OPINION
*Writer: Matita Tshabalala
Managing resources during a pandemic
T
technology has
Embracing technology
to the new ways of doing
mechanical equipment
brought many
The importance of
business. The Achilles
powered by harnessing
divergent views from all
technology has been
heel for many organisa-
water and steam.
walks of life.
elevated by the Coronavi-
tions is, and has been,
he advent of
ing it difficult to “migrate”
with the advancement of
In 1870 the Second
rus (COVID-19) pandem-
a lack of resources to
Industrial Revolution was
that technology will
ic the world is currently
achieve set performance
defined by electricity, new
replace human beings,
grappling with. Those
targets.
capabilities in mass pro-
while others remain
who loathed technol-
adamant that we will
ogy have had to learn to
know it today does not re-
continue to be in charge
embrace it.
semble that of the 1970s,
Some are of the view
and never be threatened by technology.
Organisations have
The workplace as we
duction and the division of labour and new jobs. The year 1969 ushered
1980s and 1990s. It is a
in the Third Industrial
changed the way they
world filled with surprises,
Revolution. A new form
conduct their businesses.
fragmented and full of
of nuclear energy was
those that are neutral –
For some, transition has
paradoxes that requires
being explored; transis-
they see technology and
been smooth while oth-
not only the understand-
tors and microprocessors
human beings collabo-
ers have had to put some
ing of how it functions
gave rise to electronics,
rating.
extraordinary measures in
but also how all parts of
new materials were being
place to make the transi-
the system relate to one
created and space ex-
tion less impactful.
another.
ploration and biotechnol-
Interestingly, there are
There is no denying that the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has transformed the workplace.
Some have succeeded while others are still find-
The First Industrial Revolution happened in 1784,
ogy were supported by telecommunications and computers. The following decade (1980-1990) brought about an exceptional cluster of technological advances which irreversibly transformed our life and the world of work. Today we are in the 4IR, which is defined by virtual reality systems. Work is increasingly driven
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Public Sector Manager • November 2020
