Journal zyxwvutsr of zyxwvutsrqpon Managmmt zyxwvutsrq Studies 23:l January 1986 0022-2380 $3.50 zyxwvutsrq COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND THE REDEFINITION OF SUPERVISION: A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF COMPUTERIZATION ON RAILWAY FREIGHT SUPERVISORS PATRICK DAWSON Department of Sociology, University of Surrey IAN MCLOUCHLIN School of Industrial Relations and Personnel, Kingston Polytechnic INTRODUCTION THE capacity of computer information technologies to capture, process and transmit large quantities of information at high speed has important implications for the ability of management to control production operations. This is especially the case where these operations are geographically dispersed across several operating areas or production units which are remote from headquarters management. Computer-based information systems are a potential means by which such operations can be made more ‘visible’ to senior management and thus open to more direct control zyxwv (e.g. Blau et al., 1976; Buchanan and Boddy, 1983; Heery, 1985; Robey, 1977; Rose, 1969; Weir, 1977). Such an application of computer technology raises obvious questions about the role of the supervisory function in relation to management control systems since supervisors, as direct controllers of labour, have traditionally provided the interface between management and the control of production operations. The predominant theme in the literature suggests that computerization is contributing to an erosion of this traditional supervisory role by enabling a centralization of control in the hands of management away from the point of production (e.g. Braverman, 1974; Child and Partridge, 1982; Edwards, 1979; Leavitt and Whisler, 1958). An alternative, though not necessarily contradictory view, is that computerization enables the de-centralization of control and enhances the role of supervisors; for example in process production as technical experts (e.g. Davis and Taylor, 1976; Emery and Marek, 1962; Woodward, 1980; Zalewski, 1966). In either event, it has been suggested that computer technologies may necessitate, ‘a reconstruction of management, particularly at lower levels of line management’ (Buchanan, 1983, p. 79). Addressfor reprints: P. M. B. Dawson, Alvey D.H.S.S. Demonstrator, Department of Sociology, Sociology, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH.