the qualitative aspects of each factor, so if you’re simply replacing your receptionist with a new one, it doesn’t count – and surely that wouldn’t require any changes to the structure.
- Changes in Tasks: Let’s say you decide to make your company more customer-centric. For this, you’ll need to set up a new customer support department or you may need to have more people out in the field. That explains how the structure may need to be changed, with a modification in goals. When business processes are reengineered, the need for some of the job posts or even management levels may completely perish.
- Changes in Technology: Computerization or automation often requires revamping the organizational structure to benefit from the technology upgrade. New job posts may be created and old ones closed down to make best use of the new technology. And even if no changes are needed in the job posts, changes may be needed in interdepartmental coordination or the communication pattern.
Technology is that component of the organization which aids or facilitates the people to perform the tasks. Computers, equipment, LAN lines, barcode readers, software applications, etc. are all counted under technology. Technology too, like all the other components of the Leavitt’s diamond, will need to be changed when modifications are made to any other component.
- Changes in People: If you’re hiring computer literate employees, you cannot ask them to work on typewriters. Similarly, if you’re hiring engineers instead of mechanics, the old tools and equipment may not be enough. So, to take full advantage of your manpower, you’ll need to change the technology in accordance with the change in the knowledge, qualifications and skills of your workforce. Even if you want your employees to handle additional tasks, you may have to provide them with technology that helps them in this direction. For instance, if you want your programmer to make field visits to clients, you need to equip him with a laptop and a wireless Internet data-card to help him perform the added task.
- Changes in Tasks: Changes in tasks or goals may also compel you for a technological change. For instance, if you want to use your customer support center for order processing as well, you will need to replace your existing software with a new application which has customer service and order processing integrated into one.
- Changes in Structure: If you want to cut down staff from a particular department, you will have to automate some processes, to maintain the same level of production. Whether you’re trying to shrink your organization structure or expand it, technological changes will be needed to support the new structure.
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Image by – Sidharth Thakur