Information Technology and Workplace Democracy

The revolution in new technology gave rise to new work patterns and improved productivity, all of which affect the management of human resources. Expectations for increased efficiency have not always been fulfilled because of the problems that have arisen in workings of labour relations. How can management maximize the benefits of these technologies while co-operating with their employees? How far are trade unions involved in the decisions as companies adopt new technology? Is the workforce consulted in systems design? This book, originally published in 1992 looks at the problems of developing strategies in information technology when considering labour relations. Experts in industrial sociology, human resource management and organizational behaviour assess the achievements and failures, including consideration of issues such as public sector work, gender and race. Drawing on empirical evidence, the contributors cover a wide range of industries including case studies in electronics and banking, together with international comparisons.

Martin Beirne

1. Manna or Monstrous Regiment? Technology, Control and Democracy in the Workplace 2. Electronics: A 'Culture' of Participation? 3. A Creative Offensive? Participative Systems Design and the Question of Control 4. The Intelligent Office and the Locus of Control 5. Computerizing the Council: IT, Jobs and Employee Influence in a Local Authority 6. Technology and Banking: The Use of Information Technology 7. Gender, Technology and Democracy at Work 8. Trade Union Involvement and Influence Over Technological Decisions 9. Trade Unions and New Technology: European Experience and Strategic Questions