Ongoing technological shifts such as the adoption of e-commerce, videoconferencing, and robots have all been supercharged by Covid-19. Before the pandemic, many focused on how new technologies could reduce global flows, e.g. via manufacturers substituting robots at home for lowcost labor abroad. But many pandemic-induced shifts could also strengthen globalization if they are not curbed by protectionist policies. Cross-border e-commerce expands export opportunities, Page 5 of 5 especially for smaller companies. Forced experimentation with remote work, where successful, could spur more services offshoring. And even 3D-printing sometimes leads to more rather than less trade. Business leaders can think productively about Covid-19, technology, and globalization, by taking a structured approach to considering both internal and external implications. Internally, think how individual functions can harness opportunities afforded by new technologies, while managing organizational change with sensitivity to the heightened stress employees and teams are facing. Externally, think about how technological trends could potentially change a company’s standing visà-vis its competitors, customers, suppliers, and so on. For most companies, technological trends should lead to more globalization in some areas and less in others, rather than a uniform shift in one direction or the other. In light of the above, examine the impact of technology, innovation and technological strategy on organisations in the current context. Reasonable long asnwers required,
Ongoing technological shifts such as the adoption of e-commerce, videoconferencing, and robots
have all been supercharged by Covid-19. Before the pandemic, many focused on how new
technologies could reduce global flows, e.g. via manufacturers substituting robots at home for lowcost labor abroad. But many pandemic-induced shifts could also strengthen globalization if they are
not curbed by protectionist policies. Cross-border e-commerce expands export opportunities,
Page 5 of 5
especially for smaller companies. Forced experimentation with remote work, where successful, could
spur more services offshoring. And even 3D-printing sometimes leads to more rather than less trade.
Business leaders can think productively about Covid-19, technology, and globalization, by taking a
structured approach to considering both internal and external implications. Internally, think how
individual functions can harness opportunities afforded by new technologies, while managing
organizational change with sensitivity to the heightened stress employees and teams are facing.
Externally, think about how technological trends could potentially change a company’s standing visà-vis its competitors, customers, suppliers, and so on. For most companies, technological trends
should lead to more globalization in some areas and less in others, rather than a uniform shift in one
direction or the other.
In light of the above, examine the impact of technology, innovation and technological strategy on
organisations in the current context.
Reasonable long asnwers required,
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