behs103 week 4 discussion (dq1+dq2) latest 2017 november

Week 4 discussion

DQ1

Technology and the changing nature of work

The following resources are also listed under Week Four Learning Resources for your convenience*

For this discussion, watch the following videos:

1. Erik Brynjolgsson (2013) The key to growth, race with the machines available at: http://new.ted.com/talks/erik_brynjolfsson_the_key_to_growth_race_em_with_em_the_machines

2. Robert Gordon (Feb, 2013): The Death of Innovation, the End of Growth. http://new.ted.com/talks/robert_gordon_the_death_of_innovation_the_end_of_growth

And read the following articles:

1. Ronne, J. (2015). What technological advancements will most affect our lives in the semi-near future? Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-technological-advancements-will-most-affect-our-lives-in-the-semi-near-future

2. Newman, R. (2012). Ten businesses that will boom in 2020. http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/09/10/10-businesses-that-will-boom-in-2020

3. Boston.com (n.d.) Thirty fastest- growing jobs by 2020. Available at: http://www.boston.com/jobs/2013/12/30/top-fastest-growing-jobs/TFcyHJvsq47aqcdQb8K18J/story.html

4. Boston.com (n.d.). Thirty of the fastest declining occupations. Available at: http://www.boston.com/jobs/2013/12/30/the-fastest-declining-occupations/PRZVnJg25iIBgJFyv70BxN/story.html

Discussion questions:

What does Erik Brynjolfsson say about productivity and income? How does Brynjolfsson say that people can find gainful employment if they have to compete against technology? (1-2 sentences)

What does Robert Gordon say about productivity and innovation? (1-2 sentences)

Brynjolfsson and Gordon present contrasting viewpoints on productivity in the US, but both agree that worker incomes have fallen. Looking forward, do you side with Brynjolfsson’s optimism or Gordon’s pessimism about technology’s impact on the worker and why? What do you think will happen to income and standard of living in the decades to come?

Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook at: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/. In the search box, type in name of the career you that you hope to pursue. Depending on how specific the career is, you may be given several links as options or you may be taken directly to a summary page. Once on the summary page, pay special attention to the information about job outlook for the next ten years.

What career did you choose?

How many jobs currently exist for this career?

What is the expected job outlook for this career?

How do you think your chosen career will be impacted by technology?

Remember to respond substantively to at least 2 other classmates during the week to earn full participation credit.

DQ2

Technology and Work-Life balance

The following resources are also listed under Week 4 content for your convenience* Read the articles below:

1. Kumar, H., & Chakraborty, S. (2013). Work life balance (WLB): A key to organizational efficiency. Aweshkar Research Journal, 15(1), 62-70. Retrieved from:

http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=86442529&site=eds-live&scope=site

2. Smith, J. (Jun 3, 2013). The best big companies for work-life balance. Forbes. Retrieved from:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/06/03/the-best-big-companies-for-work-life-balance/

3. Tobak, S. (Jul 24, 2013). The work-life balance myth. Retrieved from: http://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/2013/07/24/work-life-balance-myth/

Discussion questions:

Using your own words, define “work-life” balance.

Based on what you have read, why is work-life balance important (cite sources as appropriate) for individuals as well as organizations?

Based on what you have read, what are some effective strategies for improving work-life balance?

What different approaches might anthropologists, gerontologists, and sociologists take regarding work-life balance? In other words, what issues arise regarding work-life imbalance might be of particular interest to each of these social sciences?

Throughout the week, remember to respond substantively to at least 2 classmates in order to receive full credit for participation.