School of Information and Library Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

INLS 105, Information Ethics
Fall 2003

Effects of Computers on the Work Environment

Key Readings: General

Barbour, I. (1997). Computers transform the work setting. In Ermann, M. D., Williams, M. B., & Shauf, M. S. (Eds.), Computers, Ethics, and Society. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 161-174. [Davis - QA76.9 .C66 C6575 1997]

Dunlop, C., & Kling, R. (1993). Controversies about computerization and the character of white collar worklife. The Information Society, 9(1), 1-29. [SILS]

Friedman, B., & Nissenbaum, H. (1996). Bias in computer systems. ACM Transactions on Information Systems, 14(3), 330-47. [ACM Digital Library, Transactions]

Kashefi, M. (1992). Occupational transformation in the United States, 1950-1980: involvement with data, people, and things. Sociology and Social Research, 76(2), 90-102. [Davis - HM1 .S75]

Kling, R. (1991). Computerization and social transformations. Science, Technology and Human Values, 16(3), 342-367. [HSL]

Noble, G., & Lupton, D. (1998). Consuming work: computers, subjectivity and appropriation in the university workplace. Sociological Review, 46(4), 803-827. [Online via UNC libraries]

Weckert, J., & Adeney, D. (1997). Quality of life and work.  In Computer and Information Ethics. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 117-128. [SILS – QA76.9 .M65 W43 1997]

Readings on Job Displacement

Rifkin, J. (1997). Will there be a job for me in the new information age? In Ermann, M. D., Williams, M. B., & Shauf, M. S. (Eds.), Computers, Ethics, and Society. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 122-128. [Davis - QA76.9 .C66 C6575 1997]

Papaconstantinou, G. (1995). Technology and jobs. OECD Observer, n194, 6. (Full text available via InfoTrac General Reference Center Gold)

Readings on Deskilling of Work

Browning, J. No more 9 to 5. (1997). Scientific American, 276(1), 42. [UL]

Burris, B. H. (1998). Computerization of the workplace. Annual Review of Sociology, 24, 141-157. [Online via UNC libraries]

Readings on Ergonomic Issues

Bergqvist, U., Wolgast, E., Nilsson, B., & Voss, M. (1995). Influence of VDT work on musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics, 38(4), 754-762. [HSL]

Hayes, R. D. (1995). Digital palsy: RSI and restructuring capital. In Brook, J., & Boal, I. A. (1995). Resisting the Virtual Life: The Culture and Politics of Information. San Francisco: City Lights; Monroe, OR: Subterranean Co, 173-180. [Davis - HM221 .R47 1995]

Kiesler, S., & Finholt, T. (1994). The mystery of RSI. In Huff, C., & Finholt, T., Social Issues in Computing: Putting Computing in its Place. New York: McGraw-Hill, 94-118. [Davis - QA76.9 .C66 S62 1994]

Punnett, L., & Bergqvist, U. (1999). Musculoskeletal disorders in visual display unit work: gender and work demands. Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, 14(1), 113-124. [HSL - WA 400 O155]

Seppälä, P. (1995). Experiences on computerization in different occupational groups. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 7(4), 315-327. [SILS]

Tittiranonda, P., Burastero, S., & Rempel, D. (1999). Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders among computer users. Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, 14(1), 17-38. [HSL - WA 400 O155]

Vink, P., & Kompier, M. A. J. (1997). Improving office work: a participatory ergonomic experiment in a naturalistic setting. Ergonomics, 40(4), 435-449. [Online via UNC libraries]

Readings on Electronic Monitoring/Surveillance at Work

Ball, K. S. (2001). Situating workplace surveillance: ethics and computer based performance monitoring. Ethics and Information Technology, 3(3), 209-221. [Online via UNC libraries]

Barker, J. R. (2001). Neither good, nor bad, but dangerous: Surveillance as an ethical paradox. Ethics and Information Technology, 3(3), 181-194. [Online via UNC libraries]

Bewayo, E. D. (1994). Electronic management and equity issues. Journal of Information Ethics, 4(1), 65-73. [SILS]

George, J. F. (1996). Computer-based monitoring: common perceptions and empirical results. MIS Quarterly, 20(4), 459-480. [Davis - HF5548.2 .M528]

Grant, R. A., Higgins, C. A., & Irving, R. H. (1988). Computerized performance monitors: are they costing you customers? Sloan Management Review, 29(3), 39-45. [Davis - HD28 .I14] Reprinted in Huff, C., & Finholt, T. (1994). Social Issues in Computing: Putting Computing in its Place. New York: McGraw-Hill, 479-489. [Davis - QA76.9 .C66 S62 1994]

Introna, L. D. (2000). Workplace surveillance, privacy and distributive justice. Computers and Society, 30(4), 33-39. [M/P?]

Miller, S., & Weckert, J. (2000). Privacy, the workplace and the internet. Journal of Business Ethics, 28(3), 255-265. [Online via ABI/Inform Global]

Urbaczewski, A., & Jessup, L. M. (2002). Does electronic monitoring of employee internet usage work? Communications of the ACM, 45(1), 80-83. [ACM Digital Library, Magazines]

Additional Readings

Forester, T. (1997). Whatever happened to the information revolution in the workplace? In Ermann, M. D., Williams, M. B., & Shauf, M. S. (Eds.), Computers, Ethics, and Society. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 197-207. [Davis - QA76.9 .C66 C6575 1997]

Friedman, B. (1996). Value-sensitive design. Interactions, 3(6), 16-23. [ACM Digital Library, Magazines]

Guthrie, R. (1997). The ethics of telework. Information Systems Management, 14(4), 29-32. [SILS]

Visala, S. (1996). Interests and rationality of information systems development. Computers & Society, 26(3), 19-22. [M/P]

Scenarios of Ethical Decisions

Oz, E. (1994). Worker displacement. In Ethics for the Information Age: Cases. Dubuque, IA: Business & Educational Technologies, 5-6. [SILS - T58.5 .O9 1994 c.2]

Spinello, R. A. (1997). Case 3.4, The Topper Travel Agency (employee monitoring). In Case Studies in Information and Computer Ethics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 64-68. [Davis - QA76.9 .M65 S65 1997]

Spinello, R. A. (1997). Case 9.1, Ethics, technology, and the workplace. In Case Studies in Information and Computer Ethics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 235-243. [Davis - QA76.9 .M65 S65 1997]

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© Barbara M. Wildemuth, 2003. All rights reserved.