The Impact of Information Technology on the Role of Human Resources Term Paper

The Impact of Information Technology on the Role of Human Resources - Term Paper Example The paper discusses the crucial interaction between HR and information technology in an organization. In its initial years of adoption, IT was performed more routine functions, such as those of the personnel department, as opposed to the more sophisticated roles of the HR However, the current information technology (which includes ERP, employee databases and management systems, SAP as well as the more holistic HR information systems (HRIS) the role of IT has transformed from performing tactical, routine tasks to those involving more strategic contributions towards the organization. The fact that both HR and IT have undergone strategic transformations over the years has increased the researcher’s interests in exploring the linkage between the two. On the contrary, however, the little empirical examination has been done in this area. A model proposed by Leavitt indicated a linkage between people, structure, tasks, and technology. According to him, technological change is driven by organizational change. The concept is elaborated by Dewett and Jones who claim that IT contributes towards information efficiency as well as information synergies by achieving the former through enhanced output and quality of information and ensuring the latter by enhanced coordination amongst various groups within the organization. One increasingly interesting aspect of organizational change has been that of the changing nature and role of the HR. HR experts have assumed the prominent roles of partners and change agents. The role of HR as a business partner allows the HR professionals to contribute to the accomplishment of organizational goals, develop strategic outcomes for the business, as well as help the business accomplish the ‘strategy should follow structure’ rule. The role as a change agent involves HR professionals facilitating the process of change in organizations, ensuring that the HR setup facilitates change rather than hampering it, and enhancing and r ewarding competitive behaviors within the organization. At the same time, however, the change has been slow which is mainly due to HR involvement in mundane tasks such as paperwork and manual processing of CVs. It is believed that IT has facilitated the HR transition from performing administration and tactical tasks to more strategic ones by shifting the burden of tactical work from HR to IT. It has been observed that by delegating the bulk of administrative tasks to IT, small businesses are in a better position to deal with strategic planning and success models. Furthermore, research has suggested that the relationship between organizational performance and IT is vague. In fact, as claimed by some, it is a dual-edged sword. The relationship presents what is known as a â€Å"productivity paradox†. This term accurately depicts the situation of organizations that have made significant investments in IT but have not yet reaped its benefits. At the other end, however, are the pot ential benefits of IT on HR due to outsourcing, collaboration, and computerization of service delivery platforms. Eastman Chemical is an organization that is on the verge towards outsourcing the administrative aspect of its HR.

Effects of Media Globalization on Arab Culture Essay

Effects of Media Globalization on Arab Culture - Essay Example If the information technology and media dimensions are prohibited from entering into their closed territories, the countries lag behind and no country can afford to do that. Also all countries are anxious to take advantage of the benefits of globalisation, open their culture and attractions to tourism industry, so that they could be financially benefited. Environment is another matter that belongs to all the countries of the world and no country could afford to stay out of this issue. Arab countries are also keen on opening up the economy to venture into highly profitable imports and exports without which they will remain backward, while others are moving relentlessly forward. At the same time, most countries with closed cultures do not like their people to watch, learn and get influenced by other cultures. Some countries and cultures have an unfortunate view that only their culture is the best and all other cultures are unholy. Even for them it is important to take advantage of the technological improvements and discoveries from the 'unholy' cultures. Hence, the dilemma continues and even such countries cannot choose to lag behind by closing their doors to globalisation and information technology and rightly so. It is important to know all the diverse views about globalisation, media explosion and communication on the rather cosseted world of Arab culture. There are many views and most of them are against the globalisation. This does not mean that they do not want the benefits of globalisation. They only need the culture to be maintained as it had been done all these centuries. It is significant to find out how they could do it, and how effective they are in their goal. Also it is important to know how the global consumerism is catching up in the Islamic world of Arab countries. It is pertinent to peep into the women mentality and their freedom and if there had been any effect in that field at all. Finally it is necessary to know how Lebanon is fairing under globalisation and media explosion because Lebanon is in a unique position as it is caught in the political upheaval for a long time, a struggle for supremacy with Israel, a difficult problem of maintaining and working with Hezbollah, an d at the same time, trying to contain the terrorist and militant fractions of the society. LITERATURE REVIEW There is definitely broad diversity of opinions about the profit and loss of the effect of the internationalisation of non-tradition media under globalisation. In a way, Arab countries including Lebanon are trying to find political and economic solutions while trying to keep the social dimensions unchanged and this might become quite a challenging task eventually. Like any other country in the world, Arab countries too are living in a rapidly changing world and absolutely emotional attachment to the origins might become difficult and to some extent, a hindrance. There are opinions that globalisation in a way helped the Arab world to unite further. "I refer, above all, to the advanced communications technology which has functioned, on the one hand, to transfer the forces of globalization to the rest of the world and, on the other, to strengthen the bonds of language, culture, customs and tradition between Arab Americans and their original homelands" says Nasser in http://www.alhewar.c om/HGANasser.htm In the same speech Dr. Nasser goes on