Both readings address the social transformation brought about by technological innovation. Cascio and Montealegre (2016) considers major evolutionary milestones in technology development and changes in the workflow and organizations and meticulously considers the phenomenon of ubiquitous computing and disruptive technology. The authors consistently and exhaustively study the scientific problem of the impact of technology on the organizational infrastructure and features of the workspace.
Miller’s article (2011) focuses more on the issue of communication and societies in the contemporary digital environment, touching upon the relationship between technology and work only indirectly. Analyzing the characteristics of virtual communities and networked individualism, the author comes to several considerable insights. This paper identifies crucial themes and concepts from each reading, discusses how they relate to workplaces and organizations, and poses two questions to the class.
Technology Influence on Jobs and Organizations
One of the most significant themes in this regard is the transformation of the workplaces system due to technological progress. Cascio and Montealegre (2016) state thatthe digital revolution has led to the disappearance of numerous medium-skilled jobs. This applies mainly to the positions held by the working class in the 20th century. At the same time, the demand for web designers and programmers has increased significantly. Despite the high productivity and innovative workflow, technology has not increased average wages. The explanation may be that, in developed countries, digital technologies are destroying jobs faster than resulting in benefits.
It should be noted that the modification of workflow design in organizations is also an extremely urgent topic. According to Miller (2011), numerous human interactions, including business processes, take place within “abstract systems,” thereby resulting in “the separation of time and space” (p. 188). The emergence of a digital environment, where abstract systems exist, reduces the value of moving in space and allows companies to perform a vast proportion of management and other work remotely. Time becomes the primary resource, as now the spheres of communication, production, and distribution cover the whole globe, and modern businesses adapt to it.
New Ergonomics and Technological Workspace
Since technology is widely used in work processes, ergonomics functionality is largely covered by usability. Cascio and Montealegre (2016) state that there are “at least four considerations that influence the adoption and implementation of workplace technologies” (p. 356). They are convenient usability, employees’ competence, the economic feasibility of technology implementation, and its social popularity. Accordingly, companies, when deciding technological updating of the workflow, analyze its purposefulness based on these criteria. In addition, the trends in the working environment design are keeping pace with technological developments.
According to Miller (2011), the division of the workspace into “little boxes” was first changed to “glocalization,” when the divided spaces became more interconnected, and now is transformed into “networked individualism” (p. 200). Offices are increasingly organized on the principle of open space, with each employee having an individual work in both the real and digital environment, including an account, e-mail, personal web page.
Conclusion
Technological innovations affect both the infrastructure of the labor market and the demand for certain professions and the internal organization of the workflow. Modern organizations are taking advantage of digital spaces and social media, as well as usability research, in order to build business processes in the most efficient way.
These processes have a direct impact on my life and work, as well. Firstly, when choosing a profession, I am based on labor market trends. Secondly, I also actively use the benefits of the digital environment in working communication and try to be competent in professional software and business use of social media.
Questions to the Class
What is the likelihood that the rapid development of science and technology and the introduction of technological advances into the work process will soon reduce the working day for most employees by half?
What are the adverse effects of technology influence on jobs and organizations in addition to job cuts for some professions?
References
Miller, V. (2011). Understanding digital culture. London, England: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Cascio, W. F., & Montealegre, R. (2016). How technology is changing work and organizations. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 3, 349-375.