Technologies in Decline

This book explores the decline of technologies, societal responses, and governance approaches to managing undesirable technologies. It emphasizes the importance of studying technological decline alongside innovation for sustainability and social equity.

Technologies in Decline explores the critical themes surrounding the decline of technologies, the societal responses to such declines, and the governance strategies aimed at managing undesirable technologies. While much of the existing literature has focused on the emergence and innovation of technologies, this book shifts the focus to their decline, a topic that has received relatively little attention. The authors argue that understanding how technologies fall out of favor is essential, especially as modern socio-technical systems contribute to pressing global issues such as climate change, social inequality, and geopolitical tensions.

The volume provides empirical studies that illustrate various instances of technological decline, alongside theoretical frameworks that deepen the understanding of this phenomenon. By presenting a diverse range of perspectives, the book encourages a broader discourse on the social implications of technology, urging readers to consider not only how technologies rise but also how they can be effectively phased out when they no longer serve society’s needs. This shift in focus is particularly relevant in the context of sustainability transitions, where discontinuing certain technologies may be necessary to foster more sustainable practices.

Targeting academics, students, and policymakers, Technologies in Decline serves as a valuable resource for those engaged in sustainability science, economic geography, innovation studies, and science and technology studies. The book aims to establish an emerging research agenda that highlights the importance of addressing technological decline as a vital aspect of contemporary societal challenges. The Open Access version of the book is available for broader accessibility, encouraging further exploration of this important topic.