• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.2 no.1 s.3
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• pp.135-156
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• 2002

The view of technology is largely divided into 2 theories: (1) the theory of autonomous technology that claims technology's own development logic and momentum, (2) the theory of social determinism that regards technology as reflection of political choices. Autonomous technologists read our society in the language of technology and social determinists read our technology in the language of society. This paper tries to analyze that conflicts between government and environmental group in nuclear policy, especially radioactive waste disposition policy reflect collisions between autonomous technologists and social determinists representing technology and politics, respectively. On the surface, such collisions are occurred in rational, ethical and economical aspects. It maintains, however, in depth, they are about solution means to problems from which technologies derived. Also, it suggests that one of the alternatives to avoid inevitable collision may be interaction approach based on intertwining technology with society. More understanding of political natures and control possibilities for technology is needed because interaction approach is founded on this understanding. Finally, to help forming the Korea's nuclear utilization policy from now on, it gives 2 case studies compared France with Germany where expanding and contracting nuclear utilization policy, respectively.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.1 no.1 s.1
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• pp.179-200
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• 2001

In this study, the conceptual model which can integrate the social process and technological teaming in technological innovation is developed and applied to the analysis of the cases on the innovation of Korean mobile telecommunication industry. Korean mobile telecommunication Industry has two peculiar characteristics. First, there have been rapid technological loaming and catching-up processes in Korean mobile telecommunication which have never been in other newly industrializing countries. Second, CDMA is the only multiple access mode which has been used in cellular phone service. It is the purpose of this study to analyse how these characteristics have been emerged during past ten years based on the suggested model integrating the social process of technology selection and technological learning.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.246-262
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• 2015

The digital divide has become an important social issue in the two waves of informatization and aging society. This study is to comprehensively examine various theoretical approaches and discussions on the mechanisms of the digital divide and to synthetically understand the features of the digital divide in old age. This study examines 1) four theoretical approaches on the mechanisms of digital divide among people in general, 2) three theoretical perspectives and six specific explanations on the digital divide in old age, and 3) five controversial features and concepts of the digital divide in old age. Consequently, this study suggests the need for a comprehensive approach to the multi-dimensional digital divide in old age and more attention to the digital divide in old age in terms of individual well-being and social inequalities. Further implications and limitations are discussed.