Are mobile workers the future? New study shows wearable tech boosts job satisfaction
With Apple and Microsoft both cashing in on the growing buzz over wearable tech, the gadget world is whipping itself into a frenzy over the potential of smart watches. It may seem like just another fad, but a recent study has hinted there might be more to these wrist-mounted gizmos than meets the eye; suggesting they could even boost job satisfaction and employee productivity. After all, adopters of wearable tech will have access to a little wrist-mounted command centre wherever they go; able to tap in to the infinite resources of the cloud while they queue up for a bacon butty during lunch, or check their daily activity stats as they brave the cold for a cigarette.
The research report, snappily entitled The Human Cloud At Work (HCAW) A Study Into The Impact Of Wearable Technologies In The Workplace, provides compelling evidence that wearable tech does indeed push productivity and boost on-the-job satisfaction. The research was carried out by Dr. Chris Brauer of the Institute of Management Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London, who hypothesises such a system will need to be overseen by cloud computing technology due to the large amount of raw data and processes involved.
“Wearable technology is arguably the biggest trend since tablet computing so it’s natural that employees and businesses will look to use these devices in the workplace. Our initial findings suggest that there is benefit to be gained from doing so alongside risks and opportunities that need to be proactively addressed,” says Dr. Brauer.
As part of the study, test subjects were invited to put three pieces of wearable tech through their paces, including an accelerometer for measuring activity, a discrete EEG that monitored their brain waves, and a device designed to help maintain posture called a LUMOback.
The results were encouraging, and indicated employees toting wearable devices increased their productivity by 8.5 percent, and their job satisfaction by a further 3.5 percent.
“These results show organisations and employees need now to be developing and implementing strategies for introducing and harnessing the power of wearables in the workplace,” Dr. Brauer went on to add.
