The Organizational Implications of Robotics

Robots are being introduced in increasing numbers throughout the world. While only a few hundred robots were used in the United States in 1970,7,000 were in use in 1983 (Ayres & Miller, 1983; Hunt & Hunt, (983). Forecasts of how many robots will be used in 1990 in the United States range between 75,000 and 150,000 (Hunt & Hunt, 1983). Little is known, however, about how individual employees react to the introduction of robots or about the changes needed in organizations to support robotics. Our research focuses on understanding the human side of robotics--how individuals react to robots, how and when organizations should be modified to support robotics, and what effective strategies are for the implementation of robotics.