New jobs, new workers? Organizational restructuring and management wiring decisions

Recent studies of work have argued that organizational restructuring and th e introduction of technology are altering the nature and experience of work . In this paper, we examine whether recent change has affected managerial p erceptions of the characteristics and abilities required of workers. Drawin g on interviews with human resource managers in three industries (chemicals production, transportation equipment manufacturing, health services) in So uthwestern Ontario, we conclude that management across these industries is indeed seeking a "new" kind of worker, and is placing new demands on their workers. Implications of these changes for employment and for workers are d iscussed.