SIT chapter 4
factors driving telecommuting and mobile work: shift to knowledge based work
Eliminates requirement that certain work be performed in a specific place.
evaluation: newer view
Focus is on output by deliverable (e.g., produce a report by a certain date) or by target (e.g., meet a sales quota). As long as deliverables are produced and/or targets achieved, the employee is meeting performance expectations adequately. Subjective factors may be less important and harder to gauge.
evaluation: traditional view
Focus is on process through direct observation. Manager sees how employee performed at work. Subjective (personal) factors are very important.
3 ways IT alters employee life
1. Creating new types of work 2. Enabling new ways to do traditional work 3. Supporting new ways to manage talent.
IT HIRING
1. Workers must know how to use the technology for their job or be trainable. 2. IT utilization affects the array of non-technical skills needed in an organization. 3. IT has become an essential part of the hiring process (online job postings, online applications, etc.). 4. Companies increasingly realize that hiring is changing.
voice over IP
4. A method enabling analog audio signals (phone calls) to be converted into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. Skype is an example. Can reduce the cost of telephone calls as you can use your excess Internet capacity to make phone calls Very useful for communicating with remote workers. Aka Internet telephony
challenges with team diversity virtual team
Members typically come from different organizations and/or cultures which makes it: -Harder to establish a group identity. -Necessary to have better com. skills -More difficult to build trust, norms ...
challenges with communications with virtual teams
Multiple Zones can lead to greater efficiency but can lead to communication difficulties. Communication dynamics such as non-verbal are altered.
hiring: new
Often electronic with recruiting websites and electronic testing. More informated work that requires a higher level of IT skills.
blogs
Online journals that link together into a very large network of information sharing. Companies use for a variety of communication purposes, although the biggest application is public relations and advertising.
wikis
Software that allows users to work collaboratively to create, edit and link web pages easily: Can easily create and link in SharePoint
groupware
Software that enables group members to work together on a project, from anywhere, by allowing them to simultaneously access the same files: Sharing calendars, documents, databases, etc. Aka collaborative software
compensation and rewards: traditional
often individually based
technology acceptance model TAM
suggests that employee attitudes may change if they think the new system will help them to do more or better work for the same effort, and that it's easy to use.
virtual organizations example
verifone - leading company for transaction automation with products and services - limited presence at corporate headquarters, employees are placed close to customers culture - constant and reliable sharing of information
unified communications
A suite of products that provides a consistent unified user interface and user experience across multiple devices and media types. You can send messages on one medium and receive on another, like listening to an email on your phone
A way of transmitting messages over communication networks. One of the first uses of the Internet. Consisted primarily of text but can include other mediums (video, audio, etc.).
social networking sites
A web-based service that allows its members to create a public profile with their interests and expertise, post text and pictures and all manner of data, list other users with whom they share a connection, and view and communicate openly or privately with their list of connections and those made by others within the system (Examples include: MySpace, Face Book, etc.).
instant messaging
An IP-based instant communication application. Provides convenient communication between people using computers, mobiles phones, etc. Incorporates presence technology which makes it possible to locate and identify a computing device wherever it might be, as soon as the user connects to the network. IP stands for Internet Protocol An IP address is a unique number that every computer connected to the internet is assigned. Users don't typically use IP addresses but words to access the servers and computers they wish to access.
challenges with team diversity traditional team
Because members are more homogeneous, group identity is easier to form. Because of commonalities, communications are easier to complete successfully.
virtual world
Computer-based simulated environments intended for its users to inhabit and interact with each other and with virtual objects via avatars (like Second Life) Companies advertise in these environments -Sell virtual goods for real money
FTP file transfer protocol
Consists simply of transferring a copy of a file from one computer to another on the Internet. Permits transfer of files, of almost any size, to be sent across a company or the globe. You use to download software and music (legally, of course).
IT changes decision making and info processing how?
Data processed to create more accurate and timely information are being captured earlier in the process. Through technologies such as RSS web feeds information that they need to do their job can be pushed to them. IT can change the amount and type of information available to workers. IT has increased the flow of information to upper level management, reducing the ranks of middle
supervision: newer view
Electronic, or assessed by deliverable. As long as the employee is producing value, he does not need formal supervisions
telecommuting potential problems
Harder to evaluate performance, Increased stress from inability to separate work from home life Employee may become disconnected from company culture Telecommuters are more easily replaced by offshore workers Not suitable for all jobs or employees
intranet
Looks and acts like the Internet Comprised of information used exclusively within a company Unavailable to the Internet community as a whole.
supervision: traditional view
Personal and informal. Manager is usually present or relies on others to ensure that employee is present and productive.
hiring: traditional
Personal with little reliance on computers. Often more reliance on clerical skills
managerial issues with telecommuting
Planning, business and support tasks must be redesigned to support mobile and remote workers Training should be offered so all workers can understand the new work environment Employees selected for telecommuting jobs must be self-starters Managers must find new ways to evaluate and supervise those employees without seeing them every day in the office.
virtual private network
Private data network that leverages the public telecommunication infrastructure. A private network that uses a public network to connect remote sites together and which uses encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure only authorized users can access the network. Very useful for mobile workers or for remote sites
factors driving telecommuting and mobile work:Changing demographics and lifestyle preferences
Provides workers with geographic and time-shifting flexibility.
factors driving telecommuting and mobile work: Reliance on Web
Provides workers with the ability to stay connected to co-workers and customers, even on a 24/7 basis.
telecommuting advantages
Reduced stress due to increased ability to meet schedules, heightened morale, and lower absenteeism Geographic flexibility Higher personal productivity Housebound individuals can join the workforce
factors driving telecommuting and mobile work: Energy concerns
Reduces the cost of commuting for telecommuters and reduces energy costs associated with real estate for companies
real simple syndication RSS
Refers to a structured file format for porting data from one platform or information system to another: -Commonly used to keep up to date data at hand -Aka web feeds -We have them on our class Sharepoint site. -Users can automatically aggregate frequently updated data such as news, blog entries, changing stock prices into one location.
video conferencing
Set of interactive telecommunication technologies allowing two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously: Can now also be done via the web
challenges with technology virtual teams
Team members must have proficiency across a wide range of technologies. Technology offers electronic repository. Work group effectiveness may be more dependent on alignment of group & technologies used.
challenges with communications with traditional teams
Teams are collocated in same time zone. Scheduling is less difficult. Teams may use richer communication media.
challenges with technology traditional teams
Technology is not critical and tools not essential for communications. Electronic repositories are not typically used. Task technology fit may not be as critical.
work design framework
asses how technologies affect work what will be performed? best way? who? where? how can IT increase effectiveness of workers? support collaboration?
companies that use ROWE
best buy, ibm, at&t
virtual teams
geographically and/or organizationally dispersed coworkers assembled using telecommunications and IT to accomplish an organizational task. follow the sun
virtual organizations
makes it possible for individuals to work and live anywhere using technology email = communication success due to collaboration between individuals
compensation and rewards: new
often team based or contractually spelled out
ROWE
results only work environment - program that allows limitless flexibility when it comes to work hours
collaboration tools
social networking sites, virtual worlds, web logs, wikis, and groupware
