ABSTRACT
This chapter explores contemporary Socio-technical systems design (STSD) modelling in The Netherlands. It focuses on developments of the approach to flexible productive systems, a practical Dutch socio-technical systems variant which recently has evolved towards a multi-level method of integrating task design and organization design. The chapter describes a method for integral organizational redesign, based on an analytical interface model and design-oriented methodology. STSD is an organization renewal paradigm aimed at supporting more integrated analysis and co-design of manufacturing process and work organization. A company redesign team had been formed as a ‘deep slice’, containing members drawn from all levels of the manufacturing plant. The redesign team had been thoroughly trained for self-design by an authorized external STSD training agency. A quality of work redesign parameter involved integration of non-decision and decision tasks, and loose co-ordination of people and machines.
