Technology In The Workplace

2592 Words11 Pages
Technology increasingly affects virtually every aspect of work, it has been hailed as one of the most important developments in recent history (Franz, Robey, &Koeblitz, 1986). It has been argued that advances in automation and technology will result in increased productivity and product quality (London &Bassman, 1989) as well as increased market share for the United States in the global economy (Cascio&Zammuto, 1987). These hoped-for outcomes have resulted in spending on technology in organizations doubling as a percent of revenues over the past decade (Benjamin & Blunt, 1992). Technology refers to the collection of tools, including machinery, modifications, arrangements and procedures used by humans. Two basic opposing views exist with…show more content…
Technology in her definition therefore includes the software of production – managerial and marketing skills, and extended to services – administration, health, education and finance. Smillie also, describes this broader definition of technology as” the science and art of getting things done through the application of skills and knowledge “. In general, the concept of technology implies a subtle mix of know-how, techniques and tools. Technology in this sense is vested in people – their knowledge, skills and routines – just as much as in the machine they use. Machines and tools are only the physical manifestation of a particular technology or technologies. The concept of technology has been given various definitions by previous…show more content…
The study conducted by Campoion (1985) reveals that before and after the implementation of a new information technology system in a warehouse, Management at the warehouse claimed that the new technology was going to liberate workers from the monotony of their previous job. However, their description of both the technology and their reasons for implementing it led to the fact that the new technology was meant to heighten the control and continuity of the work processes consistent with an automated technology (Zuboff, 1988). From the study, technology, as described by management, definitely resembled a "specialist control" application within the typology of Clegg and Corbett (1986) as the users of the technology (warehousers) would have no responsibility for either the development of the coding, nor for the maintenance of the technology. Thus, according to the researchers they expected that the new technology would result in deskilled jobs as well as an increased level of control over the work processes. Thus, the focus of the rest of our discussion and our hypotheses are on the impact of an automated
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