Changes in technology
Developed modernisation, automation and computerisation have modified the way the traditional jobs are handled. In such kind of scenario unless employees update their knowledge and skills continuously, they cannot survive and grow. It will necessitate training, retraining and mid-career training of executives and operatives at several levels. Where such kind of initiatives is missing, it becomes very hard for employees to face the forces of technology with confidence and obtain ahead in their careers steadily.
Box: HR and Technology
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The work spot of 2000 is considerably different from its counterpart in early
70s, mainly because of computerisation. The development and invention of microchips has brought a dramatic revolution in workplace. Microchips are little components of electrical circuits which may be combined to form much larger and more complicated electronic systems. They have made it probable to build such systems easily and cheaply at just tiny fraction of the weight and size that would formerly have been needed. Industrial robots have started to invade the assembly line in a huge way-doing such tasks like welding, precision cutting, spray-painting or even playing snooker. Several cars are now fitted with on-board computers, especially in the improved world, that diagnose difficultly in seconds that utilized to take hours for mechanics. IBM has made a plant in Austin, Texas that may produce laptop computers without the help of a particular worker. If you look at the banking industry, automated teller machines, for instance, have replaced thousands of human tellers in banks. The influence of new technology on the entire number of jobs available has been quite devastating. It has placed authority in the hands of a small group of elite people in most large scale organisations. It has taken place because of deskilling of most of the jobs, where a few individuals tend to control the organisations by the increased availability of information. Lower and middle level positions are the bad hit in this scenario, because now computers do the compilation and processing of information. Work roles have also become highly integrated. Generally New technologies compel people to study a new set of skills altogether and also learn to work together in project teams time and again.
In the present day world, information is the chief resource. Organisations that employ suitable technologies (to obtain the right information to the correct people at the right time) will enjoy a competitive advantage. The only way to carry on in an environment marked by constant changes is to convert the firm into a type of learning organisation. A learning organisation encourages individuals to learn to generate the results they desire, nurtures creative and innovative patterns of combined learning and develops fresh organisational capabilities all the time.
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