This week’s post underlying tone is directed by
Jarche’s (2013) who point out that the average company’s lifespan continues to
decrease and that economic value has been redistributed to creative
workers. The landscape of the workplace
then has drastically changed just within the last few decades as Madden (2008)
points out with up to 96% of those employed make use of the new
technologies-either by going online, using email or owning a cell phone, in
fact these employees are referred to as “Wired and Ready Workers.” However, Madden does also make it clear with
the emergence of these technologies a two-sided coin prevails in the lives of
employees;
On the
positive side it does seem to increase employees overall ability to perform
their job duties, communicate, and have more flexible hours. With these types of advantages for workers’ productivity
increases and employees could seem more satisfied with their jobs. This then takes the employee and the company into
a new era when the company has to operate 24/7, this is especially the case
with the emergence of outsourcing. An
example of this is the company HealthScribe in India that was originally funded
in part by Indian-American doctors in 1994 to outsource medical transcription
of American doctors and hospitals (Friedman, 2005). So, thanks in part due to satellite, a
housewife in Bangalore can download a doctor’s digitized voice and transcribe
it, in what used to take two weeks, and have it done in two hours ready for the
office the next morning. Progress then
forces companies or organizations to take the same type of steps as explained
in this case with HealthScribe and not only be functioning 24/7, but
understanding that if they neglect to do so, it may contribute to their demise
or very existence.
Reality is
the “Networked worker” that is always in tune with the company’s pulse through
various modes of technologies in this day and age cannot be replaced. Even if one decides to outsource in Bangalore,
they are always just a few clicks away from monitoring progress or lack
thereof. Then with the increase on one’s
time other sacrifices are made which amount to such practices as checking ones
text messages or emails at any time or any place where they can access it. Like Friedman’s (2005) epiphany that the
global playing field was being leveled.
The world was being flattened (p. 8).
Reuters discovered this when they began hiring analysts in India and
discovered that they could pay an analyst $15,000 in total compensation in
Bangalore, as opposed to $80,000 in New York or London, hence, all possible due
to the technologies that are available.
Reuters also found that employees in India tended to be financially
literate and highly motivated as well (p. 19).
Technology then has forced the hand of those companies in the western
world to consider employees in such countries as China and India, for far less
money and as mentioned above highly motivated.
Hence, if we do not adapt or create those “networked workers”
domestically they can always be outsourced.
References
Friedman, T. L. (2005). The world is
flat. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Jarche, H. (2013, November 5). Networks are the
new companies. Retrieved from
Madden, M.
(2008, September 24). Networked worker. Retrieved from http://pewinternet.org/2008/09/24/networked-workers/
Hi Chris - You make some great points about the advantages of flexibility. I do think workers are generally more satisfied but it really depends on the worker as to whether they can be as effective working remotely as they are in the office. I would say that there are tremendous advantages to having individuals work collectively in the same physical place. There are much more opportunities for spontaneous interactions that would not be possible in a telecommuting situation. Some of the best ideas and strategies are developed on the spot based on a simple, unplanned interaction between colleagues. I think it's one of the reasons Google and other companies spend so much money to keep people on their campus. They are seeing the tremendous value added when bright individuals are placed in physical proximity. I was also interested to see that Marissa Mayer decided to limit telecommuting at Yahoo!. I do think it depends on the worker and job type as to whether it should be an allowable option. Obviously for smaller firms, the ability to avoid excessive overhead to accommodate a large team would be an advantage.
ReplyDeleteGreat point about the pay scale and the power of the network to enable significant changes in business. As we have seen, however, many companies have recognized that their race to the cheapest talent has not always produced desired results. Thanks for the post!
Excellent point, Matt. Friedman's "reality" really has not panned out across all industries or occupations. It is much more nuanced than that.
DeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insightful post! Plus, your citing of Friedman’s belief was resplendent. Friedman’s (2005) alluding to flattening of the globe through technology and innovation represents a turning point for naysayers. Whether critics choose to believe, technology has leveled the playing field (in some ways) as it pertains to company competitiveness and sustainment. Technology has provided the world with a means to connect, collaborate, and compete on a level previously impossible. Therefore, today’s connected workers are the next, best resource.
References
Friedman, T. L. (2007). The world is flat: A brief history of the twenty-first century. (3rd ed.). Picador. New York. NY.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteInteresting post this week. I appreciated your mention of how technology has allowed for productive collaboration irrespective of geography or distance between networked employees. I have found this particular convenience an important component of my daily work. I am able to see and clearly speak with individuals across the country (a productivity booster that wouldn't be available without a networked employee mindset).
What technologies do you find critical to your role as a networked employee?
It was interesting that you also thought about how outsourcing connects to our technological revolution. In considering the replacement of jobs by AI in the readings this week, I thought about how, in the US in particular, many jobs have already been replaced by outsources workers who have more productivity for lower cost. The transition has already started here, AI is just the next step in cost optimization once it becomes more cost effective than outsourcing to workers in other economies.
ReplyDelete