Organization Design for Technological Change

Abstract

The microprocessor revolution is the leading edge of a new "technology system" that in itself underlies a new paradigm of organization. While it is early to completely describe the emerging paradigm, some hypotheses can be advanced. They are presented in this paper. The hypotheses arise from studies of how new technologies have changed our understanding of the nature of jobs, the division of labor and the control and coordination of organizations. In the process of transition to the new paradigm, new professional skills will be required. It is postulated that skill in the design of organizations may be one of these.