A Social Dynamics Analysis of the Problems Raised in the Development of a Community Network: A Case Study of A-Net

Autor/in	Shin, Dong Hee
Titel	A Social Dynamics Analysis of the Problems Raised in the Development of a Community Network: A Case Study of A-Net
Quelle	In: Information Research: An International Electronic Journal, 12 (2007) 3, (26 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1368-1613
Schlagwörter	Case Studies; Qualitative Research; Interviews; Computer Networks; Stakeholders; Strategic Planning; Users (Information); Surveys; Computer Software; Futures (of Society); Network Analysis; Design; Information Technology; Social Theories; Medical Services; Telecommunications; Elementary Schools; Secondary Schools; Community Programs; Higher Education; Health Services; New York + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Qualitative Forschung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Computernetz; Computernetze; Kommunikationsnetz; Strategy; Planning; Strategie; Planung; Benutzerprofil; Nutzer; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Future; Society; Zukunft; Netzplantechnik; Informationstechnologie; Gesellschaftstheorie; Arzt; Telekommunikationstechnik; Elementary school; Grundschule; Volksschule; Sekundarschule; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Health service; Gesundheitsdienst; Gesundheitswesen
Abstract	Introduction: This study investigates the processes involved in the development of a broadband community network in the Northeast USA. A community network project was studied by tracing the developmental processes from network design to the stabilisation of information infrastructure. Method: A case study was conducted on the broadband community network. Qualitative data were collected primarily through in-depth interviews, drawing on the retrospective data of diverse stakeholders: strategic policy groups, user groups, technical groups and functional groups. Archival documents from various sources were also collected and analysed to triangulate research findings. Analysis: Qualitative analyses were carried out on the data, which related to ninety-six interviews, 279 archival documents, and twenty-nine survey responses. The data were analyzed with thematic analysis using the Atlas.ti program. Results: The political economy of the development process has biased the development toward private interests and away from the public benefit, and toward lucrative services and intra-organizational connectivity and away from community-oriented uses. Conclusion: This study provides a conceptual base for understanding contemporary and future community networks by illustrating the applicability of the Social Construction of Technology Theory. It suggests that Constructive Technology Assessment would be valuable to include technology users in the technology design process. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Thomas D. Wilson. 9 Broomfield Road, Broomhill, Sheffield, S10 2SE, UK. Web site: http://informationr.net/ir
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01