WOODWARD, TECHNOLOGY, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE — A CRITIQUE OF THE UNIVERSAL GENERALIZATION

This paper critically reviews the recent controversy over the relationship between technology, organizational structure and performance which was stimulated by the work of Woodward. An overview of the discussion is offered and an original evaluation offered on the basis of the latest contributions. This involves a detailed critique of the contribution of Zwerman. The conclusion is that the original Woodward thesis, as stated in the set of propositions for which systematic evidence was presented, should now be viewed as having been disconfirmed by the subsequent research.