Analyzing Change –
continued – October 23, 2002
Overview of lecture
1. Review of Sproull’s and Kiesler’s
theory about analyzing change
2. Other related theories – Merton, Tenner
3. The “technological determinist” / ” diffusion”
models
**********
1. S’s and K’s theory:
- consequences of new technology usually analyzed
as first-level (efficiency effects)
BUT second-level (social system) effects are more
“likely to be MORE important for organizations”
AND often unanticipated.
2. Other perspectives on the “second
level” effects of technology
2.1. Merton’s “latent and
manifest” functions (Social Theory and Social Structure)
Merton's View: "It is precisely the
latent functions of a practice or belief which are
not common knowledge, for these are unintended and generally
unrecognized social and psychological consequences.
As a result, findings concerning latent functions represent
a greater increment in knowledge than findings concerning manifest
functions." (1957, p.69)
His example of the Hopi Indians: they continue
to carry on rain dances even though the dance doesn’t
bring about rain. Why? Because there are more important latent
functions that the dancing does: it brings them together as
a society, it solidifies their values
Merton talking about social processes/ ideologies...let's
turn the discussion to technics/technologies
our example: the refrigerator
manifest function -->
latent (unanticipated) functions
-->
1. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) -- helped destroy
the ozone layer - effect a "disaster"
2. fridge door is a bulletin board for a family.
Another example from computer world: ARPANET
manifest function: the communications
network was decentralized.
latent function:
- this flexibility has meant that messages can’t be censored
or blocked: ultimate freedom of speech. ++
- since the sender can’t be held accountable
for his communication (messages can be sent anonymously), there
seems little incentive to feel accountable --
2.1. Tenner’s “revenge”
effect
Definition?
- it's not a side effect - example of cancer and
hair falling out.
- it's not a trade off - example of safety and
raising air fare prices.
- revenge effect: would be a cancer treatment
that has the unexpected effect of giving you another cancer.
or requiring children to wear seat belts in air planes. Result
- fewer families could afford air travel, so they'd go by car--there
are more accidents in cars then in air planes, so more children
would die.
other examples in area of security:
car alarms --> car trashing
legislated car alarms --> armed car jacking
-->social revenge effect
Example of office workers:
old "manual" typewriter -- reveals how
it works—you know what to expect..BUT it was hard work,
and could be messy.
The trend is to reduce workers' physical contact
with the mechanisms...(replace typewriter with word processor)
manifest intent --> if you
remove workers from the physical dangers and discomforts in
factories and offices, you
-->make their work easier to do (free them
from drudgery of clerical work, etc.) and
-->ensure more productivity from each worker.
But what do we know about effects of sitting all
day keyboarding?
latent (revenge) effect -->
precisely because we're sitting still and not moving
-->>could be subject to EMFs
(electromagnetic fields)
(claim –“there isn't concrete proof
that EMFs cause health problems, but then there is no record
of their benefits”)
--> CTDs
(Cumulative Trauma Disorders / repetitive strain injuries /
carpal tunnel syndrome / tendonitis)
"bodies were never noticed much in computing
until they started to take revenge in the form of lost time,
lawsuits, and workers' compensation claims." (Tenner, 1996,
p. 181)
the technology “bites” back: it may
cause more ongoing problems than it solved. YET still ++ effects
from the technology…
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