Knowledge Workers’ Reactions to a Planned Introduction of Robotic Process Automation—Empirical Evidence from an Accounting Firm

Aleksandre Asatiani (), Esko Penttinen (), Joona Ruissalo () and Antti Salovaara ()
Additional contact information
Aleksandre Asatiani: University of Gothenburg
Esko Penttinen: Aalto University
Joona Ruissalo: Aalto University
Antti Salovaara: Aalto University

A chapter in Information Systems Outsourcing, 2020, pp 413-452 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract In this paper, we investigate the initial reactions and perceptions of knowledge workers to a planned implementation of robotic process automation (RPA). Using purposive sampling, we conduct a case study in an industry in which workers’ jobs are notoriously vulnerable to automation: we study an accounting firm that is planning to introduce RPA into their core accounting processes. While our informants did raise the expected concerns about job security and loss of control over work, the initial reactions to the technology were surprisingly positive. The informants even expressed enthusiasm and genuine curiosity towards the capabilities of RPA. Overall, our results challenge the views outlined in previous academic literature and popular press concerning the fears and anxieties associated with the introduction of automation technologies in information-intensive knowledge work. To conclude, we theorize on the emerging positively dispersed uncertainty concerning the nature of RPA and the relativistic nature of worker reactions that potentially impact workplace atmosphere.

Keywords: Worker reactions; Knowledge work; Accounting; Automation; Robotic Process Automation (RPA); Case study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prochp:978-3-030-45819-5_17

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783030458195

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-45819-5_17

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Progress in IS from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().