The Deskilling Debate, New Technology and Work Organization

Abstract

Taking as its starting point what has become known as the British labour process debate, this paper discusses some of the developing ideas within what the author charactenzes as its third wave. In particular it focuses on the question of alternatives to Taylonsm and the concept of skill. Rather than assuming the dominance of Taylonsm (or superiority of flexible forms of organization), it is more useful to start from an appreciation of the limits of and contradictions within scientific management. A central problem which has bedevilled the post-Braverman debate about both new forms of work organization and the concept of skill is the centrality accorded to a um dimensional concept of control The paper points to the need to get away from this and for a broader discussion of skill which includes consideration of the 'social construction of skill', tacit knowledge, and the sexual division of labour. The author links this discussion to the question of 'new' technologies, showing for example that the notion of tacit skills cautions against assuming they deskill most jobs, because such existing skill may be vital for their successful implementation. An examination of both the effects of recession on work organization and Japanese management further highlights some of the issues raised by the third wave of labour process debate