Impacts of Technological Developments on Modern Business Practices

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Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Introduction1

Rationale2

Conceptual Underpinnings2

Purpose5

Research Questions6

Scope6

CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY7

Research methodology7

Research philosophy and Approach7

Research strategy8

Research Design8

Research Technique and Process8

Sampling Strategy9

Data Collection9

Instrument Design10

Analysis Methods10

Validity10

Reliability11

Access12

Gantt chart13

REFERENCES14

Chapter 1: Introduction

Introduction

Today's global managers are facing unprecedented challenges outside their organizations fuelled by environmental “forces of change” such as: globalization, emerging technologies, emerging best business practices, government regulations, competitive global financial markets, limited knowledge workers, and higher worker turnover rates. Most scholars and subject experts agree that environmental (external) forces may have triggered a “creative destructive cycle,” thereby making most information systems obsolete and forcing many firms to reinvent their business processes (Strauss & El-Ansary , 2008, 34-68). Historically, new business computer software applications have evolved every decade. For example, TPS (transaction processing systems) were introduced in 1950s, MIS (management information systems) in the 1960s, decision DSS (support systems) in the 1970s, knowledge management and executive information systems in the 1980s, and electronic business and commerce systems in the 1990s. It is clear that management and technological paradigm shifts are occurring in today's global economy. In addition, new management change tools have been introduced such as: business process re-engineering; process innovation; lean manufacturing; value stream mapping; six sigma-total quality management; the delta model and the balanced scorecard (McKnight, 2001, 45-49).

This research examines the current knowledge management systems (KMS), popular change management tools (CMT), the role of information technology (IT) in the change process, the role of managers in the global economy, process-based knowledge mapping, and emerging knowledge management systems (EKMS) (Strauss & El-Ansary , 2008, 34-68). It also explores major “global business drivers” and their relationship with emerging knowledge management systems utilized by organizations and managers to compete in the new global economy (McKnight, 2001, 45-49). In addition, it proposes a “hybrid knowledge management model” for global managers to: collect and validate data; create value- added information; encourage the seamless transfer of knowledge within the organization; streamline the decision-making process, promote organizational learning and memory, and store the knowledge in a central repository (e.g., web- based data warehouse) for any-time and any-where access (Marakas, 2003, 122-135).

Rationale

Technological development has drastically changed the business practices used by firms over the last ten years. The amalgamation of emerging technologies into business processes has created a huge demand for new KMS (knowledge management systems). This paradigm shift has had a deep impact on some of the leading industries (for e.g., automotive industry). The The development of information systems and the re-engineering of business processes have created a demand for managers with “data ...