Computers in the Workplace Computers, Internet, and Society Series

"A huge amount of changes are predictable to occur in the workplace during this century. In a nation already populated by small businesses, more and more people will consider entrepreneurial ventures instead of traditional employment. Technology makes it possible to telecommute, work from virtual offices and communicate with businesses and individuals across the globe. Flexible work schedules are popular because so many duties and responsibilities can be accomplished from an employees home or while the employee is traveling. Computers can do repetitive tasks faster and with fewer mistakes than humans, so the first few decades of the development of the computer for business focused mainly on automating a wide range of industrial processes. The next step brought PCs as productivity tools and entertainment devices to homes and workplaces everywhere. More recent refinements in computers and information technology such as mobile devices have led to a host of business- and consumer-focused "apps" designed to help people to be more organized, efficient and productive. As companies demand more sophisticated technology to help manage their businesses, the cost to develop and produce applications will likely increase. Customized programs that meet the specific needs of a business are becoming more popular as companies engage the services of functional and technology consultants. This Book discusses the advantages, psychological effects, and sociological implications of the computer in the workplace. The impact of computers on the workplace has been a major source of debate - both in terms of their effects on the quantity and quality of work. It explores how computers have changed the workplace, from robotic computers used in manufacturing and electronic medical records to word processors and computer programming. "