It is often the case
that an SME which is considering some technological innovation is interested in only some
aspects of this innovation and not others (Tatnall, 2001). In actor-network terms, it needs to
translate (Callon, 1986b) this piece of technology into a form where it can be adopted. This
may mean choosing some elements of the technology and leaving out others, resulting in
what is finally adopted not being the innovation in its original form, but a translation of it
into a form that is suitable for use by the recipient small business (Tatnall, 2002).
Callon (1986b) outlines the process of translation as having four ???moments???, the first of
which he calls problematisation, or ???how to become indispensable???, in which one or more
key actors attempts to define the nature of the problem and the roles of other actors to fit the
solution proposed. The problem is re-defined in terms of solutions offered by these actors,
who then attempt to establish themselves as an ???obligatory passage point??? (Callon, 1986b)
which must be negotiated as part of its solution. The second moment is interessement, or
???how allies are locked in place???, and is a series of processes which attempt to impose the
identities and roles defined in the problematisation on the other actors.
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