Overview

Social scientists have shown ongoing interest in how they can contribute to the use, design, operation, and implementation of technology. Substantial funding and research have supported empirically-based fieldwork that has led to important developments across various industrial and practical settings. Sociology has maintained a long-standing interest in technology, attempting to address its social foundations. This development coincides with growing interest from computer systems developers in sociology’s potential contributions to systems development. By emphasizing principles developed within ethnomethodology and conversation analysis, Technology in Working Order (originally published in 1993, now with a new preface) demonstrates how sociology can examine technology as a socially organised domain of activity. The volume brings together original research with direct relevance to industrial developments. Topics range from introducing technology into the work of air traffic controllers and police officers, to studies of simulated human-computer interaction and the use of ‘intelligent machines’ in medical settings.

Full Product Details

Author:   Graham Button
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
ISBN:  

9781041273776

ISBN 10:   1041273770
Pages:   278
Publication Date:   01 May 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Analytic orientations Introduction 1. The curious case of the vanishing technology Part 2: Introducing technology into the work setting Introduction 2. Disembodied conduct: interactional asymmetries in video-mediated communication 3. The use of ‘intelligent’ machines for electrocardiograph interpretation 4. The police and information technology 5. Taking the organisation into accounts Part 3: Work practices in the use of technology Introduction 6. Technologies of accountability: of lizards and aeroplanes 7. ‘What a f-ing system! Send ‘em all to the same place and then expect us to stop ‘em hitting’: making technology work in air traffic control Part 4: Design and implementation Introduction 8. Working towards agreement 9. The mainstreaming of a molecular biological tool: a case study of a new technique Part 5: Human–computer interaction Introduction 10. System use and social organisation: observations on human–computer interaction in an architectural practice 11. We’re off to ring the wizard, the wonderful wizard of oz 12. The turing text and language skills

Reviews

Author Information

Graham Button is former Professor and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences at Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions