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Design Methodology for Appropriate Technology: Engineering as if People Mattered

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  • Corinthias P. M. Sianipar

    (School of Business and Management (SBM), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Jl. Ganeca 10, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia
    Department of Industrial Administration (IA), Tokyo University of Science (TUS), 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan)

  • Gatot Yudoko

    (School of Business and Management (SBM), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Jl. Ganeca 10, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kiyoshi Dowaki

    (Department of Industrial Administration (IA), Tokyo University of Science (TUS), 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Akbar Adhiutama

    (School of Business and Management (SBM), Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Jl. Ganeca 10, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40132, Indonesia)

Abstract

Since the emerging of its idea circa four decades ago, Appropriate Technology (AT) had been proven as a comprehensive solution in a limited condition. However, practitioners & academia have different opinions with engineers on how an AT must be designed. Researchers had noted the crucial factors in the issue as such, and they gave a notion of the urgency for a dedicated design methodology for AT. This study, therefore, aims to provide it. Such methodology is developed by incorporating AT characteristics, fundamental issues in community empowerment, and the principles of existing design methodologies. The methodology emphasizes combination between bottom-up and top-down design approaches. It means that an AT must be started purely from local conditions rather than given technical specifications, and be given back to local people to be seamlessly integrated into their routines. It also underlines the crucial importance of community involvement throughout design stages. By looking at previous design methodologies that were developed based on pure Engineering Problem Solving (EPS), this study delivers a fresh and comprehensive one that covers surrounding issues and concepts to produce an AT based on the real meaning of technological appropriateness.

Suggested Citation

  • Corinthias P. M. Sianipar & Gatot Yudoko & Kiyoshi Dowaki & Akbar Adhiutama, 2013. "Design Methodology for Appropriate Technology: Engineering as if People Mattered," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(8), pages 1-44, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:8:p:3382-3425:d:27916
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Younghwan Moon & Junseok Hwang, 2018. "Crowdfunding as an Alternative Means for Funding Sustainable Appropriate Technology: Acceptance Determinants of Backers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Hyun Gyu Hwang & Min Seo Kim & Soo Min Shin & Cher Won Hwang, 2014. "Risk Assessment of the Schmutzdecke of Biosand Filters: Identification of an Opportunistic Pathogen in Schmutzdecke Developed by an Unsafe Water Source," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Luis Bernardo López-Sosa & José Núñez-González & Alberto Beltrán & Mario Morales-Máximo & Mario Morales-Sánchez & Montserrat Serrano-Medrano & Carlos A. García, 2019. "A New Methodology for the Development of Appropriate Technology: A Case Study for the Development of a Wood Solar Dryer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-20, October.
    4. Pin, Lantos A. & Pennink, Bartjan J.W. & Balsters, Herman & Sianipar, Corinthias P.M., 2021. "Technological appropriateness of biomass production in rural settings: Addressing water hyacinths (E. crassipes) problem in Lake Tondano, Indonesia," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    5. Kathleen Mallard & Vincent Debusschere & Lauric Garbuio, 2020. "Multi-Criteria Method for Sustainable Design of Energy Conversion Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Junmin Lee & Keungoui Kim & Hyunha Shin & Junseok Hwang, 2018. "Acceptance Factors of Appropriate Technology: Case of Water Purification Systems in Binh Dinh, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-20, June.
    7. Patnaik, Jayshree & Bhowmick, Bhaskar, 2019. "Revisiting appropriate technology with changing socio-technical landscape in emerging countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 8-19.
    8. Venis, Robbie A. & Taylor, Virginia & Sumayani, Paulina & Laizer, Marie & Anderson, Troy & Basu, Onita D., 2022. "Towards a participatory framework for improving water & health outcomes: A case study with Maasai women in rural Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).

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