Free Space Optics in the Czech Wireless Community

Shedding Some Light on the Role of Normativity for User-Initiated Innovations

Datos Bibliográficos

ID5337602
AutoresJohan Söderberg (0000-0002-3227-2452, University of Gothenburg, autor de correspondencia)
Año2011
Volumen36
Número4
Páginas423-450
Fecha de publicación2011-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaScience Technology & Human Values (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0162-2439 • E-ISSN: 1552-8251
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0162243910368398
OpenAlexW2110983305
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas38

The article investigates how users in the Czech wireless network community invented a technology for sending data over visible, red light. For five years, this was the most affordable method for connecting computers. The development of this technology was guided by the idea that it should be controlled by its users. With reference to this experiment, it is argued that a shared ethical and/or political vision can contribute to the establishment of norms within user communities encouraging their members to share information with each other. Thus, it is suggested that ethical and political convictions can be crucial for enabling collective innovation processes. This highlighting of normativity is intended as a complement to the common premise in Innovation Studies that users innovate to satisfy unfulfilled needs. In opposition to this view, it is argued that the needs of users are not a constant but something which emerge together with the transformation of the user community and the technology in question. Particular focus is placed on the tension between, on one hand, the norms and ethical- political motives of the user community, and, on the other hand, the needs satisfied through product development, both stemming from the same innovation process

Epistemology · Information and Communications Technology · Internet privacy · Political science · Politics · Premise · Public relations · Sociology · Computer Science · ICT Impact and Policies · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Law · Open Source Software Innovations