Flexible Working and E-Business - Assignment Example

FLEXIBLE WORKING AND E-BUSINESS By Institution: Date of submission: Instructor FLEXIBLE WORKING AND E-BUSINESS Question 1a Flexible working comes with several impacts for the hospitality industry especially for the hotel businesses. Some of these effects affect the way in which an organization operates. Flexibles working affects both the technological and human resources aspects of the organization. Of the impacts of flexible working in on the hotels is that it improves the recruitment processes in the hotel businesses. Employees are attracted to the hotel that offers them employment on a flexible working basis so that they can find time to carry out the rest of their activities. Moreover, many employers note that flexible working also acts as a source of motivation for their employees. For example, in a study done by CIPD (2005, p. 3), the researchers found out that over 70% of the Human Resource managers sampled reported that the factor of motivation had benefitted much from the aspect of flexible working hours. Moreover, the hotel businesses need to retain employees to not only enable expansion but also remain profitable. CIPD (2005) suggest that flexible working can enable retention for a business hence the company gets to save a lot. For example, the hotel can hire employees can hire employees on flexible working when their business is at its peak. This way the company can save on the costs of recruitment. The view those flexible working enables retention is also supported by (caterer.com, n.d; Croucher and Rizov, 2014) who note that no organization would want to lose their valued employees just because they prefer to work on a flexible working basis. Furthermore, both the employees and their employees in the hotel industry benefit from flexible working hours. The other impact that flexible working has on businesses in the hospitality industry is that they have to restructure their human resource departments to meet the demands of the employees working on a flexible basis. The payrolls also have to be restructured in such a way that all employees are paid in terms of the work that they. Flexible working in the hospitality industry will also mean that the payers in the industry have to come up with new regulations to not only suit them but also their employees. Flexible working also impacts the way the new ideas are perceived and adopted by both a business and its employees. For example, flexible working hours are a new introduction in the hospitality industry. Indiana.edu, n.d note that the success of new idea will depend on four factors; the innovation, the communication channels, the time and the social system. In terms of the change, the adoption of flexible hours depends on various factors. For example, the adoption of flexible working will depend on the relative advantage that it has compared to other models of working. Moreover, the aspect will also depend on the how flexible hours is seen to be consistent that other models. Flexible working also depends on the time in which it is introduced. For example in the hospitality industry, employees are hired on a flexible working basis during the peak season and during the off peak season, the hotels reduce the number of their employees. Some employees adapt early to the new condition; a majority of them is early adopters. Moreover, various employees adapt in different ways to new working conditions. At times, employees in the hospitality industry have to adjust from working on a full-time basis to a flexible working basis. Some employees can express reservations while other employees will embrace the opportunity. The employees are assessed to see those that are suitable to work on a full-time basis and those that are suitable for flexible working. The more an employee’s skills and knowledge correspond to requirements of the hospitality industry, the more they will feel satisfied and perform better in their jobs. Question 1b Although some players in the hospitality industry have adopted the model of flexible working, some others are still lagging behind in this trend. More and more employees prefer flexible working arrangements in the hospitality industry. The future of the hospitality industry lies in the model of flexible working. Moreover, flexible working in the hospitality industry will mean that workers will have an enhanced balance between their work and home. They will only get enough time to work but also allocate time that they will use to spend with their families (Marshal et al., 2009 p.3; ACAS, 2011). What is more, flexible working will bring down the number so people that depend on benefits; employees will get to work several jobs with the model of flexible working. This way, the employees can increase their income and meet their daily needs. Furthermore, flexible working will reduce the rates of absenteeism. Employees will be more productive as they will get to work more hours. Office space in the hospitality industry will also be freed up due to the introduction of flexible working. For example, part- time staff will not have to be on duty at the same time as the full-time employees (Clark, 2012). Generation y has also been perceived to prefer working on a flexible basis; they like to try their hands on many things hence will not be available for working on a full-time basis at all times (Changeboard.com, n.d.). Question 2a Several areas are yet to be explored in terms of research. One of these areas is comparing the adoption pattern across business units (Chen and Holsapple, 2013 p.278). This comparison should involve either business organizations versus nonprofit organizations or health care organizations versus business organizations. Such a study will prove to be significant in many ways. To begin with, it will enable the researcher find out who between the units being compared adopts mobile e-business and at what rate. Moreover, this area of study has been suggested among others as areas of research in mobile e-businesses that are yet to be explored. This area of research also proves significant since it will help in determining the benefits that have been accrued by either the business organizations or the non-profits organizations. Furthermore, the comparison can also determine if these benefits are similar or if they are different and in what ways. What is more, the study may help in determining the type of e-mobile that are being adopted by either of the two business units being compared. The study may also aid in determining the reason other business have not taken the e-mobile business. With such information, the study can come up with suggestions to address the reservation raised by the business have not taken up e-mobile business. The study may also prove to be important if it finds out the employees the organization trains when they adopt the e-mobile business model. Does the business have to incur extra costs in terms of hiring new employees or does the business have to lay off some employees if it adopts e-mobile business. Additionally, the study may compare the effects that e-mobile business has had on the sampled business units and come up with recommendations to help other businesses adopt e-mobile business. Question 2b Any contribution that a new technology makes can be measured to ascertain if it has come with positive or detrimental effects. The comparison of the adoption of various business units can only be measured if an in-depth comparison of the adoption rates is done. The researchers must aim to find out the diffusion rate in the businesses being compared for at least three years so that they can come up with reliable results. Moreover, the researchers should understand the various factors that affect the preference of e-mobile business. This aspect can be measured by looking at how each application has been adopted over the years, and the numbers of the business units being compared have adopted the technology. What is more, the study can be measured in terms of the demand determinants that are behind the adoption of the e-mobile business model (Hall and Khan, 2002, p.8; Heijstek and Vliet, n.d). Question 2c There are several academic models that can be attached to this paper; however, this paper will only make use of three theoretical models. These models are the technology acceptance model, the diffusion adoptive model and the work adjustment theory. These models will prove useful in understanding since the paper will use images and diagrams to represent and explain the models. The technology acceptance model is not only one of the most promising models that represent but also presents a significant theoretical structure to examine as well as predict an individual’s technology acceptance. Emerging information technology cannot bring with it improved business performance if it is not accepted as well as used by the potential user. The technology acceptance model is a function of various factors among them the relative advantage and the ease of use (Khosrwopour, 2006). This model can be employed to address the comparison of adoption among various business units. The perceived usefulness of the technology refers to the users prejudiced probability that using a particular application system will increase their job performance in the organizational context. Some of these perceived benefits include working more quickly, enhancing job performance, increased productivity and effectiveness. The other benefits include making the job easier and be useful not only the user but also the organization at large (Kamel, 2004; Yang, Lee, Park and Lee, 2014). The perceived ease of use refers to the degree to which the potential users expect the new system to be free of effort. Some of the perceived ease of use include the system should be easy to learn. Moreover, the system should be clear and understandable and be easy for the employees to become more skillful. The new system should also enable the employees to control it quickly and be easy to remember (Kamel, 2004). If the e-mobile business meets all these aspects, then the companies will adopt it readily. The image below shows a diagrammatic illustration of the technology acceptance model. Technology Acceptance Model (Kamel, 2004) The other model that can be used is the innovation adoption model; this model shows how different people adapt different techniques. From the image below, these people are divided into several groups that range from the early adopters to the late adopters. In any organization, these types of groups will always exist. The innovators are the people that come up with the e-mobile e-business ideas and are essential in the development of new ideas. The early adopters consist of people that are opinion leaders and try out new technologies but in careful ways. The early majority is made up of people that accept change more quickly as compared to others. The late majority, on the other hand, is made up of people that are skeptics about new technology but only adopt it when the majorities are using it. The last group is the laggards; these groups are critical of new ideas and will only use them if the ideas become mainstream (valuebasedmanagement.net, 2014). In any type of business set-up, all these groups of technology adapters represented by the model will always exist. For example, some businesses in both the profit and non-profit sectors have already adopted e-mobile business and this is the group that is referred to as early adopters. The early majority is made up of businesses that have accepted e-mobile business; this group has adopted model in a faster manner when compared to other businesses. The other example is the late majority; this group consists of business that will adopt e-mobile business just because other businesses are using it. The laggards, on the other hand, are still waiting for e-mobile business to become conventional before they can make a decision to use the model. Technology Diffusion Model (valuebasedmanagement.net, 2014). The other model that can be used in the study is the work adjustment theory. The theory has two major components. The first component is the satisfaction while the other factor is the employer’s approval of the employee’s performance (careers today, 2009, p.1). The theory can be used to showcase how various employees adapt to new working situations and how the organizations respond. For example, the introduction of the e-mobile business will be dependent on the employee’s abilities as well as their abilities. The employer, on the other hand, will set skill requirements that are supposed to be met by all the employees (Brown and Lent, 2012; Patton and McMahon, 2014). Theory of Work Adjustment (Dawis & Lofquist, 1984) Question 2d The ongoing business developments in both the profits and non-profit sectors mean that many businesses will continue to adopt e-mobile business technologies. The business that will not do this will risk being ineffective and may be out of business sooner than later. The e-mobile business is expected to change the way business are run. Moreover, the businesses will be more efficient if they adopt the e-mobile business. Given that the number of businesses taking up e-mobile business will increase, the number of innovators of the e-mobile applications will also go up. Moreover, the field is expected to attract more sponsors who will be ready to fund the development of the e-mobile applications to make the business experience better. Moreover, more businesses are expected to provide platforms for their employees to development the e-mobile applications. BIBLIOGRAPHY ACAS, (2011). The right to apply for flexible working a short guide for employers, working parents and carers. 1st ed. [ebook] London: ACAS. Available at: http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/n/o/Right-to-apply-for-flexible-working-a-short-guide-PRE-30-June-2014.pdf [Accessed 6 May 2015]. Brown, S., and Lent, R. (2012). Career development and counseling. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley. careers today, (2009). Theory of work adjustment. 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: https://careersintheory.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/theories_twa.pdf [Accessed 6 May 2015]. Caterer.com, (n.d.). How the hotel industry is embracing flexible working. [online] Available at: http://www.caterer.com/careers-advice/flexible-working/hotel-industry-embraces-flexible-working [Accessed 6 May 2015]. Changeboard.com, (n.d.). The future of flexible working in the 21st century. [online] Available at: http://www.changeboard.com/content/4501/leadership-and-management/employment-law/the-future-of-flexible-working-in-the-21st-century/ [Accessed 6 May 2015]. CIPD, (2005). FLEXIBLE WORKING: IMPACT AND IMPLEMENTATION AN EMPLOYER SURVEY. 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://www.cipd.co.uk/binaries/flexworksurv0205.pdf [Accessed 6 May 2015]. Clark, E. (2012). Is flexible working the way of the future? [online] Available at: http://www.hrbullets.co.uk/unplugged/is-flexible-working-the-way-of-the-future.html [Accessed 6 May 2015]. Croucher, R. and Rizov, M. (2014). MNEs and flexible working practices in Mauritius. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, pp.1-17. Chen, L. and Holsapple, C. (2013). E - BUSINESS ADOPTION RESEARCH: STATE OF THE ART. 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://web.csulb.edu/journals/jecr/issues/20133/Paper5.pdf [Accessed 7 May 2015]. Heijstek, A. and Vliet, H. (n.d.). Measuring Adoption of Software Processes. 1st ed. [ebook] Available at: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~hans/publications/y2006/SMEF2006.pdf [Accessed 7 May 2015]. Kamel, S. (2004). Technology Acceptance Model. The American University of Cairo. Khan, B. and Hall, A. (2002). Adoption of New Technology. 1st ed. 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YANG, H-D., LEE, J., Park, C., Lee, K., 2014 The Adoption of Mobile Self-Service Technologies: Effects of Availability in Alternative Media and Trust on the Relative Importance of Perceived Usefulness and Ease of Use, Journal of Smart Home Vol.8, No.4 (2014), pp.165-178 Read More