Abstract

Engineering involves systematic, complex, socio-technological activities, with both benefits and risks for the public. Most feasibility studies focus on the technological, economic, and material (resources and power) aspects. However, this ignores public acceptability and can give rise to public resistance and non-cooperation, which in turn undermines credibility of the government, enterprises, engineers, and technicians. As a result, some engineering projects are impeded or forced to relocate at huge costs in natural and financial resources. In light of such situations, it is necessary to incorporate acceptability studies into engineering feasibility studies. From the perspective of socio-technical systems, we first analyze the deficiency in feasibility studies and point out that as a concept, feasibility involves not only the instrumental aspect of practice, but also ethical and cultural dimensions. Then we argue that feasibility also connotes acceptability. On this basis, feasibility is revealed to presuppose social legitimacy, which is not the same as simple acceptance, but involves a synthesis of facts and opinions. Finally, through the examination of multiple-value conflicts and the public’s limited understanding of engineering, we suggest that feasibility studies should be set in specific cultural contexts and follow problem-solving procedures that involve democratic negotiations or forums.