Technological factors

Technological factors are factors that have impact on area of management (e.g. managing project, implementing strategy) and they are related to technological limitations or issues. Technological factors are e.g.:

• productivity of machines,
• cycle time,
• energy consumption
• dimensions of equipment
• dimensions of buildings
• parameters required to achieve quality product.

Technological factors are mostly known variables when implementing strategy or managing project. However, relations between technological factors can be not recognized, which can lead into problems. For example, known dimensions of equipment and known dimensions of entry gate doesn't imply that manager recognized that gate is too small to pass the equipment.

Therefore, technological factors should be not only identified but also analyzed in order to find important relations between them.

Technological factors and information technology

A crucial factor in the acceptance of information technology including the World Wide Web and the Internet is perceived ease of use. Perceived ease of use is the potency with what a person deem that the use of process will be problem-free. Internet technologies in learning surroundings are designed to expedite the learning process. Therefore, these technologies must be seen as easy to use. The ease of use of a website is related to the ease of finding information on such a website and the ease of understanding information, but understanding is more important than finding. It should not be assumed that the level of user's internet skills is high and that this person knows our native language very well. Therefore, websites should use uncomplicated and koherent terms, be easy to read, visually pleasurable and contain links to more detailed content. Using colloquial expressions on such websites is not appropriate.

Technological factors and laptops initiative

Many students use laptops at universities and this is a problem for these universities because they are not prepared to introduce such technology. Variety of programs are use on many classess, which require computers. However, implementing a laptop initiative requires careful planning and a lot of support. The main problems for laptop initiatives are costs, comfort and the choice of hardware and configuration. An important advantage of laptops is their portability and size. Before implementing this program, technological and logistical factors must be identified. The university which has oldest this laptop program is University of Minnesota (UMC).

Important technological and logistical factors in the implementation of laptop program mentioned by Custhall R., Changchit C., Elwood S. are:

• enough amount of power outlets affordable in auditorium
• the possibility of using printers
• on-site maintenance
• cordless network in place
• having a backup battery
• place to store a laptop
• replacement of laptop on new laptop after a few years
• immediate updating the hardware

Commercial vehicle fleets and technological factors

In recent years, there has been an increase in the activity of commercial vehicles, and thus also a greater impact on the environment. Unfortunately, also fossing fuels are not renewable and will eventually end so alternative to traditional commercial vehicles is necessary. The electric vehicles are this alternative. Before introducing such an alternative, it is necessary to know the technological factors, because not every place is adapted to such vehicles.

Feng W,. Figliozzi M.A. think that:"Vehicle replacement models can be classified into two categories:

• research-oriented
• practice-oriented"

Research-oriented models rely on seeking economically optimal alternative decisions so that the profit is as large as possible for a some kind of time horizon or the smallest possible costs.

Practice-oriented models rely on making alternative decisions based on specific performance measures or criteria, for example: energy consumption and age.

The most important technological factors of vehicles that are mentioned by Feng W., Figliozzi M.A. are:

• consumption of energy
• type of energy (fuel, water, energy, others)
• the life of this vehicle
• possibility the utilization in miles

The additional important technological factors of electric vehicles are:

• use of special charging stations
• battery capacity of this vehicle

Examples of Technological factors

• Accessibility to technology: In order to be successful, organizations must have access to the latest technology and be able to implement it effectively. Organizations need to be able to utilize technology in order to stay competitive and maximize efficiency.
• Security: As technology advances, so do the security risks that come with it. Organizations must be able to protect their data and systems from cyber attacks, which can be a costly endeavor.
• Reliability: Organizations must ensure that their technology is reliable and able to handle the tasks it is assigned. If technology is not reliable, it can lead to costly downtime and decreased productivity.
• Cost: Technology can be expensive to purchase, maintain and upgrade. Organizations must consider the cost of any new technology they are considering implementing before making any decisions.
• Integration: Organizations must be able to integrate new technology with their existing systems and processes. Failing to do so can cause disruptions and lead to inefficiencies.
• Scalability: Technology must be able to scale up and down as needed in order to meet the changing needs of the organization.
• Training: Organizations must ensure that they have the necessary training in place to use any new technology they implement. Without proper training, the technology is unlikely to be used effectively.

Advantages of Technological factors

Technological factors can have a great impact on areas of management, such as managing projects and implementing strategies. Here are some of the advantages of technological factors:

• Increased Efficiency: Technology can help streamline processes, increase automation, and reduce the amount of time taken to complete tasks. This can lead to greater efficiency and improved productivity.
• Cost Savings: Technology can help reduce costs by eliminating manual processes and increasing the overall efficiency of a business. This can help businesses save money in the long run.
• Greater Access to Information: Technology can help provide access to a wealth of information, allowing businesses to make more informed decisions.
• Improved Communication: Technology can help improve communication between different teams, departments, and stakeholders. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that important information is disseminated quickly and effectively.
• Enhanced Customer Service: Technology can help improve customer service by providing customers with more efficient and convenient ways to communicate with businesses. This can help to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Limitations of Technological factors

Technological factors can have a great impact on areas of management, such as project management or strategy implementation. The following are some of the limitations of technology that affect management:

• Availability of resources - The availability of resources can be a limitation, as certain technologies may be more accessible than others due to cost, availability of personnel, or lack of infrastructure.
• Security - Security is a major concern in utilizing technology to manage projects. Proper security protocols must be in place to ensure that confidential data is protected and that unauthorized access is restricted.
• Compatibility - Different technologies may not be compatible with one another, making it difficult to use multiple technologies to complete a project.
• Speed - Technology can improve the speed of operations, but it can also slow things down if it is not working properly or if the system is overloaded.
• Human Error - Human error is always a factor when using technology and can lead to costly mistakes.

Other approaches related to Technological factors

Technological factors can be further divided into several approaches. These approaches include:

• Infrastructure: Infrastructure is related to the availability of technology and the necessary physical environment to use technology. This includes infrastructure such as networks, computers and other hardware that are necessary for a business to operate.
• Usability: Usability is related to how easy it is to use technology. This includes the user interface, the user experience, how user friendly the software is, and how intuitive the design is.
• Security: Security is related to the safety of data and information. This includes the ability to protect data from unauthorized access and the ability to maintain data integrity.
• Scalability: Scalability is related to the ability of technology to scale and grow as needed. This includes the capacity to accommodate additional users and data, or to add features or functionality.

In summary, technological factors are related to the availability, usability, security, and scalability of technology and the necessary physical environment to use it. Understanding these approaches can help businesses better manage their technological resources and ensure that they are meeting their needs.

Technological factors — recommended articles

Computer department — New technologies in management — Information strategy — Technical competence — Technological environment — Innovative technologies — Innovation 4.0 — Changes in technology — Internet of things

References

• Brown I.T.J.(2002). Individual and Technological Factors Affecting Perceived Ease of Use of Web‐based Learning Technologies in a Developing Country. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries Volume 9, Issue 1, p. 1-15.
• Custhall R., Changchit C., Elwood S. (2006). Campus Laptops: What Logistical and Technological Factors are Perceived Critical?. Educational Technology & Society, 9 (3), 112-121.
• Feng W., Figliozzi M.A. (2012). Conventional vs electric commercial vehicle fleets: A case study of economic and technological factors affecting the competitiveness of electric commercial vehicles in the USA. Procedia - Social Behavioral Sciences p. 702-711.
• Figliozzi, M., Boudart, J., & Feng, W. (2011). Economic and Environmental Optimization of Vehicle Fleets: Impact of Policy, Market, Utilization, and Technological Factors. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (2252), 1-6.

Footnotes

Author: Joanna Zawiślan