Routledge The Social Dynamics of Information and Communication Technology

What shapes the role of Information and Communication Technologies in our everyday life? Despite the speed with which information and communication technologies such as the PC, mobile telephone and internet have found their way into society, there remains a good deal of debate surrounding their adoption and use. Through empirical studies covering a broad range of everyday life and work settings, this volume provides grounded insights into the social dynamics influencing how ICTs are both shaped and experienced. Specifically, the book examines the contributions of diverse disciplines to our understanding of these processes, the symbolic nature of technologies, the influence of design on the experience of ICTs, the role of users in influencing that design, the social constraints affecting the use of those technologies, and strategies for evaluating the social consequences of ICT innovations. Review ’This book provides unique insights into the adoption and use of ICTs. In contrast to the common generalisations about the impact of technology on society, this fascinating collection of original studies shows that we can only really understand ICTs by looking at how they are adopted and used in everyday life settings. The book provides a valuable resource for anyone seriously interested in the implications of new technologies.’ Judy Wajcman, Australian National University ’With a pan-European perspective and drawing on empirical, conceptual and design studies, this book provides a range of insights into the deeper stories surrounding the emergence of the European e-Society. This excellent collection should be read by researchers, policy makers and commercial decision makers who are grappling with the role of ICTs in everyday life and by students seeking to carry out innovative society and technology research.’ Ben Anderson, Director, University of Essex, UK '...an excellent collection of empirical studies covering a broad range of everyday life and work settings. The book provides grounded insights into the social dynamics influencing the shaping of ICTs and how they are experienced. It should be read by researchers, policy makers and commercial decision makers who are grappling with the role of ICTs in everyday life. It should also be read by students seeking to carry out innovative society and technology research.' The Electronic Library 'The book should be commended for combining the contributions of so many different authors and containing studies the reader would not have otherwise heard of, from countries that are usually off the publications map. Most of the contributions are written in such a way that they are accessible for even those completely unfamiliar with the particular subject area of the chapter... The variety of approaches and topics makes the potential reader base for this book very broad. Some contributions deal with very About the Author Eugène Loos is Professor of Old and New Media in an Ageing Society in the Department of Communication Science at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Enid Mante-Meijer was Lecturer at the Utrecht School of Governance, The Netherlands. Leslie Haddon is Research Associate in the Media and Communications Department at the London School of Economics, UK.