Analytic Theory

Finally, there are theories of technology which are not defined or claimed by a proponent, but are used by authors in describing existing literature, in contrast to their own or as a review of the field.

For example, Markus and Robey (1988) specifically propose a general theory of technology consisting of the causal structures of agency (technological, organizational, imperative, emergent), its structure (variance, process), and the level (micro, macro) of analysis.

Orlikowski (1992) notes that previous conceptualizations of technology typically differ over scope (is technology more than hardware?) and role (is it an external objective force, the interpreted human action, or an impact moderated by humans?) and identifies three models:

1. technological imperative: focuses on organizational characteristics which can be measured and permits some level of contingency
2. strategic choice: focuses on how technology is influenced by the context and strategies of decision-makers and users
3. technology as a trigger of structural change: views technology as a social object