Ethics of Computing

Ethics of Computing

Technology's Effects on Employment and Income

Innovation and technology as the enabler of job creation and prosperity has been argued as the basis of the global economic growth experienced by the nearly every nation in the last century. Conversely there are critics that argue technology is leading to the development of underpaid, underemployed and drone-like jobs that don't provide skilled professionals the necessary financial and social rewards they need to be productive. The job destruction occurring due to automation is considered one of the key factors in contributing to recessionary economic conditions in those areas hardest hit by industries moving en masse to automation (Jansen, Turrini, 2004). The high unemployment in manufacturing centers throughout the U.S. is a case in point (Jansen, Turrini, 2004).

Automation and Job Destruction

Contrary to this perspective, economist see job destruction as a factor of recessionary economic factors that expose the weakest-performing companies and their processes first, making them the first causalities of any economic downturn (Finkle, 2004). Their argument is that economic conditions either serve as the catalyst for automation and its resulting cost savings to businesses or force companies to reduce expenses quickly through cost cutting. The argument of deliberate job destruction in the context of economic cycles correlates more to each company's specific needs for increasing efficiency and production vs. having to quickly and drastically cut costs to survive. This paradox forms the basis of how job destruction occurs and its implications on those left unemployed after automation programs and strategies have been put into effect.

Job Destruction and Knowledge

As the issue of job destruction from automation is a complex one, there is no simple solution to the problem. From a policy-based view however the need to re-train these workers and give those workers additional skills and knowledge so they can more effectively compete and excel at knowledge-based jobs is critical. As nearly all jobs replaced by automation are manual labor-based or relative simple processes, re-training workers to use more of their experiences and insights to make knowledge-based contributions to organizations critical (Cobert, 2005). These displaced workers need to have the opportunity to re-invent themselves and discover additional core strengths they can transition into new careers with. In effect the programs essential for transitioning workers misplaced by automation need to resemble the processes in technology incubator (Cooper, Park, 2008) where core strengths of new technologies are found and applied to problems. The same development and nurturing process needs to happen for these workers as well. To give them income, healthcare or any "safety net" is to invite them to give up on improving themselves. Instead, the focus needs to be on giving them an opportunity to contribute in organizations again and get focused on pursuing a new career. During the training period financial assistance needs to be provided, yet to completely subsidize their lives due to their jobs being replaced by automation is a mistake. Incenting these workers to go after entirely new career objectives and continue making contributions is far better than just bailing them out and paying for them to retire and live off of a welfare system for years to come. it's better to get them back to work, using their minds and giving them a chance to redefine their careers and continue growing professionally. Giving these displaced workers the opportunity to gain marketable skills through training is the best approach.