s15152036 - A1 - Weekly Blog Post - Portfolio

 Rabawa and the Rise of Social Computing in African Commerce Introduction Hello. This week's reading was on Social Computing. Social computing happens when people, not institutions, become creators, curators, and connectors of digital content and value, such as Wikipedia, TikTok or your local buy-and-sell WhatsApp or Facebook Marketplace groups. It's people-powered, community-driven and trust-based platforms.  Social commerce involves selling and buying through social platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. It's personalised, informal, and hyper-local. In Africa, where formal retail infrastructure is often inaccessible, this model isn't just popular but also transformative to the local economy.  Main Reflection Rabawa, a Nigerian startup launched in 2021, is making vast changes by turning anyone with a smartphone into a digital entrepreneur. Here is how it works. - Anyone can sign up as a reseller. - Sellers have access to a virtual catalogue of thousands of p...

E-Business and E-Commerce  Introduction: in a world where online giants like Amazon dominate the retail landscape, it's easy to assume that brick-and-mortar stores are on the brink of extinction. However, commerce is not that simple. Retailers like Costco and Best Buy have not only survived the e-commerce wave but also innovated and adapted to the new environment. Their success offers a valuable case study like the one in this weeks reading, where resilience, strategic innovation and unique value of physical presence in a digital world.  Main Reflection: The challenge of e-commerce, often referred to as the "Amazon Effect," has reshaped how people shop. Customers expect convenience, fast delivery, and seamless digital experiences. This shift was accelerated by COVID-19, which forced entire nations into the online world. Yet despite the sudden shift, physical retailers were able to flourish by leveraging their strengths and redefining what in-person shopping can offer.  Wh...

 Telecommunications and Networking  Introduction: Telecommunications and networking play an essential role in the modern digital world. The ability to communicate and share information across long distances in real time has revolutionised industries, businesses, economies, and personal interactions. However, due to the growth of the control over internet access by various companies, a new phenomenon has occurred “splinternet” also known as ‘ Internet balkanization’ (Rainer & Prince, 2021). The term ‘splinternet’ is used to describe the fragmentation of the global networks due to the political, security and regulatory concerns of various countries. This week’s blog will explore the significance of telecommunications, the challenges posed by the Splinternet, and the impact on businesses and individuals. Main Reflection: 1.       The importance of telecommunications and networking enables the rapic exchange of information across continental or c...

 Data and Knowledge Management Introduction :  This week, data and knowledge management was discussed. The increasing dependence on digital information has made data and knowledge management a centre focus of modern organisations. The ability to effectively acquire, organise, store and analyse data is the lifeline of many organisations, for making informed decisions. This blurb is to discuss and explore challenges, solutions and key takeaways from the BetterMe case study and broader concepts found throughout the content of this week's study. Main Reflection: BetterMe’s; a leading behavioural healthcare app publisher, migrated to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for an easier data and knowledge management service. This migration suggests that the scalability and operational efficiency of a business can be significantly improved through cloud solutions. The adoption of AWS enables BetterMe and other companies to scale dynamically, optimise infrastructure costs, and improve application...

  Student tracking Apps and an Ethical Dilemma of Implementing Biometric Technologies Introduction: This week’s reading included ethical and privacy concerns regarding student-tracking apps in higher education. The app ‘SpotterEDU’ would use Bluetooth sensors and Wi-Fi networks to monitor students’ attendance by “pinpointing students within a classroom until they leave.” (Rainer & Prince, 2022) and location while on campus. Schools claim these technologies improve student success and safety, but their implementation raises concerns about surveillance, consent and personal freedom. Furthermore, the adoption of biometric technologies for various purposes, including health monitoring, adds an additional level of ethical complexity to the scene. “The objective of implementing biometric technologies is to ensure that anyone having high body temperature is recognized and stopped from entering the premises of an office, mall, restaurant, etc.” (Rainer & Prince, 2022) Main Re...

 The Digital Divide in the COVID-19 Era: Challenges and Solutions  Investopedia / Jiaqi Zhou Introduction: Throughout this week, we discovered the impact of a digital divide, particularly how covid-19 exposed and intensified disparities with internet access in the US. Chapter 2 focuses on the lack of reliable broadband access and its effect on public health, telework, education and rural low-income communities, leaving many at a disadvantage, especially considering lockdown conditions. Main Reflection: Throughout this week's reading, IS has become not only my learning focus, but also the focus of many. IS, has become an essential asset to modern life, and the lack of broadband access limits the opportunities for millions of people to participate in work, study, healthcare and connectivity with friends and family. Furthermore, the digital divide isn’t limited to internet availability – it also involves connection speed, affordability and quality. (Rainer & Prince, 2...