Techno-culture: The symbolic framing of technology in a Volvo plant

Abstract

In a study of the implementation of new technology in a stamp press plant, one of the most challenging observations was that the “meaning” of the technology seemed to have changed from being a means (for production) to becoming an important end in itself. This could not easily be explained with the help of traditional theoretical frameworks dealing with the technology-society interface which is the reason why the concept of techno-culture was introduced. The techno-culture is essentially the way in which the technique is “framed” in the symbolic reality of an organization. When applying this concept, previously neglected aspects of the change process came into light, such as the importance of the technological traditions, the structure of production group territories, the underlying value and belief system and the symbolic role of management. This study also suggests that neither technological nor social determinism can explain technological change processes.