Work and Wealth - Ethics for the Information Age - page 463

Higher Demand Lower Demand

Computer engineers Bank clerks

Computer support specialists Procurement specialists

Systems analysts Financial records processing staff

Database administrators Secretaries, stenographers, and typists

Desktop publishing specialists Communications equipment operators

Computer operators

TABLE 10.1 Greater use of information technology in the workplace will increase demand for
employees in certain job categories while reducing demand for employees in other categories.

one at company B to order the widgets. Today many companies have adopted supply-
chain automation. A computer at company A is linked to a computer at company B.
The computers are responsible for ordering the widgets, eliminating the need for the
middlemen. Automating the paperwork activities associated with purchasing supplies
can reduce the number of people who produce purchase orders and invoices, pay bills,
process checks, and so on. The likely effect of information technology on organizations
will be an increased demand in some job categories, while the demand in other cate-
gories will drop (Table 10.1) [27].
Dell Computer is a leader in supply-chain automation. Customers order computers
directly from Dell by telephone or through its Web site. Seventy percent of Dell's sales are
to large corporations. These companies have custom Web sites that have preconfigured
systems tailored to the needs of the purchaser. Dell does not make any computers until
they are ordered, allowing it to keep its inventory small—enough for only a few days'
production [28].

10.3.2 Telework
Another workplace change brought about through information technology is the rise
of telework. Te l ewor k (also called telecommuting) refers to an arrangement where em-
ployees spend a significant portion of their workday at a distance from the employer or
a traditional place of work [29]. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, 37
percent of workers in the United States telework at least one day a month [30].
One kind of telework is working out of a home office. Another example of telework
is someone who commutes to a telecenter rather than the company's site. Telecenters
provide employees from different firms the ability to connect to their company's com-
puters. A third example of telework are salespersons who have no offices, instead trans-
acting all of their business from their cars using cell phones and laptop computers.

ADVANTAGES OF TELEWORK
The rapid growth in the number of teleworkers is evidence there are significant benefits
associated with telework. Here are some of the most frequently cited advantages of
telework [29, 31].