Information technology and quality of work life: Comparing users with non-users

This paper is concerned with the potential future effects of information technology on office-type work and job attitudes. An argument from labour process theory has suggested that such technology will simplify and deskill jobs, thereby reducing the quality of work life. This proposition was explored within several government agencies. Over one hundred users' and nonusers' attitudes concerning information technology's future effects upon their jobs and quality of work life were assessed and compared. Data indicates that respondents did not anticipate uniform deskilling effects in the future. Differences between computer users and nonusers were limited, although significant differences between the two groups did exist for communication, job complexity and accountability/feedback scales. Effects of socio-demographic variables upon attitudes were also assessed and the results suggest that salary, age and education may be responsible for attitude differences that occur within each group. Implications for practitioners and researchers are outlined.The authors would like to thank Nancy Carter, Aaron Cohen, Cathy Kirchmeyer and Richard Long for their insightful comments made on an earlier draft of this paper as well as Brenda McPhail's and Hj Shawyer's editorial assistance. Usual disclaimers apply. Financial support for this research project was provided by the Social Sciences Research Council of Canada, Contract No. 494-86-0003 and by a grant from the Alberta Manpower Program, Contract No. 083080 and the Faculty of Management, The University of Lethbridge. The views expressed in this paper are the author's own and are not necessarily shared by these organizations.At the time this research was conducted the second author was an undergraduate student at the University of Lethbridge.