ABSTRACT
Most of the staff working in the accounts department heard at an early stage, by means of rumour, that a computer was coming. They seem to have assumed that its function would be to take over the work of one section of the department only. It was not generally realised that it would eventually take over part of the work of all three sections. Once the programmers began to study the work of these other sections fear and suspicion were aroused. The programmers’ brief from management to be tactful, not to reveal what they were doing, and simply collect information on the details of the current data processing systems created considerable difficulties. The programmers met with suspicion and hostility as they tried to carry out their work, particularly from those managers whose work was likely to be affected by the computer. Two section heads in the accounts department, in particular, wanted to know what they were doing, and why they were asking questions. The section managers believed that they should have been consulted about the introduction of the computer. They felt threatened by the computer, and were anxious to maintain their status in the company. The programmers themselves disapproved of the policy of secrecy: ‘It made it much more difficult for us to get the co-operation we needed. People were far more anxious than would have been the case if the firm had been frank with them, because they didn't know what was going to happen.’ A hostile attitude towards the two programmers and towards their superiors in the firm developed in some clerks.
