Marks & Spencer: IT, Ethical Issues, and System Development Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Information Technology (IT) within the context of Marks & Spencer (M&S). It begins by outlining the role of IT in an organization's success, specifically highlighting how M&S can leverage IT for global reach, promotion, and collaboration. The report then delves into ethical and social issues relevant to M&S, including hacking, privacy concerns, product liability, and equality of opportunity. It identifies and differentiates between various network technologies such as LAN, MAN, and WAN, explaining their applications. The importance of the internet and intranet for business operations is discussed, emphasizing their roles in communication and efficiency. Finally, the report defines the stages of the system development life cycle. The analysis covers various aspects of IT's implementation within the company, making it a valuable resource for understanding how technology impacts business strategy and operations at M&S.

MANAGING INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT
Information Technology is a formative system that helps in storing data; computer
networking and other essential functioning that effectively aid an organisation to conduct their
business operations in a well effective manner. In this present report, Marks & Spencer are
undertaken. In addition with this, report include concept of computing terminologies along with
issues in terms with ethics and social that are related to technology. Further different types of
network and stages of system development are covered in this report.

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................1
Role of information technology in the success of an organisation.........................................1
Various ethical and social issues which pertains to running business....................................2
Identification and differentiation between various kind of network technologies.................3
Analyse the importance of internet and intranet in business..................................................5
Define different stages associated with system development life cycle.................................5
Benefits and drawbacks for M&S by investing in informational technology........................6
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Information technology is referred to the usage of systems, storage, networking,
computer and other physical or peripheral devices so that different kind of electronic data can be
stores, secured, processed, create or executed properly. IT field also includes data management
whether it is in form of voice, text, image, video or any other form. It also include aspects related
with internet and digital media (Aliyu and Tasmin, 2012). This assignment is based on Marks &
Spencer which is a Britain based retailing multinational company, headquartered in Westminster,
London. Main products offered by company are food items, home products and clothing
segments. This report will cover role of IT in the failure or success of business organisation
along with social and ethical issues that pertains to business. Also, different kind of networking
technologies are identified and differentiated. Importance of internet and intranet is discussed.
At last, different stages related with system development life cycle is mentioned.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Role of information technology in the success of an organisation
Role of IT in the success of a business firm is increasing rapidly. As people are
depending on information technology and digital media for their basic activities, it is very
helpful for business firms to invest more in digital and information technology. For instance: in
context with M&S which is a global brand, role of IT in its business success is mentioned
below:-
 Provide global reach to brand: Reach of people over information technology and
digital media is not limited. As dependence of people on social media and IT is
increasing rapidly, they prefer to purchase products from international brands to show off
their status. It is a good opportunity for business organisations which operates in global
context. But if needs and expectations of customers will not be satisfied properly, brand
image of company will degrade which will results in less sales and customer retention
(Bainbridge, 2013). To increase their global reach via IT, M&S can take help of social
platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Website of company etc.
 Promotion and advertising: IT is an advantageous tool for business organisations that
can helps them in advertising and promoting their offerings to millions of people in few
minutes. Due to this, M&S will be able to attain high attention from their existing and
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potential customers. This will results in increment of profits and revenues for the
company due to which getting advantage over rivals will became an easy task.
 Collaboration opportunities: Beside enhanced customer base and high profit margins,
IT benefits business of M&S in finding collaboration partners so that company can get
access to vast resources, investment and new technology to perform work. Search engines
which are part of information technology can benefits the managers in M&S to identify
key business persons and individuals that can invest or partnership in business (Bawden
and Robinson, 2015).
Various ethical and social issues which pertains to running business
Ethical issues that pertains to business operations of M&S
Ethical issues are referred to those problems or situations where a business firm is
required to choose a single alternative out of two choices. These choices are evaluated as right
and wrong alternatives. Choosing right option is considered as ethical whereas selection of
wrong aspect is considered as unethical. There are various ethical issues which can reduce the
brand image of M&S in a considerable manner. They will reduce the revenues and profits of
company. In this context, some ethical issues that pertain business are discussed below:
 Hacking- It is an ethical crime in which a professional computer programmer get access
to the information available on another systems without any authorisation. Main reason
behind hacking is to steal important data and information of rival companies so that their
plans and strategies can be acknowledged before hand (Buabeng-Andoh, 2012). If Marks
& Spencer will use hacking to gain information of rivals then it will reduce their image in
market due to which sales and revenues of company will decrease considerably. Beside
this, victim person or company can file case against M&S that will results in high
penalties and fines.
 Lack of Privacy: As employees and customers are needed to share essential information
like card number, bank account number with an organisation either for working purpose
or purchasing purpose, it is important for manager in M&S to manage their privacy. If
sensitive information about customers will not be protected then their rivals can get
access to their information and harm them in a considerable manner. Due to this, trust of
people towards M&S will decrease and it will impacts their business in a negative
manner due to loss of customer base and sales (De Vries, 2016).
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Social issues which pertains to business of M&S
Social issues are those aspects which harms society and people living in it either in a
direct or indirect manner. In context with M&S, some social issues are mentioned that can hinder
the growth and success of company in a considerable manner:
 Product liability: It is the role of manager in M&S to acknowledge the demands and
needs of customers while visiting outlets of company. It is possible by the use of
information technology. If requirements of customers will not be fulfilled, they they will
face inconvenience and their preference will shift towards the products of other
companies. This will reduce the reputation of M&S in marketplace. This social issue will
impact company and their profits in a negative manner.
 Equality of opportunity: It is important for manager in M&S to give equal opportunities
to employees so that they can deliver their best performance and contribute high in the
success and growth of company. If manager of concerned company will not give equal
opportunities then it will create difference among employees due to which their working
potential will reduce (Devaraj and Kohli, 2013). This can be a big social issue that can
pertain the business of M&S.
Identification and differentiation between various kind of network technologies
Network technology is referred to the use of internet and other connected systems with
the help of optical cables, wires, satellites and some specific wireless connections. It needs a
proper infrastructure so that information can be transmit in a proper manner through voice call,
internet networking etc. In general there are three kind of networking technologies i.e. LAN,
MAN and WAN which are discussed below:
 LAN: It is abbreviated as local area network and this technology helps in connecting
network device so that systems at workplace or personal computers can easily share their
data, tools and programs in a proper manner. This networking technology connects
limited systems in limited range due to which their data transmission rates are high. M&S
can use LAN network for systems within their organisation (Held, 2016).
 MAN: It stands for metropolitan area network and have area coverage more than LAN
but less than WAN. This network technology is able to connect different systems that
resides in same region or city. It can also serves as an internet service provider. MAN
provide high speed while internet connectivity but as it covers wide area, managing it is a
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complex task. Business organisations like M&S can use it solely or in partnership with
other corporations. WAN: It is known as wide area network and its coverage can extend up to wide
geographic locations like a country or continent. WAN can be treated as hundreds of
LAN connected with each other through telephone or radio-wave. This network
technology is quite expensive and offers slow speed of data transmission due to their
wide connectivity (Laudon. and Laudon, 2015). M&S can use this technology to connect
with their partners and offices residing in other continents and countries.
BASIS LAN MAN WAN
Full name It is known as local area
network.
It is abbreviated as
metropolitan area
network.
It stands for Wide area
network.
Distance coverage Distance overage of this
networking technology
is up to 2500 metres.
Limited coverage up to
200 km.
This networking
technology has
unlimited coverage i.e.
more than 10,000 km.
Data transmission
speed
Data transferring speed
is very high i.e. 10, 100
or 1000 Mbps depending
upon connectivity
package
Transmission speed of
data is high i.e. near
about 100 Mbps.
In context with data
transferring speed,
WAN is slow and
provide transmission
rate up to 1.5 Mbps.
Types of
computer systems
Specially used for PCs
and desktops like laptop
and home computers
Usually used for
desktop systems and
mini computers.
It is suitable for any
device but mainly used
by desktop users.
Widely used This networking
technology is widely
used in school, home,
colleges or hospitals.
It can be used to
connect small towns
and cities.
Used to connect an
entire country or
continent.
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Analyse the importance of internet and intranet in business
Internet is defined as a global computer network which offers different communication
facilities and information to individuals with the help of standardised communication and
interaction protocols. Internet is very important for M&S while performing their business
operations. This is because using internet is the easiest way by which a business organisation can
interact with their clients and customers. In context with M&S, internet will benefits in reducing
costs, eliminating wastage and improving customer services in comparison with manual
methods. Due to E-mail, social network and instant messaging, communication became easy due
to which work is completed in a timely manner (Magrabi and et. al., 2013).
Use of Intranet for business organisations
Intranet is referred to an internal network which only authorizes the users, mainly
employees to have access. Intranet uses internet technology and provide same business benefits
but at small level. It will appropriately serve digital communication needs of company along
with offering them a secure place to access, store and develop their electronic materials.
Replacing intranet with traditional business solutions will helps M&S in reducing errors and
increasing overall productivity. This will benefits company in satisfying customers more
desirably due to which company will earn high profits and revenues.
Define different stages associated with system development life cycle
System development life cycle is defined as a series of different phases which helps in
creating a software system, hardware system and combination of both so that needs and demands
of customers can be satisfied in a desired manner. System is referred to the set of interdependent
or interacting elements which forms an integrated software. Below are mentioned six stages
associated with system development life cycle:
 System planning: It is the first and most important step in developing a robust and
strong system. In this phase, manager in M&S is needed to decide what they want to
achieve and which problems of company are needed to be solved. After analysing it,
company can either create a new system, modify the existing system or leaving system as
it is (Okumus, 2013).
 System analysis: It is important for M&S to determine and document the needs or
expectations of company form the system. This is possible by checking social,
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economical, technological and organisational feasibility of system. If needs of company
will be satisfied only then further stages of system cycle will be proceed.
 System design: This phase came after understanding the needs and expectations of users.
In this level components, elements, security level module, different architecture and
interfaces related with system will be defined.
 Implementation and deployment: It came after acknowledging the requirements of
system and its further specifications. It is an actual construction process after finalising
the design for system (Rajaraman, 2018).
 System testing and integration: In this phase of system development life cycle, various
subsystems and components are integrated and system is introduced to various inputs to
check if desired outputs can be achieved or not.
 System maintenance: If system passes testing stage then periodic maintenance will be
carried out so that system will not have to face any obstacles while working tasks.
Benefits and drawbacks for M&S by investing in informational technology
Benefits of investing in IT
There are numerous benefits that can be enjoyed by M&S by investing in information
technology. In context with M&S, these benefits are mentioned below:
 Main advantage of investing in information technology is that it will streamlines
communication and interaction process of company at both internal and external level.
Due to this, activities like leveraging, recruiting, retaining and communicating with
employees will became easy.
 IT will benefit M&S in facilitating their knowledge transfer and strategic thinking in
marketplace due to which company can formulate effective strategies to gain competitive
advantage over rivals (Schwalbe, 2015).
Drawbacks of Investing in IT
Along with the merits, information technology posses some drawbacks which are
mentioned below:
 Implementing IT in an organisation is a costly procedure and M&S will require high
investment in training employees about the right manner to use information technology.
Due to this expense of company will increase.
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 Maintaining a strong IT system and process is difficult which can be a big threat for
company (Waser, 2012). This is because if information of employees and customers will
not be secured properly, their confidence and trust will lack. This will results in reduced
sales and loss of revenues.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
In context with M&S, information technology will helps the company in increasing their
customer base due to wider reach of customers and organisation without facing any complexities.
There are various tools associated with information technology like Instagram, Twitter,
Facebook which are used by people on daily basis. Manager in M&S can take help of these
platforms to acknowledge about their services or products so that high sales and revenues can be
earned. With the help of different software and database, those business organisations can be
identified that can benefits M&S in achieving their desired success. Hacking, Lack of Privacy,
Product liability, Equality of opportunity are some of the concerns that should be duly taken into
account by M&S. There are three kind of networking technologies i.e. LAN, MAN and WAN
which can be taken into use by company as per its requirements and needs. With the help of
internet, manager in M&S can understand buying habits of customers in a proper manner. This
will enable the company to formulate effective marketing strategies so that advantage over
competitors can be achieved. M&S can use intranets to share and distribute information,
deploying business applications, project management, support collaboration, streamline business
processes etc. The primary advantage of investing within IT is that it streamlines communication
while its implementation is costly.
CONCLUSION
From above discussed report, it has been concluded that information technology plays an
essential role in the success or failure of an organisation. If uses properly, it will benefits the
company in reaching million of customers in fraction of seconds so that high revenues can be
earned. Different social and ethical issues can reduce the image of company in market place.
With the help of network technologies like LAN, WAN and MAN, organisation can interact with
their business partners and customers desirably. Both internet and intranet contributes in high
business success. Also, stages associated with system development life cycle will helps in
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developing a robust system which will easily gain advantage over existing organisational
technologies.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Aliyu, A. A. and Tasmin, R. B. H. J., 2012. The impact of information and communication
technology on banks’ performance and customer service delivery in the banking
industry. International Journal of Latest Trends Finance and Economy. 2(1). pp.80-90.
Bainbridge, W. S. ed., 2013. Converging technologies for improving human performance:
Nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science.
Springer Science & Business Media.
Bawden, D. and Robinson, L., 2015. Introduction to information science. Facet Publishing.
Buabeng-Andoh, C., 2012. Factors influencing teachersâ adoption and integration of information
and communication technology into teaching: A review of the literature. International
Journal of Education and Development using ICT. 8(1).
De Vries, M. J., 2016. Teaching about technology: An introduction to the philosophy of
technology for non-philosophers. Springer.
Devaraj, S., Ow, T. T. and Kohli, R., 2013. Examining the impact of information technology and
patient flow on healthcare performance: A Theory of Swift and Even Flow (TSEF)
perspective. Journal of Operations Management. 31(4). pp.181-192.
Held, G., 2016. Introduction to light emitting diode technology and applications. Auerbach
Publications.
Laudon, K. C. and Laudon, J. P., 2015. Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital
Firm Plus MyMISLab with Pearson eText--Access Card Package. Prentice Hall Press.
Magrabi, F. and et. al., 2013. A comparative review of patient safety initiatives for national
health information technology. International journal of medical informatics. 82(5).
pp.e139-e148.
Okumus, F., 2013. Facilitating knowledge management through information technology in
hospitality organizations. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology. 4(1). pp.64-
80.
Rajaraman, V., 2018. Introduction to Information Technology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Waser, R. ed., 2012. Nanoelectronics and information technology: advanced electronic materials
and novel devices. John Wiley & Sons.
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