DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTIVITY 1

Does Digital Technology Make Us More Productive at Work/school?

Author’s Name

Institution Name
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Productivity is a measure of efficiency in generating output from a set of inputs. Digital

technologies have revolutionized the processes, as well as enabled the attainment of higher

efficiencies. Development and implementation of new digital technologies significantly impacts

the culture and systems existing in academia and workplace. From smart classes and peer-to-peer

learning in schools to electronic record systems and cloud computing in the workplace, digital

technologies establish their presence across the board. In spite of their many advantages, digital

technologies have their dark side which many view as a threat to productivity. Even though they

widen possibilities, critics believe humankind is struggling to cope with the pace and scope of

digital transformation. With new technologies emerging daily in the digital marketplace, it is

important to analyze their impact on productivity, in order to adapt and lead in the digital age.

Digital technologies have increased the flexibility, mobility, and portability of work/study

from their historical status quo. They significantly improved data accumulation, storage, and

transmission capabilities, as well as widened the reach while reducing time consumption. Today,

an engineering analyst can run a simulation by remotely accessing their work server from home,

commute to office, and deliver the output as soon as they get to their desk. Similarly, a student

can access online contents, video lectures, discussion boards, and so on sitting in the comforts of

their home or a coffee shop. Moreover, digital technologies enable continuous communication,

facilitate productivity tracking, generate higher revenue, increase speed, and reduce

mismanagement (Attaran et al., 2019). Additionally, they allow collaborations between students,

researchers, professionals, and experts worldwide in real-time, thus saving money, time,

logistics, and increasing productivity. Furthermore, they provide increased data security and help

prevent data theft and espionage using complex systems.

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Regardless of their several advantages, digital technologies have a significant negative

impact on productivity among students and workers. Critics characterize such negative impacts

as the dark side of technology. Social media is the usual suspect whenever the negative impacts

of digital technology on productivity is analyzed by experts. Individuals spent significant amount

of time across multiple social media platforms which can hamper their productivity at school and

workplace. Digital devices especially smartphones bring the digital world and social media to the

tip of their fingers at all times. Easy access to technology in this way result in the development

and escalation of several techno-psychological products namely “technology stress,” “technology

overload,” “technology addiction,” and so on (“The dark side of digital work,” 2015). Moreover,

digital technology dependence can impact work-life balance and increase work or study related

fatigue.

It is important to recognize digital technologies as important, indispensable, and

inevitable in the present age. However, institutions and corporations should educate their

students and workers about the several cons of technology-dependent lifestyle. Workplaces can

implement several tools to improve their digital culture, especially dashboards to track and limit

IT use, auto-block security features to meter online browsing and email content, counseling and

seminars encouraging work-life balance, and so on. Academic institutions should urge their

students to decrease technology dependence, promote interactions outside of social media, and

improve engagement between teachers and students in classrooms. Regardless of several

measures that may be taken in institutions and workplaces, the ultimate responsibility falls on the

individual to limit their technology use and engage in the real world. On the whole, the impact of

digital technology depends on the people and how they use them.
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References

Attaran, M.,Attaran, S., &Kirkland, D. (2019, January). The Need for Digital Workplace:

Increasing Workforce Productivity in the Information Age. International Journal of

Enterprise Information Systems. 2019. 15(1):p. 2-32.

Tarafdar, M.“ The dark side of digital work: how technology is making us less productive.”

NewStatesmanAmerica, www.newstatesman.com/sci-tech/2015/02/dark-side-digital-

work-how-technology-making-us-less-productive ,Feb 3, 2015.