The multi-level domestication processes of navigation apps: the case of Waze in Costa Rica
This research aims to enquire into the processes of domestication of Waze as a navigation app powered by a crowdsourcing geo-informational system. It deals with the social context that inform its adoption, the mechanisms that lead its inscription into daily life routines, and the meanings that users ascribe to the use of its navigation and map edition interface, exploring the way its use generates an impact in both car use and the road network, within the urban sprawl of Costa Rica’s Greater Metropolitan Area.
Theoretically, the research relies on the domestication of artefacts perspective developed by Knut Sorensen (1996), as well as notion of motility advanced by Vincent Kaufmann (2004). Methodologically, content analysis of both research documents and institutional reports, along with qualitative semi-structured interviews to end-users and map editors were carried out to collect the information that constitute the body of this research.
The results will be published in the form of research articles addressing the manyfold aspects contained within Waze’s network of users.
Main Research Interests
- Epistemology of Social Sciences
- Political economy of media
- Digital Technology
- Video game production
- Cultures of innovation
Curriculum Vitae
- Associate Professor University of Costa Rica
Pubilcations and Presentations
- Guevara-Villalobos, O. (forthcoming) Domesticating the system of automobility? Waze and the limits of navigation apps.