Lecture 10 - Contemporary issues and the future of work and organisations Flashcards
Stats for working from home?
- Pre Covid only 12% working partially from
home, mid lockdown this increased to nearly half of the workforce. - October 2024: 41% of the UK population work
partially / fully at home
What are the benefits of WFH for organisations?
- Increased productivity
- more ethical, sustainable working practices.
What are the challenges of WFH regarding real estate?
Expensive office spaces remain unused, leading to inefficiency.
What are the challenges of WFH regarding real estate?
Expensive office spaces remain unused, leading to inefficiency.
How does WFH affect organisational culture?
Reduces interaction with shared values, lowering loyalty and commitment.
How does WFH impact management?
Managers lose influence, face training gaps, and struggle with newcomer integration.
What are the cost benefits of WFH for workers?
It eliminates travel, accommodation, and other associated costs.
How does WFH benefit mental health?
Workers can better balance personal life responsibilities with work life.
What are the negatives of WFH for workers?
- Isolation
- resentment from on-site workers
- reduced trust among teams
How does technology impact employees during WFH?
It intensifies organizational control by extending its reach into personal settings and time slots.
What health benefits does technology provide in workplaces?
It lowers sick leave, healthcare costs, and risks of injury or legal disputes.
What is “Technostress”?
Stress caused by excessive reliance on technology, increasing worker alienation.
How does technology impact individuality?
It reduces the need for thinking and acting, treating humanity as a tool rather than individuals.
What does transforming the role of organisations involve?
Shifting from profit-driven goals to meaningful, social, or environmental objectives and potentially reducing organisational influence.
What is decentralisation of ownership?
Reducing monopolies and prioritising stakeholders over shareholders.
How can organisations improve accountability?
By holding shareholders accountable for societal and environmental impacts and promoting worker ownership.
Alternative forms of organising: What is a co-operative?
A democratically controlled, jointly owned association meeting economic, social, and cultural needs
What is the “one person, one vote” policy in co-operatives?
100% worker ownership gives voice and decision-making power to key
stakeholder groups
What are the three purposes of co-operatives?
- profit-making
- societal benefit
- fulfilling values/ideals
Alternative forms of organising: What is a state-owned enterprise?
A business controlled by the government, balancing profit with public policy objectives
What is the “double bottom line” in state-owned enterprises?
Combining business goals (e.g., profit) with public policies (e.g., employment, low prices).
What challenges do state-owned enterprises face?
Pressure to compete with private sectors can reduce focus on social and political objectives.
