OTD Chapter 9 Flashcards
Individual-level technology
Personal skills, knowledge, and competences that individuals possess.
Functional or departmental level technology
Procedures and techniques that group work out to perform their work and create competences that constitute technology.
E.g., cooperative efforts of scientists in a research and development laboratory.
Organizational-level technology
The way an organization converts inputs into outputs.
Mass production vs. craftwork.
Input stage technology
Skills, procedures, techniques, and competences.
Conversion-stage technology
Machines, techniques, work procedures.
Output-stage technology
Effective disposal of finished goods and services to external stakeholders.
External resource approach
Using technology to increase its ability to manage and control external stakeholders.
Internal system approach
Using technology to increase the success of its attempts to innovate; to develop new products, services, and processes; and to reduce the time needed to bring new products to market.
Technical approach
Using technology to improve efficiency and reduce costs while simultaneously enhancing the quality and reliability of its products.
Technical complexity (Joan Woodward)
A measure of the extent to which a production process can be programmed so that it can be controlled and made predictable.
High technical complexity (Joan Woodward)
When conversion processes can be programmed in advance and fully automated.
Low technical complexity (Joan Woodward)
When conversion processes depend primarily on people and their skills and knowledge, and not on machines.
With increased human involvement and less reliance on machines, work activities cannot be programmed in advance, and results depend on the skills of the people involved.
Three levels of technical complexity (Joan Woodward)
Small-batch and unit technology > e.g., donut maker.
Large-batch and mass production technology > e.g., Ikea
Continuous-process technology > e.g., pasta/tomato saus production.
Small-batch and unit technology
E.g., donut maker.
One-of-a-kind customised products, small quantities.
Any machines used during the conversion process are less important than people’s skills and knowledge.
Large-batch and mass production technology
E.g., IKEA factory
Massive volumes and standardised products.
Continuous-process technology
E.g., pasta / tomato saus manufacturing.
Conversion process is almost entirely automated and mechanised. Employees are not directly involved.
Technological imperative
The argument that technology determines structure.
Task variability (Charles Perrow)
The number of exceptions - new or unexpected situations - that a person encounters while performing a task.
Task analysability (Charles Perrow)
The degree to which search activity is needed to solve a problem.
Four types of technology (Charles Perrow)
Craft work
Routine manufacturing
Engineering production
Non-routine research
Task interdependence (James D. Thompson)
The manner in which different organizational tasks are interrelated.
Three types of technology (James D. Thompson)
Mediating
Long-linked
Intensive
Mediating technology (James D. Thompson)
Input, conversion, and output can be performed independently from one another.
E.g., piecework of franchise.
Long-linked technology (James D. Thompson)
Input, conversion, and output must be performed in series.
E.g., assembly-line or continuous-progress plant.
