing economy is among the most daring challenges for cities around the world. Sharing platforms create opportunities for efficient market exchange, but also cause negative externalities for city dwellers. A challenge for city authorities is that platforms can be launched without ex ante assessment of externalities and public interests, leaving public debate and political deliberation ex post affairs. We call the platform innovation logic 'reverse technology assessment', which obstructs participatory planning and constructive technology assessment. We discuss the potential of an alternative policy framework known as 'right to challenge'. We end with a broader reflection on public policy regarding sharing platforms at different scalar levels, emphasizing local initiatives to develop alternative sharing platforms.

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