Technology In the Workplace: The Advantages (MLA Format w/ Citations)

 

Technology in the Workplace: The Advantages

Since the dawn of the first computers, technological advancement has had an immense impact on the workplace. Large corporations and small businesses alike have been capitalizing on these advancements to help them compete in the marketplace. Not only have companies integrated technology into their means of production, but employees of these companies have adapted to the huge technical demands created by these companies; These demands cover a broad spectrum of job positions such as data-entry, customer service, computer scientists, sales and marketing, and many others. According to Internet Association, government data from 2018 reports that more than 6 million Americans, roughly 4% of U.S. employment, work in the internet sector; This is double the number in 2014 (Hootan). There is no doubt or wonder that the internet and modern technology, at large, has an incredible impact on the modern workplace. However, to some, there is a growing concern about technology and the possible negative impacts it may have on productivity, remote work, and the economy. Though these concerns have their place in the discussion board, it is important to compare them to the data that present the benefits. In order to capitalize and further increase the efficiency of technology, it is important to analyze the positive aspects of modern tech and the evidence that supports its presence.

One of the primary factors that technology has on the workplace is with regards to employee productivity and customer satisfaction. There is a common misconception that business managers have about employees and their usage of technology, whether it be on their phone or on their computer, during work hours. This misconception revolves around the idea that employees are less productive due to distractions. However, studies have shown the opposite. Protected Trust, a company specializing in online workplace efficiency, reports a study by Gallup found that “highly-engaged business units have 41% less absenteeism, 17% more productivity, and achieve 10% better customer ratings and 20% more sales” (“The Importance of Modern Technology”). Employees with careers that revolve around technology, typically “white collar” jobs, actually benefit from having modern technology at their disposal. Business will actually benefit from supplying their employees with up-to-date and functional tech. However, some people believe that the amount of time that employees spend working with tech greatly diminishes the amount of time allocated to serving customer needs. Thus, reducing the overall quality for customer service. Thankfully, much time has been reserved for solving this issue. The evolution of AI and algorithms have remedied this issue to great extent. There are several ways that modern technology has improved customer satisfaction and care through the use of live chat bots, automated emails, targeted ads, and social listening (“The Importance of Modern Technology”). It can be seen that with proper supplementation of modern tech for a business’s employees, the productivity and customer service quality actually benefit.

Another advantage that modern tech has manifested in more recent years is the ability for workers to work remotely. Employers often worry about the loss of productivity and quality of work associate with remote work. However, the recent pandemic has given us an excellent opportunity to study the effects of remote work. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, “Ninety-four percent of 800 employers surveyed by Mercer, an HR and workplace benefits consulting firm, said that productivity was the same as or higher . . . even with their employees working remotely” (Maurer). Another benefit associated with remote work revolves around the alleviating of stress upon parents and spouses by allowing them to work from home with a more flexible schedule; According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, both parents are working in 60 percent of families in the U.S. (Maurer). It appears that working remotely actually yields similar, and sometimes better results, compared to a traditional in-person work environment. Though, remote work appears to be a positive improvement overall, it does not come without downsides. Some employees have noted that communication between management and co-workers is more difficult due to the lack of in-person convenience. While this true in some cases, it can be observed that with proper access to reliable technology, productivity actually increases. Access to ever-evolving applications have made communication easier than ever before. As time goes on and internet-oriented jobs become more prominent, the concept of remote work will become more widely accepted by all varieties of businesses due to their effectiveness over traditional working environments.

Probably the greatest impact that modern tech has had in the workplace, and the nation at large, is the impact it has had on the economy. It can be seen that the last decade or so has witnessed a substantial increase in GDP and job growth. According to Chief Economist Christopher Hooton, the internet sector is the fourth largest sector in the economy and contributed $2.1 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2018 (Hooton). “Overall GDP grew by 41.8 percent between 2007-2018, from $14.5 trillion to $20.5 trillion,” Hooton says, “The internet sector grew about 372 percent, from $438.8 billion in value-added to about $2.1 trillion – nine times faster than the overall economy during this period” (Hooton). With the increasing amount of online transactions that are made every year, as well as the demand for businesses to modernize, it is no wonder that the economy is thriving from modern tech. It is no secret that white-collar and blue-collar workers alike often fear of the loss of jobs that may arise from automation. Thankfully, there is some good news. For every internet job within the sector, two additional jobs, indirectly associated with the sector, were created as a result; The estimated number of additional jobs created is around 13.1 million in other areas of the economy (Hooton). Overall, modern tech has had very positive impacts on the workplace and the economy. It is expected, as technology advances, improvements in the economy and growth in the job market will manifest as a result.

It seems that the most prominent concern that arises from tech in the workplace is the issue of employee distraction resulting in loss of productivity. However, studies and surveys report otherwise. According to a Pew Research article, 46% of working online adults report that their productivity has improved compared to the 7% that report that their productivity has declined (Percell, et al.). Some notable and positive impacts that workers report in include having a larger network of people to communicate with outside of work, having more flexible hours, and having spent more hours working overall (Percell, et al.). Not only do employees feel more comfortable working around sufficient access to technology, it also improves their productivity. The freedom that employers give to their workers might be the driving incentive that helps improve productivity.

In conclusion, it is evident that modern technology in the workplace improves productivity in the workplace, offers the opportunity for employees to work remotely, and improves the economy and job market substantially. By considering these improvements and advantages, tech in the modern workplace can be capitalized on and made to be even more efficient than it already is. In the coming decades, the tech industry will, hopefully, continue to make improvements on the efficiencies that they provide in the workplace. Business could gain a lot from investing in the proper workplace environment for their employees, whether that be an in-person or remote environment.

Works Cited

Hooton, Christopher. “The Internet Sector Created 6 Million Jobs, $2.1 Trillion In GDP In 2018, New IA Research Finds •.” Internet Association, 26 June 2020, internetassociation.org/news/the-internet-sector-created-6-million-jobs-2-1-trillion-in-gdp-in-2018-new-ia-research-finds.

“The Importance of Modern Technology in the Workplace - Protected Trust - Everything Microsoft 365 and Surface for Your Business.” Protected Trust -- Everything Microsoft 365 and Surface for Your Business, 1 May 2020, www.protectedtrust.com/technology-in-the-workplace.

Maurer, Roy. “Study Finds Productivity Not Deterred by Shift to Remote Work.” SHRM, 16 Sept. 2020, www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/pages/study-productivity-shift-remote-work-covid-coronavirus.aspx.

Purcell, Kristen, and Lee Rainie. “Technology’s Impact on Workers.” Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech, 30 Dec. 2014, www.pewresearch.org/internet/2014/12/30/technologys-impact-on-workers.