Does technology drive change?

In a recent conversation I had with my good friend and Editor of AIIM Infonomics Weekly, Bryant Duhon, we pondered the question of change, more specifically in relation to Enterprise 2.0. You see, some folks say that technology changes the way we work and others say that the technology will be adapted to current management and that it’s not revolutionary but more evolutionary. If this is true, why are we then not seeing more movement in this direction in terms of remote workers?

 

In my view, the introduction of new technology or even older technologies into an environment unfamiliar with these technologies will revolutionize management practices and how work is done. I, along with many of my colleagues, have seen this in the content management space since the original document imaging systems entered the scene. Vendors would promote the benefits with inclinations that the work process would not be impacted yet it had to be since paper was now transformed into a digital file and there was no way to physically move those bits and bytes from one person to another. Work processes changed as a result of the technology. It was inevitable and revolutionary.

 

For some it is hard to see beyond the traditionally structured 9 to 5 brick and mortar world, and embrace the new workplace. Enterprise 2.0 technologies have broken down the barriers of open, yet controlled, collaboration where knowledge workers can gather in a virtual space to share and exchange ideas; An environment where workers need not be physically present to accomplish their tasks at hand. In the land of Enterprise 2.0, we not only leverage collaboration technologies but we can also include some of the BPM capabilities of workplace monitoring to ensure task management and monitoring take place in a way as not to impede progress but still have control over the work force.

 

Is it perfect? Of course not, as even Six Sigma admits nothing can be 100% but it is a step forward and one that supports a more “green” or ecologically sound work practice that reduces carbon footprint through a reduced requirement that the workforce be physically present.

 

What say you? How well do you adapt to technology? Do you have a story to tell? I want to hear from you and learn what you and your organization are doing.

 

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Bob Larrivee – AIIM blarrivee@aiim.org

 

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Comments

[Tom Dunnigan]

To answer the question, yes. Technology, especially innovative uses thereof, can significantly impact both a market or a business model.

If it is presented well and perceived as good for the business, then the remaining challenges lie within execution and delivering the metrics to prove that the change is positive.

[Jonhusband]

Re: your

"the introduction of new technology or even older technologies into an environment unfamiliar with these technologies will revolutionize management practices and how work is done."

You might find a piece I wrote a couple of years ago titled "Will Enterprise 2.0 Drive Management Innovation?" of interest.

http://www.fastforwardblog.com/2008/01/10/will-enterprise-20-drive-management-innovation/

[Max J. Pucher - Chief Architect ISIS Papyrus]

Yes, technology drives change and not much else ever did, execpt maybe when horses were used for the military.

At the moment everyone tries to standardize and optimize processes which is really ridiclously silly in terms of a subjective increase in customer outcome.

SixSigma does not drive change it does exactly the opposite - it is an innovation and change killer.

PS: We have no clue of what kind of carbon footprint we have and what influence it has on this planet. To believe we do is utterly arrogant ... anyway. Lets conserve energy!

PPS: As long as we polluted and produced CO2 temperatures dropped. Since we reduced pollution in the early 80s, temperatures rose (by less than 1/2 a degree and we have no clue how it might progress. Would we have chosen nuclear we would do neither. So maybe it is all the Green movements fault?

[Document Capture]

The organization needs to accept technology from the top down, and there has to be a reason for change.

[Management Dissertation]

Looks a nice post which having lots of information for blog readers.

[Seattle IT Services]

I think technology definitely drives change. It makes employees more productive, and productivity makes money. Technology can be burdensome if people don't know how to use it. That's why there are companies that offer IT help that can set a business straight and help them be more productive.