Industrial constructions of publics and public knowledge: a qualitative investigation of practice in the UK chemicals industry

Journal article | Zeitschriftenartikel

While the rhetoric of public engagement is increasingly commonplace within industry, there has been little research that examines how lay knowledge is conceptualized and whether it is really used within companies. Using the chemicals sector as an example, this paper explores how companies conceive of publics and “public knowledge,” and how this relates to modes of engagement/communication with them. Drawing on qualitative empirical research in four companies, we demonstrate that the public for industry are primarily conceived as “consumers” and “neighbours,” having concerns that should be allayed rather than as groups with knowledge meriting engagement. We conclude by highlighting the dissonance between current advocacy of engagement and the discourses and practices prevalent within industry, and highlight the need for more realistic strategies for industry/public engagement.

Angaben zum Objekt

• Umfang: Seite(n): 23-43
• Sprache: Englisch
• Anmerkungen: Status: Postprint; begutachtet (peer reviewed)

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Public Understanding of Science, 16(1)

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Ereignis: Geistige Schöpfung
• (wer): Burningham, Kate ; Barnett, Julie ; Carr, Anna ; Clift, Roland ; Wehrmeyer, Walter
• Ereignis: Veröffentlichung
• (wann): 2007

Weitere Informationen

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662506071285
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-224337
• Rechteinformation: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Letzte Aktualisierung: 21.06.2024, 16:26 MESZ