In this article we argue for the importance of structural concepts to understanding technological development. Then we present concepts from organizational sociology and political economy that illuminate structural influences in shaping phenomena of interest to SCOT scholars. These structural concepts can be applied to the study of the design, development, and transformation of technology. We conclude that the limited amount of scholarship on structural factors in the social shaping of technological development presents numerous opportunities for research. How Defense Downturns Stimulate Civilian Technology Policy Research Policy.
Demonstrations are episodic, initiated in large numbers in some periods and absent in others.
Their content often emphasizes information and automation technologies and command and control systems. Outcomes are usually disappointing, with few systems actually implemented. The defense sector, which possesses most technological expertise in the federal government, occasionally suffers a procurement downturn, at which times defense actors shift their political influence to civilian sectors to promote offsetting technology procurements. Advanced technology briefly pushes into civilian sectors in the form of demonstration projects until the next defense upturn revives procurement, at which time political support for civilian systems declines. Although such demonstration projects serve a useful function for the defense sector, civilian sectors need to develop policies that emphasize user needs and program benefits.