Signpost 31

In a nutshell:

The pursuit of efficiency can strip work of its meaning by prioritising productivity and cost reduction, which often removes traditions and values that give tasks significance. While making tasks more efficient can boost productivity, it may also lead to a loss of meaning, prompting organisations to reintroduce rituals and/or gamification to regain a sense of purpose and engagement.

*Note: Signposts 30 and 31 are closely related and share the same points.

Key Chapter: 25

• 31.1 The use of gamification in the workplace might be an indication that work and tasks can be decoupled, leaving tasks void of the meaning provided by work. p. 91

• 31.2 In order to become more productive at a lower cost is necessary to explore opportunities to make tasks more efficient. This rational efficiency process comes at the expense of removing traditions, values, and emotions which were strong motivators within such activities. p.91

• 31.3 Rational efficiency might make an organisation more efficient, but conversely it could strip them naked. The proliferation of rituals adopted by some organisations illustrates the process of re-introducing activities that may have fallen victims to rational efficiency. p.91