The impact of new technology on output can be both favorable as well as adverse. The development of new types of employment arrangements that put a strong emphasis on employees who are employed on a temporary or contract basis has been made possible by the emergence of digital platforms and technologies that allow remote work. (Lau, 2020). Hence, corporate executives must redirect their focus from job automation and layoffs to relocation, retraining, and the creation of entirely new positions (Vaishya et al., 2020). On the downside, as a result of technological advancements, work and personal responsibilities are becoming increasingly intertwined, making it harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
As a result of the pandemic, numerous firms have changed their approach to technology use in order to keep production running. Google was an early adopter of the idea of remote workers. Many would presume that a tech company could easily make the shift. However, according to Google’s CFO, the early stages of the change were characterized by a drop in productivity, especially at intermediate levels. In an effort to address issues with productivity, Google used technology, including video conferencing along with other online communication tools, to conduct self-assessments, Google-to-Google training, more in-depth team meetings, frequent employee check-ins, and also worked closely with employee resource organizations (Savic, 2020). Following the implementation of these strategies, Google’s output gradually increased until it reached pre-epidemic levels.
One of the primary concerns associated with digitization is ensuring that all employees are proficient in technology and can be trusted to perform their duties remotely while maintaining the same level of productivity and dependability as when they were physically present in the office. Despite early reluctance, an increasing number of businesses are letting employees carry out some or all of their tasks from the convenience of their own homes. Many companies have eventually seen a consistent increase in productivity after fully adopting technology. According to the Mexican Association for Online Sales (AMVO) (Akpan, 2021), two out of every ten small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that are presently selling online shifted to doing so as a result of the pandemic. This demonstrates that when businesses encounter a decline in business volumes through more conventional channels, they may find it advantageous to transition to digital commerce platforms in the near future in order to expand their consumer base. According to a study by ACSI Research (2020), jobs and economic security increased by 4.3% and 4.1%, respectively, between April and June. The public attributes these increases to the technological transformation of the business environment and the willingness of companies to provide stable employment for “indispensable employees” (Lau, 2020).
