Final answer:
The more routine the technology, the more mechanistic an organization tends to be. Mechanistic organizations are structured for efficiency and uniformity, influenced by the legacy of the Industrial Revolution. The use of technology influences whether firms prioritize labor or capital, which can affect the mechanization level of the organization.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a general rule, the more routine the technology, the more mechanistic an organization will be. Organizations constructed around routine technologies lean towards a mechanistic structure which demands efficiency, necessitates clear hierarchies, and aims to produce identical products consistently. This has been the traditional approach during the Industrial Revolution where large bureaucracies like hospitals, schools, and governments have been built for mass production, assembly line work, and factory jobs, emphasizing a clear chain of command. In contrast, with the pivot towards the Information Age, a shift towards more flexible technology demands a decrease in rigid adherence to protocol to maintain productivity and efficiency.
Firms make strategic decisions based on production technology costs, considering factors such as the cost of machines versus the cost of labor. For instance, if the machine costs decrease, the firm might choose a technology that relies more on capital (machines) and less on labor, as it would have a lower total cost. This infers an increase in mechanization and, consequently, a potentially more mechanistic organizational structure.