We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Towards the Development of a Sociotechnical Systems Model in Woodlands Mechanical Harvesting.
- Authors
Kolodny, Harvey F.; Kiggundu, Moses N.
- Abstract
The article presents the results of a study conducted among eight similarly organized work groups numbering between 17 and 23 mechanics, operators, and supervisors each and employing similar and very sophisticated mechanical-harvesting equipment. The model is developed from a sociotechnical systems perspective of woodlands harvesting, and is designed to explain the productivity variance. This study was carried out in one line unit in each of eight camps in the woodlands division of a forest products company. The line unit was called the 'Koehring phase' after the name of the Koehring shortwood harvester it used. The Koehring phase was centered around five mechanical harvesters and the technical and social support systems they needed to remain operational. The Koehring phase operated under either two or three shift arrangements, depending on the camp. The operators are the core of the Koehring phase. Team performance is directly correlated to the amount of wood they cut. Skill competence was most evident when conditions were bad. When the terrain was muddy, or the wood was slippery and difficult to pile, or the trees were small, the skilled operator could still bring in four or five cords by the end of the shift.
- Subjects
LABOR productivity -- Social aspects; FOREST products industry; TEAMS in the workplace; MECHANICS (Persons); HARVESTING equipment; LOGGING machinery; GROUP decision making
- Publication
Human Relations, 1980, Vol 33, Issue 9, p623
- ISSN
0018-7267
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/001872678003300902