Technological Determinism And The Industrial Revolution

Many across the world have come to appreciate the transformation that happens with technology. The society, individual communities, countries, the world and day to day interactions have been affected by the introduction and continued use of technologies. In the midst of the still ongoing debate as to the relation between the society and technology, the document will evaluate how the social shaping perspective helps in the understanding of the organizational and social implications of technological change. In addition, this essay will evaluate Ruth Cowan’s case in her work on the industrial revolution which took place in the home in the 19th and 20th century. Though many would not consider the home setting as one befitting to be labeled as having

Technology determinism is based on the notion that technological development and change are inevitable and the characteristics of any technology determine how it is used in the society where it was developed. The technological determinism concept is dependent on premise that social changes result from new capabilities enabled by technology (Feist et al. 2010, pp189-192). However, this is a notion that is heavily criticized by the likes of Cowan (1976) who discredit this claim. To her and her fellow critics, the whole scene in terms of events should be evaluated. Social determinism as opposed to technology determinism should be in use. Social determinism takes technology to be the result of the society where it is developed. Acts such as social processes determine the technology (Tatnall 2012, pp79-84). Technology developments throughout history have been born of social needs with the needs in this case being economic, social or political are facts supported by social determinism. With those who support social determinism such as Cowan (1976) technological developments have been informed by non- technical factors. Technology is developed with a particular objective or purpose in mind (Flichy 2007,

In Chicago, Cyrus McCormick’s manufacturing plant introduced pneumatic molding machines. The move was not meant to modernize the plant but was meant to decapitate the union of Iron molders at the time. McCormick was engaged in battle with the same group at the time Bollier & Helfrich (2012). The system actors in form of advertisers, McCormick and Robert Moses ensure that though technologies can be appreciated for their use and purpose, the same can be in fact designed and arranged in a way they are meant to have or achieve some form of system purpose, in this case, either a social or political agenda. In other words, technologies sometimes are a way of achieving order in the world (Kaplan