Technological Change in Developing Countries: Opening the Black Box of Process using Actor-Network Theory

Abstract

Processes of technological change – innovation, transfer, adaptation, implementation – are central to development. Yet they are typically black-boxed in research accounts so actors and practice remain hidden. This paper applies one aspect of actor-network theory (ANT) – moments of translation – to a case study of technological change in the Sri Lankan public sector. Such application has its challenges but ANT provides a rich, detailed account of technological change processes for development. It can offer three unique insights that expose: the formation and dissolution of socio-technical structure; the active role of technology; and the ‘translation’ of interests, identities and ideas during these processes.