IT and the Design of Work

1. When a new technology implementation occurs, the workers might resist this new technology implementation. Many workers feel that they will not be capable of learning a new procedure, and this can lead to insecurity about their own ability. Much of this fear comes from a lack of hands-on experience. Other fears are due to a lack of understanding and explanation about the change. Workers feel that implementation of technological systems will affect them in an adverse way, such as the loss of their job or a loss of their present status [1]. For example, In tradtional approaches, the supervision is personal, but in new technology supervision is electronic devices, which will result in lossing jobs for workers and reducing their status. Even though, the new technology needs worker as supervison, then the supervision must be professional in new technology. In addition, when a new technology added, then the work is more team oriented and the rewards also will be team-based replace individually-based. At that time, the workers will reject this new technology. Furthermore, the new technology will make the workers have no privacy, and all their behaviors will control by machines and electronic devices. On the other hand, in order to make the work well, workers must study the new technology and understand it, which provides burden to them. Overall, the reasons for worker resist the new technology are: no freedom, no individual work status, study more knowledge on new technoly, less jobs, and so on.

2. When ask a worker to use a computer in his job, then some possible consequences will appears. Firstly, because this is the first time for the worker using computer in his job, and he is not familiar with this computer. Although useing computer to finish the work, the work efficiency is low. Secondly, to make the work well by using computer, the worker should learn many new knowledge on new technology. It will cause the complaints from worker and affect his mood. Thirdly, during the work processes, maybe the worker should make the database or any other things. At that time, he dont know how to do, and he will ask professionals to solve the problem, which will cause self-humiliation, and he cannot achieve self-worth.

3. IT can make the individual work into team work to enhance the productivity and work efficiency, and it make the work designing again. Furthermore, IT make the individual work more easy, for example, previously the work should do work by hand, but IT can use the monitoring systems to make the work finish automatically, which alleviate working pressure for workers.

In order to make the workers accept the new technology, the managers must overcome the resistance problems. By selecting appropriate solutions or mechanisms, it is possible to avoid most human resistance to change. Activities by management can aid in achieving this meshing of people and of technological systems.
* Top Management Leadership--Top management must reinforce its commitment to the new system. They should stress the fact that people are essential to the successful implementation of the system. If employees believe top management fully supports a new project or technology, they will be more likely to cooperate with the implementation [1].

* Line Accountability for Change--All employees from the factory floor through the top management level need to be completely involved and committed to designing the system and making the system work. Line accountability in this process is critical. Line managers should commit to keeping workers up-to-date about their progress as well as making sure employees have the necessary experience to provide valuable input to the design of the system. Employees can often suggest ideas from their experience that design engineers and technicians have not considered. Involvement can also give employees a greater sense of responsibility and pride in the project. It becomes "our" system rather than "their" system. Both worker, and organization will benefit [1].
* Total Immersion for People--Giving decision-making responsibility to lower levels within the organization gives people a greater sense of responsibility and pride in their work. It also motivates them to want the system to be successful. To reinforce this commitment, top management should include and communicate the new systems' success in the organization's goals and mission. Employees should be rewarded according to these new goals [1].

Reference:
[1] People: a critical element of new technology implementation. Retrieved March 28, 2009, from Word Wide Web: http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/9200330_1.html