| London | New York | Paris | Tokyo | |
| Technological History | London’s history of telecommunications remarkably starts with the development of telephony and telegraphy. Famous inventor Alexander Bell introduced his devices enabling people to communicate at distance (Huurdeman 159). Telegraph technologies started the invasion in 1868 and were marked with the creation of the Indo-European Telegraph Company. (Huuderman 127). At the beginning of the twentieth century, the telephone lines were limited and allowed to connect to a limited number of towns. In the post-war period, the Socio-Technical system design was created and was the first step to the Internet introduction (Tatnall 190). | The start of the computer advancement was in the 1940-1950 period, but the full realization of its competitive advantage and economic benefits appeared in the 70s when a rigorous competition burst out between the United States and Japan (Cortada 145). In 1961, the computers were recognized as fully operational and won their place on the market. | Symbolic programming and digital electronics appeared in the mid-60s when the first computers were installed. Such an introduction triggered a vigorous competition of France with such countries as Great Britain and the United States (Mounier-Kuhn n. p.). In this regard, Cuffighal developed the first computer that was not analogous to the American model (Ceruzzi 201). | Japan developed into a technology empire only in the 80s of the past century. However, its firms made considerable advances in producing integrated circuits, establishing a solid platform for the computer industry (Ceruzzi, 200, p. 11). Before this advancement, Tokyo made successful attempts to conquer the American and European markets and introduce its IBM models in the late 70s. The particular accent was also made on mechanical engineering and electronics (Uchida n. p.). |
| The inception of the Internet | The importance of introducing information technologies and telecommunications both to London and to Great Britain was recognized by the UK government. In this regard, the Internet captured the UK market in the late 90s of the past century (Simme 191). Regional authorities acknowledged a strategic role of technological development for encouraging the advancement and telecommunication technologies in London (Simme 192). The concept of “information city” creation was perceived as an attempt to increase the influence on the global economy and international market. | Since the first trials of the Internet take their roots in the United States, it is logical to suggest this introduction was first accepted by New York. Particularly, the invention of the ARPANET system has given rise to the development of cyber networks all over the United States (Banks and Card 3). The U. S. government has developed a number of research groups on electronic engineering to fulfill the technological gap and enhance its competitiveness (Banks and Card 2). | Like other leading economies, France also started cyberspace network development on time. However, its start was not that successful compared to one introduced by the United States and Japan because it had certain weaknesses in terms of technological changes and system optimization. Nevertheless, French ICT infrastructure has considerably developed due to the enhancement of the scientific base in Paris and the provinces (Simme 220). On a whole, the era of innovation and the introduction of the Internet in Paris is closely associated with a rigorous competition that emerged in the 70s and 80s of the past century. | The Internet development in Tokyo starts in 1976 with the foundation of Japan’s broadcasting corporation (Banks and Card 184). Despite its current privileged technological status, its ascent to the summit of telecommunications and cyber networking was slow and gradual. In this respect, the inception of the Internet era started much later compared to London and New York, but it did not prevent Japan from achieving the highest results in that matter(Simme 153). |
| Political, Economical, and Social Implications of the Internet | The development of telecommunications in London was aimed at spreading their strategies and policies at the corporate market and establishing a competitive advantage at the international level to compete with the leading countries that already chose the course on the Internet market (Simme 193). The UK government realizes the necessity for enhancing the ICT infrastructure enabling it to enter a competing platform. In addition, a developed network of telecommunication will also allow London to introduce a favorable ground for the social sector through training and improving specific skills and abilities. | It is recognized that the introduction and development of cyber technologies and online networks have considerably changed the political, economic, and social environment in New York, like in other developed regions in the United States (Cortada 59). In this regard, the leading firms and corporations have to adjust to the ongoing changes and transform their strategies along with the transformations that occurred to online networks and e-commerce. | Paris, being the main political and economic center of France, realizes the importance of the innovation introduction where the Internet is not of the least significance (ICT to France n. p.). In particular, the country plans to expand research in the sphere of information technologies to increase opportunities for developing international company business and for arranging a strong mobile infrastructure, internet services, satellite equipment, and mobile telephones (ICT to France n. p.). | According to Simme, “Japan plans that the weakness of basic research compared to Western countries should be balanced through the technopolis plan and it keeps the technological standard in the top position for the future” (152). In this regard, the government considers industrial and scientific development a priority because it can create more favorable conditions for technological advancement. |
| Carrying out Business Operations | In London, information labor counts about 45 % of the total workforce percentage (Li 36). The information aspects of the economy significantly influence business operations in London. In particular, it affects the production spheres where people have to improve knowledge management skills. | Nearly 50 % of the New York population is engaged in all labor activities and most business transactions and operations are carried out via the Internet. Both, at an individual level and an organizational one, people are involved in e-commerce interactions (Li 72). The city realizes that the Internet and telecommunications significantly increase New York companies’ capacity to interact with other companies within the country and outside it (Li 72). | The major fields that are planned to be advanced and improved in France include ICT services, system security, E-learning, ITPV, and VolP (ICT to France n. p.). In addition, French businesses are realizing the necessity to plan technology improvement and enable customers to buy their products via the Internet (ICT to France n. p.). While considering past failures to adjust to technological changes, the current situation provides a much distinctive feature of drastic improvements in the sphere of innovations. | The development of ICT technologies in Japan has provided great opportunities for supply chain management (Li 213). In particular virtual networks and online communication greatly fosters the conclusion of important agreements and favor international relations with other leading companies. |
Works Cited
Banks, Michael, and Orson Scott Card. On the way to the web: The Secret History of the Internet of its Founders. US: Appress, 2008. Print.
Ceruzzi, Paul E. A History of Modern Computing. US: MIT Press, 2003. Print.
Cortada, James W. How Societies Embrace Information Technology: Lessons for Management and the Rest of Us. US: Wiley-IEEE, 2009. Print.
Hurderman, Anton, A. The Worldwide History of Telecommunications. US: Wiley-IEE, 2003. Print.
ICT to France. Australian Government. 2011. Web.
Li, Feng. What is E-Busines?: How the Internet Transforms Organizations. US: Wiley-Blackwell. 2007. Print.
Mounier-Kuhn. History of Computing in France: A Brief Sketch. CNRS. 2011. Web.
Simme, James. Innovation Networks and Learning Regions. NY: Routledge, 1997. Print.
Tatnall, Arthur. History of Computing: Learning from the Past. US: Springer, 2010. Print.