Bright, 1958

In 1958, Professor James Bright concluded from his research that "Under automation, therefore, it becomes a job of management to create superior teamwork. Automation is literally integration of the physical plant. Its counterpart for management is integration of the organization. The plant and its people may no longer be unrelated elements, each proceeding with little regard to the other's actions. An effective automation design team that knits together the requirements, plans, and adaptations of marketing, sales, product design, process design, purchasing, and manufacturing personnel to the total business goals is the first management step toward successful automation. The creation of an operating team to sense the need for change and plan the changes--rapidly--is the second." (p. 234)

from Bright, James R. Automation and Management. Boston: Division of Research, Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1958.

appeared in DSS News, February 3, 2002, Vol. 3, No. 3