HITOP: a tool for integrating technology with the organization

Summary form only given. HITOP is a systematic, structured approach for planning the introduction of technology so as to bring about a High Integration of Technology, Organization, and People. The approach, based on sociotechnical theories of organization and human resources, involves using methodological job aids to work through the implications of the technology with teams from the user organizations. People representing functions of manufacturing, engineering, design, and human resources examine the critical technical features of the technology. Through an iterative process of discussion and assessment, the team traces the impacts of the technology features on essential task requirements, and the implications of those requirements for skill profiles, selection and training needs. and organizational and job designs, including reward systems. Field tests have shown the approach to be useful for integrating technology introduction in plants involving computer manufacture, printed circuit-board production, and optical scanning of dies for auto parts