Abstract
A technology is a specific way to achieve a material goal. It describes a feasible path—a recipe—by which a group of people can arrive at a goal that none could achieve individually. Technical recipes thus require linkages between and among the various contributors to the technical process. The purpose of this chapter is to look at the relationship between the steps in a given technical recipe and organizational linkages between and among people implementing the recipe. I begin by introducing two concepts: (1) technical dependencies which are properties of the technical architecture; and (2) organizational ties which are properties of the organizational architecture. The idea that organizational ties ought to correspond to technical dependencies is known as the mirroring hypothesis. This chapter defines the mirroring hypothesis and describes its origins. It then investigates the theory behind the hypothesis and identifies a set of “predictable exceptions” where the hypothesis does not hold. Finally it considers the evidence for and against mirroring in the economy at large.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
