Final answer:
Problems with J.D. Thompson's interdependence measure include ignoring external factors, overemphasis on social versus technological interdependence, the assumption of static relationships, and underestimation of technological aspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some potential problems with J.D. Thompson's idea of interdependence measure in organizational design include that it:
- Ignores external factors: Thompson's framework may not fully account for external environmental influences on an organization, such as economic conditions, regulatory changes, or competitive pressure.
- Overemphasizes social interdependence: While examining the importance of social factors in the workplace, it's possible that non-social factors, especially technical ones, may be underestimated or overlooked.
- Assumes static relationships: In suggesting models of organizational interdependence, there could be an implicit assumption that relationships between units or entities remain constant over time, which is often not the case in dynamic business environments.
- Underestimates technological aspects: With rapid technological advancements, the role of technology in shaping organizational structure and processes is critical, possibly more so than the human interaction factors like supervisorial style and its impact on productivity.
Furthermore, Thompson's theory does not seem to serve a practical purpose for studying family behavior and is said to be not based on comprehensive research.