CASE STUDY

ROBOTS REPLACING HUMANS IN THE WORKPLACE

More and more modern organisations use robots to replace humans in the workplace. Although all industries are affected by robots, some are more likely to be affected, such as health care, transportation and logistics, customer service and manufacturing (specifically in the car manufacturing industry). Robotics is also used widely in the medical industry, where it has been tapped to conduct neurological, orthopaedic and general surgery. Robotics has various benefits, such as assisting with dirty, dull and dangerous tasks. It can lead to increases in productivity and worker safety. However, there are also many risks involved and being a good corporate citizen requires organisations to investigate and address the risks associated with robots in the workplace. Robot technology can increase productivity in the workplace. However, such increase could give rise to higher employer expectations of human workers and, in turn, to increased injury risk. Another possible risk is that the decreased physical abilities resulting from using robots will tempt employees to push themselves, potentially increasing their risk of injury. The biggest risk inusing robots is probably when robots replace workers and employers are forced to lay people off, pay severance and retrain employees. Adapted from: Smit, P. J., Botha, T. & Vrba, M. J. 2018. Management Principles. A contemporary edition for Africa. 6th edition. Cape Town: Juta.

5.1 Describe the features of a flexible organisation. (5) 5.2 In your opinion, will the use of robots in the workplace lead to a more flexible organisation? Substantiate your answer. (8)