According to the "technocentric" approach-the model that shaped the early stages of the computerization of work-the implementation of technology in...
GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions
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According to the "technocentric" approach-the model that shaped the early stages of the computerization of work-the implementation of technology in the workplace is primarily a technical issue, the goal of technological change is to increase efficiency by mechanizing production and reducing labor costs, and the design of technology is the responsibility of computer specialists. This approach is predicated on a traditional hierarchical workplace with a top-down decision-making structure. However, the technocentric approach has frequently hindered successful implementation of technology. For example, in the banking industry, a technocentric approach to computerization decreased employee morale while failing to increase productivity. In addition, the current global economy has rendered obsolete the traditional model of efficiency underlying the technocentric approach; success is now founded not on mass production and traditional workplace structures but on decentralized decision-making, a broad distribution of skills within an organization, and increased worker initiative.
Thus, the "organization-centered" approach to technological change is generally preferable. According to this approach, worker participation is vital: people who actually do the work to be automated are seen as a crucial source of information during technological implementation. Although the organization-centered approach is based on the sometimes faulty assumption that workers and managers share a consensus about their goals and interests, worker participation in technology implementation can lead to better quality work and improved worker satisfaction.
Ques. 1/3
The passage mentions all of the following as disadvantages of the technocentric approach EXCEPT:
Solution
1. Passage Analysis:
Progressive Passage Analysis
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| According to the "technocentric" approach-the model that shaped the early stages of the computerization of work-the implementation of technology in the workplace is primarily a technical issue, the goal of technological change is to increase efficiency by mechanizing production and reducing labor costs, and the design of technology is the responsibility of computer specialists. | What it says: There's an approach called "technocentric" that treats workplace technology as purely technical, aiming to make things more efficient and cheaper by reducing workers, with computer experts making all the decisions. What it does: Introduces the first major concept (technocentric approach) and defines its three key characteristics Source/Type: Author presenting a factual definition of an established approach Connection to Previous Sentences: This is our starting point - no previous information to connect to Visualization: Technocentric Approach = Computer specialists design → Mechanize production → Reduce 100 workers to 20 workers → Save labor costs What We Know So Far: One approach to workplace technology exists What We Don't Know Yet: Whether this approach works, if alternatives exist, what the author thinks about it Reading Strategy Insight: This is a clear definition sentence - the author is helping us by explicitly labeling and explaining the concept rather than leaving us to figure it out. |
| This approach is predicated on a traditional hierarchical workplace with a top-down decision-making structure. | What it says: The technocentric approach assumes workplaces have old-fashioned boss-to-worker command structures. What it does: Adds one more defining characteristic of the technocentric approach Source/Type: Author's continued factual description Connection to Previous Sentences: • This builds directly on Sentence 1 • We learned technocentric = computer specialists make decisions • NOW we learn: This assumes traditional boss-worker hierarchies • This is ELABORATION, not new complexity Visualization: Traditional Workplace: CEO → Managers → Workers (top-down) Technocentric fits this model: Computer specialists (top) → implement technology → workers (bottom) use it Reading Strategy Insight: Feel confident here - the author is still just explaining the same concept (technocentric approach) with more detail, not introducing something new. |
| However, the technocentric approach has frequently hindered successful implementation of technology. | What it says: But this technocentric approach often makes technology implementation fail. What it does: Introduces the author's critical evaluation - signals that technocentric approach has problems Source/Type: Author's judgment/opinion based on evidence Connection to Previous Sentences: • Sentences 1-2 told us: Here's what technocentric approach IS • NOW Sentence 3: Here's what's WRONG with it • Classic RC pattern: Define concept → Critique concept Visualization: Technocentric Implementation Attempts: 100 attempts → 60 failed → 40 succeeded "Frequently hindered" = more failures than successes What We Know So Far: Technocentric approach exists but often fails What We Don't Know Yet: Specific examples of failure, why it fails, what alternatives exist Reading Strategy Insight: The "However" signals a turn in the argument. This is still about the same concept (technocentric approach) but now we're getting the author's critique. |
| For example, in the banking industry, a technocentric approach to computerization decreased employee morale while failing to increase productivity. | What it says: In banks, the technocentric approach made workers unhappy and didn't make them more productive. What it does: Provides concrete evidence supporting the claim that technocentric approach causes problems Source/Type: Factual example supporting author's critique Connection to Previous Sentences: • Sentence 3 told us: Technocentric approach "frequently hindered" success • NOW Sentence 4: Gives us the specific proof • This is EVIDENCE, not a new topic Visualization: Banking Example: • Before technocentric computerization: Employee satisfaction = 7/10, Productivity = baseline • After technocentric computerization: Employee satisfaction = 4/10, Productivity = same or lower • Result: Failed on both measures Reading Strategy Insight: This is simplification through example! Instead of abstract "frequently hindered," we get concrete "decreased morale, failed to increase productivity." The author is helping us understand. |
| In addition, the current global economy has rendered obsolete the traditional model of efficiency underlying the technocentric approach; success is now founded not on mass production and traditional workplace structures but on decentralized decision-making, a broad distribution of skills within an organization, and increased worker initiative. | What it says: Also, today's economy has made the technocentric approach outdated - success now comes from spreading decision-making around and giving workers more skills and independence, not from mass production. What it does: Provides a second reason why technocentric approach fails (beyond the banking example) Source/Type: Author's analysis of economic trends Connection to Previous Sentences: • Sentence 3: Technocentric approach hinders success • Sentence 4: Here's one example (banking) • NOW Sentence 5: Here's the broader reason (economic change) • Still building the same argument against technocentric approach Visualization: Old Economy (technocentric worked): Mass production of 10,000 identical products → efficiency New Economy (technocentric fails): Custom solutions + worker flexibility + distributed decisions → success Reading Strategy Insight: "In addition" signals this is piling on more evidence for the same point, not introducing a new argument. We're still in "why technocentric approach is bad" territory. |
| Thus, the "organization-centered" approach to technological change is generally preferable. | What it says: Therefore, the "organization-centered" approach is usually better. What it does: Introduces the alternative approach and signals author's preference Source/Type: Author's conclusion/recommendation Connection to Previous Sentences: • Sentences 3-5 told us: Technocentric approach has problems • NOW Sentence 6: Here's the solution • "Thus" = logical conclusion from previous evidence • Classic RC pattern: Problem → Solution Visualization: Two Approaches: • Technocentric approach = Problems (shown above) • Organization-centered approach = Better alternative What We Know So Far: Two approaches exist; author prefers organization-centered over technocentric What We Don't Know Yet: What organization-centered approach actually involves Reading Strategy Insight: This is the pivot sentence. We've finished learning why technocentric is bad; now we'll learn about the preferred alternative. Same overall topic (approaches to workplace technology). |
| According to this approach, worker participation is vital: people who actually do the work to be automated are seen as a crucial source of information during technological implementation. | What it says: In this organization-centered approach, it's essential to involve workers - the people doing the jobs that will be automated should provide important input when implementing technology. What it does: Defines the key characteristic of organization-centered approach Source/Type: Author explaining the alternative approach Connection to Previous Sentences: • Sentence 6 told us: Organization-centered approach is preferable • NOW Sentence 7: Here's what that approach actually means • This mirrors how Sentences 1-2 defined technocentric approach Visualization: Organization-centered: Workers doing the job → provide input to → technology designers → better implementation vs. Technocentric: Computer specialists → design technology → impose on workers Reading Strategy Insight: We're getting the same type of definitional information about organization-centered that we got about technocentric earlier. The passage structure is repeating, which should feel familiar and manageable. |
| Although the organization-centered approach is based on the sometimes faulty assumption that workers and managers share a consensus about their goals and interests, worker participation in technology implementation can lead to better quality work and improved worker satisfaction. | What it says: Even though the organization-centered approach wrongly assumes workers and managers always agree on goals, involving workers in technology decisions can still result in better work quality and happier workers. What it does: Acknowledges a limitation of organization-centered approach while reaffirming its benefits Source/Type: Author's balanced evaluation Connection to Previous Sentences: • Sentence 7 said: Organization-centered approach involves worker participation • NOW Sentence 8: Admits this approach isn't perfect BUT still delivers results • This parallels how Sentence 3-5 critiqued technocentric approach Visualization: Organization-centered Results: • Work quality: Improvement from baseline to higher level • Worker satisfaction: Increase (unlike banking example where technocentric decreased morale) • Downside: Assumes worker-manager agreement (not always true) What We Know So Far - Complete Picture: • Technocentric approach: Computer specialist-driven, hierarchical, often fails • Organization-centered approach: Worker participation-focused, generally better results despite some flawed assumptions Reading Strategy Insight: The author is being fair and balanced here - acknowledging problems with the preferred approach while still endorsing it. This "Although..." structure shows nuanced thinking, not contradiction. |
2. Passage Summary:
Author's Purpose:
To compare two different approaches to implementing workplace technology and show why one approach is generally better than the other.
Summary of Passage Structure:
The author builds their argument by first explaining one approach, then criticizing it, and finally presenting a better alternative:
- First, the author defines the "technocentric" approach, explaining that it treats workplace technology as a purely technical issue where computer specialists make all the decisions in traditional top-down workplaces.
- Next, the author argues that this technocentric approach often fails, providing a specific example from banking and explaining that today's economy requires more flexible, worker-centered approaches.
- Then, the author introduces the "organization-centered" approach as a better alternative, explaining that it focuses on getting input from the workers who will actually use the technology.
- Finally, the author acknowledges that the organization-centered approach isn't perfect but concludes that it still produces better results than the technocentric approach.
Main Point:
The organization-centered approach to workplace technology, which involves workers in the decision-making process, is generally more effective than the technocentric approach, which relies solely on computer specialists and traditional management structures.
3. Question Analysis:
This is an EXCEPT question asking us to identify which answer choice is NOT mentioned as a disadvantage of the technocentric approach. This means four of the five choices will be disadvantages that ARE mentioned in the passage, and one choice will either not be mentioned at all or will actually be presented as something the technocentric approach lacks (making it the opposite of what the technocentric approach does).
Connecting to Our Passage Analysis:
From our passage analysis, we identified several specific criticisms of the technocentric approach:
- It frequently hinders successful implementation (from sentence 3 analysis)
- Banking example showed it decreased employee morale and failed to increase productivity (from sentence 4 analysis)
- Current global economy has made its traditional efficiency model obsolete (from sentence 5 analysis)
- It's based on traditional hierarchical workplace with top-down decision-making (from sentence 2 analysis)
- Success now requires decentralized decision-making, broad distribution of skills, and increased worker initiative - which contrasts with the technocentric approach (from sentence 5 analysis)
Prethinking:
Based on our passage analysis, the technocentric approach is characterized by:
- Top-down, hierarchical decision-making (NOT decentralized)
- Computer specialists making decisions (NOT worker participation)
- Traditional workplace structures
- Focus on mass production efficiency
The passage explicitly states that success now requires "decentralized decision-making" - this is presented as what's needed in today's economy, which the technocentric approach fails to provide. So if an answer choice says the technocentric approach "relies on decentralized decision making," that would be the opposite of what the passage actually says about this approach.
Answer Choices Explained
A
It is based on the traditional model of efficiency.
Why It's Wrong:
- The passage explicitly states that "the current global economy has rendered obsolete the traditional model of efficiency underlying the technocentric approach"
- This directly identifies being based on a traditional/obsolete efficiency model as a disadvantage
- The passage contrasts this old model with what's needed now: "decentralized decision-making, a broad distribution of skills within an organization, and increased worker initiative"
Common Student Mistakes:
- Isn't being "traditional" neutral rather than bad? → The passage specifically says this traditional model has been "rendered obsolete" by economic changes, making it a clear disadvantage
- Does the passage really call this a disadvantage directly? → Yes, it's presented as a reason why the technocentric approach fails in today's economy
B
It can have a negative effect on employees' attitudes.
Why It's Wrong:
- The banking example explicitly shows that technocentric approach "decreased employee morale"
- This is presented as evidence of how the technocentric approach "frequently hindered successful implementation"
- Decreased morale clearly represents a negative effect on employees' attitudes
Common Student Mistakes:
- Is this just one example, not a general disadvantage? → The passage uses this banking example to illustrate the broader claim that technocentric approach "frequently" causes problems
- Does "morale" really mean the same as "attitudes"? → Yes, employee morale directly refers to workers' attitudes and feelings about their workplace
C
It relies on decentralized decision making within a company.
Why It's Right:
- The technocentric approach is described as relying on "traditional hierarchical workplace with a top-down decision-making structure" - the opposite of decentralized decision-making
- The passage states that "decentralized decision-making" is what's needed for success in today's economy, implying the technocentric approach lacks this
- Decentralized decision-making is presented as a characteristic of what works now, not as something the criticized technocentric approach uses
Key Evidence: "This approach is predicated on a traditional hierarchical workplace with a top-down decision-making structure" and "success is now founded not on mass production and traditional workplace structures but on decentralized decision-making"
D
It does not take into account the global economy.
Why It's Wrong:
- The passage explicitly states that "the current global economy has rendered obsolete the traditional model of efficiency underlying the technocentric approach"
- This directly criticizes the technocentric approach for not accounting for changes in the global economy
- The failure to adapt to global economic changes is presented as a key reason why this approach is problematic
Common Student Mistakes:
- Doesn't the passage just say the economy changed, not that the approach failed to consider it? → The passage implies the technocentric approach failed to evolve with economic changes, making this a disadvantage of the approach itself
- Is this really about "taking into account" the global economy? → Yes, an approach that becomes obsolete due to economic changes clearly failed to properly account for those changes
E
It can fail to increase productivity.
Why It's Wrong:
- The banking example explicitly shows the technocentric approach "failing to increase productivity"
- This failure to increase productivity is presented alongside decreased morale as evidence of the approach's problems
- Productivity improvement is typically a key goal of workplace technology implementation, so failing to achieve this represents a significant disadvantage
Common Student Mistakes:
- Is this just about one industry (banking)? → The passage uses banking as an example to illustrate broader problems with the technocentric approach
- Maybe it just didn't increase productivity but didn't decrease it either? → Even failing to increase productivity when that's the stated goal ("increase efficiency") represents a clear disadvantage
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