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The Problem of Observing Sociotechnical Entities in Social Science and Humanities Energy Transition Research

Büscher, Christian ORCID iD icon

Abstract:

The notion of “sociotechnical” is an important concept for interdisciplinary research on the transformation of the energy supply. Different branches of research agree that the provision, transmission, and distribution of energy are not simply a matter of physics. The transformation of the energy infrastructure is significantly a societal project, carried by technical innovation and social change. However, in social science and humanities research the interrelation between technical and social processes is often not explicitly explored, even though the interrelationship is the decisive descriptor that distinguishes sociotechnical entities from their environment. This article examines the merits of enriching the concept of sociotechnical by adding the distinction between tight and loose couplings in technical operations and human activities. While tight couplings are necessary to sustain control, they hamper change, and while loose couplings are necessary to adapt and to uphold choice, they increase complexity. Additionally, the article concludes that the introduction of “smart” technologies—an essential vision of the energy transformation—changes the composition of tight and loose couplings. ... mehr


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000142800
Veröffentlicht am 22.02.2022
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2021.699362
Scopus
Zitationen: 5
Dimensions
Zitationen: 5
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Technikfolgenabschätzung und Systemanalyse (ITAS)
KIT-Bibliothek (BIB)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsjahr 2022
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 2297-7775
KITopen-ID: 1000142800
HGF-Programm 37.11.02 (POF IV, LK 01) Societally-Feasible Transformation Pathways
Erschienen in Frontiers in sociology
Verlag Frontiers Media SA
Band 6
Seiten Article no: 699362
Bemerkung zur Veröffentlichung Gefördert durch den KIT-Publikationsfonds
Vorab online veröffentlicht am 04.02.2022
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Nachgewiesen in Dimensions
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