John Howells
Papers
2
Total Citations
64
H-Index
2
About
John Howells is a critical voice in the sociology of technology, best known for his incisive work on technological determinism and the conceptualization of technology itself. His most influential paper, "Technology, the Technology Complex and the Paradox of Technological Determinism" (2001), with 55 citations, dissects how the term 'technology' is defined across disparate fields—from industrial relations to development economics. Howells reveals that the precise subdefinition of technology in use is contingent on each discipline’s core problematic, a finding that challenges simplistic, one-size-fits-all narratives of technological change. By unpacking this "technology complex," he exposes the paradox at the heart of technological determinism: the very act of defining technology shapes our perception of its agency. This work has become a touchstone for scholars seeking to move beyond reductive debates. Howells’ contribution lies in providing a rigorous, interdisciplinary framework for understanding how we talk about technology, forcing researchers to confront the assumptions embedded in their own definitions. His analysis remains essential reading for anyone studying the interplay between technology, organizations, and society.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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