A general framework of salient variables is put forward in this paper to be used in the analysis and explanation of the organizational phenomena around technical change, particularly the introduction of 'new technology'. Such variables are grouped into output, workflow, organization structure, skills and knowledge, and societal and business context factors. Their interrelationships are discussed on the basis of the organization research tradition and more recent findings. Hypotheses are derived which may be used to explain further findings, establish a better link between organizational theory and research on recent technical change, and benefit from synergy between organization, industrial sociology and business administration research.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Aglietta, Michael1979A theory of capitalist regulation. London: New Left Books.
2.
Amber, G.S., and P.S. Amber1962Autonomy of automation. Englewood Cliffs : Prentice-Hall.
3.
Blau, Peter M.1972 'Interdependence and hierarchy in organizations' . Social Science Research1: 1-24.
4.
Brödner, Peter1985Fabrik2000. Alternative Entwicklungspfade in die Zukunft der Fabrik. Berlin: Edition Sigma .
5.
Campbell, Adrian, Arndt Sorge, and Malcolm Warner1989Microelectronic product applications: Strategy, competence and training. Aldershot: Gower.
6.
Child, John1972 'Organizational structure, environment and performance: The role of strategic choice'. Sociology6: 1-22.
Child, John, and Roger Mansfield1972'Technology, size and organisation structure'. Sociology6: 370-393.
9.
Collins, Paul D., and Frank Hull1986'Technology and span of control: Woodward revisited' . Journal of Management Studies23: 143-163.
10.
Coombs, Rod1985'Automation, management strategies and labour process change' , in Job redesign: critical perspectives on the labour process . Knights et al. (eds.), 142-170. Aldershot : Gower.
11.
Davies, Celia, Sandra Dawson, and Arthur Francis1973'Technology and other variables: Some current approaches in organization theory' in The sociology of the workplace. An interdisciplinary approach. M. Warner (ed.), 149-163. London: Allen and Unwin.
12.
Donaldson, Lex1982 'Comments on "Contingency and choice in organization theory "'. Organization Studies3/1: 65-72.
13.
Donaldson, Lex1986 'The interaction of size and diversification as a determinant of divisionalization — Grinyer revisited'. Organization Studies7/3: 367-380.
14.
Fotilas, Panagiotis1980Arbeitshumanisierung und teilautonome Produktionsgruppen . Berlin: Erich Schmidt.
15.
Friedman, Andrew1977Industry and labour. London: Macmillan.
16.
Gerwin, Donald1981'Relationships between structure and technology' in Handbook of organization design (Volume 2). P. C. Nystrom and W. H. Starbuck (eds.). London: Oxford University Press.
17.
Kern, Horst, and Michael Schumann1970lndustriearbeit und Arbeiterbewußtsein . Frankfurt a.M.: Europäische Verlagsanstalt .
18.
Kimberly, John1976 'Organizational size and the structuralist perspective: a review, critique, and proposal'. Administrative Science Quarterly21: 571-597.
19.
Knights, David, Hugh Willmott , and David Collinson, editors 1985Job redesign: critical perspectives on the labour process . Aldershot: Gower.
20.
Lappe, Lothar1985'Berufsverlaufsmuster und Reproduktionsinteressen junger Facharbeiter' in Arbeizsbiographie und Persönlichkeitsentwicklung . E. H. Hoff, L. Lappe and W. Lempert (eds.), 179_199. Bern , Stuttgart, Toronto: Hans Huber.
21.
Lappe, Lothar1986 'Technisch-arbeitsorganisatorischer Wandel und seine Auswirkungen auf die Beschäftigten in der Metallindustrie in Auswirkungen neuer Technologien. Ergebnisse eines IAB-Seminars. E. Ulrich and J. Bogdahn (eds.), 43-87. Nürnberg : Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, Beitr AB 82.
22.
Lawrence, Peter R., and J.W. Lorsch1967Organization and environment. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
23.
Lutz, Burkart1969 'ProduktionsprozeB und Berufsqualifikation' in Spätkapitalismus oder Industriegesellschaft? T. W. Adorno (ed.). Stuttgart: Enke.
24.
Mickler, Otfried, Wilma Mohr, and Ulf Kadritzke 1977 Produktion und Qualifikation. Research report, Soziologisches Forschungsinstitut, Göttingen.
25.
Manske, Fred, and Werner Wobbe1986 'Total or framework planning? Alternative systems of computerized production control in mechanical engineering'. Human Systems Management6: 297-306.
26.
Maurice, Marc, Arndt Sorge, and Malcolm Warner1980 'Societal differences in organizing manufacturing units. A comparison of France, West Germany and Great Britain'. Organization Studies1: 59-86.
27.
Maurice, Marc, Francois Sellier, and Jean-Jacques Silvestre1982Politique d'éducation et organisation industrielle en France et en Allemagne. Essai d'analyse sociétale. Paris: Presses Universities de France.
28.
Maurice, Marc, Francois Eyraud, Alain d'Iribarne, and Frédérique Rychener1986Des entreprises en mutation dans la crise. Apprentissage des technologies flexibles et emergence de nouveaux acteursAix-en-Provence: LEST, Research Report.
29.
McKelvey, William1982Organizational systematics. Berkeley : University of California Press.
30.
Osterloh, Margit1986 'Industriesoziologische Vision ohne Bezug zur Managementlehre ?' Die Betriebswirtschaft46: 610_624.
31.
Ouchi, William G.1980 'Markets, bureaucracies, and clans'. Administrative Science Quarterly25: 129-141.
32.
Perrow, Charles1971Organization analysis. A sociological view. London: Tavistock Paperback.
33.
Piore, Michael, and Charles Sabel1984The new industrial divide. New York : Basic Books.
34.
Prais, S.J.1981 'Vocational qualifications of the labour force in Britain and Germany'. National Institute Economic Review98:47-59.
35.
Pugh, Derek S., and David J. Hickson, editors 1976Organizational structure in its context: The Aston programme I. Aldershot: Gower.
36.
Pugh, Derek S., David J. Hickson, C.R. Hinings, and C. Turner1969 'The context of organization structures'. AdministratiseScience Quarterly14: 91-113.
37.
Schreyõgg, Georg1980 'Contingency and choice in organization theory'. Organization Studies14: 305-326.
38.
Scott, Richard W.1981Organizations: Rational, natural and open systems . Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall .
39.
Shutt, John, and Richard Whittington1987 'Fragmentation strategies and the size of small units: Cases from the North West'. Regional Studies21: 13-23.
40.
Sorge, Arndt1982/83 'Cultured organisation'. International Studies in Management and Organization12: 106-138.
41.
Sorge, Arndt, Gert Hartmann, Malcolm Warner, and Ian Nicholas1983Microelectronics and manpower in manufacturing. Aldershot: Gower.
42.
Sorge, Arndt1985Informationstechnik und Arbeit im sozialen Prozeβ. Arbeitsorganisation, Qualifikation und Produktivkraftentwicklung. Frankfurt a.M.: Campus.
Sorge, Arndt, and Wolfgang Streeck1987Industrial relations and technical change: The case for an extended perspective. Berlin: Discussion Paper IIM/LMP 87-1, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung.
45.
Steedman, Hilary, and Karin Wagner1987 'A second look at productivity, machinery and skills in Britain and Germany'. National Institute Economic Review87/4: 84-95.
46.
Stinchcombe, Arthur1959 'Bureaucratic and craft administration of production: A comparative study'. Administrative Science Quarterly3: 168-187.
47.
Streeck, Wolfgang, and Andreas Hoff1983Manpower management in the restructuring of the world automobile industry. Discussion Paper IIM-LMP 83-35, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung.
48.
Tiryakian, Edward A.1985'On the significance of de-differentiation' in Macrosociological theory. Perspectives on sociological theory, vol. 1. S. E. Eisenstadt and H. J. Helle (ed.), 118-134. London , Beverly Hills, New Delhi : Sage.
49.
Trist, Eric1981 'The evolution of socio-technical systems. A conceptual framework and an action research program'. Toronto: Ontario Ministry of Labour.
50.
Wagner, Karin1986Relation between education, employment and productivity and their impact on education and labour market policies. A British-German comparison. Luxemburg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.
51.
Williamson, Oliver E.1975Markets and hierarchies: analysis and antitrust implications . New York: Free Press .
52.
Woodward, Joan1965Industrial organization: theory and practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
53.
Woodward, Joan1970Industrial organization: behaviour and control. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
