MBA5401Unit II Case StudyColumbia Southern UniversityUnit II, Lecture notes of Accounting

Download MBA5401Unit II Case StudyColumbia Southern UniversityUnit II and more Lecture notes Accounting in PDF only on Docsity! MBA5401 Unit II Case Study Columbia Southern University Unit II Case Study Information technology is the implementation, support, design, and study of computer- based information systems (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 984). Information technology consist of software applications and computer hardware to ensure the technology is working well for users (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 984). Many firms invest in information technology to keep their businesses running efficiently and smoothly. Information technology is essential to businesses to increase performance, gain information, and make better decisions (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 984). UPS Competes Globally with Information Technology UPS and Information Technology UPS invests millions of dollars into advanced technology to allow customers to successfully track their packages using their smart labels (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 23). The smart labels also allow customers the ability to download their own labels using their special software via the UPS website (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 23). Most of the company’s investments are spent on a high level of information technology to improve customer service. The information technology software used by UPS allows customers to view detailed information regarding the sender, destination, and time frame of when the package should arrive (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 23). Customers are likely to be satisfied when they can track and download their own smart labels, this will prevent them from traveling to the local UPS store. Automated Package Tracking System The automated package tracking system is used to monitor and reroute packages during the delivery process for UPS. Customers can view the most updated status through the automated package tracking system (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 24). UPS will use scanning devices to scan the bar code on the package to feed the data’s process. If the system were not available, customer service representatives would be responsible for providing information to the customer regarding their package (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 24). It could also cause slow times for UPS, therefore; customer service representatives would be busy answering inquiries and the response time would be slower. For example, UPS uses the tracking system to provide the information to customers rapidly and the measure of performance would be unavailable if the automated tracking system were not available. How Globalization has Flattened the World Globalization has flattened the world with the constant technology innovations. Competition has increased amongst businesses due to the new technological developments in the world (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1000). Technology has caused the world to reduce costs, however; small businesses may be in danger when attempting to compete domestically. Globalization has caused technology to increase drastically that it creates more flows of people, thus; causing the world to shrink due to global connectors (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1001). The advancement in technology increases more transportation which then increases the polluting caused by manufacturing industries (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1001). For example, manufacturing industries constantly build and reconstruct transportation vehicles because consumers are relying more on technology advanced transportation such as trains and subways. The more local transportation sites available increases costs and pollution. Data Changes How NFL Teams Play the Game and How Fans See It How Information Systems are Transforming Business Workplace behavior is better when teams are collaborating and sharing information about the day-to-day operations in the business (McKnight, Liu, & Pentland, 2020, p. 1031). What is a Smart Product? In simple terms, a smart product is a product that is linked to the Internet to provide information to consumers such as the environment, its users, and itself. Smart products are designed for consumers to make their lives more efficient and easier. Today, many smart devices detect location, optimize usage, and provide health status (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 101). An example of a smart product would be an Apple Watch. An Apple Watch is smart product that was developed by Apple to help users track their daily activities and health. Not only does the Apple Watch detect health and activities, but it can also be used for texting, calls, walkie talkie, and much more. The Apple Watch was created to mirror the iPhone, therefore; there are various apps that are available to download on the watch as well as ability of Internet usage. Smart Products and Rivalry Amongst Firms Smart products create opportunities in the market, therefore; the value proposition enhances (McKnight, Liu, & Pentland, 2020, p. 1039). Firms are using smart products in their day-to-day operations. As technology advances, smart products advance as well, thus; creating different pricing strategies based on the market (McKnight, Liu, & Pentland, 2020, p. 1039). For example, Apple has developed smart Air Pods. Apple is not the first organization to develop smart, wireless headphones, therefore; competitors are developing pricing strategies against Apple and other firms in the market. While many consumers admire the low pricing of some smart headphones, other consumers admire the technology advancement of others and are willing to pay the highest price for the best technology (McKnight, Liu, & Pentland, 2020, p. 1040). Some firms customize products for consumers to enhance price realization and differentiation (McKnight, Liu, & Pentland, 2020, p. 1040). Many firms develop smart products that have access to phone connectivity, thus; making it easier for consumers to link all their devices together. The constant technology advancements and expansion of smart capabilities increase the rivalry of firms as firms attempt to follow the trends of technical capabilities (McKnight, Liu, & Pentland, 2020, p. 1041). Are Cars Becoming Big Brother on Wheels? How Technology Trends May Cause Ethical Dilemmas While technology is considered popular amongst organization, there are some ethical dilemmas that could arise. Some ethical issues amongst technology are, privacy, access right, and copyright (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1011). Many technology users have their own hardware and software tools, however; there are servers that connect those users to other data sources and users (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1011). If those users accidently disclose information, the user and organization are at risk of privacy issues. Privacy dilemmas are common in the technology world as there are many hackers and external users who gain access to unsecured drives, data, and information. Access rights become a huge dilemma when corporations or the government did not have access rights to secure networks on the Internet (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1012). For example, when networks cannot be made secure, any one can gain access to it. Access rights are used to determine whether the user is appropriate or an intruder (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1012). Lastly, copyright is legal tool that protects software before and after a breach (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1012). While the tool is commonly effective, there are many firms that have faced copyright issues caused from the use of technology. For example, copyright breaches could be misuse of data or data leakage. Ethical, Social, and Political Issues Raised by Embedded Cyber Connections in Cars In the study, it mentions that many users are unaware of signing over their consent to be tracked or monitored, thus, raising an ethical issue (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 122). While newer cars provide the most updated technology, some consumers wish not to have their personal information shared with smart devices. It is unethical for a consumer to give consent to something unwittingly due to failure of proper communication (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 122). An example of a social issue would be the detection of frequent visits. Some consumers may not want their liquor store, medical visits, family visits, etc. shared with others, therefore; it raises a major social issue in the cyber connection area (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 123). Certain areas of a consumer’s social life should be kept to themselves and not shared with others. A political issue raised is the large amounts of personal data collected by the smart cars. While the data may be useful and is meant to protect the driver, it does not necessarily mean it is protected (Laudon, & Laudon, 2020, p. 122). An organization is at risk of lawsuits if a consumer’s personal data is leaked. Data Analytics and Motor Vehicles Data analytics is data that is collected and analyzed. Data analytics is being applied in motor vehicles by navigation, engine efficiency, music playlists, and internal climate conditions (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1042). Cars implement the technology not only for entertainment purposes, but for efficiency, data collection, and safety as well. Manufacturers will be able to monitor engines based on the data collected, remotely control and update software in motor vehicles (Carter, Petter, Grover, & Thatcher, 2020, p. 1042). Data analytics is useful when collecting data of motor vehicles as it ensures mobility and safety. Data is used in motor vehicle to fully connect technology and store information (Carter, Petter,