Literature Review Opportunities Making Business with Mobile Computing

Question: Discuss about the Literature ReviewforOpportunities Making Business with Mobile Computing. Answer: Introduction The incorporation of mobile computing in business management has gone a long way in creating a good environment for efficient business practices through the creation of appropriate opportunities. Passage of information may not only involve verbal approaches but also written pieces especially when the interaction is likely to involve individuals who are geographically far apart. According to Argenti and Beck (2005) The strategic communication imperative, one of the technological gadgets which has played a pivotal role in enhancing organizational operations is the use of mobile computers. These are portable computer devices which can be easily carried around and may be in the form of phones, iPhones, tablets and smartphones just to mention but few Literature Review As noted by Argyris and Schn (2006) in Organizational learning II: A theory of action perspective, mobile computing can be described as the interaction between humans and computers. In this arrangement, the computer is supposed to be transported from one place to another by the user one basic element of mobile computing is the fact the devices ought to light and portable which makes it easy for the users to move them from one place to another. Through mobile computing, the user is in a position to accomplish three basic things for instance the transmission of data, the transmission of voice messages as well as the transmission of video messages. Balkundi and Harrison (2006) in Ties, leaders, and time in teams: Strong inference about network structures effects on team viability and performance, point out that there are three basic components of mobile computing, these include: mobile communication, mobile software and the mobile hardware. Mobile communication basically involves the process in which the mobile devices are used to transmit verbal, written or visual information from one party to another. This happens through the enhancement of networks and a carefully designed infrastructure. The communication networks are always designed with the main aim of making the process faster, easier and adequately convenient. Mobile communication actually makes the main component of mobile computing. As discussed by Beer and Spector (2000) in Why change programs dont produce change, the second component is the mobile hardware which mainly comprises the mobile devices as well as the components of these devices. For instance a mobile com puting hardware can be in the form of a tablet whose components are an interactive touch screen, an internal storage and an inbuilt hard drive which equally stores important information. The third and the last component of mobile computing is the mobile software. The software involves the applications which are installed in the mobile devices which aid in their operations. The software also determines the characteristics and operation ability of the mobile devices. Birdi (2005) in No idea? Evaluating the effectiveness of creativity training highlights that the portability of the mobile devices is one of the main reasons why mobile computing has become the trending approach in business management especially in the corporate world. As the global arena continues to develop in terms of technology and business systems, there is an invevitaiel need for business operators to establish and install the right counter strategies which would work in line with the transition. There are various advantages which could be associated with the use of mobile computing. The use of mobile computing has greatly improved the level of communication in business organizations. As noted by Talukder and Yavagal (2006) in Mobile Computing: Technology, Applications, and Service Creation, communication is one of the basic aspects of effective business management; consequently, the use of mobile devices in addition to other computer operated gadgets has made the transmission of information from one individual to another easy and convenient. For instance, through the browser software installed in the mobile devices and the help of an interactive touch screen, written information can be sent to various receipts at the same time through online platform such as emails and text messages. This approach of communication is not only convenient but is also cost effective and time saving. This is because the information can be easily passed from one individual to another as long as they are in possession of the mobile gadgets. Bossidy and Charan (2002) in Execution: The discipline of getting things done also add that the use of mobile computing makes the process of commun ication quite cost effective. For instance, the use of written messages like texts and emails offers a perfect alternative to the rather expensive and traditional verbal transmission which may require individuals to be close to one another. At the same time, mobile computing largely reduces the aspect of geographical distance in communication. Once the individuals have been connected through a viable and stable network system, data can be passed over long distances within a short period of time. According to Bovey and Hede (2001) in Resistance to organizational change: The role of defense mechanisms, mobile computing has simply lifted organization communication to yet another level. Though mobile computing and hence the use of these devices, organizations can easily pass important information to all its employees within a short period of time. At the same time, the confidentiality of the information is adequately retained between the sender and the receiver only as the operations of the devices are personalized. This implies, a mobile device user can format his/her device to accept them alone as the sole user. This in turn enhances the security of the information stored. Since the process is basically cost effective, the amount and resources saved from this approach can in then be diverted to improve other sectors of the organization. According to Denning (2005) in Transformational innovation, one common approach used by organizations in a bid to enhance proper interactions with both its employees as well as the clients is through the development of interactive websites in addition to the use of other social media. These platforms cannot be accessed unless an individual has a computer installed with internet access software. The portable devices therefore offer an appropriate avenue for the employees and the consumer to easily access any information about the company irrespective of their positions and time of the day. As a result of the advantages associated with the use of computers, business organizations have an appropriate opportunity to update the employees on new developments, meetings, exhibitions and other occasions. Imielinski and Korth (2006) in Mobile Computing adds that through the online platforms, the organization is able to update the consumers on the products, prices, changes in prices, packaging and distribution points just to mention but few. For instance, Woolworths Supermarkets mainly uses mobile computing to inform the clients on the markets new arrivals as well as the discounts attached to making certain amounts of purchases. The organization also uses this platform to get the feedback from the clients with respect to the products and services offered. The organization can in turn use this opportunity to put in place the necessary adjustments aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. All this crucial information would be inaccessible if the intended recipients lacked the appropriate gadgets. As noted by Poslad (2009) in Ubiquitous Computing: Smart Devices, Environments and Interactions, the rise in technology has seen the emergence of more advanced methods of enhancing business transactions. This explains why the aspect of e-Commerce has gained global recognition over the past few years. Due to the fact that most organizations have incorporation the use of information technology in management, it is no surprise to find an organization entirely basing its transactions on online platforms. Use of technological devices such as vendor machines, credit cards and debit cards is clear indication of the place of mobile computing in business organizations today. Through the mobile devices, consumers can make payments for their orders with a single click on their mobile devices. This happens especially in the case of online transactions where the individual credit cards are already uploaded as files through integrated applications. The clients can therefore access the product and service prices online and then make payments for them without having to travel to the physical location of the organization. This reduces the down time needed to complete supply of products and services in in addition to minimizing the costs that would have involved the customer in moving to the point of purchase. As highlighted by Rowley and Barker (2005) in The Questronic Project and the Ferranti MRT 100 A Boon for Survey Research, mobile computing has therefore played a crucial role in enhancing e-Commerce which in has in turn created appropriate opportunities for both business organizations and the clients to make convenient, faster and cheaper transactions. The portable mobile devices make the transactions more efficient. This is because on top of making the payments, the devices can as well be used to make orders. Since the mobile computers are fitted with auto tracking devices, the consumers can be easily traced especially when the strategy involves home to home delivery. Rhoton (2001) in The Wireless Internet Explained notes that mobile computing allows the transmission of both voice and video data. This implies that individuals can interact with each other visually with the aid of computer device software and a good network infrastructure. The fact that both visual and verbal information can be transmitted implies that the users can have verbal interactions while actually seeing each other despite being physically apart. This technology has been used in many organizations to enhance the effectiveness of the meetings and programs especially in cases where physical meetings are impossible. Reza (2004) in Mobile Computing Principles: Designing and Developing Mobile Applications with UML and XML, adds that mobile computing has therefore given room to video conferencing where a group of individuals in different locations across the world converge at a common online platform and exchange both visual and verbal data. Use of portable computer devices has th erefore made such activities highly achievable despite the location, constraints of resources and time. Consequently, this technology enables an organization to interact with various stakeholders across the world without necessarily having to travel to where they are. Use of mobile computing especially to convene management meetings reduces the time that would have otherwise been wasted in convening physical meetings. The resources saved from this approach can in turn be used to develop other portions of the organizations hence a viable opportunity for growth and expansion. Saunders (2009) in Communicating change points out that through mobile computing, an organization is able to enhance the security and confidentiality of its data. This technology gives room for sophisticated storage methods enhanced by the applications installed and stored in the mobile devices. For instance, a device can be fitted with an internal storage with a code known to the user only, this way the information stored in the device can only be accessed and altered by the user which enhances the security. The disadvantage of this approach is that there is the possibility of losing this information in case the device including its hard drive is destroyed. However, according to Schnake (2007) in An integrative model of effort propensity, mobile computing has introduced an even safer method of storing data referred to as cloud computing. This approach allows an organization to store its data on online storages. The data can only be accessed through web services using mobile devices. This way, the information remains permanently safe even when the devices are destroyed. Data management is a crucial component in organizational management hence the use of mobile computing has been pivotal in enhancing this process in organizations. Methodology In order to deduce adequate data for the research process, a more qualitative approach of data collection was used. The strategy mainly involved sampling and review of relevant literature with reference to the topic of discussion. A total of 30 sources including peer reviewed journals and books were collected. The contents of these sources were analyzed to deduce the consistency in information. The sample was then reduced to 16 articles. The data obtained from the review was then analyzed to establish the subsequent discussions. Results and Discussion From the review above, we can deduce a number of opportunities created by a business organization when it uses mobile computing. There is increase in customer and employee interaction with the organization. The approach enhances security of data in addition to increasing the effectiveness of communication which is a crucial component in organizational management. Through mobile computing, an organization can easily enhance its e-Commerce strategies and hence expand the online avenues through which it can easily relate with both the employees and the consumers. Mobile computing also allows an organization to interact with individuals from various parts of the universe which makes decision making more effective and gives an appropriate opportunity for organizational expansion. Gaps The results used to make the above conclusions were basically derived from a single approach in data collection which involved review of literature. However, other research methodologies ought to have been applied in a bid to increase the scope of data collection. As a result, the conclusion given above may not make a holistic representation of the research topic. The constraints of time and enough resources also acted as challenges to the efficiency of the process. Conclusion From the review and discussion above, it can be established that the use of mobile computing in business organization has played a crucial role in enhancing close relations between organizations and the employees as well as the business-consumer interactions. In a nut shell, using cheaper alternatives like mobile computing in organizational management plays a crucial role in enhancing a holistic expansion and development within the organization. References Argenti, P. and Beck, K. (2005) The strategic communication imperative. MIT Sloan Management Review, 46(1), pp. 8389. Argyris, C. and Schn, D. (2006). Organizational learning II: A theory of action perspective. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley. Balkundi, P. and Harrison, A. 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