A Buffering Response in Light of Variation in Core Technology, Perceived Environmental Uncertainty, and Size

The relationships between a specific buffering response (part-time and temporary workers) and variations in core technology, perceived environmental uncertainty, and organization size are worthwhile topics for examination. It can be, in fact, hypothesized that the greater the use of process technology, the larger the perceived environmental uncertainty, and the greater its size, the more the organization will try to buffer its technical center by employing part-time and temporary help.Forty-four firms, 22 in the upholstered furniture industry and 22 in the soft drink bottling industry, were a convenience sample. Data were gathered by a structured personal interview and questionnaire. A relationship was discovered between variations in the flexibility of core technology and the amount of buffering, but no significant relationships were discovered between the buffering response and perceived environmental uncertainty or organization size.