Talking About Organizations Podcast 34: Summary of Episode 34 on Sociotechnical Systems
Oct 3, 2017
This podcast discusses the effects of introducing new organizational technology on individual employees. It explores the social and bureaucratic problems associated with the long wall method, the failure of the open office concept, and the lack of integration mechanisms in certain industries. It also challenges the assumption that autonomy leads to a loss of sight of organizational goals, emphasizing the importance of countermeasures to avoid problems caused by isolation in bureaucratic organizations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Hidden Motives of Open Offices
- Open offices also serve disciplinary purposes by increasing managerial control.
- Hidden motives can underpin organizational changes framed as productivity improvements.
Change Creates Double Binds
- Organizational change can create double binds, where undoing change risks reverting old issues.
- This dilemma complicates decisions about adopting or reversing workplace changes like open offices.
Apple Engineers Resist Open Offices
- Apple engineers recently boycotted a new open office workspace.
- Like miners resisting the long wall method, they defended their autonomy and craft identity.