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Technology and Flexibility (Byte Size Skills Course).

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  • 100% online learning
  • 1 units
  • 20 guided learning hours

Technology and Flexibility (Byte Size Skills Course)

Technology as a means to facilitate the production of goods and services has always been with us. Technology describes systems of production on which all human beings depend, to a greater or lesser extent. These systems range on a continuum from the very primitive basic tools to the very sophisticated micro-electronics.

Our focus in this course is on technology and technological change during the twentieth century within industrialised societies. We look at the dominant production systems and their effects upon people who work with them. In particular, we examine some of the debates concerning the major twentieth century technological development within the workplace. This is the system of mass production, or extreme specialisation, and its implications for workforce and management. We look at the technological developments which may supersede mass production and the controversies concerning these developments.

We start with the problem of definition and then move on to a consideration of Fordism. We look at the concept of alienation in relation to technology and the important contribution of the American researcher, Blauner. We then go on to deal with post-Fordism and flexible specialisation. Finally, we examine new technology and its impact upon manufacturing and the office.

After participating in this course, you should be able to:

  • define technology and identify different types of mechanisation.
  • identify some of reasons for technological change.
  • describe what Durkheim identified as the fundamental differences in technological and social organisation between a pre-industrial and an industrial society.
  • describe the impact of division of labour upon an industrial society.
  • define Fordism and outline its production system.
  • identify the advantages, drawbacks and limitations of Fordism.
  • relate Marx's concept of alienation to work in modern technological settings.
  • describe the work and conclusions of Blauner on alienation, along with some assumptions and limitations of technological determinism.
  • explain the relationship between control, de-skilling and technological change in labour process theory, and identify some of the theory's limitations.
  • identify in a contemporary industrial example the characteristics of post- Fordism.
  • describe how work and technology are developing in the view of flexibility theorists, the reasons they see for this, and the likely effects for employees and organisational management.
  • describe some criticisms of flexibility theory and outline some of the drawbacks and limits to flexibility.
  • describe the characteristic features of new technology.
  • explain how new technology can increase skill requirements and improve the quality of working life.
  • describe convergence theory and its implications in basic terms.

On completion of your course, you will receive a certificate:

Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Technology and Flexibility (Byte Size Skills Course) Certificate

Technology and Flexibility (Byte Size Skills Course) Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.

Professional Membership

On completion of this course you will be eligible to join the following Professional Associations(s):

Stonebridge

On successful completion of your course your qualification is awarded. You will receive an attractively presented Diploma or Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, this will also allow you to use the letters SAC. Dip. or SAC. Cert. after your name.

Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the leading (and biggest) distance education colleges in the U.K and internationally. We have many thousands of students studying with us at any one time from locations all over the world. Our diplomas will always count towards your future, and will improve your prospects of future employment or higher level study etc. by proving that you have studied to a certain level, that you have proficiency in your chosen subjects and that you are interested in your field of choice. Education is always an investment in your future and you will find this to be the case with our qualifications in your jurisdiction.

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Introduction


Objectives

 

Section 1: Technology at Work and Technological Change


Technology: definitions and perspectives


Imperatives of technology


Division of labour


Scientific management: contributions of Adam Smith and Charles Babbage


Contribution of F W Taylor


Section 2: Emergence of Fordism


Henry Ford's system

 

Section 3: Alienation and De-skilling


Marx and alienation


Alienation after Marx


Technology and alienation: the Blauner study


De-skilling: technological development as a means of control

 

Section 4: After Fordism


Post-Fordism


Flexible specialisation examined


The flexible firm


Criticisms and evaluation of theories of flexibility


Further evidence on flexible labour approaches


Limits to flexibility


Flexibility: the future - a review of the post-Fordist debate

 

Section 5: New Technology and Work Organisation


Evolution of new work technology


Information technology and its uses


Replacement or compensation


Impact of new technology upon manufacturing


Impact of new technology in the office

 

Summary

 

Tutor-marked Question Paper

Assessment Method

After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

What's Included

  • All study materials
  • Study Guide
  • Full Tutor and Admin support

What's Included

  • All study materials
  • Study Guide
  • Full Tutor and Admin support
OUR PASS RATE
Professional Skills
90.9%
(National Average 82.6%)
Technology and Flexibility (Byte Size Skills Course)

Technology as a means to facilitate the production of goods and services has always been with us. Technology describes systems of production on which all human beings depend, to a greater or lesser extent. These systems range on a continuum from the very primitive basic tools to the very sophisticated micro-electronics.

Our focus in this course is on technology and technological change during the twentieth century within industrialised societies. We look at the dominant production systems and their effects upon people who work with them. In particular, we examine some of the debates concerning the major twentieth century technological development within the workplace. This is the system of mass production, or extreme specialisation, and its implications for workforce and management. We look at the technological developments which may supersede mass production and the controversies concerning these developments.

We start with the problem of definition and then move on to a consideration of Fordism. We look at the concept of alienation in relation to technology and the important contribution of the American researcher, Blauner. We then go on to deal with post-Fordism and flexible specialisation. Finally, we examine new technology and its impact upon manufacturing and the office.

After participating in this course, you should be able to:

  • define technology and identify different types of mechanisation.
  • identify some of reasons for technological change.
  • describe what Durkheim identified as the fundamental differences in technological and social organisation between a pre-industrial and an industrial society.
  • describe the impact of division of labour upon an industrial society.
  • define Fordism and outline its production system.
  • identify the advantages, drawbacks and limitations of Fordism.
  • relate Marx's concept of alienation to work in modern technological settings.
  • describe the work and conclusions of Blauner on alienation, along with some assumptions and limitations of technological determinism.
  • explain the relationship between control, de-skilling and technological change in labour process theory, and identify some of the theory's limitations.
  • identify in a contemporary industrial example the characteristics of post- Fordism.
  • describe how work and technology are developing in the view of flexibility theorists, the reasons they see for this, and the likely effects for employees and organisational management.
  • describe some criticisms of flexibility theory and outline some of the drawbacks and limits to flexibility.
  • describe the characteristic features of new technology.
  • explain how new technology can increase skill requirements and improve the quality of working life.
  • describe convergence theory and its implications in basic terms.
Professional Skills
OUR PASS RATE
(National Average 82.6%)
90.9%

On completion of your course, you will receive a certificate:

Stonebridge Associated Colleges: Technology and Flexibility (Byte Size Skills Course) Certificate

Technology and Flexibility (Byte Size Skills Course) Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, to view a sample of the college’s award, please click here.

Professional Membership

On completion of this course you will be eligible to join the following Professional Associations(s):

Stonebridge

On successful completion of your course your qualification is awarded. You will receive an attractively presented Diploma or Certificate issued by Stonebridge Associated Colleges, this will also allow you to use the letters SAC. Dip. or SAC. Cert. after your name.

Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the leading (and biggest) distance education colleges in the U.K and internationally. We have many thousands of students studying with us at any one time from locations all over the world. Our diplomas will always count towards your future, and will improve your prospects of future employment or higher level study etc. by proving that you have studied to a certain level, that you have proficiency in your chosen subjects and that you are interested in your field of choice. Education is always an investment in your future and you will find this to be the case with our qualifications in your jurisdiction.

Introduction


Objectives

 

Section 1: Technology at Work and Technological Change


Technology: definitions and perspectives


Imperatives of technology


Division of labour


Scientific management: contributions of Adam Smith and Charles Babbage


Contribution of F W Taylor


Section 2: Emergence of Fordism


Henry Ford's system

 

Section 3: Alienation and De-skilling


Marx and alienation


Alienation after Marx


Technology and alienation: the Blauner study


De-skilling: technological development as a means of control

 

Section 4: After Fordism


Post-Fordism


Flexible specialisation examined


The flexible firm


Criticisms and evaluation of theories of flexibility


Further evidence on flexible labour approaches


Limits to flexibility


Flexibility: the future - a review of the post-Fordist debate

 

Section 5: New Technology and Work Organisation


Evolution of new work technology


Information technology and its uses


Replacement or compensation


Impact of new technology upon manufacturing


Impact of new technology in the office

 

Summary

 

Tutor-marked Question Paper

Assessment Method

After each lesson there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

What's Included

  • All study materials
  • Study Guide
  • Full Tutor and Admin support

What's Included

  • All study materials
  • Study Guide
  • Full Tutor and Admin support
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