The Rapid Development in Technology in the 21st Century - Assignment Example

?INTERNET USAGE Literature Review With the emergence of technology, there are various changes that have taken place in the world. This has affected the way people conduct and run their businesses and has improved businesses to a large extent. In many instances, people tend to indulge technology to assist in smooth running of businesses. As such, many institutions, firms and companies are investing a lot in respect to technology. For example, many people flock into stores that sell computers and electronics whenever a new product is launched into the market. The most prevalent is the Apple computers, Galaxy tabs and other sophisticated technological gadgets. This shows that many people in the 21st century are appreciating the rapid development in technology. Therefore, it is an admissible fact that many people that are involved in economic activities have access to technology, which connects people across the globe (Khosrow-Pour, 2006:23). This creates a scenario where businesses have to use technology to improve on their services. As such, they will keep changing their approach to technology. Many people have taken the initiative of taking statistics on how technology is used in the world. These statistics have been influential in ensuring other businesses are not left behind when it comes to technology. Many businesses have been benchmarking technological advancement that is used by other businesses to ensure they are on the verge of making successful impact in the market. The statistics show that the developed countries in the world have appreciated the use of technology to greater heights. Developed countries have massive resources that have been used to improve their indulgence in technology. In most instances, the developing countries invest heavily in companies and firms that are allied to manufacturing technology. As such, they will have an advantage in accessing the technology that is manufactured. Similarly, developed countries have an upper hand in that they manufacture technology in bulk. This gives such countries the advantage of large scale production. As such, the technology will be retailed at lower prices. In the same line, developed countries were on the frontline in researching on the internet usage and its advantages. As such, they were on the frontline in implementing the use of technology in most parts of the economy. These countries go to greater heights in ensuring all businesses are interconnected to each other. This creates a scenario where businesses are in healthy competition in the market. This leads to high quality products offered in the market. Internet users in the developed countries are advanced in that most of the population has access to internet services. The service providers are well established in the market and offer top notch services (Bailey, 2011:10). When the internet service providers are well established in the market, they will offer their services at subsidized prices. This is done to attract a larger demand for their services. Since the internet services are retailed at acceptable and affordable prices. As such, most of the population will feel the need to use the internet services in most of their working. The developing countries have followed the trend of savouring internet use and connection. The developing countries have taken the internet issue seriously and have gone to greater heights in ensuring most of the population are accessible to the internet. Most of the companies that offer the service in the developed countries have taken the initiative of investing in the developing countries. As such, they also give the developing countries priority in service delivery. Apparently, the developing countries have been influential in ensuring the internet development and use is on constant growth. Therefore, the number of people that use the internet has been increasing through the years. Virtually most of the businesses in developing countries have appreciated the need for internet connection and use, as it enhances their businesses. On the other hand, the third world countries are struggling to achieve their targets in using the internet. According to statistics, many third world countries have also appreciated the use of internet in running their businesses. Though the internet and technology advancement took long before inception into the third world countries, they are increasing the demand for internet connection (Baldauf and Stair, 2008:31). This is entirely done in businesses that need to increase their production and delivery of services. In many instances, the businesses in the third world countries take the internet connection as a priority in running businesses. Therefore, they will take an initiative to ensure their businesses are not left behind in internet connection. The businesses in these countries will take it as a long term investment, as they gather enough resources to land on the best internet service provider. Internet use has increased abundantly with the introduction of wireless connection. Many businesses are appreciating such an induction as they do not need manual connection to internet. This creates a scenario where people conduct their businesses anywhere in the world. As such, traveling from one place to another while still transacting businesses is not an issue. This has increased the reliance of many businesses on using the internet. For example, many people will ensure they are connected to the internet all round the clock. This assists in ensuring the businesses are sprouting even when the managers are not present at their work places. According to statistics in 2012, it was considered a whooping 26% of the whole world’s population had access to internet. However, these numbers have been increasing through the years as more people are appreciating the need to use internet in businesses and other economic activities. This states the reason why many people feel the urge to have sophisticated gargets that enable fast internet use. Graph showing the prevalence of internet use in the world 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 Developed countries Global internet statistics Developing countries Relevance of the Topic This topic is relevant in the current world as it is the basis of many businesses. First, many businesses have been established on the basis of internet connections. These companies have a large employee turnover, which is employed in the sector. Therefore, the introduction of internet connection is a positive accrual as it has opened slots for employment. This has enabled many people earn a living as they are fully employed to offer internet connection services. Many businesses have noted the issue of transacting most of their businesses over the internet. When businesses are connected to the internet, they have the option of making transactions in the meanest time possible. This includes sending documents that are concentrated to the businesses and any other information that is deemed vital. Therefore, Internet transactions are as a result of internet connection in businesses. This has been greatly appreciated by business as it is a safe way of making transactions. Similarly, it reduces the chances of traveling from one place to another in delivering documents, information and serving contractual information. One of the emergent aspects of the internet in the 21st century is Video conferencing. Many businesses that have branches over different parts of the world appreciate the use of the internet as they can have a single board room meeting in different parts of the world. Video conferencing makes it possible for communication from different parts of the world as it looks like a single meeting (Shelly and Vermaat, 2009:19). This ensures the businesses are running concurrently as stated by the management. Similarly, the managers in control of the branches do not have to travel to the main branch for such meetings. As such, many businesses save on costs which would be used to travel from one place to another with a need to attend meetings. Internet connection has increased the demand for some products that are manufactured in the world. This has increased the need for research to make more complex gargets that will be in demand in the market. For example, many manufactures are producing gadgets that have wireless internet connections. These gargets are able to connect a person to the internet without manual connection. As such, the people will be connected to the internet and can still be mobile. Therefore, the introduction of Wireless internet connection and sophisticated gargets has improved the way people conduct businesses as they are able to move without restriction. Businesses have appreciated the need to use the internet as it is an easy way of completing transactions. Reliable internet communication and connections ensure a business is in constant communication with its clients. As such, they will use less time in completing any pending transactions. In most cases, the businesses prefer to use internet connections when talking to clients that are in vast areas. This eases the communication as it is cheap, reliable and fast (Graubner-Muller, 2011:12). This saves time, energy and resources as both parties use minute resources in completing transactions. With such advantages, many businesses have had to enhance their reliance on internet connections which will enhance their online transactions. The internet is relevant in that it is considered a safe storage of information. It is considered that malware and computer viruses are becoming destructive as they affect documents that are relayed over the internet. Viruses, Trojans and malware can completely destroy documents that are used in transactions, and this could cause dire effects on the businesses. It is with this issue that internet service providers provide business with the option of using servers to save and store their files (Nicholls, 2012:17). With such storage facility, it is not possible to lose these documents as they are in safest storage. In most instances, malware, viruses and Trojans can not affect documents that are stored in the servers. Similarly, internet connections offer the option of using emails to store data. As such, a business will access any data that is needed at any time. How it will benefit the Industry and/or Society Many businesses have appreciating sales when they involve advertising and promotion of their goods. In these days, businesses have shifted their advertisements and other promotion activities to the internet. Businesses use push and pull messages to advertise their products over the internet. Since many people use the internet, they will feel attracted to the products that are advertised over the internet. Secondly, the internet provides an informative address to the products that are needed by the market. The market will receive an educational experience in relation to the products that are offered by the business. As such, they will be introduced to the products that are sold by the business. With such prevalent activities, it is possible to make a positive impact in selling products to the market. Thirdly, advertisement on the internet is easy and effective. In making effective advertisement over the internet, businesses use different links which will reach out to a large number of people. In such a scenario, most people that us e the internet will be directed to the products that are offered by the business. In many instances, the internet advertisements feature a large number of products. As such, the people that access the internet will have to select the products that are appealing. Businesses use the internet as a mode of passing information. Many businesses need to communicate to a large number of people at most of the times. This includes their customers, stakeholders and managers. Since it is hard to get all the required parties at all times in a meeting, the business embarks on the use of internet in informing the concerned parties of any developments. This is by sending emails, messages or chatting over the internet. This is an effective way of communication as the message or information is effectively relayed to the concerned parties. Many businesses across the globe have to publish their performance and results of the businesses over time. This is an indulging job that needs to be done appropriately. On many instances, businesses find it easy to publish their results over the internet. The internet offers a diverse way of spreading the information to a larger audience than any other media (Shelly Cashman Series, 2010:12). For example, newspapers, magazines and other print media tend to be expensive. Similarly, print media are not spread to larger audience. However, the internet offers an avenue where the results are published for public audience. Many people will have access to this information, which increases the prevalence of the business across the globe. With such activities, the business will reach out to many people in exposing their performance and results (Brown, 2006:14). As a matter of fact, many people only transact businesses with firms that have publicly exposed their results. This increases the chances of transacting businesses with the firm from all quarters of the world. Recruitment is a vital activity in the business as it makes it possible for businesses to employ qualified personnel to run the business. Previously, many businesses have been recruiting employees physically. This is a hectic job as the interviewers have to be present physically. However, with the introduction of the internet in the world, many businesses are having an easy time in conducting interviews. Businesses are able to conduct interviews through the internet (Jim, 2006:13). In such a case, the interviewers conduct the interviews at their preferred place of choice. As such, they can conduct the interviews at any time. Similarly, the internet is useful in training. Many businesses are using the internet in training personnel that are not in the vicinity. This saves time and resources used in moving from one place to another while training. Lastly, the internet is vital in providing support in running the business. Many businesses use information gathered from the internet in solving some issues that affect the firm. As such, they will gather various options that could be used to solve the situation. As such, they will approach a situation with utter preparedness since they have the required information. The internet is useful in Monitoring and supervision of activities in the businesses. Many businesses have appreciated the internet transactions that are done in the business. When transactions are done on the internet, they are closely monitored by the concerned parties. As such, the managers will be prepared to manage the transactions. When they transactions are done, the managers take note and implement any additional strategies that will improve the business (Giblett, 2010:17). Similarly, it is easy to notice any abnormalities that are involved in the business. This will ensure the managers solve the situation within the possible parameters. As such, the business will be enhanced to record better performance. In addition to this, businesses that are involved in stock exchange have appreciated the use of internet. Stock exchange market monitoring is easily done over the internet as the people in control easily take note of the changes. As such, businesses will be prepared to take on any investment over the stock exchange. Bulk communication between businesses in different places of the world has been made possible with the introduction of the internet. Many businesses across the globe have to exchange bulky documents when making transactions. These documents could be bulky when they are printed in hard copy. However, with the introduction of the internet, there is no need for printing such copies of documents. These documents could be relayed through the internet (Jamrich and Oja, 2009). This is the fastest way possible as it is easy and does not consume time. Similarly, it reduces the costs that are incurred in printing and posting all the documents. As such, businesses have enhanced their businesses as the reduced costs are used in other vital activities in the business. This explains the reason why many businesses are encouraging the need to use the internet to reduce any other costs that are incurred in the business in printing and dispatching documents. Apparently, internet use in businesses is the reason why many businesses have reduced paper work. Most businesses have appreciated the internet since it does not require working on paper work (Yoo, 2012:21). This saves time as working on manual paper work spends time and energy. Therefore, many businesses are achieving their stated goals as work has been made easier while working on customer’s needs. In conclusion, the internet is a vital resource that has been improving businesses since its introduction. Both developed, developing and third world countries are appreciating the need for internet in running their businesses. This has recorded an increase in the demand for internet services all over the world. This is due to the advantages that are accrued from the use of internet. This keeps improving the businesses as they continue to enhance service and product provision in the market. References Bailey, M. (2011) Internet marketing: an hour a day, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Baldauf, K.J. & Stair, R.M. (2008) Succeeding with technology, Cengage Learning, New York. Brown, B.C. (2006) How to use the internet to advertise, promote and market your business or web site: with little or no money, Atlantic Publishing Company, New York. Giblett, P.B. (2010) Is your business ready? for the social media revolution, CreateSpace, New York. Graubner-Muller, A. (2011) Web mining in social media: use cases, business value, and algorithmic approaches for corporate intelligence, BoD – Books on Demand,London. Jamrich, J. & Oja, P.D. (2009) New perspectives. Comprehensive. Cengage Learning, New York. Jim, M. (2006) The shortcut guide to protecting business internet usage, Realtimepublishers.com, New York. Khosrow-Pour, M. (2006) Emerging trends and challenges in information technology management: 2006 Information Resources Management Association International Conference, Washington, DC, USA, May 21-24, 2006, Volume 1, Idea Group Inc (IGI), New York. Nicholls S. (2012) Social media in business: succeeding in the new internet revolution, Bookinars, London. Shelly Cashman Series, (2010) Discovering computers 2010: living in a digital world, introductory, Shelly Cashman Series, London. Shelly, G.B. & Vermaat, M.E. (2009) Available titles skills assessment manager (SAM) - office 2010 series, Cengage Learning, New York. Yoo, C.S. (2012) The dynamic internet: how technology, users, and businesses are changing the network, Rowman & Littlefield, New York. Read More