| Author: | Yip, Suk-yee Gladys |
| Title: | The impact of automation in clinical laboratories on job characteristics and job satisfaction of biomedical technologists and technicians |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Subject: | Biomedical technicians -- Job satisfaction -- China -- Hong Kong Pathological laboratories -- China -- Hong Kong -- Automation Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Management |
| Pages: | vii, 75 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Background The advancement in engineering and information technology has triggered the replacement of much manual work by automation. In clinical laboratories, there is huge investment in automation. Laboratory automation has replaced much manual analytical job by autoanalysers, or robotics. The job nature of biomedical staff in clinical laboratory seems to change. Besides increasing productivity and quality, automation also has strong impact in the organization and employee. Since much attention has been paid to the benefit of automation from engineering point of view, we cannot ignore its impact on human. The change in job nature will have impact on human side and it may affect the job satisfaction of the employee. Objectives This study aims to examine the impact of automation on job dimensions of the laboratory technical work and the relationships between the outcome of this impact and job satisfaction. Method It was a survey by sending questionnaire. It was conducted in ten clinical laboratories of Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Four hundred and eighty-five biomedical technologists and technicians were recruited by convenience sampling and questionnaires had been sent to them. Within six weeks, three hundred and eighteen questionnaires were returned. Using the Job Diagnostic Survey and modified Job Descriptive Index, they were surveyed to investigate their perceptions of the impact of automation on job characteristics and job satisfaction. Hypotheses were tested to examine if 'automation has impact on job dimensions' and if there is 'correlation of job dimensions and job satisfaction'. Findings The results showed that automation had increased the work content and work were more enriched after automation. 'Task significance' had the strongest impact and 'feedback' and 'autonomy' had the weakest impact. And not all the job dimensions were correlated with all aspects of job satisfaction. Only the 'work' aspect of job satisfaction was correlated with all the job dimensions. It was also found that the biomedical staff was quite dissatisfied in 'career' aspect. Furthermore, 'work' and 'career' aspects had strong correlation with 'working year. Conclusion As the findings indicated that 'task identity', 'feedback' and 'autonomy' had strong correlation with job satisfaction, it was recommended that when implementing automation and doing job redesign, increase in these three job dimensions can effectively increase job satisfaction. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b15531272.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 2.48 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/847