THE ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF TECHNOLOGICAL WORK

We address a problem examined by sociologists of 'Big Science': the co ordination of individuals on large-scale projects - in this case, indu strial technology projects. We consider co-ordination to be a problem of social order which can be addressed through ethnomethodology's unde rstanding of accountable action. We propose that the technology produc ers studied attend to the problem of the coordination of their work in the design of their actions and interactions as organizationally acco untable. We subsequently examine the methodical practices through whic h they interrelate their actions within an organizational context, and thus organize the co-ordination of their technological work and the p roduction of their technology outcomes.