Causes and Effects of Technological Innovation - Research Paper Example

Causes and Effects of Technological Innovation Introduction The history of technological innovation reflects the brilliance of human brain. From the printing press in the 15th century through the external combustion steam engine in the 17th century and to the smartphones in the 21st century, mankind has been on a never-ending journey of technological advancement (Andrews). Various social, economic, and political factors have fueled the vehicle of technological innovation. Technological innovation is the term that defines the fundamental characteristic of the modern age. This paper discusses certain causes and effects of technological innovation. Causes of technological innovation primarily include widening of the body of knowledge and globalization whereas The Major Effects Of Technological Innovation include increased competition, wastage of resources, and improved lifestyle. Causes Increased knowledge creation Continuation of the process of research and education has resulted in widening of the body of knowledge. The very knowledge has been used to make technological advancement which in turn has become both the cause and effect of technological innovation. Technological innovation is realized with the use of latest technology. In order to produce the latest model of a mobile phone or a laptop, a whole machinery is needed which was in turn created with the improved processes of metal extraction, refinement, modification, and shaping resulting from technological advancement since the Industrial age. Modularity is the term used for “the refinements in industrial processes that allowed high-volume output of functionally identical parts. This enabled mass production…and the profound shift from handmade to volume-produced versions of everything” (Fallows). The machinery and equipment today is the most sophisticated than it has ever been in the past in terms of cost-effectiveness, efficiency, productivity, user-friendliness, and convenience of use. Globalization Globalization is another cause of technological innovation. Globalization has paved way for increased exchange and trade of resources used in making the end products as well as the equipment and machinery required to produce them. “In its most modest use – which is also the easiest to be recorded and thus quantified – the expression ‘globalization of innovation’ is short hand for the increasing international scope of the generation and diffusion of technologies” (Archibugi and Iammarino 99). The Internet has played a prime role in promoting globalization. Social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter and social media websites like YouTube have provided people and business entrepreneurs with means to network with the people they need and access the information they require to make technological innovation. Globalization has promoted understanding of different cultures across the boundaries. Understanding of the needs, values, culture, trends and traditions of different societies has helped big corporations a lot in deciding what product features and characteristics are needed and appreciated by the people of a certain community. Technological innovation has resulted from successful business that could not be made possible without understanding the needs of the target audience and the best ways and means to approach them. Effects Increased competition One effect of technological innovation is unnecessary expenditure. People have become more careless and irresponsible with respect to the use of their money. People purchase a mobile phone not because they are deprived of the means to communicate with each other, but just because they want to have the latest model, even if the existing model is better than the latest model in many ways. The motivation to purchase the latest model comes from such detrimental factors as the need to look modern, stylish, and classy. People have indulged themselves in a dirty competition of showing off themselves as the best compared to everybody else. Being the best in the highly materialistic and technology- and innovation-obsessed world means having the latest gadgets. Unfortunately, this status is challenged as soon as a friend gets the latest model. The very competition exists among the companies involved in making these models. Every company tries to introduce a model with more promising qualities than others. The biggest sufferers of this system are the uneducated and poor workers and farmers that do not have the competency to make informed decisions as to where they should invest their time, money, effort, and resources in order to stay competitive at least in the domestic markets (Goodland et al 101). Wastage of resources Another effect of technological innovation is wastage of resources. Not only are a lot of resources utilized in constant technological innovation, but also people stop using the old models as soon as the new model is introduced into the market. In the past, if a computer stopped functioning, people would try their best to have it repaired. Nowadays, people find it a reason to justify the purchase of a new computer without putting in the effort to have the old one repaired. “The old corporate model of "take, make and chuck" is not sustainable. Our obsession with gadgetry and technology is now driving industry to open new mines around the world, squandering energy, biodiversity and water at every stage of extraction” (“Electronic waste”). The level of sophistication and class today is determined by how often one consumes rather than how much one preserves. This is a very dangerous and detrimental trend that has started to gain momentum in the society and can have drastic consequences for the future generations. Improved lifestyle There is no doubt in the fact that technological innovation has played a huge role in improving the quality of life of people in the modern age. Use of mobile phones and digital media has opened new channels of communication 24/7. This has both positive and negative effects as the “ideas of democracy, theocracy, compassion, and hate can all find instant audiences” (Sanford). With the facility of being able to talk to anyone anytime, people can accomplish more goals in lesser time. Technological innovation has made things simpler and life easier. Many different sorts of gadgets have been merged into one gadget. No longer does a person need to wear a wrist watch or carry a calculator in the pocket or a diary in the bag as the functions of all these things are performed by apps on their smartphones. Technological innovation has improved the portability of data manifolds which has helped boost education, productivity, and economy. People can shop online which obviates the need for them to spend extra money on purchasing the fuel for driving up to the mall. The whole experience of shopping as improved as a result of technological innovation because people can see the product from a variety of angles and even read consumers’ reviews about them before deciding to purchase the products. This helps people make informed decisions while buying so that they are able to purchase better and more things with lesser expenditure. Today, the gadgets are lighter, more portable, more stylish, and better-equipped to perform a variety of functions that even so many bigger and heavier gadgets could not perform in the past. Conclusion Technological innovation has played a defining role in the shaping of the world’s history. The pace of technological advancement today is much more than it has ever been in the past. The quality of technological innovations also far supersedes the quality of old or ancient innovations. Surprisingly, most of the causes of technological innovation e.g. technological advancement, knowledge creation, and globalization are also its effects. Technological innovation has spurred competition at all levels; among people, entrepreneurs, and even countries. People have become less responsible and caring with respect to appropriate and adequate use of their money and resources. However, technological innovation has certainly improved the quality of life today. Works Cited: Andrews, Evan. “11 Innovations That Changed History.” 18 Dec. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Archibugi, Daniele, and Iammarino, Simona. “The globalization of technological innovation: definition and evidence.” Review of International Political Economy. Vol. 9. No. 1. (2002): 98-122. “Electronic waste: we must design gadgets that don't poison the planet.” theguardian. 14 Dec. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Fallows, James. “The 50 Greatest Breakthroughs Since the Wheel.” The Atlantic. 23 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Goodland, Robert J. A. et al. Population, Technology, and Lifestyle: The Transition to Sustainability. Island Press, 1992. Print. Sanford, Stephanie. “Civic Life in the Information Age: Policy, Technology and Generational Change.” 2014. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. . Read More