Citation
(2002), "Technology changes behaviour", Work Study, Vol. 51 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2002.07951faa.003
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Technology changes behaviour
Technology changes behaviour
I remember some time ago mentioning in this column that when I changed from metered to unmetered Internet access, the way in which I used the Web changed. Now, I have taken the (somewhat expensive) plunge and upgraded to broadband access. Of course, my access and usage patterns have changed again. It is interesting that perceived notions of cost – coupled of course with faster access due to the always-on nature of broadband access – do have a real impact on behaviour. Since my usage is not that great, I could perhaps get the same levels of access at the same cost – slightly more slowly, of course – from a pay-as-you-go, dial-up line. But, of course, I would not. Internet access is now perceived as "free" (having paid my monthly subscription) and I use it more and differently. This phenomenon works "back at the ranch" – if you change people's technology or the way they access it, you can change their working patterns and behaviours. The answer is to know what you are doing – and to try to predict the unintended consequences of technology change.