A techno-anthropological study of technological start-up assessment
Authors
Jacobsson, Anna Lau Msefer ; de Souza, Katrine Kring Brandt
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-06-03
Pages
88
Abstract
Denne specialeundersøgelse belyser, hvilke kriterier der kendetegner en succesfuld teknologisk start‑up ud fra en techno‑antropologisk vinkel. Med Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) som primær teoretisk ramme og Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) som supplement analyseres to cases, Lithium Balance og Dixa. Empirisk bygger studiet på kvalitative, semistrukturerede interviews med centrale aktører og efterfølgende analyse (bl.a. meningskondensering) af, hvordan relevante sociale grupper, fortolkende fleksibilitet og lukningsprocesser former både teknologiudvikling og vurdering af potentiale. I modsætning til den indledende litteratur, der især vægter økonomiske nøgletal, peger analysen på, at fleksibilitet—både i selve teknologien og i den organisatoriske struktur—har stor betydning for at skabe muligheder, håndtere usikkerhed og nå frem til veje, der kan lede til succes. Diskussionen berører desuden teamsammensætning, timing, investorers dynamikker og komplekse kontekster. Studiet foreslår, at vurderingspraksisser for teknologiske start‑ups udvides fra et snævert økonomisk fokus til at inddrage socio‑tekniske dynamikker og fleksibilitet.
This thesis investigates what criteria characterize a successful technological start‑up from a techno‑anthropological perspective. Using Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) as the main theoretical lens and Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) as a supplement, it analyzes two cases, Lithium Balance and Dixa. Empirically, the study draws on qualitative, semi‑structured interviews with key actors and subsequent analysis (including meaning condensation) to examine how relevant social groups, interpretive flexibility, and closure processes shape technology development and assessments of potential. In contrast to initial literature that emphasized economic metrics, the analysis indicates that flexibility—both in the technology and in organizational structures—plays a major role in creating opportunities, managing uncertainty, and opening pathways that can lead to success. The discussion also addresses team composition, timing, investor dynamics, and complex contexts. The study suggests that start‑up assessment should broaden beyond narrow financial indicators to include socio‑technical dynamics and flexibility.
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