Impact of Office Automation: An Empirical Assessment

Abstract

This thesis examined the productivity of the Standard Automated Contracting System (SACONS), in a before/after quasi-experimental design that measured outputs (workload, quality of service), inputs (size of staff, staff grade structure, usage of overtime) and by-product social effects (morale, teamwork, professionalism) using archival data. While workload increased slightly, the quality measure (procurement action lead time) improved over 30% after automation. This result was obtained as the size of the staff decreased. Overtime usage declined sharply after automation. Rather than being perceived as a threat or a source of technologically-induced pathos, the SACONS automation removed drudgery from jobs. Nagging workload backlogs were diminished. Morale, as indicated inversely by sick leave usage, was boosted by the installation of SACONS. Notice was taken of anecdotal evidence and elaboration of time available to assist co-workers strengthened work team cohesion. Time available for training contributed to professionalism. Both factors reportedly heightened worker self-esteem.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA204302

Entities

People

  • Desiree D. Linson
  • Steven C. Barclift

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Contracts
  • Databases
  • Engineering
  • Group Dynamics
  • Information Processing
  • Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Lead Time
  • Literature Surveys
  • Measurement
  • Procurement
  • Psychology
  • Standards
  • Surveys
  • Training
  • United States

Readers

  • Military Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Organizational Psychology.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.