Values, Technology and Work: (3 Information Systems)

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.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction.- 1.1. The Objective of the Research.- 1.2. The Rise of the Rational Ethic.- 2. What are Values?.- 2.1. The Origin of Values.- 2.2. A Definition of Values.- 2.3. Values and the Social Scientist.- 2.4. Classifying Values.- 2.5. Choosing Values.- 2.6. Conclusions.- 3. Theoretical Tools.- 3.1. A Framework for the Study of Values.- 3.2. A Framework for Identifying and Measuring Values.- 3.3. A Framework for the Study of Job Satisfaction.- 3.4. A Framework for Describing Jobs.- 3.5. Conclusions.- 4. Systems Designers: Their Values and Philosophy.- 4.1. Rokeach Values.- 4.2. Organizational Values.- 4.3. Conclusions.- 5. The Research Situations, Research Methodology and Framework of Analysis of the Case Studies.- 5.1. Research Methodology.- 5.2. Framework of Analysis.- 5.3. Conclusions.- 6. The Industrial Firms: A. Chemco Distribution Services Department.- 6.1. History of the Home Trade Section Batch Computer System.- 6.2. History of the Export Section Batch Computer System.- 6.3. Organizational Values.- 6.4. Work Values.- 6.5. Goal Setting and Attainment.- 6.6. Adaptation.- 6.7. Integration.- 6.8. Management’s Evaluation of the System.- 6.9. Conclusions on the Chemco Computer Systems.- 7. The Industrial Firms: B. Asbestos Ltd..- 7.1. The Building and Insulation Department: the Batch Computer System.- 7.2. The Impact of the Batch Computer System on Job Satisfaction.- 7.3. The On-Line Computer System.- 7.4. Organizational Values.- 7.5. Work Values.- 7.6. Goal Setting and Attainment.- 7.7. Adaptation.- 7.8. Integration.- 7.9. Management’ s Evaluation of the System.- 7.10. Conclusions on the Asbestos Ltd. On-Line System.- 8. The Government Department: The Inland Revenue, Centre 1.- 8.1. Historical Developments in the Inland Revenue.- 8.2. The ResearchSituation.- 8.3. Organizational Values.- 8.4. Work Values.- 8.5. The Departments which were Investigated in Centre 1.- 8.6. Goal Setting and Attainment.- 8.7. Adaptation.- 8.8. Integration.- 8.9. Management’s Evaluation of the System.- 8.10. Conclusions on the Inland Revenue and Centre 1.- 9. The International Bank.- 9.1. The Work of a Foreign Exchange Department.- 9.2. Organizational Values.- 9.3. Work Values.- 9.4. Goal Setting and Attainment.- 9.5. Adaptation.- 9.6. Integration.- 9.7. Management’s Evaluation of the System.- 9.8. Conclusions on the International Bank On-Line System.- 10. Conclusions on Systems Design in the Two Firms, the Government Department and the International Bank.- 11. Values and the Change Process.- 11.1. The Model.- 11.2. Values, Interests, Norms and Attitudes.- 11.3. Values and Roles.- 11.4. Systems Designers, Managers and Clerks.- 11.5. Values and Change in the Four Organizations.- 11.6. Conclusions.- 12. The Management of Future Technology — A Problem of Uncertain Visions and Values.- 12.1. The Nature of New Office Technology.- 12.2. The Automated Office.- 12.3. The Questions that Need Asking.- 12.4. Strategies for Change.- 12.5. The Needs and Interests of Different Groups.- 12.6. Conclusion.- Appendix A.- Appendix B. Job Satisfaction Questionnaire Used in Research.- References.- Author Index.