The Use of I.T. in the Workplace                          

Computerised technology is increasing both in quantity (increasing number of applications; from car keys, to 'magic eye' wash basins, to speech recognition technology that allows you to talk to your 'phone), and in terms of complexity (for example the revolution in accessibility that has been brought by 'smart' phones, or that your car can park itself...). 

This increase has occurred at an exponential rate in recent years (US Department of Labor), and with these technological innovations, have come commensurate changes in the workplace. However, changes are hard to implement. The evidence suggests that there are several issues in the application of new technology in the workplace:

•  functional considerations: new ways of doing things, or new functionality will not always be spontaneously taken up by users

•  existing behavioural considerations: old workplace methods tend to be replicated using new equipment

• design considerations: the user may not understand or appreciate the intention of the designer fully

• affect considerations:  there are a whole range of affective implications influencing the use of new technology which may lead to either whole-hearted uptake, or incomplete uptake, or complete rejection

If you would like to contact me,  please email me at jane.pollock@psy.co.uk