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Anyone can attest to the fact that technology is the pillar on which modern life is based. Right from personal communication to business productivity, you can never ignore the positive influence technology has had on peoples’ lives. Businesses today allocate money to help them in the development of technological tools. When you take a walk, you come across different technological devices such as phones, televisions, and even the cars people use to travel from one location to another.
However, technology also has a negative influence on business operations and the general ways people live. Though there are more positive influences than the negative ones, it’s worth noting these disadvantages so businesses can work towards reducing the negative effects. Here are some problems with technological applications in business:
Competition with Humans for Available Job Opportunities
Companies find technology efficient when it’s applied in production processes. Work is completed faster, and certain tasks can be automated for easier operation. Therefore, software tools can do jobs that are meant for many people. That means the businesses don’t have to employ as many people for tasks that can be performed by fewer people and a machine.
Although the reduction in the demand for human labor is advantageous to business ventures, it’s not good news for human workers. When technology is used in place of humans, employers see no reason to hire them. As a result, the unemployment rate goes up and people struggle to pay their bills and feed their families.
Businesses need to learn how to use human laborers rather than just letting them go because of the advancement in technology. For instance, business owners can retrain employees. After training, the workers can be placed in new positions and perform other roles that the machines cannot. And keep in mind, technological devices can only function well when they’re manned by skilled personnel.
Employees Have Become Anti-social as a Result of Technology
Technology has provided mechanisms in which people can communicate with each other without necessarily being around each other physically. There are several communication tools that make this possible, such as Skype. Therefore, employees can hold meetings from wherever they are across the globe.
People who don’t love traditional working environments are using technological devices to work remotely. That means businesses can now employ different kinds of people rather than limiting work to the office environment. For example, imagine the boss asks, “Can you write my essay for me?” You can do the job from the comfort of your home.
The problem is that most human communication has shifted online. Meanwhile, the social skills of employees that have embraced the use of technological devices deteriorates. People’s behaviors have changed because they’re only used to spending their time using technological devices such as phones and computers.
However, there is something organizations can do to remedy the situation. Not all communications and conferences that should be held online. Companies should organize specific days in the year where employees can physically meet and interact. The events can be:
- Picnics
- Monthly get-togethers
- Employee reward days
Overdependence on Technological Devices
As you already know, technological devices can be used to automate complicated business processes. That’s good for your business. However, these devices can sometimes break down. At that point, production operations are brought to a sudden halt, which can throw your company in a state of panic.
People overly depend on technological devices when work is automated. Therefore, they find it unnecessary to learn how these processes can be done manually. The whole business operation grinds to a halt when the technological devices break down.
Business owners should not let their operations be entirely dependent on technological applications. Train your employees so they’re ready whenever applications aren’t working. Additionally, there should be complete manuals specifying what to do to get production and the company moving in case devices fail.
The above explanations are just a few of the disadvantages that a company may face with technological applications. Fortunately, there are policies and procedures that you can put in place as a business owner to deal with the disadvantages. Bottom-line, as you embrace the use of technology in business, be prepared for the downsides as well.