Essays on What Kind of Digital Society Are We Creating

The 21st century and beyond is an era of creativity and inventions and the daily activities need to embrace these new inventions, otherwise we will be left lagging behind. Modern technology has revolutionized everything and it requires that we keep in phase with it. The world today is destining to globalization and technology is the major tool used to achieve this objective. For us to interact with the outside world we need technology right at our hands. The kind of interaction that exists is one with mutual gains to both parties, which is described by Simmel as patterned interaction. Where it has various elements and all are directed towards achieving quality relationship. The elements include; playing games, keeping secrets, strangers and forming relationships but further narrowed it down to individual personality as the base for this mutual understanding that can be precisely brought up by collective patterns such as the economy (Murphy, 2010). We cannot be specific on the kind of interaction that we have with one another. The world is made of different cultures with different traditions, norms, and practises. This diversity brings about the different types of interaction and it’s only upon us to create an order of interaction from the large web pattern. In our day-to-day activities we seek different information and the way we resolve issues varies greatly hence developing a problematic situation but always flexible to change. This depend on the nature of individuals communicating together, but in some cases one only need to read something in printed media or through internet and that is also another form of interaction. The different fields expose us to challenges that we cannot specifically define how we interact. With the digital world, everything is done by the click of the button, no face-to-face interaction and response depends on the nature of urgency (Weert Munro, 2003). The digital relationship has both advantages and disadvantages. The good thing about the digital interaction is that passing information across is always fast and we get the feedback immediately. The world today is driven by information and it enables us to make informed decisions. The internet has simplified so many things around us and we no longer need to travel far distance to get our things done, we just order someone and by the click of the button, you get whatever you wanted. Employers have their website where they post their vacancies and one can apply online, education also on the other hand have embrace the digital technology and students now can learn and get their degrees through the internet. Another advantage is that through interaction we are hooked up by friends who can help us in times of calamities, for example if we post for assistance we will never miss someone or a Non Governmental Organization who will come to our rescue (Larry, 2007). The other importance of the digital interaction is that the media uses it to pass news and adverts on various issues of our interest. Those who are interested in fashion get the latest outfits just by visiting the site on fashions a chose among the collections given. This saves us time and resources of moving around since we find almost everything on the internet. Generally, the digital relationship reduces the world to a small village where we interact openly to anyone across the board with no fear of social injustices (Bohlen, 2004). The disadvantage of this form of relationship is that there is too much freedom and controlling people is a problem. Since there is, no regulation people have misused the internet by posting various forms of immorality. Photographic images are so rampant that you can never miss it when you open the internet. This reduces the benefits of the technology and referred unethical by some individuals. Some people take too much time talking to strangers, which at long run may harm them by taking their photos, manipulate, and post them in you tubes as phonographic videos (Peng, 2001). Too much use of the internet leads to addiction and can give us misleading information. There are experts in this field producing anything they think of, some even post various theories on why relationships don’t succeed, some look so real that if we are not careful we can be convinced otherwise. Others conceal their identities and present themselves as perfect individuals but in reality, they are imposters posing a lot of danger to our authentic relationships. The world is moving so fast at an alarming rate and soon or later we will be only meeting our friends through the internet, this is not good since for you to determine the dependability of a person you have to meet face to face hence endangering our mutual existence (Murphy, 2010). The introduction of new technology implies that everything has to be done according to the rules. Digital world is bringing negative impact on face to face encounters since we don’t need to meet someone in any conversation what you only need is the communicating tools like mobile phone which is the most available and information is passed with ease while feedback are also immediate. They have also introduced the other service of transferring money so physical contact will be minimal. This is not good for the social development since parents might not be with their children long enough to teach them on the moral standards of the family. The society will also be affected since the educated individuals will relocate to the urban centre leaving the old and illiterate in the rural hence causing an imbalance of social setup (Murphy, 2010). In the digital world almost every person owns a gadget of communication; mobile phones, computers, and other digital receivers. Passing information is very easy and you are sure that it will reach many people within a very short time. The advanced telecommunication industry has made it possible and we can reach our friends, family members or work mates from wherever they are easily. The interaction has taken another format which requires us to be brief and precise in our interaction, no much descriptions and explanation, texting for example requires only a few sentences you not need to give every detail for the receiver is just assumed to understand your mind and respond immediately. This is further explained by the many sites being visited by the teenagers and other internet funs. Posting anything for example in the site known as ‘my space’ will automatically be read by so many people and suggestions, commends and criticisms will be received almost immediately. This sho ws how technology has changed and what one can get through the social network interaction (Larry, 2007). The new forms of communication has ruined the natural format and made us act like robots that follow orders and instructions. This is because if you look keenly on how people interact, you will be mesmerized since there is no self expression, but too much gestures and gaps that the recipient is suppose to fill by him/herself. Fashion styles are also the other modes of communication where individuals identifies themselves to belong to a particular group, and if you meet their standards and status then you are allowed to be part of the group otherwise you cannot even say hi to them, and for sure that is how robots works i.e. unless instructed to do something it cannot work on its’ own.   There are no guidelines and the information can only be understood by the recipient since other styles have emerged where symbols or shorten words are mainly used (Murphy, 2010). References: Peng, C. (2001). Design through digital interaction: computing communications and interaction with the modern world. Britain: intellect books ltd. Bohlen, E. (2004). Global economy and digital society. New York: Emerald group publishers Weert, T. and Munro, R. (2003). Informatics and the digital society: social, ethical, and cognitive issues. London: Kluwer academic publishers. Larry, K. (2007). Social Networking: technology of digital interaction. Texas: Global intelligence press.

Sociology - Family Unit - 1057 Words

SOCIOLOGY – FAMILY – STUDY GUIDE Definitions Types of families Alternative to traditional families Family diversity Functions ( beneficial amp; critical view) Characteristics of lone-parent family Reasons for increase in lone parent families Features of families in contemporary society Reasons for increase in divorce rate Reasons for increase in cohabitation Reasons for increase in birth outside marriage Definitions Family: A group of people consisting of adults and their children, who live with each other. The adults are generally married. Household: One or more people living in the same dwelling. Kin: All the members of your family, including those related by blood, marriage or cohabitation. Types of†¦show more content†¦* The increase in abortion. Reasons for increase in divorce rate * Changes in law has made divorce easier, quicker and cheaper. * Changes in attitudes have meant that divorce has become more socially acceptable. * Changes in social position of the women. * Secularization refers to decline of religion in society. * Media influence. It tends to emphasize the importance of romantic love, which means that people may enter marriage with high expectations. Reasons for cohabitation It has been attributed to the sexual revolution and the availability of birth control, and in our current economy, sharing the bills makes cohabiting appealing. * Sexual revolution. * Availability of birth control. * Current economy (ex: sharing the bills). Reasons for births outside marriage * Growing social acceptance. * Women are far less dependent upon male. * Some pregnancies are simply accidental. QUESTIONS Divorice features in contemporary society Has the number of married people decreased? 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British Airways Supply Chain free essay sample

Operations and Supply Chain Management ESMT Case Study British Airways: A Journey in Procurement Transformation Q1  In the case what are the challenges faced by the procurement group in coming 2 years ahead? There are several challenges the procurement group faced between 2004 and 2006. First of all, keeping up with the success of the past years, especially the cost and performance improvements and also keeping investors happy (constant increase of share price since the beginning of 2003).Secondly, the procurement group was to face challenges when rationalizing the number of suppliers, building cross business conformity to develop a uniform sourcing process, reduce spending and leveraging it. The roll out of additional tools of Ariba’s spend management solution, which was supposed to cover all spend categories was another challenge. Since it in the beginning only consisted of a small group of suppliers extended over the coming month, which might lead to difficulties when trying to increase conformity with preferred suppliers. Those shall be decreased to 2000, which will make it easier to manage them and also to develop proper sourcing strategies. However integrating the different Ariba system tools represented another challenge, and was important to make sure that orders are based on the same agreed terms. Furthermore the procurement group planned to adjust catalogues. The challenges it faced here were to make ordering simpler, support transactions with preferred suppliers, decrease invoice mismatches, speed up approvals and advance requisition accuracy.In addition to this another future challenge was to rollout to overseas operations and subsidiaries. This would mean another reduction in employee headcount in other divisions and could lead again to resistance to change amongst employees. Therefore change management would be an essential tool to tackle this challenge, while the technical part of the roll out should not be a problem. Q2 What were the solutions proposed and how did they address the problems faced? Solutions proposed were to adapt to a generic sourcing process.Initially it consisted of five tollgates. Later it was reduced to three tollgates, because of heavy workload faced by the persons in charge (External Spend Group) during the review process, which would have compromised the high level of efficiency. It supported a more structured, transparent and responsible workflow, purchasing process and cost controlling. It addressed the until then very liberal management of buyers, who sometimes could authorized spending up to ? 1 million without approval by supervisors. Adapting to a new sourcing process also meant to restructure BA’s organizational purchasing process. In order to do so, additional software for transactional purchasing of services and products was introduced. Until then this process took place through very resource intensive methods. At the time the needed software was still about to develop and it took some time to find the right one. This new software from Ariba (Ariba Buyer) was supposed to fill the gap of efficiently (time and cost) purchasing in the procurement process, which existed in this area.It ran on an external Internet platform, which enabled BA to set up working solutions more quickly. With its ability to combine several management capabilities and to centrally manage the aspects of the procurement process the system addressed the problems originating through the earlier mentioned gap. Another problem faced by BA during the implementation of the procurement transformation program was the resistance to this new process and to use of the software in all areas.It was a constant issue since the search for procurement process software and at the same time ongoing job cuts of the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† initiative in the year 2000. Three years later BA started to tackle the problem by showing the advantages of Ariba Buyer, offering support (e. g. call centre for buyers) and training (â€Å"Learning Programme†). A very successful tool became the â€Å"Z-card†. It was a small enough card to be carried around everywhere and explained in pictures and simple language the steps of the new process and strategy. It also explained how this new development fit with the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† initiative. Q3  What indications are there that the changes worked? 1999-2004 In 2003, a rapid increase of strategic procurement processes showed that the implementation of the five tollgates had worked. Also the support services for buyers like the call centre turned out to be a success with over 100 calls per day. The change in procurement strategy and process had also a positive impact on the bottom-line. Procurement savings had steadily increased since the start of the change in 1999.In 2001/2002 the new development lead to savings of about ? 50 million. Just three years later in 2004/2005 it had increased by four times to ? 200 million of savings. With such a development the cost for Ariba Buyer was returned in just five months. Another indication that the changes worked showed rapid increase of orders trough the Ariba Buyer system in the second half of 2003. Several additional benefits indicated that the changes had worked. Such as more transparent spending, which shows a rise in orders processed via Ariba Buyer.This also reduced the amount of suppliers used until then by 63% in 2003. Another increase was recorded in contract compliance, where preferred suppliers started to become part of the daily business, not just reducing off contract spending and resulting in lower prices for goods and services purchased, but also reducing administrative efforts through fewer contracts. With better information on purchasing spend, it was possible to analyse which amount was spend for which supplier and product. This enabled the procurement group to start leveraging purchasing power and therefore save costs in different areas like in-flight catering in the US (15%), ground fuel at the London airports (22%) and crew accommodation in the US (17%). Also internally processing costs have been decreased, with a positive affect on error rates, transaction cost (decreased by 48%) and order-processing time, with most of the orders being transacted electronically. This gives employees more time to concentrate on value-add activities, leading to higher employee productivity. Since the workflow had been optimized less workforce was needed.Therefore BA was able to reduce headcount employed especially in procurement and safe additional costs. Q4  What could have been done differently? The procurement team should have been rigorous about the usage of Ariba Buyer right from the beginning at the implementation of the software. This could have been done by closely monitoring the usage of the software by buy ers, but also by making sure that employees actually know how to use it and what the purpose of the software is. This could have been easily achieved by training workforce and supporting the software right from the beginning as ell. The time taken until reinforcing measures (like in 2003 for tighter NDI controls) was too long. During this time buyers were too greatly empowered with too much freedom about their decision-making. Also the introduction of the tollgates came very late in the process and should have been already in place when the new software was launched. The people in charge should have also been proactive with promoting the procurement transformation programme right from the beginning amongst employees, by introducing the intentions and goals something like the â€Å"Z-card† right at the beginning.This would have decreased resistance against the change. Also one should have thought chosen a different time to introduce the â€Å"Future Size and Shape† initiative, which at the time was just another change and caused additional resistance. The start of this initiative right at the beginning of the procurement transformation programme would have been better. Or one should have waited until people have adjusted to the initial changes and then come up with this scheme.