Production policy and the acquisition of new technology

This paper investigates the effects and implications of new technology on the organization and its environment and suggests the use of impact analysis to maximize the benefits and minimize the shortcomings of introducing new technology into the firm. Present models of organizational structure suggest a need for a broad system view of the firm so that a framework can be generated that is practically applicable. This paper proposes such a model to better guide the future acquisition, implementation, and evaluation of new technology. A comprehensive list of variables and decision alternatives also accompanies the proposed framework.