Computerization as a Predominate Technology: Its Influence on the Structure of Newspaper Organizations

Assuming that computerization is the predominate technology of the newspaper industry, a study was conducted to determine the influence of computerization on the structure of newspaper organizations. A sample of 68 newspaper organizations of various sizes was surveyed about computer use for a number of newspaper functions, including: 1. production, 2. circulation, 3. marketing, and 4. news and personnel decision making. They were also queried about how computerization influenced: 1. division of labor, in terms of specialization and diversification of functions, and 2. locus of decision making, in terms of centralization of authority. Analysis revealed that the specific functions subject to computerization determined its relative impact on organizational structure. However, organizational size moderated the relationship between technology and structure. Larger organizations with high levels of computer use exhibited higher levels of decentralization and functional specialization and diversification than did smaller organizations with high levels of technology.