Individual Report: IT Role and Ethical Issues in Retail Business

This individual report examines the application of information technology (IT) within the retail sector, with a specific focus on Marks and Spencer (M&S). The report begins with a literature review that defines IT and its role in retail, covering networking technologies (PAN, LAN, MAN, WLAN, WAN), and ethical and social issues associated with technology use, including data privacy and cybercrime. It then analyzes the role of IT at M&S, highlighting technologies like RFID and e-commerce platforms, and the types of networking technologies used. The report also explores ethical and social issues faced by M&S. The importance of the internet and intranet for business operations is also examined. Finally, the report details the various stages of the system development life cycle (planning, analysis, design, implementation, integration and testing, and maintenance) as applied in the context of M&S's IT initiatives. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and implications of IT in the retail industry.

INDIVIDUAL REPORT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................1
1. Information technology and its role in retail business in general...........................................1
2. Different type of networking technologies.............................................................................1
3. Ethical and social issue of using technology in general..........................................................2
4. Importance of Internet and Intranet in business in general.....................................................2
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................3
Role of Information technology in Marks and Spencer..............................................................3
Types of networking technologies that used in M&S.................................................................4
Ethical and social issue in the selected business.........................................................................4
Importance of Intranet and Internet in Marks and Spencer.........................................................4
Various stages of system development life cycle.......................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Information technology refers to the information system to store, find, convey and
influence information or data. IT has become central requirement for any major that includes an
apprehension of digital devices, multimedia and networking system that are crucial part of IT
curriculum. This individual report aims to evaluate use of information technology and covers
how this contributes to retail businesses in UK, specifically Marks and Spencer. The study will
investigate role of IT and ethical and social issues associated with the use of technology. Along
with it, study will summarise importance of intranet and internet with different stages of system
development.
LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Information technology and its role in retail business in general
(Lloyd, 2017) defined Information technology as a learning, scheming, development,
Implement, assist and manage software application or information system that is computer based.
Retail sector is one of the fastest and powerfully growing market in the world. IT passes
necessary information to the part of society as well it helps the retail businesses to identify
consumer's need, wants and demands effectively to provide them excellent services that enhance
consumers experience. Furthermore, (Lunnay and et. al., 2015) stated that it enhance flexibility
and ability of the company it responds to the developing marketplace as information and
technology enable companies to speed up their process. Information technology also improve the
warehouse management system. Various kind of technology in retail business are employed in
order to achieve maximum output. (Mason, 2017) present their view as technology have to led to
enhance in the speed of production as well as accuracy. Also, it enables companies in retail
sector to gather real time information of potential consumers. According to (Rajaraman, 2018) IT
has a great role to play in marketing the products and services and changes the in-store
experience of customers from traditional to modern technological services.
2. Different type of networking technologies
Networking technology defined by (Van de Poel, 2016) as the use of connected systems
through wireless connections, satellite and optic cable to handing over various information or
data, resources and communications across the world. Generally following are the kinds of
networking technologies;
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(Waser and et. al., 2016) the very first and basic networking technology is PAN that also
called as personal area network that organised in a single building through wireless modem.
According to (Lloyd, 2017) second type is LAN stands for Local area network that is wider and
bigger than PAN. LAN able to connect computers through Ethernet cables within two or more
buildings. The third type of networking technology is MAN (Metropolitan area network) that
connects wide area from LAN and connect two more devices or computers that are apart but
resides in the same city or different cities. Wireless local area network is similar to the LAN in
terms of application and able to connect devices without relying on physical cables. Fifth one is
WAN that defined by (Lunnay and et. al., 2015) Wide area network inhabits wider geographical
area that covers the whole world. Wide area network incorporate multiple smaller networks
involving MAN, LAN, WLAN, etc.
3. Ethical and social issue of using technology in general
According to (Rajaraman, 2018) ethic is the basic principle of provide an understanding
to the individual what is right and wrong in terms of making decisions and taking actions to
guide the behaviour. (Van de Poel, 2016) stated that ethics related to technology called as
techno-ethics that is interdisciplinary area of research that is focused on all the ethical and moral
element of technology in businesses and society. The biggest issue raise in technological
utilisation in general is misuse of technology, chances of breaking privacy and confidentiality of
the information of a person, ethical issues, etc. Use of technology is very sensitive action and
businesses are required to take care that it directly or indirectly do not harm social values and
norms. Another issue mentioned by (Mason, 2017) is that, business face issue in striking balance
between economical, technological, ethical and social consideration. Some major issues present
by (Waser and et. al., 2016) that associated in using technology are; Cyber crime, Non violation
of associated rights and privacy amidst information excavation under information technology,
issue in Intellectual property rights, legal issues in technologies. Technology can affect
employees or consumer's personal privacy, hacking issue and data access issue is also a common
issue in using technology.
4. Importance of Internet and Intranet in business in general
In simple words, Intranet defined by (An article on information technology, 2019) as an
internal application of technologies that is developed from Internet. Intranet is kind of warehouse
for storage and retrieval of the information in business that is significant and vital for the
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organisation. The main aim of intranet in business is to share information within the
organisational structure and computing among staff. It is effective and important in changing the
internal communication way within the business and promoting; video conferencing, online
electronic forms, telecommunication, etc. Intranet is more private and restricted that can be
access by authorised employees only. On the other hand, Internet is defined by (Waser and et.
al., 2016) as global and public communication network that offer direct connectivity to any
person over LAN. Internet enables business to expand their operations and functions through
online store and expand the reach of company towards the potential consumers. Along with it,
(Van de Poel, 2016) also mentioned that Internet is important in enhancing consumer experience
and services by the businesses. Internet serves business through developing opportunities for
networking, marketing and sales. Internet helps business in gathering information and interact
with consumers. Internet also bring changes in marketing techniques and tools in business and
provide a platform of social media or digital marketing to market and promote the products and
services.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Role of Information technology in Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is the largest retailer in UK with over 20 million consumers. The
business is one of the most technological advanced retail sector. RFID technology utilise by the
company that has drawn a great deal of attention. This technology allow company to enable
barcode and counting of products automatically (Lunnay and et. al., 2015). M&S utilise
information technology and management across a wide array of activities thereby responding to
changing requirement of consumers. Information technology enable company to unveiled new
technological transformation programme that aims to turn high street unit store into an online
store or e-commerce store. Electronic point of sale link the store to the distribution network
through adjusting inventory, recording sales and provide information that influence purchasing
decision of consumers. Information technology role in Marks and Spencer is to enhance
consumer experience and the way through which company operates in the domestic as well as in
the global marketplace (MARKS & SPENCER ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME, 2019). Along with it, the process from warehouse
stocking to delivering it end-users made easier through information technology. Another role of
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IT in M&S is to increase in-store experience of consumers. Company also introduced mobile
application for their potential consumer from where they can make purchase from anywhere and
anytime.
Types of networking technologies that used in M&S
As discussed above various types of networking technologies such as LAN, WAN,
WLAN, PAN. Marks and Spencer generally utilise their day to day operations within the
organisation through Local area network that connects various store in the city (Rajaraman,
2018). Along with it, the company operates through wide area network under single network
infrastructure. The networking technologies boost productivity of Marks and Spencer by
standardization key finance and human resource across oversees operations. M&S also utilise
computer based information system for planning, controlling, decision making, controlling and
problem solving.
Ethical and social issue in the selected business
There are many factors and issues face by Marks and Spencer in terms of ethical and
social term. The issues affect the company how they operate in domestic and at global market.
The technological utilisation brings many challenges toward the company to maintain the
privacy and confidentiality of employees and consumers. One of the issue faced by company is
contact less payment issue, in which consumer claimed that contactless payment chain take
money from cards without intended for payments, M&S investigate the security and on which
level this issue is happened and resolved successfully after integrating a robust system
(Rajaraman, 2018). Company also faces breach of data contract between two parties that lead the
company towards legal issues.
Importance of Intranet and Internet in Marks and Spencer
M&S utilise various tools of internet that assist the business to become digital-first
business and deliver an improvement in consumer experience. Internet also designed to develop
a faster, agile and commercial technology that foster the growth of business. Intranet improved
the communication process in the business that enhance the coordination of various departmental
function. Through internet, Marks and Spencer shifted to online shopping that also associated
with various online sites such as ASOS (Van de Poel, 2016). The internet improves high street
retailing experience and intranet provide better shop window. Along with it, the technology also
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enable M&S to identify the market and consumer need and track the changing behaviour of
clients that assist them in developing strategies. It also enables business to serve the consumers
24*7 that enhance brand loyalty and engagement. Intranet allow Marks and Spencer to connect
with in-store staff and enhance internal communication through staff news, memos,
announcements, etc. Through Internet, M&S launched their official website
www.marksandspencer.com. Along with it, Internet also enable company to market through high
profile media campaigns that raise the profile of company (Mason, 2017). Intranet and Internet
provide the business a competitive edge that positioned Marks and Spencer on the top from its
competitive rivalry.
Various stages of system development life cycle
System development phenomena refers to various phases that applies to a range of
hardware and software constellation. Following are the stages that implies in Marks and Spencer
during development of any software system or application;
 Planning- In the system planning stage, the developer of M&S outlines the plan of
development of application or system. It is also essential to consider the strength,
weakness, threat and security of software or system.
 Analysis- After planning, system developer of M&S analyse feasibility of software
according to the requirement of end-user and also required to have an understanding of
the need of business and process (Lunnay and et. al., 2015).
 Design- After analysing the need, designing process is done with considering architecture
and aspects of the software/application/system, security level, consumer's requirement.
 Implementation and Development- The development stage actually and practically
starts from this stage after having illustrated and complete design for the system. In the
present stage design implement through coding into source code.
 Integration and Testing- In this stage all components and subsystem of the system
brings together to develop whole integrated system. Through testing developer of M&S
ensure that the system met the satisfaction level of customers. The process of testing can
be done through end users of the system or application or by the specialized personnel
team.
 Maintenance- The development stage is not just end at the final development, developer
of Marks and Spencer is required to do periodic maintenance check so that they can
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ensure that the system will not become obsolete (Lloyd, 2017). Along with it,
periodically updates and upgrades are also essential to maintain the standard.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been identified that IT is a crucial part of retail business.
Marks and Spencer is renowned technological advanced retail business in UK. But they are
required to identified social and ethical issues that are associated with using technology. It also
has been analysed that development life cycle of software system is essential to consider while
developing new application of software. Marks and Spencer gain competitive advantage through
information technology.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Lloyd, I. J., 2017. Information technology law. Oxford University Press.
Lunnay, B. and et. al., 2015. Ethical use of social media to facilitate qualitative
research. Qualitative Health Research. 25(1). pp.99-109.
Mason, R. O., 2017. Four ethical issues of the information age. In Computer Ethics. (pp. 41-48).
Routledge.
Rajaraman, V., 2018. Introduction to Information Technology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Van de Poel, I., 2016. An ethical framework for evaluating experimental technology. Science
and engineering ethics. 22(3). pp.667-686.
Waser, R. and et. al., 2016. Introduction to nanoionic elements for information
technology. Resistive Switching: From Fundamentals of Nanoionic Redox Processes to
Memristive Device Applications. pp.1-30.
Online
MARKS & SPENCER ANNOUNCES TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME.
2019. [Online]. Available Through:<https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/media/press-
releases/2018/marks-and-spencer-announces-technology-transformation-programme>.
An article on information technology. 2019. [Online]. Available
Through:<http://uokirkuk.edu.iq/en/index.php/component/k2/item/324-an-article-on-
information-technology>.
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