Short answer

Anticipate and design for the human element within technological disruption, focusing on augmentation and transition support.

Field: Innovation & Markets
Source: Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior (2016)
Method: Literature review and synthesis of research findings.
Evidence: Strong effect

The rapid integration of technologies like electronic monitoring, robotics, teleconferencing, and wearable devices is fundamentally altering job roles, leading to substantial workforce displacement and necessitating new organizational strategies. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2016 study published in Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior. Using Literature review and synthesis of research findings., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Anticipate and design for the human element within technological disruption, focusing on augmentation and transition support.

Study

Innovation & MarketsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Emerging Technologies Drive Significant Worker Dislocation and Reshape Organizational Structures

Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior · 2016

Key Findings

01Emerging information and communication technologies have disruptive effects on work and organizations.
02Technological advancements are leading to significant worker dislocation.
03Specific technologies like electronic monitoring, robots, teleconferencing, and wearable computing are reshaping work systems and organizational roles.
04The role of technology in management is evolving, requiring new approaches to human resources.

Application

Design takeaway

Anticipate and design for the human element within technological disruption, focusing on augmentation and transition support.

How to apply

When developing new products or systems, conduct a thorough analysis of potential impacts on employment and consider strategies for workforce adaptation.

Project actions

01When researching a new technology, consider its potential to displace workers or create new job opportunities.
02Explore how your design might influence the skills required for a particular task or industry.

Method & Evidence

AimTo analyze the impact of emerging technologies on work, employment, and organizational structures, and to identify future research directions and practical implications for human resources.

MethodLiterature review and synthesis of research findings.

ProcedureThe study reviewed key technological breakthroughs, examined the disruptive effects of information and communication technologies, analyzed the impact on job numbers and types, and presented case studies of specific technologies (electronic monitoring, robots, teleconferencing, wearable computing). It also considered research from different perspectives on technology's role in management and its evolving nature, concluding with an examination of HR areas and future research questions.

ContextOrganizational psychology and organizational behavior, with a focus on the impact of technology on work and employment.

Variables

IVEmerging technologies (e.g., AI, robotics, teleconferencing, wearable tech).

DVWorker dislocation, changes in job roles, organizational structures, human resource needs.

CVOrganizational context, industry sector, specific technological implementation.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a comprehensive overview of technology's impact on work and organizations.
+Identifies specific technologies and their effects.

Limitations

The pace of technological change means that findings from 2016 might be outdated for very recent innovations.

Reliability & validity

The study's findings are based on a synthesis of existing research, suggesting good external validity but relying on the reliability of the original studies reviewed.

Think critically

How can designers proactively design for job creation or augmentation rather than solely focusing on efficiency gains that might lead to job losses?

Design Principles

"Technological innovation should be guided by an understanding of its socio-economic impact on the workforce."

Designers and engineers must anticipate the profound impact of technological advancements on employment landscapes. Understanding these shifts is crucial for developing products and systems that either mitigate negative consequences or capitalize on new opportunities, ensuring relevance in a constantly evolving market.

What This Means for Your Design

New tech like robots and AI can make some jobs disappear, so companies and designers need to think about how to help people adapt or find new roles.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the broader impact of technological trends on your chosen design problem or solution.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research indicates that emerging technologies, such as automation and advanced communication tools, are significantly reshaping employment landscapes, often leading to worker dislocation and necessitating adaptive organizational strategies. This underscores the importance of considering the broader socio-economic impact of technological integration in any design project.

Source

Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior

How Technology Is Changing Work and Organizations

journal · 2016

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about emerging technologies drive significant worker dislocation and reshape organizational structures?: Anticipate and design for the human element within technological disruption, focusing on augmentation and transition support. Evidence: Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior (2016).
Why does "Emerging Technologies Drive Significant Worker Dislocation and Reshape Organizational Structures" matter for design?: Designers and engineers must anticipate the profound impact of technological advancements on employment landscapes. Understanding these shifts is crucial for developing products and systems that either mitigate negative consequences or capitalize on new opportunities, ensuring relevance in a constantly evolving market.
How can designers apply this research?: Anticipate and design for the human element within technological disruption, focusing on augmentation and transition support.
What were the main findings?: Emerging information and communication technologies have disruptive effects on work and organizations.. Technological advancements are leading to significant worker dislocation.. Specific technologies like electronic monitoring, robots, teleconferencing, and wearable computing are reshaping work systems and organizational roles.. The role of technology in management is evolving, requiring new approaches to human resources.
What research method was used?: Literature review and synthesis of research findings..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2016 journal from Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When developing new products or systems, conduct a thorough analysis of potential impacts on employment and consider strategies for workforce adaptation.
What are the limitations?: The study focuses on a specific timeframe (up to 2016) and may not fully capture the latest advancements in AI and automation.