Workplace technology: implementation and impact

Workplace Technology

Researchers claim that recent developments in technology, such as Internet, e-mail, computers, telecommuting and Video Conferencing have profoundly affected the environment of a workplace. The paper will reveal the impact that these technologies have had in a workplace.

The use of computers in a workplace

The availability of computers in a workplace has had a very powerful impact on the employees. Computing opportunities have established the degree to which employees' sophistication profits task performance and the level to which ability improvement devices can efficiently develop employees' sophistication. The use of computer, which also had compelling propositions for employees' sophistication, is strongly persuaded by computing opportunities. From an executive point-of-view, this signifies that advanced usage operation has developed more sophistication. Furthermore, given that operation depends on the task, attempts to improve sophistication through operation must be addressed by the executives (Jones, 1998).

Numerous studies have proposed that, as users become more self-assured in their capability to operate computers and to utilize them productively, they may become encouraged to advance their learning of computing technology. Research proposes that it is sensible to anticipate such users to enthusiastically acquire knowledge on the diverse computing devices accessible, to develop a profound insight of particular devices, and to make an effort to apply their insight and skills to diverse features of the task background (Jones, 1998).

However, research has poised several concerns with the use of computer technology in a work place. Particular problems, especially computer overuse, might be traced to low self-efficacy; low self-efficacy might also be indicative of teaching requirements and the insufficiency of experiential prospects. For practitioners, these consequences highlight the significance of finding ways to improve user self-assurance.

Telecommuting

Telecommuting has deeply influenced the traditions of a workplace. Researchers have identified 2 major impacts of this technology. First, the clash amid workers and management ought to be regarded. Telecommuting might transform the salary deal as workers enhance their output by operating from home. Research shows that productivity has grown to approximately 30% in some telecommuting industries. This has obligated venture managers to reconsider criterion performance measures for workers. As Veblen noted, "as the division of interest grows between the business community who do business for the absentee owners and the underlying population who work for a living, a high degree of mutual distrust is engendered," (Veblen 1921, 106 -- 107).

Second, the benefits and costs of telecommuting have also had a profound impact in the workplace environment. Researchers who support telecommuting argue that telecommuting augments output, cuts-down real estate expenditure, cuts-down pollution and congestion on roads, and decreases non-attendance of employees. Critics challenge this argument by arguing that there will be isolation from office life and loneliness leading to anxiety in families and ultimate collapse of numerous telecommuting programs. A pessimistic Veblenian understanding of these impacts is that they represent a "conscientious withdrawal of efficiency" (Veblen 1921, 106 -- 107).

Internet and e-mail

The extensive utilization of the Internet and electronic mail ("e-mail") has changed the method business is executed in the traditional American workplace. In present times, written communication to nearly anyone in the world can be conducted almost instantly; information on any subject encountered in an everyday work task can be retrieved in a very short span of time from the Internet through various search engines. These technological advancements have profited employers and employees alike -- employers in achieving business goals and employees in executing their jobs (Khaifa and Robert, 2000).

On the other hand, researchers have revealed that employers and employees mutually observe non-work-related utilization of the Internet and e-mail as suitable, albeit, in their shared observation, such utilization might hold back the productivity of the employees. As a common concern, most workers consider that some personal Internet or e-mail utilization at work is tolerable and that employers should not have the jurisdiction to observe what e-mails employees are sending and receiving or what sites they are visiting (Khaifa and Robert, 2000).

Video Conferencing