Reference no: EM131152012

A short essay about the impact of the internet to business

Our assignment is a short essay that presents a strong perspective on the nature and importance of the Internet as both a channel of communications and a channel for professional and business transactions. It will be most useful if you apply what you have learned to an organization or activity of your choice-your own firm, if you like; a non-profit with which you are associated or perhaps a specific communications medium (e.g. newspapers) or a specific type of marketing activity (e.g. advertising). Your essay should cover as many aspects of the course as possible, but should not recount assignments on a week-by-week basis. It should conclude with a strong summary of how the Internet is affecting the organization or activity you choose and what you expect in the short-term or in the not too distant future.

Do cite the textbook and other assigned material liberally. Don't, however, use long direct quotes from any source. Do use other resources that you and your colleagues have uncovered during the term. Also consider the newsletters or blogs you have been following and the Webcasts you have viewed. This is not a research paper, it is primarily an attempt to take stock of what you have learned in an online Summer term that has passed too quickly, perhaps without a lot of time for reflection.

Please consider our semester theme of wearables, mobile devices, mobile applications (Apps) and social media. What is your overall thought on their place in society and the workplace? Is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) a fad, a trend or here to stay? What are the implications? Who owns your contacts, calendar entries, notes and other data? If it is a "shared" device (in any form), do you really own your social media identity and contacts? If not you, does your employer or the corporation you work for have the right to access your social networking site (SNS) / profile activity?

During the interview process with a premium consumer electronics manufacturer, your professor was told that if he were to accept the role he would have to turn over and cease his social media activity and that he would not be longer be permitted to speak at industry conferences (even if they were unrelated to the firm / products / role). While it is common-place for employers to scan a candidate's social media activity as part of the background check process, are you aware that government, local law enforcement and employers are using complex software algorithms to evaluate the tone, attitude and perceived behavior of social media users.

How does this impact your privacy, future dealings with others, etc... How does the anytime, anywhere concept help or hinder our ethics and that of others?  What are your privacy rights when others are wearing Google Glass? What will happen with all the data that the rumored Apple iWatch or related "health" Apps store? Where is this all headed as a person, professional, as a race or for our culture / society?