Organization, Automation, and Society

Organization, Automation, and Society: The Scientific Revolution in Industry examines the transformative power of science and technology in reshaping industrial societies, addressing the intricate interplay of organization, automation, and the societal impact of these innovations. The book offers a thorough analysis of how technological advancements in automation, energy, chemistry, and communications have redefined industrial processes and created unprecedented demands for systemic organization. Against the backdrop of global industrialization, the text explores the tension between centralization and decentralization, highlighting the ideological and practical divides between competing systems like free-market enterprise and centralized planning.

This study delves into the far-reaching implications of integrating scientific methodologies into industrial operations, emphasizing the need for flexible and adaptive frameworks to manage technological complexity. By dissecting phenomena such as automation, material substitution, and energy innovations, the book uncovers how these developments influence not only production but also broader societal structures, from labor dynamics to global resource management. With a focus on forward-thinking solutions and a call for interdisciplinary approaches, the work is a vital resource for policymakers, academics, and industry leaders navigating the challenges and opportunities of the modern industrial revolution.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1961.