• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.137-172
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• 2013

Globally, awareness about obesity is increasing rapidly. In Korea, obesity is recognized as a disease and steps are being taken to treat it. From the health governance point of view, such standardized measures amplify the risk of obesity and thus play an important part in the prevention of the disease. In this context, various obesity treatments act as a medium for the problem-solving process. In recent years, obesity surgery has been viewed as a rational solution to the problem of obesity. In the context of standardization of treatment, Callon's "Process of Translation" in STS theories highlights the importance of the central actor (Obligatory Passage Point; OPP). However, in the case of obesity, it is difficult to identify a single OPP to project different perspectives of an actor's needs. "Lapband surgery" often acts as a "boundary object" in this context. This article assesses this absence of central actors in the process of problem solving through a case study of adoption of Lapband surgery in Korea. Further, we attempt to suggest an analytical framework with a boundary object and multiple translation concepts to aid solving the problem of obesity.