Informates vs. Automates
"The action of a machine is entirely
invested in its object, the product. Information technology, on the
other hand, introduces an additional dimension of reflexivity: it makes
is contribution to the product, but it also reflects back on its activities
and on the system of activities to which it is related. Information
technology not only produces actions but also produces a voice that symbolically
renders events, objects, and processes so that they become visible, knowable,
and shareable in a new way."
This quote acts as a definition
of the difference between information technology and machines. To
put it in different terms a machine, whose sole purpose is to carry out
an action, works only towards one goal, never deviating from the path described
to it. This goal is in many cases to produce a product and once the
job is complete nothing more is produced by that machine. Where as
with information technology, a task is completed, but it does not not stop
there, something is given in return, many times in the form of information.
For instance, when products are scanned in a grocery store the computer
spits out the price and finds a total, which if it were a machine would
be its only job, but it is not. The computer keeps track of what
is scanned and returns that information, which in turn can be used for
inventory.
“Because machines are mute, and because they are precise and repetitive, they can be controlled according to a set of rational principles in a way that human bodies cannot.” (p 375)
This quote compares the operation
of the human body with that of a machine. As the quote says machines
are mute. This means that machines can not talk back, they can not
be lazy, they just do what they are told, nothing more, nothing less.
So in this sense they can be controlled. They can be programmed
to do the same action over and over, precisely and accurately. Humans
cannot perform in this way, this efficiently. Humans can refuse to work,
decide not to work, or perform an operation improperly. So basically
machines can replace humans as laborers because they do it better and with
out fluctuation.
“However, when the technology also informates the process to which it is applied, it increases the explicit information content of tasks and sets into motion a series of dynamics that will ultimately reconfigure the nature of work and the social relationships that organize productive activity.” (p 378)
This quote expresses the fact that as information technology improves, expands, and becomes more integrated into society, the work place and workers must adjust. Society will have to deal with a new array of problems. Jobs will be reconfigured and workers will have to learn new skills to deal with these advancements in technology. It is a two sided coin however. Society's reaction will play a large part in the future and how people and businesses will deal with this technology. This is discussed more thoroughly in the Section 1 Analysis.
The Dual Capacity of Information Technology
"These dual capacities of information technology are not opposites; they are hierarchically integrated." (p 378)
Information technology performs two operations. It has the ability to automate as well as informate. However these two capacities are not independent of one another but rather one in the same. As the quote says they are "hierarchically integrated". Information technology is dependent upon automation.
"Informating derives from and builds upon automation. Automation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for informating. It is quite possible to proceed with automation without reference to how it will contribute to the technologies informating potential." (p 378)
In accord with the previous quote,
this quotation explains a little more about informating, automating, and
their relationship. Information technology is dependent upon automation,
machine technology. Without the first step, automation, information
technology has no basis to build, it does not exist. If an action is not
performed first, automation, then there is no result that can be reported.
Even so automation is not sufficient grounds for information technology
to operate. Automation can easily be executed alone without information
technology being a factor. So therefore information technology is
dependent upon automation but automation is not dependent upon information
technology.
Information Technology Defined as Revolutionary
"The informating capacity of the
new computer-based technologies brings about radical change as it alters
the intrinsic character of work---the way millions of people experience
daily life on the job. It also poses fundamentally new choices for
our organizational futures, and the ways in which labor management respond
to these new choices will finally determine whether our era becomes a time
for radical change or a return to the familiar patterns and pitfalls of
the traditional workplace." (p 379)
The change in the workplace will
in essence be a revolution. It poses problems to employees, employers
and organizations overall. Will there be utter chaos, with conflicts
between people in the workplace, and managers left with choices of how
to handle the integration of technology into the workforce? Either
there will be a great surge in new jobs requiring different skills or there
will be a great amount of confusion, with no cooperation and a problematic
workplace.
Leadership
“We will suffer through the unintended consequences of change, because we have failed to understand this technology and how it differs from what came before.” (p 379)
Without quality leadership society will suffer. If technology keeps developing without the population having a general understanding of its purpose or operation, then when new technology is integrated into society people will not understand the difference between past technology and the new technology. There will be confusion and the purpose of the technology will be lost.
“By neglecting the unique informating capacity of advanced computer-based technology and ignoring the need for a new vision of work and organization, we will have forfeited the dramatic business benefits it can provide.” (p 379)
If society, employers, and organizations do not capitalize on these "advanced computer based technology" by implementing them into their business and exploiting their potential to aid in efficiency, they will lose all the possible benefits it may encompass. By ignoring the technology it will not develop to its full potential.
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