Organizations in the Network Age

Computers are increasingly linked in networks which span the world, and information can be transmitted instantaneously to all parts of the organization, and back to head office. This study describes the actual experience of six organizations and draws lessons which apply widely. The issues raised include: the impact on employment levels and organizational structures; the effects of network technology and organization structure/ control; the extent of management choice and the role of change agents. This study seeks to show that the introduction of computer networks raises new challenges concerning how the process of change is managed, and whether the organization has learned from the experience and is able to apply this knowledge to future change.