Future of Work: Technology in the Workplace

Flashcards about the role and impact of technology in the workplace.

What is a key benefit of technology in the workplace, particularly in allowing work to continue during events like the COVID-19 pandemic?

Technology allows many workers to continue working through flexible location and timing of services.

What are some benefits of technology in the workplace?

Streamlining repetitive processes with automation, overhead cost savings and increased worker flexibility with remote work, higher employee productivity and satisfaction, better customer service, and access to non-local talent.

What are some drawbacks of technology in the workplace?

Inability for employees to unplug after work, higher loneliness rates for remote employees, cybersecurity threats and data breaches, and potential privacy violations through employee monitoring.

What does digitization in the workplace involve?

Adopting digital technologies like video conferencing, cloud computing, and messaging apps in business and society to generate, store, or process data.

Define Teleworking

Teleworking refers to a work arrangement where workers do not work at a central worksite with other workers from the same organization; instead technology is used to enable remote and virtual work.

What are some possible negative effects of Teleworking?

Worker alienation due to lack of face-to-face social interaction (social isolation), nonparticipation at the actual worksite will rob individuals of important sense of identity that is derived from the work experience (work attitudes), teleworkers will be less likely to be promoted because, since they are out of sight, they will also be out of mind (professional isolation), Teleworking requires a particular type of person, individuals who are ambitious and conscientious. But ambition will also lead to rapid disillusionment with the lack of promotional opportunities. (individual differences to suitability to teleworking)

What are the positive outcomes of Teleworking?

Perceived autonomy, higher productivity, Retention (turnover intent), Organisational commitment, performance

What is a social impact of Teleworking?

One of the most reported consequence of the COVID- induced shift to teleworking has been feelings of isolation

What are examples of telework impacting professional and social isolation?

Social isolation refers to lack of availability of colleagues for social interactions, camaraderie, and friendships. Professional isolation refers to being deprived of work-based supports and information, exposure to supervisors, opportunities

Define Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is “a comfortable state of equilibrium achieved between a person’s primary priorities of their employment position and their personal lifestyle” (Ratn & Kaur, 2016)

How can leader reduce social and professional isolation among workers?

Leaders have a role to play in reducing feelings of social and professional isolation among workers through the innovative use of technology

What are the three ways that AI can approach, equal, or overtake human intelligence?

They can be orders of magnitude faster (speed superintelligence), They can be comprised of a larger number of smaller “intellects” working together (collective superintelligence), It can be more creative or better at problem solving (quality superintelligence)

What are the roles that AI can serve?

Replacing human workers (eliminating jobs), Augmenting human performance (facilitating performance) via Electronic Performance Support, Serving as Synthetic Team members

Define automation.

Automation refers to “the development and application of technology in the workplace to produce and deliver goods and services with only minimal human intervention”

What are the challenges with the introduction of AI and Automation?

High levels of AI and automation create unique challenges for organisations and humans like perceived loss of control (increased stress and anxiety), erosion of skills due to lack of use (e.g., over reliance on autopilot), vigilance difficulties (fundamental human cognition/attention limitations), and boredom (reduced job satisfaction)

What should be considered when implementing automation in the workplace?

When implementing automation in the workplace, organisations should clearly communicate the reason for implementing new technology, anticipated benefits and challenges it will bring about, resources that will be provided to workers to adjust, and changing job expectations as a result of the implemented automation-related changes

Define technostress.

Any negative impact on attitudes, thoughts, behaviors or psychology caused directly or indirectly by technology

What are some aspects related to technostress?

Subdimension and sources of technostress have been identified, higher levels of biological markers of stress reactions (e.g., cortisol-levels and skin conductance) in employees who experience technostress, and workers attitudes towards digital technologies, digital literacy, coping styles, involvement in implementation of technologies, and technical support impact whether technology is perceived as stressful.

What are the three strategies for increasing worker acceptance of new technology in the workplace?

Well-defined alignment between the new technology and the organization’s performance objectives, smooth integration into the work process with a transition period, shift focus from automation as a replacement of human labor to automation as augmentation of the work experience

What is necessary for human oversight in AI face recognition technology?

Human oversight of facial recognition technology is necessary, end-to-end face identification systems that incorporate AI and human decision making can improve accuracy compared to facial recognition technology alone (Phillips et al., 2018)., of equal importance, humans provide legal safeguards to protect against errors made by automated technology and promote ethical use of AI.

What are automation dangers related to self-driving vehicles?

Inadequate training, skill erosion, complacency, technology malfunctions, limits of human cognition (attention/alertness/vigilance)

What characteristics are key predictors for trust and distrust in informational systems in the workplace?

Reliability, Credibility, Support, Ability of involved persons, and Participation of employees