Technology is the total sum of any systems, practices, processes, and skills used in the attainment of goals, including scientific research, or in the creation of products or services and its marketing. Technological change occurs so rapidly that it often leads to a “crisis of innovation,” in which case “technological change” is used as a synonym for change. Technological change refers to the result of increased efficiencies in processes, the accumulation of new knowledge, or increased ability to achieve objectives. Changing technologies are constantly developing and transforming themselves in order to meet the needs of consumers, businesses, and society. Changing technology is therefore a process, and like all processes, it must be monitored and controlled to ensure quality performance. This article provides a brief description of the disruptive impact that technology has on organizations, a description of disruptive technology, and a description of some of the ways in which organizations can respond to the disruptive impact that technology has upon them.
The term “disruptive technology” was first used by Clayton Christensen in his book Management as Well-Being. According to Christensen, “A lot of changes, if they occur on a scale that is hard to perceive, can disrupt organizations. They can cause long-term changes in a market or cause a small change in some aspect of a business.” Organizations need to be prepared for and able to adapt to any disruptive technology, whether it is a change in business procedures, computer applications, manufacturing processes, or marketing efforts.
Organizations must also be prepared for technology changes that do not originate from organizational change. There are three types of technology that can cause organizations to face organizational change: process change, information technology, and applications technology. Process change refers to change that occurs when there is an increase in the rate of input or output; information technology is the change that occurs when new software is created or altered in a way that makes communication more efficient or beneficial; and application technology is the change that takes place in specific departments to make them more applicable to new customer demands. Some examples of process change or technology change include Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma Certification. Organizations must be flexible and be able to adjust to any change in order to successfully implement new processes and applications. Additionally, organizations must be prepared to deal with problems that may arise as a result of a process change or technology adoption.
Organizations must also be flexible when it comes to adopting new technology. Organizations face the risk of being left behind when a new technology becomes readily available to the organization. When organizations have to rush to adapt to change, they often miss opportunities to gain a competitive advantage or reduce costs. Organizations must be willing to embrace change and be able to adopt new technology.
The ability to change and adapt to technology changes is an essential quality. Organizations must be capable of internalizing technology and being able to train employees on how to use it. Having employees trained in how to change the way they work using the technology can help organizations avoid many changes that could be costly. In addition, employees who are trained in using the technology will have a competitive advantage over competitors.
Lastly, organizations must be able to change with technology. Organizations are usually built around specific technologies. If these technologies change, organizations must be flexible and able to adapt to any changes that may come. Organizations must be prepared to take technology that they are familiar with and use it to create a solution to a problem.
Organizations need to consider many factors when adopting new technology. It is important for organizations to consider the risks and benefits of adopting new technology. Organizations must also consider what type of technology would best suit their industry. Finally, organizations must research technology and test it to determine its effectiveness and suitability for their needs. Adoption of new technology is only advantageous if it can increase productivity, reduce costs, provide solutions to a problem, meet customer needs, and adopt new business models.
Technology is changing all of the time and is becoming more advanced. Organizations must embrace technology if they want to continue to remain relevant and competitive. In order to do so, the organization must adopt an effective change control process that includes analysis, exploration, selection, implementation, and continuous improvement. These steps are designed to ensure that technology selection is best suited to the needs of the organization.