Tóm tắt

The Sociology of Expectations in Science and Technology argues that expectations, visions, and technological promises are central forces shaping scientific and technological innovation. Because new technologies initially exist only as imagined futures, expectations guide research agendas, attract funding, mobilize resources, and coordinate the actions of scientists, engineers, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders. The authors emphasize that expectations are generative and performative. They do not merely describe possible futures but actively contribute to creating them by legitimizing research, encouraging investment, and stimulating experiments, pilot projects, and technological development. At the same time, expectations help coordinate activities across different actors, organizational levels, and time horizons while linking technical developments with broader social, economic, and political concerns. The paper also highlights that both optimistic expectations and concerns about technological risks influence innovation processes. In contemporary knowledge-based societies, expectations have become increasingly important because scientific research and technological innovation are now more strategic, collaborative, and closely tied to economic competitiveness and public policy. Consequently, understanding how expectations are formed, communicated, and contested is essential for explaining the dynamics of science, technology, and innovation. Overall, the article argues that expectations are not simply predictions about the future; they are powerful social mechanisms that shape the direction, organization, and outcomes of scientific and technological change.