The New Socio Tech

Sociotechnical principles are now widely used around the world in both information systems and organisational design. First established in the 1940s to examine the effect of mechanised, mass-production systems on workers in the coal mining industry, they are now an important tool for ensuring that people and technology work together to optimal effect within an organisation. One of their main aims is the development of organisations where small groups work independently, handling sets of varied tasks, and managing their own activities.
The main features of this book include: Practical experiences of applying sociotechnical approaches from around the world; Focus on future directions for the topic and modern applications of existing principles; Contributions from leading figures such as Enid Mumford; A Foreword by Frank Land.

1 Tracing the Foundations.- 1 Graffiti on the Long Wall: A SocioTechnical Conversation.- 2 Tracing the Roots: The Influence of Socio-Technical Principles on Modern Organisational Change Practices.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Socio-Technical Principles and Methodologies.- 2.3 Organisational Design.- 2.4 IS Development and Implementation.- 2.5 Conclusion and Implications.- 2 The Writing on the Wall.- 3 Technology and Freedom: A Socio-Technical Approach.- 3.1 Technical Progress.- 3.2 Ideas on Freedom.- 3.3 Computers, Freedom and Work.- 3.4 Information, Technology and Freedom.- 3.5 Participation and Freedom.- 3.6 Freedom, Participation and the Future.- 4 Searching for New Grounds in STS: Beyond Open Systems Thinking.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Dutch Integral Organisational Renewal.- 4.3 IOR Evaluated.- 4.4 Desirable Futures for Integral Organisational Renewal.- 4.5 Conclusions.- 5 Sociotechnical Perspectives on Emergence Phenomena.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Sociotechnical Ideas and Principles.- 5.3 Sociotechnical Reflections.- 5.4 Design and “Matching”.- 5.5 Design and Emergence.- 5.6 Emergence in Organisations.- 5.7 Sociotechnical Principles and “In-use” Design.- 5.8 Summary and Conclusions.- 6 From Socio-Technical to Critical Complementarist: A New Direction for Information Systems Development.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Information Systems Development: The Functionalist View.- 6.3 Information Systems Development: The Interpretivist View.- 6.4 The Socio-Technical Approach.- 6.5 Information Systems Development: The Complementarist View.- 6.6 Lessons Learned and Signposts for the Future.- 7 Socio-Technical Systems: Technique or Philosophy?.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Forms of STS.- 7.3 Type III STS in Use.- 7.4 Summary.- 8 Sociotechnical Design and Economic Objectives.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Sociotechnical Perspectives.- 8.3 Design Implications.- 8.4 Lessons for the Future.- 9 The Role of Socio-Technical Thinking in the Information Systems Curriculum in UK Universities.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 The Early Years.- 9.3 The Process of Reflection.- 9.4 The Continuing Struggle.- 9.5 Our Refusal to Engage.- 9.6 Lessons Learned.- 9.7 Future Prospects.- 10 Balancing at the Edge of Chaos in a Sociotechnical World.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The Learning Environment.- 10.3 Research Method.- 10.4 Sociotechnical Principles.- 10.5 Managing Change at the Edge of Chaos.- 10.6 The Importance of Initial Conditions.- 10.7 Participation.- 10.8 Control versus Self-Organising Systems.- 10.9 Self and Others in Complex Human Activity Systems.- 10.10 Innovation in Education.- 10.11 Lessons Learned.- 10.12 Conclusion.- 3 Re-Design.- 11 Group Dynamics Meet Cognition: Combining Socio-Technical Concepts and Usability Engineering in the Design of Information Systems.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Usability Engineering.- 11.3 The Impact of Socio-Technical Theory on Information Technology Design.- 11.4 Developing Humanly Acceptable Information Systems.- 11.5 Reconciliation?.- 11.6 Lessons for Learning.- 11.7 Practical Hints and Tips.- 12 Enhancing IS Quality through Design-Based Documentation Production.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 A Problem Observed.- 12.3 IS Quality and Documentation.- 12.4 Participation and User Satisfaction: The Need for “Integrative Processes”.- 12.5 Bridging the Gap.- 12.6 A Solution to the Problem.- 12.7 Summary.- 13 Design: A Better Way for Making Systems.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 The Technical Basis of Computing.- 13.3 The Human Dimension.- 13.4 The Case for Design.- 13.5 History of Design.- 13.6 Systems Development as Design.- 13.7 Agenda for Research and Action.- 13.8 Summary.- 4 Transforming the Long Wall.- 14 Information Systems Implementation and Organisational Change: A Socio-Technical Systems Approach.- 14.1 Introduction.- 14.2 Organisational Change.- 14.3 Some Illustrative Cases.- 14.4 Managerial Implications.- 14.5 Hints and Tips.- 14.6 Conclusion.- 15 Virtual Dynamics and Socio-Technical Systems.- 15.1 Introduction.- 15.2 Networking Technologies and the Individual.- 15.3 Networking Technologies and the Group.- 15.4 Networking Technologies and the System as a Whole: The Paradox of the Primary Task.- 15.5 Conclusion.- 16 Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Organizations: The Effects of Task, Role, Status, and Network Structure.- 16.1 Introduction.- 16.2 Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Groups.- 16.3 Data and Method.- 16.4 Results.- 16.5 Conclusions.- 17 Adaptive Processes for Achieving Socio-Technical Fit in Computer Supported Co-operative Work Groups.- 17.1 Introduction.- 17.2 Organisational Challenges.- 17.3 A Large Multi-National Company.- 17.4 An International Network of Organisations.- 17.5 Linked Educational Teams.- 17.6 Achieving Socio-Technical Fit in CSCW Groups.- 17.7 Summary, Lessons Learnt and Conclusion.- 18 CoLeARN: Collaborative Learning and Action Research Networkommunications.- 18.1 Introduction.- 18.2 The Seedbed for CoLeARN.- 18.3 Electronic Communications and Participation.- 18.4 Co-determination and Intentionality.- 18.5 CoLeARN and SOLARI..- 18.6 Knowledge in Post-positivist Research.- 18.7 The Collaborative Arena Extended: “On-site” and “Off-site” Dialogue.- 18.8 Group Purpose: The “Abbey Agreement”.- 18.9 Facilitating Network Communications.- 18.10 Points for Ongoing Learning.- 19 Stop Information Technology from Undermining Group Autonomy!.- 19.1 Introduction.- 19.2 Socio-Technical Approaches.- 19.3 IT in Socio-Technical Approaches.- 19.4 Case in Point.- 19.5 Autonomy of the Technical System.- 19.6 Boundary in Terms of Resources.- 19.7 Boundary in Terms of Task Performane.- 19.8 Inside the Boundary.- 19.9 Lessons Learned.- 19.10 Conclusions.- 20 A Socio-Technical Approach to Social Learning Analysis in the Australian Defence Force.- 20.1 Introduction.- 20.2 Pilot Study.- 20.3 Social Learning in the Wing HQ: A Discussion of Findings.- 20.4 Conclusion.- 21 Technology, Organisation and Qualifications in Software Development.- 21.1 Introduction.- 21.2 Interdependence of Technology, Organisation and Qualifications.- 21.3 Keeping Up with the Demands for New Qualifications.- 21.4 Difficulties in Introducing an Organisational Change.- 21.5 Perspectives of Fostering Continuous Learning.- 21.6 Generalisation of Results and Summary.- References.