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Sustainable governance of emerging technologies—Critical constellations in the agent network of nanotechnology

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  • Wiek, Arnim
  • Zemp, Stefan
  • Siegrist, Michael
  • Walter, Alexander I.

Abstract

Emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology, feature considerable uncertainty regarding benefits that can be realized and unwanted side effects that ought to be avoided. Sustainable governance of emerging technologies addresses this issue from an integrated societal perspective that proposes collaboration among agents from science, business, government, and the public during the process of technological innovation and diffusion. In this paper, we present agent network analysis as a method to identify critical constellations in the agent network against the normative background of sustainable governance. Results from a transdisciplinary study on the agent network of nanotechnology in Switzerland reveal, among others, missing key agents, non-fulfillment of required functions, non-availability of required knowledge, and deviations between self- and cross-perception. The study contributes to methodological discussions on the formation of agent networks in science, technology, and public policy studies.

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  • Wiek, Arnim & Zemp, Stefan & Siegrist, Michael & Walter, Alexander I., 2007. "Sustainable governance of emerging technologies—Critical constellations in the agent network of nanotechnology," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 388-406.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:29:y:2007:i:4:p:388-406
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2007.08.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kuhlmann, Stefan & Stegmaier, Peter & Konrad, Kornelia, 2019. "The tentative governance of emerging science and technology—A conceptual introduction," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(5), pages 1091-1097.
    2. Foley, Rider W. & Wiek, Arnim, 2013. "Patterns of nanotechnology innovation and governance within a metropolitan area," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 233-247.
    3. Masci, Martín Ezequiel, 2012. "Irreversibilidad e incertidumbre de las decisiones financieras en i&d [Irreversibility and uncertainty of the financial investments on r&d]," MPRA Paper 40970, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Jennifer Kuzma & Jordan Paradise & Gurumurthy Ramachandran & Jee‐Ae Kim & Adam Kokotovich & Susan M. Wolf, 2008. "An Integrated Approach to Oversight Assessment for Emerging Technologies," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(5), pages 1197-1220, October.
    5. Sheona A. K. Read & Gary S. Kass & Hilary R. Sutcliffe & Steven M. Hankin, 2016. "Foresight Study on the Risk Governance of New Technologies: The Case of Nanotechnology," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 36(5), pages 1006-1024, May.
    6. Wiek, Arnim & Walter, Alexander I., 2009. "A transdisciplinary approach for formalized integrated planning and decision-making in complex systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 197(1), pages 360-370, August.
    7. Uskoković, Vuk, 2021. "Health economics matters in the nanomaterial world: Cost-effectiveness of utilizing an inhalable antibacterial nanomaterial for the treatment of multidrug-resistant pneumonia," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

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