Technology is the combination of skills, knowledge, abilities, techniques,
materials, machines, computers, tools and other equipment that people use to
convert or change raw materials into valuable goods and services.
Mass production vs Craftswork
Mass production the organizational technology that uses conveyor belts and a
standardized, progressive assembly process to manufacture goods
Craftswork the technology that involves groups of skilled workers who interact
closely to produce custom-designed products
Programmed technology a technology in which the procedures for converting
inputs into outputs can be specified in advance so hat tasks can be standardized
and the work process can be made predictable
Technical complexity 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, exists when conversion processes can be
programmed in advance and fully automated
Low technical complexity, exists when conversion depend primarily on
people and their skills and knowledge and not on machines
, Figure 9.2 technical complexity and three types of technology. Technical
complexity starts low at #1 and increases. Low technical complexity;
production depends primarily on skills, knowledge and procedures. High
technical complexity; production depends primarily on physical
machinery, equipment and computers. How an organization’s
technology affects its choice of structure
Group 1 small-batch production
1) Production of simple units to customers’ orders
2) Production of technically complex units
3) Fabrication of large equipment in stages
4) Production of small batches
5) Production of components in large batches subsequently assembled
diversely
Group 2 large-batch production
5) Production of components in large batches subsequently assembled diversely
6) Production of large batches, assembly-line type
7) Mass production
8) Process production combined with the preparation of a product for sale by
large-batch or mass production methods
Group 3 continuous-process production
8) Process production combined with the preparation of a product for sale by
large-batch or mass production methods
9) Process production of chemicals in batches
10) Continuous flow production of liquids, gases, and solid shapes
Technical imperative, the argument that technology determines structure.
Task variability, the number of exceptions – new or unexpected situations – that a
person encounters while performing a task
Task analyzability, the degree to which search activity is needed to solve a
problem
Four types of technology: focuses on the way in which complexity affects
organizational structure
- Routine manufacturing, characterized by low task variability and high task
analyzability. Few exceptions are encountered in the work process, and
materials, machines, computers, tools and other equipment that people use to
convert or change raw materials into valuable goods and services.
Mass production vs Craftswork
Mass production the organizational technology that uses conveyor belts and a
standardized, progressive assembly process to manufacture goods
Craftswork the technology that involves groups of skilled workers who interact
closely to produce custom-designed products
Programmed technology a technology in which the procedures for converting
inputs into outputs can be specified in advance so hat tasks can be standardized
and the work process can be made predictable
Technical complexity 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, exists when conversion processes can be
programmed in advance and fully automated
Low technical complexity, exists when conversion depend primarily on
people and their skills and knowledge and not on machines
, Figure 9.2 technical complexity and three types of technology. Technical
complexity starts low at #1 and increases. Low technical complexity;
production depends primarily on skills, knowledge and procedures. High
technical complexity; production depends primarily on physical
machinery, equipment and computers. How an organization’s
technology affects its choice of structure
Group 1 small-batch production
1) Production of simple units to customers’ orders
2) Production of technically complex units
3) Fabrication of large equipment in stages
4) Production of small batches
5) Production of components in large batches subsequently assembled
diversely
Group 2 large-batch production
5) Production of components in large batches subsequently assembled diversely
6) Production of large batches, assembly-line type
7) Mass production
8) Process production combined with the preparation of a product for sale by
large-batch or mass production methods
Group 3 continuous-process production
8) Process production combined with the preparation of a product for sale by
large-batch or mass production methods
9) Process production of chemicals in batches
10) Continuous flow production of liquids, gases, and solid shapes
Technical imperative, the argument that technology determines structure.
Task variability, the number of exceptions – new or unexpected situations – that a
person encounters while performing a task
Task analyzability, the degree to which search activity is needed to solve a
problem
Four types of technology: focuses on the way in which complexity affects
organizational structure
- Routine manufacturing, characterized by low task variability and high task
analyzability. Few exceptions are encountered in the work process, and
