Skills, Motivation and Interdependencies:

Abstract

This paper analyzes the results of two studies of applications of new computing technologies in an office and a manufacturing environment. The first study concerned the develpoment of word processing in an engineering consultancy company. The second concerned the introduction of computerized dough mixing in a biscuit making factory. The results suggest that technical change is best conceptualized as a decision making process which is driven by management goals. New technologies act as a trigger to this process. The outcomes of technical change are determined by the choices that form in this process concerning the organization of work. It is important that work is organized to maintain and develop human skills and motivation to ensure the effective application of new computing technologies. The capabilities of new technologies also highlight interdependencies between stages of administrative and manufacturing operations. The organization of work around the technology must therefore take these interdependencies into account.