The use of technology in the work place has revolutionized how we perform our jobs on a daily basis. Email, automation, video conferencing, etc. have all played an integral role in how work is accomplished in today’s society. Although these advances have made our jobs easier and often more enjoyable is it taking jobs away?
When you step back and take a glance it’s easy to realize that this is clearly the case. Unemployment levels have risen steadily for years opposed to the steady growth of employment in the 80’s and 90’s. Human jobs once occupied in fields like manufacturing and customer services are being replaced with robots and automated services. This trend doesn’t just apply to labor intensive jobs either. Technology advances have plagued the professional job market as well. Many of the tasks performed by top level executives have become increasingly automated leaving them at risk to the technology take over as well.
With companies continuing to look for ways to cut costs and stay cutting edge the trend to look towards machines instead of people to complete the tasks is sure to continue. I have had firsthand experience with this having worked in the manufacturing field the last seven years. Our team once composed of forty employees has been trimmed down to fifteen after the implementation of three new robotic machines. How have advances in information technology changed your work environment? What kind of long term effects do you think this will have on the American Economy?
Citation: McKendrick, J. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/business-brains/does-information-technology-destroy-or-create-jobs-debate-heats-up/19683
I found your posting to be very interesting. I to have noticed much change within the work environment. For example, I currently work in retail, and we have just recently converted to handheld registers which have the ability to pull up our customers history directly on the floor. While this is not a major change of employment, with do have a lesser need for cashiers. I do feel that the IT aspect of this change has been very positive.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! Not only labor intensive jobs have been replaced by machiches but professional jobs as well. I recently heard that many jobs in the financial field have been eliminated by analytical software that performs the daily tasks that a supervisor can perform. I'm not really sure how significant the impact will be later on, but we'll just have to adapt.
ReplyDeleteThe advances in technology has had a positive effect in my work environment. Email is our primary source of communication and also serves as instant back-up documentation for our records. Most of our employees regularly check their emails throughout the day (including remotely) and provide quick responses to inquiries and issues that arise with daily business operations.
ReplyDeleteYolanda I agree its not all bad. I mean where would we be today without email and all of the benefits that it brings to the table. I think long term though technology will have a greater impact on how or if we are able to perform work task.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is really needed in my work environment. By using email, text messages, or make calls that I can easily and quickly contact with my colleagues. Long- term technology would be helpful and convenient for us in the work environment.
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