Organisational Change

5.8.2 Technology

Most of the early studies of management and organisational behaviour dealt with efforts aimed at technological change. At the turn of the century, for example, scientific management sought to implement changes based on time and motion studies that would increase production efficiency. Today, major technological changes usually involve the introduction of new equipment, tools, or methods; automation, or computerisation.

Competitive factors or innovations within an industry often require change agents to introduce new equipment, tools, or operating methods. For example, many aluminium companies have significantly modernised their plants in recent years to compete more effectively. More efficient handling equipment, furnaces, and ...