Employees First, Technology Second

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Paruzel ◽  
Dominik Bentler ◽  
Katharina D. Schlicher ◽  
Wolfgang Nettelstroth ◽  
Günter W. Maier
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Smart Glasses ◽  
Design Characteristics ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Specific Technology

Abstract. Digitization and connectivity are hot topics for nearly every company today; numerous new technologies offer diverse options. In this project, a specific technology − smart glasses − was implemented in a manufacturing company. The implementation process was innovative, as the employees’ perspective was taken into account from the beginning, rather than solely designing the technological aspects and involving the users after decisions were taken. Employees involved with the new technology were surveyed to take into account the employees’ expectations and fears regarding work design characteristics. This allowed us to customize features of the smart glasses, adapt the work organization, and inform employees about unclear points concerning the implementation process. Moreover, the competencies required for future work were analyzed using a comprehensive work analysis method. We report the results of two quantitative studies and summarize the lessons learned from this project, which can serve as a guideline for other companies.

scholarly journals How to approach a many splendoured thing: Proxy Technology Assessment as a methodological praxis to study virtual experience

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizzy Bleumers ◽  
Kris Naessens ◽  
An Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Virtual Experiences

This article introduces Proxy Technology Assessment (PTA) as a methodological approach that can widen the scope of virtual world and game research. Studies of how people experience virtual worlds and games often focus on individual in-world or in-game experiences. However, people do not perceive these worlds and games in isolation. They are embedded within a social context that has strongly intertwined online and offline components. Studying virtual experiences while accounting for these interconnections calls for new methodological approaches. PTA answers this call.Combining several methods, PTA can be used to investigate how new technology may impact and settle within people's everyday life (Pierson et al., 2006). It involves introducing related devices or applications, available today, to users in their natural setting and studying the context-embedded practices they alter or evoke. This allows researchers to detect social and functional requirements to improve the design of new technologies. These requirements, like the practices under investigation, do not stop at the outlines of a magic circle (cf. Huizinga, 1955).We will start this article by contextualizing and defining PTA. Next, we will describe the practical implementation of PTA. Each step of the procedure will be illustrated with examples and supplemented with lessons learned from two interdisciplinary scientific projects, Hi-Masquerade and Teleon, concerned with how people perceive and use virtual worlds and games respectively.

scholarly journals New Technology and the Non-Manual Labour Process in Britain

2005 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony E. Smith
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Work Organization ◽  
Technical Innovation ◽  
Managerial Control ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Labour Process ◽  
Manual Labour ◽  
Manual Skills ◽  
The Relationship

Drawing on evidence from five detalled case studies, this paper focuses on the relationship between technical innovation and non-manual skills and work organization. In none of these cases could the introduction of new technologies simply equate technical innovation with deskilling and enhanced managerial control. Indeed, one of the more interesting and important findings of the research was that technological change has been more favourable for technical than for clerical occupational groups.

Team Implementation of New Technology

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (15) ◽  
pp. 1340-1344
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Jones ◽  
Michael J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Technology Implementation ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Total Quality ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Current State ◽  
Teams And Teamwork ◽  
Cooperative Team

New technology is dramatically changing the workplace by allowing companies to increase efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and overall profitability. An effective new technology implementation is required for companies to compete successfully in the global marketplace. Time and money wasted on unsuccessful and improper new technology implementation is counterproductive to the overall goal of improving the competitiveness and profitability of the company. Teams and teamwork have been recommended as a way to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, profitability, and employee satisfaction. With the utilization of total quality management (TQM) and quality improvement (QI), each of which rely on teamwork, new technology implementations have been more successful. New technology challenges the current state of traditional implementation methods and techniques. To effectively utilize these new technologies it is best to consider all of the factors involved in the implementation process; most importantly the human elements involved. It is recommended to utilize a cooperative team oriented approach to new technology implementation, which relies heavily on soliciting employee input and participation throughout the entire process. By doing this it is hoped that the new technology can be implemented in the most effective way possible. A case study is presented to illustrate this.

scholarly journals I Would be More at a Loss Without It: Technology as a Tool for Resilience for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 219-219
Author(s):  
Rebecca Newmark ◽  
Theresa Allison ◽  
Alexander Smith ◽  
Carla Perissinotto ◽  
Ashwin Kotwal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Resources ◽  
Software Updates ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract COVID-19 associated shelter-in-place orders led to concerns about worsening social isolation and inadequate access to technology among older adults, yet little is known about technology use in this population during the pandemic. We examined older adults’ experiences with technology during shelter-in-place in order to identify lessons learned for a post-pandemic world. We conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 20 community-dwelling older adults in San Francisco. Two independent coders conducted concurrent data analysis using inductive and deductive approaches to identify salient themes. Participants were 78 years on average (range 64-99), 55% female, 25% Black, 75% lived alone, and 60% reported at least one ADL impairment. Technology emerged as core aspect of resilience, indicating whether older adults could navigate pandemic restrictions, with two primary themes identified. First, many participants reported discovery of new technologies to maintain or develop new connections, including Zoom-based community groups and telehealth services (“there’s all kinds of virtual programs where you can exercise”). Second, older adults were resourceful in identifying community resources and enlisting family members to learn (“I had to ask one of my granddaughters how to make the chat thing work”). Despite difficulty navigating passwords, software updates and other common obstacles, most participants expressed gratitude for technology and the connectivity made possible. Many indicated an intention to integrate new technology-based social interactions into everyday life even after restrictions ended. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the role technology can play in fostering resilience among older adults in adapting to external stressors.

Implementation of New Technology

2001 ◽  
Vol 45 (16) ◽  
pp. 1254-1258
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Jones ◽  
Michael J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Technology Implementation ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Organization Structure ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Cooperative Approach ◽  
Current State ◽  
Methods And Techniques ◽  
Big Picture

New technology is dramatically changing the workplace in order to allow companies to increase efficiency, productivity, quality, safety, and overall profitability. An effective new technology implementation is necessary in order for companies to compete successfully in the global marketplace. Time and money wasted on unsuccessful and improper new technology implementation is counterproductive to the overall goal of improving the competitiveness and profitability of the company. Therefore this new technology challenges the current state of traditional implementation methods and techniques. To effectively utilize these new technologies it is best to consider all of the factors involved in the implementation process, such as: new technology characteristics, organization structure, task factors, and environmental characteristics, and most importantly the human elements involved. It is also recommended to utilize a cooperative approach to new technology implementation, which relies heavily on soliciting employee input and participation throughout the entire process. By taking a holistic “big picture” planned view of the situation; and being sensitive to the interactions that exist; it is hoped that the new technology can be implemented in the most effective way possible.

A New Role on the Pipeline EPCM Project

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Parker
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Pipeline Project ◽  
Speed Accuracy ◽  
Design And Construction

Recent developments in the application of spatial information technologies have brought opportunities for dramatic improvements in speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of production of pipeline project deliverables. In addition to the potential for design and construction improvements, life cycle improvements are found through the use of spatial data relating to pipeline operation, environmental stewardship, regulatory, public and other stakeholder communications. However, these opportunities have not been consistently captured on all pipeline jobs. Part of the challenge in the introduction of new technology is to align members of the team so that skills and assigned tasks are matched. Traditionally, pipeline design and construction projects have employed a proven team organization structure. Changes to the tradition are necessary. This paper discusses the main advantages of using spatial information on a pipeline project. Furthermore, a discussion of the various project team roles explores how to leverage the new technologies effectively. Examples drawn from the largest pipeline projects currently in process will highlight the lessons learned to date.

scholarly journals Implementation Strategies for SME 4.0: Insights on Thailand

2021 ◽  
pp. 393-422
Author(s):  
Apichat Sopadang ◽  
Sakgasem Ramingwong ◽  
Tanyanuparb Anantana ◽  
Krisana Tamvimol
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Capacity Development ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
A Company ◽  
Inside Out

AbstractThis chapter presents how SMEs or companies can implement Industry 4.0 based on case studies in Thai SMEs. Additionally, the chapter examined implementation strategies to convert a company successfully to SME 4.0. The implementation process includes identifying business trends, foresight strategy, gap analysis, industrial research and capacity development, and technology blueprint development plan. By working closely as the triple helix with universities and tech-development agencies, the inside-out and outside-in approaches are used. There can be several challenges during the implementation, such as the requirement of new skills, new technology, and investment needs. The challenges can be addressed by setup and implement the appropriate strategy for developing workers’ skill sets, making investments in the new technologies, and improving the efficiency of the production process.

The Recent Revolution in High Performance Computing

MRS Bulletin ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
Horst D. Simon
Keyword(s):  
High Performance Computing ◽  
High Performance ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Parallel Architecture ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Good News ◽  
Computing Industry ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Performance Computing

Recent events in the high-performance computing industry have concerned scientists and the general public regarding a crisis or a lack of leadership in the field. That concern is understandable considering the industry's history from 1993 to 1996. Cray Research, the historic leader in supercomputing technology, was unable to survive financially as an independent company and was acquired by Silicon Graphics. Two ambitious new companies that introduced new technologies in the late 1980s and early 1990s—Thinking Machines and Kendall Square Research—were commercial failures and went out of business. And Intel, which introduced its Paragon supercomputer in 1994, discontinued production only two years later.During the same time frame, scientists who had finished the laborious task of writing scientific codes to run on vector parallel supercomputers learned that those codes would have to be rewritten if they were to run on the next-generation, highly parallel architecture. Scientists who are not yet involved in high-performance computing are understandably hesitant about committing their time and energy to such an apparently unstable enterprise.However, beneath the commercial chaos of the last several years, a technological revolution has been occurring. The good news is that the revolution is over, leading to five to ten years of predictable stability, steady improvements in system performance, and increased productivity for scientific applications. It is time for scientists who were sitting on the fence to jump in and reap the benefits of the new technology.

Tradition and Innovation in Cataloguing Medieval Manuscripts

2021 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-58
Author(s):  
Orietta Da Rold
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
Digital Form ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Medieval Manuscripts ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Training

Abstract In this essay, I offer a brief history of manuscript cataloguing and some observations on the innovations this practice introduced especially in the digital form. This history reveals that as the cataloguing of medieval manuscripts developed over time, so did the research needs it served. What was often considered traditional cataloguing practices had to be mediated to accommodate new scholarly advance, posing interesting questions, for example, on what new technologies can bring to this discussion. In the digital age, in particular, how do digital catalogues interact with their analogue counterparts? What skills and training are required of scholars interacting with this new technology? To this end, I will consider the importance of the digital environment to enable a more flexible approach to cataloguing. I will also discuss new insights into digital projects, especially the experience accrued by the The Production and Use of English Manuscripts 1060 to 1220 Project, and then propose that in the future cataloguing should be adaptable and shareable, and make full use of the different approaches to manuscripts generated by collaboration between scholars and librarians or the work of postgraduate students and early career researchers.

scholarly journals A Component-Sizing Methodology for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle Using an Optimization Algorithm

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3147
Author(s):  
Kiyoung Kim ◽  
Namdoo Kim ◽  
Jongryeol Jeong ◽  
Sunghwan Min ◽  
Horim Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Electric Vehicle ◽  
Optimization Algorithm ◽  
Hybrid Electric Vehicle ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Minimum Principle ◽  
Component Sizing ◽  
Hybrid Electric

Many leading companies in the automotive industry have been putting tremendous effort into developing new powertrains and technologies to make their products more energy efficient. Evaluating the fuel economy benefit of a new technology in specific powertrain systems is straightforward; and, in an early concept phase, obtaining a projection of energy efficiency benefits from new technologies is extremely useful. However, when carmakers consider new technology or powertrain configurations, they must deal with a trade-off problem involving factors such as energy efficiency and performance, because of the complexities of sizing a vehicle’s powertrain components, which directly affect its energy efficiency and dynamic performance. As powertrains of modern vehicles become more complicated, even more effort is required to design the size of each component. This study presents a component-sizing process based on the forward-looking vehicle simulator “Autonomie” and the optimization algorithm “POUNDERS”; the supervisory control strategy based on Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle (PMP) assures sufficient computational system efficiency. We tested the process by applying it to a single power-split hybrid electric vehicle to determine optimal values of gear ratios and each component size, where we defined the optimization problem as minimizing energy consumption when the vehicle’s dynamic performance is given as a performance constraint. The suggested sizing process will be helpful in determining optimal component sizes for vehicle powertrain to maximize fuel efficiency while dynamic performance is satisfied. Indeed, this process does not require the engineer’s intuition or rules based on heuristics required in the rule-based process.

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