Control of work: old and new approaches and effects on workers

Abstract

Control of work has been the subject of study and concern by researchers in areas such as administration, ergonomics, engineering, psychology and medicine. It is a core issue especially in view of the central importance of work today and it's role in building identity. Transformations in the working world point to new forms of control affecting the individual and his physical, cognitive and affective well being. Different forms of control present in the organizational context were analyzed historically. An understanding of the appearance and evolution of control in the production process was sought as well as evidence of the consequences of a loss or absence of control of work. These results were presented after an initial theoretical and conceptual review.