Technology and Innovation
This paper is about how collaboration technology and innovation has been embedded in the cultural and creative industries in recent years. In order to provide a concise report on this subject matter, we first of all need to understand what is meant by cultural and creative industries.
Cultural and creative industries simply refer to those industries that are based on specific cultural aspects and ones that would be based on peoples’ creativities and talents. Basically, creative industries are said to possess a great potential of economic opportunities for both organisations and individuals through a number of ways.
Technology and innovation are crucial aspects of modern development for various sectors of the economy. There is no way we can talk of modernity aspects as they continue to take shape in the contemporary world without talking about technology and innovation.
These two aspects have continued to play a significant role in modern developments and have been applied in almost every sector of the modern world as crucial factors of transformation. As a matter of fact, human life has become easier and more interesting as a result of technology and innovation.
The power of ‘creativity’ that until recently inventors had the major claim on has become a tool of success for modern companies in the last few decades as a result of these two aspects. This paper widely explores the aspects of technology and innovation as they have been applied in the automotive industry.
Technology and innovation have always played a key role in the car industry. However, the pace in which these aspects have impacted new developments within the sector has increased tremendously over the last one or two decades.
As a matter of fact, people in the automotive industry are vying to use available resources and equipment to achieve a technological edge that will aid in pushing creativity and innovation.
There is no doubt that, in the ever-changing world of technology, the latest developments are only as smart and impressive as the next aspect that is expected to come down the line (Ritter & Gemünden 2004).
This is evident in the automotive sector where exciting aspects of technology have been used to revolutionize not just the design of cars but also their safety on the road. Customers’ demands and expectations in terms of car quality, safety, and reliability are relatively very high nowadays owing to the ever-changing trends in life.
However, all these expectations have been met through technology and innovation and today, the world is witnessing major design and structural transformations in the car business.
More importantly, different car manufacturers have ensured stringent safety standards for their autos as one way of achieving competitive advantage in this ever competitive sector.
As a matter of fact, the global auto industry is currently in a phase of broad creativity that touches various scientific disciplines. These disciplines include, but are not limited to, science, chemistry, and electronics.
The discipline of chemistry in the automotive industry has been applied in the manufacture of reliable batteries that can be used to power all types of vehicle. This constitutes of both lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries that are commonly applied in electric vehicles.
Auto makers have improved the nature of these onboard energy storage devices using modern technologies, thus improving the overall performance of vehicles. The application of science within the industry can be seen in the materials used to manufacture the vehicles.
Auto makers are currently applying lightweight materials such as aluminum, high-strength steel, and carbon fiber to manufacture cars that fit consumer expectations in regard with vehicle weight.
Apart from the chemical and scientific achievements, the automotive industry has also adopted state-of-the-art infotainment systems that are likely to bring customers to the edge of modern technologies in communication and entertainment.
Recently, automotive infotainment is said to have dominated the global news landscape, probably owing to the modern in-car technology systems that comprise of sophisticated media devices. As a matter of fact, this is a clear manifestation of how deep the use of electronic technology has penetrated the automotive industry.
A clear manifestation of how technology and innovation has been applied in the automotive industry can be observed in the assuring ability of General Motors to deliver smart connectivity and navigation services to its customers through exemplary in-car technologies (Tushman & O’Reilly 2013).
People can easily access a wide range of engaging media services comprising of both entertainment and information right from the comfort of their vehicles.
As General Motors once pointed out, we are living in an age where things are changing so fast due to globalisation, especially in the way we interact and communicate with each other, and therefore, there is a need for auto manufacturers to work in ensuring that their vehicles are tailored to fit the needs of customers in all aspects.
In order to achieve this goal, General Motors have come up with an advanced in-vehicle media technology that ensures that car owners maximise their information and entertainment experiences through modern connectivity tools.
In this respect, people are able to access personalised entertainment that would range from customised music to navigation services.
Some of the wonderful electronic features that General Motors have installed in a variety of their car models include things such as full-colour touch screens, modified CD players, radio tuners, and auxiliary inputs that enable vehicle owners to have full access of today’s robust forms of entertainment.
There is no doubt that the automotive industry needs to embrace technology and innovation more rapidly than any other sector in the world to be able to deal with the ever-changing market demands.
For this reason, the industry has achieved great advancements in various areas by embracing the opportunities provided by the cutting-edge technological aspects. Ever since the first steam-powered vehicle was invented by Karl Benz way back in 1886, there have been realistic breakthroughs in vehicles (Ehsani, Gao & Emadi 2009).
For instance, autos have moved from steam-powered things of the past to battery-powered machines that we can see today. Modern technologies have also led to further developments in terms of power systems. This is evident in the contemporary society where the use of hydrogen fueling and electric powered vehicles has become a norm. These transformations in the way autos are powered have not only made modern cars more efficient, but have also played a significant role in ensuring that pollution-free vehicles are manufactured. This has been a highly-welcomed by organisations and individual advocating for a pollution-free environment in the world. Unlike the conventional vehicles that would emit a lot of carbon thus being a big threat to our environment, modern high-tech autos emit only vapour which proves to be harmless to both humans and the environment.
More importantly, technology and innovation has made it easy for car owners to realise much greater savings in terms of fuel consumption. This was evident in a recent Auto Show that took place in Los Angeles in December, 2013.
As a matter of fact, the various technological aspects showcased in the event would be a clear indication that the pace of creativity in the automotive industry is not slowing.
Here, several auto manufacturers showcased duo-cylinder engines and three-cylinder engines that have been combined with electric power sources to make them more powerful.
It was also in the same exhibition where Hyundai and Honda Auto Companies would express their vision and expectation for the next generation of hydrogen-powered vehicles that are more efficient and less polluting.
Apart from power systems, auto makers also utilised this opportunity to show how modern technology has played a crucial role in assisting car owners in matters regarding safety and convenience (Zapata & Nieuwenhuis 2010).
As far as these two aspects are concerned, the new model of Lincoln, which is able to pack and unpack itself was showcased in this event.
Other innovative elements that made a big impact in regard with safety and convenience were the special features of car doors that can open upward such as those of the new i8 hybrid plug-in electric BMW cars, thus making it easy for people to get out of their cars even in an environment where the parking space is tight.
Innovation is actually a critical component of success in the automotive industry where consumer demands and expectations have risen rapidly as a result of modern technological aspects.
For example, the rapid development of mobile phone technology over the years has significantly impacted the vast changes in the auto industry. There is no doubt that massive use of smartphones and other sophisticated gadgets has continued to influence vehicle consumers to have more expectations about the cars they drive.
Modern generations are obsessed with technology owing to the vast benefits that can be associated with the trend, and for that reason, they expect more advanced electronic features and elements in their vehicles.
In this regard, automakers across the world are placing bets on a wide range of component technologies as they continue to give the best in automotive technologies to the customers.
Apart from what has already been achieved in the automotive sector, there are various other car technologies that are expected to greet the world in the near future.
For instance, car manufacturer researchers have pointed out the possibility of inventing a system that can enable cars to communicate with each other and with other elements on the road.
A promising light into this seemingly unimaginable achievement can be seen in the Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication technology which is currently under development in the U.S. The system works by using wireless signals to convey information between vehicles about their direction and speed, among other aspects.
This technology will enable cars to sense the presence of other cars using the same path, thus warning drivers of a potential risk such as a collision (Davenport 2013). In some extreme cases, the technology can also apply the brakes automatically in case of emergency.
The good news about this wonderful technology is that, engineers are working on its algorithms to enable it determine the most appropriate measures that can be taken in different situations. This way, it will be easy for car users to avoid causing road accidents.
This, however, is just one of the several future technological achievements expected in the auto industry in the near future. Other possible achievements include self-driving cars and augmented reality dashboards, both of which are expected to come with immense benefits.
As it would be observed, these technological developments in the auto industry have come with vast managerial implications.
First of all, the advancements have changed the way things are done. For example, it is easy for managers to execute their roles in the current business environment considering the assuring convenience and safety provided by modern-day vehicles.
This has been enhanced by the fact that these high-tech vehicles are more reliable compared with the older models due to their modified components and features, and can therefore be used for convenient transportation.
Technology and innovation advancements in the auto industry have also brought extra roles to people since additional technological knowledge and expertise are required to deal with the ever-changing aspects of technology.
However, not many people are familiar with the technological components and features that come with modern car models and this poses serious challenges to those operators who are less informed about the concepts.
Technology globalisation in the car industry has raised new expectations on customers who are always on the lookout for new things to match the ever-changing lifestyles.
This has put a lot of pressure on industrial research managers who are compelled to work hard to ensure that customer expectations of quality, reliability, and safety are met.
More importantly, managers in various departments have just found themselves having extra responsibilities of managing the inherent uncertainties that tend to occur from this new paradigm.
These advancements have also influenced special technological capabilities among managers and supervisors, thus helping them to become real experts in dealing with modern technologies in their areas of accountability.
Reference List
Davenport, T 2013, Process innovation: reengineering work through information technology, Harvard Business Press, Boston, MA.
Ehsani, M, Gao, Y, & Emadi, A 2009, Modern electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles: fundamentals, theory, and design, CRC press, Boca Raton, FL.
Ritter, T & Gemünden, H 2004, ‘The impact of a company’s business strategy on its technological competence, network competence and innovation success’, Journal of Business Research, vol. 57, no. 5, pp. 548-556.
Tushman, M & O’Reilly, C 2013, Winning through innovation: A practical guide to leading organizational change and renewal, Harvard Business Press, Boston, MA.
Zapata, C & Nieuwenhuis, P 2010, ‘Exploring innovation in the automotive industry: new technologies for cleaner cars’, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 14-20.