Socio-Technical Systems (STS) is a term that originated from the work of Eric Trist, Ken Bamforth, and Fred Emery during the World War II era, based on their experiences with workers in English coal mines at the Tavistock Institute in London.
In the context of organizational development, STS is an approach to intricate organizational work design that acknowledges the interaction between people and technology in workplaces. It pertains to a theory that considers both the social elements of people and society and the technical aspects of organizational structure and processes. Essentially, Socio-Technical Systems emphasizes the importance of considering both social and technical factors when designing, changing, or managing systems in the workplace.