Emerging Technologies and Digital Leadership for Wesfarmers

Emerging Technologies and
Digital Leadership

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
PART – 1.........................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the Organisation......................................................................................................3
Emerging Technologies relevant to the Organisation.................................................................4
Opportunities or Challenges relevant to the Emerging Technology...........................................5
Recommended Investment along with Case Studies...................................................................7
Expected Benefits or Risks of the Investment.............................................................................8
Likely Barriers for the selected Investment.................................................................................9
PART – 2.........................................................................................................................................9
Challenges faced during implementation of the Emerging Technologies...................................9
Recommended Leadership approach.........................................................................................10
Other Recommended Change Management Plan......................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
The term emerging technology refers to the description of any technology that is new and
also whose contribution into the existing technology are traceable. The digital leadership is the
term that is used to referring to the digital assets of the company being used strategically for
attainment of the business goals. The current report is based on the organization chosen that is
Wesfarmers. It is an American organization that operates in multiple industry and is having its
headquarters in Perth which is located in western part of Australia. The current assessment is
divided into two parts part 1 and part 2. In the part 1 of the assessment firstly an overview of the
organization selected will be provided. Further out of all the emerging technologies three
emerging technologies will be selected that are relevant to the selected business organization.
The opportunities and challenges with included. The evaluation of such challenges and
opportunities will be done to figure out the associated benefits and drawbacks related to each. An
emerging technology will be selected for the company and the expected benefits along with the
risks and potential barriers will covered. The part 2 of the assessment will be discussing the
challenges that are experienced during the adoption of emerging technology. Lastly the study
will recommend a suitable leadership approach and also a change management plan.
MAIN BODY
PART – 1
Overview of the Organisation
Founded in 1914, Wesfarmers is a public company listed on ASX: WES and S&P / ASX
200. It belongs to the conglomerate industry i.e., it has its operations in retails, fertilisers, safety
products, chemicals and industrial products. It has its headquarters setup in Perth in Western
Australia and serves multiple demographic areas around the world namely Australia, Ireland,
India and New Zealand. Two most important individual in the management of the company are
Michael Chaney who is the chairman of the company and Rob Scott who is the chief executive
officer of the company. As of 2020, it has more than 107,000 employees working in it (Rhook,
2019). Reportedly, as of 2020, it had recorded revenue of more than $ 30.8 billion. It was
founded as a provider of the services to farmers of Western Australia and was officially listed on
the Australian Securities Exchange in 1984 after which it grew up to be a major conglomerate in
retail.

The story of Wesfarmers began in 1914 when there were increasing demands of the rural
workers for payment of better pay and lesser hours. Responding to these demands, in 1912,
Farmers & Settlers’ Association was formed with the aim of empowering the primary producers
in the economy and fighting for the claims that could potentially ruin lives of many of these
producers. Thus, this association after formation was brought to a meaningful shape and
operation under the supervision of Walter Harper. Finally, on the historic day of 27th June of the
year 1914 a company named The Westralian Farmers Limited got registered in the Western
Australian Companies Act and start it is business and operations in Perth at 13 Howard Street
from two small rooms. Its current name – Wesfarmers comes from its pious intention of serving
the farmers and help them grow and market their produce via co – operative activities i.e., the
farmer’s company or simply Wesfarmers based on its telegraphic address.
Emerging Technologies relevant to the Organisation
Now, large organisations like Wesfarmers operating on international level needs to
incorporate multiple emerging technologies to be effective and quickly respond to the
unpredictable changes in the business and outside environment. Some of which are explained
below:
Cloud Computing – Technology of cloud computing is the need of the hour for the
organisations in retail industry due to the demand and competition which are ever increasing.
This allows the companies to respond to such demands and competition and have that ultimate
competitive advantage in their hand (Ulnicane and et.al., 2021). It helps the companies to
simplify the work flow in the organisation across all the process and operations. It also helps in
reduction of the costs related to the information technology and thus, enhancing the experience
of the customers. Thus, such a technology can assist Wesfarmers in managing their supply chain
and related process effectively and efficiently.
Artificial Intelligence – Another breakthrough in the emerging technologies includes
implementation of artificial intelligence. This involves technologies like facial recognition. It is a
vital source of strengthening the security measures formulated and implemented in the
organisation. Technology like AI and facial recognition allows the organisation to track the
activities of the individuals and personnel working in the organisation and know that they are
now just wasting time while being in the organisation. Thus, such a technology ensures
effectiveness and efficiency of the individuals and personnel working in the organisation in