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Technological Change

This module discusses technological change and its evolution. It aims to define technology, determine the factors affecting technological evolution, and discuss how technology evolves over time. The key points are: 1) Technology can be defined as devices/machines that help accomplish tasks, the level of scientific/engineering development, or an applied science/engineering field. 2) Technology evolves through "combinatorial evolution" - the combinations of new technologies generate faster advancement. 3) Factors driving technological evolution include systems theory, feedback between technology/society, maladaptive features, niche construction, competition/differentiation, selection pressure, and cultural variations.

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49 views3 pages

Technological Change

This module discusses technological change and its evolution. It aims to define technology, determine the factors affecting technological evolution, and discuss how technology evolves over time. The key points are: 1) Technology can be defined as devices/machines that help accomplish tasks, the level of scientific/engineering development, or an applied science/engineering field. 2) Technology evolves through "combinatorial evolution" - the combinations of new technologies generate faster advancement. 3) Factors driving technological evolution include systems theory, feedback between technology/society, maladaptive features, niche construction, competition/differentiation, selection pressure, and cultural variations.

Uploaded by

Joshua Santos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 3: Technological Change

At the end of this module, you are expected to:


1. Define the meaning of technology depending on its various use
2. Determine the factors affecting the evolution of Technology

What is Technology?

Depending on when and how the word is used, technology is defined as:

- Those devices and machines that assist us to tackle issues or do new things;

- It is also a term to portray the level of accomplishment in science, mathematics and designing of a gathering or culture.

- It is a branch of knowledge that deals with applied sciences or engineering

How technology does evolve?

According to Brian Arthur of the Sante Fe Institute and author of the book titled The Nature of Technology,
“Technology evolves over time” and that technological evolution happens because of the phenomenon that he calls as
combinatorial evolution.

The greater number of new technologies and the combinations or permutations that are and can be generated
from them, the faster will be the technological advancement or evolution over time.

What are the factors that affect technological evolution?

1) Systems Theory – simply put, a successful system is one that is stable but is able to adapt over time.

2) Feedback between Technology and Society – Societal needs create the need for new and improved
technologies, as new technologies spawn new needs of society. Technologies that fail to meet or adjust to the
needs of society will become extinct and be discontinued but those that are able to answer and meet the needs
of society will continue to thrive.

3) Maladaptive Features – successful or stable tools, systems, or software in one platform may be unstable or
unsuccessful in other platforms thereby digital developers needed to improve the product or evolve the
technology in order to adapt.
4) Niche Construction – technological companies like that of Apple who are able to create demand for a
technological product through their marketing initiatives are able to create a niche market. That niche market on
its own was able to create evolution of technology for that niche market but at the same time able to change the
landscape of the overall technological environment.
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5) Competition for the same niche – two technologies can co-exist if their overlap on a niche is minimal.
Technology manufacturers today try to avoid competing on one and the same niche and they just try to build
their own niche market. Sometimes though because of the needs of society, technological advancements or
products even from the own line-up of products of a single manufacturer compete or overlap in a niche. That
which answers better the needs of society survives.

6) Niche Differentiation - Two important kinds of differentiation are morphological and conditional. Morphological
differentiation is when two competing products or technologies evolve and move into distinct niches. Conditional
differentiation on the other hand is when two competing technologies or products differ in their abilities or
features to be used by consumers in different situations. Product differentiation (morphologically or
conditionally) is the key to be able to coexist with other technologies competing in the same market, a very good
example of morphological differentiation to be competitive is the dual-use ultrabook with detachable tablet
screen.

7) Selection Pressure - The evolution or development of the smartphone is a concrete example of selection
pressure also known as environmental or market pressure. That pressure exerted by the end users of a
technological product. The inclusion of different features and functionalities in the smartphone from its inception
to the current models is due to the pressure of society on technology to adapt to the needs of society.

8) Evolutionary vs. Revolutionary Products - the development of evolutionary products requires an understanding
of customer needs, while the development of revolutionary products depends on a visionary approach. Tech
companies that want to be successful need to work on both evolutionary and revolutionary products in order to
be profitable and sustainable in the long term. Diversification can be a good strategy to survive the unstable
moments, but this costs of production will have to be taken into consideration.

9) Cultural Variations – basically points out that differences in culture, beliefs, attitudes, skills, customs, and even
financial capabilities also affect how technology advances and evolves in a particular geographical area or culture.

References and Supplementary Materials


Online Supplementary Reading Materials
1. ICT systems and their usage;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/system/0ictsystemsrev1.shtml; May
9, 2018
2. Benefits of ICT for Society and Individuals;
https://www.scribd.com/doc/44798019/Benefits-of-ICT-for-Society-andIndividuals;
May 9, 2018
3. The evolution of communication: effects on the world of science;
https://sci10sectionm.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/the-evolution-
ofcommunication-effects-on-the-world-of-science/; May 9, 2018

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