Introduction to Computing: Actor Network Theory and Stories Analysis

This report provides an in-depth analysis of computing, focusing on Actor Network Theory (ANT) and its relevance. The report examines two computing stories: the benefits of cloud computing and big data analytics in healthcare and policing, and the advantages of large tech companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon. It explores the roles of actors and actants within the ANT framework, illustrating how cloud computing and digital tools influence various sectors. The report also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of contemporary computing, including its impact on employment, data security, and environmental considerations. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of ANT in understanding the interactions between actors and actants in the computing landscape.

Introduction to Computing
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACTOR NETWORK THEORY AND ITS RELEVANCY............................................................3
TWO COMPUTING STORIES .....................................................................................................4
Story 1: Cloud computing, big data analytic beneficial in health, police. ..................................4
Story 2:Apple, Google, Amazon and the advantages of bigness.................................................5
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CONTEMPORARY COMPUTING.................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
Computing is considered as a process that helps in effective use of computer technology
in order to accomplish task. By having use of computers the individual or group can meet their
needs in appropriate manner. Further, computing includes involvement of the computer either
with the help of hardware or software. Key motive of computing is to have proper participation
of diverse computer devices in order to have completion of task (Alcadipani and Hassard, 2010).
It has been noticed that the computing mainly focuses on effective designing of system,
development and structuring of hardware and software system. It is also significant to have better
processing so that information about different factors can be managed in appropriate manner. In
current report, two news stories in respect to computing will be analysed, along with use of Actor
Network Theory. However, the learning will provide preview of modern computing aspects and
make understand about their acts benefits.
ACTOR NETWORK THEORY AND ITS RELEVANCY
Actor Network Theory (ANT) is referred as one of most commonly used technique which
is adopted by information system researchers. Current study provides argument in regard to
utility of actor network theory. It is also considered as conceptual framework for information
system researcher. In addition to this, it can be said that the theory is significant approach that
originates in respect to the social science which generally have affection on objects as a part of
social networks (Armbrust and et.al. 2010). It has also been noticed that the ANT is most
constructive approach which helps in avoiding essential explanations for recent events and
innovations. It means it also facilitates in building better relationship with those entities who
have dealings in the fields of sociology and anthropology.
In detailed study, it has been noticed that the existence of one critical factors allows to
have effective application of theory in the field of information system research. It is because the
application of theory helps in presenting the difference between human and non- human in
ontological level. ANT also provides graphical presentation in order to understand the diverse
views exists in the theory (Farias and Bender, 2012). It is also referred as freeze frame process in
which network of actors is considered as significant aspect for particular time period. Theory
also helps in reflection of dynamics nature of actor network as per the consideration of time line
designed for the event. In addition to this, the actors that present their right in appropriate manner
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can not be deflect. Actors can never be intermediary who simply relying an effect of one entity to
another without transforming (Hall, 2010). In other aspect, the actor can be a human, technology
and even an intangible actors so it is necessary for researcher to consider it in significant manner.
TWO COMPUTING STORIES
Story 1: Cloud computing, big data analytic beneficial in health, police.
It has been noticed that the ANT theory plays a vital role in learning. However, the story
which has been undertaken in this scenario is of cloud computing role and benefits to health and
police. As per the consideration of actor network theory, cloud computing can be considered as
actor and individuals and police department can be referred as an actant because they are users of
cloud computing (Venturini, 2010). Application of cloud computing allows actant to have
effective analysis of big data which is beneficial to have improvement in public health systems.
By having effective data analysis allows to have proper evaluation of crime activities which
helps police to take actions in appropriate manner to cut down crime ratio. As an actor cloud
computing allows to have better sharing of information in respect to diseases which is beneficial
to reduce the occurrence of diseases (Munro, 2009).
In addition to this, it can be stated that the promotion of cloud computing centre is
beneficial to have better analysis of data in respect to the healthcare. It means the identification
of key reason behind occurrence of diseases can also be accomplished effectively because actant
can easily compare recent and previous data to understand issue. By studying the health aspects
in desired form using data analytic and cloud computing the medical professionals can provide
better prevention activities in respect to diseases. Death rate can be controlled by analysing the
highest ratio of diseases in the society (Fenwick and Edwards, 2010). ANT is also being
effectively considered by the London police because it cloud computing as an actor helps in
control on crime. Data analytic helps in understanding the criminal behaviour that is present
within people. By analysing key aspects the police force can have decrease in crime rates.
London police has followed these techniques and predicted where and when crimes happen so
that proper action can be taken into account. Here, London police can be considered as actant as
per reference of ANT theory .
In this, the key issue can be to measure that cloud is giving best of the facility to the
individuals or not. If information shared on computing system is not correct then it may affect
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the overall outcome of the act (Cloud computing, big data ananlytics benefical in health, police,
2016). It means the measures need to be consider effectively to ensure that the risk is being
reduced. Cyber theft is critical aspect for police so technicians and other measures also need to
be referred effectively by actant.
Story 2:Apple, Google, Amazon and the advantages of bigness
In this story, the actants will be organisations who are using digital connectivity to take
advantages to gain competitive advantage. It has been noticed that the big organisations like
Apple, Google and Amazon are using cloud computing and other digital aspects to meet their
goals and objectives in effective manner. Use of digital tools also helps businesses to have
industrial strength. It is because the actor (Cloud computing and digital transformation) helps in
effective understanding of key aspects that can enhance digital presence. E-commerce is also one
of key benefit that organisations are adopting to have advancement in revenue (Malik, 2016). As
per consideration of Actor Network Theory the actants like Apple, Google and Amazon are
having great opportunities in the market in respect to monetary as well as non-monetary. User of
these big organisations are having great advancement that helps in meeting their personal needs.
For example, use of Siri to get directions also provides advantage to Apple because it is key
source of company. In this case, the actant will be Apple Siri user and actor wll be Siri.
In addition to this, it can be said that there are few issues that also need to be considered
by businesses. It is one of critical task for organisations like Apple, Google and Amazon to
ensure that their system is working in appropriate manner (Fenwick and Edwards, 2010). It is
significant for management to ensure that the digital connectivity principles are properly
concerned within their system. Confidential information about organisation and their working
can also be leaked which is one of key risk so management need to ensure about it. Backup
system must be designed as per measures so that the data can be protected in desired way.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CONTEMPORARY
COMPUTING
As per the detailed study, it can be said that the computer use is having great impact on
the society development. People are nowadays attracted towards use of computer to perform task
in accurate and quick manner. It also saves the time and effort of individual which is beneficial
to improve effectiveness. Diverse government departments and authorities are using computing
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devices to have proper recording of data in respect to their operations (Munro, 2009). Big
organisations like Apple and Google are having data store to understand their customer needs.
Moreover, number of financial and non-financial activities are also being managed by
departments and individual through using computing. One of key disadvantage of computing
promotion is that decrease in employment.
Promotion of technological tools decreases the need of manpower that is one of key issue
for society (Venturini, 2010). It has been noticed that data stored on a computer can be accessed
by unauthorized persons through networks. It is also one of critical issue for the organisations
and may affect their working in negative manner. Privacy policy violation is also one of critical
aspect that need to be considered effectively from the business firms. If corrective measures are
not being considered then it may also affect the environmental aspects because digital and
computing operations cover harmful radiations (Hall, 2010). It may affect health and
environmental factors so organisations and authorities need to ensure about it in effective
manner.
CONCLUSION
As per above study, it can be concluded that the Actor Network Theory must be
considered in appropriate manner because it allows to understand the working of actor and
benefit to actant. It has been identified that the actors can be human, technology and intangible
actors. Evaluation of two computing news stories has also presented significance of ANT. In first
story, it has been noticed that the use of cloud computing is beneficial for public health system
and police. In second one, the digital tools promotion is beneficial for organisations in order to
gain competitive advantage.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alcadipani, R. and Hassard, J., 2010. Actor-Network Theory, organizations and critique:
towards a politics of organizing. SAGE.
Armbrust, M. and et.al. 2010. A view of cloud computing. Communications of the ACM, 53(4).
pp. 50-58.
Farias, I. and Bender, T., 2012. Urban assemblages: How actor-network theory changes urban
studies. Routledge.
Fenwick, T. and Edwards, R., 2010. Actor-network theory in education. Routledge.
Hall, A. J., 2010. Information Technology Auditing. Cengage Learning.
Munro, R., 2009. Actor-network theory. The SAGE handbook of power, London: Sage
Publications Ltd.
Venturini, T., 2010. Diving in magma: How to explore controversies with actor-network theory.
Public understanding of science. 19(3). pp. 258-273.
Online
Cloud computing, big data ananlytics benefical in health, police. 2016. [Online]. Available
through: <http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/cloud-computing-big-data-
analytics-beneficial-in-health-police-116073000911_1.html>. [Accessed on: 10 August,
2016].
Malik, O., 2016. Apple, google, amazon and the advantages of bigness. [Online]. Available
through: <http://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/apple-google-amazon-and-the-
advantages-of-bigness>. [Accessed on: 10 August, 2016].
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