Strategy Nine: Equipment
Many of the major attempts in the recent past to improve the quality and effectiveness of work have focused on the acquisition of new equipment, such as computers, measurement instrumentation, and electronic mail. While these new pieces of equipment often create more problems than they solve, the purchase of equipment is sometimes essential. An emphasis on equipment purchase can be a viable entry-level strategy, particularly when used in large, technologically oriented organizations—provided it is coupled with an effective training and promotion program.
The equipment strategy clearly reflects the more general technological bias held by many members of our society. We assume that many social problems, like physical problems, can be solved through technological innovation and dissemination. If we can send a man to the moon, so the argument goes, then we should be able to develop and distribute equipment that will increase the efficiency as well as the quality of work being done in our organizations. The methods and concepts embraced by this strategy focus on the invention, innovative use, and dissemination of technology. Many of the people who embrace this strategy are fully aware of the personal and professional problems associated with these phases of technological change.[iv] Thus, the strategies of training, consultation and organization development may be effectively employed in conjunction with this equipment strategy. Without this expanded conceptualization, technological dreams that many hold will never be fulfilled.
Strategy Ten: Promotion of a Specific Method or Technology
This final strategy has been widely used in recent years in conjunction with new approaches to strategic planning, problem solving, time management and interpersonal communication. It also has been used to promote the use of new computer software and hardware and, more generally, to encourage the expanded use of many different digital technologies. The specific methods or technologies being promoted are assumed to offer at least partial answers to the daily problems encountered by employees in the organization. The new time management procedure will increase productivity, while the new computer network improves program coordination and inter-departmental communications. This is the principle strength of this strategy: it relates to the immediate, identified needs of the client.
The sequence of strategies involving method and technology promotion usually leads from an emphasis on acceptance and implementation of a specific method or technology to some sort of outcome evaluation regarding this method or technology. Personal and organizational development strategies are generally only important to the extent that they provide support for the personal and organizational acceptance of the method or technology being promoted. In many cases, newly published resources (for example, instructional manuals, computer programs, video-recordings) are developed as part of the process of promoting the use of a specific method or technology. If this material becomes extensive, a resource bank will often be established as part of the promotion of a specific method or technology. An assumption is made that people will change if they are given the resources and expertise to implement the selected method or technology.
