The technological advancements witnessed in the 21st century have presented an influx of digital devices that are used by organizations and individuals for different purposes. In particular, the current market is dominated by technology devices such as computers, laptops, tablets, notepads, ultrabooks, smartwatches, and smartphones that enables individuals to conduct their business and personal affairs remotely. Notably, business organizations emerge among the beneficiaries of digital devices in conducting their operations as far as telecommunication is concerned. However, the use of personal computers in performing organizational duties currently encounter controversies regarding various risks associated with security and employees' performance due to potential distractions. Despite the controversies, the use of personal devices at work presents significant advantages and disadvantages that impact the organization and the employees in various ways.
Firstly, using personal computers at work present advantages such as flexibility according to the employee's responsibility and nature of the work. Disterer & Kleiner (2013) explain that workload is a major challenge that affects an employee's performance due to the need to manage multiple tasks. Hence, the use of personal devices at work presents a perfect solution to the workload by enabling employees to perform the organization duties regardless of their location. Disterer and Kleiner (2013) illustrate that personal devices help company staff who perform fieldwork to manage their tasks without going back to the headquarters to rely on the organization's computers (2013). For instance, employees that conduct marketing activities can use their phones and tablets to record the customer's responses to enable them to write their reports when they finally settle on their desks or at home. The flexibility benefits the organization and employee because it enables them to manage their tasks within the scheduled period.
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Additionally, using personal computers at work presents the advantage of increasing communication between the employee and other people according to their duties and organizational operations. According to Mallmann, Vargas Pinto, and Maçada (2019), employee's communication is influenced by devices which they are accustomed to according to their knowledge and interests (2019). Notably, employees who are allowed to use their phones or computers to interact with other stakeholders in the company communicate frequently and freely because they are convinced that the channel is secured. For instance, using personal laptops or phones enables the employee to express their honest opinions about the areas of work to their supervisors or managers without fear that the information can be accessed by other people with whom it does not concern. Personal computers further improve organizational communication between colleagues by enabling them to discuss their responsibilities on secure platforms that suites their interests and expertise. For example, employees who are responsible for collecting information in the field can communicate with their colleagues to analyze and compile their reports virtually.
Consequently, using personal devices at work is important because it enables organizations to save funds for purchasing digital devices for other important organization operations. Kay & Schellenberg observes that many individuals currently own the latest phones and computers that enable them to perform multiple tasks according to their interests (2019). Following the availability of digital devices in the current markets, organizations can allow their employees to bring their devices to work according to their needs and interests. Mallmann et al., (2019), an organization who allow their employees to bring their devices to work benefit by channeling funds meant for the purchase and maintenance to other important needs according to their areas of operations.
Despite the advantages, allowing employees to use their personal devices to perform various organizational tasks present various disadvantages that as far as their operations are concerned. Among the significant challenges that encounter the use of personal computers on organizations include security threats according to the organization's operations. Specifically, employees who use their devices at work are privileged to access vital information that needs to be restricted from unauthorized view. According to Lebek, Degirmenci, & Breitner (2013), employees with bad intentions can use the information to disrupt the company's operations by sharing it with other competitors. For example, employees working with their personal computers in food processing industries can share information about recipes and other strategies of the organization with rivals hence affecting their competitive advantage in the market.
Furthermore, the use of personal devices is disadvantageous in organizations because it disrupts scalability and support of other devices. In particular, scalability enables organizations to design their networks according to the devices and software that are applicable. However, employees use their computers to accomplish their duties affect the organization's operations because they increase traffic in the network according to the software they use. Similarly, Lebel et al., employees who use devices that the organization's information technology is not familiar with, may disrupt how information is delivered and analyzed in the system hence affecting their operations significantly (2013).
The technological advancements in the current generation have influenced the need to allow employees to use their digital devices at work. Among the advantages that characterize the use of personal computers in the organization include flexibility that will enable employees to use their devices remotely without relying on the organization's devices to accomplish their tasks. Using personal computers at work further increases communication among employees, customers, and other important stakeholders. The application of personal devices also benefits organizations by enabling them to save money for other uses. However, the use of personal devices also present challenges such as security threats due to access to vital information and difficulties in supporting the devices presented by workers.
References
Disterer, G., & Kleiner, C. (2013). Using mobile devices with BYOD. International Journal of Web Portals (IJWP), 5 (4), 33-45.
Kay, R., & Schellenberg, D. (2019). Comparing BYOD and One-to-One Laptop Programs in Secondary School Classrooms: A Review of the Literature. In Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1608-1612). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
Lebek, B., Degirmenci, K., & Breitner, M. H. (2013). Investigating the influence of security, privacy, and legal concerns on employees' intention to use BYOD mobile devices .
Mallmann, G. L., de Vargas Pinto, A., & Maçada, A. C. G. (2019). Shedding Light on Shadow IT: Definition, Related Concepts, and Consequences. In Information Systems for Industry 4.0 (pp. 63-79). Springer, Cham.
