Collaborative Learning Project of Industrial Design - Term Paper Example

?‘Information Systems Have Revolutionised the Way We Work’ Table of Contents Introduction 3 Defining Information Systems 3 Computer Have Revolutionised the Way We Work 4 Computer Revolutionised Workplace Activity 5 Computer Revolutionised Organisational Forms 5 Computer Revolutionised Business Activity 6 Computer Revolutionised Educational Activity 7 Computers Revolutionised Social Activity 7 Digital Divide of Information System 8 Impact of Digital Divide on Works 9 Impact of Digital Divide on Cultural Activities 9 Impact of Digital Divide on Families 10 Conclusion 11 References 12 Introduction Nowadays, information systems have successfully integrated in several aspects of life of people. Due to the virtue of information systems, almost anything people desire can be delivered. Besides, information systems have made possible to access personal information at any time and from any place. People are able to conduct business activities through the internet, parents can reach to their children from distant places by mobile phones and patients can obtain and share information accurately. These are a few of the ways in which information systems have provided advantages to the regular activities (Morgan, 2006). Based on this aspect, the report describes how information systems have influenced and revolutionised the way people work. Furthermore, the report also illuminates two key aspects of information systems along with their impact on work. Defining Information Systems Information system is regarded as the technology which is used for storing, controlling, dispensing and generating information. This technology includes any mechanism capable of processing data of information systems. Information systems use certain tools in order to perform calculations, record information, manipulate data and communicate messages to people. On the other hand, the ways in which people work comprise procedures used for individuals and organisations. Individuals and organisations apply certain procedures in order to accomplish subjective task (Yu, 2004). Computer Have Revolutionised the Way We Work A vital example of information system is the development of computer. The work of every individual and organisation has completely changed with the advent of computer. Computer system actually arrived during 1930s and laid the foundation for numerous activities. The present world is completely revolutionised by computer systems. Computer is presently observed in every office of metropolitan areas and it is difficult to think about modern organisations without computers. Regular tasks would be extremely inefficient without using computers. For example, managing customer records in an organisation can be performed effortlessly with the use of computers. Computer systems have replaced manual management of customer records to electronic ways of management (Zammuto & et. al., 2007). In today’s information age, computers are regarded as a machine that can process information and provide the function of communication. The first thematic ritual in the history of computer took form with queries impersonated by experts and pioneers of digital computing. The second thematic tradition in the history of computer is shifting focus to historical roots of the information age and the third thematic tradition is pioneering machines that can be differentiated with the work of historians. The history of computing is a hybrid area that has increasingly drawn on diverse disciplines and methods. Researchers in the area of humanities and social sciences frequently demonstrate a form of hybrid vigour where a core area of discipline is invigorated by the exchange with neighbouring areas or disciplines. Historians of computing have positively looked outward to neighbouring areas and disciplines for conceptual inspiration. Various organisations, corporate cultures and industries have found importance of flow of information in order to carry out regular activities (Misa, 2007). Computer Revolutionised Workplace Activity Computer has changed the paradigm of office since early 1990s by the creation of alternative work strategies. For several organisations, alternative work strategies are synonymous with paperless office, telecommuting and workforce in the cloud. Nevertheless, as present organisations face unparalleled challenges, attention is turning to newer work strategies that have drastically changed office environments. Computer has provided an opportunity to support work with innovative design approaches and applications. Due to the pressure created by present days’ workforce, the businesses have expanded globally and with the emergence of economic recession, two aspects have become key areas of attention for modern businesses. The first aspect is that organisations require reduction of expenses on two facets namely employees and real estate and the second aspect is that in order to stay competitive, organisations must accelerate the pace of knowledge work. Due to this reason, several organisations have turned to alternative work strategies by using computer as a method of quick fix (Steelcase, 2009). Computer Revolutionised Organisational Forms Computer system has revolutionised the organisational forms through several ways. For example, computer systems have instituted virtual collaboration and mass collaboration. Virtual collaboration comprises synchronous and asynchronous communication tools. In synchronous communication, communication is conducted in real-time and in asynchronous communication, collaboration is done by applicants at different times. On the other hand, mass collaboration is a form of collective activity that occurs when a large number of individuals perform individually on a single assignment. Computer has also changed the way of monitoring through electronic observation of the whole work and business procedures. Additionally, computer has also brought innovations because of quicker and less administrative works. Introduction of computer system has developed two types of organisational forms namely virtual organisations and networked organisations. Virtual organisational form helps to deal with the issue of lack of physical space and networked organisational form help to mitigate the issue of a lack of boundary (Mowschowitz, 1994; Chen & You, 2007). The following table demonstrates the impact of computer on organisational form: Pre-computerised Organisations Computerised Organisations Face to face communication Computer oriented communication Centralised and hierarchical organisational forms Virtual and networked organisational forms Departmental work Distributed work Direct supervision Electronic supervision Paper based office Paperless office More manual work pressure More mental work pressure Computer Revolutionised Business Activity Computer system has revolutionised the business activities and drastically changed the way these activities are conducted presently. For example, until 1980s, big organisations used to rent large spaces for conducting accounting works such as calculation of accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll among others. Presently, the landscape of accounting has changed considerably where about five to six employees with computer are able to provide much output than about twenty to thirty employees of traditional times. Furthermore, computer system also has assisted to generate any report at any prescribed format within no time. This revolution is regarded as automation where business works have moved from manual to computerised system (The Financial Standard, 2007). Computer Revolutionised Educational Activity Computer system has revolutionised education by augmenting classroom-learning experiences. Computer allows students to conduct comprehensive research and to communicate with education service providers. Computer has opened up a new world of communication, permitting students to access and evaluate a vast amount of information. Computer has also changed the method of analysis, reading and processing instructive components. Computer has established the way of appealing students in project oriented learning. Through computer system, students are able to evaluate historical evidences and it also makes it easy for making scientific findings. With sharing files and works through computers, students are able to distribute knowledge rapidly and efficiently than before (Rij & Warrington, 2010). Concerning teachers, computer systems have changed the delegation of time and concentration. Several computer programs and learning applications support teachers in addressing the requirements of students and making the learning experience more exciting. Computer has also revolutionised the way teachers record marks, calculate averages, monitor absences and maintain assignment records. Computer system is used for devising classroom activities and preparing presentations for students. Furthermore, it has also changed the development of basic skills such as grammar and spelling among others (Rij & Warrington, 2010). Computers Revolutionised Social Activity Since the introduction, computer system has also revolutionised the social activities. Computer has created a new set of cultural norms and brought new ways of communicating with people. Computer has provided online banking and online purchasing facilities which have influenced the traditional ways to a certain extent. Likewise, previously politicians could only reach public by using traditional media such as print or broadcasting. Presently, computer has changed the way of communication where politicians can use social media or other digital media to reach target audience. Besides, computer has also changed military activities in order to break secret codes or to undertake technical investigations (Harris, 2006). Digital Divide of Information System Due to the advancement of information system, there has been an increase in the body of works about how it has transformed the way people live and work. The ongoing development of information technology invariably has its winners and losers. Winners are typically those individuals who have embraced new technologies either as employers or as employees. On the other hand, losers are those who have been displaced by the massive development of information system and have failed to keep pace with information system applications in the workplace. This gap between the winners and losers of information system is termed as ‘digital divide’ (Keogh, 2004). Impact of Digital Divide on Works Presently, information system is used in different ways and also has become quite popular among young individuals. Information system based communication is quite common in present days where people at times use real name or virtual personalities. This technology is also used for gathering information and assistance from any subject such as sports, music and science among others. Young individuals often use information system in order to develop identity. In rich societies, the use of information system by children as well as young individuals is largely identical in nature. Nowadays, children who belong to modern society are enclosed by more information and communication technologies than the children of previous generations. In developed nations, practically every child lives in houses which are equipped with basic instruments of information systems (United Nations, 2003). Impact of Digital Divide on Cultural Activities In investigating information systems, it is impossible to ignore the fact that young individuals in present days reside in multiple cultures simultaneously. They are forced to struggle with a variety of different occupations and adjustment issues. In present days, while certain young individuals live in poor circumstances, others contemplate their identities through personal computers; while certain individuals struggle to escape the authority of parents, others seek for somebody to provide security and support (United Nations, 2003). Due to emergence of information system, youths in present days are confronting an international media culture that characterises a combining force and a type of cultural pedagogics that educate them how to act in present digitised world. The international media culture is bounding the activities of teenagers like a pressure wave. The force towards amalgamation impacted by media culture differs from one society to another and depends on young person’s media competency along with the power to resist external influences. The culture pervaded by information systems has created a situation in which older way of socialisation has changed to a certain extent and replaced by new ones. In todays’ world, information system institutes a socialisation force which is possibly stronger than traditional times (Sarah Newton Consultancy, 2013). Impact of Digital Divide on Families The gap created by information system has also created an impact on families. Presently, more and more individuals have internet access, but the late adopters of information system do not possess the knowledge they require to completely utilise the virtue of the internet and other information system technologies. According to the research of Nominet, younger parents with age group of 18 to 35 are quite aware of the new world created by information system, where due to inadequate structure and lack of knowledge, older parents are not aware regarding the aspects of new world. Information systems have revolutionised several aspects of family culture such as communication, discussion and electronic commerce and similar to other technologies such as mobile phone, early adopters of information system technology have left the older generation far behind. By itself, several parents have been left aground, where their children understand much more regarding running a laptop, smartphone or tablet. Present generation’s children have grown with information system technologies and they have taken the new developments of this technology perfectly in education, socialisation and other aspects of life. They have accepted information system as a norm by leaving behind their parents. The digital lives of children and young individuals have remained a mystery for their parents and most of them do not understand their activities in online environment. Modern individuals are getting entertained in different ways, using dissimilar languages for communication along with making friends instantly, thereby changing the way of work (Sarah Newton Consultancy, 2013). Conclusion The progression of information system by digitisation and networking has completely altered the way people work. It has successfully changed the nature of business, office works, education and social relationships. The cost of gathering and sharing information has changed and any person can involve in the networked world. However, information system has also generated a gap among people who have embraced the new technology effectively and those who were unable to exploit the new technology. The key thought of information system is not simply to digitise different works, but to advance them by using technology. Thus, by concluding the key aspects of information system, it can be stated that in future, this technology would result in fundamental changes in personal and social life. Furthermore, information system will change the activities of people in diverse industrial segments. References Chen, W. & You, M., 2007. The Differences Between the Influences of Synchronous and Asynchronous Modes on Collaborative Learning Project of Industrial Design. Online Communities and Social Computing, Vol. 4564, pp. 275-283. Harris, M., 2006. F. W. Taylor and the Legacies of Systemization. Information, Communication & Society, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 109-120. Keogh, M., 2004. The Digital Divide and Older Workers: A Social Capital Perspective of Computer and Technology Literacy in the Workplace. The University of Queensland. [Online] Available at: http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:106873 [Accessed November 28, 2013]. Misa, T. J., 2007. Understanding ‘How Computing Has Changed the World’. 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