M0 7 : Impacts of Information on the Economy and Society

1. M07:Impacts of Information on the Economy and Society Introduction to Information Literacy

2. Outline • Impacts on the economy • The importance of information in the new economy • E-commerce, e-government and other e-applications • Electronic Transactions Ordinance • Related technologies and applications • Impacts on the society • Virtual community, social relationships, computer addiction, computer ergonomics, green computing Introduction to Information Literacy

3. Factors Contributing to the Important Role of Information • Increasing complexity of business activities due to: • International Economy • Worldwide Competition • Shrinking Time Frames • Social Constraints • Hence, the role of information becomes more and more important. Introduction to Information Literacy

4. Facilitating Technological Capabilities • Improved computer capabilities • Improved data and telecommunication capabilities • Users’ computer knowledge • Availability of computers Introduction to Information Literacy

5. Major Developments • Based on the nature of transactions, electronic commerce can be briefly classified into: • Business to consumer (B2C) • Business to business (B2B) • Consumer to consumer (C2C) Introduction to Information Literacy

6. B2C E-Commerce • The transactions include retail transactions with individual shoppers. • Examples: • www.amazon.com, www.dell.com.hk, www.parknshop.com. Introduction to Information Literacy

7. B2B E-Commerce • All of the participants in this type of EC are businesses or other organizations. • These transactions include inquires on products, customer, supplier, production, and transportation, as well as billing, invoicing and payment, and are conducted between and among organizations. • Examples are www.Bigboxx.com.hk, www.StaplesLink.com,and www.b2business.net. Introduction to Information Literacy

8. C2C E-Commerce • In this category, consumers sell directly to other consumers. • Examples include individuals selling residential property, cars, and so on in classified ads (e.g., www.classifieds2000.com). • In addition, the auction sites allow individuals to place items up for auction (e.g. www.ebay.com, yahoo!shopping) Introduction to Information Literacy

9. e-Government • It is the use of IT in general, and e-commerce in particular, to provide • citizens and organizations with more convenient access to government information and services; • delivery of public services to citizens, business partners and suppliers, and those working in the public sector. Introduction to Information Literacy

10. Examples of e-Government • www.ESDLife.com (Hong Kong) • www.e-Government.govt.nz (New Zealand) • www.Whitehouse.gov (USA) • www.eGov.gov.sg (Singapore) • www.localegov.gov.uk(UK) • www.gov.tw (Taiwan) Introduction to Information Literacy

11. Some Popular e-Applications • Online banking, e.g. www.hsbc.com.hk • Online shopping, e.g. www.parknshop.com • Online brokerage e.g. www.shkfg.com • Online auction e.g. www.ebay.com • Music sharing, e.g. www.boxup.com Introduction to Information Literacy

12. Electronic Transactions Ordinance (ETO) in Hong Kong • It is an ordinance • to facilitate the use of electronic transactions for commercial and other purposes, • to provide for matters arising from and related to such use, • to enable the Postmaster General of Hong Kong Post to provide the services of a certification authority and to provide for connected purposes. Introduction to Information Literacy

13. Related Technology Applications • Electronic payment methods • Short Message Service (SMS) • Wireless technology • Example of New Telecom Services Introduction to Information Literacy

14. Electronic Payment Methods • Credit card for relatively more expensive items • e.g. The e-shopping Master card issued by the Hang Seng Bank. • PPS • Debit cards, e.g. EPS • Stored-valued cards, e.g. Octopus Introduction to Information Literacy

15. SMS • Short Message Services (SMS) is a facility for sending short text messages on GSM cell phones. • SMS can also be used to authorize payments in a “Two-factor Authentication” system • Personal Banking Introduction to Information Literacy

16. Wireless Communications • Second Generation (2G) • General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) (2.5G) • Third Generation (3G) • Wireless LAN, • Bluetooth Introduction to Information Literacy

17. Example of New Telecom Services • PCCW’s new generation of fixed-line services including personal assistant, auto receptionist, and fixed-line SMS • Others, such as home electronics control Introduction to Information Literacy

18. Virtual Community and Social Relationships • Virtual community • Newsgroups • Discussion forums • Chatting, such as ICQ, MSN, Yahoo Messenger • Online games • Social relationships • Finding your match • Making friends Introduction to Information Literacy

19. Computer Addiction • A habit so strong that one cannot give it up in online games, online chat, online bulletin board, online surfing, and online pornography etc. • It occurs when these activities consumes one’s entire social life, and is also a growing health problem. Introduction to Information Literacy

20. Computer Ergonomics • It is to incorporate comfort, efficiency, and safety into the design of computer and associated equipments in the workplace, to avoid injuries, disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and joints. • Could you name a few examples of these devices? Introduction to Information Literacy

21. Green Computing • It involves reducing the electricity and environmental waste while using a computer, which includes: • Electricity and paper • Disposal of obsolete computers and devices Introduction to Information Literacy