Organisation Design and Organisation Delivery - Research Paper Example

Organisation Design and Organisation Delivery Introduction The mechanization of mental labour has been initiated during the late 20th century with the development of information technology. The mechanization of mental labour can be described as the process of replacement of the human labour and intelligence with the assistance of the information technology and computerized processes (Kuskey, 2014). Mental labour can also be termed as informational labour which can be recognized both as an independent activity as well as an adjunct to obtain physical control over different organisational work environment. According to Shieber, (2013), with the assistance of machineries, human labours can perform a wide range of actions as well as can create a number of innovative product and processes which might have been absolutely impossible without the assistance of the mechanization and technologies. The mechanization of mental labour has enabled different industries and organisations of the 21st century to increase the efficiencies of their operations and human resources while it has reduced or replaced the mental labour of a huge part of the workforces (Levy and Murnane, 2012). The further discussion will illustrate different applications of mechanization processes of mental labour that I have experienced within the sales and marketing as well as financial activities of Great Wall Life Insurance Company, China. It will also evaluate the effectiveness of mechanization of mental labour in the modification of the productivity of different operations in the organisation. The organisation is a life insurance service providing company which is situated in Chengdu, China (Lu, et al., 2014). In the further discussion, I will also evaluate my experiences in terms of the distinctions between the mechanized processes and human mental labour. The discussion of the study will detail the different types of human mental labour which can or cannot be mechanized. Finally, it will discuss the strategic distribution of mental labour within the machine process and human labour of the organisation. Mechanization of Mental Labour Data warehousing and data mining are the most used mechanization procedure that I have encountered in the everyday life of the marketing and sales division of Great Wall Life Insurance Company that have been reduced as well as have replaced the mental labour of the workforces within the organisation. The enterprise data warehousing process is a technological approach which assists organisations to generate automated reporting and conduct data analysis (Lu, et al., 2014). The enterprise data warehousing system allows the organisation to reduce the mental labour of the workforce in terms of extracting valuable data from disparate sources of the organisation. This process reduced mental labour of the workforce in the marketing and sales department as well as strategic decision making authorities in terms of integration of the data from different heterogeneous sources of the organisational operations. The enterprise data warehousing process enable the workforce of the sales and marketing team to effectively and efficiently compile and organise vast data from different sources into a common database. Therefore, it assists the organisation to reduce the chances of data misplace and data lost. This process also enables the workforce of the organisation to promptly and easily evaluate the required data from a wide range of data collection (Chan, 2015). Alternatively, data mining provide the mechanized process for different analytical activities which assists the business organisations to explore a large amount of data on a daily basis. Data mining is a computational process that is comprised of artificial intelligence, database system, machine learning and statistics. The data mining process allow the organisation to extract the meaningful data from the wide ranges of stored data of the organisation. This process allows the workforce of the organisation to analyze the valuable data from various perspectives and subsequently summarize them into useful information (Kantardzic, 2011). This process therefore, enables the workforce to simplify their data analysis process. This mechanization of mental labour of the workforce of the organisation has also assisted them to utilize various historical data to maintain the accuracy of the data analysis while completing different complex tasks within very limited time frame (Kantardzic, 2011). Mechanization of the management accounting is also an important procedure that has been utilized in the organisation to replace mental labour for quite a long time. The computerization of the accounting and bookkeeping process has encouraged the organisation to utilize minimum time in terms of performing long account related calculation and solving any financial disputes. This process has certainly reduced the requirement of mental labour and intelligence in terms of performing and solving complex account related calculations (Oliynychuk, 2013). These mechanized processes of mental labour are highly influencing the capital productivity of the organisation. The capital productivity describes the ratio of value added output in comparison to different capital input such as human resources and finances (Bontempi and Mairesse, 2015). The mechanization process allows the organisation to promptly store a vast range of information within a single database. Therefore, it enables the management to easily search for valuable data or the analysis and strategic decision making process. The mechanization process also allows the organisation to reduce as well as eliminate errors from the data analysis process. Hence, it ensures accuracy in the analytic reports which enable them to undertake effective strategic decision in terms of the sales and marketing procedure of the insurance organisation. This process therefore, enables the management to influence the productivity of the workforce towards the right direction. The mechanization of accounting process assists the management to accurately analyze the financial strength and weaknesses of the organisation. Therefore, it allows the management to plan the investment and marketing processes accordingly. The efficiency in capital productivity allows the organisation to reduce the requirement of human resources, time and finances while improving the total productive outcomes (Lu, et al., 2014). Distinction between Human Mental Labour and Machine Process Human mental labour and machine process are significantly different from each other. Both of these approaches of labour display distinctive features in their functioning. The requirement of the time demonstrated notable differences in terms of performing human mental labour and machine process. The machine processes requires very little time to complete any task while the human mental labour generally tends to take quite a long time (Grint and Woolgar, 2013). As per example, the calculation of financial data or the budgeting procedure generally consume a huge part of daily time. This process generally requires proper concentration and sufficient time to complete if I am utilizing the mental labour. On the other hand, the utilization of mechanized process for calculation and financial analysis can assist me to solve the analysis of financial data within very limited time period. This process assists me to easily and promptly analyse all the required data within a short span of time. The mental labour and the machine process also differ in terms of the intensity and probability of accuracy in the results and methods. The tasks performed through human mental labour always possess the probability of the inaccuracy in the task procedure and the ultimate results. On the other hand, the mechanized processes of performing any task highly ensure the proper implementation of different feasible processes. The machine process also assures the accuracy of the ultimate result of the task. As per instance, the financial calculation through the mental labour always requires extensive re-checking facility through the mechanized processes to confirm the abolition of any inaccurate calculation as well as data interpretation procedure. On the other hand, the calculation, data interpretation and data analysis procedure through the data mining system of the organisation encourages the workforce to rely on the final result (Aslanidi, et al., 2011). The machine process generally works as per its functions and programming. The incorporation of different data that is not integrated in the programming of the machine tends to be rejected during the task processing. This situation can cause inaccuracy in the machine processes. This process also delivers incomplete results to the users of machine process. Alternatively, the human mental labour possesses the ability to utilize innovative logics for any new data addition to the general procedure of any task. The mental labour of human allows them to analyse the changes in the data analysis procedure due to the incorporation of new information. Therefore, it assists them for innovating new processes to perform a task as well as modifying the general task performance (Grint and Woolgar, 2013). For instance, the incorporation new wage policy or revision processes of the remuneration structure of the employees in the organisation needs to restructure and modify the management accounting system as well. The incorporation of new data without modification will cause ambiguous and inaccurate results. This process can hamper the systematic approach of the tasks of the organization. In this scenario, the human mental labour needs to be utilized to modify the accounting processes as per the current changes (Grint and Woolgar, 2013). The efficiency in understanding and interpretation of the underlying meaning of any task or message is an important feature human mental labour. On the other hand, machine process lacks the facility of interpretation of the underlying meaning of any message within any task process. Therefore, the machine process requires human mental labour in terms of properly analysing and utilizing the meanings of different messages (Grint and Woolgar, 2013). As per instance, the machine process can effectively store the purchasing and transaction details but it cannot judge the satisfaction and the future requirement of the consumers. Therefore, it cannot analyse the changing needs of the consumers with the changes in the market. In this scenario, it is essential to utilize mental labour to analyse the changing pattern of requirements of the potential consumer (Grint and Woolgar, 2013). The procedure of human mental labour in organisation generates more cost than the utilization of machine process. The machine process generates high cost only during the establishment phase. Thereafter, it requires very nominal maintenance changes to run different programs and tasks. On the contrary, the human mental labour needs to be properly paid and benefited to assure efficient and adequate delivery of performances (Aslanidi, et al., 2011). Form of Human mental labour that can be mechanized There are generally two specific distinctions of the human mental labour such as semantic and syntactic labour. The syntactic labour can be considered as the form of mental labour of human which can be easily mechanized. Syntactic labour is generally concerned with different forms, signifiers or expression of the original message (Warner, 2005). Syntactic labour generally used in terms of the operating transformation of the form of message alone which assist in further generation of new messages (Warner, 2010). As per Warner (2005), syntactic labour is a form of mental labour which is reduced to the patterns of transformation that can be implemented as mechanized computational process. The syntactic labour form of human mental labour is a complex procedure which includes different complex logical systems. The procedure of mathematical logics and calculations is one of the major forms of syntactic labour which is generally mechanized in the regular work processes of any organisation. Data storage, compilation and analysis can also be considered as the syntactic labour that can be mechanized in the regular functions of any organisation. The mathematical calculations and interpretations mainly require the applications of different predetermined logics. This process can be organised in a systematic manner with the assistance of mechanized and computational processes (Warner, 2007). According to different researchers, the mathematical procedures are much easier to mechanise than various other mental labours. Alternatively, the procedure of data collection, storage, compilation and analysis of trend and pattern can also be conducted through mechanization procedure. These processes generally require an accurate and systematic pattern of daily work which can be achieved through a well-designed mechanized process (Fuchs-Kittowski, and Fuchs-Kittowski, 2013). The data collection, storage, compilation and analysis process in Great Wall Life Insurance Company has been conducted through mechanized process only. The information system of customer relationship management (CRM) for predictive analysis has been utilized in the organisation. This mechanized process is utilized for the decision making processes of sales and marketing procedure of the organisation. This mechanized system assists the organisation to find, qualify and analyse the hidden pattern within the data by the utilization of complex mathematical models. The result of this predictive analysis has been utilized for the forecasting of the future outcomes of different operations of the organisation (Fuchs-Kittowski, and Fuchs-Kittowski, 2013). The marketing automation and sales force automation of the mechanized CRM system also allow this insurance organisation to efficiently automate the marketing and sales procedure within stipulated frame of time. The marketing automation system assists the marketing department of the organisation to accurately and effectively automate different repetitive tasks, such as distribution of marketing material through e-mail or social media as per the generation of sales prospects in the system, to increase the marketing effort of the organisation towards the consumers. On the other hand, the sales force automation prevents the duplication of sales efforts within the sales personnel and potential consumers (Hollensen, 2015). The financial accounting of the organisation utilizes the system of data mart for the day to day mathematical calculations and financial accounting of the organisation. This system is only being utilized by the finance department to collect and control the data of internal operation systems of the organisation (Fuchs-Kittowski, and Fuchs-Kittowski, 2013). Form of Human mental labour that restricts Mechanization The semantic labour is the form of mental labour which provides resistance in terms of mechanization. The semantic labour form in human mental labour is highly concerned with meaning, signification and content of different messages. The major aim of the semantic labour is to construct further message through the meaningful and elaborative description of the original message or dialogic responses. According to Warner (2010), semantic labour is directly motivated by the consideration of meaning of any particular message. The author has also mentioned that semantic labour requires the direct involvement of human labour and intelligence. Strategic analysis, strategic decision making processes and maintenance process of consumer satisfaction and workforce motivation can be considered as semantic labour within organisation. These procedures require proper judgement, analysis and interpretation of the underlying meanings of different messages. Therefore, these procedures within any organisation cannot be properly conducted through any mechanized process. The evaluation of strategies through the calculated and interpreted data needs to be done through the direct mental labour of the workforce. The strategic decision making process requires to collect the point of views of different top management. Thereafter, it is essential to analyse the current situation with the future possibilities. Therefore, this procedure cannot be conducted through machine process rather it will require the mental intelligence of the management. The absence of emotional and interpersonal attributes within the mechanized process restricts its efficiency in terms of maintaining the consumer’s satisfaction and influencing the workforce motivation. Therefore, it requires the mental labour of the workforce to deal with these important tasks of organisation (Fuchs-Kittowski, and Fuchs-Kittowski, 2013). Apart from the mechanized processes of the marketing and sales tasks, Great Wall Life Insurance Company also possess a number of skilled and capable employees who are responsible for conducting and maintaining the interpersonal relationship with the sales and marketing team, as well as potential consumers. The management of this team is entitled to utilize their mental labour in terms of maintaining the team collaboration while motivating the performance and productivity of the team members. The members of this team are entitled to utilize the mechanized data and information of the market and consumer to analyse the current and future market demands. These members are also responsible for analysing the queries and complaints of consumers to develop the marketing and sales process as per market requirement (Lu, et al., 2014). Distribution of Mental Labour Activities and Strategic Choice of Management Both the semantic and syntactic labour can cause high cost generation if they are operated by utilizing human mental labour only. This process can also take a long period of time to complete any particular task. Hence, it can cause loss of opportunities and market potential for the organisation (Abbott, 2014). Therefore, the mental labour required for the operations of Great Wall Life Insurance Company is divided into two basic activities such as semantic and syntactic labour. The syntactic labour processes of the organisation involve the data collection, data storage, compilation and familiarity of trend analysis. It also involves the proper calculation and interpretation of financial data and recourses of the organisation. On the other hand, the semantic labour process includes the strategic analysis of these data and analytical information. The strategic decision making as per these data, trend and financial condition analysis has also been considered in the semantic labour of the organisation. The maintenance of consumer satisfaction and workforce motivation can also be determined in the human mental labour of the organisation. The human and machine labour of the organisation has been distributed as per the complexity of the project and requirement of systematic approaches or in-depth analysis. The distribution of the labour also depends on the cost of the organisation as well as the required time frame for every project. The financial data analysis and accounting of the organisation need to collect and evaluate the internal data of the organisation. This process involves different complex mathematical approaches to generate accurate data for the present functioning of the organisation. The data collection, storage and compilation process of the organisation requires a systematic manner. These processes can take a long time if it is done by the human mental labour. The compilation of wide range of data through human labour can also cause inaccuracy within different levels. Therefore, it can cause misinterpretation of the data and wrong assessment of the current market and future changes. Due to this complexity, the organisation has distributed their data storage, compilation and trend analysis process to the mechanized procedure (Abbott, 2014). On the other hands, the strategic analysis and decision making process of the organisation requires proper analysis of the underlying meaning and prediction of future changes in the trends and market potential. Therefore, it requires mental labour and intelligence of the management. Hence, this section of the mental labour has been allocated to the human labour of the organisation. The human labour of the organisation is responsible for the utilization of the financial and market data and information from the mechanized process to evaluate the changing demand and requirement of the consumers, evolving market trends and the capability of the organisation to cope up within the current and future changes and modification of the market (Abbott, 2014). The distribution of these activities has allowed the management to control, monitor and evaluate the strategic choices of the organisation. The strategic choices of any organisation are concerned about different decisions regarding the organisation’s future and procedure to respond to the market influences as well as pressure (Hill, et al., 2014). The mechanized data assists the management of the organisation to analyze financial health of the organisation and the current market position of the organisation. Therefore, it allows the management to consider different strategic choices to compete with other competitors in the market. The distribution of mental labour has also allowed the organisation to plan and actualise their method of market growth (Clarke, 2012). The mechanized process of data analysis and human labour for strategic position analysis has allowed the management of the organisation to initiate joint venture with Nissay-SVA Life Insurance Co Ltd (Nippon Life Insurance Company, 2009). The strategic analysis of the mechanized data has also provided the strategic choices to the management to expand their business within different locations of Beijing (Nippon Life Insurance Company, 2010). Conclusion The discussion has evaluated the utilization of information system in terms of allocation of work activities within organisation, effective and efficient management of organisational tasks and human labour and management of the human resources of the organisation. The incorporation of information system in the form of mechanized labour has extensively assisted the management to efficiently allocate the work activities within the organisation. The proper assessment of the utilization of machine processes has evaluated that the assistance of mechanised labour within the organisation has enabled the management to reduce the time and cost required for completion of complex and time taking works. The utilization of different mechanised procedure such as data mining, data warehousing, marketing automation, sales force automation and management accounting process has provided great assistance to the organisations to limit their overall operational cost and time while concentrating on the accuracy and prompt availability of the data. On the contrary, the over dependency on the mechanized process can also hamper the smooth execution of the organisational operations due to the failure of any information system. The indulgence of the mechanized labour within the organisational processes has also enabled the management to enhance their overall effectiveness. The utilization of the information system has enabled the management to evaluate all the possible present and future strategic choices for the business venture. Therefore, it has enabled them to select the proper technique to fight against the pressure in the market. On the contrary, this process hinders the innovative implication of the data due to the mechanized and systematic approach of data complication and market trend analysis. Therefore, the mechanized process restricts the organisation to utilize innovative approaches in terms of market expansion in the global dimension. The mechanization of organisational processes has assisted the management to minimize the mental labour of their human resources. It has assisted the management to indulge the human resources in the strategic analysis processes which subsequently develop the skills and competence of the employees. Alternatively, the increase and over dependence on the mechanized process can reduce the efficiency as well as productivity of the workforce of the organisation. Reference List Abbott, A. 2014. The system of professions: An essay on the division of expert labor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Aslanidi, O., Atia, J., Benson, A. P., van den Berg, H. A., Blanks, A. 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