Redesigning Sociotechnical Systems Design: Concepts and Methods for the 1990s

Abstract

The author of this article argues that sociotechnical systems (STS) design has not kept pace with change, and that to be valuable in thefuture STS design must itselfbe redesigned. The article specifically states that a new set of concepts and methods is neededfor work systems characterized by the nonlinear conversion processes, for STS design has previously addressed only linear work systems, thereby confining its successes to production operations. The author proposes an extension ofSTS design to nonlinear work, describes a case example illustrating such an application, and in an analysis of emerging opportunities for extending STS design proposes six novel applications as future targets.