University of Phoenix Survey Finds Majority of U.S. Adults Believe Technology Improves Overall Productivity in the Workplace, Yet Less Than Half Say Their Employer Encourages Use of Technology for Collaboration

To meet the demands of workplaces in the digital age, the University is introducing Bachelor of Science programs in Applied Psychology in Media & Technology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology

PHOENIX, Jan. 8, 2018 — A recent University of Phoenix® College of Humanities & Sciences survey on technology in the workplace finds that U.S. adults are relying on technologies like laptops (72 percent), smartphones (68 percent) and the Internet of Things (60 percent) in the workplace and 53 percent believe technology improves overall productivity.

While the survey finds 53 percent of respondents agree that the increased use of technology has improved their overall productivity, it also reveals that 19 percent of respondents say they waste time at work because they don’t understand the technologies they are using.

“Today, there is a growing demand to understand how technology influences human behavior from both consumer and internal workplace perspectives,” said Carl Sheperis, Ph.D., NCC, program dean, University of Phoenix College of Humanities & Sciences. “By providing our future workforce with a psychology background, we can better anticipate future trends and meet growing demands.”

As social media, technology and digital innovations change the landscape of how America’s employees receive, perceive, process and act upon information, University of Phoenix has introduced two new psychology programs to better understand human behavior and improve work performance in the digital age: The Bachelor of Science Program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology in Media and Technology.

The Bachelor of Science Program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology is designed to help students better solve human organizational problems in the workplace, including identifying training needs, optimizing quality of work life, creating coaching opportunities and building workplace culture. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology in Media and Technology focuses on the implications of media and technology on both customer and employee behaviors, including building brand awareness and cohesive digital communities in the workplace. The Bachelor of Science Program in Industrial-Organization Psychology and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology in Media and Technology do not prepare students for any type of professional certification or licensure as a psychologist.

“The programs were created to meet two kinds of needs: a gap in how we create and foster an environment to keep workers motivated and satisfied, and helping companies understand the ways that people interact with media and technology,” Dr. Sheperis added. “It is critical that organizations have an understanding of the impact of media and how they can leverage technology to create a loyal employee and consumer base.”

The University of Phoenix workplace trends survey of 2,191 U.S. adults also found:

• 56 percent believe they work for a company/organization with a good or very good culture
• 45 percent frequently or occasionally text at work
• 39 percent frequently or occasionally use social media at work

Methodology

The workplace technology survey was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of University of Phoenix from Sept. 1-3, 2017, among a national sample of 2,201 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

The workplace trends and career preparedness survey was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of University of Phoenix from July 7-9, 2017, among a national sample of 2,191 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, race/ethnicity, gender, educational attainment and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.

For complete survey methodology including weighting variables, please contact Angela Heisel.

About University of Phoenix® College of Humanities and Sciences

University of Phoenix College of Humanities and Sciences provides students with foundational general-education competencies, such as the communication, mathematics and critical-thinking skills that prepare them for professional growth. The college offers bachelor degrees in communications, English, history, environmental science and biological sciences. Through their rich professional backgrounds, Humanities and Sciences faculty members equip students with an understanding of how their coursework addresses real-world workforce needs. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/humanities-sciences.

About University of Phoenix®

University of Phoenix is innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.