Information in modern organisations An organisation is defined as an entity comprising one or more individuals working towards a specific set of goals. The term ‘organisation’ implies that they work in an organised or structured manner to achieve these goals.

This definition covers not just businesses but also schools, hospitals, charities and government institutions; it embraces sole traders, multi-national businesses and governments. Naturally the information needs of these organisations and the way they use ICT varies widely.

Types of organisation and the use of ICT Organisations can be categorised in a number of ways. One of the most common methods is to differentiate between them by the related factors of ‘ownership’ and ‘objective’. On this basis there are three main types of organisation: – Commercial – Public – Non-profit/charitable

We normally refer to commercial organisations as businesses. They trade in a competitive market with the aim of making profits. The smallest of these are sole-traders such as a window cleaner and the largest tend to be multi-nationals, such as Esso, Coca – Cola and Ford.

Public organisations are those funded primarily through taxation and are controlled directly or indirectly by the government. These include: the civil service, local government, government departments, schools/colleges/universities, the health service, the armed forces and emergency services.

Non-profit/charitable organisations raise their finance from donations or grant funding for a particular cause. They are regulated by government commissions to ensure funds are used properly. They are generally privately owned with a form of public service objective.

Activity Create a table with three headings (commercial, public service and non-profit) and put these organisations into the appropriate columns:

– Tesco – MOD – West Mercia Police Force – Hemel Hempsted Library – Amazon.co.u k – Echoes under-11’s youth football team – Boots the Chemist – Football Association – BBC – TVR – London Ambulance Service – Patel’s newsagents – NTL – Sir John Lawes School – British Heart Foundation – Withington Hospital – Newcastle United FC

Activity Visit NHS Direct website and view the ‘Best Treatments’ section. – List: The different forms of information that are presented The different methods that can be used to find information The different audiences for the information and how the presentation for these audiences varies In what ways does this service add to the service from GP’s and hospitals? In what ways does this lead to a more efficient government?

Activity Find at least five of the following uses of ICT that happen throughout the British Heart Foundation (BHF) website: – Capturing and processing data – Presenting and exchanging information – Conducting transactions – Marketing goods and services – Distributing goods – Managing customer relations – Optimising just-in-time purchasing of stock and components

Take screenshots of the website. Annotate these with arrows indicating each use of ICT you find.

Activity Visit the websites of the British Army and the Metropolitan Police. – What do you consider the main purpose of each is? Which of the following uses of ICT do they engage in throughout their websites? Capturing and processing data Presenting and exchanging information Conducting transactions Marketing goods and services Distributing goods Managing customer relations Optimising just-in-time purchasing of stock and components

Industrial sectors and ICT Organisations are often categorised by the industrial sector in which they operate. These are: – Primary – comprising of activities relating to natural resources, such as agriculture, forestry and fishing, and extraction industries such as mining, quarrying and oil. – Secondary – comprises activities related to manufacturing and production, including the production of energy and goods.

– Tertiary – this is the service sector, and includes retail, banking and finance, insurance, ICT services and training. Data logging and analysis, monitoring and control are among the main applications of ICT in the primary sector. In the secondary sector, ICT is also used extensively in design and manufacture, in numerical control and robotics, and in picking and packing. It is also used to schedule and optimise production in factories.

The real boom in ICT use has been in the tertiary sector. Banking is now an ICT driven industry, as is insurance. Retail is another area that has become more dependent on ICT, especially with online shopping booming.

Activity Visit the Vauxhall website. – List examples of at least five of the following uses of ICT as demonstrated by the website: Capturing and processing data Presenting and exchanging information Conducting transactions Marketing goods and services Distributing goods Managing customer relations Optimising just-in-time purchasing of stock and components

Take screenshots of the website and annotate your findings. Indicating each use of ICT that you find.