Techno-organizational approaches to the development of Integrated Manufacturing Systems (IMS), as largely inspired in socio-technical systems (STS) theory, are faced with a complex, time consuming and people intensive process. These characteristics, which are inextricable, are often the main reason for the company's management barriers in adopting such methods (particularly in SME's). These approaches involve people from different knowledge areas (Computer Science, Social and Organization Science, Production Engineering) who must co-operate in order to build a common understanding of the organization, people and technology. The work presented in this article introduces modelling and simulation concepts for the analysis and design of the enterprise's organization and information technology support, using socio-technical evaluation criteria. The methodological approach and the software tool resulting from this research work enable the analysis and evaluation of alternative organization designs and different group / IT system task assignment policies following an interdisciplinary approach. This approach goes beyond the operational quantitative and logical evaluation by introducing socio-technical criteria in the analysis and design of IMS m the manufacturing enterprise.
Organization modelling, simulation, techno-organizational development, socio-technical systems
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