Question B

What are the critical factors to consider in the design of a work system? What role does technology play in the design
of work systems? Use data from credible outside resources to backup your response.

There are multiple factors when considering the design of a work system. Addressing who, what, where,
how, when, and why are the meat and potatoes. The Handbook (Pershing, 2006) brings light to the fact
that it is much easier to change the environment than the employee’s personalities/contribution into
the design of a work system thus the importance of creating a pleasurable physical work environment.

An organization’s technology is the process by which inputs from an organization’s environment are
transformed into outputs [ CITATION Mel15 \l 1033 ]. Along with the physical aspects of technology like
computers and machines, employee contributions such as knowledge and skill are included.

Mello, J. A. (2015). Strategic Hua Resource Management. Stamford: Cengage Learning.

Pershing, J. A. (2006). Handbook of Human Performance Technology. San Fransisco: Pfeiffer.