Computerization as a Predominant Technology Effecting Work Unit Structure

This study investigated the question: does the impact of computerization on the work unit structure come from computerization as a moderating variable with respect to task routineness or as an independent variable independent of the task being accomplished? A further question investigated was: does work unit effectiveness influence these relationships? Results of discriminant analyses between organizational units whose mission requires the predominant use of computers (IS units) as compared to organizational units that do not require the use of computers (non-IS units) found that IS units were more centralized, less complex, and perceived less environmental uncertainty. The addition of individual variables (age, education, years with the company) substantially increased the power to discriminate between IS and non-IS units. IS units were composed of younger, more educated. and shorter tenured personnel. There were no differences in task routineness between IS and non-IS units measuring that the effect of computerization was independent of the work done. The distinction between process (the impact on work) and content (the use of computers) may help resolve the conflicting results in the literature concerning the relationship between computerization and work unit structure

Stategic reorientation of industrial R&D towards commercial objectives.

In an effort to leverage R&D knowledge asset and to create more value from industrial R&D in today’s increasing liberalized and globalising business environments, some corporations adopt a strategic reorientation of their industrial R&D organisation towards commercial objectives. This study suggests that while such a strategic reorientation has a catalyst effect on technology transfer, it poses challenges with respect to the management of the demand and supply of technologies and innovations in dynamic relationships between industrial R&D and its customer’s organisations. The findings reveal that technology transfer augmented with innovation transfer is a prerequisite for value creation from R&D investment in global competitive environments