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Digital technologies and power in organizations: control dynamics and the "recoil" effect
Journal Title: STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI  
Author/s: Lia Tirabeni, Francesco Miele 
Year:  2020 Issue: 1 Language: Italian 
Pages:  29 Pg. 9-37 FullText PDF:  369 KB
DOI:  10.3280/SO2020-001001
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This work discusses the relationship between power, technology and the organization by considering the cases of remote working and the use of workplace wearables. The two cases of digitally enabled work practices allow to think of, once again, a classical issue within the organization studies’ debate, namely the emergent control dynamics with the introduction of digital technologies and their consequences over prior established power. By proposing the "recoil effect" metaphor, the authors show that the opportunity to exercise a more ubiquitous control over the workforce does not automatically translate into a reinforcement of prior power asymmetries. Workers can take those technologies back too and, in turn, exert power on the other organizational actors.
Keywords: Digital technology; remote working; wearable device; power; control; organization.

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Lia Tirabeni, Francesco Miele, Digital technologies and power in organizations: control dynamics and the "recoil" effect in "STUDI ORGANIZZATIVI " 1/2020, pp. 9-37, DOI:10.3280/SO2020-001001

   

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