How has that technology affected the relevant social environments?
• “Developments such as shorter product cycles, Moore’s Law, and the rise of 24-hour, seven days a week service delivery are transforming business, but they will also affect the behaviour of individuals, communities, governments and social organizations.” (Wyckoff & Colecchia) The resulting changes benefits consumers, who can expect greater flexibility and convenience. • Online shopping offers consumers access to goods from all around the World. Merely limited by technological availability, “the barriers of trade between individuals in different countries are [now] non-existent.” (“The Social Impact of Technology”) Needless to say, consumers then enjoy World-wide competitive pricing. • A study shows that “20 percent of in-store sales are influenced by the Web, compelling click-and-mortar retailers to further integrate their physical and virtual stores” (Cervini, 2005) This obligates offline (brick and mortar) stores to digitize just to remain competitive. • Retailers and private-party
