Brent Collett, Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S. Towards STS Networking in the Asia-Pacific Victoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008 Channel automation.

Brent Collett, Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectives

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Water use by sector for Australia 2004, water volumes in gigalitres

Data source: Australian Government Bureau of Statistics, Water Account, 2004-05

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Annual rainfall for Victoria, Australia

Data source: Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Technology to contribute to water savings:Automation of gravity fed irrigation distribution systems

Total Channel Control

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

TCC trial: unintended consequences• Adaptation problems;• Class action;• Lack of expertise and

suitable organisationalstructures;

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Generic attributes of technologies• Wilkinson (1983):

– Technology a negotiable phenomenon;

• Weick (1990):– Equivocal;

• Hughes (1989):1. Physical objects and artifacts;2. Activities or processes;3. What people know and do.Technology: socially constructed and society shaping;

• Law (2005):– Emergent properties;– Complex, patterned interaction of components;– Elements that system made of are shaped and created by the system.

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Evolving systems have trajectories• Trajectories:

– The overall course of the farm system; they emerge over time;• Subtrajectories:

– Making TCC work; new opportunities from TCC; it’s all too much;• Phases:

– The immediate context ;• Shaping:

– Trying to steer the trajectoryon the desired course;

• Contingencies:– Unexpected happenings.

Hypothetical farm trajectory course

Making TCC work

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

New possibilities from TCC

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

It all becomes too much

Channel automation technology: emergent trajectories and social perspectivesCollett, B.P., Nettle, R.A., and Paine, M.S.Towards STS Networking in the Asia-PacificVictoria University, Wellington, 1 December 2008

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