Values, technology, and work

This book describes the experiences of four organizations who tried to introduce new computer systems in a humanistic manner so that human as well as business gains would be derived from the introduction of technology. All four paid a great deal of attention to identifying efficiency and job satisfaction needs and to design­ ing the technical system and its surrounding organizational context in such a way that these needs could be effectively met. Nevertheless, as with all major change, the change process was difficult and demanding and considerable management skill and insight was required before successful systems were implemented. The author set out to identify the extent to which the values of the different groups involved in the design process influenced the way in which computer systems were designed and implemented. She also wished to establish the extent to which the values of technical systems designers, user management and user clerks converged or diverged in the change process. It is hoped that the ideas set out here will contribute both to a greater theoretical understanding of the in­ fluences which affect technical change and to the practical design of humanistic computer systems. The research was carried out in three large government de­ partments, two industrial firms and an international bank. Two of the govern­ ment departments asked for their data to remain confidential and so these are not described in detail in the book. The book is in twelve chapters. Front Matter....Pages I-X Introduction....Pages 1-8 What are Values?....Pages 9-23 Theoretical Tools....Pages 24-59 Systems Designers: Their Values and Philosophy....Pages 60-88 The Research Situations, Research Methodology and Framework of Analysis of the Case Studies....Pages 89-97 The Two Industrial Firms: A. Chemco Distribution Services Department....Pages 98-130 The Industrial Firms: B. Asbestos Ltd.....Pages 131-160 The Government Department: The Inland Revenue Centre 1....Pages 161-191 The International Bank....Pages 192-226 Conclusions on Systems Design in the Two Firms, the Government Department and the International Bank....Pages 227-230 Values and the Change Process....Pages 231-278 The Management of Future Technology: A Problem of Uncertain Visions and Values....Pages 279-284 Back Matter....Pages 285-318 Research report examining the relations between value systems, technological change and systems design, comprising four case studies of computerization in the UK - outlines the research method, discusses the theoretical background, organisational and work values, goal setting and attainment, adaptation and integration of an information system, and evaluation by the top management, and includes the job satisfaction research questionnaire. References