Usually firms introduce new technology in an incremental way, wisely seeking to minimise the adverse effects which business and employees might face. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes technological discontinuities occur when radically different technological systems and working practices are implemented, with the possibility of widespread disruption and conflict. This book looks at this topical issue through the experiences of the international giants of the Finnish paper industry - an industry at the cutting edge of fundamental technological innovation.

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...

How does new information technology become part of the fabric of organisational life? Drawing on insights from social studies of technology, gender studies and the sociology of consumption, Valuing Technology opens up new directions in the analysis of sociotechnical change within organisations. Based on a major research project focused upon the introduction of management of information systems in health, higher education and retailing, I explores the active role of end-users in innovation.
This book argues that it is through the, often difficult, engagement between users and...

Addresses the social and organizational dynamics which underlie recent technological and work developments within organizations, often referred to as virtual working. The text seeks to go beyond a mere description of this new work phenomenon in order to provide rigorous ways of analyzing and understanding the issues raised. In addition to providing accounts of developments such as web-based enterprises and virtual teams, each contributor focuses on the employment of information technology to transcend the boundaries between and within organizations, and the consequences this has for social...

This book addresses the social and organisational dynamics which underlie recent technological and work developments within organisations. often referred to as 'virtual working'. It seeks to go beyond a mere description of this new work phenomenon in order to provide more rigorous ways of analysing and understanding the issues raised. In addition to providing accounts of developments such as web-based enterprises and virtual teams, each contributor focuses on the empolyment of information technology to transcend the boundaries between and within organisations, and the consequences this has...