THE HUMAN IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGICAL-CHANGE - A STUDY OF THE ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS OF EMPLOYEES OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

The implementation of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) requires managers to be concerned about the attitudes employees have about the effects of technological change. This paper presents a model developed to explain how employees will view the impact of technological change on themselves and their jobs. In the model, how the technological change process is managed is viewed as one of the main factors in people's evaluations of the impact of technological change. A survey which examines the factors in the model was distributed to the employees at five electronic manufacturing facilities. The results show that most employees have positive views about the impact of technological change, although over one third of the respondents also have concerns about increased job stress and personal insecurity. Management of the change process is significantly related to attitudes about all of the impacts of technological change. Demographic characteristics of the employees are not related to attitudes about technological change; however, technical experience and knowledge are related to attitudes about technological change.