Technological Flashcards
The IT productivity paradox.
Tech doesn’t necessarily make us more productive.
Despite the ICT revolution, annual growth and productivity has declined since 1970 (US).
Tech is much more focused on entertainment and lifestyle, take mobile phones; these do not necessarily enhance our productivity but the tech has advanced dramatically in a short period of time.
Drones in the workplace (Case study)
In 2012, the on-line fashion retailer Net-A-Porter said that robot pickers were 500% faster than human pickers. On-line retailer Amazon uses Kiva robots to pick items from warehouse shelves.
Complete change in labour needs:
Increasing need for specialist engineers.
Warehouses still need pickers who can work at a fast pace (performance management targets).
Bricks & clicks companies might reduce the Bricks (close retail shops) and increase their clicks (warehouse/distribution). Reducing/no labour market for retail customer service; increasing labour market for call centre/on-line customer service support reducing costs reduced infrastructure needs. Increasing IT support staff.
Tech in the MOD
Technology advances are already changing the nature of job roles - E.g. from pilot to drone pilot.
As technology advances so to must selection and training processes, to keep up with need.
The ‘gig’ economy.
High tech businesses use shared networks
Temporary positions are common and companies employ workers for a short period of time or on demand. E.g. delivery drivers, Uber, Airbnb. Whilst this offers flexibility to workers, it resolves organisations of the responsibility of looking after it’s employees.
