1. Economic-Social Force
Technology: An
Economic-Social Force
Chapter 12
Business
and
Society
POST, LAWRENCE, WEBER

2. development of technology
Figure 12-1
Phases in the
development of technology

3. Technology is everywhere
Figure 12-2a
Technology is everywhere
Computers (in millions)
Source: Data taken from Computer Industry Almanac, reported in “The Global Battle: Innovation and Technology,”
Wall Street Journal, Septermber 26, 2000, p. R6.

4. Technology is everywhere
Figure 12-2b
Technology is everywhere
Source: Data taken from Computer Industry Almanac, reported in “The Global Battle: Innovation and Technology,”
Wall Street Journal, Septermber 26, 2000, p. R6.

5. Significant developments and predictions
Figure 12-3a
Significant developments and predictions
in the evolution of the computer
1977 Apple II is introduced to consumers.
1981 IBM PC is introduced to consumers.
1984 Apple Macintosh introduces consumers to the mouse and
graphical user interface.
1994 Commercial users go online and the World Wide Web is born.
2001 Satellite network revolutionizes high-speed data communications
around the world.
2003 Voice recognition is incorporated into hand-held personal
computer technology.
Source: See William M. Bulkeley, “The Course of Change,” Wall Street Journal, November 16, 1998, p. R4.

6. Significant developments and predictions
Figure 12-3b
Significant developments and predictions
in the evolution of the computer
2005 Access to the Internet is available to all in developed countries.
2007 Internet sales account for all business-to-business transactions and
25 percent of all retail sales.
2007 Top-ranked universities offer degrees online, driving 33 percent of
all colleges out of business.
2008 Telephones provide translations, making cross-language
communication easier.
2008 Electronic cash arrives, making hand-held currency obsolete.
2010 Supercomputers perform as many calculations (20 million billion per second)
as the human brain.
Source: See William M. Bulkeley, “The Course of Change,” Wall Street Journal, November 16, 1998, p. R4.

7. digital-technology companies
Exhibit 12-A
Best-regarded,
digital-technology companies
Consumers respect companies with tangible products and services most
in the emerging digital technology world.
According to Harris Interactive Inc., Microsoft, Intel, Sony, Dell Computer,
and Lucent Technologies received the highest corporate reputation ratings.
Reputation was strongly influenced by how well companies support the
customer when something goes wrong with their product or service.
Innovation, good service, and product quality factor into a firm’s reputation.
Reputation index score includes: products and services, workplace
environment, financial performance, emotional appeal, social responsibility,
and vision and leadership.
Source: Ronald Alsop, “The Best Reputations in High Tech,” Wall Street Journal, November 18, 1999, pp. B1, B6.