Technology's Business Impact Today

Name:

Date:

🎯 WALT & Success Criteria

We Are Learning To: Identify technological influences impacting business, explain their positive and negative impacts on stakeholders, and analyse advantages and disadvantages of technological change.

I know I've got it when I can:

✅ List key technological influences affecting businesses today

✅ Explain at least two positive and two negative impacts on stakeholders

✅ Describe advantages and disadvantages using New Zealand business examples

📚 Part 1: Knowledge Check

1. Which of the following are examples of technological influences on business? (Tick ALL that apply)

Automation (e.g., self-checkout machines)

E-commerce (e.g., online shopping platforms)

Traditional paper filing systems

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Data analytics and cloud storage

2. Which stakeholder is most directly affected when a business introduces automated checkout machines?

Business owners only

Employees whose jobs may be replaced

Government tax collectors

Overseas suppliers

3. A New Zealand supermarket introduces an app allowing customers to order groceries online for home delivery. Which of the following is a disadvantage of this change?

Customers can shop from home at any time

The business can reach more customers across New Zealand

Some older customers may struggle to use the technology

Orders can be processed more efficiently

4. Complete the sentence using the correct word from the box below:

Word box: automation | e-commerce | data analytics | stakeholders

a) _________________________ refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet.

b) Using machines or software to perform tasks previously done by people is called _________________________.

c) People or groups who are affected by a business's decisions are called _________________________.

✏️ Part 2: Short Answer & Reflection

5. Stakeholder Impact: Choose one technological change (e.g., online banking, self-service kiosks, AI customer service). Identify one positive and one negative impact for each stakeholder listed.

Technology chosen: _______________________________________

💡 Sentence starter: "For [stakeholder], a positive impact is… However, a negative impact is…"

Employees:

Customers:

Community:

6. Scenario Analysis: Read the scenario below and answer the questions that follow.

Kiwi Fresh, a New Zealand produce company based in Hawke's Bay, has introduced a new automated sorting and packaging system. The machines can sort 2,000 kilograms of apples per hour and connect to an online ordering platform. Three workers have been made redundant, but the business has reduced errors and increased export orders to Australia and Japan.

a) Identify two advantages of this technology for Kiwi Fresh:

b) Identify two disadvantages or concerns raised by this change:

c) Who benefits most from this change, and who may be negatively affected? Explain your thinking.

7. Personal Reflection: Do you think New Zealand businesses should adopt new technology even if it leads to job losses? Give a reason for your view.

💡 Sentence starter: "I think businesses should/should not adopt new technology because…"

🌟 Extension Activity (Advanced Learners)

Research a real New Zealand business that has recently adopted a new technology (e.g., Countdown/Woolworths NZ, Air New Zealand, a local farming operation). In the space below, briefly describe:

• What technology they introduced • How it affected different stakeholders • One ethical concern it raises