The Impact of Technology Insertion on Organisations

HFIDTC/2/12.2.1/1
Version 3 / 21 November 2007
Contents
1 Executive Summary ................................................................................... 1
2 Introduction ................................................................................................ 2
2.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Research Aims and Approach ............................................................................................ 3
2.3 What is <strong>Technology</strong>?........................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Why Study <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Insertion</strong>? ...................................................................................... 4
2.5 <strong>Impact</strong>, at What Level? ....................................................................................................... 5
2.6 Bounding and Scoping ........................................................................................................ 5
3 Studying <strong>Technology</strong>.................................................................................. 7
3.1 <strong>The</strong> History <strong>of</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> .................................................................................................. 7
3.1.1 <strong>The</strong> Industrial Revolution .......................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 <strong>The</strong> IT Revolution...................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Reasons for the Introduction <strong>of</strong> New <strong>Technology</strong>............................................................... 8
4 <strong>The</strong> Problem <strong>of</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Insertion</strong>....................................................... 10
4.1 A Background <strong>of</strong> High Risk ............................................................................................... 10
5 Risks to Successful <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Insertion</strong> ................................................ 12
5.1 Background ....................................................................................................................... 12
5.2 Technical Risks .................................................................................................................12
5.2.1 Project Size............................................................................................................. 13
5.2.2 Maturity <strong>of</strong> <strong>Technology</strong>............................................................................................ 14
5.2.3 Human Centred Design .......................................................................................... 14
5.2.4 Interoperability <strong>of</strong> Components............................................................................... 15
5.3 Organisational Risks ......................................................................................................... 19
5.3.1 Organisational Barriers to <strong>Technology</strong> Changes.................................................... 20
6 <strong>Impact</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> on the Organisation ............................................. 26
6.1 Performance and Productivity........................................................................................... 26
6.1.1 Usability................................................................................................................... 27
iii