Technology Determinism: Examining Organizational Changes and Effects

This essay examines the theory of technology determinism, focusing on how technological advancements shape societal structures, particularly within organizations. It begins by defining technology determinism as a theory emphasizing technology's role in determining societal development and values. The essay then explores how technology has influenced organizations by affecting social, managerial, and diplomatic skills. It discusses how technology impacts profit margins, employee relations, organizational culture, and communication. The essay highlights the shift from traditional hierarchies to more collaborative environments, emphasizing the importance of employee expertise and a positive working atmosphere. It concludes that technology determinism significantly influences societal and organizational development in the modern era. The essay references key scholars and their perspectives on the subject.

Running head: TECHNOLOGY DETERMINISM
Technology Determinism
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................2
Technological determinism..........................................................................................................2
Effect of technology leading to changes in an organization...................................................2
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................4
References:....................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
The period of Industrial Revolution brought about many significant changes in the
world, one of which is the introduction of technology. Technology has, since then,
constantly evolved itself and now has managed to occupy an indispensable position
within the lives of the individuals in a community. There are many scholars who are of
the opinion that technology has led to the changes in the way a society functions,
especially in the context of an organization (Haapakorpi & Alasoini, 2018). The purpose
of this paper is to understand the meaning of technology determinism and to examine
how it has brought about significant changes within the working of an organization.
Technological determinism
The theory of technological determinism is considered to be reductionist theory
which is based on the assumption that it is technology which determines the
development of the structure of a society and its cultural and traditional values. The idea
of technology determinism was first advocated by Thorstein Veblen of the nineteenth
century. He was of the opinion that technology aids in changing the relationship which is
observed within the human beings of a society (Thompson, 2016). It guides their
behavior and attitudes towards each other, it influences their work ability and it also
conditions the manner in which they perform their activities with regard to the other
employees within the same organization (Awa, Ukoha & Igwe, 2017).
In this context, it can be seen that the purpose of technology determinism is to
show the various technical developments which have taken place in the history of
human kind and how they have affected the social change in the community (Cirillo &
Zayas, 2019). The understanding of such technological determinism assumes more
significance in the face of a globalized world order.
Effect of technology leading to changes in an organization
The aspect of technological determinism is considered to bring about significant
changes in the society and human relations. Since technology is meant to ease the
process of functioning, it is largely used by the formal organizations of the world. In this
context, the impact of technological determinism would be judged in an effective

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manner if it is analyzed in the context of the working of the organizations around the
world (Ringberg, Reihlen & Rydén, 2019).
There are three main areas where the functioning of an organization is usually
involved. It includes the social skills, the managerial skills and the maintenance of
diplomatic skills. The employees need to be tolerant and harmonious in their manner of
behavior with the other employees of the organization (Fulk & Yuan, 2017).
Furthermore, the employers need to create a conducive environment within the work
place so that they are able to maintain a harmonious relationship with their employees.
In this context, it can be seen that technology has affected all of these three levels of
atmosphere within the organizational environment.
In the age of globalization and capitalism, market competition is only bound to
increase. As more and more private players enter a particular market, they pose a
threat to the current prevailing process of the concerned consumer goods. In order to
earn a higher profit margin, there is a need on the part of the firms to reduce their input
costs as they cannot change the price charged from the consumer due to a large
competitive base. In this context, if the technology used in the production of the
products and services is effective, then the employees would be able to manufacture
more products with less input costs. The difference in the input cist and the prices
charged in the market would be high, signifying the higher profit margin for the
employers (Agassi, 2017).
The employers need to understand that the use of such technology has changed
their relationship with their employees. It is the employees who have operated them and
therefore, have been able to contribute to the effective process of production. In this
context, the employers are obligated to share a part of their profit with that of the
employees.
Technology determinism is able to change the culture of an organization also.
The traditional hierarchy is usually done away with and the employers are brought at a
closer context with that of the employees. The expertise of both the employers and the
employees are needed in order to make the functioning of the firm more effective.
Technology has been able to bridge the communication gap which previously existed

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and now the employers are seen to be concerned about the working environment in the
organization since they form an essential part of it (Doeleman, 2018). Thus, there is
stress in the maintenance of a friendly and amicable environment, peace and tolerance
should prevail and the employees are encouraged to communicate with their employers
in the event that they face any grievances. Thus, technology determinism has been able
to dramatically change many aspects within an organization and the way they operate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be observed that the effect of technology on the lives of the
individuals in the society is paramount. In the twenty first century, almost all the working
socially in an organization, is done with the aid of technology. This has brought about
important changes in the culture of the places and in the way of how the organization
essentially operates. Thus, it can be opined that technology determinism has
determined the manner in which the society develops itself and performs.

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References:
Agassi, J. (2017). Technology, Biotechnology, Technological Determinism. The Wiley
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Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Theory, 1-3.
Awa, H. O., Ukoha, O., & Igwe, S. R. (2017). Revisiting technology-organization-
environment (TOE) theory for enriched applicability. The Bottom Line.
Cirillo, V., & Zayas, J. M. (2019). Digitalizing industry? Labor, technology and work
organization: an introduction to the Forum.
Doeleman, J. A. (2018). Social Determinism, technology and economic externalities.
In Technological Change, Development and the Environment (pp. 298-321).
Routledge.
Fulk, J., & Connie Yuan, Y. (2017). Social construction of communication
technology. The international encyclopedia of organizational communication, 1-
19.
Haapakorpi, A., & Alasoini, T. (2018). Work organization and technology: introduction to
the theme of the special issue. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies, 8.
Ringberg, T., Reihlen, M., & Rydén, P. (2019). The technology-mindset interactions:
Leading to incremental, radical or revolutionary innovations. Industrial Marketing
Management, 79, 102-113.
Thompson, S. (2016). Worker cooperatives in the theory of the firm: Marx and Veblen
on technological determinism. Journal of Economic Issues, 50(4), 913-939.