Contemporary Socio-Technical Environment

This article explores the interrelatedness of social and technical aspects of technological systems in contemporary socio-technical environment. It discusses the need to broaden the perspective and scopes for socio-technical developments in order to promote sustainability. The article also highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between technology and society.

Running head: SOCIO-TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENT
Contemporary Socio-Technical Environment
Name of Student:
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Author Note

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SLOGAN: “TECHNOLOGY addressing SUSTAINABILITY because it owes to
SOCIETY”
Socio Technical development is simplifying work design in terms of the complex societal
infrastructures and behavior of human beings. Socio technical systems help in the process of
evaluating and optimizing social aspects which are associated with technology and
organizational performance. Society and technology are interrelated. It involves an
understanding of interrelatedness of social and technical aspects of technological systems. The
methodological and theoretical approaches focus on exploring the aspects which include
professional, organizational, technical and cultural interrelation. It intends to identify the
relevance between technical and social developments as a balance needs to be struck between
them. The technical practices of the contemporary world show traits of de-humanizing effect on
the environment and society, as a whole.
Several studies aim at addressing the complexities of socio-technical designs. The need to
broaden the perspective and scopes for socio-technical developments in order to promote
sustainability has increased over time. In the contemporary times, critics have raised questions
about the interconnectivity between environment and social technical systems (Nieminen &
Hyytinen, 2015). The Socio Technical approaches aim at focusing on the stimuli of the
environment with soft aspects focusing on the deficits.
According to Marx, mechanical sublime can be regarded as the nature of industrial
machines which are large and divine. It soon witnessed a shift from the mechanical to electronic,
as the need changed. The technological sublime underwent evolution as time advanced and
society and its demands changed. However, electricity, nuclear reactors and other inventions
related to technology has proved to mankind its effects on society and environment in numerous
ways. They have yielded to results which have left disastrous results on the environment and

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society. Now the contemporary times the attention and demands are mostly related to the digital
space and digitalization. Change and evolution has been an integral part of the process of change.
The digital revolution and changes often hinder in the process of growth and progress. According
to Tristan Harris, language in an element which shapes people’s reality and the perception of the
same (wired.com, 2019). Whereas, changes which failed to strike balance with the environment
and society either perished or were discarded because of its consequential effects.
Progress is very interrelated with logic and ethics. It is very important to address the
questions which are raised from ethical and logical point of view. Although it can be argued that
progress is subjective, however, when it is in association with the society and evolution,
rationality, efficiency and scientific relations are to be dealt with great attention (Wise, 2006).
People trust in developments and technological advancements as they tend to expect and show
hope towards the changes with are either proactive or reactive in nature. However, it should also
be associated with considerate thoughts about the possible outcomes.
It is an elusive and admirable pursuit to link culture with technology they share deep and
rich connections. Critics have always argued for those technological advancements which tried
to build relations with culture rather than just being technical tools to bring ease and convenience
to humankind. The ongoing advancements and developments of technology is embedded in
complexities and approaches which are highly dynamic in nature. Culture shares a long history
of relationship with media, technology (Skovmand & Schrøder, 2016). Therefore, there must be
a cultural and social approach towards technology. In towards world, we have dependency on the
technical tools which only were supposed to bring convenience to our lives. Whereas, we have,
to quite an extent become slaves to those machines and innovations. Technology is a means to
proceed with advancement and development, thus it takes society and culture forward. It is

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instrumental in providing better and progressive lives to all. These parameters have brought
people to a point that there is this increasing need to question and assess its nature. This is even
significant today because technology has become a part of people’s daily life.
Assemblage and articulation, when these two are the primary objectives of technology, it
becomes more sustainable in nature. This helps in eradicating the determinism which is involved
with technical tools and technology (Skovmand & Schrøder, 2016). Helpful perspectives are
built which help the technology survive in the society as well as cater to the needs of the people.
The reach and power of the technology are intensified when technological advancements are
linked with the society. A disruptive innovation will only grow and eventually sever ties with the
society. The ‘Hype Cycle’ helps to understand the stages which are involved from the conception
of the idea about the technology, to its maturity (Dedehayir & Steinert, 2016). This is a very
effective graphical representation to understand the effectiveness and sustainability of the
technologies through five steps- Technology Trigger, Inflated Expectations, Disillusionment
involved, Enlightenment Slope and Productivity Plateau.
It can thus be concluded that a balance between technology and society needs to be
maintained. It is important to note that technology and the prospects of future can only be
materialized when they are aligned with the environment and society. Socio technical approaches
towards development, therefore, help in attaining sustainability and existence.

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References
Dedehayir, O., & Steinert, M. (2016). The hype cycle model: A review and future directions.
Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 108, 28-41.Geels, F. W. (2018). Socio-technical
transitions to sustainability. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science.
Nieminen, M., & Hyytinen, K. (2015). Future-oriented impact assessment: Supporting strategic
decision-making in complex socio-technical environments. Evaluation, 21(4), 448-461.
Skovmand, M., & Schrøder, K. C. (2016). Media cultures: reappraising transnational media.
Routledge.
wired.com, C. (2019). Tristan Harris: Tech Is ‘Downgrading Humans.’ It’s Time to Fight Back.
Retrieved 10 September 2019, from https://www.wired.com/story/tristan-harris-tech-is-
downgrading-humans-time-to-fight-back/
WISE, M. (2006). Cultural studies and communication technology. LA Livingstone, The
Handbook of New Media, 141-162.