Proposal Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the adaptation process of
an information technology in a social setting is interactive, and its use is
context dependent (e.g. Leonard-Barton, 1988; Orlikowski,
1992). The same technologies may be used
in quite different patterns and induced both intended and unintended
consequences. The knowledge,
perceptions, and expectations people have about a technology may influence the
ways they understand and use the technology (Pinch & Bijker,
1987; Orlikowski & Gash, 1994).
The purpose of the dissertation is to understand how
librarians have perceived or interpreted the World Wide Web over the past ten
years (1994-2003), and how the Web has been appropriated and used in
libraries. Another main purpose of the
dissertation is to test and
expand a science and technology theory to studies of information technology
implementation.
The expanding use of the World Wide Web in our society has
provided both opportunities and challenges to libraries of all kinds. On one hand, libraries have been a source of
inspiration for Web development, and provided access, collection, training and
added-value tools for the use of the Web.
On the other hand, libraries have undergone massive changes, such as new
ways to serve patrons or redefined roles of librarianship in society due to the
widespread use of the Web. This dissertation
will provide a deeper understanding of Web use in libraries, and give us new
insights into the future development of both libraries and Web
technologies. It also will have
practical relevance for policy makers evaluating and planning information
policies at different levels, and system developers designing technology
applications for use in libraries.
One theoretical framework, the Social Construction of
Technology, is considered appropriated and has been used for the proposed study (Bijker,
1995). Supplementary findings and
sensitizing concepts from relevant information systems research and technology
studies (e.g. infusion, re-invention, or structurational
model of technology) are also used in the study to extend the theory. A content analysis of four professional
library journals and two library-oriented listservs [949
journal items and 2934 listserv postings in total] has been conducted to find
out perceptions of the Web among librarians and other professional staff in
libraries, and to identity different relevant social groups within them, if
there are any. Key informants may then
be interviewed to triangulate and add depth to findings from the content
analysis.
References:
Bijker, W. E. (1995). Of bicycles, Bakelites,
and bulbs: Toward a theory of sociotechnical change.
Leonard-Barton,
D. (1988). Implementation as mutual adaptation of technology
and organization. Research Policy, 17, 251-167.
Orlikowski, W. J. (1992). The duality of technology: Rethinking
the concept of technology in organizations. Organization Science, 3 (3),
398-427.
Orlikowski, W.
J. & Gash, D. C. (1994). Technological frames: Making sense of
information technology in organizations. ACM Transactions on Information
Systems, 12 (2), 174-207.
Pinch, T. F. & Bijker, W. E. (1987).
The social construction of facts and artifacts: Or how the sociology of science
and the sociology of technology might benefit each other. In W. E. Bijker, T. P. Hughes, & T. Pinch (Eds.), The social
construction of technological systems: New directions in the sociology and
history of technology (pp. 17-50).