Delivery of superior services and provision of quality goods to consumers is one of the basic managerial responsibilities. One way to accomplish this objective is to invest heavily in technology. To assess the implications of technology on efficiency of an organization is a difficult task for many organizations. With increased globalization and recurring economic crises, many organizations have been forced to rationalize their operations and resources to cope with the ever increasing competition. To meet these concerns, technology has been seen as a way out and it is ever growing at high speeds. The success of incorporating technology in organizations, however, depends on how they are integrated in to the organizations (Jones, 2010). An organization is expected to use the least amount of resources possible to achieve the best possible outputs.
Organizational efficiency is important for organizational effectiveness. Efficiency contributes a lot toward an organization achieving effectiveness through acquiring important resources that are used day to day to accomplish intended plans. Efficiency reduces cost and also enables organizations to carry out their activities smoothly. Technology can be used in almost every aspect t of operations and management to improve efficiency of an organization. From production, customer services, payment services, marketing, managerial tasks, communication, among others (Kleinman, 2009).
[...] Technology models and theories All organizational functions utilize technology to maximize on value of output. The structure of an organization should use technology maximally which influences it. There are theories that explain how technology is related to the design of an organization Joan Woodward's theory of technical complexity When a routine procedure is used to produce output, the results are predictable. The technology used is programmed and standardized procedures are utilized. Technical complexity is the level of control, programming and predictability of output involved. [...]
[...] According to Woodward, technical dimensions differentiate technologies applied in different production processes. Woodward also linked technical complexity to three types of technology (Daft, Murphy, & Willmott, 2010). Small batch and unit technology-This type of technology produces small quantities of goods which are tailored to individual needs. It gives room for a wide range of products to be produced due to its flexibility. For instance a drive through coffee house produces coffee in small quantities to specifications of the customer Large batch and mass production technology- Large volumes of standardized products are produced and using machines and technically complex procedures production is controlled and in large scale. [...]
[...] A flat organizational structure where teams and task forces are involved in handling each unique development that may come up is best suited. An organic structure would therefore be appropriate (Helms Mills, Forshaw, & Bratton, 2006). References Daft, R. L., Murphy, J., & Willmott, H. (2010). Organizational Theory and Design. Stamford, Connecticut: Cengage Learning. Helms Mills, J. C., Forshaw, C., & Bratton, J. (2006). Organizational Behaviour in a Global Context. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Jones, G. [...]
[...] Routine procedures in value addition are easy to analyze. For instance the drive through coffee house business will be easy to analyze than a large life insurance company that is not programmed and has to deal with each individual client. Perrow's theory explains four types of technologies Routine manufacturing- The level of task analyzability is high and that of task variability is low. For instance a video game production company or a solar technology company Crafts work- The levels of both task analyzability and variability are low Engineering production- Both task variability and analyzability are high Non routine research -Task variability is high and task analyzability is low. [...]
[...] R. (2010). Organizational Theory, Design, and Change. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Kleinman, S. (2009). The culture of efficiency: technology in everyday life. Bern: Peter Lang Publishing Company. Langer, J., Alfirević, N., & Pavicic, J. (2005). Organizational change in transition societies. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing. [...]
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