Technology is a Blessing and not a Curse in the Workplace - Essay Example

Technology is a Blessing and not a Curse in the Workplace An Evaluation of Technological Change on Individuals in the Workforce Even though technology is a concept so useful in everyday life, a strict definition still remains hard to pin down. In an attempt to do so, The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary has defined technology as: “the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area.” This particular area can be construction technology (e.g. cranes) or medical technology (e.g. cardiograms) or any other area where a practical application of knowledge occurs.

But what about the impact of technology on the average worker who technology actually affects? At this point it would not be imprudent to suggest that the beneficial impact of technology on the worker is much underrated. In his paper ‘The Degradation of Work Revisited: Workers and Technology in the American Auto Industry, 1900-2000’, Stephen Meyer points out that during the era of Ford*, most of the workers used to be unskilled and had a variety of jobs to do. However as most modern economics textbooks will point out, the emphasis is now on a division and specialization of labor.

The downside of this is that boredom slowly creeps into the work system, a fact that is hardly depicted by the emergence of the workaholics of the 21st centaury. In fact, these workers who used to earn $ 5 a day (State University of New York Press, 1981, The Five Dollar Day) can now earn much more than that in an hour today. The luxuries they enjoy at home are something that was only possible due to the technological restructuring of their workplace. Another direct product of technological advancement is the improved level of communication between employees and employers (Werner J.

& James W., 1979, Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses). Technologies like mobile communication, satellite video conferencing and the utility of transporting all your data home and work there enable workers to be more connected with their workplace and employers even at home. Of course, critics have not been far behind. In a research paper, a Stanford student points out that this leads to less personal time at home and hence deterioration of family life. He also points out that now employees remain at the mercy of employers, even at home.

However, he fails to mention that it is always the workers choice weather to take his work home and it is always his preference which matters when leaving his mobile switched on. Previously, workers who started out low (as a worker in the workshop) eventually had the chance to work their way to the top (management) positions of the company, due to their experiences. In this technologically defined era, when a worker joins a company, he has a rigid role to play in that company as long as he stays there (unless he wishes to retrain).

An executive manager will always remain so, and an electronics engineer will always remain in the workshop. It is unfortunately cited that this removes the incentive to work for these individuals and removes the excitement from their jobs. However, it is rather difficult to agree with this. All engineers become engineers because they like engineering. To agree with the above statement would mean that they wanted to be managers and so did an engineering degree. It makes no sense whatsoever! To conclude, I would like to reiterate my point that the impact technology has had on our lives, especially on our workplace has been taken for granted, and only its disadvantages are being voiced.

A simple proof would be to take 5 minutes out of our busy schedule and do any everyday task without this technology, which we so raucously criticize. Bibliography: 1. Definition from Merriam Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved on 16/02/2007 from http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technology 2. Anderton A. and Bamford C. A-levels Economics Textbooks. 3. State University of New York Press, 1981, The Five Dollar Day: Labor Management and Social Control in the Ford Motor and Peterson J.S., 1981, American Automobile Workers, 1900-1930 from Paper by Meyer S.

, The Degradation of Work Revisited: Workers and Technology in the American Auto Industry, 1900-2000 at http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Labor/L_Overview/L_Overview.htm 4. Salary scale from http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Automotive_Engineer/Salary 5. Severin, Werner J., Tankard, James W. & Jr., 1979, Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses 6. Paper by Hart D., Ohio State University, Satellite Communications 7. Research paper by Stanford student from http://cse.stanford.edu/class/cs201/Projects/effect-on-interpersonal-skills