A Sociotechnical Analysis of the Integrated Factory

Abstract

This article presents a sociotechnical systems (STS) analysis of the integratedfactory. The authors discuss the new technology and new manufacturing methods, describe the organizational characteristics of thefully integrated factory, andpresent their visions of what the technical and social systems of such factories will be. The article presents strategies for managing the automation offactories and concludes with a time frame for organizational change.