Younger employees exceed
older employees because of their ability to creatively utilize information from
the internet and convert it into applicable knowledge. Grabe establishes the
notion of “hyper media users”; people who are well versed in terms of new media
technologies. Grabe states that hyper media users “performed well regardless of
the media format they use” (Grabe, 10), proving their merit for operating
technology at work. If we are right to say that younger employees are more
technologically savvy, one of the major consequence being that they are
expected to be more creative with obtaining knowledge when problem solving.
This is the result of Yann Boutang’s concept of ‘Cognitive Capitalism’,
suggesting obtaining knowledge more creatively determines more economical
results. In my own experiences, I have seen at my place of work a fellow
employee demonstrating willingness in learning new skills as well as solving
simple and complex problems. In contrast, another fellow employee persistently
dismissed having to learn new work techniques. Between the incredibly fast
advancement in technology and how easy obtaining knowledge has become with the
Internet, employers logically would update there systems for maximum
efficiency. Additionally, employers expect technical literacy for both young
and old employees. Consequently this leaves older employees in technological
isolation, as they lack the ability to quickly conform to new technologies.
Subsequently, a divide is created between the competent hyper media users and
the incompetent.
Is it technical discrimination and should the responsible be put on the employers to educate the less competent employees?
More training for those who need it?
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ReplyDeleteI do not think it is technical discrimination for employers to be hiring younger employees over older employees due to technological discrepancies. Rather, I view it as the reality of today's evolving world where almost all aspects of life are becoming increasingly technologically advanced. Companies also need to constantly be keeping up with new technologies to keep up with the competition and ease/enhance work processes. For people of younger generations, it just comes a lot more natural to have an understanding for new technologies because they are digital natives and are used to incorporating technology in their lives. On the contrary, older-aged people are less familiar with the fast-paced technological realm and are therefore more likely to be disconnected from the modern digitized and technological society. The harsh reality is that companies are more likely to hire younger-aged individuals due to their tech-savvyness as opposed to people from older generations. This is because it saves them from a lot of costs that they might otherwise need to endure for training. Digital natives are also able to pick up and learn about new technologies a lot quicker because of their familiarity with tech systems and devices.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Holly regarding the fact that there seems to be no unfair advantage with the younger population being more technologically versed. Such is a natural bi-product of growing up through the onset of the Informational age. Such is an unfortunate reality of the age in which we live. Even for young people there is a dire need to stay technologically relevant in an age which witness constant technological evolution on a rapid basis.
ReplyDeleteThe discussion about the generation gap and technology usage in the work place is extremely relevant today. Companies are emphasizing the need to work with new technologies in order to keep up with the competition and enhance the work place.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think immediately of how my Dad’s workplace has recently been bought out by new owners. The owners son who is 18 years old was sent to come in and individually set up google accounts for each of the employees. My Dad came home and showed me his new google account and all the cool applications he can use such as Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Slide show. He was discussing at how useful this program in ensuring employees were well connected. For example, the employees started a Google Doc and each employee had to fill out a certain part. My Dad explained again how it was great to see if people were actually doing there work, when they were doing it, and what they were bringing forth. Of course, being apart of the younger generation I already knew how Google works. But it was great to see how an older person was able to successfully grasp this new program and see how new media technologies are of great use in the workplace.
I think this temporarily leaves older employees in technological isolation, for the time the technology is unknown to them they it will make them feel lost and uneasy. But if the employee willingly chooses to learn how to use the technology and grasp it I think it will provide the employees with feelings of inclusion once again.
I found this website that discusses Generations and Technology. There is a diagram on it that shows the influences, learning style, training, marketing, communication all differ based on generation.
http://technologyconsulting.eidebailly.com/blog/generations-technology-millennial-influence/