Getting Undone Technology Done Global Health Techno-assemblage and the Value-chain of Invention

• In Event: 112 - Regular Session. Sociology of Science 2: Health and Professions

Abstract

The global health techno-assemblage shapes the historical underdevelopment and continued lagging of southern countries and firms. The biotechnology industry is one form of this assemblage and operates according to inter-related logics (i.e., economic, hybrid, and social) which are shaped by particular governmental policies and philanthropic efforts. Within this form, a non-profit ophthalmic consumables manufacturing company, Aurolab, in southern India creates new innovations. Aurolab innovates to address doubly orphaned diseases of the eye organ. They focus on affordability issues through both research and development as well as design and development. According to the "technology follower" discourse by management scholars, biotechnology firms must either "catch up" or "leapfrog" to "move up" the international value-chain of invention. In contrast, the "appropriation" discourse by science and technology studies scholars suggests that such firms can enhance their social power by reinventing existing technologies. At Aurolab, their innovation strategy shifts between these two discourses depending upon the drug or device they are working on. This paper considers additional incentives to re-focus firms on local pro-poor technology according to a social logic. As Aurolab demonstrates, it may be necessary to get "undone technology" done.

Author

• Logan Dawn April Williams, Michigan State University