Introduction
Bodily practices enable new ways of working with technology in organizations by helping to increase collaboration and communication, improve efficiency and decision-making, and create an environment that encourages innovation and experimentation. Examples of bodily practices include voice and gesture recognition, using technology like voice recognition software and motion sensors. Organizations can enable employees to interact with technology simply by speaking or gesturing. These bodily practices can be used to quickly search for information, issue commands, and even complete tasks. Wearables are technologies that track employee movements and monitor their health and safety(Alby and Zucchermaglio, 2006, pp 950). This can help to improve efficiency by reducing the time spent on mundane tasks and increase job satisfaction by making the workplace safer and healthier. Augmented and virtual reality can be used to create immersive experiences that help to create a more engaging learning environment. This can be used to train employees on new processes and technologies and provide them with a more exciting way to collaborate and access data.
Bodily practices enable novel ways of working with technology in organizations by allowing employees to use technology to engage in physical activities, such as walking meetings or standing desks, which can lead to improved mental and physical health. Additionally, physical practices can increase collaboration and productivity and create a more comfortable and inviting work environment (Chughtai 2021, pg 47). For example, companies can use physical practices such as yoga classes, team-building exercises, and various forms of interactive games to break up the monotony of work and boost morale. Organizations can foster a culture of innovation and productivity by creating a space where employees feel comfortable and empowered to be creative and collaborative (Hershatter and Epstein 2010, pg 220). How human beings encounter and experience new technologies is determined by their bodily practices involving different senses. These practices involve the technology’s physical manipulation, visual and auditory engagement, and emotional and cognitive responses. Human beings use their physical senses to interact with technology, such as feeling the texture of a touch screen, hearing the sound of a printer, or seeing a computer screen projection (Razmerita, Kirchner, and Nielsen 2016). They also use their emotional and cognitive senses to make sense of the technology, such as recognizing patterns, interpreting instructions, and remembering information.
Bodily practices have fundamentally transformed how organizations operate and manage their workforces. For example, employers now emphasize wellness programs that help employees stay healthy and reduce stress levels. Practices such as mindfulness and meditation have been incorporated into workplace culture, and companies are offering flexible work schedules, standing desks, and other initiatives to promote healthy habits and productivity (Chughtai 2021, pg 48). Furthermore, companies encourage employees to participate in team-building activities and social events to foster a sense of community and facilitate collaboration. These practices are helping to create a more productive, positive, and engaged workforce. Technology provides people with autonomy and flexibility in when and how they work. Technology has revolutionized people’s work by providing them with increased independence and flexibility. With the advent of mobile computing, cloud storage, and other digital tools, workers have access to their work from virtually any location, allowing them to work remotely, outside of regular office hours, or even on the go (Parker and Grote, 2022, pg1200). Technology also enables people to collaborate with colleagues, customers, and partners in real-time, eliminating the need for time-consuming and costly travel. Finally, technology facilitates automation and streamlining many routine tasks, freeing time for more creative and strategic work.
As people encounter new digital devices, like wearables, in everyday activities, their expectations of them evolve. This observation can be explained using the actor-network theory, which is based on the premise that natural and social worlds exist in constantly shifting networks. The actor-network theory can be used to explain the relationship between bodily practices in enabling new ways of working and the use of technology in organizations. According to Walsham (1997, pg 470), how physical practices influence new ways of working concerning the use of technology in organizations is related in that one cannot be extricated from the other. This observation is based on the position that absent certain bodily practices such as using wearables and ergonometric, new ways of working with technology in organizations would not be possible (Walsham 1997 pg 471). The actor-network theory asserts that new ways of working with technology in organizations involve both technological and sociological aspects that work to bring about positive changes in the workplace.
Bodily practices determine how people, data, and digital devices are integrated to influence their daily lives by transforming and mediating experiences and everyday activities. People’s physical rules determine the human body’s capacity for using and incorporating technology into their daily lives. According to Chughtai (2021, pg 47), combining the human body and technology sensitizes everyday items, and the accompanying data infrastructure changes people’s daily lives. An excellent example of how bodily practices enable new ways of working with technology in organizations is wearable devices such as smartwatches that transform the human body into data that is constantly recorded, transmitted, and analyzed (Parker and Grote, 2022, pg 1203). These devices track physical activity, heart rate, and other vital signs and are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They can provide real-time feedback on physical activity and give users insights into their health and fitness. Wearable devices can also monitor medication intake, alert users to potential health risks, and provide reminders to maintain healthy habits (Kingman 2019, pg384). By delivering data-driven insights, these devices can help users make better decisions about their health and wellness. In addition, wearable devices can connect with other healthcare providers, allowing for a more holistic approach to healthcare.
Bodily practices enable organizations to embrace new ways of working with technology (Chughtai 2021, pg 46). Flexible workplaces, mobile offices, and video conferencing characterize new work methods. These methods enable employees to work remotely or from different locations. Flexible working includes allowing employees to work from home or other places, deciding when and where to work, and having flexible hours. Mobile offices provide employees with the tools and equipment to work from anywhere (Bolton et al. 2018, pg 776). Video-conferencing is a way for people to communicate remotely, often using webcams and other technology. These methods give employees more freedom and autonomy and allow for greater collaboration between team members. According to Prasopoulou (2017, pg 290), how the human body interacts with technology informs how people experience their daily lives, mediated by technological innovations. This observation is based on the theory of enchanted materialism that explores people’s lives concerning how experiential computing affects their professional and personal lives (Prasopoulou 2017, pg 291). Bodily practices play a significant role in the theory of enchanted materialism because they determine the extent of sensitization of the human body and how it responds to technology. This, in turn, affects how employees develop new ways of working with technology in organizations depending on how new technologies influence their bodily practices.
New ways of working today aim to enhance employees’ work experiences, allowing employee retention, productivity, and engagement. These approaches can include remote work, flexible schedules, job sharing, and other innovative solutions. Other newer methods include developing positive organizational cultures, using technology to create virtual workspaces, and implementing wellness initiatives (Kingman 2019, pg 400). These methods give employees more autonomy and freedom, which can help reduce stress and burnout. Additionally, many companies now offer employee learning and development opportunities to help them grow and stay updated with industry trends. These initiatives can also foster a sense of belonging, inclusion, and engagement. New ways of working today can bring about changes in the workplace, such as increased flexibility, remote working, more collaborative and team-based approaches, and advances in technology (Chughtai 2021, pg 47). Increased flexibility allows employees to work outside of regular office hours, meaning they have more control over their work-life balance. Remote working means employees don’t have to be tied to a physical location to do their work and can be more productive in various settings (Ertmer et al. 2012, pg 424). Collaborative and team-based approaches allow employees to work together more effectively, while technological advances enable more efficient and effective communication, collaboration, and data sharing.
Bodily practices in the workplace allow employees to be more productive and efficient in completing tasks. This can be done by introducing new technologies such as virtual reality, wearables, and interactive projection systems. These technologies can help create more immersive experiences that allow employees to interact with their environment more meaningfully (Parker and Grote 2022, pg 1201). Additionally, introducing devices such as adjustable chairs, standing desks, and ergonomic keyboards can help to reduce physical strain, improve posture, and increase comfort levels. Introducing tools such as motion trackers and bright lighting can help to optimize workspace efficiency and maximize productivity (Sestino et al. 2020, pg102173). New ways of working in today’s workplace bring about changes in time in that workers do not need to work in 9-5 shifts; the focus of today’s workplaces is the outcome and meeting deadlines regardless of when or how they work (Bolton et al. 2018, pg 770). New ways of working have changed the place setting of workplaces in that employees do not need to be physically present in their work to accomplish their duties. Organizations are now utilizing contracts that do not require employees to be bound by full-time contractual obligations; workers are paid directly for products, outputs, and services they render to a company (Tidd and Bessant, 2020). An excellent example of new ways of working by technology in organizations is freelancing, which allows workers to be self-employed by offering their services to organizations and often working for multiple clients simultaneously (Sestino et al. 2020, pg 102173). Job sharing is a feature of new working methods characterized by two or more individuals being employed on a reduced-time or part-time basis to complete a particular task. Another aspect of new ways of working is telecommuting, which allows workers to work remotely using technological devices such as laptops, and smartphones and online-based platforms such as Zoom, Skype, or Slack to facilitate collaboration between individuals and teams.
Preparing employees for future technology changes requires continuous training and Education to impart flexibility in the workplace. Flexibility allows employees to quickly adapt to new technologies and processes while remaining open-minded to changes in an organization brought about by new technologies (Chughtai 2021, pg 47). Organizations should promote self-learning in the workplace through employees who should be encouraged to invest in their learning and development by researching new technologies and staying updated with industry trends (Loebbecke and Picot 2015, pg 152). Collaboration by employees should be encouraged to allow them to work together to share knowledge and skills so that the team can become more comfortable and proficient with new technologies (Sestino et al. 2020, pg 102573). Problem-solving by employees should be through the development of critical thinking skills to identify and solve problems related to new technologies. Communication by employees should be achieved by encouraging them to practice effective communication when introducing new technologies to ensure that everyone is on the same page (Alby and Zucchermaglio 2006, pg 960). Leadership is essential for employees, who should take the initiative to lead the implementation of new technologies and motivate others to do the same (Kingman 2019, pg 402). Organizations should encourage meaningful dialogue on the use of technology in the workplace and how it provides employees with opportunities and confers confidence in their ability to adapt to change.
Bodily practices in the workplace enable new ways of working with technology organizations through the embodiment of technological innovations to increase performance and productivity in the workplace. Good examples of bodily practices in the workplace include:
- Ergonomics: Implementing ergonomic design into the workplace to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, improve posture, and increase productivity.
- Posture: Ensuring employees have correct posture when using computer systems and other technology to reduce strain on the body and increase comfort.
- Exercise: Encouraging employees to take part in physical activities during the workday, such as stretching, yoga, and walking, to reduce stress and improve productivity (Kingman 2019, pg 389).
- Mindfulness: Encouraging employees to practice mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and increase focus.
- Break Times: Schedule regular daily breaks for employees to rest, refresh, and refocus (Loebbecke and Picot 2015, pg 154).
Bodily practices in the workplace and new ways of working in organizations are characterized by a shift from rigid and hierarchical management structures towards more flexible, networked, and collaborative forms of OrganizationOrganization (Sestino et al. 2020, pg 102573). This shift is driven by changing technologies, customer demands, and the need to innovate and stay competitive in a rapidly changing global economy. To support this shift, organizations are increasingly incorporating more agile and open approaches to management, such as scrum, lean startup, and Design Thinking principles (Bolton et al. 2018, pg 802). These approaches focus on creating an environment of collaboration, creativity, and innovation while utilizing technology to enable rapid experimentation and continuous improvement (. Additionally, organizations are increasingly embracing remote and flexible working arrangements, which promote greater efficiency in the workplace and improved job satisfaction by allowing employees to work in an environment that best suits their needs.
New ways of working in an organization are significantly influenced by bodily practices that allow technology integration into everyday activities. These practices include using digital devices, such as smartphones and laptops, to facilitate communication and collaboration and developing digital tools and systems to manage workflows and automate processes (Parker and Grote, 2022, pg 1180). Additionally, organizations increasingly utilize virtual and augmented reality technologies to create immersive learning and training experiences and develop interactive customer experiences. Organizations also leverage data-driven analytics and AI-based systems to identify patterns, automate tasks, and optimize operations (Vaast and Walsham 2005, pg 70). The internet of things is an excellent example of how technology in the workplace and bodily practices influence new ways of working. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, which enables these objects to collect and exchange data (Sestino et al. 2020, pg 102173). The IoT allows for increased automation, improved efficiency, and enhanced productivity in the workplace. IoT devices can monitor employee activities, provide automated access control, and even track individual performance (Bolton et al. 2018, pg 808). Additionally, IoT technology can improve safety, provide more accurate data for decision-making, and increase the accuracy of tracking and inventory management.
Conclusion
Bodily practices enable new ways of working with technology in organizations by shifting from rigid and hierarchical management structures towards more flexible, networked, and collaborative forms of organization. New ways of working today can bring about changes in the workplace, such as increased flexibility, remote working, more collaborative and team-based approaches, and advances in technology. People’s bodily practices determine the human body’s capacity concerning how technology is integrated into their daily lives.
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