The Measurement of Technology Within Organizations

Abstract

Research has found technology to play a key role in the explanation of organizational behavior. Although important, the literature lacks comparative studies of the effects of the subunit and job technology on behavior within organizations. One of the reasons for this research deficit is the lack of a multipurpose measure of the technology variable. This research reports on the development and three studies to test the reliability and validity of an instrument to measure the technology level of jobs and subunits. The revised instrument was found to discriminate among jobs in three subunits employing different technologies (a long-linked, a mediating, and an intensive). The instrument was also found useful in differentiating jobs and units by technology within a large complex organization. A third study found the instrument to be reliable as determined by the test-retest method. Overall, the results show the instrument to have promise for comparative research.