Formative Evaluation of a Sociotechnical System Intervention at an Army Maintenance Depot
Abstract
The purpose of this research note is to describe, document, and evaluate the process of the sociotechnical systems design intervention that was conducted at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). The sociotechnical intervention at CCAD, called STEP for Socio-Technical Evaluation Program, was part of the Army's continuing effort to improve productivity. Most of these efforts to improve productivity focus almost exclusively on technological rather than people-oriented interventions. There are some notable exceptions, such as the organizational effectiveness program (now being phased out), productivity gainsharing, and quality circles. Socio-technical systems design is most closely aligned with these latter programs in its explicit recognition of the human factor as a most important contributing factor to productivity. Sociotechnical Systems Design - Sociotechnical systems design is a participative management technique that is based on the belief that managers and workers can most effectively accomplish their shared goals and objectives through cooperation, collaboration, and collegiality. It is a systems and macro-level approach predicated on the assumptions that the purposes of the organization must be articulated clearly and that high performing organizations can best be designed by optimizing both the technical and social (worker-oriented) aspects of the organization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA170948
Entities
People
- Paul Van Rijn
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences