Topic: Critically Evaluate the Extent has Technology Transformed the Modern Corporate Workplace and the Role of the Human Resource Management

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Introduction of Role of the Human Resource Management

Role of the Human Resource Management, The purpose of this essay is to critically investigate the impact of how new technology has transformed corporate workplace as the years passed on, as we are aware that in this 21st centaury technology has impacted the organisation in various ways. It will impact many aspects like work-life balance, the effectiveness of response to work environment and most importantly whether the increased use of telecommunication within the business has contributed in favour of the business. Secondly this essay will continue with an in-depth analysis on the impact it has had on the role of HRM.  It would consider the main HR key areas of the HR procedures which have one or the other way responded to the transformation of new technology.  It will include example of organisations that have used technology and its impact (Bates, 2002).

HRM and E-HRM

Technology advancement is one of the most powerful tools, as it has reshaped the way we communicate to one another, how work is being managed and also the way business is conducted on a daily basis.  As technologies are advancing more and more business shift their focus towards the use of technology at work (CIPD, 2006).  According to 1999 William Olsten centre a study that took place in the US that estimated 63% of companies use the internet technology to communicate amongst themselves, this has shown the power of technology and how  business rely on them which could impact the daily running of the organisation.

It is believed that technology has helped to improve work relations, more employees tend to be happier and put more work in, nonetheless has technology really  improved the working relationships or has it just cut down the workload. The use of technology at work has increased the trust managers have on their employees; the reason for this is that they have been given the freedom to complete their tasks online. Of course there would be occasions where employee might go online and browse for other things nonetheless employees are trusted to complete work on time (Ulrich, 2005).

This claim may well have its merit, Dell presents another side that technology monitoring employee’s activity could spread distrusts amongst employees and not build on their value (Dell, 2013).  With boundaries in regards to work life balance it is crucial that employees feel that they are trusted and that their effort has a meaning even when they are not working inside the office as it will increase motivation levels which would in turn impact productivity.

Looking back communication amongst workers used to take much longer and there were chances that some may not receive the information; however technology improved this activity for instant business that may have employees working on projects in another country.

Let’s look at an architect who has been assigned a project in China, for the individual worker to be kept up to date with the right information and also for him/her to communicate with the organisation on the process of the project, technology is very crucial. For this example it’s clear that there would be time differences so if they were trying to get in contact it would be much difficult. Therefore having internet enables both parties to send emails which can be received at any time and now more companies offer company phones which of course are connected to their work email.

From the survey it is indicated that roughly 62% of people keep their work phone near their bed table to respond quicker or read emails.  While some believe it’s an effective way to stay in touch and answer important messages while you’re away from the office. Nonetheless researchers believe that the use of email to stay in touch for work purposes is a waste of time (Greg, 2011). Because when employee has been busy working on the project throughout the day, and then when they came back home they would need to take more time to catch up on emails that have been sent and reply to them.

This could sometimes lead them to sleep very late but wake up early to work; such activity does affect their psychological wellbeing. Despite this, it is believed that it helps to balance work life and private life for instant working mums or parents, which means they are able to work away from office spaces and still work and manage the family. This also shows that, in the future, there would be less need of having offices as the individual would be working mobile of which an increase of telecommunication becomes key also this would be beneficial for the business as they can cut down the costs of the estate.

This increases the mobility of a knowledge worker, who is an individual, employee or worker who manages information and all HR employees have always been managing all sorts of information regarding employees and now they would be managing IT information too..