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

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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…