Social Construction Of Technology Research Articles

Impact of Technological Advancements on Human Existence

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to examine the impact of technological advancements on human existence. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to impact of technological advancements on human existence. Preliminary empirical review revealed that technology exerted a dual influence on society, both enhancing and detracting from human well-being. Empirical findings revealed that while innovations like smartphones and social media platforms offered unprecedented connectivity, they also posed risks to mental health and social relationships. Similarly, workplace automation and AI integration improved productivity but raised concerns about job displacement. Furthermore, the study emphasized the importance of considering socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors in understanding technology's impact. Overall, the findings underscored the need for a balanced approach to technological innovation that prioritizes human well-being, equity, and sustainability, suggesting initiatives such as promoting digital literacy and fostering inclusive technological development. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Technological Determinism, Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) and Actor-Network Theory (ANT) may be used to anchor future studies on technological advancements on human existence. The study provided recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy. It suggested further exploration of interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks to understand technology's complex dynamics, advocated for proactive strategies in organizations to mitigate negative impacts, and called for regulatory frameworks balancing innovation with societal values. These recommendations aimed to foster digital literacy, ethical innovation, and equitable access to technology, guiding stakeholders in navigating the complexities of technology's influence on society. Keywords: Technological Advancements, Human Existence, Interdisciplinary, Digital Literacy, Ethical Innovation, Regulation, Equity, Innovation, Societal Values, Technology's Influence

Understanding the Intersection of Technology and Traditional Arts in Modern Sporting Events

Purpose: The general objective of the study was to look into the intersection of technology and traditional arts in modern sporting events. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to technology and traditional arts in modern sporting events. Preliminary empirical review revealed that technological advancements have fundamentally altered the presentation and reception of traditional arts within such contexts. Notably, studies examining augmented reality (AR), digital media, virtual reality (VR), wearable technology, and 3D mapping have revealed their positive impact on enhancing the spectator experience and attracting larger audiences. Additionally, research on the influence of social media platforms has underscored their role in promoting traditional arts performances, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. The incorporation of VR and wearable technology has further enabled immersive experiences, enriching audience engagement with traditional arts. This research highlights the transformative potential of technology in preserving and promoting cultural heritage in sporting events, emphasizing the importance of ongoing innovation and collaboration between artists, technologists, and event organizers to create inclusive and culturally enriching experiences for global audiences. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social Construction of Technology (SCOT), Cultural Hybridization theory and Diffusion of Innovations theory may be used to anchor future studies on the intersection of technology and traditional arts in modern sporting events. The study provided valuable insights and recommendations for theory, practice, and policy. It emphasized recognizing and embracing the fusion of technology and traditional arts, advocating for their integration to enhance accessibility and engagement. Collaborative efforts between stakeholders were encouraged, along with policy interventions to support innovation while safeguarding cultural heritage. A holistic approach was recommended, considering socio-cultural implications and promoting inclusive and ethical practices. Continuous research and evaluation were highlighted for monitoring the evolution of this intersection. Overall, the study aimed to advance understanding and foster innovation in the integration of technology and traditional arts in sports events.

Semantic Technologies in Knowledge Management

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to explore semantic technologies in knowledge management.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to semantic technologies in knowledge management. Preliminary empirical review revealed that these technologies hold significant potential for enhancing knowledge organization, retrieval, and utilization within organizations. While theoretical benefits were recognized, practical implementation faced challenges such as technical constraints, organizational resistance, and the need for alignment with organizational objectives. Despite these hurdles, the study emphasized the importance of overcoming barriers through comprehensive approaches involving technological solutions, organizational change management, and stakeholder engagement. Overall, the study highlighted the transformative potential of semantic technologies in knowledge management but underscored the necessity of addressing challenges to realize their full benefits.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) theory, Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and Resource-Based View (RBV) theory may be used to anchor future studies on semantic technologies. The study made several recommendations to enhance the adoption and utilization of semantic technologies. It suggested developing standardized ontologies, prioritizing user-centric design principles, and providing ongoing training to improve digital literacy among practitioners. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of governance mechanisms for ensuring data quality, fostering collaborative networks for knowledge sharing, and embracing a culture of experimentation and adaptation. These recommendations aimed to address challenges such as interoperability, usability, and trustworthiness, ultimately enabling organizations to leverage semantic technologies more effectively in their knowledge management practices.

Decoding technological frames: a qualitative inquiry into business analytics perspectives

ABSTRACT Technological frames, examined through the lenses of social construction of technology (SCOT) and social cognition, are pivotal in organisational research. This study presents a comprehensive literature review from SCOT and social cognition perspectives, offering nuanced insights into how individuals perceive and interpret technology. Employing an exploratory qualitative approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with professionals from diverse industries, chosen for their varied expertise. Through content analysis, we identified eight technological frame domains: affective and cognitive dimensions, application value, personal attitude, job-related factors, managerial and organisational influence, and colleagues’ impact. Our inquiry delves into the intricate factors shaping these frames, highlighting influences at both individual and organisational levels. Crucially, this study underscores the relevance of its findings for business analytics and technology management, illuminating cognitive and affective dimensions that significantly impact technology adoption and organisational outcomes.

Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance

BackgroundThere is a race to innovate, develop or create hydrogen production technologies to accelerate energy transition and create a hydrogen economy. Acceptance has been used in social science literature as a lens through which to anticipate possible challenges surrounding hydrogen technologies. However, very few studies problematize perceptions and focus on the production of hydrogen. Hence, this study aims to bridge these theoretical and empirical gaps using a mixed-method approach based on semi-structured interviews (n = 7) and a questionnaire survey (n = 73) to understand stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen production sources through a social construction of technology lens.ResultsThe findings suggest a tendency to favor hydrogen produced from renewable sources and to reject hydrogen produced from non-renewable sources. All the examined groups conform to this pattern. Their perceptions are based on prior knowledge of hydrogen technologies, with participants seeking information from specialized sources or from activities promoted by their organizations. Participants anticipate that hydrogen will be generated primarily through renewable energy sources and utilized where direct electrification is unfeasible. In addition, they envisage that the hydrogen economy will enhance energy democracy through representative participation in decision-making. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the topic is limited to certain social groups and kept away from the public eye. Furthermore, unlike the benefits, the perception of risk appears to have no impact on perceptions’ construction. High confidence in science appears to minimize the recognition of potential risks and bolster the recognition of potential benefits. There is, however, a lot of uncertainty about the possible real impacts of the hydrogen economy.ConclusionsThere appears to be a collective perspective on hydrogen production sources, indicating the existence of social representations. Nevertheless, group attitudes and backing towards hydrogen vary. The participants identify hydrogen as a matter that remained unnoticed for over a decade, despite its prominent position in the policies and economic approaches of numerous countries. The topic has been relegated to third parties. This exclusion of civil society from decision-making may justify the NGO group's critical stance towards hydrogen. Moreover, it suggests that energy democracy, which is based on information dissemination and participation, is not being achieved.

The failure of micro-hydro technology: A case study of the Banyubiru project in Central Java, Indonesia

This article explores the potential convergence between the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) framework and failure studies in the context of the alternative energy program in the Global South. It focuses on a single case study, namely the failure of micro-hydro technology in Banyubiru (the Banyubiru project). Using qualitative research methods, this article examines the construction of the Banyubiru project and its failure to integrate with the power grid of the Indonesia State Electricity Company (PLN), despite substantial investments, installations, and considerable interest in renewable energy from diverse stakeholder groups at local, national, and international levels. In a hybrid (online and in-person) format, semi-structured interviews were employed to obtain data. The data collection procedure also includes site visits, observations, and document analysis. The finding indicates that technology development follows a more complicated path than a straight one from interpretative flexibility to closure. It illustrates a progression from closure to interpretive flexibility, wherein social groupings initially establish formal agreements but afterwards encounter conflicting interpretations. In conclusion, the article illustrates the potential for failure studies to provide insights into the limitations of SCOT in the analysis of energy technology failures.

Elimination of Negative Stigma through the Use of Media Technology by Librarians with Blind Disabilities

This research examines the efforts of librarians with visual disabilities to remove negative stigma from society. Research focus on the use of technological media by librarians with visual disabilities to eliminate the negative stigma towards blind people who are considered unable to use technological media. Previous studies agree that every librarian's activities require visual support in all their work. The use of technological media by librarians with disabilities is a social construction of technology as an effort to change social relations in society. This research aims to find out how the use of technological media by librarians with visual disabilities in eliminating the negative stigma. This research uses a qualitative methodology with a case study approach. Data collection techniques include observation and interviews. The data obtained is explained through the stages of data reduction, data presentation and verification. Librarians with visual disabilities have the skills to operate technological media with the help of special software for blind people. Skills in using technological media are demonstrated to users who come to the library. Skills in using technological media supported by special software are demonstrated by blind librarians to users with the aim of changing the negative stigma that assumes that people with disabilities cannot use technological media in their activities. The use of technological media by librarians with disabilities is a socio-technological construction and an adaptation strategy to change their relationship with the social environment.

Age Matters: How Generational Decision-Making Cohorts Affect Disruptive Technology New Product Development

The Internet of Things (IoT), a worldwide network of interconnected objects uniquely addressable, based on standard communication protocols, has become a disruptive technology, even for decision-makers who develop products based on them. It was reported in 2015 and 2018 that decision-makers associated with the Fortune 1000 firms stated that they were hesitant to use IoT-based value propositions, primarily due to privacy and security concerns. In this article, we view decision-maker willingness to develop IoT-based products through the lens of the social construction of technology (SCOT) theory. We utilize SCOT-based generational cohorts of firm decision-makers to investigate whether generational cohorts of decision-makers are relevant in a firm's decision to launch an IoT value proposition. We argue that it is pertinent to consider age-based generations as stakeholders for IoT, which currently constitutes a gap in the literature on IoT and SCOT. We employ an exploratory survey analysis that supports the relevance of generational decision-making cohorts. We focus on age to the exclusion of other potential decision-maker cohort possibilities and discuss this as a limitation in our conclusion.

Literary translators and technology: SCOT as a proactive and flexible approach

ABSTRACT This paper reports findings and observations on using the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) framework in a questionnaire study of literary translators’ self-imaging strategies and attitudes towards technology. The study took advantage of SCOT’s methodological flexibility to prioritise literary translators as a social group, hence compensating for the lack of opportunities to voice their interpretations of technology and become an active part in the framework’s development and implementation. Ultimately, the use (and adaptation) of SCOT proved useful for the identification, analysis, and discussion of recurrent themes in respondents’ narratives about technology and their position in society. In particular, SCOT helped to uncover the gap between how literary translators choose to (re)present themselves in society and how they see technology, and what other social groups might be pivotal for a more comprehensive, socially-relevant analysis. Finally, the paper presents suggestions for the use of SCOT in future research projects concerning the technologisation of the literary translation profession.

Integrating views on building performance from different stakeholder groups

PurposeThis paper aims to highlight a broader definition of good building performance that goes beyond the traditional emphasis on technical aspects, only adopting the lens of the social construction of technology (SCOT) in the empirical space of the workplace sector. Several building performance evaluation (BPE) methods focus on technical aspects such as energy consumption, indoor environmental conditions and compliance with building regulations and standards. Technical aspects, albeit important goals, only embed a partial component of what buildings are expected to deliver. There is growing interest in considering the organisational and experiential expectations of building performance, particularly integrating various views of performance as expected by different user groups.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts an archival research method to analyse the archive of the workplace consultants DEGW, particularly focusing on their work on London’s Broadgate development in the 1980s and the 1990s.FindingsThe findings reveal how voices from a pluralistic client organisation can be addressed to articulate a broad definition of building performance that integrates different viewpoints encompassing technical, organisational and experiential expectations. In DEGW’s work, the views on building performance of various stakeholders involved in the everyday use and management of buildings are identified without imposing predetermined agendas or research notions of performance. Particular emphasis is given to understanding clients as not a homogenous entity but consisting of different interest groups, which implies multiple conceptualisations of building performance and the building itself.Research limitations/implicationsThe performance expectations of a building vary between organisations and even within any organisation. Moreover, the needs of an organisation will change over time, and the BPE criteria need to be changed to ensure better alignment between organisations and the physical spaces they occupy. A critical reflection on the conceptualisation of “users” and “building” in BPE methods is required to create an integrated approach towards building performance.Originality/valueThe paper offers insights by adopting the theoretical lens of SCOT to explore an integrated approach to building performance that captures the varied needs of building users through the example of London’s Broadgate development.

Traversing the Digital Era: The Amazing Evolution of Pen and Paper to Screens and Keyboards

In this research article, the researcher delves into the ebb and flow of human ingenuity as the paper traces the evolution of writing from papyrus to pixels. Discover how humble instruments like quill pens and typewriters have propelled human into the digital frontier, forever reshaping the art of expression in the modern age. This article examines the evolution of writing tools from traditional pen and paper to digital writing in the modern age. It explores the development of writing materials such as papyrus, parchment, and paper, as well as the invention of writing tools including quill pens, fountain pens, and typewriters. The rise of digital writing tools, including word processing software and smartphones, is also discussed, along with their benefits such as increased efficiency and productivity, enhanced collaboration and sharing capabilities, and greater accessibility and flexibility. However, the article also highlights the challenges of writing in the digital age, including the impact of digital distractions on writing focus and quality, the issue of online plagiarism and copyright infringement, and the potential loss of traditional writing skills. The article concludes with recommendations for educators, school administrators, students, and researchers to strike a balance between digital and traditional writing practices, to embrace digital writing tools while preserving traditional writing skills, and to understand the importance of the evolution of writing. The theoretical frameworks of Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) Theory, Media Ecology Theory, and Activity Theory are also discussed in relation to the evolution of writing tools. Overall, this article provides valuable insights into the history, benefits, and challenges of writing in the digital age, as well as suggestions for navigating the future of writing and its tools.

Trevor Pinch’s legacy for media studies

It is well known that throughout his long and brilliant career Trevor Pinch was a leading scholar in at least three research fields. In the sociology of scientific knowledge he was one of the most influential contributors, both alone and in collaboration with his mentor Harry Collins (see in particular Collins and Pinch, 1982; and Pinch 1985, 1986). He co-founded and developed the sociology of technology and the field of science and technology studies for which, in 2018, he was awarded the prestigious John Desmond Bernal Prize by the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S). Later in his career, he was a core player in the field of sound studies (see for example Pinch and Bijsterveld (eds), 2003, 2004, 2012), to which he was led by his work on the Moog synthesizer (Pinch and Trocco, 2002) and his passionate love for music. However, the work of Trevor Pinch, and in particular the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) approach that he developed with Wiebe Bijker (Pinch and Bijker, 1984), has also been influential for many other neighbouring research fields to which he contributed only indirectly or episodically. This is the case for organisational studies, for example, or for studies of innovation. It is also the case for media studies. In what follows, as a media scholar, I represent the intellectual debt of my field to the work of Trevor Pinch. To do so, I will first clarify the role played by SCOT in the disciplinary tradition of media studies, in particular in the 1990s and at the beginning of the new century. I will then move my focus to lesser-known works by Trevor Pinch on mediated communication, which he sporadically addressed as part of his broader research interests (related, for example, to the practice of selling). My attempt will be to retrace the tenets of Pinch’s own take on media as they emerge both from these too rare interventions and from the methodological reflection he has dedicated to the topic. In my final remarks, I will draw on the two preceding sections to highlight some other possible points of crosspollination between the current field of media studies and Trevor Pinch’s work, that remain to be explored in depth.

The construction of self-sovereign identity: Extending the interpretive flexibility of technology towards institutions

Ever-growing concerns over ‘Big Brother’ continue driving individuals towards user-centric identity management systems. Nascent innovations are framed as offering Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). Because of the association with value-laden ideals and technical components like blockchain, SSI is caught up with both hype and idiosyncrasy. Competing interpretations of SSI damage the public discourse and risk misrepresenting affordances these systems might offer. Based on a qualitative inductive interview study and document analysis, this article extrapolates a constructivist theoretical frame – the Extended Model of Interpretive Flexibility – which combines insights from the Social Construction of Technology and the Structurational Model of Technology. The Extended Model of Interpretive Flexibility highlights malleability in the technical implementations and social representations, which in turn is affected by and influences institutional properties around SSI. This research further offers implications for practice around the implementation of SSI, in particular regarding policy, management, and design. For theory on public sector information systems, the proposed model has generalizable potential for the analysis of socio-technical systems and offers future research directions.

AIsmosis and the pas de deux of human-AI interaction: Exploring the communicative dance between society and artificial intelligence

As the global influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our daily lives and the looming advent of artificial general intelligence (AGI) become increasingly apparent, the need for a sophisticated interpretive framework intensifies. This paper introduces ‘AIsmosis’–a term that captures AI’s gradual, nuanced integration into society, and akin to the biological process of osmosis. AI’s integration dynamics are examined through the lens of three pivotal theories: social construction of technology, technological determinism, and diffusion of innovations. These theories collectively elucidate the sociocultural influences on AI, the potential repercussions of unchecked technological growth, and the factors driving the adoption of novel technologies. Building upon these explorations, the ‘controlled AIsmosis’ conceptual framework emerges, emphasizing ethically conscious development, active stakeholder communication, and democratic dialogue in the context of AI technology adoption. Rooted in communicative action theory, this framework illuminates AI’s transformative impact on society. It calls for a comprehensive evaluation of systems that steer AI diffusion and their potential impacts, acknowledging the pervasive influence of AI and transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries. This work underscores the need for a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach in investigating the complex AI-society interplay and understanding the ethical and societal consequences of AIsmosis.

Social Media Analysis on ASEAN Energy Transition Trends

This study examines how controversies of the energy transition and climate change in the Southeast Asia region were portrayed in public perspectives using big data from the social media platform. This novel data source can then support mapping the emergence and predicting the acceptance of energy transition, which leads to the following research question, “How can social media inform social controversy and expectations associated with the energy-climate nexus in ASEAN?” As a case study, this paper will be limited to focusing on the ASEAN energy transition and climate change discussion on the Twitter platform between January 2015 and December 2020. This case has been selected for a number of reasons: (i) Climate change is a complex interdisciplinary issue that has gained much global attention recently, (ii) Energy transition is considered an important action by the ASEAN Member States to enhance the regional energy security and sustainability as stated in the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation blueprint, and (iii) Twitter is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. The study relies on two theoretical frameworks as the base for building its research problem: socio-technical transition multi-level perspective and social construction of technology. A multi-quantitative method was performed for data collection and data processing. The data was analysed using descriptive trend analysis, sentiment analysis, and co-word analysis.

Dispatches From Eeyou Istchee: Cree Networks, Digital, and Social Inclusion

This article offers a fragmentary, partial history of the successes and challenges the Cree of Eeyou Istchee have encountered as they’ve developed the capacity to offer their region and communities a range of traditional, analogue, and digital services through the development and maintenance of different yet interconnected networks. Using social construction of technology (SCOT) and social shaping of technology (SST) theories as a framework, these dispatches offer a glimpse of the complexity and layeredness of two Cree networks as they come into contact and/or overlap with those of extractive colonialism, Canadian settler policies, and traditional Cree law and policy.

Social Construction of Technology: An Experience for Development of Critical-thinking and Nature of Science and Technology

This research aims to contribute to the development of critical thinking skills and concepts of the nature of science and technology through joint work based on primary school curriculum content (energy). It has a mixed design in methodological terms, applying a variety of techniques such as surveys, interviews, participant observation and documentary analysis. The total sample of participants is 130 students aged 11-12 from five different schools. The results of the study show improvements in the concepts of the nature of science and technology (dependence on the use of new technologies and control of technological development by individuals), as well as in critical thinking skills (thinking as hypothesis testing and argument analysis), among participants. For example, there is a perceived increase of 0.34 (2-point scale) in the mean between the initial and final assessment of dependence on the use of new technologies This leads us to conclude that the teaching design implemented is effective for improvement in both areas.

Meaning of Entrepreneurial Journalism Among Journalists of Mass Media Companies

The development of communication technology allows journalists to publish journalistic content independently through personal accounts on social media and sharing platforms. Independent publication allows journalists to earn additional income exceeding their official salary as journalists in media companies. This practice indicated as entrepreneurial journalism often blurs the boundaries between journalistic and commercial aspects. This study aims to reveal the meaning of entrepreneurial journalism among journalists of mass media companies. This study uses the social construction of technology (SCoT) theory with Alfred Schutz's phenomenological method and a qualitative approach. The study showed that journalists publish news through social media accounts and sharing platforms in various forms and content formats. The journalists practice entrepreneurial journalism because their skills support their passion for mastering technological devices. Besides, they also achieve self-satisfaction from working independently. Journalists regard entrepreneurial journalism as a side job while upholding the journalistic aspect rather than the economic reason. Expectations and opportunities to earn additional income do not attract journalists practicing entrepreneurial journalism to ignore journalistic values and norms. Journalists prioritize creating and publishing quality news content by following the Journalistic Code of Ethics. Entrepreneurial journalism tends to be interpreted by journalists personally as a form of repositioning and self-actualization during social life.

Reflection on the Social Construction of Technology in the Philosophy of Technology

Technological determinism initially emerged in the relationship between technology and society. In the environment surrounding technology and society, technology determinism and social construction of technology (SCOT) have a tense relationship. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of SCOT by exploring and reflecting on the substantive debates and criticisms surrounding the social constructionism of technology, which is opposed to technological determinism in terms of the philosophy of technology. It is intended to substitute for the conclusion of the study by suggesting the implications obtained through reflection on SCOT. First, driving technological development in SCOT is achieved through consensus between social groups and technology developers. In the process of technological development, conflicts arise among social groups due to different problems and solutions with respect to technology, and the form of the technological artifact that has reached an agreement is finally selected. Second, technological flexibility or interpretative flexibility can solve a problem in various technical ways in SCOT. This variety of flexibility appears as a difference of interpretation and conflict between the social groups surrounding technology. Third, in SCOT, the technology frame greatly affects the artifacts. The function of the description frame differentiates it from most other concepts and is intended to be applied to the interaction of various actors. Fourth, for a specific technology to develop from the SCOT perspective, it has momentum through the consolidation of the technology system. A technological system is composed of physical artifacts, organizations, science bases, legal devices, and natural resources, with each element contributing to the overall goal of the system by interacting with other elements.Fifth, in SCOT. Finally, the main criticism of SCOT is that researchers’ methodologies are formal, they focus on the early stage of the emergence of technology, there is indifference to the influence of technology, and the social structures and power relations accompanying technological change are ignored.

What is the Metaverse and who seeks to define it? Mapping the site of social construction

The Metaverse has become a buzz-phrase among tech businesses. Facebook’s rebranding to Meta is symptomatic of this. Many firms and other actors are trying to shape visions of the Metaverse, leading to confusion about the term’s meaning. We use social construction of technology (SCOT) theory to disentangle the conflicting notions proposing that what the Metaverse is and will become relies on the collective sensemaking processes. We point out similarities and differences between various concepts presented in the public media and link them to individual actors’ monetary, political, or social motives. We describe the tensions that occur because of the conflicting interests. As the Metaverse is an emerging phenomenon, opportunities exist to reorient it toward humanist values rather than singular interests. However, the complexity of the social processes that shape the Metaverse requires a considerate approach rather than premature conclusions about the Metaverse’s characteristics. The analysis presents the Metaverse as a new, continually evolving sociotechnical phenomenon, and calls for research that explores it as a dynamic, moving target.