Exploring the application of Social Practice Theory in technology-related research: A state of the art literature review

While numerous theories and methods aim to analyze the impact of technology on society, they are typically driven by individualist or technologically determinist approaches. Conversely, Social Practice Theory (SPT) highlights the mutual relation between technology and individuals, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping and being shaped by everyday practices to understand technological adoption and change. This paper systematically reviews 80 studies to investigate how SPT has been applied in technology-related research, identifying key research areas, methodological approaches, and theoretical combinations. Based on our analysis, we develop five propositions how future research should continue to work with SPT in technology-related research: 1.) employing SPT to underrepresented research areas; 2.) applying SPT to new geographical contexts; 3.) maintaining SPT's applicability to a diversity of technology conceptualizations; 4.) enriching the range of methods with large-scale designs; 5.) continuing to connect SPT to other theoretical models. We conclude that SPT is highly relevant for technology-related research and energy research, as it enables a deeper analysis of how energy-related technologies become embedded in everyday routines. We state that understanding how practices evolve, stabilize, or change is essential for designing policies and interventions that promote sustainable energy transitions. By further integrating SPT into technology research in general, researchers can gain a more nuanced perspective on the socio-technical dynamics of innovation, informing more effective and socially responsive technological transformations.