Putting it in Perspective: Different Disciplines' Approaches to Managing Technologically-Stimuated Change

Abstract

Sociotechnical systems (STS). Macroergonomics. Behavioral Science. Participatory Ergonomics. Computer science. Organizational Development (OD). Sociotechnical systems (STS). These are several of the disciplines which are participating in today's business and information systems environment to manage the organizational changes that the design and implementation of new technology brings with it. Five years ago, the major issue was “How do we get managers to be aware that technology brings with it organizational changes which need to be proactively planned for and managed?” But today, as more and more managers are aware of this, the major issue has shifted to “How do we actually plan and manage these changes?”

The purpose of this panel is to discuss how different disciplines answer this question. The panelists each represent a different approach and will discuss briefly the philosophical roots of their discipline, and then discuss more fully the typical approaches and tools which they would use to help managers address these issues. We will then discuss differences and similarities, drawing from the audience's experiences where possible, in an attempt to understand ways we can learn from each other.