STAGE 1965: JOAN WOODWARD – TECHNOLOGY INFLUNCE
At this point, Prof. Joan Woodward
(September 27, 1916-1971) was a talented in sociology field. She is the one who
was makes a complement in Dunlop Theory with putting an influence of technology
inside that system. That kind of element is important to relate in system of
industrial relations. In early 1960, she was distinguished the three types of
core technology and associated labor processes in Technology, which are:
i.
i. Small batch and unit production
ii.
ii. Large batch and mass production
iii.
iii. Continuous process production
In small batch and unit production, it
is mean the technology will produce one unit item within a time with a small
number and small quantity. Thus, it is only response to the restricted number
of order from customers to the product. This technology also associated with
the labor process whereby the employee will involve in each stage until finish.
Meaning that, this kind of technology also regarded as the least of technology
complex. This production is still in moderate that still depending on the
operator ability and do not even use a mechanical or automatic machine. Hence,
the certainty of the amount and consistency of product produced are very low.
Second is the large batch and mass
production. In this part, the technology will produce in a big number at the
same time and at the same item for the undifferentiated mass market. For the
employee process it is might be have a better process because this typical involvement
and more rigid division of employee at the along lines. But, at this level of
complexity at this point was moderate to make sure it moves smoothly. Also,
they start using the equipment and automatic machine to produce the product.
Hence the certainty of the number and characteristics of product will at the
high level which in standard or default.
Next is, the continuous process
production which the technology that takes a raw material and subject it to a
continuous transformation process that cannot be divided into distinct and
separate operations. For example in chemical plant, it will feed various
chemical ingredients into a flowing liquid and apply a different physical
condition like mixing it as one ingredient that move from the beginning to the
end of the manufacturing process. The employee will also involve oversight
which automatically regulates and monitor all the production process to make
sure no manufacturing error occurs. Besides, they using a high technology of
machines with very controlled and they come out with high level of certainty of
goods against number and the characteristics of its product.
Moreover, she was correlated this
organizational technology with the different management structure and conclude
that mass production technologies are tend to be associated with the
centralized and bureaucratic forms of management. By right, the small batch and
the continuous process become most successful when they are dealing in each
other with decentralized management structure.
By the way, to get a link between the
technology and management systems, Woodwards was analyzed and suggest that the
technology employed determines the degree of latitude and autonomy exercised by
the employee. This technology was identified by her those have greatest level
of autonomy would be coexisting with batch and continuous process technology.
Meanwhile, mass production would tend to exist with a labor process that will
be restricted the exercise of worker autonomy.
Furthermore, as information, this
technology influence not only contributes by Woodward, but also has influence
by Robert Blauner, James Thompson, Charles Perrow, and members of the Tavistck
Institute.
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