Sociotechnical Systems Theory


This theory describes the relationship of people and technology in the work place. In more detail, it describes how the employees relate to each other and to new equipment and how the summation of these occurrences affect job performance. The theory is sub divided into two different components, Joint optimization and Unit control of Variances. Joint optimization simply states that an organization must think about how it can easily incorporate its technology to its employees. It relates very close to the concept of human factors engineering and how to incorporate technology. Unit control of variances deals with the problems and conflicts that can arise in the organization and who should be responsible to correct them. The theory suggests that the optimal way to increase job satisfaction and to decrease the downtime of the companies machinery, the work must be autonomous and self regulating. If given the opportunity, most employees know how to solve the problems themselves, and are often very familiar with the equipment that they use. By implementing a program of self management and regulation of their work station, employees increase their job satisfaction and they decrease the time of specialists and supervisors whose needs are needed in other areas.

!0 Characteristics of an Open System:

Characteristic                                                Organizational

Importation of energy                                Hiring/Training/Promoting

The Through-Put                                        Production of goods

The Output                                                 Selling of goods

Systems Cycles                                          Work shifts

Negative Entropy                                       Avoid "being in the red"

Input, Feedback                                         Market surveys