Role of Information Technology in the Retail Sector

Scenario:

Information technology (IT) and its applications to businesses in recent times is a necessity to survive and succeed. IT plays a crucial role in all aspects of modern life. IT increases productivity of a company with efficiency saving effort, time and money.

Task:

Select an organisation in the retail sector, for example Tesco, Sports Direct etc and conduct desk and/or Internet research on the organisation, together with an analysis of relevant academic books and journals to :

·Discuss the role of IT in the success or failure of a business

·Find ethical and social issues that pertain to running businesses

·identify and differentiate between different types of networking technologies

·discuss the importance of Intranet and Internet in your business

·list and explain the different stage of system development life cycle. Please note this may not be revenant to the selected business, however, you must provide a generic answer.

Support your analysis with a discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks of any business in general and your chosen company in particular of investing in Information Technology.

This assessment addresses:

LO1 - Understand and use frequently used Computing terminologies

LO2 - Understand ethical and social issues associated with Technology

LO3 - Differentiate between types of networks

LO4 - Appreciate the growth in ICT and use of the Internet and its effects on business

LO5 - Understand the role of Information Technology in Management

LO6 - Understand the different stages of systems development

·It is expected that you use current peer-reviewed journals and articles to ensure that you have an in-depth understanding of your topic particularly for the Literature Review.

·There must be sufficient linkage between theory and practice.

·Harvard style of references should be used.

Please note the following when completing your written assignment:

1.Writing: Written in English in an appropriate business/academic style

2.Focus: Focus only on the tasks set in the assignment.

3.Length: 2000 - 3000 words.

4.Formatting: Typed in Times New Roman or Garamond font 12 and pages numbered.

5.Document format: Report

6.Ensure a clear title, course, and Student ID number is on a cover sheet and a references list using Harvard referencing style throughout is also provided.

Research: Research should use reliable and relevant sources of information e.g. academic books and journals that have been peer reviewed. At least SIX references must be provided.

Work of distinguished quality which is based on a rigorous and broad knowledge base, and demonstrating sustained ability to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and interpret concepts, principles and data within field of study, using defined principles, techniques and/or standard formats and applications.  This will form the basis for the development of sound arguments and judgements appropriate to the field of study/ assessment task.  There will be strong evidence of competence across a range of specialised skills, using them to plan, develop and evaluate problem solving strategies, and of the capability to operate autonomously and self-evaluate with guidance in varied structured contexts. Outputs will be communicated effectively, accurately and reliably.

Work of very good quality which displays most but not all of the criteria for the grade above.

Work of highly commendable quality which clearly fulfils the criteria for the grade below, but shows a greater degree of capability in relevant intellectual/subject/key skills.

Work of commendable quality based on a strong factual/conceptual knowledge base for the field of study, including an assured grasp of concepts and principles, together with effective deployment of skills relevant to the discipline and assessment task.  There will be clear evidence of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and application, and the ability to work effectively within defined guidelines to meet defined objectives.  There will be consistent evidence of capability in all relevant subject based and key skills, including the ability to self-evaluate and work autonomously under guidance and to use effectively specified standard techniques in appropriate contexts.