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The transformation of US business data processing during and beyond the 20th century

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  • W Edward Steinmueller

Abstract

The development of business data processing during the 20th century is examined in this article from a socio-technical perspective that departs from the common techno-economic approach. The socio-technical perspective focusses on how practice drives innovation and long-term change in contrast to the techno-economic approach which takes innovation to be an external shock which drives adaptation and adjustment. The significance of these contrasting perspectives is illustrated drawing upon a qualitative analysis of historical documents to examine how rules governing behavior changed with evolutions of data processing and communications and an original quantitative analysis of the consequences for practice indicated by shifts in employment categories and levels. The socio-technical perspective is shown to open opportunities to shape the social and environmental consequences of data processing, while the techno-economic approach takes those consequences to be an inevitable result of innovation. The implications for contemporary developments in data processing are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • W Edward Steinmueller, 2025. "The transformation of US business data processing during and beyond the 20th century," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 34(6), pages 1366-1386.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:indcch:v:34:y:2025:i:6:p:1366-1386.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/icc/dtaf045
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L63 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Microelectronics; Computers; Communications Equipment
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • N82 - Economic History - - Micro-Business History - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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