For the term socio-technical exists still no general understanding. So, to start an explanation one can begin with separating the terms "socio" and "technical".

To attempt an explanation it is important to stay within the context of eParticipation while nearing this term. Socio stands usually for the terms sociological and/or societal. The nearest approach of "socio" for eParticipation lies within the approach of a social system or process which take part between two or more individuals. A social process like interaction or communication is based on a framework of human relations, norms, roles, codes of behavior and expectations, that have to be fulfilled to complete the social process successful. So the term "socio" could be understood as the part of eParticipation that is covering social processes and an understanding of interpersonal relationships.

The term "technical" covers any precise method, or knowledge of that method of operating technology. This means, that under the aspect of eParticipation the term “technical” covers an understanding of technology that is dedicated to support or enable social processes. The combination of both terms is expressing an interdependent relationship between social processes and technology. This means that changing one system will bring a change in the other system as well. So communicating or interacting digitally supported, changes the way of communication and interaction. Inverse, the relationship and situation between interacting parties will influence the decision which tools are going to be used (cp. ^[1]). So the term “socio-technical” can be understood as the impact of applying technology to societal and political processes.

Sources

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Märker, 2005