Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
After a several-weeks period of intense negotiations, the CEO of Austrias second largest mobile phone provider, T-Mobile Austria, announced on 10 August 2005 the companys acquisition of the countrys fourth largest provider, tele.ring. According to the top manager, Georg Pölzl, the purchase price will amount to 1.3 billion. The aim of the planned merger is to use long-term synergy effects of about 300 million and thus improving the market position of the 'new' T-Mobile company with then 3 million customers. Provided that both Brussels and the national cartel authorities will give their consent, the merger will come into effect in 2006. Mr Pölzl stated that the total workforce of the new corporation of about 2,200 employees will be cut by some 10 or 15%, ie between 200 and 300 workers, by the end of 2006.
Eurofound (2005), tele.ring, T-Mobile Austria, Merger/Acquisition in Austria, factsheet number 62078, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/62078.