Technological Advancements Usage: Demographic Variations

Introduction

The world today is more technologically advanced than a decade or two decades ago. Individuals, businesses, and communities are receptive to these technological enhancements as the benefits associated with the use of technology are enormous. These benefits include convenience, ease of use, user friendliness, and faster access, just to name a few. Technological upgrades have provided the world with wonders, challenges, and mixed blessings so far. Technological wonders that benefit individuals and communities relate to medical advancements, upgrading of the diagnostic equipment, robotic engineering, food technology etc. The challenges associated with technology-related products or goods envisage increase in the use of nuclear weapons by countries, emergence of assault rifles, and rise in the usage of chemical weapons by different groups within a community. Therefore, the wonders and challenges associated with the technological advancements indicate the nature of a double-edged sword as individuals and businesses within a community are often confronted in distinguishing between what is good and what is bad for them. This gives rise to the question of problem solving and critical thinking in understanding whether technological advancements are a boon or a bane to the individuals, businesses, and communities that constitute a society.

One particular industry that has undergone major changes from its traditional mode of operations worldwide is the banking sector. This sector has undergone revolutionary changes and has embraced technology in its day-to-day operations. The banking sector is vital in influencing a country’s gross domestic product and contributes significantly to the economic status of the country. Technological advancements in this sector are visible through the proliferation of distribution channels. Traditionally businesses used to differentiate their products and services on the basis of price. More recently, businesses are relying on non-price factors for differentiating their businesses from those of competitors. The banking sector is one such business entity, which has embraced differentiation of their products and services on the basis of distribution channels. As a result, modern banks throughout the world offer their services to their actual and potential consumers through physical bank branches, telephone, Internet, and mobile service delivery channels. Therefore, individuals and businesses throughout the world are also gaining awareness, knowledge, and familiarity with the use of these service innovations.

As the society consists of individuals, businesses and communities that are of heterogeneous nature, the technological advancements in general and specifically the proliferation of service delivery channels in the banking sector may not be appealing to certain categories of individuals within the society. This chapter highlights the emergence of the Internet banking service delivery channel in the Australian context. This chapter also sets out to distinguish the importance of demographic variables in the acceptance as well as the rejection of Internet banking. Important implications, which are relevant for the retail banking managers, in the effective management of their segments will be provided. The information provided in this chapter highlights the relevance of demographic characteristics for retail bank managers in designing their product and service strategies.