Dynamic-Nonlinear Socio-technical Change: Transformation as a Sociological Theory Problem and a Possible Solution

Abstract

AbstractThere are calls for transformation in all places, but the starting point for a sociology of transformation is anything but simple. A sociology of transformation must be thought and designed in the triad of transformation research, transformative research, and research transformation. This means the provision of knowledge on how transformations take place, social science research that uses this knowledge to intervene in social and societal processes in a targeted way, and reflection on how sociology itself changes as a discipline due to such action and socio-political expectations. Against this background, the article starts from the assumption that a sociological perspective (combining the relational approaches of network and field theory) specifically tailored to the current transformation conditions and challenges (exemplified in a case study) can make a significant contribution to understanding as well as shaping transformation processes based on a joint reflection of possibilities.