The Social Context of Technological Experiences: Three Studies from India

This book explores the relationship between technology and society in India, focusing on three urban groups: traditional caste-based handloom weavers, subaltern Dalit communities, and informal female labor. It demonstrates how innovations such as industrial technologies, communication technologies, and workplace technologies are not only about scientific and engineering advancements but also about politics and sociology. The author offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding innovation and technological change, involving network analysis, archival work, oral histories, focus group discussions, interviews, and social sciences. The book is a valuable resource for researchers and scholars in social sciences, development studies, science and technology policy, ICT policy, public policy, management, social work, economics, sociology, social exclusion, and subaltern studies, as well as nongovernmental organizations, activists, and policymakers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate interplay between technology and society, unveiling the profound connections that exist between technological experiences and social relationships. Through a rich array of theoretical concepts and methodological tools, the author explores the technology-society nexus among three distinct urban groups in India: traditional caste-based handloom weavers, subaltern Dalit communities, and informal female labor. The book provides compelling evidence of how innovations, ranging from industrial technologies to communication technologies and workplace technologies, are not merely advancements in science and engineering but also deeply intertwined with politics and sociology on the ground. By examining these diverse groups, the author contributes to the growing field of innovation studies and technology policy, shedding light on how technological processes and outcomes are contingent upon complex sociological variables and contexts.

The author adopts an inclusive, holistic, and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the realm of innovation and technological change and development. This approach involves a diverse range of methodologies, including network analysis, archival work, oral histories, focus group discussions, interviews, and more. By employing these diverse methods, the author aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the field, appealing to researchers and scholars across social sciences.

The book is particularly relevant to scholars interested in development studies, science and technology policy, innovation studies, information and communication technology (ICT) policy, public policy, management, social work, research methods, economics, sociology, social exclusion and subaltern studies, women's studies, and South Asian studies. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can inform policymaking, activism, and societal interventions. Moreover, the book will be of great interest to nongovernmental organizations, activists, and policymakers seeking to navigate the complex dynamics of technology and society.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of innovation studies and technology policy. It offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the technology-society nexus, shedding light on the complex relationships that shape our world. By involving various methodologies and examining diverse urban groups, the author provides valuable insights and evidence that can inform policymaking, activism, and societal interventions. This book will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and scholars alike, contributing to our understanding of the rapidly evolving world of technology and society.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367495060