The Impact of Technology on Industries

The Impact of Technology on Industries

Technology generally refers to science that is often applied for practical purposes in a bid to promote efficiency, interconnect functions, and be up-to-date with the progress in the society. In the world today, everything has become more accessible and convenient due to technological advancements across nearly all industries. Yetkiner (2013) cites that the impact of technology on industries is not measurable particularly because of the fact that technological advancement is ever in progress. In fact, the benefits of technological advancement in industries are immense, diverse, and tangible. Moreover, there is continued advancement in technology as a result of research new inventions which are aimed at making new discoveries in order to enhance efficient, simples, and mechanized work environment. Despite the benefits associated with advancement and application of technology in industries, it is evident that technology can also impact both the industries where it is applied and the society negatively. For instance, application of technology in the industry to replace manual work would render many people jobless while emission and disposal from certain technologies are have been linked to greenhouse emissions which contribute to global warming. As such, this paper discusses the influence of technology on the industries in the contemporary society.

Technology has been used today to automate different tasks at the workplace by almost all industries. Zhang (2010) cites that such automation guarantees efficiency and also increases productivity at work thereby making industries both competitive and successful. For instance, the use of computers to carry out certain tasks at the workplace creates room for making corrections instantly. Additionally, computers reduce the occurrences of human errors. That is, the fact that technology has the capacity to recognize errors and underline the errors makes the users to easily recognize the errors and correct them immediately. Moreover, databases are mainly used to store and capture information, which helps in making quick decision at work (Zhang, 2010). The employees can also easily access vital business information through a single database; such information may be edited and then saved and used later. The presence of technology has necessitated the use and application of database. The use of the internal networks at workplaces can assist in the sharing of important gadgets such as scanners, printers, and photocopiers (Zhang, 2010). This saves time for the employees because they are not necessarily required to move from department to share the technological tools that are available within the organization.

Technology has also transformed the health industry. For example, most hospitals have presently set up modern technologies in the surgical rooms, which have reduced mistakes committed by doctors (Zhang, 2010). This is because human beings can make mistakes easily due to stress and work overload. In addition, Yetkiner (2013) states that researchers at International Business Machines (IBM) managed to develop a supercomputer named Watson. This form of supercomputer will be able to help doctors to make better diagnoses and recommend correct treatments. Doctors can also depend on Watson to follow patients’ history, stay updated on the medical researches and also analyze treatment alternatives. Yetkiner (2013) also states that physicians were marginalized and were noticeably missing from online conversations regarding health for many years. However, today they are increasingly using the social media, new technologies as well as new ways of interacting with patients and other doctors via online. This potentially saves patients from making long trips to see doctors. Furthermore, through Doximity, physicians across the US can team up online and work on very difficult cases (Yetkiner, 2013). This has led to increased efficiency in the delivery of health care to patients. Medical discoveries also occur much faster today because of the computers and machines that help in the research processes and facilitate more concentrated research into the medical matters.

Technology has also been critical in increasing cost-efficiency in almost all industries across the world. For example, Sengupta (2010) argues that technology continuously improves on the current processes and introduces new and simpler ways of performing different tasks. Therefore, machines can produce more output than human beings in most industries. This brings about cost-savings for many companies in different industries, which enables them to make investments in other important areas of business, hence contributing to the aggregate economic growth. In addition, technology has also been critical in increasing energy efficiency in different firms in different industries (Sengupta, 2010). This is very important because energy constitutes a huge percentage of the operating costs for many companies. Within the agricultural industry, agricultural processes which at one time required dozens of workers are now automated because of advances in technology. This implies that there would be cost-efficiency for the farmers due to technological advancement. Sengupta (2010) also cites that some industries use modern technology to produce fuel from the waste products that are often used to provide extra energy. For instance, in the agricultural industry, sugar millers use waste products to generate ethanol which is a source of energy generated as a result of technological application in the industries. Energy-efficiency is also a cost-effective strategy that builds economies without automatically increasing energy use (Sengupta, 2010). However, some of the modern technologies use more energy to operate, thereby contributing to the rising energy costs for companies. This is because a lot of industrial processes need large amounts of mechanical power and heat to operate.

Employees can also use various business technologies to develop innovative ideas that can be used to facilitate business growth as well as expansion. According to Lewin (2011), it is evident since many firms today are facing technological challenges. Therefore, such firms reward the employees who are able to develop creative ideas by using technology; these creating ideas are in most cases used to promote growth, competition, efficiency, and success within the company. Moreover, employees use the internet to innovate new ways that can then be used to promote business online (Lewin, 2011). Social enterprise networks such as Yammer.com are often used by the workers for socialization as well as interacting with the other creative staff from different companies. In most cases, the interaction facilitated by technological platforms such as Facebook and other promotes information exchange and also encourages brain-storming on different work-related issues.

However, technology also has harmful impacts with regard to their costs, people, and the environment. Loos (2008) cites that it is very expensive to acquire new technologies and also costly to maintain them. In addition, many small businesses are not able to afford the costs of employing around the clock technical person. Accordingly, they turn to monthly tech-contractors who then charge them for the work done. Moreover, whenever business technology tools such as computers are poorly maintained, it results to decrease in their performance (Loos, 2008). At the same time, the procedure of purchasing new computers and other business technologies can even become more expensive for firms in different industries. Technology further has some risks, particularly in relation to data security (Loos, 2008). This is because all employees in the important decision-making positions may need to access private and confidential business information. However, this may pose a threat, since it may be very hard to monitor the use as well as privacy of such information. As a matter of fact, many employees usually go to work with their own flash drives (Loos, 2008). Therefore, they can easily transfer vital business information and then use such information for their personal gains. Technology can also significantly increase environmental pollution. For example, using heavy machines which emit harmful gases into the atmosphere contribute to global warming.

In summary, technology has greatly contributed to the growth of different industries across the world today. Despite the fact that there are some harmful impacts associated with technology and its continued advancement, its benefits certainly outweigh the disadvantages that are associated with it. Many firms in different industries have undergone through automation because of technological advancements. This automation not only guarantees efficiency to small and big organizations, but also increases productivity at work. The health industry has also not been left behind because it has undergone through a significant transformation as a result of technological advancement. Additionally, technology has been critical in increasing cost-efficiency and energy-efficiency in virtually all industries across the world. Since technological advancement is a continuous process many industries will undergo positive transformations especially through increased efficiencies. Therefore, the influence of technology on industries is immeasurable and is expected to continue because of the continued technological advancement and innovation.

References

Lewin, D., Kaufman, B. E., & Gollan, P. (2011). Advances in industrial and labor relations: Vol. 18. Bingley, UK: Emerald.

Loos, E., Haddon, L., & Mante-Meijer, E. A. (2008). The social dynamics of information and communication technology. Aldershot, England: Ashgate Pub. Co.

Sengupta, J. K. (2010). Technology, Innovations and Growth. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Yetkiner, I. H., Pamukcu, M. T., & Erdil, E. (2013). Industrial dynamics, innovation policy, and economic growth through technological advancements. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.

Zhang, P. (2010). Advanced industrial control technology. Amsterdam: William Andrew/Elsevier.