Information Technology and Job Quality

Information technologies are an important element in the transformation of Canadian workplaces. Examination of computer use adds to the on-going debate about the so-called “digital divide”. The focus of this debate is the growing inequality in access to computer technology and how this could affect an individual’s economic and social opportunities. Research suggests computer use affects job quality both positively and negatively. Computer use can enhance job quality by contributing to skill development in the workplace and by making work more interesting. At the same time, computer use has been associated with increased workload and potential for work-family conflict, as technology allows us to take work home after regular scheduled hours.

Who has been most affected by information technology? How intense is computer use in Canadian workplaces? How does information technology affect the quality of jobs, and are there gender differences in this regard? The focus of this section is to examine how information technology has affected job quality for Canadian men and women and to highlight any similarities or differences.

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