New technology is dramatically changing the workplace by allowing companies to increase efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and overall profitability. An effective new technology implementation is required for companies to compete successfully in the global marketplace. Time and money wasted on unsuccessful and improper new technology implementation is counterproductive to the overall goal of improving the competitiveness and profitability of the company. Teams and teamwork have been recommended as a way to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, profitability, and employee satisfaction. With the utilization of total quality management (TQM) and quality improvement (QI), each of which rely on teamwork, new technology implementations have been more successful. New technology challenges the current state of traditional implementation methods and techniques. To effectively utilize these new technologies it is best to consider all of the factors involved in the implementation process; most importantly the human elements involved. It is recommended to utilize a cooperative team oriented approach to new technology implementation, which relies heavily on soliciting employee input and participation throughout the entire process. By doing this it is hoped that the new technology can be implemented in the most effective way possible. A case study is presented to illustrate this.
Teams in Small Organizations: Conceptual, Methodological, and Practical Considerations