The Future of IT and Paradigm Shift - Term Paper Example

The Future of Information Technology and Paradigm Shift Introduction In the past few years, the business structures and environments have changed due to a large number of developments in information technology. In this scenario, these advancements of information technology have not only changed the traditional practices of business management, but also all possible areas of corporate management have transformed and modernized. In addition, new tools and technologies have been implemented to support a number of areas such as transportation of physical goods, supply chain management, accounting and marketing. In fact, the majority of business organizations have started marketing and advertisement of their products and services to customers by means of broadcasting media. On the other hand, the customers are now seen as the receivers of products who can actively respond with regards to promotion, segmentation and distribution. In addition, through a potential increase in division of labor, interest of businesses as well as protecting distribution channels, the trade with customers is frequently indirect as well as monetized, and it has only happened due to ever-increasing adoption of new technology based platforms and arrangements. It is an admitted fact that because of growing complexities and competitiveness of these days’ business environment, the focus is shifting from the producer to the consumer and offering them a great deal more improved services. In this scenario, the information technology is playing a significant role and helps the business organizations in achieving these goals (Korhonen, 2010; Norton, 2001; Turban, Leidner, McLean, & Wetherbe, 2005). This paper will discuss the role of information technology in today’s business environment. This paper will attempt to find the answers of questions such as “what the future of information technology is and what changes it can bring into the world?” Future of information technology and paradigm shift In their paper, (Tapscott & Caston, 1994) present a detailed overview of technology shift. They define paradigm shift as a basic method of perceiving and looking at something. Without a doubt, it is frequently required by new developments in technology, science, art or other paradigms of effort. According to their viewpoint, effective and supportive technology based shifts are essential for the reason that significant transformations in veracity demand a shift in conceptualization. For instance, when the 20th century began the demonstration of science started to increase problems those were not simply explained by Newtonian physics. In order to resolve this issue, a new paradigm known as “Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity” appeared as a novel and more wide-ranging theory and structure to clarify the new certainties. Additionally, the idea of a paradigm shift was initially initiated by a philosopher and science historian Thomas Kuhn through his book, which was published in 1962 (Tapscott & Caston, 1994; EIE, 2003; Somani & Kher, 2006). In addition, similar to a new enterprise of venture, the new technology paradigm also demands variations. Same like an innovative enterprise it is open as well as networked. Additionally, it works approximately similar to people do, as it pays no attention to boundaries between text, data, voice and image and works like a bridge between team members in a team-oriented company. Also, it smudged walls among enterprises by allowing them to effectively communicate with outside associations. The most important advantage of this technology shift is that it has developed to the point where it is easily accessible, and reasonably priced. In view of the fact the longer a business organization waits to decide and implement a change the more it has to spend, no matter in the short term (Tapscott & Caston, 1994; EIE, 2003; Somani & Kher, 2006). Moreover, the information technology is quickly turning out to be a main driver of economic growth for a large number of organizations. In this scenario, carefully recognizing the technology paradigm shift has become essential for the organizations in order to survive in this ever-increasing competitive business world. This is far arriving at the proposition for strategy. In addition, supposed "strategic plans" for information technology in the history are being avoided because IT turns out to be a significant part of the business strategy itself. Furthermore, it has become essential for every business strategy to include IT as an important element dealing with financial, marketing or human resources (Tapscott & Caston, 1994; EIE, 2003; Somani & Kher, 2006). New Prospects of Information Technology In the early years of information technology evolution (for instance from 50s to 60s, and 70s) the basic purpose of data processing was to decrease clerical costs. On the other hand, at the present information technology has emerged a key player and playing a significant role in successful execution and growth of business organizations. In fact, it has become a major and most significant component of organizational arrangements. In today’s business environment its role has turned out to be "strategic" for this reason it is an essential part of a company’s strategy. For example at the present a massive technological shift can be seen in the banking sector where information technology and systems have expanded beyond back room data processing systems to front line receptions and delivery of business services as well as products to clients. In the same way, a major transformation has as well happened in scenario of who makes use of computers. Additionally, in the early period a great deal of concentration was given to technical professionals, specialists and executives who designed, applied, directed, controlled, and typically owned the computing arrangements of a certain business organization. However, with the changes to the new era, business clients of new information technology have transferred to the fore. Additionally, the numbers of users are in the tens of millions, and they are further classy as well as more demanding (Tapscott & Caston, Paradigm Shift: The New Promise of information Technology, 1994; Tapscott, Paradigm Shift The New Promise of Information Technology, 1993; Ustundag, 2012). Moreover, at the present the users of information technology and systems want to form or manage the technology that is applied to their businesses. Additionally, they want to manage its usage as well as identify the influence it will have on their individual work. In fact, the majority of business organizations are quickly recognizing that their efficient usage of technology will revolutionize the way they perform business tasks and processes. Without a doubt, a company’s success is currently determined through their individual and organizational success. Hence, they have turned out to be the forefront of an information technology uprising that is rapidly changing the old methods of organizational computing and working (Tapscott & Caston, Paradigm Shift: The New Promise of information Technology, 1994; Tapscott, Paradigm Shift The New Promise of Information Technology, 1993; Ustundag, 2012). Major Technology Shifts This section discusses some of the major shifts towards information technology as listed below: (Tapscott & Caston, Paradigm Shift: The New Promise of information Technology, 1994; Tapscott, Paradigm Shift The New Promise of Information Technology, 1993; Ustundag, 2012). Information technology has facilitated the business organizations to have a high-performance team arrangement. The new information technology has offered a wide variety of tools and technologies that can be incorporated into businesses in spite of high corporate unit autonomy. Additionally, the information technology in the business offered a great deal of capability to arrive at as well as build up new associations with external organizations to turn out to be an "extended enterprise”. In addition, the emergence of new microprocessor has offered an excellent support, empowerment and intelligence for corporate tasks and working. Now information technology based systems are shifting toward the host-based architectures to network-based systems. Moreover, the business organizations are moving toward the vendor proprietary software systems to open software standards those are offering much better processing and handling capabilities at a minimum cost. In fact, with information technology traditional desktop working has shifted to new and more efficient portable and moveable working platforms. Furthermore, the new technology is now shifting towards combined processing of text, data, voice and image to multimedia instead of singular processing (Tapscott & Caston, Paradigm Shift: The New Promise of information Technology, 1994; Tapscott, Paradigm Shift The New Promise of Information Technology, 1993; Ustundag, 2012). New technology Distinctiveness The advancements of information technology offer a wide variety of opportunities for coordination and integration in business and corporate arrangements. Without a doubt, today’s modern computer systems and networks have the capability to quickly distribute information to all associated entities both inside outside of an organization. Additionally, these networks as well offer an excellent support for management of operational and planning procedures. In this scenario, it is frequently acknowledged that there is an unrealized force for making use of information technology in order to support corporate and business network communications and coordination (Nagarjuna & Siddaiah, 2012; Klabbers, 2012; Bhatia & Kumar, 2010). Moreover, the new leading ideas can be observed in information technology field that will make the business environment more competitive. In this scenario, the wide paradigm shift from hierarchical, closed and static systems to networked, open and dynamic systems indicates a change from centralized, proprietary and monolithic corporate information system to service-oriented, peer-to-peer, modular inter-enterprise and standards-based merged applications (Korhonen, 2010). Why the technology will create a shift? The economic and societal influences of information and computer technology is undeniable, growing efficiency and competence and fostering novelty in all areas of life and industries such as defense, medicine, communications and entertainment. However, in order to make sure that computing systems carry on performing twice in capability and performance in coming few years, the information technology producers need to take some serious steps and make major transformations in computer software and hardware. In addition, the business organizations need to manage the technology shift by allocating sufficient funds to IT and computing research and development of similar computing power which presents a clear path forward progress of corporate and business. Moreover, in order to support parallel computing for broader use, new programs and algorithms, operating systems, programming models and computer architectures will be necessary and researchers should pay attention to this area (National Academy of Sciences, 2010). Conclusion At the present, information technology is playing a significant role in every walk of life. The majority of business organizations are making use of the latest tools and technologies in order to compete and survive in this ever-increasing competitive environment. This paper has presented an overview of the role that information technology is playing is today’s business environment. The advancements of information technology will never stop and it will continue playing a significant role in our lives. This research has highlighted how a technology shift is happening and how an organization can deal with such technology shifts. This paper has also discussed some of the latest trends and evolutions those are supportive of business and organizational practices. References Bhatia, M., & Kumar, A. (2010). Paradigm shifts: from pre-web information systems to recent web-based contextual information retrieval. Webology, Volume 7 Issue 1. EIE. (2003). Mapping the moral future of ICTs. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from http://eiex.eu/docs/EIEX03ETICA.pdf Klabbers, J. H. (2012). A PARADIGM SHIFT IN PLANNING: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SELF-STEERING IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS. Retrieved December 14, 2012, from http://stratema.lampnet.org/cupum/pdf/S23.pdf Korhonen, J. J. (2010, February 15). Paradigm Shift in IT: Implications of Service-Dominant Logic. Retrieved December 13, 2012, from http://www.ebizq.net/blogs/agile_enterprise/2010/02/paradigm-shift-in-it-implications-of-service-dominant-logic.php Nagarjuna, B., & Siddaiah, T. (2012). Impact of information Technology – Paradigm shifts in SCM. Journal of Exclusive Management Science, Volume 1 Issue 3, pp. 1-7. National Academy of Sciences. (2010, December 16). Information technology needs fundamental shift to continue rapid advances in computing. Retrieved December 10, 2012, from http://phys.org/news/2010-12-technology-fundamental-shift-rapid-advances.html Norton, P. (2001). Introduction to Computers, Fourth Edition. Singapore: McGraw-Hill. Somani, A. K., & Kher, S. (2006). Net-Centric Computing: The Future of Computers and Networking. Retrieved December 12, 2012, from http://ecpe.ee.iastate.edu/dcnl/Publications/docs/sensornw/dcnl-sn-2006-409.pdf Tapscott, D. (1993). Paradigm Shift The New Promise of Information Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill. Tapscott, D., & Caston, A. (1994). Paradigm Shift: The New Promise of information Technology. Retrieved December 13, 2012, from http://www.ecdevjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=281 Turban, E., Leidner, D., McLean, E., & Wetherbe, J. (2005). Information Technology for Management: Transforming Organizations in the Digital Economy. New York: Wiley. Ustundag, A. (2012). RFID TECHNOLOGY: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN BUSINESS PROCESSES. Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://www.rfid.itu.edu.tr/arastirma/RFID-paradigm.pdf Read More