Information Technology: Impact, Challenges, and Ethical Issues

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the role of information technology (IT) in modern business operations. It begins by exploring the classification of computers based on size, purpose, and hardware design, providing examples of each type. The report then delves into the impact of IT on business, highlighting advantages such as online marketing, strategic thinking, and effective communication, using Tesco as a case study. It also addresses the challenges businesses face, including risk management, the cost of new technology, and the importance of ethical considerations. The report further examines the social and ethical issues arising from IT, such as communication breakdown, privacy concerns, crime, and discrimination. Finally, it discusses the growth and impact of the internet on business, emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt and leverage technology for growth and success.

Information to
information technology

ABSTRACT
This report is based on role of information and technology. As the world is dynamic and
it is important for a business organisation to use new and updated technology as it helps in
growth of a business. There is discussion related to various types of computers. Impact of
information and technology on a business along with advantages and challenges faced are also
mentioned in this report. The ethical and social issues that are caused due to use of information
and technology are vital part of this report. In the end of the report there is discussion related to
impact on internet of growth of a business organisation.

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
Classification of computers.........................................................................................................4
Impact of Information Technology in business..........................................................................6
Ethical and Social Issues and their impact on businesses...........................................................8
Discuss the growth and impact of Internet of business...............................................................9
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................10
REFERNCES:................................................................................................................................11
Books and Journals:..................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
As the world is rapidly changing it is seen that the role of information technology is also
increasing. All the business that use internet and updated technology are more successful. It is
important for a business to understand the role of information technology as it helps to improve
the productivity of the business organisation and helps to gain advantage over the competitors.
There is discussion related to role of information and technology in TESCO which is one of the
famous British Multinational retailer (Bessen, 2017). The company is ninth largest if compared
in net revenue and third largest if seen as per gross revenue. They deal in variety of products like
retailing of clothing, toys, books, furniture, petrol, electronics, software, financial services,
telecoms and internet services. In this report there is discussion related to classification of
computers. The impact of information technology in success and failure of a business is also
mentioned in this report. There are various ethical as well as social issues faced by businesses so
that are also part of this report. In the end of the report there is discussion related to impact of
internet on growth of business.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
Classification of computers

On the basis of Size
1. Super Computer: They are multi tasking computers that have high capacity. They are
fastest, powerful as well as expensive form of processing the data. They also occupy huge
premises and have ultra high performance. It is basically used for research study.
Example: IBM Road burner
2. Mainframe Computer: These are multi programming computers that have power to
handle 100 users at a time. The computers have high speed and enormous storage
capacity (Wójcik and Smolarz, eds., 2017). They are able to do simultaneous calculations
and work continuously for longer duration of time. They can be used for 24 hours and
various users can work together. Example: ICL39 Series
3. Mini Computer: It is digital and multi user computer that can establish connection with
more than one CPU. These computers can process with plotter, printer, etc. They help in
performing various tasks on a single time instead of various micro computes for each
task. It helps in giving payroll to the employees.
4. Micro Computer: The computers that are basically used by individuals at homes are
called micro computers. The storage and size is designed in such a way that they can be
used at homes. They are called Digital Personal Computer. Example: Desktop
On the basis of Purpose
1. General Purpose: They are basically used for conducting the daily task by an individual.
The storage capacity, size, and cost of these computers are less. They are helpful in
satisfying the basic needs of the individuals. Examples: The desktops, laptops, etc.
2. Special Purpose: These computers are formulated to perform some specialised function.
The storage, size and cost of these computers is based on then work they have been
designed for. The purpose is to work according to the task for which they are formulated.
Its example includes Automatic teller machines.
On the Basis of Hardware Design and Data Handling.
1. Analog Computer: This types of computer work of continuous data. They are primarily
used to measure physical units like voltage, electric current, pressure, temperature, and
convert them into digits (Lin and et.al., 2017). They are also useful in performing
arithmetic calculations. Basically these computers are used in field of engineering and
science. Example: They are basically installed on petrol pumps.

2. Digital Computer: Digital computers are now used at a good rate. They are used to
calculate the number to process the data. They have some essential functions that help
them to perform their tasks. These computers use discrete electrical signals for their
operations and they do not use electric signals as analog computers. The example of
digital computers are Laptops, Smartphones, and Tablets.
3. Hybrid Computer: Hybrid means combination of two type of computers. The hybrid
computers are combination of analog and Digital computers. They are formulated to
combine the features of both analog and digital computers (Alotaibi, and Federico, 2017).
They are fast and good at solving the equations. They help in getting detailed, useful and
accurate solutions. They are generally used in petrol pumps.
Impact of Information Technology in business.
It is seen that the use if information and technology is increasing day by day. It is seen
that it is vital for businesses to use information and technology as it helps to provide good
customer services and helps business to gain advantage over the competitors. As it helps to
enhance the productivity of the business and helps to them to survive effectively. There is direct
impact of information and technology of business operations of TESCO as well. As the company
has got benefit of using updated technology. The advantages associated with using information
and technology in regard to TESCO are as follows:
Online marketing: The use of internet for marketing is important nowadays. As the
concept of digital marketing is playing a vital role in success of business. It is seen that with use
of latest technology TESCO is able to use digital marketing to attract more customers towards
the company (Ahmed and et.al., 2018). The businesses are coming out of concept of traditional
marketing and using digital ways to gain advantage over the competitors.
Strategic Thinking: It is analysed that the use of information and technology supports the
strategic thinking of the management. It helps the business to gain advantage over the
competitors. It helps in collecting and analysing the data faster. This is helpful for businesses as
it facilitates strategic thinking. It is seen that TESCO is able to serve the customers effectively
with use of new techniques developed by them with the help of strategic thinking.
Effective communication: Effective communication is most essential part for success of
a business. It is seen that the business that are unable to communicate effectively or have slow
communication are relatively unable to become successful. It is seen that with use of information

and technology the businesses are able to communicate faster. In relation to Tesco the company
uses right use of technology as it helps to spread the important information faster with use of
proper technology.
Review the work of employees: for success of a business it is important to monitor and
review the performance of the employees. As the productivity of the company depends on the the
performance of the employees. The latest technology has bought various new ways that are used
by TESCO to monitor the performance of the employees. TESCO set goals and objectives and
assign the duties to the employees so that they are able to work effectively (Imran and et.al.,
2019). The use of updated technology is helpful for TESCO son that they are able to monitor the
work of employees in a faster manner.
The above mentioned are the benefits of latest technology to TESCO. It is seen that the
company is able to enhance its performance of the company. But one can not forget the fact that
there are challenges as well that the organisation have to face due to use of information and
technology. The challenges faced by TESCO in relation to information and technology are as
follows:
Risk management and governance: As there are benefits associated with use of latest
technology. It is seen that it also risk of management. As all the data is now uploaded over the
cloud storage and there are so many hackers, that can misuse the data. Along with that s
employees are not aware about the technology and its proper use so they are unable to manage
the data and it enhances the risk. In relation to TESCO, the company should provide training to
employees so that they can use the data properly and should hire the individual that have
knowledge of cyber security.
Cost of new technology: As there is wide use of information and technology one can not
neglect the fact the use of technology is costly. With use of new and updated technology the
expenditure of business organisation has increased (Saeidi and et.al., 2019). Also the technology
get obsolete fast. So, this is one of the challenge that is faced by business organisation in relation
to IT.
The above mentioned are the challenges that are faced by TESCO due to use of
information and technology and it is important for an organisation to know them and find ways
to overcome those challenges. As it is vital in today's time to use information and technology
effectively.

Ethical and Social Issues and their impact on businesses
As per the discussion above it is seen that there are both advantages and challenges that
are faced by a business due to information and technology. Here, it is important to know about
the social as well as ethical issues that are faced by business in regard to information and
technology. The social issues that are faced are discussed below:
Communication Breakdown: There is communication breakdown due to use of
technology. As no one now communicates or delivers the message face to face. There are various
tool that are used by business and the employees to communicate (Han, Wang and Naim, 2017).
This causes gap in communication and decreases the socialisation among them.
Health & Fitness: As the technology is reducing the manual work and all the task and
work in the organisations are done with the help of machines. It has direct impact on the health
and fitness of individuals. This is due to use of updated technology the employees do not have to
make efforts to work and most of the work is done by use of updated techniques.
Privacy: With the use of technology it is seen that there is problem in relation to privacy.
As the data is now uploaded over the internet and there is surety that the data is secure. The
business uses cloud storage to upload the data and that rises the issue related to security of the
data.
Above mentioned are the social issues that are faced by business due to use of
information and technology. It is seen that the business should now about the issue and be
prepared for the issue.
Ethical issues that are faced by organisation
Crime: There are various chances of crime due to use of internet. This has helped and
made the life of individuals easier. It has increased the chances of crimes. It is seen that this also
leads to misuse of data and information. This is one of the major ethical problem.
Discrimination: It is also one of the ethical issue that is faced by business organisations.
It is seen that the various businesses face the issue of discrimination. All the business
organisation that have good knowledge of information and technology are gaining advantage.
Harmful Action: There is requirement of computer and machines to keep the data and
store it. But as the data is stored electronically and that ma cause harmful actions to then
business. There is probability the data is lost and gets damaged. So this causes harmful impact on
the businesses.

Access Right: It is seen that it is another ethical issue that is faced by the businesses. It is
important to know and understand that access right is an ethical issue as digital payments is vital
to keep the data secure.
Above mentioned are the issues that are faced by the businesses. It is vital for a business
organisation to know about these ethical as well as social issues and formulate strategies to
overcome them. It will help the company to operate effectively (Al Shobaki and et.al., 2017). All
these issues have impact on the performance of TESCO as the issues cause problem in the
working environment and the employees are unable to socialise. As there are the issues that
cause problem in smooth operations of the business organisation.
Discuss the growth and impact of Internet of business
It is important for all the business organisation to use information and technology. It is
seen that TESCO is using internet and there is direct impact of the same on the success of
organisation. The company conducts proper research and development to know about the trends
in the market. The company has knows the importance of use of internet in marketing and the
concept is called digital marketing. The benefits of using internet are as follows:
Communicate effectively: The business organisations are able to contact effectively due
to use of internet. TESCO is able to spread information about the products and services to large
number of customers (Toyama, 2018). This will help the company to serve more customers in
the organisation. The company is able to achieve the goals and objectives by communicating
effectively and is profitable for the company.
Competitive advantage: It is vital for a business organisation to gain competitive edge.
As the world is changing at a rapid pace it is important for a business entity to use internet and
gain advantage. As TESCO uses internet and uses the concept of digital marketing that helps to
attract more customers. This helps TESCO to gain advantage over its competitors. As it helps
gaining competitive advantage it is beneficial for TESCO to use internet.
Increase Sales: It is seen that the company is getting benefit by using the internet as they
are able to attract more customers. It is not easy for a business to attract more customers. It is
seen that the use of digital ways help the company to serve more customers and it has enhanced
the sales of TESCO. The company is able to send information related to company and cover
more customers through use of internet. As the revenue increase it is positive for TESCO to use
internet.

Customer Engagement: The company has established presence over social media
platforms that is one of the reason that is contributing to the growth of the company (Kroh,
Globocnik, and Schultz, 2018). This helps TESCO to engage more customers towards the
organisation and helps in growth of the company.
It is observed above that the use of internet has helped TESCO to enhance the
profitability position by attracting more and more customers. The sales of company has also
risen due to proper use of new and updated techniques. This is also important to note that it has
increase the expenses of company on research and development. Also the use of new technology
also needs use of a lot of money. So TESCO is spending money to enhance the use of internet
and there are various advantages that are contributing to growth and success of the business.
CONCLUSION
From the above report is can be summarized that use of information and technology plays
a vital role in success and failure of organisation. There is direct impact of internet on the
performance of a company. In the report there is discussion related to different types of computer
and the importance of information and technology is also mentioned in the report. There are
various social and ethical challenges that are faced by company due to use of information
technology. The impact of use of Internet on TESCO is also discussed.

REFERNCES:
Books and Journals:
Ahmed, and et.al., 2018. The Impact of Information Technology Used on the Nature of
Administrators Work at Al-Azhar University in Gaza.
Al Shobaki,and et.al., 2017. The Efficiency of Information Technology and its Role of e-HRM in
the Palestinian Universities. International Journal of Engineering and Information
Systems, 1(5), pp.36-55.
Alotaibi, Y.K. and Federico, F., 2017. The impact of health information technology on patient
safety. Saudi medical journal, 38(12), p.1173.
Bessen, J., 2017. Information technology and industry concentration.
Han, J.H., Wang, Y. and Naim, M., 2017. Reconceptualization of information technology
flexibility for supply chain management: An empirical study. International Journal of
Production Economics, 187, pp.196-215.
Imran, M., and et.al., 2019. The contributing factors towards e-logistic customer satisfaction: a
mediating role of information Technology. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 7(1),
pp.63-72.
Kroh, J., Luetjen, H., Globocnik, D. and Schultz, C., 2018. Use and efficacy of information
technology in innovation processes: The specific role of servitization. Journal of
Product Innovation Management, 35(5), pp.720-741.
Lin, C., and et.al., 2017 Policy decisions and use of information technology to fight coronavirus
disease, Taiwan. Emerging infectious diseases, 26(7), p.1506.
Saeidi, P., and et.al., 2019. The impact of enterprise risk management on competitive advantage
by moderating role of information technology. Computer Standards & Interfaces, 63,
pp.67-82.
Toyama, K., 2018. From needs to aspirations in information technology for development.
Information Technology for Development, 24(1), pp.15-36.
Wójcik, W. and Smolarz, A. eds., 2017. Information Technology in Medical Diagnostics. CRC
Press.