Theory of Technological Transitions and the Adoption of Robot Technology - Assignment Example

Table of Contents 1.1.Question 1 1 1.2.Using a utilitarian approach to relate replacement manual workers with robots 1 2.0.Question 2 3 2.1. Using a deontological approach in consideration for replacing manual workers with robots 3 3.0.Question 3 4 3.1. Theory of Technological Transitions and the adoption of robot technology in manufacturing 4 4.0.Question 4 5 4.1. 3D printing and technology in the manufacturing industry 5 5.0.References 7 1.1. Question 1 1.2. Using a utilitarian approach to relate replacement manual workers with robots Utilitarianism approach to ethics provides that for any action that has been taken should be analysed on the context of the consequences as to whether it produces more good than bad (Alexander, 2012). According to this approach, the chosen action needs to produce more good than bad consequences for it to be utilitarian. In business contexts, making profits is the ultimate goal and therefore utilitarianism approach to ethics is of significance in decision making processes. In fact, most businesses and industries rely on the statistical analysis for approximated outcomes, the estimations of classic benefits and costs and the overall marginal utility of consequence for the different members in the organization. Utilitarianism looks at these as the end result and so using robots to maximize on the result is viewed as ethical and right. In this case, the robots are likely to give the maximum output in comparison to the manual workers. Even though this would lead to layoffs of the manual workers, the utilitarianism would give considerations to increased production and profits as outweighing the effects these have to the layoffs. According to Beauchamp (1998), utilitarianism approach views the most ethical options as that which produces the best benefits over harm to majority of the people involved. Conversely, utilitarianism approaches view the rate at which robots work in comparison to manual workers is at variance as portrayed in the production. In some industries, using manual workers would superficially result in more harm than good as a result of the nature of the exposure at work comparable to the robots---a common case of the financial institutions and the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Manual workers may be exposed to suffering and the long term effects of the action would be more compared to the benefits. Consequently, rule utilitarianism supports the preference of robots to manual workers on conformity to the rule. As such, the use of robots maximise the overall utility (Broad, 2000). 2.0. Question 2 2.1. Using a deontological approach in consideration for replacing manual workers with robots Deontological approach to ethics focuses on the fact that someone who act by following the duty is ethical even if the actions produces less good in comparison to the harm Kamm (1996). The role of managers is to ensure that work is done and that maximum profit is generated for a lifelong organization. In regards to these it is not ethically right for managers to resort to using robots even if the negative implications are triggered to manual workers. Further, Kamm (1996) believes that replacing manual workers disregards the value attached to human beings. In this context; the approach is unethical as the human value is ignored by replacing them with the robots to work in their place. Adapting to robots give an indication of less importance attached to the human value by the employees and managers. Conversely, deontological approach to ethics focuses on giving equal and fundamental respect to every human being. It is therefore worth noting that the idea to replace manual workers with robots is unethical and not right as it disregards their efforts. In addition, it places little care on their fate after dismissal. Deontological approach provides fundamental base to human rights and protectionism aspect (Kamm, 1996). Therefore, it considers layoff as a move that give a full indication of lack of respect to human dignity. The absolutism of the deontological ethics bases conclusions on fixed principles to be the dictate of the right or bad. The morality of the action; replacing manual workers with the robots contravenes the principle that allows a corporate social responsibility for the mutual benefits. In these regards, it is the managers who stand to gain immensely from the scaling of production hence profits and not the laid off workers. Deontological approaches in this context do not justify the act of using robots to be right and ethical. Deontologists presuppose that people can do whatever they want as long it does not interfere with other rights, which in this context is conflicting as the rights of the manual workers are violated. 3.0. Question 3 3.1. Theory of Technological Transitions and the adoption of robot technology in manufacturing Technological Transitions (TT) theory focuses on the fulfilment of the transformations in technology in aspects of housing, transportation and communication. In a wider view, technological transitions consider the symbolic meanings and user practices regarding the transformations. The adoption of robot technology is analogous to the development of the steamships from the sailing ship which shifted in stepwise process of reconfiguration (Nelson, 1994). The push factor was to improve on the quality and production of goods and services. Cascades dynamics was the direct outcome of robot technology where changes in the machinery elements of industries triggered a change that would result to mass production of goods with the multiple changes in the reconfiguration processes. The transition eruption was not a move simply meant to capture the market a cause a shift in technology. The change from machinery to robot technology occurred as a mosaic element, as adaptation and innovations that built upon each other to create speed and replace machines. The introduction of the new elements caused a shift in the situation of the machines; thereby the guided actors in form of robots emerged. The reweaving process in the shift created a reconfiguration in the technical abilities of the robot technology. Machines went through the process of hybridization that caused a radical innovation of the robot technology to be adopted in the manufacturing industries (Levinthal, 1998). The robot technology came into existence to link up by growing out of the old to solve the problem of mass production, speed and refinement in goods. 4.0. Question 4 4.1. 3D printing and technology in the manufacturing industry Disruptive technology refers to a process by which a new product or service at the bottom of a market moves up significantly to create asymmetries and enjoy a competitive advantage over the established competitors (Christopher, 2013). The recent developments ranging from emergence of consumer class hardware to easy 3D creation tools have been applied in variety of fields including home appliance, clothing, furniture and electronics. The recent developments in 3D printing have been seen as a typical disruptive innovation.3D introduced a technological package of new attributes to improve on the historical value with a sole aim to satisfy the various needs of the customer. Alexander (2012) points out that 3D has reached its inflection point, where it comes from the old sophisticated adopters to giving very smart and cool prints. 3D has developed to address the operational challenges that other competitors had not capitalized on. It is this that has given the 3D the rapid expanse and advancement that depicts it to be a disruptive innovation technology. 3D printing technologies since their earliest incarnations have advanced as a rapid product prototype makers. In contrast to its other competitors, it advanced and found use in variety of fields especially medicine owed to its flexibility which can allow it to the expected product once it has started by changing the instruction code. Furthermore, the flexibility has been used to the extent to creating variety in products in comparison to the other prints like the 2D. In addition, due to the latest advancements in 3D, it has reduced complexity in printing the minute products (Alexander, 2012). The recent advancement in 3D has created a more nuanced look to technology with the digital fabrication which is the basis for its competitive advantage. It has shaped up as the next disruptive technologies where in medical science it can now be used to print three dimensional blood vessels in seconds. In addition, 3D has presents a myriad of uses in comparison to other competitors, thus the capacity to competitively dislodge other from the market apex (Christopher, 2013) 5.0. References Alexander, E (2012). Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing and the Coming Stock Market Boom. Prentice Hall. Beauchamp, T (1998). Philosophical Ethics: An introduction to Moral Philosophy(2nd Ed). New York: Mc Graw Hill Broad, C (2000). Five Types of Ethical Theory. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company Christopher, D (2013). 3D Printing. The Next Technology Gold Rush. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, England. Kamm, F (1996). Morality, Mortality Vol. II: Rights, Duties and Status. New York. Oxford Press Levinthal, D.1998. The slow pace of rapid technological change: gradualism and punctuation in technological change. Industrial and Corporate Change 7, 217–247. Nelson, R. 1994. The co-evolution of technology, industrial structure, and supporting institutions. Industrial and Corporate Change 3, 47–63. Read More