Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech work
This article examines the materiality of software in shaping the organisation of software work, with a focus on how software’s technical constraints – such as bugs or legacy code – impact daily workflows, decision-making processes and power dynamics. This article argues that software actively organi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pluto Journals
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Work Organisation, Labour and Globalisation |
| Online Access: | https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/workorgalaboglob.19.1.0067 |
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| _version_ | 1850226089092186112 |
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| author | Paula Bialski |
| author_facet | Paula Bialski |
| author_sort | Paula Bialski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article examines the materiality of software in shaping the organisation of software work, with a focus on how software’s technical constraints – such as bugs or legacy code – impact daily workflows, decision-making processes and power dynamics. This article argues that software actively organises labour by influencing how developers negotiate their tasks and assert power in relation to management, colleagues and clients. Drawing on two ethnographic examples, this article highlights how the material properties of software mediate tech work practices and professional identities, contributing to a deeper understanding of the social and technical dimensions of contemporary software development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3321be0bf40745b7bec6482d5251d93b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1745-641X 1745-6428 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Pluto Journals |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Work Organisation, Labour and Globalisation |
| spelling | doaj-art-3321be0bf40745b7bec6482d5251d93b2025-08-20T02:05:10ZengPluto JournalsWork Organisation, Labour and Globalisation1745-641X1745-64282025-02-01191678310.13169/workorgalaboglob.19.1.0067Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech workPaula BialskiThis article examines the materiality of software in shaping the organisation of software work, with a focus on how software’s technical constraints – such as bugs or legacy code – impact daily workflows, decision-making processes and power dynamics. This article argues that software actively organises labour by influencing how developers negotiate their tasks and assert power in relation to management, colleagues and clients. Drawing on two ethnographic examples, this article highlights how the material properties of software mediate tech work practices and professional identities, contributing to a deeper understanding of the social and technical dimensions of contemporary software development.https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/workorgalaboglob.19.1.0067 |
| spellingShingle | Paula Bialski Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech work Work Organisation, Labour and Globalisation |
| title | Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech work |
| title_full | Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech work |
| title_fullStr | Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech work |
| title_full_unstemmed | Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech work |
| title_short | Computer says ‘no’: On the materiality of software in organising tech work |
| title_sort | computer says no on the materiality of software in organising tech work |
| url | https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/workorgalaboglob.19.1.0067 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT paulabialski computersaysnoonthematerialityofsoftwareinorganisingtechwork |