Article Abstract

	Title:	The transformation of work in European banks: an analysis of IT skills
	Author:	Paolo Neirotti, Emilio Paolucci
	Address:	Politecnico di Torino, DISPEA, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy. ' Politecnico di Torino, DISPEA, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
	Journal:	International Journal of Information Technology and Management 2005 - Vol. 4, No.2  pp. 197 - 213
	Abstract:	Past research on the impact of Information Technology (IT) in retail banks only marginally analysed the relationship between the distribution of IT skills in the workforce and the banks' organisational structure. This article combines case studies and a survey of a sample of European banks, confirming that an upgrading process in IT skills is taking place. Furthermore, the empirical analysis demonstrates how the transition of banks towards new organisational models is correlated with higher average levels of IT skills in the workforce, which allows for exploitation of greater information processing capabilities and mechanisms offered by IT for accessing information. This article reports some considerations about the evolution of work in banks based on obtained empirical evidence, claiming that empowerment trends allowed by IT upskilling do not necessarily imply a growth in the complexity of work.
	Keywords:	organisational change; information technology; IT skills; banking industry; European banks; retail banks; organisational structure; employee empowerment.
	DOI:	10.1504/IJITM.2005.006767
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