When setting out its view on automation, AI and technology, the CIPD states, ‘Automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and other workplace technologies are bringing major changes to work and employment.’ Assess the scale of technology within organisations and how it impacts work. (AC 1.4)
As the organisation continues to expand, a number of issues impact product and service delivery. Uncertainties such as the one generated by the COVID-19 pandemic and technology are two examples of current concerns that influence enterprises. Uncertainty surrounds economic development, credit and capital market performance, as well as new rules, competition, and technological upheavals (Lastauskas & Nguyen, 2021).
Technology is an additional concern that might have an impact on the business. Other organisations that have continued to use technology have boosted their product and service offerings on the market, resulting in heightened competitiveness and heightened product and service availability in the contemporary day (Lastauskas & Nguyen, 2021). In light of this, technology/innovation becomes a crucial concern for any firm seeking to capitalise on the present economic trend. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 epidemic, when businesses utilised technology as a means of facilitating operations (Lastauskas & Nguyen, 2021). Indeed, many firms have embraced remote and flexible employment arrangements. However, the use of technology has also highlighted the need to address the influence on employee productivity, work-life balance, employee engagement, and employee health.
Adoption of technology and workforce planning are important priorities and issues that may impact product and service delivery as well as practice and solutions. From the research, it is clear that technology is a crucial topic that must be examined by every firm that wishes to remain competitive in the present era (CIPD.org, 2020). In the present day, technology is seen as a vital resource. Despite the hazards involved with technology, there are various possibilities that develop as a result of it (CIPD.org, 2020). AI has being utilised to enhance both customer service and automated decision support.
5. Explain Edgar Schein’s model of organisational culture and explain one theory or model which examines human behaviour. (AC 2.1)
The Schein model was developed by Edgar Schein to shed light on organisational culture. This model divides organisational culture into three separate levels: assumptions, values, and artefacts. The visible representations of culture, such as dress codes, symbols, and the physical surroundings of a group, are called artefacts (Coghlan, 2021). Values are belief systems, attitudes, and objectives that direct behaviour in an organisation; assumptions, on the other hand, are deeper, frequently subconscious beliefs and values that impact behaviour.
Schein stresses that in order to comprehend and change an organization’s culture, it is crucial to carefully examine each of these levels. Companies can determine where their culture supports their goals and values and where it might work against them by using this thorough analysis. The Schein model has garnered significant interest due to its effectiveness in supporting businesses that aim to understand and improve their culture (Coghlan, 2021).
An additional useful framework for understanding human behaviour in a business setting is provided by motivation theory. This area of research looks for the motivations and forces that influence people’s behaviour at work. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a well-known theory in this field that contends that people are motivated by a hierarchy of needs that moves from physiological needs to safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization (Coghlan, 2021). Maslow contends that in order to go on to the next level, people must first meet the needs at each one.
This model provides information about how an organisation can predict and comprehend the behaviour of its employees. An organisation may realise, for instance, that workers who are engaged and motivated more in a safe and stable work environment. On the other hand, disregarding workers’ basic needs may cause them to become less motivated and engaged (Coghlan, 2021).
Two essential theories and models for comprehending workplace culture and human behaviour in an organisational setting are the Schein model and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Companies can use these frameworks to get deep insights into employee behaviour and company culture, which helps them make targeted improvements.
