Information technology is a set of tools, processes, and methodologies (such as coding/programming, data communications, data conversion, storage and retrieval, systems analysis and design, systems control) and associated equipment employed to collect, process, and present information. In broad terms, information technology also includes office automation, multimedia, and telecommunications. Today, human resource is now viewed as a source of competitive advantage, and so it is necessary for firms to have highly skilled human capital to provide them with a competitive edge. So, an effective management of Human Resource in a firm is to gain advantage in the marketplace which requires timely and accurate information on current employees and potential employees in the labor market. With the changing world and evolution of new technology, meeting this information requirement becomes important
To reduce the routine transaction and traditional Human Resource activities and to deal with the complex transformational ones, the organizations began to electronically automate many of these processes by introducing specialized human resource information systems or human resource management systems. Human Resource Information System refers to the systems and processes at the intersection between human resource management and information technology. It is a system used to acquire, store, manipulate, analyze, retrieve, and distribute information regarding an organizations human resource. An integrated Human Resource Information System is a database shared by all Human Resource functions that provide common language and integrates all Human Resource services.
Over the past two decades, information technology has been the engine behind the rapid expansion in the process of globalization. The inventions in information technology, especially the internet, have radically shaped the way global affairs are run. Access to information has erased the barriers that previously impeded global cooperation, and speedy exchanges over long distances. Information technology effectively enabled globalization by fragmenting the world into a small village where information from any part of the world can be spread to every other part of the world in seconds. From a human resources management point of view, information technology and globalization has been revolutionary in as far as managing human resources is concerned. It has increased labour mobility, efficiency and flexibility.
The information revolution and the extraordinary increase in the spread of knowledge have given birth to a new era, one of knowledge and information which effects directly economic, social, cultural and political activities of all regions of the world. Governments worldwide have recognized the role that information technologies could play in socio-economic development. A number of countries especially those in the developed world and some in developing countries are putting in place policies and plans designed to transform their economies into an information and knowledge economy. Countries like USA, Canada, and a number of European countries, as well as Asian countries like India, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and South American countries like Brazil, Chile, and Mexico among others, and Australia either already have in place comprehensive information technology policies and plans or are at an advanced stage of implementing these programmes across their economies and societies.
Some of these countries see information technologies and their deployment for socio-economic development as one area where they can quickly establish global dominance and reap tremendous payoff in terms of wealth creation and generation of high quality employment. On the other hand, some other countries regard the development and utilization of information technologies within their economy and society as a key component of their national vision to improve the quality of life, knowledge and international competitiveness.
Technology has changed the business world many times over. In the Information Age, the advent of computers and the Internet has increased that impact significantly. Many businesses cannot even function without the use of computer technology. This impact is seen in nearly all areas of business, including human resources, where technology continues to have a significant impact on human resource practices such as:
Recruiting: One way in which human resources has been significantly impacted by information technology is in the area of recruiting. Before the Internet, human resource recruiters had to rely on print publications, such as newspapers, to post jobs and get prospects for open positions. Other methods such as networking also were used, but human resource recruiters did not have the ability to post a job in many locations around the world and have millions of people see it all at once. Information technology has made recruiting more efficient and, in the hands of the right recruiter, more effective as well.
Training: Information technology makes it possible for human resources professionals to train new staff members in a more efficient manner as well. The ability to access company information and training programs from remote locations eliminates the need for trainers to work directly with new hires on all training. Some interaction will always be necessary on some level, of course, but training in virtual classrooms makes it possible for the human resource professionals to train a large number of employees quickly and to assess their progress through computerized testing programs.
Data storage and retrieval: Human resources professionals generally process a considerable amount of paperwork and also have to keep much of that paperwork on file for a considerable period of time. The use of electronic imaging has made it possible for companies to store and retrieve files in an electronic format. Information technology also makes it possible for human resources professionals to simply print the forms that are needed for employees. Printing on demand eliminates the need to dig through an endless number of files in the file cabinet to find what is needed.
Performance management: Enhanced performance management is another byproduct of advancements in information technology. Human resources professionals can use computer technology to assess employee performance and also to get employee feedback to be used for the betterment of the organization. Various software programs make it possible for human resources professionals to examine employee performance using metrics to ensure that employees are meeting performance standards. Employees that don’t measure up can be subjected to additional training or let go in favor a replacement who can come in and do the job.
With these advantages, its evidently true to say information technology has steered the world in the right direction in as far as information sharing is concerned. And in this way, it has been the driving force behind rapid globalization. However, the emerging trends point to the fact that further advances in information technology also pose a threat to the very globalization concept that it helped foster. This is because:
Protectionism: In today’s world where new technological inventions translate into instant riches, with billions of dollars at stake, there is an increasingly secretive aspect, designed to protect one’s inventions and the financial benefit that comes with it. Multiple patents are filed every day for technological inventions around the world. For example, Apple, a US electronics company has sued Samsung Electronics of South Korea on multiple times for patent infringement. This not only limits cooperation and technology exchanges at a global scale, but also closes the door on those countries that are not so advanced in information technology, and limits their participation in the globalized world of technology. It’s no wonder therefore that no African country has been able to build a mobile phone or computer chip. This threatens to reverse the advances in globalization that have been witnessed over the past two decades.
Security: Cyber security has become one of the key concerns in information technology use. Viruses, hackers, identify thefts and cyber spying are just a few of the major challenges. Countries such as the United States of America, China and Israel have invested tremendous amounts of money in security developments in their technology. The US’s National Security Agency is famous for spying on people around the world, including its own citizens by reading through every email that goes through their servers using the ECHELON system. Recent revelations by Wikileaks and former national Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden have exposed the extent of state espionage used by the US on other countries by the use of information technology. This has discouraged open information exchanges among the major world economies, and threatens the very concept of globalization.
Related to this, other countries such as Russia, China, Turkey, Iran and others are looking to the option of building their own national web networks to avoid being spied on by the US. This will not only fragment to concept of a single web network where we can all interact and share information, but will also increase mistrust, and will eventually affect the pace of globalization. From a human resource perspective, using the World Wide Web, many countries in the developed world have been able to poach on professionals from developing countries with offers that are far better than what developing countries can afford to offer. The level of brain drain from developing countries has increased tremendously in the globalized age, prompting developing countries to become reluctant to vigorously engage in it.
Labor mobility Vs human trafficking: The information technology age has enabled a widespread flow of labor across borders as it’s easy for someone from Uganda to apply for a job in Canada, conduct interviews online and even get the job. Many businesses have been developed to effect the process of labor outsources, for example in countries of the middle east, Asia and Europe. However, besides robbing Africa of its experienced workforce, information technology has also been exploited to grow the practice of human trafficking for sex slavery and forced labor. Global human trafficking is now an $80 billion dollar industry, according to the United Nations, and most of the victims of human trafficking are people from developing countries, lured by lucrative job offers on the internet.
Therefore, much as information technology has been credited for accelerating globalization over the past two decades, it’s now being used to muzzle, and even undo the same globalization. More so in the field of human resource management, information technology presents enormous benefits that are highly effective in human resource management, and yet it also presents challenges that are equally destructive. Therefore, Evgeny Morozoy’s assertion that ‘Information technology has been one of the leading drivers of globalization and it may also become one of its major victims,’ is not so much a scholarly prediction, it’s happening practically in our world today.
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