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Socio-Technical Systems in Weaving, 1953-1970: A Follow-up Study

In 1953-54, experimental changes in work organization were introduced in automatic and non-automatic loom-sheds of an Indian textile mill (Rice, 1953, 1955a, b, 1958, 1963). In each case semi-autonomous work-groups were established with responsibility for production and routine maintenance on a group of looms. Subsequently, these forms of working were extended to other loom-sheds. In 1970 a follow-up study of the 'group system' in four locations, including the two original sites, showed that in one the non-automatic experimental loom-shed the work organization and levels of performance had remained virtually unchanged over the 16 years, while in a newer automatic loom-shed group working had largely disappeared. Considerable regression had occured in the site of the automatic loom experiment, and the remaining non-automatic site displayed variation in modes of group working. The paper suggests that the effective persistence of the 'group system' in at least one area implies that the assumptions in Rice's original experiment were substantially confirmed. Regression in the two automatic loom-sheds is explained in terms of failure to maintain the necessary boundary conditions for group working in the face of progressive changes in the market and other environmental factors. In conclusion it is suggested that Rice's innovations were more radical than was recognized at the time.