Abstrakt:
From classical to participatory model of Technology Assessment: The article
discusses selected aspects concerning Technology Assessment (TA) as
an institutionalised way of supporting public policy in the area of technology
governance. In the last forty years numerous approaches, concepts, perspectives
and practices have been developed and resulted in many research projects
conducted in various institutional settings. This vast experience and richness of
TA solutions allows an attempt to summarise and critically present its evolution
from classical model to more recent approaches based on participation, stakeholder
involvement, public dialogue and good governance. The article begins
with a brief overview of the history of TA development in the USA and Europe.
In the next part a comparison between the classical and participatory model
of TA is presented. Main focus is placed on various types of participatory approach
and its use in different settings like technology conflicts and innovation
management.
