When 'Old' and 'New' Technologies Have to Interact and Co-exist

Abstract

Computererization provokes an organazationel responce. In particular, in knowledge-based organizations new technologies confront the working knowledge integrated in persons and groups that is based on current technologies. The challenges raised by this encounter seem to reveal core elements of the work culture. For example, the transmission of knowledge is seen to be as vital to the process as the local work ethics. This 'encounter of technologies' has been studied in news rooms (news desks) and in surgical wards. Experiences of interaction in cases of 'breakdown' provide especially important data related to coping and learning in transitional phases. The method of intervention employed in these studies can be characterized as: task in itself - task in interaction - task as an open system.