Technology and geopolitics: The social construction of Huawei’s 5G controversy in Europe

Abstract

This article examines the Huawei 5G controversy in Europe through the lens of social group dynamics and power shifts. It traces Huawei’s European journey from the deregulation of telecommunications in the 1980s to the company’s recent challenges following the US ban. Utilizing theories of the social construction of technology, the study investigates four meta-categories of social actors defining the 5G technology disruption in the Huawei situation, showcasing the evolving roles of various social groups and the impact of geopolitical rivalry.