Faunce, W. A. (1965). "Automation and the Division of Labor." Social Problems, 13: 147-160.

According to Durkheim, the division of labor products interdependence or organic solidarity, but in an extreme and abnormal form, may result in alienation and anomie (Durkheim, Division of Labor in Society). Over time work has become more specialized. However, this paper suggests that a reversal may be taking place.

Managers are become increasingly aware of the diminishing returns from additional specialization. Automation may also product basic changes in occupational structure.

He sees production technology as having four basic components -- a power technology, processing technology, materials handling technology, and control technology. A certain amount of progress in one is needed for progress in another technology.

He also sees three phases of technical development. FIrst is the handicraft stage of production, ssecond is mechanization of energy conversion, the final stage is characterized by highly developed material handling technology and automatic production control.

From Craft Production to Industrial Automation

In the craft stage ability not equipment that determines quality and quantity. With mechanization skill is built into the machines. But with each new machine a new operator job was required. It creates new occupational specialties. With automation the worker increasingly monitors a group of special purpose machines. Thus automation may decrease division of labor by reducing work to primarily monitoring, recombining remaining tasks, But not that aumoation does not result in job enlargement or increased skill requirements for all workers in automated industries. Automation may increase a more integrated systems view in organizations, and change employment demographics.

Office Automation

Here it appears that initial automation produced more specialities but also the potential of anomie among lower level clerical workers. It's more mechanization than automation.

Overall, it seems that automation is reducing the alienation of the industrial worker.