ch 7 Flashcards
What does technology refer to
technology refers to the information, equipment, techniques and processes required to transform inputs into outputs in an organization. Technology looks at how the inputs are converted to outputs
Joan Woodward, what 3 types of mode of production technology
Unit production
Mass production
Process production
What is Unit production
defined as technology where units are custom-made and work is non-routine;
What is Mass production
which is large-batch or mass-produced technology; and
What is Process production
defined as highly controlled, standardized and continuous processing technology.
How was mass production firms structured
highly differentiated,
relied on extensive formalization, and
did relatively little to delegate authority.
How was unit/ process production firms structured
less vertical differentiation, less division of labour, more group activities, more widely defined role responsibilities, and decentralized decision making.
How did Charles Perrow defined technology
as ‘the action that an individual performs upon an object, with or without the aid of tools or mechanical devices, in order to make some change in that object.’
Explain Task variability
which considers the number of exceptions encountered in one’s work. These exceptions will be few in number if the job is high in predictability. At the other end of spectrum, if a job has a great deal of variety a large number of exceptions can be expected.
explain Problem analysability
which assesses the type of search procedures to find successful methods for responding to task exceptions. The search may, at one extreme, be described as well defined. The other extreme is ill-defined problems.
What is routine technology and how can most routine technology can be accomplished
Routine technologies are those technologies which have few exceptions and easy-to-analyse problems (e.g. mass production of cars).
- -standardized coordination and control,
- -high formalization, and
- -high centralization.
This is because the production process is repetitive and easily understood and the exceptions may be anticipated and planned for.
what are engineering technologies
large number of exceptions, but can be handled in a rational and systematic manner (e.g. work of accountants).
Engineering technology, because it has many exceptions but analysable search processes, should have decisions centralized but should maintain flexibility through low formalization.
What are Craft technologies
deal with relatively difficult problems but with a limited set of exceptions (e.g. work of performing artists).
Craft technology requires that problem solving be done by those with the greatest knowledge and experience – which essentially means high degree of decentralization.
What are Non-routine technologies
many exceptions and difficult-to-analyse problems (e.g. basic research activities).
Non-routine technologies demand flexibility - they usually:
–are decentralized,
–have high interaction among all members, and
–have a minimum degree of formalization.
What did James Thompson demonstrate
technology determines the selection of a strategy for reducing uncertainty and that specific structural arrangements can facilitate uncertainty reduction. Thompson proposed three types of technology, each creating a type of interdependence:
Thompson proposed three types of technology, each creating a type of interdependence:
Longlinked technology
mediated technology
intensive technology
Longlinked technology
was associated with tasks or operations which were sequentially interdependent.
This technology is characterized by a fixed sequence of connected steps
That is, activity A must be performed before activity B, activity B before activity C and so forth. Examples of long-linked technology include mass-production assembly lines.
Long-linked technology is accompanied by sequential interdependence – the procedures that are highly standardized and must be performed in a specified serial order.
Mediating technology
can be defined as a technology that links clients on both the input and output side of the organizations. Banks and post offices are examples. mediators perform an interchange function, linking units that are otherwise independent. Banks, for instance, bring together those who want to save (depositors) with those who want to borrow. Mediating technology has pooled interdependence – two or more units, each contribute separately to a larger unit.
What is Intensive technology
represents a specialized response to a diverse set of problems.
The exact response depends on the nature of the problem which cannot be predicted accurately.
This includes technologies dominant in hospitals, universities. Intensive technology creates reciprocal interdependence – the outputs of units influence each other in a reciprocal fashion.
What did jay Galbraith defined uncertainty as
‘… the difference between the amount of information required to perform a task and the amount of information already possessed by the organization’
Characteristics of the typical service company include:
simultaneous production and consumption;
the fact that the customer is part of the production process and that the output is customized to the consumer’s needs;
the output of the service industries is often intangible: that is, it cannot be inventoried or stored;
many services are labour-intensive.
What is boundary spanner
Manufacturing companies have what are termed ‘boundary spanners’, whose main task it is to interact with customers. The boundary spanners have the effect of protecting the operating core from intrusions by customers, thus allowing work to proceed without interruptions.
Influence of IT may be summarized as providing ??
Influence of IT may be summarized as providing information efficiencies and information synergies. Information efficiencies are the cost and time savings that result when IT permits individual employees to become more productive. Information synergies, on the other hand, emerge when two or more individuals or subunits use IT to collaborate across organizational boundaries.
Why is IT an enabling technology
Allows organisations to dothings which they would not have otherwise been able to do.
What is CIM
computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM).
applies computerization to manufacturing tasks.
CIM permits the speeding up of product innovation by parallel design and development of various components, reduced time for product testing, and the simultaneous development of manufacturing processes and tooling as a product is being designed.
What are economies of scope
Economies of scope are derived from the ability to change production quickly to any one set of products. This enables organizations to respond flexibly to changing demands and market conditions
