Learning Reflection

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTIVITY

GROWTH, AND REDUCED LEISURE: REVISITING

“END OF HISTORY”

Debdas Banerjee

Many workers were against the long working hours that were experienced within the factory style production system. They strived to reduce the work hours while also ensuring they were not replaced by the introduction of technological development into the manufacturing sector (Banerjee, 2006). However, employers preferred longer work hours for workers who were already trained on the job to having more employees. One of the reasons was that such employees were already skillful and experienced in their tasks. Over time, there has been an increase in the use of computers throughout the economy. There are numerous software services and products, which are used in various sectors of the economy, although some areas are less IT-intensive. There are two types of workers, those who engage in physical production of goods while others known as knowledge workers. These are employees who distribute, produce and manipulate information in the course of their career. However, their jobs were dependent on the IT sector and any occurrence such as the “IT bubble burst” left many of them jobless. It is true that changes in technology improve the employment conditions of workers. This is because computers make it possible to have automated processes within’ the companies and this increases the efficiency of the factory system. Therefore, It ensures workers are not directly involved in dangerous processes within the organization. The author notes that knowledge economy workforce is different from the manufacturing sector based on their products. The knowledge workers produce and manipulate information while manufacturing sector employees produces actual products (Banerjee, 2006). Different countries have different laws regarding employment conditions. These conditions are different in different countries. This article shows the effect that technology has on the employment and the work conditions throughout the world. It indicates the various legislations passed in various countries help increase the use of technology in various sectors of the economy.

QUESTIONS:

Presenter 1: Discuss – Banjeree (2006), do changes in technology improve workers employment conditions? Does the knowledge economy workforce differ from the manufacturing sector? Are employment conditions subject to differences country locations? Discuss how this article informs your thinking about trends in work and work conditions.

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