Scholars in science and technology studies have long been concerned with a variety of issues revolving around technological change, such as explaining the origins of technological innovation and arguing for or against technological determinism. This thesis reviews a number of theoretical models developed by historians, philosophers, sociologists, and other scholars to explain technological change. A case study of technological innovations in industnal forestry and timber harvesting practices provides a basis for a critique of these previously proposed models and for an argument for a new model. This model, an ecological model, suggests homeostatic pressures play a major role in the innovative processes within any technological system. / Master of Science
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34764 |
| Date | 25 August 2008 |
| Creators | Männikkö, Nancy Farm |
| Contributors | Science and Technology Studies, Pitt, Joseph C., Hirsh, Richard F., Stuart, William B., Paterson, Robert A. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | vii, 105 leaves, BTD, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
| Relation | OCLC# 22291007, LD5655.V855_1990.M366.pdf |
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