| The introduction and adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) has dramatically changed the organization of work and the configuration of products and services. The organization of work has moved towards more flexible work environments and work forms, has emphasized on teams of specialists working together in for example quality circles, and has changed the allocation of workers at different stages, of the production process (e.g., multi tasking). Products and services have changed as a result of ICT manifesting itself in the increasing importance of tailoring products and services along the lines of the customer's wishes and just-in-time production. These changes in the organization of work and the tasks employees have to carry out are likely to have greatly influenced the composition of the firms' workforces and their demand for labour and skills. The proposed research investigates the following main question: How do the combination of innovations in the field of ICT, organizational structure and work form, and the development of new produvts and services change the allocation of and demand for labour? To answer this question empirically, the main contribution will be to distinguish the several lines of causality in the firms's behaviour to analyse the relationship between workplace organization and the demand for labour. The theoriatical contribution will be a model of the firm to understand changes due to ICT what type of firms adopt ICT, and when and why they do so. |
