Information Technology Role, Ethics, and Social Issues in Tesco

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of Information Technology (IT) in Tesco's retail business operations. It begins with an introduction and literature review, highlighting the significance of IT in data collection, communication, operational efficiency, and data management within the retail sector. The report then delves into the ethical and social issues associated with IT use, such as personal privacy concerns, harmful actions, identity theft, and hacking, specifically in the context of Tesco. It explores various networking technologies like LAN, MAN, and WAN, detailing their applications. The importance of the internet and intranet for business operations is discussed, along with the stages of the system development life cycle (SDLC). The report uses Tesco as a case study to demonstrate how IT strategies are implemented and the challenges faced by the company, concluding with a summary of the key findings and a reference list.

Introduction To
Information Technology

Abstract
It is summarise that information technology is broad way of IT sector that conduct
several activities. It is connected with several type of technology and software that helps to
collect data effectively and utilise for the organisation. IT system plays different role in the
company and support for business operation. Company face several social and ethical issues that
impact on the activities but with strategy sort out it. There is applied several technology
according to organisation structure. So it is understand that IT is important part in every
organisation.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................1
Information technology and its role in retail business in general...............................................1
Ethics and social issues of using technology..............................................................................2
Networking technologies and their different types.....................................................................3
The importance of intranet and internet in business...................................................................5
Stages of system development life cycle....................................................................................5
Analysis & Discussion.....................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Information technology is a business sector that deals with computing where consist of
software, hardware and telecommunication that involved in the sharing of information or the
system that facilitate communication (Eason, 2014). It is a continuous procedure that conduct by
different types of organisation in order to flow data and transfer information. Data defined as raw
facts and statics which is collected by the resources, references and other sources. It is defined as
repair, improvement and utilization of computer system according to network. To understand the
concept of the report selected organisation Tesco which is UK based organisation. It is mainly
dealing into groceries and merchandise. The company founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen. The
report consist of role of IT in the business and related ethical and social issues. Furthermore,
defined value of internet and intranet, several stages of system development life cycle.
Literature Review
Information technology and its role in retail business in general
Information technology system is utilised by the different organisation in order to
storage, networking and other physical devices, set infrastructure to develop, process, store,
secure and changing all the kind of electronic data. It mainly used by the business to conduct
their operations as opposed to personal or entertainment technologies. In the context of retail
business Tesco defined role such as:
Collection of data: Information technology utilise by the Tesco to collect data from
different sources. It can be gathered about the consumer, their purchasing ratio and the typical
basket size. Through the information company distinguish of different types of customer who
purchase products from the store frequently. Such as company collect information about
customer who give preference to particular brands that will use for further communication with
the customer or marketing of products.
Helps Communication: Information system plays crucial role in retail sector in
communication. It can be faster with the help of software such as Lotus Notes. Retail store,
Tesco can communicate with every people in the store as well as warehouse. This can be done in
24 hours in a day and seven days in a week (Kiran, Oudshoorn and Verbeek, 2015). The provider
as well as marketer use electronic data interchange (EDI) for communication. The information
mainly based on the size and spread of a company.
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Efficiency in operations: The utilisation of information technology provide service for
segregation the operation for several divisions. If Tesco decide to apply the power of technology
in order to aid business and invest money according to terms of investment that is usually high.
IT provides several benefits to business and in this procedure focus on machine-controlled that
consist of time to deduct specific task. Such as an individual pay amount of purchase products
through manual billing so it will take long period time. For this required to apply scan process
that use to increase sale system (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu, 2014).
Data Management: In retail industry several types of products keep by the company in
their store for this required to maintain all data. It helps to company for develop financial
statement effectively and measure actual position of a company. With the help of data software
record all the information on cloud computing that supports to collect information of each
customer who is arriving in the store.
These are the different role which plays by the information system in the Tesco in order
to get success. When IT and management department work together so it will provide effective
results to set desired standards.
Ethics and social issues of using technology
Ethical Issues - When a problem or situation face by the business and require to select
between options that must be analysed as right (ethical) and wrong (unethical). It provide brief
information that defined morality. In the context of Tesco identify the ethical issues that relates
to IT and based on the morality. The success of the business based on the mobility of goods and
services. There are defined some issues regarding to Tesco - Personal Privacy Concern – In current time IT plays crucial role in order to conduct
work smoother and quicker. There comes a risk of violation of privacy of individuals as
well as groups due to dissemination at wide level. It is a main responsibility of Tesco to
reduce negative impact from the business that disclose by the third party (Marchewka,
2014).
 Harmful actions – There is consisting of various negative consequences such as negative
impact, loss of property and many others. In the Tesco define harmful action like
improvement in the file as well as system, extra expenditure, loss of resources etc. It is
mainly depending on the system of company that easily track by any other and use in
illegal activity.
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Social Issues - These types of issues faced by the organisation when various social
activity create problem for people in huge way. There are defined several social issues that relate
with Tesco such as: Identify Theft – In present time many fraud occur due to low security in the organisation.
There is required to monitor activity of each employee in order to track fake people who
is dangerous for the Tesco. Before recruit of employee required to take detail information
about working experience that helps top identify theft. Many people pay online that time
company employee hack data and use information for personal use (Mehlman and Li,
2014).
 Hacking – It is defined as illegal access of network and area of network technology. It is
creating in the organisation when third person wants to access system top other person
system to collect personal information. Tesco set IT department that keep watching to
every system and provide surety of security to explore business activities. They provide
training to employees for security aspects so that time increase chances of failure security
system.
Networking technologies and their different types
A network is referred as a group of two or more devices that can communicate and helps
in channelising required information. Usage of network in an organisation is very important as
organisation is formed with several departments and communication among these departments
takes place with the network that is established among them for communication. In Tesco usage
of network is done for communicating among one establishment and together with this units that
are located all over the world are communicated using networking technologies. There are some
common methods of establishing a network used by Tesco are named as LAN, MAN and WAN.
These are described as follows-
Local area network: LAN is a computer network that covers relatively small area for
communication. Establishment of LAN is done to connect different devices to a single network
that helps in effective communication within the room (Neuhofer, Buhalis and Ladkin, 2014).
Network of LAN is connected with single switch and IP protocol is followed in this system.
TASCO uses this system of communication to generate a communication system in a particular
branch. All the departments of the branch that work at same place will be connected through
LAN to ease the communication system.
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Metropolitan area network: MAN is a network that provides interconnection among
computers which are used in a particular geographical area. When the communication needs to
be made among the premises that are situated at two different places in the same geographical
area then this system of networking is used for transferring information. Establishment of the
network provided through MAN is larger then that of the LAN. TESCO utilises this system of
network to communicate among two unites.
Wide area network: WAN is a biggest communication network that spans a large
geographical area among cities, countries and states. Network of WAN is established through
radio waves and satellites (Nieves, Quintana and Osorio, 2014). This networking system is used
in TESCO to establish communication across the see with the units that are present globally.
Difference between LAN, MAN, WAN
Basis LAN MAN WAN
Connectivity This network helps to
communicate with in
one building.
Communication
through MAN network
is done among two
units of business that
are established in the
same geographical
area.
This network helps to
establish a
communication system
all over the world as
they are connected
through satellites for
transferring
information.
Distance covered Network covers
distance around 2
miles.
Area covered by MAN
network is limited to
100 miles.
1000 of miles is
covered with the MAN
network establishment.
Speed High speed is present
in the network for
transferring
information as devices
are available in range.
Range is moderate as
network is established
in same geographical
area.
Distance among the
two units leads to poor
communication with
low connectivity.
Technology used Systems are connected
through wire.
Mostly fibre optics
cables are used to
They are wireless are
connected through
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provide connectivity. satellites.
The importance of intranet and internet in business
Internet: Internet can be described as an internationally connected network system in
which an user can assess and collect data and information from other widely spread networks if
the user is permitted. Internet system uses cables, telephone lines, wireless and satellite
connections to connect mobiles, computers and other devises to world wide web. Internet is very
useful in today's life (Pardo and Siemens, 2014). Some of its uses are: Communication: Internet is an strong medium of connection as it connects various
devices from one another. With the help of internet, it has become easier to connect with
remote people. Businessman can conduct their meetings with foreign delegates with help
of internet.
 Research and development: Research on various projects and development of assorted
fields is now possible with the help of internet. A host or server concept is there on
internet which avail huge amount of data and information are stored, so internet is the
best way of getting or acquiring knowledge about any topic.
Intranet: It is defined as private network that accessed by the company and gateways related to
outsider of business. It is utilised by a company to get benefits like internal communication,
transfer of resources and development programmes etc.
Importance of Intranet Better customer service – The director of Tesco easily collect the information regarding
to customer in order to provide better services of customer effectively. As a result it helps
to increase customer in huge way.
 Better internal communication – In the context of Tesco company easily communicate
in internal departments for announcement, staff members to control activities (Sampson
and Makela, 2014).
Stages of system development life cycle
System development life cycle is a procedure where identify the problem and sort out
after implement new system in the selected organisation. It helps to improve efficiency of
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company. The particular procedure categorised into different stages where project management
initialisation to compete in the market. Planning – In the starting of life cycle research & development department of Tesco is
liable for the identifying the problem in existing system. After that discuss with top
executives to apply new system and set objectives effectively. Furthermore, examine the
proposed options after discussing with clients, consultants and suppliers. It helps to
improve products and operations of Tesco effective to compare other retail sector
companies (Santoro, 2015). Analysing – In this stage collect all appropriate information regarding to new system that
replace to existing system. For this discuss with top executive to collect, examine
information of new system. They are liable for the fulfil the requirement of the
necessities of company and essential to maintain strong information with each level
manager to assure about the clear vision of the new system and its function. System designing – There are defining design of data base, network, application, system
program and user surface. For this stages required to maintain good understanding in
between different departments to understand the requirement of customer. It defines the
different element of this system as per the security, billing payment, increase sales system
and many others. New system design based on the operation of business and reviewed by
the senior that connected with SRS document. Implementation – After understand the requirement of particular system necessities and
specifications. It is required to IT department of Tesco for apply new system effectively
that easily conduct all the operations through coding. When SDLC write actual code is
here so system include configuration and fine tuning for the hardware and reach the
functions and requirements. After that take feedback from several staff members in order
to testing new system.
 Support/Maintenance – In the last stages apply all the appropriate modification that
based on several activity like on8ine or phone support for user, physical & social that are
depended on the installation of system. Due to carry out several features and subsystem
together that connected with system to address several inputs to determine the behaviour
and the way its functions (Schwalbe, 2015).
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Analysis & Discussion
Information technology is use of computers and software to arrange the information
effectively. It plays significant role in order to collect information from various sources to
increase efficiency and production and modify the working efficiency. In present time to secure
data and use by the business to stay in the competitive market. It would be liable for the
protection of the data, processing the information, transferring data and retrieving. In the context
of Tesco, It plays major role to maintain accuracy and track every product that come in and out
from the store and warehouse. Network technologies used by the Tesco to transfer information
from one department to another department and also between several companies. As they deal
with retail sector, it is required to make use of IT to fulfil the expectations of customer
efficiently. It will also assist by Tesco to modify their functions and way to carried out. Through
the utilisation of IT, Tesco improve their performance in market and increase market share price.
It is understanding that digital technology important for each country to make good position at
global level (Marchewka, 2014).
In the retail sector IT uses in different ways such as online payment, keep data in detailed
manner, track information of employees, aware for the changes in the government terms &
policies and many others. It helps to conduct comparative analysis to identify different features
that provided them with other products. Information technology conduct activity to develop
policies, arrange several activity and share them with staff members. Social and ethical issues
analysis in the information technology in order to manage activity of Tesco as they are carrying
out their operation worldwide. But major disadvantage is coming after apply such as complex
and very costly.
After application of information technology will lead to improve company and present
every task effectively. To manage information management in the Tesco required to apply
information system effectively. Moreover, Tesco use the software sage 50 in order to improve
accuracy and operations.
CONCLUSION
As per the above report it has been concluded that information technology broad way of
every organisation that utilise to collect data from various sources to support organisation
effectively. It plays signification role in the business in order to conduct business activities
effectively. There are using different network technologies that use to connect with different
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types of network in large manner. Internet and intranet both are important for organisation that
supports to conduct activities. Moreover, different ethical issues and social issues impact on the
performance of an organisation that need to improve. To establish new system follow the the
procedure of system development life cycle that define the objective of a company.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Eason, K. D., 2014. Information technology and organisational change. CRC Press.
Kiran, A. H., Oudshoorn, N. and Verbeek, P. P., 2015. Beyond checklists: toward an ethical-
constructive technology assessment. Journal of responsible innovation. 2(1). pp.5-19.
Law, R., Buhalis, D. and Cobanoglu, C., 2014. Progress on information and communication
technologies in hospitality and tourism. International Journal of Contemporary
Hospitality Management. 26(5). pp.727-750.
Marchewka, J. T., 2014. Information technology project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Mehlman, M. J. and Li, T. Y., 2014. Ethical, legal, social, and policy issues in the use of
genomic technology by the US Military. Journal of Law and the Biosciences. 1(3).
pp.244-280.
Neuhofer, B., Buhalis, D. and Ladkin, A., 2014. A typology of technology‐enhanced tourism
experiences. International Journal of Tourism Research. 16(4). pp.340-350.
Nieves, J., Quintana, A. and Osorio, J., 2014. Knowledge-based resources and innovation in the
hotel industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 38. pp.65-73.
Pardo, A. and Siemens, G., 2014. Ethical and privacy principles for learning analytics. British
Journal of Educational Technology. 45(3) pp.438-450.
Sampson, J. P. and Makela, J. P., 2014. Ethical issues associated with information and
communication technology in counseling and guidance. International Journal for
Educational and Vocational Guidance. 14(1). pp.135-148.
Santoro, G., 2015. Evaluating performance in the hotel industry: An empirical analysis of
Piedmont. Journal of Investment and Management. 4(1-1). pp.17-22.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Wang, D. and et. al, 2016. Assessing hotel-related smartphone apps using online reviews.
Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management. 25(3). pp.291-313.
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