Opportunities and Drawbacks Provided by Mobile Technology - Literature review Example

Mobile Technology Introduction As a result of technological advancement, and mobile technology in particular, organisations have an opportunity to improve services to clients or customers. Prior to the advent of mobile technology, organisations had problems in providing services to their clients. For instance, it was cumbersome to process paper work, make payments or communicate with fellow staff in matters related to work. However, this has been simplified with the availability of modern technology that has made the delivery of services and organisation’s work to be adaptable. On another note, the advent of technology means that organisations have to assess their technological capabilities to remain relevant in a more competitive market that is currently embracing mobile technology to enhance organisational performance. In terms of using mobile technology, there are a number of IT devices that organisations can use to improve their services. This involves for example, laptops, smart phones, GPS (Global Positioning Systems), personal digital assistants and the wireless debit or credit card payment terminals. These devices in essence present organisations with an opportunity to change their operations and adapt to the current trends in the market (Rapp 34). Opportunities provided by mobile technology Using mobile technology, organisations have managed to simplify operations by using the technology. These technologies ensure that services are provided at a fast rate compared to a manual provision of services. Further, the existence of the internet, presents organisations with an opportunity to reach their customers in a simpler manner. Initially, organisations incurred extra costs in terms of making advertisements in newspapers or on TV to reach their customers (Shacklett 22). In addition, catalogues for products had to be printed and sold in the retail shops for clients to purchase and check the available products. However, with the existence of mobile technology, it is possible for organisations to develop their own website and post both products and services that they can offer to their customers. This is made possible because these devices such as smart phones or laptops are fitted with internet connectivity that enables the staff to interact businesswise with their customers. On another note, with mobile technology there is more flexibility in terms of how workers operate in the office. For instance, rather than moving up and down to deliver information or interact with a co-worker, workers can take advantage of the internet connectivity that comes with these devices to interact with other workers (Shacklett 24). On the other hand, the business world is more adaptable and continues to change with the introduction of new mobile IT devices. As such, organisations need to take advantage of the advancement to improve their performances. For instance, as a result of the availability of mobile technology, directors of multinational companies or professionals with special expertise do not need to travel in order to attend a board meeting or provide expert advice. This can be done through the means of video conferencing that has been made possible because of the advancement in the mobile technology (Ramsey 43). Making purchases or placing an order used to be a hectic process for both organisations and their clients. This is because the process needed a lot of paper work before a product can be delivered to customers or any other agents. However, with the availability of mobile technology, the manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and consumers are presented with a simpler means of placing their orders through an online process. In addition, placing an order is made simpler in the sense that one does not need to be present physically. In essence, the best alternative for organisations to cut on their operation cost involves the use of the available mobile technology devices. This ensures that additional cost incurred in terms of employing numerous processes are avoided since the purpose of most of the I.T devices involves making the work of organisations simpler and cost effective (Ramsey 45). Using the available mobile technology, organisations have an opportunity to develop various applications to make office work more efficient. For instance, rather than having a manual filing systems, organisations can take advantage of the mobile technology to develop a data management system that can be stored and retrieved using the available I.T devices such as the computer where the organisation can connect the filing system to all the computers in an organisation. As a result, it will be easier for the staff to retrieve files that are needed probably to provide services to customers. The reliance on I.T data management system rather than a manual filing system is a significant advantage especially for organisations dealing with many customer files on a daily basis. There are a number of institutions that can benefit tremendously by relying on an I.T filing system. This includes institutions of higher learning, hospitals and government departments that serve the public (Gebauer, Shaw and Gribbins 262). On another note, mobile technology also enables various institutions that offer human services to engage their clients online rather than visiting their clients and vice versa. This helps to cut on unnecessary cost such as transport costs. In addition, such a venture offers professionals with an avenue to attract more clients who visit their websites. For instance, a practicing professional such as a psychologist can use Skype to engage a client from another geographical location. These services are also possible because, as a result of technological advancements, the client can make payments online (Dai, Hu and Zhang 103). Organisations that mainly deal in service provision can also take advantage of mobile technology to bring services closer to their customers. This may include for instance, providing internet services to remote areas. In underdeveloped regions, the communities lack proper communication channels to the outside world and this means that they cannot interact with relatives or friends on the other side. In addition, such communities lack up to date developments that affect their lives and as a result, are not able to take action geared at improving their lives. This includes information related to better methods of farming or when to expect the rains or whether there is an imminent disaster that may affect negatively on their lives. As an opportunity, organisations that offer internet services can take this chance by taking internet services to remote areas in order to offer such communities the opportunity to interact with the outside world (Banks 13). In some remote regions in Africa, there are organisations that have installed computers and internet on automobiles and often traverse remote regions to offer residents a chance to access the internet. While this provides such organisations with an opportunity to expand service delivery, it also assist such remote communities to become knowledgeable with regard to information that impact on their daily livelihood (Banks 14). With regard to marketing a product to a client or customer, organisations can rely on mobile technology to make their presentations to clients or prospective customers. For example, the real estate business is very competitive and to attract more clients, the agents can capitalize on mobile technology to improve on flexibility in terms of looking for clients. This is because it is no longer advisable for most business to seat back and wait for clients to visit their offices (Jarvenpaa and Lang 7). The business world has become competitive and success depends on the strategy that a business develops. In this sense, a real estate agent can visit a prospective client physically and present his or her product to the client using some of the available mobile technology devices. This can be such as the smartphone and still get the message to the prospective client in an appropriate manner rather than waiting for a client to visit the office and take him or her to the site. This similarly, goes to other ventures that have to look for clients or convince prospective investors to consider being part of their intended projects. For instance, an architecture presenting a building project to prospective investors can make his or her work simpler by just using presentation software to make his or her case to the prospective investors (Jarvenpaa and Lang 10). Many organisations have lost customers as a result of relying on an outdated means of marketing their products. In the current global business, competitiveness is defined by embracing modern technology and one such technology is the mobile technology that continues to revolutionize operations and the delivery of services globally. In terms of improving operations and service delivery, commercial entities can also take advantage of the GPS (Global Positioning System) that is fitted in most of the available mobile technology devices. The GPS is instrumental for commercial entities in numerous ways. For instances, organisations that deal with the transportation and delivery of goods to clients can rely on the GPS installed in either the vehicle or in the driver’s phone to locate routes for their destinations (Zuckerman 44). This ensures that goods are delivered to customers on time and without any delays since the system assist drivers to know the route and location where they are heading. Most organisations such as the NGO often suffer delays in terms of reaching their destinations where they can provide relief or emergency services to the affected communities. However, the existent of a GPS on their vehicle or mobile phones ensure that personnel of such organisations can locate their destinations (Zuckerman 47). On the other hand, the availability of PDA (Personal Digital Assist) is another device that organisations at present, should not overlook in terms of improving performance and delivery of services. For instance, a medical profession can rely on PDA to access various needs such as information related to treatment or the drug databases. This in turn assists the medical practitioner to improve the delivery of services to his or her patients. Organisations can also take advantage of the existence of wireless terminals to improve services delivery to their customers or clients. For instance, the wireless point of sale terminals offers an opportunity for a business entity to provide services to customers or clients anywhere through reliance on a virtual means (Garritano 12). On the other hand, mobile technology has led to the improvement of payment services. In addition, mobile technology has also contributed to clients making transactions with their banks without having to visit the bank physically. This is because most banking institutions have endeavored to liaise with mobile phone service providers to make such transactions possible (Wood 18). Consequently, banking institutions needs to take advantage of such an initiative to ensure that their customers are serviced efficiently without delays that sometimes is caused by slower operations at the bank or many people to be served. In Kenya, there is a mobile phone payment service known as M-pesa that allows money transfer from one mobile phone owner to another mobile user. Through the same channel, mobile phone owners can transfer money from their M-pesa account to their bank accounts. The service has been a tremendous success and being the first of its kind in Africa, other mobile service operators in other countries might consider starting a similar service to ensure that clients can receive and transfer money with ease (Olapade 82). In a region that is still going through the process of embracing technological development, mobile phone service providers need to take advantage to expand their services in such regions. For instance in Africa, the use of mobile phone for communication is still at its formative stage and many people are still unaware of the latest technology in the advancement of various technologies associated with communications. With the existence of companies that produce cheap phones that are affordable to the disadvantaged communities in Africa, mobile phone service providers should take advantage of this potential. Other than mobile phone service providers benefiting, this is also an opportunity for cell phone manufacturers to venture in Africa where there is still market potential for mobile phone devices (Olapade 86). The drawbacks associated with mobile technology However, despite the numerous advantages that mobile technology brings to organisations, these devices also have their drawbacks. For instance, introducing the use of I.T systems in an organisation come with the extra cost such as training of staff on how to handle such systems. On the same note, not all organisations have the financial muscle required to acquire the up to date technological devices. This is because, their purchasing cost and maintenance is beyond reach to organisations and especially, small business operatives. In addition, organisations relying on mobile technology have to contend with the possibility of experiencing system failure (Doolin and Ali 2). In the event that such a failure may occur, this results in organisations losing revenue as a result of interference with services or the production process. These technologies are also hampered by security issues that include cybercrime when staff are utilizing technology. It is a common occurrence globally to hear complaints with regard to theft of consumer information which results in significant loss for companies and the consumers. The insider abusers also impact negatively on organisation’s reliance on mobile technology in the sense that, they cost organisations unnecessary expenses as a result of stealing mobile hardware or abusing email. The reliance on mobile technology plays an important role in the work environment and as a result, individuals find themselves disconnected from each other and also, the final product. On the same note, job responsibilities often become delineated and as a result, this creates a situation where only few individuals are required in the final creation of a product. This further creates a situation where workers suffer from boredom or dissatisfaction with their jobs (Doolin and Ali 6). In the current business world, it is common to find most workers relying on technology for their daily use. This includes using mobile technology for purposes of communication or sending messages. This often create problem with the employers or supervisors in case such use is misunderstood where the employee is seen to be rude. The reliance on mobile technology also seems to result in distractions. For instance, emails or instant messages that are viewed as a distraction to the worker because after receiving such messages, it may take some time for the worker to return to a creative state (Rosen 48). On another note, the reliance on mobile technology by most organisations tends to create impersonal perception. For most consumers, reliance on technology makes the business to be impersonal. This relate to a situation where consumers are often bombard with technological communication devices used by most organisations. Most businesses tend to use certain mobile technology systems to provide feedback for client inquires with regard to placed orders for instance, in a company’s website. This may be frustrating to consumers who prefer to meet the business dealers on a personal basis. With mobile technology, communication also seems impersonal for employees because the frequent mode of communication is through email (Rosen 49). While mobile technology has helped to streamline the operations of most organisations, it also leads to job redundancies or outsourcing. As a result, there is a loss of the low and middle level jobs; thus, leaving more people unemployed. As a result of the existence of internet that goes hand in hand with the mobile technology, most experts note that internet results in job insecurity. This is because technology is not static and continues to change frequently; as such, this forces individuals to continue updating themselves with the modern technologies. Mobile technology is considered to create a dominant culture. For instance, mobile phone users all over the world are influenced to buy new phones any time a latest design is introduced in the market (Rosen 50). As a result of organisations embracing mobile technology and appreciating the automation of business systems, this may; however, create overdependence. The main reason associated with automation involves improving the speed of operations in an organisation. However, this also leads to a situation where workers tend to be reliant on mobile technology and forget about how to do such tasks manually. In the event that there is a failure with the technology, this may bring the whole operations of a business down. This is because workers have forgotten how to undertake their tasks manually. Organisations and employers need to ensure that employees are well prepared in case the machines that they use breaks down. This can be done by making sure employees are trained to do the task manually (Doolin and Ali 12). The challenges associated with mobile technology While mobile technologies offer various organisations the opportunity to improve their performance, these technologies also come with numerous challenges. Among the challenges is how organisation can adapt to rapid changes with technological advancement. Most organisations often find themselves lagging behind in terms of updating their technological capabilities and this often affects productivity. The introduction of mobile technology into organisations also comes with the challenge whether employees and clients understand how to use such technological devices. This means that, introducing mobile technology in organisations will require first taking the staff for training on how to use the technology. On the other hand, companies can lose by assuming that their clients are aware on how to use the technology provided to serve their needs (Madrigal 26). The future prospects for mobile technology However, the future prospects for this technology will involve making them simpler to use by workers, this will help in terms of cutting cost of training the workers. On the other hand, the designing of simple to use mobile technology devices will ensure customers get satisfaction for services rendered (Rossi, Tuunainen and Pesonen 859). In addition, it is necessary to further engage in R&D geared at producing mobile technology that cost less in terms of production. This will ensure that the extra cost incurred for production is not transferred to the users such as companies. In addition, affordable mobile technology will revolutionize how services are offered by businesses since even small businesses will be able to afford mobile technology (Vanderbilt 56). Conclusion The advent of mobile technology has revolutionized how businesses operate by moving from manual to automation. This has helped to improve service delivery and profits for most organisations embracing mobile technology. However, despite the opportunities offered by mobile technology, there are also drawbacks that are associated with mobile technology. As such, there is need for further R&D with regard to how mobile technology can be integrated in the business environment without affecting negatively on the business in the end. Works Cited Banks, Ken. Is It Africas Turn? The impact of mobile technology in the developing world is staggering. Boston Review 33.3 (2008): 13-14. Print. Dai, Hua, Hu, Tao, and Zhang, Xihui. Continued use of mobile technology mediated services: A value perspective. The Journal of Computer Information Systems 54.2 (2014): 99-109.Print. Doolin, Bill and Ali, Eman Al Haj. Adoption of Mobile Technology in the Supply Chain: An Exploratory Cross-Case Analysis. International Journal of E-Business Research 4.4 (2008): 1-15.Print. 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