Chapter 1: The Modern organisation in the Global, Web-based Environment

1. What Are the Characteristics of the modern global environment?

Globalisation which has paved way for the integration and interdependance of the social, political, technological, ecomonic and cultural aspects of the business environment. these elements allow for the business environment to be supported and driven by the effects of technology. The informatuion resources of the internet and other technology has allowed the business environment to be information and knowledge intensive, interconnecting businesses worldwide at easy convenience.


2. What is meant by a web-based, global platform, what does it provide, and how has it affected business?

A global web-based platform is respresented by the internet which allows for integration, connection and collaborative computing over an application that is reached by individuals or businesses anywhere, anytime at their personal convenience in real time. it has affected business activities in the following ways:
* finite information, service and entertainment is present at a click of a button at indivdual personal convenience
*integration of knowledge from people around the world from experiences, knowledge and from a variety of sources
* produces the opportunity to sell goods and services
operates without regard to physical distance of geographic regions, time and language barriers.
These few point mentioned above have allowed business to be conducted at anytime, at any place. Businesses can arrange meetings, schedules, plans and other activities with relative ease, at a cheap cost and almost instantaneously. the powers of the internet allows the time difference not to be a factor in reaching as such operations have shrunk communication methods bringing the world closer together.


3. What are the main pressures that characterise the modern global business environment?

A combination of business pressures in the modern business world have affected, either detrimentally or positively the operations of a business. In using IT it can support and respond to these effects reducing and minimising there impact on the organisation. Some of these characteristics of the modern business world include:
* Market pressures which encourage the economy building strong competition, changing the nature of the workforce and has given more market power to consumers increasing availability and a pool of options to obtain products if they are unavailable.
* Technology pressures have encouraged the mortality of products to become obsolete in order to innovate and introduce more superior products. IT has allowed for innovative designs of programs to cushion and support the adverse effects of external forces. Accelerated technology has also reduced the life expectancy of products with constant new IT resources eg: laptops, computers, mobile phones etc.
*Information overload. The powers of the internet has increased the availability of knowledge and as such has been collected through a collaboration of primary and secondary sources.
*Political/Social/Legal pressures. Cybercafe's have extended the availability of the internet at places that have high people traffic. Businesses have had an increased social responsibility from which the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) has emerged to keep children in touch with the resources of the internet.
Governments have also attempted to regulate the internet through protecting privacy. IT has helped in creating security systems protecting employee information, maintained confidentiality of procedures and finances and strengthen software.