Large-scale participatory co-shaping of technological developments

A future-oriented participatory procedure on the basis of the Delphi method was developed and empirically tested a first time with the goal to improve the shaping of technological developments. The technology under study was microelectronics or rather their relationship with labor. The test took place in NorthRhine-Westphalia. The mainstream of the sociology of technology as well as research on acceptance is discussed. The framework of a research program, Socially Oriented Shaping of Technology of the state of NorthRhine-Westphalia, is briefly illustrated. The goals of the research were to develop new decisions, decision-structures and decision-procedures that include more consideration of the social and environmental consequences of today's and future science, technology and technological utilities.