Algorithmic management practices in regular workplaces: Case studies in the South African Healthcare
SCIS invites you to a hybrid seminar on Algorithmic management practices in regular workplaces: Case studies in the South African Healthcare sector
The Southern Centre for Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS) invites you to a hybrid seminar titled Algorithmic management practices in regular workplaces: Case studies in the South African Healthcare sector, on October 18th, 2024. Join Nirvana Pillay and Dr Nancy Coulson who will be taking us through case studies from the healthcare sector in South Africa to examine how digital and algorithmic management practices have been used.
Abstract:
The use of digital technologies in healthcare is more established in high-income countries but is still emergent in the global south. Drawing on a report prepared for the ILO in 2023, we present case studies from the healthcare sector in South Africa to examine how digital and algorithmic management practices have been used. We found that despite obstacles to technology adoption including digital literacy and poor infrastructure, substantial strides have been made. Digital innovations were introduced to drive health worker performance, improve efficiencies and contain costs. Medical doctors and health service managers dominated digital innovation, and nurses were especially vulnerable to changed work processes.
Speakers:
Nirvana Pillay is a senior researcher at the Wits School of Public Health (Health and Society) and an independent consultant and researcher at The Sarraounia Public Health Trust. She has worked in public health and development consultancy in projects that require interfacing closely with community, government and civil society. Nirvana has experience in research, prevention and capacity development. Her research interests focus on understanding the social and structural drivers of health inequality across diverse contexts amongst diverse groups. She is currently working on a Wellcome Trust Award titled “Future-making: Youth, hope and aspirations in urban South Africa.”
Nancy Coulson is an independent consultant and researcher at The Sarraounia Public Health Trust and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Wits Mining Institute. She has 25 years of health promotion, capacity development and research practice in Southern Africa working with government, civil society, the private sector, as well as, local and international development partners. Her research interests at the Wits Mining Institute are focused around worker representation and tripartite engagement in the practice and regulation of occupational health and safety and the interface between communities and mines. She is currently based in the UK.
Add event to calendar