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Nanotechnology . . . What Is It Good For? (Absolutely Everything): A Problem Definition Approach
Author(s) -
Lindquist Eric,
MosherHowe Katri.,
Liu Xinsheng
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
review of policy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1541-1338
pISSN - 1541-132X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2010.00441.x
Subject(s) - ambiguity , perspective (graphical) , domain (mathematical analysis) , set (abstract data type) , politics , management science , computer science , limit (mathematics) , focus (optics) , political science , mathematics , engineering , artificial intelligence , physics , mathematical analysis , law , programming language , optics
Problem definition studies focus on the ways in which problems are characterized in the political domain, and how they can be used strategically to limit or expand policy participation. Nanotechnology entrepreneurs are vying for resources in the political domain while strategically linking their nano‐solution to multiple and ambiguous problems. This article considers the evolution of nanotechnology as a solution, and the linked problems from a problem definition perspective. We consider how nanotechnology has been defined over time, in the scientific community and in the media, through development of a database of problem and solution definitional change. We find that, over time, advocates have defined the solution from a more narrow perspective while maintaining the overall ambiguity of the problem set. We suggest that the problem definition perspective is a viable framework for understanding the fluid and complex dynamics of science and technology issues and offer several suggestions for further research.