What is Decontextualization

For a technology use to be successful, the circumstance of its introduction into a use context—or recontextualization— is crucial. The users of a technical artifact play an active role in this process: They appropriate the technology, that is, they explore a new technology and choose how to integrate (or not integrate) it into their practices and (work) routines. This chapter discusses a variety of factors that influence technology artifact appropriation. It illustrates the process of recontextualizing technological artifacts, and common pitfalls associated with it, as well as the protagonists doing the appropriation. For empirical illustration, case studies from different use contexts are presented, including some “lessons learned” drawn from them. Concluding, further research perspectives and challenges are discussed.