CADCAM integration and the practical politics of technological change

Tantoush, T., Clegg, S. and Wilson, F. (2001) CADCAM integration and the practical politics of technological change. Journal of Organisational Change Management, 14(1), pp. 9-27. (doi: 10.1108/09534810110367075)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Discusses the issue of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CADCAM) integration from an organizational point of view. The installation of cross-functional integrating technology in manufacturing organizations involves technical problems related to hardware, software and database interfacing, as well as data exchange and communication requirements. Such technical problems are perhaps more obvious and widely recognised than the organizational challenges involved in the process of organizational change that accompanies implementation. This paper uses a case study approach to analyse data gathered from two UK manufacturing companies over a five-year period. The aim here is to compare and contrast the experiences of the two companies with a view to explaining how organizational processes contribute or otherwise to the adoption of CADCAM integration as a business strategy. A conceptual model is devised to analyse the data from the cases using a grounded qualitative research methodology. It is concluded that the crucial technological change competencies are political rather than either technological or economic. Some tactical elements of these are elaborated from the case studies.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wilson, Professor Fiona
Authors: Tantoush, T., Clegg, S., and Wilson, F.
Subjects:H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
College/School:College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
Journal Name:Journal of Organisational Change Management
ISSN:0953-4814
ISSN (Online):1758-7816

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record