Introduction to Information Technology Report - Business

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Information Technology (IT) and its influence on modern business practices. It begins with an introduction to IT, emphasizing its significance in contemporary business operations, particularly within the context of a large UK supermarket chain, Morrison. The report then delves into a literature review, classifying computers based on various criteria and exploring the positive and negative impacts of IT on businesses, including considerations of cost, data management, and customer service. Ethical and social issues associated with IT, such as privacy concerns, cybercrimes, unemployment, and stress are thoroughly examined. Furthermore, the report analyzes the growth and importance of the internet and intranet, highlighting their roles in enhancing efficiency, connectivity, and communication within businesses, especially in the context of Morrison. The analysis and discussion section applies the concepts to Morrison, evaluating the types of computers used, IT's specific impact, ethical considerations, and the role of the internet and intranet within the company. Finally, the report concludes with a summary of the key findings and references the sources used.

INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3
2. LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................3
Classification of computers.........................................................................................................3
Impact of IT over business..........................................................................................................4
Ethical and social issues concerning with IT...............................................................................5
Growth and importance of Internet and Intranet.........................................................................6
3. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...............................................................................................7
Type of computer used by Morrison...........................................................................................7
Impact of IT on Morrison............................................................................................................7
Ethical and social issues in Morrison..........................................................................................8
Role of internet and intranet in the context of Morrison.............................................................9
4. CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................9
5. REFERENCES............................................................................................................................1

1. INTRODUCTION
Information technology is one of the essential part of the today’s world. It is all concerned
with the use of technological influence. No business and company can survive without the use
and inculcation of the information technology in their business operation. Information
technology is like the essence of their business that would lead to raise in the efficiency of the
business operation. Information technology also means to the use of computer wherein the data
can be stored, retrieve and protected. Here an involvement of software application and computer
hardware is being inculcated. It is the major and essential element of the business wherein a
majority of operation are being performed with the use of computers. Morrison is one of the
largest supermarket of UK having headquarter in Bradford, UK. It was founded in 1899. It is one
of the retailing business and company of UK which perform its business operation with the
inculcation of the latest technology including Artificial intelligence, computers, tablets and
various other. It is a consumer oriented supermarket which enable the sales of groceries and
various other items. It mainly operates its business in England, Wales and Scotland along with
Gibraltar. The current generation of the revenue is around 17.5 billion British pounds in 2019-20
(Morrisons annual turnover in the United Kingdom from financial year 2009/2010 to 2019/2020.
, 2021). This report will discuss about the concept of types of computers followed by the impact
of information technology over the business. This will further include both the positive and
negative aspect with reference to the implication of information technology. Ethical and social
issues along with the importance of and growth of internet and intranet within the business world
and within the context of Morrison will also be a part of the report.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Classification of computers
According to the views of Rai (2021) the classification of computers are basically related
and made on the basis of working principles, size, brand and model. This means that the
computers are classified on the basis of their use means for which use they are being made. This
can be understood as if the computers are made for the working principle and purpose then the
classification can be made on the basis of instalment of those software and hardware which are
used for the working practices. For example: Analog, digital and hybrid computers. However, on
the basis of size too, classification is made. This means that the computer is also depend upon

their size. For example: Super, Mainframe, Mini and Micro computers. Likewise, classification
can also be made on the basis of brand and model wherein the computers are classified and
divided on the basis of their brand and the model. This is counted under the modern
classification wherein the computers are divided on this basis. This can also be understood with
an example of IBM computers, Apple computers, XT, AT and various others.
However, apart from this classification Graf and et.al., (2021) also said that the computers
can be classified on several other basis including personal information system, workgroup
system, organization wise system and various other. This means that the classification can also
be made on the basis of information storage and processing that includes personal information
system. These are generally for the use of the storage of personal information and for the home
use and personal use. For example: Personal computers, laptops, notebooks, hand held computers
and many more. Similarly, computers can also be divided on the basis of workgroup system
wherein they are classified on the basis of the work and the workplace. For example: Mini or
midrange computers and workstations. Apart from this they can also be divided on the basis of
organization system. This means dividation of computers on the basis of organization and its
concerned use. This usually includes mainframe super computers. These computers are
specialized to handle the organization’s work. Other classification may also include electronic
point of sale computers which are generally used in the retailing stores to monitor and control the
sales of products. These computers are designed in such a manner that they can keep the sales
record, perform analysis, control stocks and various other functions.
Impact of IT over business
Bocij, Greasley and Hickie (2018) said that the IT plays an important role and has
impacted positively over the business of the companies. Inculcation of IT in the business
operation may lead to raising the efficiency of the business. With the use of IT in the form of
computers it become very easy for the business to enable the best services to their customers
along with managing their operations. Due to the use of IT in their business operation companies
are now able to handle and store their data along with customer records safely. IT has made the
working of the companies and their business easy. With the use of IT companies are now able to
make interaction with their customers easily and offer them fast and efficient services. Likewise,
IT has also raised up the speed of business transaction and operation. This can be understood as

with the use of IT in the form of computers companies are now able to store their data and
manage their stocks easily. It also enables the companies to have a controlling over their stock
along with enabling them to have a monitoring. Likewise, through the use of computers in the
retailing stores of the companies better and fast services in the form of billing and checking is
also enable with the use of IT.
However, on a critical notes Setiawan and et.al., (2018) argued that the IT has negative and
adverse impact over the companies and their business. Involvement of IT in the business have
leads to the rising of costing and expenses of the companies. This is because it becomes difficult
for the companies to bear the expenses and cost with regard to the upgradation of technology and
its maintenance. Likewise, with the use of IT the dependency factor over the technology has
raised which may sometime lead to a severe impact. This means that along with the use of IT
everything is stored and maintained in the computers but in case if someone hacks the system or
they data is lost due to technical errors then it will lead to create a big problem for the
companies. Likewise, along with rising the cybercrimes the issues regarding the IT has also
raised and it is again having an adverse impact over the business of the company.
Ethical and social issues concerning with IT
Stahl and Wright (2018) said that there are many ethical issues concerning withy the use of
IT in the business. Among them privacy is the major issue. This is because as the IT is having a
broad coverage and its network is spread at broader scale so when a user is having a access to
information that is concerned with the main system and server then it will many a times lead to
disclosing the confidential information of the other person. This will lead to the breaking of the
ethical principle in terms of accessing the private and personal information of some other
individual. Likewise, high access will also lead to the arisen of the ethical issue in terms of
raising of cybercrimes and affecting the ethical values of the people. As with the raised
cybercrimes specially in case of digital payments where the private information of the customers
are hacked, ethical consideration violets. Harmful actions in the form of violating riles and
affecting the important data of the computers in terms of stolen and damaging may also lead to
the violation of the ethical principles. It is to be noted that this may have a severe impact over the
business in terms of affecting their image, reputation, market appearance and over their business
operations too.

Karanasios (2018) said that there are many social issues concerning with the use of IT in
the business. As the IT involves the use of computer which indirectly lead to replacing the place
of workforce with the technology. This will create issue in the form of raising of unemployment
among the people. Likewise, it also raised the situation and the issue of stress among the people.
This is because with the use of IT the people or the workforce will get stress in the form of
replacing their skill and position with the technology and the computer. Likewise, operation of
IT also create pressure and stressful situation because it makes the working more thought and
prompt. As the IT is raising the efficiency of the business but with the use of technology more
diseases and laziness occur among the people and the workforce and act as a social issue because
of its impact at a larger scale. IT has also reduced the communication link among the employees
and the company. This is because with the involvement of IT most of the work is done over the
online and technological platform which decrease the percentage of communication among the
employees.
Growth and importance of Internet and Intranet
Angelova, Kiryakova and Yordanova (2017) elucidates that the use and involvement of
internet in the business operation would lead to the raising of efficiency and the performance of
the company’s operation. Use of internet work as a digitalized move that raise the company’s
appearance and scope. Internet in the working operation make the task more easy and more
effective. Use of Internet in the business operation raises their efficiency. Internet has boost up
the speed and service capacity of the companies. Internet is very important for every business
because through this the connectivity of the business raises along with serving capacity. This is
because with internet companies can easily communicate with their customers and as a result the
overall sales of the company also improve because of the raising customer share. Through
internet and digital technology companies can perform their business operations at global level
very easily.
Yadav, Sharma and Keswani (2017) also elucidates like internet, intranet also plays an
important role with respect to the business. This is most important because it enable to have a
better internal communication within the workplace. Through intranet business specially those
who have wide network of business and operate in branches and divisions. Intranet enable the
company to have better connectivity among the employees. Through the concept of intranet

information can be shared very quickly and easily within the workplace. It leads to raise
collaboration and feedback with a good working culture. Intranet enable the company to have
better transparency in its workplace so that the employees can freely share their thoughts and
ideas. As intranet connect the business with the employees so it will also bring transparency in
the form of adoption and implementation of the plans and policies within the workplace. With
the passage of time intranet and its importance has raised in the corporate world. And now most
of the companies use this concept with regard to their business.
3. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Type of computer used by Morrison
As it is seen form the above discussion that there are various types of computers that the
business and the companies may use in their workplace as per the need and requirement.
However, in case of Morrison the window enabled computers and tablets are usually used. As it
is a retailing and technologically advanced company which perform its business operation with
the inculcation of the computers so, it mostly uses window devices and tablets in order to
manage its work and enabled its business operations. The tough work is usually performed by
using a system of HTML5 platform (PIERCE, 2021). Since, computes make the work easy and
efficient so with the inculcation of computers in the system, Morrison enable and provide the
best and quick services to its customers. Morrison enable and equipped its employees with the
tablets that through the use of handy device they can perform their work easily and quickly. It
not only raise their efficiency with respect to their work but using of tablets enable them to work
from any place.
Impact of IT on Morrison
In case of Morrison, IT plays an important role. This is because after the involvement of IT
in its working practices it is now able to operate its function more efficiently. Being a retailing
company, it is very important for it to have an adequate controlling and monitoring of its
business and stocks of products so that it can fulfil its customer needs without loosing and arising
of the situation of disappearance of its products from the market (Kutsuri and et.al., 2019). IT in
the form of computers enable the Morrison to have a better controlling and management of its

stock. IT enable the Morrison to serve better to its customers by enabling them adequate billing
and providing them necessary products on time. This can be understood as an instalment and
using of computers at the billing counters where within wasting the customers time, company is
able to providing better services them.
However, apart from advantages and positive impacts it would also not be wrong to said
that the Morrison is adversely affected with the use of technology. However, this impact is not
that high in comparison of the positive impact but an inculcation of IT has disturb the budgets of
the Morrison. This is because it need to spend a lot in order to digitalize its business and
inculcation of computers in its workplace. Being a big company it need to spend a great amount
over the installation of computers. Likewise, it need to spend money in order to train its staff.
Along with cost it is also affected in terms of spending of more time or the devices. This means
that it need to spend time in order to understand the devices and the technology. Likewise, if due
to human error while billing or error at any point of handling the computers, company need to
spend a big cost in terms of affecting its budgets and image.
Ethical and social issues in Morrison
As the use of IT enabled the Morrison to have efficient operation and handling of business
operation so along with use of IT, Morrison also faced the ethical issue of privacy. This is
because with the involvement of IT, employees would be easily access the information from the
computers and this may sometime lead to the sharing of private information which is not needed
to be disclosed and thus affect the ethical consideration. Likewise, along with rising the
cybercrimes and frauds many private and confidential information also got generalized and thus,
affect the ethical principles with respect to the company (Royakkers and et.al., 2018). Like these
issues company may also face an ethical issue related with customer. This means that if the
private information of customer in terms of their bank details and other information is leaked
with the fraudulent activities with regard to IT then it will not only affect the customer but it will
also lead to the breakage of their trust towards the company.
Like ethical issues, Morrison also face social issues in terms of breaking and loosing of
communication connection with the society and the local people. This is because with the use of
technology, Morrison’s most of the business operation including marketing too is being
performed over the technological platform. This has just broken the communication network. It

may also face a major social issue in the form of identity theft whereby people with wrong
intention using the company’s background and performing identity theft and cheating with the
customer. Thus, a non-consideration and controlling over the IT operation would lead to rise
many issues.
Role of internet and intranet in the context of Morrison
With regard to Morrison internet plays an important role and puts a positive and fruitful
effect towards the company. This is because with the use of internet in its business operation it is
now able to have better connectivity with its customers (Yerpude and Singhal, 2017). Internet
make the business operation of the Morrison efficient. This can also be understood with eth
example of use of internet over the official website of the company that through the use of
internet bit is now able to connect through the entire world apart from just having a connectivity
with its physical stores and shops.
Likewise, intranet also enable the company to have better operation of its business because
through the concept of intranet it is now able to connect among its different branches across
various places. Intranet enable the Morrison to have an all-round connectivity by which it can
connect with its various divisions and branches too. Intranet enable the Morrison have a
controlling, monitoring as well as assisting it to establish good and effective communication
across different branches of the company. Through intranet it would have better connectivity and
linking among its divisions and branches. Intranet also enable the Morrison to render best
services in terms of availability of products across its stores as well as over the digital platform
because through intranet it is able to have better co-ordination among its various departments.
4. CONCLUSION
From the above report and analysis, it can be concluded that the It plays an important role in
every business and the companies. It enables them to have better operation of their work. This
reports summarizes that as there are various types of computers so the organization can adopt
and choose the type as per their need and the wants. It is also understood that the IT also impacts
the company in terms of assisting and heading the company towards goal. Along with positive
impacts IT also adversely affect the company and their operation in terms of raising their
expenses and cost. Likewise, it is also having a direct association with the social and ethical

issues because it replace the entire workforce with the computers. Also along with rising
cybercrimes many ethical issue also arise with respect to the IT. Likewise, along with the use and
the introduction of the concept of internet and intranet the working of the company specially
those which are operated on broader scale including Morrison got benefitted with better
communication and co-ordination so that wide level business operation can be operated
smoothly. Thus, it would not be wrong to said and concludes that the IT and its associated
concepts plays a very essential part and role in the context of business and the Morrison.

5. REFERENCES
Books and journals
Angelova, N., Kiryakova, G. and Yordanova, L., 2017. The great impact of internet of things on
business. Trakia Journal of Sciences. 15(1). pp.406-412.
Bocij, P., Greasley, A. and Hickie, S., 2018. Business information systems: Technology,
development and management for the modern business. Pearson.
Graf, and et.al., 2021. Let’s teach computers to listen. e & i Elektrotechnik und
Informationstechnik, pp.1-9.
Karanasios, S., 2018. Toward a unified view of technology and activity. Information Technology
& People.
Kutsuri, and et.al., 2019, December. Impact of digitalization on improvement of economy, IT
and Internet of business. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1399, No. 3, p.
033008). IOP Publishing.
Royakkers, and et.al., 2018. Societal and ethical issues of digitization. Ethics and Information
Technology. 20(2). pp.127-142.
Setiawan, and et.al., 2018. Impact Of Cybercrime In E-Business And Trust. Int. J. Civ. Eng.
Technol. 9(7). pp.652-656.
Stahl, B.C. and Wright, D., 2018. Ethics and privacy in AI and big data: Implementing
responsible research and innovation. IEEE Security & Privacy. 16(3). pp.26-33.
Yadav, D., Sharma, D.P. and Keswani, B., 2017. A Study of Intranet over Cloud. International
Journal of New Innovations in Engineering and Technology. 7(2). pp.1-6.
Yerpude, S. and Singhal, T.K., 2017. Internet of Things and its impact on Business
Analytics. Indian Journal of Science and Technology. 10(5). pp.1-6.
Online references
Morrisons annual turnover in the United Kingdom from financial year 2009/2010 to 2019/2020.,
2021. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.statista.com/statistics/382306/morrisons-turnover-united-kingdom-uk/>
PIERCE, F., 2021. Morrisons Supermarket goes digital with tablet computers. [Online].
Available through
<https://supplychaindigital.com/supply-chain-risk-management/morrisons-supermarket-
goes-digital-tablet-computers>
Rai, P., 2021. Classification of Computers. [Online]. Available through <
https://prajwalrai.com.np/classification-of-computers/>
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