Book Review: Technological Change at Work

Like many publications from the Open University Press this is a clear and generally concise book. The authors set out to establish that new technology is an important independent variable in the organisation and management of work. They reject the idea that new technology is simply a feature of the persistent conflict over the labour process. Similarly they argue that strategic choice theory neglects the effect new technology may have irrespective of the decision making process. The book draws on the empirical work of a number of studies to show how computing and information technology is'a matter of social choice and negotiation' . Unfortunately, very little research has looked at the impact of new technology upon the public sector and welfare organisations. Consequently, it is not always clear that the conclusions are applicable to the public sector. Compared to the private sector, where computing and information technology have come to play a part in virtually every aspect of production, design, accounting, and marketing, the public sector seems to have been quite slow to use new technology. Of course it is not McLoughlin and Clark's fault that research has largely focused on the private sector but they might have addressed this question. Interestingly, the authors do point out that the civil service has been more resistant to new computer technology than manufacturing industry. Why inland revenue and social security staff should be more resistant to new technology than, for example, engineering workers is not developed or discussed. The strength of this book, however, is that it will enable even the most computer illiterate soul to engage with the theories over new technology. The impact and implementation of new technology are not issues which promote clarity but there are only a few instances in this study where the reader with Luddite tendencies will reach for the sledgehammer. The authors' argument, that management rarely place industrial relations and labour control issues at the top of their agenda when considering new technology, is one which supporters oflabour process theory have to address. Likewise the examples they provide of new Vol2 No2 July1989