Computer technology has recently been applied to
the automation of office tasks and procedures. Much of
the technology is aimed not at improving the efficiency
of current office procedures, but at altering the nature of
office work altogether. The development of automated
office systems raises a number of issues for the organization.
How will this technology be received by organization
members? How will it affect the definition of
traditional office work? What will be its impact on
individuals, work groups, and the structure of the organization?
This paper presents a descriptive model and
propositions concerning the potential impacts of office
automation on the organization and it stresses the need,
when implementing automated office systems, to take a
broad perspective of their potential positive and negative
effects on the organization. The need for further research
examining the potential effects of office automation is
emphasized.Information Systems Working Papers Serie