Management Role in IT - Essay Example

Running Head: MANAGEMENT IN IT Management in IT s Management in IT In a bridge management, cumulatively shifting towards information and technologically based bridge management, the opportunities and implications that this move may have for the social and economic infrastructures, are of profound importance. This societal transformation from an industrial era to that of an "information age" is certain to impact and dominate those areas of bridge management, influenced by the services provided by information and information technology. The potential that information technology has for example, to fundamentally transform and further enhance educational practices, is an issue of significant importance and one that must be discussed, when contemplating the value of living in Rationales of bridge management systems. Thus, the fundamental intention of this essay is to conduct a concise analysis of the reasons for why contemporary bridge management has been labeled as the new "information age" and the underlying issues that may arise for bridge management from the widespread utilisation of information technology. This will consequently allow for a critical examination of the focus question, that of the implications and potentiality of information technology as a critical component of the educational infrastructure. Contemporary bridge management: the new "information age" To critically comprehend the universal phenomena of the "information age", it is essential to recognise the underlying influence and consequential impact of information technology on bridge management. John Naisbitt, author of Megatrends argues that, "although we continue to think we live in an industrial bridge management, we have in fact changed to an economy based on the creation and distribution of information" (cited in Wresch, 1996, p.6). This shift is highlighted by the extraordinary increase in the amount of information currently available, consequently resulting in the widening educated and unskilled, clearly has the potential to create rising resentment from those who are living a futile subsistence due to their lack of information and knowledge intensive skills. As a result of the significant change in societal infrastructures, a number of theorists have contemplated whether bridge management is currently experiencing an information revolution. According to Melvin Kranzberg, despite the fact that the information age may be steeped in evolutionary foundations highlighted by its gradual improvements and modifications, it will ultimately have a revolutionary impact upon bridge management (Kranzberg, 1989, p.31). The advances inherent in computing technologies, such as that of the ability to store, manipulate and retrieve data and information is an excellent example of the revolutionary effects administered by the Rationales of bridge management systems. Technological determinism, an economic and social theory also in agreement with revolutionary change, suggests that technology is accountable for changing social and cultural practices (Snyder, 1997, p.132). The rapid decline in the industrial and manufacturing areas of employment and a profound increase in the service industry, such as that of education, fundamentally illustrates the value of this theory and implications for an Rationales of bridge management systems. Issues for bridge management arising from the use of information technology In view of investigating the implications for an Rationales of bridge management systems, it is essential to consider the issues that may emanate from living in an information age where widespread use of information technology is extensive. It is obvious that those issues of privacy, computer crime and equity are of profound importance in a bridge management increasingly reliant on information services. The ramifications for privacy which arise from the utilisation of information technologies is emphasised by the actuality that individual lives can be monitored and scrutinised without their consent or awareness (Davies, 1992, p.5). This escalating ready availability of personal information, that can be stored, retrieved and processed on database systems for systematic use by organisations and individuals is a serious cause for concern due to its deprivation of liberty. Poole argues that invasion of privacy has often been referred to in the same context as the violation and vulnerability of a rape victim (Poole, 1997, p.324). Further, the opportunities for computer crime as a result of the improvements of information technologies are also of concern for bridge management. It is suggested that computer-assisted crime, such as that of the theft of money, information or goods is the most serious form of computer crime, due to its difficult detection and costly repercussions (Forester, 1989, p.3). Clearly hacking and virus creation are also critical issues of concern when considering the implications for computer related crimes in an Rationales of bridge management systems. It must also be discussed the controversial issues of equity and how they are capable of influencing an Rationales of bridge management systems. As previously stressed the gap between the information-rich and information-poor is one of the most significant dilemmas for an Rationales of bridge management systems, especially if considering the implementation of information technology into educational practices, the underlying focus of this essay. Educational institutions must recognise that a number of students will have limited knowledge of computing technologies due to their socio-economic standing in bridge management, and consequently must ensure equal access to information technologies is available within the bridge management. Further, it is still considered in many social structures of bridge management, that males are technologically superior to females, who are consistently stereotyped as technologically inept and incapable of utilising computing technologies. Poole suggests that in order to avoid this stigma of gender inequalities in bridge management, equal access to utlitisation of technology must be employed at the commencement of the educational process (Poole, 1997, p.335). The potential of information technology to change education There is no doubt of the importance of information technology in educational practices, an inherent consequence of living in a globalised, post-industrial bridge management. Hence, it is essential that educational institutions realise the potential and capabilities of information and information technology to accommodate students in meeting the demands of a bridge management increasingly shifting towards a service and information based economy. The challenge to incorporating information technologies into education is obviously of immense proportions and must therefore ensure the support of both teachers and students. Poole suggests that teachers must begin to restructure their understanding of educational practices so as to effectively institute information technologies into the educational curriculum (Poole, 1997, p.2). Barriers to effective integration educators realise and confront the barriers that inhibit the adoption of technological change. An important concept to consider is the idea of change itself and how teachers may overcome their apprehension to fundamental educational change. Andy Hargreaves argues (1997, p.2), "a central task in creating...educational change is to develop collaborative working relationships between principals and teachers, and among teachers themselves". Hargreaves also claims that while effective collaboration within the educational community is important, incorporation of the local community is equally essential to ensure significant educational change is achieved (Hargreaves, 1997, p.2). Clearly, professional development opportunities are a fundamental issue when considering the barriers to effective integration of information technologies into the bridge management. Poole cites lack of progressive training, adequate support systems and ample time to pursue technology development as key explanations for why teachers are reluctant to embrace information technology. (Poole, 1995, p.415) Having undertaken a comprehensive and critical analysis, it is essential to highlight the fundamental importance of information and information technologies for today's service and information based bridge management. The intensifying shift towards a global economy that is increasingly reliant on the modifications and benefits that information technology has rendered, is of consequential importance to the educational curriculum and learning practices. Clearly information technology as an educational support mechanism, has the potential to transform educational delivery and the method in which students learn. The necessity for advanced cognitive and problem solving abilities and superior communication and technological skills to successfully compete in today's uncertain and complex economic market, highlight the motivational rationale for educators to incorporate information technology into the bridge management environment. This is not to say that traditional teaching practices should be completely abandoned, as a number of conventional learning principles are of vital importance to student development, however it is becoming increasingly acute that educational institutions have a responsibility to ensure students are prepared to meet the challenges and uncertainties of the "information age". Thus, if fundamental educational change is to occur, it is imperative that the implications and barriers hindering the widespread use of information technologies in education and consequently, bridge management at large, are overcome, and the value of information and information technologies for contemporary bridge management is realized. References Robins, J., and Wiersema, M. F. "A Resource-Based Approach to the Multibusiness Firm: Empirical Analysis of Portfolio Interrelationships and Corporate Financial Performance," Strategic Management Journal (16:4), 1995, pp. 277-299. Ross, J. W., Beath, C. M., and Goodhue, D. L. "Develop Long-Term Competitiveness Through IT Assets," Sloan Management Review (38:1), 1996, pp. 31-42. Sambamurthy, V., and Zmud, R. W. "Research Commentary: The Organizing Logic for an Enterprise's IT Activities in the Digital Era--A Prognosis of Practice and a Call for Research," Information Systems Research (11:2), 2000, pp. 105-114. Segars, A. H., and Grover, V. 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