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...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 67 - 84
Autor principal: Bialski, Paula
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Pluto Journals 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=183628799&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ssf
    uiTerm: 183628799
    longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson)
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        1745641X
        HPBH
      jtl: Work Organisation, Labour & Globalisation
      issn: 1745641X
      maglogo: N
    pubinfo:
      dt: 2025
      vid: 19
      iid: 1
      pid: 67187
      pub: Pluto Journals
    artinfo:
      ui:
        183628799
        10.13169/workorgalaboglob.19.1.0067
      ppf: 67
      ppct: 17
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Computer says 'no': On the materiality of software in organising tech work.
      aug:
        au: Bialski, Paula
        affil: University of St. Gallen
      su:
        Corporate culture
        Professional identity
        Power (Social sciences)
        Computer software development
        Computer performance
      sug:
        subj:
          Corporate culture
          Professional identity
          Power (Social sciences)
          Custom Computer Programming Services
          Computer systems design and related services (except video game design and development)
          Computer software development
          Computer performance
      keyword:
        corporate work culture
        ethnography
        legacy code
        science and technology studies
        software
        software bugs
        corporate work culture
        ethnography
        legacy code
        science and technology studies
        software
        software bugs
      ab: 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.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
    refInfo:
    copyright:
      @attributes:
        flag: N
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N