Information technology at work: the implications for dignity at work

Doolin, Bill; McLeod, Laurie

doi:10.1016/b978-0-7506-8333-3.50014-7

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Although SCADA can to some extent be seen as a deskilling process for coal-face workers, for those who control the technology and interpret the data there is an element of "functional empowerment" (Doolin andMcLeod, 2007) up-skilling, or "informating" (Zuboff, 1988), at least for some in the process. While SCADA provides management with greater visibility over the production processes, the information it receives requires cognitive interpretation by those away from the point of production.…”

Section: Uk Coal Mining Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Along with McKinley and Taylor (1996), a number of other academics (Grint and Woolgar, 1997;Smith and Thompson, 1998;Thompson and McHugh, 2002;Thompson, 2003;Doolin and McLeod, 2007) point out that when considering the impact of UK coal mining industry technology from a worker control perspective it is necessary to recognise the importance of the role that the various actors play. In their critique of the Foucauldian control perspective Thompson and McHugh (2002, p. 125) point out that "power is understood without reference to agency, its mechanisms impersonal and independent of conscious subjects".…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is not dissimilar to Zuboff's (1988) theory of "automating" and "informating", as discussed above, where the former replaces labour and the latter promotes a greater utilisation of knowledge. Doolin and McLeod (2007) liken Zuboff's "informating" to "functional empowerment" which is gained by users when their capabilities are extended in order to utilise the technology. These authors also go on to say that "information technology can be either empowering and upskilling, or disempowering and deskilling" pointing out, however, that this depends upon "how it is applied and whether its informating potential is utlilsed" (2007, p. 158); further augmenting the argument of McKinley and Taylor (1996) and Thompson (2003) that human agency is an important factor when considering the impact of technology on the labour process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In-built Machine Performance and Condition Testing, another sub-system of MINOS, recorded information about the state of the machinery and also had a monitoring function. This system replaced the fault diagnosis element of the job and thus we see the dual facet of technology as it removed an element of skill from the activity of those working at the coal face whilst at the same time functionally empowering (Doolin and McLeod, 2007) or informating (Zuboff, 1988) those miners working in the control room on the surface. These, and other new technologies, made it possible for management to reduce staffing levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Miners' identity and the changing face of the labour process within the UK coal mining industry

Allsop

Calveley

2009

Qualitative Research in Accounting &Amp; Management

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Purpose: Much current academic writing focuses on the changing nature of work in the services sector, particularly with regard to the implementation of new technological processes. Bringing attention back to a traditional industry, coal mining the paper considers the impact of technology upon the labour process and identity of coal miners. Methodology: The paper is based on qualitative research undertaken by an ex-coal miner and draws upon interviews with workers in five of the UK???s remaining deep coal mines. Findings: The paper demonstrates how the introduction of new technology in the mining industry has intensified workplace monitoring and surveillance. Despite this, we identify how complete management control over the labour process has not been possible. As the paper will show, miners draw upon their identity as autonomous workers in order to mediate the impact of technology on their working practices. The underlying belief of miners is that the capabilities of new technological working practices do not extend to replacing them at the coal face and that their unique identity as coal miners, combined with the unusual nature of the job, provides them with a force for mediating management control. Originality: The paper offers a unique insight into the impact of technology upon the identity and labour process of a group of workers from a traditional heavy industry

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Section: Uk Coal Mining Industrymentioning

confidence: 99%