A reluctant renaissance: when technical writers merely implement the change: a case-study

This paper is a case study of the changes in the: publication process, personnel recruitment, employee attitude and management policy when computers replaced the three-decade-old red pen in a publication department of one of the largest outdoor power equipment manufacturing companies. Publication managers and process planners are constantly debating the cost-benefit ratio of technology upgrades as better and more powerful desktop publishing systems hit the market. This paper suggests that employee involvement in corporate strategic planning and management´s decision-making holds the key to success. Any process reform can be made smoother and more successful only if the people who will implement the change are convinced that the change is necessary, and hence they participate enthusiastically in the changeover