Productivity is the center spot for Contemporary business organizations and modern engineering companies. Thus, increasing productivity is a critical phenomenon that must be accepted by current management despite the cost the organization might incur because with increased production profits margins will inevitably rise. In addition, a rapidly changing environment like the present business environment, does require innovation to come up with new equipment that can counter the change and boost productivity. Moreover, the introduction of news devices do arm business with new techniques and capacities to adapt to the new production skills and market forces. Furthermore, employees are also empowered with new ways of increasing productivity as the organization shift from labor-intensive production method to technology manned production, which is more profitable in comparison to the former(Schreyer, 2001). This paper intends to discuss how addition of new equipment, increases productivity in the workplace.
In the modern workplace, it is of great importance for employees to keep abreast with the current emerging technologies. Keeping abreast will enable employees to adapt to the changes that are to come when new equipment's are introduced. However, management must be aware that people will natural resist changes that their benefits are not explained in prior. If a new equipment is received with resistance, it will be significantly be subjected to failure cum poor performance. Installations and running of new equipment will meet resistance from the worker who will feel threatened by the new machines, this is because they tend to think that the organization will abandon them. Resistance will lead to low productivity despite the initial intention of boosting it (Schreyer, 2001). Poor communication might also cause such resistance that leads to low productivity. Though management aim is to help workers to operate efficiently through introduction of new equipment, the workers, however, might misinterpret that the equipment are meant to replace them.
New devices come handy with new skills it is thus, obvious that new skills will be necessary for employees to handle the new equipment. This can impact negatively on the working employees because they will develop fear of being replaced by machines or by more skilled worker. According to Schreyer (2001), fear will make the employees negative towards change. Schreyer (2001). argues that employees will feel neglected hence discontented by introduction of new methods. Disgruntlement among worker's lower enthusiasm and creates deficiency of motivation during work. All these negative behaviors are influenced by lack of understanding, if employees can be made to comprehend that new equipment's boost production and advances the performance of the business. Schreyer (2001). argument can only be corrected by the management as will be discussed.
The overall fear and discontent can be controlled by the management if the act appropriately. Action starts with inclusive communication, proper disbandment information to the workers about the imminent change and initiate efforts that will enable employees adapt quickly. It is also important for managers to formulate strategies that will enable a smooth transition as new equipment's take shape. The tactics formulated will enable employees to understand why change is necessary on an organization. Management should ensure that communications are continuous so as to avert polarization by group politics(Schreyer, 2001). Conferences seminars and forums are also important avenues that management can usefully to prepare the workers for the introduced new devices. These will reduce resistance and encourage the acceptance of new technologies that will result to increased productivity.
New equipment's may either face resistance or acceptance depending on the environment during their introduction as discussed. However, for the sake of boosting productivity contemporary business organization have no choice, but to continually improve by introducing new equipment. Productivity is mostly influenced by the existing technologies; new technologies are the best for improving productivity, redundant technologies, on the other hand, might lower company's productivity. Since productivity is the main aim of business or a company, it might be difficult for such organizations to ignore the introduction of new devices despite the cost of installation and to run them.
In conclusion, it is obvious that productivity and new tools goes hand in hand. Thus, business organizations and engineering firms must strive to introduce them. However, introduction of new equipment must be countered by measure that creates a favorable climate. Positive environment is a condition where workers, management and consumers are in a position to work with the new equipment. Moreover, it is apparent that the communication is vital in all the procedures that will effect change when introducing new devices. Communication is the only way through which workers can get assurance that new devices are for productivity and not to replace employees. In addition, communication if used correctly paves way for change and new ideas roles and talents are incorporated in an organization. It is also evident that the change can improve working condition if effected in the right way. An improved working space with new equipment's propels productivity to the next level.
References
Schreyer, P. (2001). OECD Manual: Measuring Productivity: Measurementof Aggregate and Industry-Level Productivity Growth. Paris:Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation
