Computerization and work : a reader on social aspects of computerization ; a collection of articles by members of IFIP WG 9.1

This reader contains contributions referring to one of the most urgent problems in systems design: the effects of computerization on human work and approaches to ameliorate systems design in order to create better conditions for living human work in a computerized world. Of course the choice of papers has been operated somewhat arbitrarily. It primarily reflects the work of IFIP's Working Group 9.1. "Compu­ ters and Work" and of some of its members. The papers were compiled aiming at focussing on very material pro­ blems in the field of "Computers and Work". They substantively re­ flect in several points the discussions and the concern of the Wor­ king Group. Some conclusions from a series of workshops held from 1980 onward by the Working Group are likewise contained and directed to the IFIP community and to other parties concerned. The reader inserts itself into a rather extended line of activities of the Working Group: in addition to contributions to the two IFIP Working Conferences on Human Choice and Computers held in 1974 and in 1979 (proceedings published by North Holland) a recent IFIP Wor­ king Conference on Systems Design For, With and By the Users (held in September 82, proceedings published in March 83 by North Holland) and a joint TC3/TC9 Working Conference on Education for Systems De­ signer/User Co-operation (proceedings to be published by end 84). Front Matter....Pages I-VIII Information Technology and Work in the Present Society....Pages 1-2 Computers — A Gift of Fire....Pages 3-16 Information Technologies and Social Power....Pages 17-33 The Impact of Information Processing on the Working Class....Pages 34-50 The Major Specific Impacts of Computerization on Work....Pages 51-52 Computerization and Employment....Pages 53-70 Information Technology and Skills: Problems in Research and Politics....Pages 71-93 Computerized Information Systems in Personnel....Pages 94-104 Some Prerequisites for Systems Design in the Interest of the Workers....Pages 105-105 Individual and Social Implications of Data Processing and Office Automation in Service Industries....Pages 106-119 Participation in Technical Change....Pages 120-131 Computerization and Education....Pages 132-141 Approaches in System Design for a Defense of Human Work....Pages 142-143 Organizational Consequences of the Use of EDP — How to Design Information Technology....Pages 144-158 Humanizing Computerized Information Systems....Pages 159-167 IFIP TC 9 — Working Group 1 “Computers and Work” Conclusions and Recommendations from the Workshop on the Effects of Computerization on Employment....Pages 168-169 IFIP TC 9 — Working Group 1 “Computers and Work” Conclusions and Recommendations from the Workshop on the Effects of Computerization on Professional Skills....Pages 170-171 Back Matter....Pages 172-172