Chapter 7Chapter 7

Technology and OrganizationsTechnology and Organizations

Social Construction of TechnologySocial Construction of Technology

• 1) Technology – application of knowledge and skill for practical purposes: Physical apparatus and knowledge.

• 2) Organizational, social and human needs drive the creation of technology. Technology does not have a life sui generis:

– For example, in this country we value speed. Why? Thus, what do we create.

– What technology would exist if we valued quality of life or environmental protection?

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

• 1) Definitions– Organizations -- a system with a set of rules

and established goals– Organizational Structure – Patterns of

obligation and responsibility that people have in different roles

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

• 2) Four Characteristics that make up organizational structures:

• A) Role Specialization

• B) Standardization

• C) Centralization

• D) Autonomy

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

• 3) Work philosophies determine the type of organizational structure created and the type of technology that goes along with the structure

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

• 4) Three distinct organizational structures exist in the U.S.

• A) Scientific Management – (theory X) Developed by Frederick Taylor.

• Popularizing Bureaucracy– Control workers and increase productivity by taking

the thinking out of the job and ensuring high wages.– What kind of technology is needed?

• Time clocks, what else?– What do the four characteristics look like?– Give me examples of jobs like this.

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

• 4) Three distinct organizational structures exist in the U.S.

• B) Human Relations –– Hawthorne experiments– Treat people like humans, not robots.– Maintain control

– What do the 4 characteristics of Org. Structure look like?

– What kind of technology is needed?• Employee of the month, health benefits, what else?

Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure

• 4) Three distinct organizational structures exist in the U.S.

– Participatory management• Workers know how best to do the job.• Give them control rather than managers• Workplace cooperatives

• What do the 4 characteristics of Org. Structure look like?– Decentralization = a) shared information; b) open

communication; c) cooperative decision-making.

• What technology is needed here?

BureaucracyBureaucracy

• Given the desire for control in capitalist and socialist countries, bureaucracy is highly valued.

– What is Bureaucracy?• An organization with hierarchy, fixed tasks, written documents, trained

workers, rules that govern behavior.

– Bureaucracy is supposed to be impartial. But is it?– Informal work cultures, networking, favoritism make impartiality

impossible.• Bureaucracy is supposed to be efficient:

– Top Heavy– Ruling Elite– Reduced creativity– Lack of corporate accountability