Discuss how sociotechnical design and total quality management have been reported in the literature.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Numerous applications of sociotechnical design and total quality management are reported in the literature. Some notable American examples include the Sherwin-Williams paint factory in Richmond, Kentucky, and the Quaker Oats pet food factory in Topeka, Kansas. Both factories were constructed from the ground up to include and allow for specific types of jobs embodying basic elements of autonomy and empowerment. Firms that don't have the luxury of building the plant from scratch must find ways to renovate both their technology and their job designs to utilize the best technology and people. Some of the most influential industrial and service organizations have confronted the necessity to design jobs to take advantage of the rapid pace of technological advance. In the contemporary global environment, sociotechnical system design has been incorporated in the total quality management approach to management.