Modification Value
Modification value of technology has been studied for centuries (Babbage, 1835). Machines were expected to be maintained to the extent that they were capable so that organizations could retrieve the money that they spent to acquire the equipment. If modifications were conducted, they were done only to the extent that it was less costly than replacing the equipment. Modification of people within the context of the five values model is to look at how the person grows and changes not only through activities provided by the organization, but also activities that people use for self-development including education that may or may not align with their current jobs. The key for the organization is to understand that some employees want to grow and change and how do they adjust to these employees’ need or convince the employees to adapt their new knowledge to the goals of the organization if feasible. The purpose of this chapter is to: (1) introduce the concept of modification value; and (2) compare technology modification value including upgrades to equipment, slight modifications, and investment to ensure value is derived from the piece of equipment to people modification value, which includes growth and change, job enrichment, and organization development.