Enhancing Interpersonal Skills in the Classroom

The essay discusses the impact of digitalization on society, highlighting its adverse effects such as job displacement and the replacement of traditional forms of business with new technologies. The European Union is attempting to influence Robber Barons (major entrepreneurs in the information and technology sector) to limit innovation and minimize the level of job displacement. Additionally, the EU is focusing on making strict regulations that require businesses to obtain permission from government before implementing any innovations.

Innovation and
technology

CONTENTS
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Literature review.....................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................7
References...................................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Digitalization can be defined as a procedure in which various digital and computer
technologies are adopted by the management of private companies, public organizations,
industries or countries in order to make business more innovative and full of technology
(Digitalization, 2015). In the present era, Digitalization is very beneficial for countries and
organization in enhancing the level of its development and growth. With this advantage, it has
also some adverse impact on the society as well as community. In accordance to this, main aim
of this essay is to evaluate the impact of digitalization on society in the comparison of industrial
revolution and information revolution.
In case of industrial and information revolution, people are not comfortable with new
inventions as these inventions are the major causes for the workers to lose their jobs (Lundvall
and Borrás, 2005). These inventions include Cartwright’s power loom, Benz’s horseless carriage,
Edison’s electric lighting and more other inventions that reduce the level of hiring more workers
by enhancing the participation of machinery in production. After the both revolution,
digitalization was introduced in the late of 20th century with the advancement of information and
communication technology. It has been established with lots of opportunity and full of
advantages for the both social and economic purpose. On the other hand, later it is also
associating with some of disadvantages.
In order to understand the positive and negative impact of digitalization, research
methodology has been prepared which is an essential aspect of any research. It consists a range
of tools, techniques and methods that will be used by researcher to conduct research in an
effective manner. For gaining information regarding the subject matter, interpretivism
philosophy will be considered. With the help of this philosophy, practical knowledge can be
gained by the researcher in an effective manner. Further, both primary and secondary sources
will be used to get data and information. Primary data will be collected by the questionnaire for
which sample size will be the whole population of UK that will be selected by simple random
sampling. In case of secondary data, books, journals and online articles will be used. At last, data
will be analyzed with the help of thematic analysis.
Literature review
Digitalization is focused on including the participation of machines and digital
technologies for the purpose of performing business activities in an effective manner along with
replacing the tradition form of business organization with new ones. In accordance to this, it had
been stated by Brynjolfsson, (2015) that enhancement in digital technologies lead to enhance the
level of unemployment as it has been introduced lots of labor saving machines as well as various
processes. Replacement of retail cashiers by self –service tills is one of the best examples of
technological unemployment that is actually associated with this modern and digital era. Further,
it is also said that digitalization is responsible for the short term job losses in case of unskilled
workers. On the comment of Brynjolfsson, it has been argued by Ezeani, (2009) that
digitalization is responsible for long term losses in terms of reducing the number of jobs instead
of short term job losses. Along with this, it is stated that new technologies are focused on a

lasting decline of workers in employment. Further, it is also said by Ezeani that displacement of
labor by machine is the major issue integrated with digitalization that puts its huge impact on the
development of society to a higher extent.
As per the view point of McAfee (2015), it has been evaluated that digitalization includes
a range of software, robots, automation and machines that can be replaced human resources of
organization as it reduces the cost and time of company. Along with this, it is said that growth
rate of declining jobs is much more than the jobs that are created by digitalization. Further, it
also enhancing the growth of inequality level in United Kingdom and also contributing to
decrease the growth rate of median income. With UK, other companies are also suffering from
the same problem. Furthermore, according to the study of Fuller and et. al., (2006) it has been
observed that technological advancement is focused on reducing the need for various types of
jobs and leaving the typical workers and employees worst off than the past. Along with this, the
level of median income is minimizing due to availability of development in the gross domestic
product. According to the opinion of Fuller, innovation must be taken place but it should be
taken place on right time for the right purpose along with in a limited manner. Due to more
enhancement in technology, median income and number of jobs in falling (Fuller and et. al.,
2006).
According to the Bonser and Vincent, (2007) technology innovation is one of the major
factors that leads to the displacement of job roles to a larger extent. For example, Customer
relationship management system (CRM) is focused on maintaining the records of customers in
an effective manner. Before establishment of this system, several workers were needed maintain
the records of all employees. But with the help of this system, records of thousand customers can
be easily maintained by a single person. Along with this, online marketing through internet and
smartphones also leads to minimize the needs of marketing jobs that are related to marketing
executives etc. In the modern era, technology has been merging to a higher extent with the
updation of new features as well as advanced technologies. In order to deal with such types of
technology and innovation, human resources must be more skilled as well as qualified. Increased
demand in case skilled workers leads to minimize the opportunities for the unskilled and semi-
skilled workers (Albuquerque, 2007). Along with this, it leads to reduce the level of wages
because unskilled workers have to work in low wages due to availability of non-experience in
the respect of new technology.
In accordance the research of Biggiero, (2006) it had been evaluated that innovation and
technology leads its huge impact on the traditional processes used by the business organization
by replacing them with new processes. Digitalization includes a range of new technologies,
systems, software, machines and lots of new modifications in old processes. Availability of new
tools and techniques leads to reduce the importance of existing processors. With the help of new
technology, company can save its time and cost integrated with the existing processes. In the
same way, it is also stated by Billon, Lera-Lopez and Marco, (2010) that availability of new
innovation and technology influence company to replace its traditional practices with new
practices as it helps business to eliminate the chances of errors in the context of business
activities including production, marketing, billing, financing, selling as well as maintaining

relationship with customers. Information and technology includes a range of new systems such
as customers relationship management system, data base management system, online billing
system, budget maintained system and online marketing practices that are very helpful for
businesses to complete their work on time and maintaining the record of million transactions in a
single system. Due to availability of these all systems, traditional processes which include
several human resources to record transaction in a written format have been eliminated (Billon,
Lera-Lopez and Marco, 2010).
As per the view point of Rintala and Suolanen, (2005) technology innovation is crucial
for commercial entities to gain success in this competitive world along with expanding its
business in an effectual manner. For fulfilling its purpose of getting success and expanding
business, management of company is focused on adopting new technologies and modifying its
traditional processes. With the help of new technology, company can enhance the level of its
production and it can also complete more works in very less time. Further, availability of
technological advancement helps business entity to compete effectively with its competitors
available in the national and international market. In accordance to the present era, company
can’t be survived and sustained in the current market conditions without taking the help of
digitalization (Rintala and Suolanen, 2005). In order to adopt the concept of digitalization, it is
crucial for company to replace its existing forms of business activities that can be related to
communication, customer relationship maintenance and promotion of products and services.
On the same side, it has also been stated by () that information and technology sector has
been emerged to a significance level that influences company to modify their existing form of
business activities including communication and so on. Not focusing on innovation and new
technology will lead business to the failure and helps its competitors to increase its position in
the market. Thus, digitalization leads to the displacement of traditional forms of business and
focused on adopting the advanced and innovative forms of business in an effective manner.
As per the study of Ozsoy and et. al., (2009) it has been observed that Robber Barons are
the powerful and wealthy figures in information and technology sector who are focused on
controlling the development of digital universe. Companies that provide services like Facebook,
Microsoft, Google and many more are the major examples of Robber Barons. Main aim of this
company is to enhance the level of technology and innovation which also includes the objectives
related to welfare of society, nation and economy. But, more advancement in technology can
become dangerous for the society and mostly for children. Along with this, it also involves so
many disadvantages in the respect of country and community. In order to minimize the adverse
impact of technology advancement, European Union is planning to adopt a critical step that is
related to curb the reach of Google in the UK market. By considering these, it had been
evaluated that digitalization may have both negative and positive impact on the organization,
country, society and human being (Ozsoy and et. al., 2009).
In the same way, it had also been stated by James-Gilboe, (2005) that Digitalization
includes a range of software and systems that help organization and individuals to share
information with each other available at anywhere in the world. Along with this, it also provides
facilities to exchange images, videos, files and other business related documents. Further, it is

said that with the help of new technology, company can enhance the effectiveness of its business
operations to a higher extent. While, it has been argued by Hua, (2005) that it includes the
disadvantage that is related to hacking of data that can be used for the misuse of information for
any personal and professional reason. In the modern era, increasing level of social networking
sites is one of the best examples of digitalization. Social media is beneficial for exchanging
information but it can be harmful for individuals through hacking data for the purpose of
misusing (Hua, 2005).
As per the viewpoints of Yacong, (2010), it had been evaluated that technology
innovation leads to decrease the cost of company that was used on maintaining the hard copies of
all documents. In the present era, all the business documents are maintaining on computers
through using data base management system. Along with this, it is also focused on the
elimination of hybrid systems which create confusion in the mind of users at the time of
accessing. In the past era, maintaining the records of all customers in written format was very
difficult so that business entity was not able to maintain better relationship with customers.
While, now days advanced technology including customer relationship management is used by
commercial entity in order to develop strong relationship with customers along with
understanding the needs of them in an effectual manner (Yacong, 2010). In this digital world,
online marketing including web marketing, social media marketing and E-mail marketing is the
best facility for business organization to identify the demands of customers along with getting
feedback from them regarding the products and services.
On the contrary, it has been argued by Kosavic, (2008) that social media marketing can
lead negative image of company when adversely comments of customers are displayed on it.
Better enhancement of online marketing leads to decrease the need of marketing jobs for the
door to door promotion as social media, e-mail and web marketing help organization to directly
communicate with customers through using internet. It also leads to the displacement of job role
like replacement of retail cashiers by self –service tills. In case of new technology, unskilled
workers are not able to deal with advanced features of machinery so that it will lead to minimize
the chances of opportunities for them (Kosavic, 2008). Along with this, it also force workers to
work on minimum wages due to non-availability of experience to work with new technology.
According to the study of Tomlinson, Zorlu and Langley, (2008), it has been observed
that availability of digital technologies is very beneficial in the education sector as availability of
computer is also worked as a tutor to learn new things to the students. With the help of internet,
teacher will also be able to guide students in an effectual manner along with providing more
knowledge about the subject matter. Along with this, new technology involves electronic
readers, smart board, handheld dictionaries and iPads that are helped in presenting information
through using various ways including orally, visually, different colors and several sized fonts. By
using different ways, every learner can be benefited and learned. On the same side, it had been
evaluated that internet and other elements of technology assists students to access huge number
of websites, books and journals in order to gain more knowledge and information (Tomlinson,
Zorlu and Langley, 2008). Further, all students have equal rights to access information and
gaining knowledge.

On the other hand, it had been argued by Brownsword and Somsen, (2009) that
availability of technology has an adverse impact on the development of students as they does not
need to think or search about anyone because every type of information is available on internet.
With the information related to education, there are also various types of data present on internet
that can misguide them in the wrong direction and sometimes lead to any criminal offence. As
per the study of Fagerberg and Srholec, (2009) it had been observed that most parents complain
about their children are losing reading skills and basic knowledge due to use of technology. It is
also evaluated that advancement of technology is the major reason for the loss of communication
skills as well as the ability of interacting people in the respect of children. Along with this,
digitalization has also been become the cause for the loss of cooperation and interpersonal skills
that only be developed during classrooms.
By considering the advantages and disadvantages of digitalization, it had been stated by
James-Gilboe, (2005) that UK government and European Union is planning to make policies and
regulations in order to minimize the adverse impact of innovation and technology in the respect
of 21st century. In accordance to this aspect, EU is focusing to influence Robber Barons to make
innovation in their services in a limited manner. Robber Barons are the major entrepreneurs in
the information and technology sector who are responsible for enhancing the level of technology
in the market. By influencing them, government will be able to minimize the level of
displacement in the respect of job roles of workers as well as the traditions forms of businesses.
Continuous improvement in technology leads business to replace the unskilled and semi-skilled
workers with skilled workers as well as to replace the traditional processes with new
technologies. Further, according to the study of Hua, (2005) it had been stated that European
Union is influencing Google to curb its reach in the UK market for the purpose of maintaining
stability in information and technology. Along with this, they should also focus on making strict
and regulations. According to those regulations, it is necessary for business entity to get
permission from government before making any innovation in its services.
CONCLUSION
From the above essay, it has been concluded that digitalization has many adverse impact
on society as compare to industrial revolution and information revolution. In accordance to
primary data collected for the essay, it has been evaluated that people are not more comfortable
with the new inventions as these are the major causes for losing jobs in case of unskilled and
semi-skilled workers. Along with this, it influences company to hire more skilled and
experienced workers by replacing the existing unskilled staff. On the other hand, it has been
observed by the secondary data collected from books, journals and online articles that
enhancement in digital technologies leads to enhance the level of unemployment in the country
as it has been introduced lots of labor saving machines as well as various digital processes.
Further, it has been identified that displacement of job roles is also increasing due to
availability new technology. For example, customer relationship management system can be
used by a single person to develop relationship with thousands of customers through maintaining
records instead of several employees that were needed in past time to maintain records of
customers by using written format. Along with this, it is evaluated that digitalization is

responsible for the replacement of traditional forms of business with new processes due to
availability of digital technology and innovative processes. On the same side, it is also concluded
that using internet is putting adverse impact on the development of students as it can also be
misguided to them and leads them towards the criminal offence. At last, innovation in social
networking sites has many disadvantage like information available on these sites can be used for
misusing of data.
REFERENCES
Books and journals
Albuquerque, E.D.M., 2007. Inadequacy of technology and innovation systems at the
periphery. Cambridge Journal of Economics. 31(5). pp.669-690.
Biggiero, L., 2006. Industrial and knowledge relocation strategies under the challenges of
globalization and digitalization: the move of small and medium enterprises among territorial
systems. Entrepreneurship and regional development. 18(6). pp.443-471.
Billon, M., Lera-Lopez, F. and Marco, R., 2010. Differences in digitalization levels: a
multivariate analysis studying the global digital divide. Review of World Economics. 146(1).
pp.39-73.
Bonser, R.H.C. and Vincent, J.F.V., 2007. Technology trajectories, innovation, and the growth of
biomimetics. Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers, part C: journal of
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Füller, J. and et. al., 2006. Community based innovation: How to integrate members of virtual
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Kosavic, A., 2008. Introduction to digitization: an overview.

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