THE TECHNOLOGICAL ERA BEGINS

The earliest technology known to man is Olduvai stone technology (Olduwan) which was 2.5 million years ago it is a scraper to butcher dead animals. From there on man has made great advances in the field of engineering and technology. But the actual development in this field started off in the 16th century that is when man actually started exploring and inventing new things. This period is known as the age of exploration. The 19th century saw astonishing developments in different fields such as transportation, communication, etc. which led to mass production. Machine tools used by engineers to manufacture parts began in the first decade of the century. The end of the 19th century saw rapid development of chemical, electrical, petroleum, and steel technologies connected with highly structured technology research. 20th century technology developed rapidly. Communication technology, transportation technology, broad teaching and implementation of scientific method, and increased research spending all contributed to the advancement of modern science and technology.

The transformation took place after the Second World War, in countries like United States.
As the world rebuilt from the destruction of World War II, the market dominance of the U.S. was challenged. In addition, many organizations were characterized by outdated and bloated bureaucracies. In short, U.S. dominance had fueled complacency. Hence, much has been written about the reactions of U.S. organizations to the reality of changing market forces. The macroeconomic response to the changing business environment is one driver of organizational change. While some organizations have reacted through "slash and burn" downsizing, others have dealt with competitive pressures by using enabling information technologies and systems. The transition that we discuss is driven by market forces; the enabling technologies provide organizations with a wider range of alternatives with which to react and respond to the fundamental market forces.