Technology – Friend or Foe?

Abstract

Technology can be regarded as a catalyst for change. Sometimes, however, the change that results can be regarded differently (as positive or negative) by different individuals or groups depending on where they stand with reference to the change. Automated teller machines (ATMs), for example, are regarded by the general public as convenient ways of withdrawing cash outside normal banking hours. In fact, many people seem to prefer the anonymity of the ATM even when there is a real person inside the bank waiting to serve them. Presumably, the people who run the bank also look on the ATMs favourably, as a means of carrying out business with lower staffing levels and over longer hours. Bank staff, on the other hand, may see the technology as a threat to their livelihood. The number of bank staff has certainly gone down over the last ten years – presumably, at least some of this decline can be laid at the door of technology. (There are those who say “Its all their own fault.” – that the rush to replace people with technology is down to the poor industrial relations record of the last 25 years. Technology does not go on strike; or keep demanding high pay increases.)

Citation

Gregson, K. (1994), "Technology – Friend or Foe?", Work Study, Vol. 43 No. 8, pp. 23-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000004019