Technology and the future of work

About this book

"Competitive pressure demands that firms create a good balance of their technology, people, and organization, and that they sustain it with well-meshed business, technology, and human resources strategies. But the acceleration of technological change over the last decade has made it more difficult to find this balance. Moreover, the intensification of global competition has made any imbalance debilitating for business performance." "This book explores the emergent new models of balance among technology, people, and organization. The common premise of the contributions that the effective implementation of automation in manufacturing and engineering operations will typically require a work force with a higher skill profile." "Examining the experience of countries in Europe, Australia, Asia, and the U.S., the chapters analyze four themes: the new competency required for effective implementation of new technologies; how firms can develop these new competencies; the implications of these changes for industrial relations; and how firms can weave together business strategy, technology strategy, and personnel strategy, to build competitive advantage." "Integrating sociological, economic, and organizational perspectives, this book will interest both academics and professionals. It presents an up-to-date review of international trends in industry's response to the challenge of the new technologies. It draws compelling conclusions regarding the changes needed in the management of operations, human resources, industrial relations, and business strategy."--BOOK JACKET.