Abstract
Deliberate technology phase-out is being recognised as a viable policy option to weaken incumbent socio-technical configurations. At the same time, phase-out as a phenomenon has not been the focus of much attention in innovation studies and science and technology studies, where interest in emergence of technologies dominates. This is puzzling because phase-outs of sociotechnical configurations are real-world phenomena. We propose a conceptual framework to study the dynamics of phase-outs of socio-technical configurations drawing from social practice theory which offers specific, nuanced, yet simple heuristics to trace the multifaceted character of socio-technical configurations. We explore an historical case of an incomplete phase-out by revisiting cloud seeding technology in the US. We show how the incomplete phase-out of cloud seeding was reflected in incomplete disruption of linkages between the material, cognitive and symbolic elements of the configuration. This case shows how a technology once considered problematic can resurface and regain legitimacy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 302-317 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Environmental innovation and societal transitions |
Volume | 37 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2020 |
Keywords
- CONSUMPTION PRACTICES
- CREATIVE DESTRUCTION
- Cloud seeding
- DESTABILIZATION
- DYNAMICS
- ENERGY TRANSITIONS
- Geoengineering
- INNOVATION SYSTEMS
- Innovation
- POLICY MIXES
- POLITICS
- SILVER-IODIDE
- Social practice theory
- Sustainability transitions
- Technology phase-out
- WEATHER-MODIFICATION
- SOCIOLOGY