Loss of labor time due to malfunctioning ICTs and ICT skill insufficiencies

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to unexplore the area of information and communication technology (ICT) use in organizations related to the assumed productivity gains by the use of ICTs. On the one hand, the paper focus on the losses of labor time that are caused by malfunctioning hardware or non-functional software, and on the other hand, the paper focus on the labor time losses that are caused by a lack of skills to maximize ICT.

Design/methodology/approach

To estimate these losses, the paper conducted a large-scale survey among the Dutch workforce. The respondents were presented scenarios, and then they were asked to assess the loss of labor time.

Findings

When working with ICTs, malfunctioning ICT and ICT skill insufficiencies lead to a loss in labor time of 7.5 percent. The losses increase with decreasing educational attainment level. Age does not contribute to the total average losses. Workers highly underestimate the effects of ICT-related training. The role of co-workers is more significant than the formally organized means by the organization.

Originality/value

Due to ICT's significance among the labor force, investigating the reported losses is an important step to further improve the use of ICTs in the workplace.

Citation

van Deursen, A. and van Dijk, J. (2014), "Loss of labor time due to malfunctioning ICTs and ICT skill insufficiencies", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 35 No. 5, pp. 703-719. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-07-2012-0102