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What is the technical complexity and unit of analysis for Joan Woodward's idea in Technology and Organization Design?

a) Low complexity, individual task.
b) High complexity, organizational level.
c) Medium complexity, group level.
d) Low complexity, group level.

User Lancew
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Final answer:

Joan Woodward's research on Technology and Organization Design suggests high technical complexity at the organizational level, as she examined the influence of technologies on organizational structures and practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The technical complexity and unit of analysis for Joan Woodward's ideas on Technology and Organization Design are best understood within the context of her empirical studies on manufacturing firms. Woodward's research did not specifically frame complexity at the level of individual tasks or groups but rather at the broader organizational level, examining how different technologies influenced structure and effectiveness. Based on Woodward's typology of technological processes (unit and small batch, mass production, and continuous process), the complexity in her research corresponds to the operational processes of the entire organization. Thus, the most fitting answer to the question would be:

High complexity, organizational level.

Her investigation was foundational in ushering an understanding of how an organization's technical system can shape its structure and management practices.

User JohnWrensby
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