Abstracts Category : Other

The impact ofinformation technology sophistication on the work alienation ofknowledge workers

by Fred Coetzee

This research paper investigated the impact ofinformation technology sophistication on the perceived workalienation of knowledge workers, specifically in the financialservices sector. The value of the knowledge worker, particularlyin knowledge-intensive organisations, is considered to be the mostvalued asset of the contemporary organisation. Yet, as modernorganisations are challenged by the worldwide economicdeterioration, they reach out to sophisticated informationtechnology solutions to provide a more conclusive customer valueproposition and to secure a sustainable future. The possiblealienating impact of the often radical technology solutions on theknowledge worker is, however, predominantly undefined. The studywas conducted through a web-based survey with a non-probabilitysample of 216 participants from eight major financial servicesinstitutions in Johannesburg, South Africa. The participants werequestioned on their perceived work alienation within their workingenvironment, job design and information technology sophisticationcontexts. For the first time, it could be established thatinformation technology sophistication does impact the perceivedwork alienation of knowledge workers. Information technologysophistication displayed a negative, yet statistically significant,relationship with perceived work alienation. Further, it wasestablished that information technology sophistication alsomoderated the relationships between perceived work alienation andworking environment, as well as the knowledge worker's job design.The findings are of great importance to organisations that need toimplement sophisticated information technology solutions whilstprotecting their knowledge worker workforce.Advisors/Committee Members: Wocke, Albert (advisor).