Abstract
In the context of Open Access to scientific and scholarly literature, repositories, both institutional and subject-based, have come to play an important role. However, the nature of repositories appears to be difficult to pin down as each category of people involved seems to have a different vision. The shifting interpretation of repositories has been a source of weakness in the promotion of these instruments. It is suggested here that this situation is not unique to repositories; on the contrary, all sociotechnical objects go through such a phase if we are to follow some of the important studies coming from the “Social construction of technology” school of thought. This suggests that technical objects succeed when relevant social groups interpret the meaning and function of a particular technology. By examining a number of events around repositories, in particular struggles around the possibility of mandating deposits, it is possible to identify a number of relevant social groups, as well as examine how they can either ally with each other or are displaying conflictual fault-lines between them. Using this form of analysis should help develop strategies to develop repositories.
Highlights
In the context of Open Access to scientific and scholarly literature, repositories, both institutional and subject-based, have come to play an important role
Because this approach has been largely ignored by Open Access discussions, it may be useful to revisit it briefly, if only to bring to the fore some interesting theoretical tools better to understand the repository as a socio-technical object
One of the earliest examples of social construction of technology” (SCOT)-inspired studies was a fascinating examination of the emergence of the modern bicycle (Pinch and Bijker, 1984)
Summary
Repositories are very good examples of what historians and sociologists of technology call socio-technical devices. Less obvious perhaps are what some analysts call “cultural resources”, referred to as “discursive legacies” More put, these resources deal with the extent to which a particular technological artifact may resonate with a given cultural theme and how this theme is perceived. These resources deal with the extent to which a particular technological artifact may resonate with a given cultural theme and how this theme is perceived An example of this situation is provided by Sport Utility Vehicles: nowadays, with economic worries and a great deal of talk about global warming, SUV’s are often described as going against the grain of environmental concerns. Repositories, like any other socio-technical entity, find themselves under the stewardship of various RSG’s Understanding what these groups are, how they relate, what their implicit or explicit agendas are, and what resources they have at their disposal, will clarify the situation greatly. For those committed to Open Access, such an approach would provide a more systematic turn to strategic planning
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
