The Impact of Information Technology on the Workforce of the Future

Telecommuting has been shown to reduce absenteeism, improve retention, and reduce recruitment costs for the organization (Family, pg. 730). Increased employee moral is also a benefit associated with telecommuting (Professional Isolation, pg. 512). Offering this new benefit that is such a satisfier for employees will likely result in reduced turnover within the organization and higher productivity. A study found pubic employees who were satisfied with their telework/telecommuting benefits were less likely to leave their positions (Family pg. 732). With the reduction of office time, an increase in employee productivity is likely due to fewer interruptions from fellow employees (Lessons pg. 10). With telecommuting having benefits to both the employer and employee, this new policy should bring positive results to the

Companies are able have global video conferences and organize deals and sales half way around the world via videoconferencing. Not only does technology improve the ways of connectivity, but it has also made information easily accessible and has allowed files to be shared through e-mail and edited on a separate device. Although the concept of outsourcing is highly controversial in the United States, in the long run, technology has helped word-wide businesses save a great amount of money by outsourcing jobs internationally. Many businesses outsource jobs related to customer service and have employees from various countries speak on the phone to assist their customers, who are many times, more than a few thousand miles away. From a professional point of view, the internet and technology have paved a way for success in the business

Today with wireless technology you do not need to be at your desk to receive work emails. The smart phones allow us to receive emails wherever we are at anytime. The mobile phone has also made it easier for the employer to find his employee anytime especially in cases of emergency, where initially the employer would have to call the house number and leave a message if no one answered the phone. Today a lawyer may review his case notes on his tablet before sending it to printing. An architect can review a drawing and send the adjustments to the client or engineer via the internet very fast.

Mobile technology devices are used more today in the office for communicating outside the office. These devices provide the office worker the independence to stay in contact during commutes, to work from home, or to participate in meetings when away from the office. According to research, the most valued qualities of using mobile technology are the functions that the devices provide (Gebauer, 2008).

According to Yigitcanlar, Velibeyoglu and Martinez-Fernandez (2008), there are a set of digital technologies which employers are seeking in order to improve on their outcomes and thereby maximize the stakeholders’ value. Among these technologies are those that are concerned with communication. Goode (2010) revealed that Australian employers have shifted from the traditional means of communication to the digital ones. Take an instance of electronic mails. Rather than writing letters to all employees to inform them about a given issue, Australian employers are now adopting the use of electronic mails, and this has increased the level of efficiency in the workplace tremendously. This is especially due to the fact that different types of resources including time and energy are saved. Another digital technology that has been applied within the Australian workplace is wireless network. A growing number of Australian corporate especially those that have a huge branch network are now communicating over long distances using wireless networks such as Wi-Fi. The same can be said about teleconferencing. Rather than holding the traditional meetings, Australian organizations are holding meetings and core sittings using what is called video conferencing. In general, managers and corporate stakeholders, regardless of their location, are using telecommunication technologies to communicate through simultaneous two-way

The introduction to technology changed the speed as to which organizations became successful. As organizations began using this new technology within their organizations, they were able to not only benefit their employees, but their customers as well. It is stated in an online article titled, “Net Gains: HR Technology in the ‘90s, Today” that, “By the

Technology has contributed to many of the largest changes in recent history. One field impacted by the revolutionary power of technology is work. The workplace continues to incorporate technology at an exponential rate that has in no doubt contributed to an increase in both the quantity and quality of goods and services available. The benefits of technology are widely known; however, the negative implications of technology in the workforce are a little more unfamiliar. The progression of technology in the workplace is harmful to society because of its degenerative effects on the working class. The widespread use of technology foremost threatens the stability of work and the character of the common worker.

The impact of computer technology in the workplace has been enormous within the past decade, both positive and negative. Distant communication through the use of computers and mobile devices have overhauled the office setting completely. Email, social networking sites and the world of the Internet have opened a whole new avenue of communication. Technology has changed the entire workplace environment, the relationships, and how things get done.

Teleworking has become increasingly popular since it first became utilized in the 1970s. It first developed as a means of increasing worker flexibility and female employment (Rassmussen, Corbett, 1990), it has now become a mainstream method of employment, particularly in the United States. Workers are more autonomous, and research suggests that they are more productive when teleworking for every dollar spent one receives two dollars in productivity (Di Martino, Wirth, 1990 and Rassmussen, Corbett, 1990). Although there is still a great deal of dissension concerning whether it is a useful practice, its enduring popularity testifies to its relevance. This paper discusses the benefits and drawbacks of teleworking, with particular attention paid to worker productivity, cost-efficiency, and overall, whether teleworking is a benefit for management.

In the business world, people should be in touch and communicate effectively. In the past, businesses would regularly call meetings and with stand long hours of confusing discussions and debates until they finally came to an understanding or agreement. Now, thanks to technology, people in the work force can keep in touch and get their message across a lot more clear and easier. James Butler writes, “Not only is it fast, but the response you receive is often more concise, saving time that could have been wasted by sitting through a marathon conference. Just sum it up in an email, please” (1). No more confusion or time being taken out

Given the escalating costs of managing facilities, increase in fuel costs, and high cost of recruiting the specific types of professionals to work in a given geographic area, telecommuting has become a viable alternative for any organization today. No longer having to invest heavily in a large corporate facility, be forced to recruit only from a given geographic region, or incur the very high fuel costs of many regional offices, organizations are opting for telecommuting work strategies. This approach to organizing a work force is considered by thought leaders in human resources to be the single greatest factor affecting the long-term nature of organizational structure and job satisfaction (Smith, 2005). The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has defined telecommuting as the use of telecommunications technology to enable global workforces to collaborate and communicate, forcing a change in the policies, organizational structures and strategic resource planning of enterprise globally (U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1997). This approach to organizing a workforce is resonating with high-growth companies who need to gain access to expertise far outside the geographic boundaries of their companies. There is ample enthusiasm on the part of workers in these and many companies for this concept, as it is seen as liberating and fertile with freedom for workers to pursue the best

Telecommuting development has risen in the business industry over the past decade, and it is most known for allowing people the freedom to who work from home. What is the effect of telecommuting? It is much more than having the freedom to be more remote than people come to realize. Research indicates employees and employers both save time and money. Studies will substantiate telecommuting is a noble business practice and that there are several significant advantages of telecommuting. However, there may be others that might disagree. The business industry changes faster than ever, but not everyone may see the potential that telecommuting brings to the table. The choice to work from home can be strictly up to the company and the employee; if outline business requirements are met. Is the option to telecommute a viable option for companies? While telecommuting does pose some challenges; it is still a positive business practice because the growing trend shows benefits of saving time and money, working flexible hours, job gratification, and higher productivity.

Since classical times technology has been associated to development. The more the use of technology, higher the degree of development. This technological change has had an impact on all organizations and sectors which includes manufacturing, designs, entertainment and healthcare. By 1991, U.S. companies spent more on information technology than any other form of investment; total spending on computers and related services doubled from approximately $80 billion in 1984 to over $160 billion in 1998 (Taylor, 1998). These numbers have at least multiplied by 4 if not more from 1998 to 2017. These include a broad array of communication media and devices which link information systems and people including voice mail, e-mail, voice conferencing, video conferencing, the internet, groupware and corporate intranets, smart phones, personal digital assistants, and innumerable others.(e.g., Andolsen, 1999; Campbell, 1999; Edwards, 1999; Gramm, 1999; Schober, 1999; Spiegelman, 1999; Tarabour, 1999; Wildstrom, 1999).

Technology also impacts the advanced ability for employees to work offsite, to have employees be able to telecommute to work. This advancement brings many new challenges and communication and security concerns to the HR department.

Technology makes remote work more accessible. The office now encompasses different countries and time zones.