| This paper attempts to link two discussion threads in sociology of technology and legal soci-ology. Both are concerned with the question in how far technological artefacts / legal acts can determine social reality or rather have to be considered as inherently ambiguous texts with unpredictable effects. After both discussions, the paper focuses on the more specific question how ambiguities of technological artefacts are reconstructed and resolved in the legal system. Thereby, it particularly reflects the problem how underrepresented user interpretations can come into play. This serves at the same time as an example how both essentialist and relativist attitudes in legal interpretation can be overcome by a more open reflection of emergent social norms. Finally, it is shown for the example of toxic risk management and regulation in pro-duction networks of the consumer good industry, how the developed categories can be applied to practical questions. |
Dilling, Olaf
2009
Bradford: Emerald, pp. 75-98
in: Håkan Håkansson, Alexandra Waluszewski, Frans Prenkert and Enrico Baraldi (eds.): Use of Science and Technology in Business: Exploring the Impact of Using Activity for Systems, Organizations, and People
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