In recent decades an extensive array of changes and innovations have taken place in and across work organizations and networks of organizations and workers, facilitated by new technologies and technological forms. This has initiated an interest in technological change as one of the conditions for organizational action and researchers have begun to draw inspiration from a wider spectrum of conceptual issues, perspectives and theoretical traditions.
This book is interested in the level of praxis and how this might be understood and theorized. It brings together a comprehensive collection of empirically-grounded and theoretically-informed research projects from studies of organizational practice which explore a number of technological changes in a variety of contexts. These are informed by contemporary debates within and across theoretical approaches including the sociology of technology, work and organizations, actor network theory, technology as text and metaphor, processual and political perspectives, social and business network-based approaches to the analysis of technology and innovation, and the social construction and shaping of technology.
This book will be essential reading for researchers and advanced students within the field of technology, work and organizations and also organization studies and management studies.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203380541

Originally published in 1989 this book gives an overview of the empirical work on new technology objectives, together with an analysis of management strategies for adoption at the corporate, technological and people levels. It also reviews previous work on the extent to which staff at different levels, and from different specialism, are involved in decision-making, as well as the adoption process more generally. The book looks at different approaches to analysing organizational contexts and provides a framework for studying the stages of the adoption process. The book includes case studies - two in financial services and two in engineering contexts.

Originally published in 1989 this book gives an overview of the empirical work on new technology objectives, together with an analysis of management strategies for adoption at the corporate, technological and people levels. It also reviews previous work on the extent to which staff at different levels, and from different specialism, are involved in decision-making, as well as the adoption process more generally. The book looks at different approaches to analysing organizational contexts and provides a framework for studying the stages of the adoption process. The book includes case studies - two in financial services and two in engineering contexts.

First published in 1995, Organizations and Technical Change examines the key changes that have taken place in the external and internal contexts of organizations which have experienced technical change. It reviews and assesses major elements of new technology, including: the development of strategy; the setting of objectives; employee involvement; and the management of the adoption process. Through four case studies, the book considers in detail a variety of approaches and shows how the adoption of technology and the issues involved have changed since the 1980s.

This book considers strategic aspects of quality management and self-assessment frameworks, and provides an in-depth examination of a number of the main quality improvement tools and techniques. Incorporating a critical orientation and drawing upon original case-studies, it also reviews the implementation of a variety of quality management programmes in a range of organisational contexts, including manufacturing, higher education, health care, policing and retailing.

This book considers strategic aspects of quality management and self-assessment frameworks, and provides an in-depth examination of a number of the main quality improvement tools and techniques. Incorporating a critical orientation and drawing upon original case-studies, it also reviews the implementation of a variety of quality management programmes in a range of organisational contexts, including manufacturing, higher education, health care, policing and retailing.

eBook available with sample pages: HB:0415222710

This book presents an in-depth study of organizational change and innovation in one of the UK's leading retail leisure companies. Based on a remarkably deep level of access, the authors provide a fascinating longitudinal study of the management process in action - both the formal, 'on stage' aspects of strategic change and the informal, political behaviour of those involved. Subjects covered include: * the changing contexts of the public house business * from management to managing * change processes and politics * control and empowerment * gender and public house management. Work, Change and Competition will be essential reading for students of organizational change, as well as all readers interested in the changing nature of management/managing and organizations.

This book presents an in-depth study of organizational change and innovation in one of the UK's leading retail leisure companies. Based on a remarkably deep level of access, the authors provide a fascinating longitudinal study of the management process in action - both the formal, 'on stage' aspects of strategic change and the informal, political behaviour of those involved.
Subjects covered include:
* the changing contexts of the public house business
* from management to managing
* change processes and politics
* control and empowerment
* gender and public house management.
Work, Change and Competition will be essential reading for students of organizational change, as well as all readers interested in the changing nature of management/managing and organizations.

An authoritative collection of the leading critical and contemporary writings published in the field of technology and organizations, this set spans a key fifty-year period. The volumes take the reader from the first and most influential papers from the early 1950s, through to recent publications which address contemporary and emerging debates in the field at the dawn of a new century.
Each of the 4 volumes has a particular focus upon this key area of research and scholarship:
* the early debates
* theories, paradigms and concepts
* critical empirical studies
* emerging themes and future debates
The editors provide an original introduction to, and overview of, the themes, debates, perspectives, theories and paradigms which characterise this key area of organisation studies. An extensive index guides the reader through the four volumes.

Living with autism in the family can be highly stressful, and the use of short breaks ('respite care') is a major source of social support for many such families. However, little research has been undertaken to understand how the experience of family members may differ, or to investigate why some families use short breaks while others either do not want such help or are unable to access it. In this book, David Preece describes and discusses his research undertaken in an English shire county into the experience of families that have children with this condition. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study identifies the significant impact of autism on family life. Differing key themes within the narratives of mothers, fathers, siblings and the children on the autism spectrum themselves are discussed. Factors associated with short breaks' use are identified, the benefits and shortcomings of short breaks are discussed, and key quality indicators for services are suggested. This timely and interesting book will serve as a useful resource for those working with families that include children on the autism spectrum.