Observability of Work in the Context of Digitalization: Transition and Management Implications

Hongxia Peng ()
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Hongxia Peng: UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université, NIMEC - Normandie Innovation Marché Entreprise Consommation - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - ULH - Université Le Havre Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - IRIHS - Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire Homme et Société - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université

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Abstract: This communication summarizes some principal results of a conceptualizing research that aims to examine the transition of work in the context of digitalization and its management implications through the lens of work observability—which is defined as the characteristics of work that make it perceivable, recognizable, describable, analyzable and assessable. Based on an exploratory review of the existing literature on the transition of work in the digital era through four dimensions: form of work, work content, work outcomes and workplace, this research develops a framework for analyzing the articulation between work observability and work observation in management by considering digital technologies as medium observers in this process. The framework is advanced through a typology containing three archetypes of work observation: standardized work observability, idiosyncratic work observability and composite work observability, with five possible combination management observation styles. The paper ends by arguing for the need to balance the utilization of digital mediums and human interaction in work observation.

Keywords: Work observability; Digital technologies; Work observation; Standardization; Idiosyncrasy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-05-20
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Published in ADERSE Annual Congress / Congrès annuel de l'l'ADERSE (Association pour le Développement de l'Enseignement et de la Recherche sur la Responsabilité Sociale de l'Entreprise), May 2021, Online conference, France

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03259001

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