The relation of technology to politics in infrastructure development: the chain phenomenon and its relation to sustainable development

This article claims that an analysis of secondary effects of technology is essential for sustainable development. It then proposes the idea of chain effects defined as the creation of a series of solutions subsequent to the initial impacts of an infrastructure. It depicts the mechanism of how a series of solutions forms orders of decision-making processes in accordance with interests of particular groups of stakeholders. The analysis employs an eclectic approach consisting of the concept of 'what governs' and 'who governs'. From the viewpoint of 'what governs', it indicates at least three patterns of chain. The analysis of the chain, from the viewpoint of 'who governs', suggests an interesting characteristic of stakeholders' decisions. Two case studies are taken for the discussion to develop propositions associated with the political aspects of infrastructure development. They include successive advantage-taking behaviors by particular groups of stakeholders, and embedded values along the process of chain. Sustainable development of infrastructure is unlikely to be achieved without consideration of chain effects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.