It has a name: 'socio-tech entrepreneurship'

The concept of socio-tech entrepreneurship (STE) was introduced as a distinct category within the field of entrepreneurship. The authors differentiated it from traditional technology entrepreneurship (TE) and social entrepreneurship (SE).

Today I was reading 'Reconceptualizing socio-tech entrepreneurship: A systematic literature review and research agenda' in issue Technovation 134 (2024) as part of my investigation into the evolving conditions for entrepreneurship and social change with rapidly developing technology and a backdrop of the polycrisis.

The term 'computational totality' came to mind.

The authors introduce the concept of socio-tech entrepreneurship (STE) as a distinct category within the field of entrepreneurship. They differentiate it from traditional technology entrepreneurship (TE) and social entrepreneurship (SE).

Socio-tech innovation refers to the development and implementation of technologies specifically designed to address societal challenges and create positive social impact while ensuring financial sustainability.

The stinging critique of Olma's 'In Defence of Serendipity' is ringing in my ears. I am very curious how technology can support the kind of changes needed to tackle the contemporary issues without imprisoning us or creating a neocolonialist dystopia that my research during the pandemic revealed.

However, let's continue with the definition. The review highlights several distinctive features of STE that differentiate it from both TE and SE:

- Focus on Social Technologies: STE ventures specifically utilise technologies designed to address societal challenges and promote social good, extending beyond mere profit-driven applications of technology.

- Civic Change Catalyst: STE inherently aims to be a catalyst for positive societal change, actively engaging with communities and stakeholders to address systemic issues and promote equitable solutions.

- Value Generation Strategies: STE companies employ unique strategies to balance technological innovation with the generation of social value, ensuring a dual focus on both technological advancement and societal impact.

- Balancing Technological Adoption and Social Value: STE ventures constantly navigate the delicate balance between adopting cutting-edge technologies and ensuring the effective delivery of social value, often requiring innovative approaches to product design, production processes, and organisational culture.

●

Sequence of Initiatives: STE often prioritizes the specific needs and context of their target communities when determining the appropriate level of technological sophistication. This can range from developing low-cost, adaptable solutions for developing countries to leveraging advanced technologies in more resource-rich settings.