ABSTRACT

This chapter is based on the UK contribution to a three nation study – in Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the UK – sponsored by the European Community. It investigates the extent to which the introduction of information technology imposed social control on the individuals who worked with the new technology. The chapter explains an enormous increase in the use of computers for company data processing in Europe. The project took the form of some general observations of the issues raised, based on a study of research carried out in the UK, on relevant technical literature and on discussion with experts. Empirical research into the impact of information technology on enterprises and their workers bristles with methodological difficulties. The chapter provides increased awareness of the enduring characteristic of new technology, both as a general phenomenon and as one which raises very specific organisational issues relating to information systems development, and the success of organisations in exploiting the technology.