Description:
<jats:p>That change is underway is evidenced by the fact that of the organization changed
its name during the proceedings reported here. The word “industrial” was replaced by
“technology” in the conference name. To benefit from as complete a record of the change
process as possible, readers should review the Special Section on this topic that
appeared in the previous issue, Volume XXII, Number 2, Summer/Fall 1996 of The Journal
of Technology Studies. Then...read on. In the midst of the change process, the
conference elected a new chair to replace retiring David Bjorkquist. Editorially, it
seemed a perfect opportunity to invite the new chair, Thomas L. Erekson, to introduce
the special section by way of supplying the conference chair’s unique perspectives and
to ensure that there would be no gaps and voids in describing the change process. Note
also that Erekson expediently uses the terms the "Conference” or “Mississippi Valley
Conference” rather than the organization’s full official name. JS</jats:p>