Abstract Thinking about the theoretical future of social and public management requires a collective, creative and broad effort. Two aspects guide our reflection on this future: the meanings of public and of technology. What meanings does “public” exude in research on public administration? How do these senses produce unexpected and undesirable effects? What meanings can technology have in social management research? How to produce research that theorizes about such meanings, producing powerful concepts to assist public and social managers in their daily practice?