Instructions
You are working for a local department store in the OperationsDepartment. You notice that their business practices and use oftechnology are not up to date. The Human Resources Department does nothave adequate computer access and often requires employees to completesome business at home. They also require prospective employees to applyfrom home. You recognize that not all people have personal computers,and some might be accessing business and personal records from a publiccomputer. There are two prominent sociological theories that can be usedto easily examine computer usage for individuals and organizations.Those theories are Conflict Theory and Symbolic Interaction Theory.
At a staff meeting, you and your team are engaged in a discussionabout the use of technology on both an individual and organizationallevel. You cite the digital divide as a major concern. Your store isconsidering an upgrade in some or all of their technological resources.
Recognizing that you are technologically savvy, your supervisor asksyou to generate a visual comparison that considers the use of publiccomputers versus a personal computer. You will rank concepts such asease of use, time, and comfort in completing tasks, security factors,email management, and safety in conducting business that is typicallycompleted on a computer that may lead someone to experience the digitaldivide (a difference between groups of people and their use of digitaltechnology). You will also need to consider the sociological theoriesnamed above and explain how from a sociological perspective, it wouldbenefit or hinder the store you work in to upgrade their technology.
Your comparison should consider various factors identified below andwill illustrate the benefits and some potential limitations of utilizingtechnology. Your presentation will be presented to your supervisor andother members of the Operations Department in order to determine which,if any, components of the store’s current technological operations willbe updated. The visual comparison can be in any engaging format thatyou select.
For this comparison chart, you are to reflect upon and address the following sets of questions/information.
Define conflict theory.
Define symbolic interaction theory.
Discuss how each of these theories would explain the use of technology and the development of the digital world we now live.
Consider multiple ways that society has changed in the past several decades and what contributed to that change.
Provide examples of technological growth and change over the past several decades.
Make direct correlations between the technologies that exist andthe changes that have occurred at the organizational and societallevels in the past several decades.
Define digital divide.
Consider factors that create the digital divide, such as access totechnology, socioeconomic status, age, personal interest, location ofresidence, etc.
Based upon factors that cause the digital divide, suggest ways that this divide can be combated.
How does the digital divide apply to the store that you work in for this scenario?
Which theoretical perspective can best be applied to your store inthe above scenario to help explain and counter the impacts of thedigital divide?
APA formatting required, Grading rubric is attached.
