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Social Technology and Structure

In: The Management of Construction Firms

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  • Peter Clark

Abstract

There are a number of theoretical approaches to the analysis of the structure and processes of establishments and firms which are known variously as organisation theory, organisation studies and the theory of behaviour. In this chapter, the theory of social technology has been selected as being of greatest relevance to the construction industry. It is a theory which has been formed by a selective fusing of elements from management theory, economics, engineering and the social sciences. Its prime objective is to provide a framework for prescribing those forms of work organisation which are most likely to be viable in different contexts. The theory is rational and analytical, and it assumes that firms which depart from the theoretically appropriate recipe will be eliminated through market competition. The theory is therefore prescriptive and explanatory, albeit in a limited way. The version to be used relies particularly on the notion of social technology by Perrow (see Section 6.5.1). The theory can be used to explore the impact of innovation and the implications which innovation might have for the learning of skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Clark, 1989. "Social Technology and Structure," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Patricia M. Hillebrandt & Jacqueline Cannon (ed.), The Management of Construction Firms, chapter 6, pages 75-92, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-349-13626-1_6
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-13626-1_6
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