The Transformative Capacity of New Technologies

Scientific concepts on the co-evolution of technology and society, as well as recent sociotechnical system approaches, focus on the general interrelations between technology, socioeconomic structures, and institutions. Their aim is to study and explain processes and modes of technological change. Rarely, however, have answers been put forward on the related question of processes of socioeconomic and institutional change, provoked by emerging new technological opportunities and constraints.

• how and to what extent do socioeconomic structures, institutions, and actors change under the influence of new technologies?

• how do they react to technology-induced pressures to change?

• what patterns do they adopt?