ABSTRACT
This chapter offers further reflections on decision-making and the social management of large-scale technology. At the heart of the chapter is the notion that conventional views of decision-making and technology development may need to be rethought, including some that inform the research reported above. It considers what has been learned about the management of large-scale technology in terms of failed decision-making or project organization. The chapter explores the issues from the perspective of the techno-economic evaluation of innovation. It addresses social aspects of the construction of large-scale technology, with particular reference to constructive technology assessment, to indicate points of contact between the approach taken here, Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) and the wider body of research on social shaping and construction of technology. On the related topic of politics and markets CTA advises the adoption of forceful visions of the future and 'technology forcing', in conjunction with market measures to stimulate demand in strategic niches.
