The implementation of technology can be a contributing factor to job loss as business functions become automated and increasingly efficient. While the expectation is that workers will be trained to perform other functions, this is not always the case. We hear one of more thought provoking questions in the Bible posed by Cain who asks "Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9). With this mind, discuss the following:
Should companies be responsible for unemployment caused by their information systems? Why or why not?
As technology professionals, you are expected to be just as skilled as the carpenter. How might you balance your good works against the unintentional repercussions?
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I’d like to think that companies that make use of technology do so to make more of a profit not by decreasing the number of people needed in their employ, but rather that their information system enhancements would aid their current employees by making them more efficient with their job; hence, increasing their bottom line. This probably rings truer though for companies that have more of a family orientation, or where personal relationships are important.
In larger companies, where you are just one of many, or even in small companies where there is a bit of indifference between employees, losing your job to WALL-E seems more conceivable. Many companies have taken advantage of the global reach of the Internet by outsourcing their work. Robots have been, and are continuing to replace workers due to their speed, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
Some technology that primarily was intended to bring increased benefits to consumers have also result in job losses. Electronic toll collection systems that have decreased traffic lines at toll booths also decrease the need for toll personnel. ATM machines that have shrunk lines in banks may have shrunk bank teller positions as well.
I’m not certain if some of these changes are truly beneficial: * We supposedly pay less at self-service gas stations; yet in New Jersey (where it’s all full service), I’ve seen comparable prices. * Paying for, and bagging your own groceries at the self-checkout counter can be, oh so time consuming. * The bank we currently use is trying out a smarter ATM where you have to deposit your checks one at a time as it scans them. This takes away the job of the person who verifies the amounts and scans these later (my sister used to do this). The result we’ve observed so far is longer ATM lines.
So what does that mean for us? As suggested by Etcher (2008), “Americans need to retool and focus on job opportunities that are going unfulfilled.” Sure, the robot can take your job but someone needs learn how to maintain and repair the robot. An article in Forbes shows that self-checkout lines may be on the decline due to poor customer satisfaction (Knapp, 2011). Is this a sign of a turn-around?
Here’s a cool video of an assembly line at Mercedes Benz that seems to be a blend of men and machine. Hopefully technology will not eventually replace workers but instead workers will work alongside technology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEgGqSybLTo&feature=related
References:
Etcher S., (Nov 9, 2008). Technology is a major cause of job loss. Offshoring costs Americans jobs, but automation is a bigger factor. Retrieved from http://simon-etcher.suite101.com/robots-are-replacing-workers-a77300
Knapp A., (Sep 28, 2011). Humans are stealing robot jobs at the supermarket. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2011/09/28/humans-are-stealing-robot-jobs-at-the-supermarket/ 