The impact of technology on work: enabling workplace innovation by technological and organisational choice

Abstract

New technological developments can have major consequences for work, which require an understanding of the ‘new’ skills of employees, the possible measures to counteract the negative effects on the quality of work, and optional choices regarding the use of technological applications and their embedding in work processes. This chapter shows how the Technology Impact Method (TIM) was applied in two case studies to qualitatively determine the impact of (future) technological developments on the tasks, required skills and quality of work of engineers in the agri-food and energy network industries in the Netherlands. The TIM analysis shows that the new tasks of engineers require more data entry, use data and (virtual) support for maintenance and repair activities, and cooperation with other disciplines, such as suppliers. Most of the present skills of engineers remain important, but additionally, they need (basic) digital, analytical and communicative skills, and the ability and attitude to learn new things. Technological choice is an organisational choice that can reduce autonomy and make work less challenging, or it can increase work variety and learning opportunities, depending on how the company uses the technology and organises the work processes.