Planning for the Introduction of Robotics

Robots are being used in increasing numbers in offices and factories throughout the world. Current estimates put the number of robots in use in the United States in 1983 at about 7,000. Little is known, however, about how individual workers react to the introduction of robots or about how the use of robots affects the structure, functioning, and effectiveness of organizations. This paper aims to increase managers' understanding of how robots affect individuals and organizations. The paper is written for managers who are introducing or thinking about introducing robots or other forms of new technology into their organizations. We begin with a brief statement about what a robot is then turn to our own research work about robots. The major portion of this paper concerns recommendations for action.