Kyleigh Miller

OGL 365

Fall 2023

Session B

Paper 1

The first article I chose to write about was the article pertaining to the use of “Big

Data” and how it affected Uber and the taxi industry in New York City. (Tranos & Willis,

2020) The summarize this article, it focuses on the available data that Uber Eats has

shared and how it can used to compare service statistics against yellow cab taxies. The

issue that was raised in this article was whether it was acceptable that Uber was able to

bypass the medallion laws set in place by New York City to keep taxis at a set number.

Because of how Uber operates, and how their technology handles service requests,

Uber can bypass the law and have as many drivers as possible available that want to

work. (Tranos & Willis, 2020)

This was a great example of an industry resisting technological innovation. While

it was convenient for consumers, it made it harder for regular taxis to get as many

paying customers as possible. However, Uber was shown to service the outer edges of

New York City better than the traditional taxis. (Tranos & Willis, 2020) By reading this, it

was brought to my knowledge that even if a technological innovation can be beneficial

to the consumers, it’s not always beneficial for the industry immediately. It did force the

industry to progress, which had been stagnant for some time. (Tranos & Willis, 2020)

Applying what I have learned from reading this article to my organization would

be simple. The organization I work for brings new technology in often. Of course, this

technology is meant to help the customers, but they also strive for it to help the

employees too. This is not always the case however, as some of the new technology

might make it feel like there is more work for the employees to do. Just as it was shown

with Uber, using unfamiliar technology might cause a hiccup in the generalized flow of

business for everyone involved in the industry.

When my organization developed their mobile order and pay, it caused other

coffee shops to lose business because they did not have it available. Now, almost every

restaurant has it available. So, it is no longer considered new technology. When it was

released though, many employees were upset because they thought it would mean

more work. However, it was mostly a shift in which channels orders were coming from,

but generally the same amount of work. Now seeing how the taxi industry was forced to

shift their stunned innovations because of Uber, I can see why the newer technology

was necessary for my organization. Just because something feels comfortable and

“easy”, doesn’t mean there doesn’t need to be change. Innovations can be tricky,

especially when they bring in new technology. But eventually, that technology will

become the norm. And it will also increase the odds that your industry will stay ever

evolving, and exciting towards consumers.

 For the next article, I chose the article on The World Wide Web. The main reason

why I was attracted to this article was because I remember when the WWW was

invented. I remember when it was first launched, and everyone had to go get a desktop

computer. I remember having dial-up internet and having to wait what felt like years to

get one file downloaded. This article covered many different terms, and important

historical dates, but it also dives deeper into the milestones on how the internet because

such a big part of our everyday lives. Marques, O. (2016). Chapter 2 The World Wide

Web. Springer. The whole article is full of many different helpful tips on how to use the

interne to the maximum potential.

After reading about all the strides the internet has taken, it’s inspiring to think

what another huge leap of innovation could do for the organization I work for. I know for

my family; it was such a game changer for our daily lives. While my organization utilizes

the internet and the world wide web in many ways, there are still some technologies that

are not connected in anyway. I wonder, in the future, if the company might change that

so they can troubleshoot from an office, and not send technicians out top service them.

In the end, if that does end up happening, I know that there will be some resistance.

However, they will see the convenience that the world wide web brings once they get

used to the new technology.

I know for a fact in my home, the world wide web has allowed us to communicate

with long distance friends and relatives by other than phone calls. It has also allowed a

wider range of connections, which in the right environment, can help to build creativity.

In my daughter’s class, they use the WWW to learn content in computer class. It’s
almost amazing to see that they have six-year-olds on laptops now. While sometimes, I

feel a little cautious about doing that, I know that it’s just because the younger

generation has grown up with it. It’s not brand new like it was when I started school.

Therefore, they have more experience and know how they can use it to help teach

students. The WWW has so much to offer now for learning and other aspects that you

find important to you. While it can seem daunting, constantly having to get used to

newer innovations on the world wide web, it’s important to do so. Without getting

comfortable to that idea, you’ll never become efficient enough to grow with the

development of the WW. To me, that’s most important. I want to keep up with the

changes, since I was there when it originally came out.

References

Marques, O. (2016). Chapter 2 The World Wide Web. Springer.

Tranos, E., & Willis, G. (2020, September 17). Using “big data” to understand the impacts of

uber on taxis in New York City. Travel Behaviour and Society.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214367X20302027?via%3Dihub