©G. Millbery 2003The Role and Impact of ICT: Legal, Moral and Social IssuesSlide 1 Module 5.1.6 The Role and Impact of ICT: Legal, Moral and Social Issues

©G. Millbery 2003 The Role and Impact of ICT: Legal, Moral and Social Issues Slide 1

Module 5.1.6

The Role and Impact of ICT: Legal, Moral and Social Issues


Rationale and Responsibility The details given in the following slides are points for

consideration. On many occasions, a point has been made, but the

advantages and disadvantages of the point have not been covered. This is intended to lead to discussion.

Questions asked are likely to be set within the context of a scenario and answers must be relevant to the scenario.

As the world of ICT moves quickly, it is YOUR responsibility to keep up with new innovations, etc.


Basis of Module 5.1.6 This module is a discussion module.

A discussion is an extension of an explain-type answer but the candidate also has to include a relevant conclusion.

The answers expected include a discussion of both the advantages and disadvantages.

It is therefore necessary to have a wide knowledge of the subject area and have an opinion.


Impact of ICT on Organisations Change in organisational structure

• Increased technical departments

• Importance of support network for machines

Reduced number of employees• Automation

• Increased technical services

Less office space/shop floor space• Equipment is not compact

• Air conditioning


Impact of ICT on Organisations Reliance on Computers

• Decrease of downtime

Changeover• Training of staff

• Changeover of data

• Effect on customers during changeover period

Increase in employees?• Network managers

• Technicians, etc.


How communication systems have changed our use of ICT - Travel

Video conferencing• Advantages

» Cost of travel

» Cost of Time

» Multiple people in a conversation

» Complete accurate record of conference

» Exchange of ideas

• Disadvantages» No face to face confrontation

» Body language is limited

» Time differences


How communication systems have changed our use of ICT - Privacy

Transmission of information worldwide• Advantages

» Use of Encryption

» Circuit switching v packet switching for mail delivery

» Personal Privacy implemented – personal life, financial

• Disadvantages» Employees misusing facilities

» Governments and terrorism/crime

» Tapping into signal


How communication systems have changed our use of ICT

Communication skills • Spelling in E-mails “r u ok”• Verbal skills have less emphasis – more e-mail• Body language not needed- e-mail and video conferencing• Social skills limited as not required in on-line

Incorporation into everyday tasks and devices• “Internet fridge” – linked to on-line ordering• Transfer of data via shoes• WAP phones, TVs e-mail phones, etc.

Use of networks/collaborative working• Send e-mails of work anywhere in the world and receive replies• Sharing of ideas – Human Genome Project• Use of internet for finding data – resources for research


Social Impact of ICT on Individuals Eroding work/social boundaries through

teleworking The facility to shop from home on the Internet Job satisfaction Ease of tasks Benefits to the disabled and elderly


Social Impact of ICT on Individuals Shopping

• Advantages» Home deliveries

» Availability of choice / size

» No national boundaries

• Disadvantages» Problems returning

» May not get required item, but a replacement

» Cannot check quality

» Dangers of fraud

» Unemployment – small shops


Teleworking• Advantages

» Less pollution – traffic

» Flexible working hours

» Less money spent on child minders

» More time to spend with family

» No pressure of boss looking over shoulder

• Disadvantages» Less control over workforce

» No social aspects of work

» Less reliability over deadlines

» Geographical diversity of employees

Social Impact of ICT on Individuals


Social Impact of ICT on Individuals Benefits to the disabled and elderly

• Advantages» Specifically designed hardware (e.g. puff-suck switch, foot mouse, etc)

» No difference when on-line between one person and the next

» Time for use (during the day)

• Disadvantages» Increased use clogging bandwidth

» More discerning in spending of money – less profit


Social Implications of Computers Changing Employment Locations

• Use of communication technology leads to geographically remote employees• Teleworking increasing

Drawbacks of ICT• Amount of personal data stored on computer• Increased opportunity for criminal activities• Time wasting – games, on-line, addiction• Health Problems – RSI, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Dependence on Computers• Social Dependence on chat rooms, e-mail etc.• Power failure and consequences• Virus and computer security

Retraining of Individuals


Impact of ICT on Society Home

Education

Medicine

Commerce with reliance on automated systems such as ATMs


Impact of ICT on Society Home

• Gadgets – Washing Machine, Microwaves, etc• Control and protection of environment

» Alarms, Ventilation, Heating

• Control of finances via internet• Order food and goods without leaving the house

Education• Computer Aided Learning (CAL)

» Instant Feedback» Learning at the students pace» Re-cover ground not understood

• Distance Learning via technology» E-mail work» Video Conferencing

• Computer Based Training» Video» Simulators


Impact of ICT on Society Medicine

• Expert Systems » (MYCIN) to aid diagnosis

» Internet Dr Sites

• Databases of drugs and side effects

• Records of Patients» Use of E-mail to send records from Dr to hospital

• Monitoring – Intensive care beds

• Production of Prescriptions» Can even be sent to pharmacist


Impact of ICT on Society Business

• Communication» Fax, Tele/Video Conferencing

• Storage of Information» Databases, Spreadsheets

• Management Information Systems

Commerce• Transactions

» Banks – Switch, EFTPOS» Internet and secure shopping» Advertising on the internet» Loyalty Cards and Points» ATMs – replace staff in banks


Impact of ICT on Society Manufacturing

• Computer Aided Design» Simulations, Modelling

• Computer Aided Manufacture» Computer Controlled Robots

Greater consistency Longer working hours Geographically remote location No need for windows, lights, etc

• Increase in support staff

• Decrease in skilled workers


Changing patterns of UK Workforce 1841 - 1978

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1841 1851 1861 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 1941 1951 1961 1971 1978

Years

% of

Workforce

Secondary (manufacturing)

Tertiary (services)

Primary (agriculture)

Documents

©G. Millbery 2003The Role and Impact of ICT: Legal, Moral and Social IssuesSlide 1 Module 5.1.6 The Role and Impact of ICT: Legal, Moral and Social Issues