This book provides a general examination of the critical role played by software and computer technology in the workplace. The authors assess the key social factors that contribute to workplace technology design, including organization structure, workplace relations, and market conditions. They then offer in-depth case studies to identify the factors that influence particular design decisions and the impact of these decisions on the quality and conduct of work, opportunities for skill development, and worker autonomy and satisfaction. The issue of technology design is addressed at both the theoretical and practical level, making this book an appealing aid for students as well as an insightful account for software designers, managers, and computer science engineers.