Technology

Technology is nearly ubiquitous in the workplace. Broadly defined as advancements in software, hardware, and associated services, “computer support” has transformed the world of work, and this trend shows no sign of abating (Coovert & Thompson, 2001; Wilson, 1991). According to recent surveys, many innovations in changing the workplace with computers have occurred during the last decade alone, primarily within white-collar occupations (Andries, Smulders, & Dhondt, 2002).

Jobs and employees are affected by both new innovations and increasing access to more familiar technologies. For example, dramatic work transformations will likely result from late breaking advances in wearable computers that extend human capabilities by allowing people to do things like see what is behind them while facing forward (Negroponte & Gershenfeld, 1995). Meanwhile, work is also changing because more familiar technologies (cell phones, laptops, wireless connections, etc.) have become smaller, faster, cheaper, and generally more available than ever before, providing access even to small businesses and small-budget operations.