Role of Information Technology in Retail Business: Analysis

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

Further points:

·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.