Book Description

This study assesses the consequences of the continuing and rapid introduction of information and telecommunications technologies in offices. The report of the study contains 12 chapters. After a brief look at the context of office automation from the perspective of history, the first chapter highlights some expectations about the technologies and their development over the next 15 years. It also introduces a framework that guides the assessment, summarizes the findings, and identifies policy issues for the next decade. Chapters 2 through 6 discuss the possible effects of office automation in more detail. They deal with potential effects on employment levels; the kind of training and education needed for office work; changes in work content, jobs, occupations, and organizations; the quality of work life, the office environment and labor management relations; and the security and confidentiality of information. Chapters 7 and 8 consider two alternatives to conventional offices, made feasible by office automation: home-based work and performance of data-entry operations in countries with lower paid workers. Chapter 9 and 10 look at office automation in the public sector, while Chapter 11 deals with office automation and small businesses. The final chapter considers the implications of office automation for two groups: working women and minorities. Appendix A describes office automation technology as it is now and as it is likely to develop between 1985 and 2000, while Appendix B summarizes case studies of the automation of several offices. (KC)