The QWL as strategy of Human Resource Management has assumed increasing interest and importance.There are divergent views as to the exact meaning of QWL.
QWL is viewed as that umbrella under which employees feel fully satisfied with the working environment and extend their wholehearted cooperation and support to the management to improve productivity and work environment.
With technological developments , the work place has changed drastically , so also the life of employees . Do you feel QWL has changed?
Technological achievements demand persons specialized in some of the technology kinds. In this way, people try to augment their interests and become experts by working all day long. The result is that young employees are made selfish, remain alone and thus miserable. So, the old social manners, that were the source of happiness, do not exist any more.
If societies/communities adopt the positive side of the technology then it improve quality of life. But if you use negative side of it then it does not. Example: communication technology. If one is involved in communicating, listening music, playing game, browsing third rate contents etc then it is not the fault of technology but of individuals. Medical science: If new a medicine can cure a disease with which large number of humans are suffering then it is improving quality of life. Example: Sovaldi, recently developed pills which cure hepatitis C. One can quote examples in both categories.
Technology is like multi-edged knife. The results depends upon how we are handling it. Earlier days, before computers, paper based office stuffs took considerable amount of time efforts everyday. For international communications, we need to wait for weeks or sometime it'll take a month normally. For literature search about new topic, need to spend weeks in the library. Now, everything is in our finger tips.
In spite of all technical advancements, if you didn't organised your day properly, so many social websites it'll kill your day just like that.
For me, all sorts of technical advancements, helped me to improve my QWL.
Just imagine, how much work we have invested for preparing lecture using overhead projector sheets. Now I am able to prepare those using mobile phone while travelling.
It helps better communication, documenting especially no need to keep my diary in my bag all the time (Everything is associated with pros and cons. I believe, the later is very very less when compared with the former but it may change person to person and their necessity.
Yes technology had certainly influenced the QWL. Our friends so far replied mentioned the absolute facts.
It depends upon the nature of persons.
Because of technology we are going beyond the universe and conquering planets one by one.
The same technology making people lives horrible/miserable eg. take terrorists, they are using to destroy the human society for their greediness.
If we use in +ve direction we get the fruitful results and happier QWL.
Otherwise everything is catastrophic.
Let’s hope everybody use the technology in proper way and make the human society harmonious.
Very good question since QWL is one of the most important workplace issues of these times. I view QWL as “satisfaction or lack of satisfaction” or "dissatisfaction or lack of dissatisfaction”. Obviously, there is a strong relationship between employees’ well-being at work & performance of their organizations. When the factor of technology is looked at, then it depends on whether technology is used or abused in the workplace. It can be used to help in carrying out the activities in a smooth fast manner (e.g. sending e-mail replies to e-mails requesting certain actions or decisions). It can be abused (e.g. in spying on employees or for monitoring the slightest mistakes). When technology is handled properly by a "good" management & a "good" staff, there will be optimization of work and both sides will have unity in actions & in purpose.
The quality of working life is determined by the development of technology. The most common positive attitude. But not always. Why is that? Because the new technology "face" with a specific individual (human factor). The human factor can radically change the effects of technology both for the better and for the worse. Suffice it to recall what happened recently in the Alps, where high technology in the hands of one person.
Let another remark in respect of high technology and quality of life in general. High technology freed man from many classes with intense physical activity. We forgot about the plow and the field. We do not know how to mow the grass without a lawnmower. We are moving less distance (in fact have a car). We get fat and suffer from diabetes, atherosclerosis, weakness, depression. There is only one good (in ironic shade). Comes Alzheimer's, and we forget all the bad things associated with high technology.
Technology has leapfrogged, with the advent of IT enabled and service sectors.Unlike the in the past decade, data availability and automation has made project deliverables more faster and this has led to dramatic improvement in quality. Earlier, the above mentioned were tedious and tti time consuming. Quality of work life has improved due to ergonomic system. But every technological boom has lead to adverse impact on health, chronic diseases, deceased personal and social life. QWL has taken a back seat with technological advancement. It has myriad negative impact.
Was the aim of technology only change the quality of work life OR quality of LIFE, as well? Definitely, QWL has changed and improved drastically and is not comparable to that of past. And on top of that created a endless hectic competitions that rendered the human life "senseless".
Technology always has its blessings and curses. The first part is the difficulty to get attuned to it, and unless you have the access and resources ( time, money, teacher), its impact is dependent upon the aspects it has on your life.
E.G. Internal circulars for meetings: circulation only on email, or as a prop up notices on switching your pc/ laptop, where one oldie may not be aligned?
2. Technology simplifies and at the same time introduces complications. About latter I made some reference above. Simplification of life is great - from many angles.
3. Technology makes things friendlier, setting in a gateway to a newer world. Harmonius, but with a threat of fragility?
Yes, the technology should bring harmony to society, not discord (between countries, people, perspectives ...).
@ Murugesan, rightly summed up " Technology is like multi-edged knife,,,,,, it'll [bad QWL] kill your day just like that. @ Nizar exemplifies "carrying out the activities in a smooth fast manner (e.g. sending e-mail replies to e-mails requesting certain actions or decisions). It can be abused (e.g. in spying on employees or for monitoring the slightest mistakes). or sending, receivning, responsing or managing spam mails.
The pardox is underlined by @ Sunita " Quality of work life has improved due to ergonomic system. But every technological boom has lead to adverse impact on health".... The Quikr advertisement ..> Hassels of SMS... go for chatting... Are our children going to forget using a writing instrument?
@Netra opens the eyes by "browsing third rate contents etc ....[impairing any QWL] is not the fault of technology but of individuals".
Dear colleague
This question is not easy to respond, but you can take as reference to measure this factor the framework of Internal Control from COSO report
The advances of technology affects all components, activities and goals of company and it can be applied on any company.
We need to work beyond Financials. The QOL is sure driven by money, but a higher level satisfaction over QOL emerges after hard work applied with ethos....?
Hello Aloysius,
There are lots of health related issues with technology, from my perspective a topic of growing importance for employees, employers and society generally. Here are a few articles to consider:
Chan, M. (2015). Multimodal Connectedness and Quality of Life: Examining the Influences of Technology Adoption and Interpersonal Communication on Well‐Being Across the Life Span. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 20(1), 3-18.
Harrington, S. J., & Santiago, J. (2015). Organizational Culture and Telecommuters' Quality of Work Life and Professional Isolation. Communications of the IIMA, 6(3), 1.
Good Luck,
Daryn
Technology has brought convenience, comfort, correctness and rapidity in our personal as well as professional life. New technologies like ICT has not only provided more flexible work practices but has also increased the speed at which information is shared and the expectation for responses, action and decision-making. However, according to a study hours of work extended beyond the daily normal hours and therefore have generally been found to negatively impact on work-life balance.
Modern technology. Every thoughtful step may be a step into immortality. Every wrong step can be a step towards death.
Well said Dear Vladimir, Technologies are boon for humankind if applied thoughtfully other wise bane. It depends on how we employ it. For example Nuclear energy is indeed destructive, but if used constructively its great boon. Rocket Science has many peaceful uses for space exploration & kind. But if harnessed for war purposes it’s bound to be destructive. Similarly Internet has its own plus & minus side. If human mind tilts towards destructive uses then we can’t take technology itself at fault.
Yes it is. Exactly. Innovative development should be different from those associated with the name of Frankenstein.
A comparative observation on how technology has a role in influencing the Quality of Work Life (QWL) between a developed country & a developing country by the same person: In all the years he spent in a developed country, the central heating technology was utilized in the organization in all the working hours during winter. In the developing country, the central heating is switched on for 1-3 hours in the same type of organization when it is freezing cold. Why not all the time of working hours ? The answer, which comes from above, is: It consumes energy. Therefore, neither QWL nor the health of the employees are counted. There is no wisdom in saving when vital matters are at stake.
Thanks for sharing the question, sorry for late response. Better ever then never. "Technology and digitalization has blurred the lines between what have traditionally been our working lives and completely separate home lives. We are online 24/7 and available anywhere through tablets and smart phones. We are moving from a traditional working day to working more flexibly to suit commitments outside of work..."
http://diginomica.com/2015/06/11/in-services-organizations-people-make-the-difference-do-yours/
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION WORKFORCE - PANEL FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS - THE 2014 MILLENNIAL IMPACT – SIX-MONTH RESEARCH UPDATE is attached. Very good resource for researchers on QWL!
"Today’s employers face a workforce in which Millennials – those born from 1980 to 2000 – are rapidly overtaking all other generations. This next generation views the workplace quite differently from any previous generation. The most successful companies are already working to understand these current and potential employees so they can recruit and retain the best of them. One way they can do this is through Millennials’ affinity for cause work.
This Six-Month Research Update to the 2014 Millennial Impact Report creates the perfect tool for employers to immediately begin developing a culture that embraces Millennials by offering them the chance to use their talents and passions to “do good” at work.As our Millennial Impact Project studies have consistently shown, “doing good” is vitally important to this generation. Companies seeking to build an attractive culture must recognize the Millennial employee’s desire to combine their full-time work with their cause interests. Therefore, employers stand to benefit from a long-term culture that engages their employees in cause work..."
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/01425451111121740?journalCode=er
A fact of facts is: any thing that takes you away from nature is not beneficial for man, how away it is from nature and how frequently is being used, determines the extent of damage.
You ask the X ray operator about Quality of life and also ask the kid playing games on X box and also ask the bank cashier with money counting machine instead of manual counting, the answers would be different.
Decision makers like it and executors curse it some times.
Regards
Rafique
@ Rafique ,
Proverbially, sweeter (QOL) things are not essentially good. If this is true, then the things that are beneficial for man may takes you farther away from nature, Viz being in A/C room (protected from outside heat) brings a better QOL. Or as a saint, one remains closer to nature!
Dear Priyavrat,
It is my personal understanding as an electronic engineer. I have been in industry since long. what i am saying is my perception based on personal experience. Therefore, user can only know if he /she is told about facts. Take an example of use of mobile phones old ones and new ones with high radiations and low radiations. take a example of CRT based televisions and now LED screens moreover, think of clerk preparing a report for company sitting in front of CRT monitor for extended time. at the same time if you know this aspect from manufactures of technologies they will tell you insides of the technology.
We can sit in an air conditioned room with comfort but we ignore at the cost of high pollution and radiation to atmosphere.
we use microwave but just read negative side of usage of this equipment.
I have been to chemical industries and i know insides.
Yes, you are very right as a user we are very comfortable and holds true till the time we are not aware of facts.
Regards
Rafique
Thank you Rafique,
Actually I subscribe to the same school of thought as you had said.
Rightly as you mention- If our objectives are culturally aligned to ... goodness / environmental friendliness; the QOL has a meaning. Invariably we start demanding a high QOL without deserving it. If that starts happening, then we shall suck the mother (nature) dry.
Thanks to all RG Followers of this question for your thought provoking responses . It is great learning to receive diverse views on the topic through RG .Do continue to send your opinion through RG -Q&A.
Aloysius
Dear Aloysius, Certainly technology such as internet and etc has great impact to our lives, what's more Quality of Work Life. In fact, some countries incorporated Accessibility to Internet as one of the measure in Gross National Happiness Index. There are literature on these as well.
www.grossnationalhappiness.com
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3017037/the-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world-and-why-were-not-one-of-them
All the best!
I agree with Dr. Muthu. While technology allow us to get more done, I find the social interaction among staff, especially making eye contact, deteriorated. The workplace became more impersonal in some instances.
Debra
An IT culture clash can be dangerous, here’s how to avoid it!
"...Blurring both personal and work-life boundaries, today’s employees are always dialed in to work, even when they’re off the clock, and demand flexible solutions that enable them to work on-the-go and in their preferred environment...
According to a 2014 Gartner survey on personal device use, 40 per cent of employees at large enterprises admitted to using a personal smartphone, desktop or laptop daily for some form of work purposes. Furthermore, Gartner predicts that by 2017, 50 per cent of employers will require employees to bring their own device to work. With mobile device use becoming such a integral and cultural component of work, it’s never been more important for companies to begin implementing flexible IT solutions to recruit and retain top talent..."
http://www.itproportal.com/2015/07/28/it-culture-clash-how-avoid/
Technology increases efficiency and facilitate speedy disposal of work with greater precision.
very much , if it requires a vote.
technology however needs to work effectively and efficiently, if it needs to help people. if not it acts as a time waster, leads to chaos. Quality is say, fitness to use, So unless /until technology is fit (homed) ot will not satisfy
To increase efficiency through technology one needs first to invest in this (say to learn).
It implies IMHO: Technology designers must be ethical so that the product is as specified or graded.