In dynamic sociotechnical contexts, values evolve over time and diverge across stakeholder groups, complicating the coordination of innovation processes through individual and collective commitments. This paper argues that sociotechnical agendas, which are structured sets of technology-related issues that shape attention and guide decision-making, can be a helpful framework for examining the interplay between personal and shared values. We demonstrate how three levels of agenda-setting contribute to the recognition and institutionalization of values: issue salience that determines what values matter, attribute framing that shapes how values are interpreted, and network interconnection that establishes how values relate to each other. We examine sociotechnical agenda-setting as a process through which personal and institutional values are negotiated, aligned, and contested, often under conditions of tension and uncertainty. While sociotechnical agendas can foster consensus and support responsible technological development, they also pose challenges, including power imbalances, selective framing, and psychological influence. The study calls for further research into how transparent and inclusive agenda-setting processes can promote responsible value sharing in ways that advance broader societal goals.

A good comprehension of value dynamics can contribute to a more value-sensitive and responsible design of technology. Theories addressing changes in values related to technology tend to reduce the complexity of technology development, neglecting the intricate interrelations between technical components within sociotechnical systems. This paper proposes an approach that incorporates Thomas Hughes’ notion of reverse salient to explore value change across two sociotechnical scenarios, which also aligns with the pragmatic account of values. Through an analysis of the values of safety and sustainability within lithium-ion battery (LiB) technologies, this study illustrates how the approach assesses changes in the relative importance of specific values within a certain domain, as well as the dynamics in the translation of these values. This case demonstrates that the emergence of reverse salients can enhance the recognition of certain values, potentially prompting a reconsideration of how these values are interpreted or translated. The study recommends that future research advances the operationalization of reverse salients and applies them to specific contexts to better manage value change.