The impact of technological innovation on organizations, work environment and personal lives

Abstract

New Technologies have become an intrinsic component of our working lives. They are infiltrating every facet of our lives and adopting an increasingly organic quality as they become, literarily, part of us, rather than something "out-there", as they have been through out human history. These technologies will certainly make it easier, quicker, and less expensive for all people to communicate with one another. They may contribute to the globalization of not only trade and commerce and to greater international political, social and cultural integration and a move away from the tribal and ethnic conflicts that have dominated human history. The "virtual corporation" and "Visual Workplace" will become an increasingly common organizational form. Furthermore, mechanisms to "manage" technological changes have been historically unsuccessful, as technological development has always out passed the ability of governments or business to regulate its use. The transition from nation-based industrial age to a global digital age will require people other than technical specialists to provide input into developing new management and leadership skills. This paper describes these new and emergent technologies. It then looks at their effects on organizations and management practices and their potential impact on global organization of the future. Also, this paper examines how leaders and leadership can deal with the impact of new technologies on their organizations, employees and work environment