Chapter 21 Managing the informated organization (Zuboff)

Technology is not neutral - it changes the world. The kaleidoscope metaphor is a nice one. I think Zuboff's arguments about technology and human choices better explain the essence of technology than just control (Lasch). Technology is much more complicated than that. Although seeming like a technology determinist at the beginning, Zuboff does a very good job revealing the complex relationship between technology, management and organization. The pair of concepts "the intrinsic" and "the contingent" provides a very helpful frame for us to think about our "choices".

What makes this chapter different is that it's from the perspective of the managers. Technology and knowledge changed the "landscape of authority", thus the old methods of surveillance or control are outdated, and division of labor is changed. Managers have to create a learning environment to support this kind of change. I think this is what the author means by "informated organization.