PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF WORKING LIFE FOR OFFICE PRINCIPALS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR OFFICE AUTOMATION

Abstract

In the first part of this article models for productivity and the quality of working life are developed that show that there are a number of common elements, particularly those related to motivation. On the basis of a review of the published literature of case histories, as well as those cases with which we are familiar from our own experience, it seems clear that job satisfaction is the most significant sociological factor in enhancing productivity, and the quality of working life, especially for professional and management workers. In addition, it seems clear that a sense of autonomy and achievement are probably the most significant elements of job satisfaction and that, at least for this category of workers, productivity and the quality of working life are complementary objectives whose realisation may best be achieved together. We support this theme by analysing a number of case histories on the basis of the job satisfaction model. Finally, we suggest that careful attention should be paid, in the earliest stages of setting objectives, and later in planning for office automation, to identifying the types and levels of job satisfaction needs that are important for the staff to be supported with technology. It is important that management's objectives in this respect should be explicitly stated so that the technology may be specified and designed in such a way that the desired objectives are met.