Organisational and industrial practice in the steel industry : a sociology of science study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The study investigated the nature of a steel production process in South Africa.The Iron and Steel Corporation of South Africa (Iscor) was analysed within varioustheoretical approaches within the sociology of science and technology.Iscor follows the production processes that are based on a particular paradigmpracticed throughout the world by steel-making organisations. The study aims tounlock this paradigm by using specific theoretical (ANT, SCOT and SSR) anddisciplinary (MOT) approaches. Each approach provides a unique analyticaldimension to the study: the influence of various human and non-human actors, theinfluence of social pressures, the historical evolution of the current practices andthe management of risk.The study explores how Iscor adheres to mainstream scientific work. Hence thereis a focus on endogeneous approaches - processes of technological change andtheir outcomes are part of what has to be explained and understood (Rip et ai,1995). It is also noted that the technologies are derived from practical experiencesand processes of scientific research.There is an ongoing attempt to formulate an understanding between technical andsocial content of steel-making processes because automated plant machinerycontinue to replace manual labour. Finally, the study investigates how dominantsteel-making technologies within lscor's Vanderbijlpark (VP) and Saldanah Bay(SB) plants have evolved to achieve a position of stability.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University