Stiles paper

Question 1

What are the main claims of Stiles?

Answer 1

2 connected claims:

• digital revolutions changes the work environment
• Changes in work environment lead to changes in capitalism and the social contract

Question 2

In which way are changes being made to the work environment due to the digital revolution according to stiles?

Answer 2

increasing flexibility: less permanent jobs, less money security for individuals

intensification of work: technostress and increased productivity expected

Decreased autonomy: due to tech scheduls and it possible actions leading to less wellbeing

Values in tech: The values in the tech are those of the creators which shape the users’ values

Question 3

In which way do changes to the work environment makes changes to capitalism and the social contract according to stiles?

Answer 3

entrenchment of capitalism:
more control to employers than employees which weakens social contract. Financialization (fiancial markets) and platform capitalism (big digital companies)

revisions to social contract:
On organizational level, view workers are tech users and pay attention to their relationship with tech. On policy level, governments must suport flexible workers and invest in education

other radical alternatives

Question 4

What are the other radical alternatives according to stiles?

Answer 4

Politics of place:
Empahsis on local economy and culture instead of globalization

Workers’ self-directed enterprises:
Workers themselves lead, own, and distribute profit of the company

Post work:
Less unemployment due to faster automation then new job creation.