The Impact Of Information Technology On Work Organisations

The Impact Of Information Technology On Work Organisations

The impact of information technology will have significant effects on

the structure, management and functioning of most organisations. It

demands new patterns of work organisation and effects individual jobs,

the formation and structure of groups, the nature of supervision and

managerial roles. Information technology results in changes to lines

of command and authority, and influences the need for reconstructing

the organisation and attention to job design. Computer based

information and decision support systems influence choices in design

of production or service activities, hierachal structures and

organisations of support staffs. Information technology may influence

the centralisation/ decentralisation of decision making and control

systems. New technology has typical resulted in a flatter

organisational pyramid with fewer levels of management required. In

the case of new office technology it allows the potential for staff at

clerical/operator level to carry out a wider range of functions and to

check their own work. The result is a change in the traditional

supervisory function and a demand for fewer supervisors. One example,

secretaries with the impact of I technology are moving increasingly

into territory previously occupied by managers and administrations,

and achieving new levels of responsibility The importance of effective

management of technical change has been highlighted by recent and

continuing developments in IT. Although the term IT originated in the

computer industry, it extends beyond computing to include

telecommunications and office equipment. Advances in...

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...ffect on the task,

the structure and the people. It is important to avoid destructive

conflict, alienating staff including managerial colleagues, or evoking

the anger and opposition of unions. At the same time, it is important

to avoid incurring increasing costs or a lower level of organisational

performance caused by delays in the successful implementation of new

technology. What needs to be considered is the impact of technical

change on the design of the work organisation, and the attitudes and

behaviour of staff. It will be necessary for managers and supervisors

to develop more agile skills in organisation. This calls for the

effective management of human resources and a style of managerial

behaviour, which helps to minimise the problems of technical change.

Bibliography

Organisational structure a.j mullins