Technologie(n) und Organisation.

[Machine translation] GERMAN ABSTRACT: The article proposes a uniform reading of the importance of digitization for organizational action, which builds on the theoretical path opened by J. D. Thompson (1967) and whose heuristic value is illustrated using the example of Amazon as a digital conglomerate. Based on the distinction between interlinking, switching and intensive technology (Thompson), it is argued that digital technology can be classified as a linking technology due to the sequential structure of the algorithms. As such, it requires standardization and continues to do so. What is novel is that algorithmic interlinking and the networking based on it overcome the rigidity of analog interlinking and thus expand the field of application of interlinking technology. It is shown how both dimensions characterize Amazon. On the one hand, algorithmic management in distribution centers leads to the industrialization of manual service work, which results in work density and increased control of work performance. On the other hand, a novel hybridization (“algorithmic mediation”) is taking place in the area of brokerage technology, where Amazon as well as the other digital platforms are located. This hybridization goes right into Amazon's technical core and is the source of its innovative strength and economic power., **** ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The article proposes a unified reading of the importance of digitalization for organizational action, which follows the theoretical path opened by J. D. Thompson (1967) and whose heuristic value is illustrated using the example of Amazon as a digital conglomerate. Starting from the differentiation between long-linked (concatenation), mediating and intensive technologies (Thompson), the article argues that because of the sequential structure of the algorithms digital technology has to be understood as a long-linked technology. As such it presupposes standardisation and develops it further. What is new is that the algorithmic sequence and the network based on it overcome the rigidity of the analogous inter-linkage and thus extend the field of application of the concatenation technology. The article demonstrates how these two dimensions characterise Amazon. On the one hand the algorithmic management in the distribution centers leads to the industrialisation of manual work in the service sector which implies work intensification and increased control of the work performance. On the other hand a new form of hybridisation („algorithmic mediation“) takes place in the field of the mediating technology which forms the basis of Amazon as well as the other digital platforms. This hybridisation extends into the technical core of Amazon and constitutes the source of its innovation strength and its economic power.