Impact of Emerging Technology on Performance of Employees

Research
Dissertation

Contents
Title:.................................................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Background of the Research...................................................................................................1
Rationale of the Research.......................................................................................................1
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................2
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................2
Research Questions................................................................................................................2
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................3
Concept of emerging technology............................................................................................3
Drivers of emerging technology.............................................................................................3
Impact of emerging technology on business and performance of employees........................5
Challenges of emerging technology.......................................................................................6
Chapter 3: Research Methodology...................................................................................................8
Type of Investigation..............................................................................................................8
Research Approach.................................................................................................................8
Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................9
Data Sampling........................................................................................................................9
Data Collection tools............................................................................................................10
Time scale.............................................................................................................................13
Ethical Consideration...........................................................................................................14
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation..................................................................................15
Thematic Analysis................................................................................................................17
Chapter 5: Result, Analysis and Discussion..................................................................................29
Discussion on the basis of secondary research.....................................................................29
Discussion on the basis of primary research........................................................................30
Chapter 6 Conclusion and Recommendation.................................................................................32
Conclusion............................................................................................................................32
Recommendation..................................................................................................................33
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................35

Title:
To evaluate and investigate the impact of emerging technology on performance of
employees”. A case study on Vodafone.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Background of the Research
The key aim of this present study is to evaluating the potential impact of emerging
technology on the performance of employees, therefore, over the past few decade technology has
plays an imperative role in developing the overall performance of employees which has direct
significance for the business as well in the manner of generating higher profitability and growth
(Armstrong and Harman, 2019). With the emerging advancement within technological trend in
business the employee relations trend has also create effective procedures and mechanization of
the activity task being performed through the workers. Higher advancement of technology is
significant in improving quality and also developed the performance at workplace. Technology
has transform the way of conducting business as advance and emerging technologies has
reducing the human efforts and develop their performance at workplace. Thus, emerging
technology is recognised to be the combination of assorted tools likewise robotics, artificial
intelligence and many other. These are main technologies that are being employed by an
enterprise to automate simple as well as repetitive tasks and to make complex decision speedily
(Oláh and et. al., 2018). In this present investigation Vodafone is the chosen organisation,
therefore, it is a large British telecommunication firm which has mainly operated from its
headquarter which is stated in London UK. The company was founded in the year of 1991, by
the potential efforts of Ernest Harrison and Gerry Whent. The company is having around 98,996
employees who are contributing their significant efforts in the growth and success of the
business.
Rationale of the Research
The research into actual action is based on determining the impact of emerging technology
on the performance of employees (Roberts, 2018). Therefore, this is a wide area of academic
writing which is efficacious in developing an individual’s business as well as academic skills.
The major reason for conducting this investigation is that it is a common considered
investigation area which has its wider influence over the progression and performance of
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employees, thus businesses are mainly facing the issue of employee performance and this study
explores knowledge regarding the suitable implementation of emerging technologies in
developing employee performance at workplace. In addition to this, the another key reason for
executing this analysis is the personal interest of the researcher as the investigator wants to
enhance their idea and knowledge in relation to the specific area (Saberi and et. al., 2019).
Therefore, investigator wants to gather suitable recognition about the impact of emerging
technology over enhancing performance of the employees.
Research Aim
The key aim of this present project is “To evaluate and investigate the impact of emerging
technology on performance of employees”, a case study on Vodafone.
Research Objectives
The main targets and objectives of this research conducted on Vodafone are as follows:
 To study the factors that are the main reasons and causes behind the emerging technology
in organisations.
 To evaluate the positive impacts created by emerging technology on performance and
efficiency of employees.
 To investigate the negative impacts, led by emerging technology on overall performance
and morale of employees.
Research Questions
The key questions of this project that are in-consist over this existing investigation area are
determined as below:
 What are the main reasons and causes behind the emerging technology in organisations?
 What are the possible positive impacts created by emerging technology on performance
and efficiency of employees?
 What are the negative impacts lead by emerging technology on overall performance and
morale of employees?
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Chapter 2: Literature Review
Literature review is defined to be the imperative area of an investigation as it is effective in
assisting the overall investigation in right manner to developing in-depth understanding in
relation to the chosen study area (Chen, Yin and Mei, 2018). In addition to this, this area is
significant based on accumulating information from the different sources like books, journals,
published articles and non published articles and so on. Therefore, this section is effective in
developing theoretical framework over the area of determining the impact of emerging
technologies over the performance of employees at workplace. Thus, this area is significant in
terms of developing theoretical formwork which in turns in creating value in providing wider
knowledge base which helps in addressing an investigation issue in effective manner (Tidd and
Bessant, 2018). Furthermore, literature review is effective in developing in-depth analysis over a
specific research area that helps an investigator in moving ahead in right direction to draw valid
and reliable outcome.
Concept of emerging technology
According to Chae, Koh and Jeon (2020), emerging technology can be defined as new
technology, which is being currently developed or will be updated within upcoming years. This
will substantially help in altering the business operations and social environment, as well as aid
corporations in running business more smoothly. Such emerging technology includes wireless
data communication, information communications, advanced AI (Artificial intelligence),
advanced robotics and more. These would help organisations in digitalising their business and
run operational activities, in advanced manner (Khan and Uwemi, 2018). In this regard,
advanced companies like Vodafone believes emerging techniques as key driver of business
strategy, which aid them to add more innovative features in their products.
Drivers of emerging technology
As per the opinion analysis of Handa and et. al. (2020), technology is significant aspect
and transforming the way of executing business and its operations, therefore, in today’s modern
business environment the key motive of each small as well as large business enterprises is to
developing their operations and progression at workplace. However, the key reason of emerging
tools in business is related with maintenance of high level of quality as the product manufactured
and created with the help of technology are more concise and properly build with better features
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and reduced chances of any sort of loopholes (Geddes, 2020). Therefore, the businesses now a
days are very much focuses over developing their operations and progressions, through
developing the strength of employees at work place. Use of machines and automated tools
mainly ensures that all the products are identical and chances of errors are also minimised
(Yunis, Tarhini and Kassar, 2018). Thus, organisation is encouraged to adopt latest and emerging
technology to attain and maintain high standards of quality which has impacted criteria of job
design and product development.
According to theoretical perspectives of Ishtiaque, Siddiqui and Ahmed (2020), it has been
evaluated that the main key drivers or factors which assists organisations to introduce emerging
technology, in their business includes increasing competition; improvisation in business
operations; increasing productivity and more. Through digitalising the business and updating
operational activities as per new technologies, aid organisations to achieve desire objectives,
with cost efficiency as per economies of scale (Casey and et. al., 2018). Along with this, other
main reasons behind emergent technology is to improve and maintain the quality level of
products. When goods are manufactured and developed with usage of latest technology, then it
helps in sustaining the better features in more concise way. In addition to this, such products are
properly build with high techniques then, it further reduces the chance of any loopholes also.
Implementation of latest machines, equipment and automated technology, aid companies to
ensures that each and every product are identical and must satisfies the demand of people, which
they are actually seek to buy (Goh and Arenas, 2020). Therefore, such key trends encourage
today’s organisation to bring latest and emerging technology, such as AI, robotics, drones etc.
within their business, for attainment and maintenance of high standards of quality. Despite this,
the another main factor which forces organisations to introduce emerging technology in business,
is rising concern towards occupational safety and health of workers. So, this obligation has made
companies to adopt new technology or update existing techniques, for providing for more safe
environment to its workers (Li and et. al., 2018). In this regard, latest technology helps like
drones, artificial intelligence, fire extinguishers etc., ensure companies to get proper control on
workplace incidents, through monitoring the entire activities digitally with real-time processing.
As per views of Cano-Kollmann, Hannigan and Mudambi (2018), through adoption of
latest technology, organisations gain advantage in increasing efficiency of its operations.
Therefore, for achievement of better productivity and offer more new or innovative products to
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customers, Vodafone emphasis more on bringing new technologies (Ahmad, Bakar and Ahmad,
2019). As it is one of the multinational organisations of UK, which operates its business and
offers its products in many nations. Therefore, updating business with latest technologies helps
its managers to ensure proper interactions with customers and adequately supply to them also
(Luhmann, 2018). This would make respective firm able to bring more new innovation in
business, provide facilitate customers the easy way of shopping through online business and
more.
Impact of emerging technology on business and performance of employees
As per opinion of Dan Cotting (2018), it has been analysed that emerging technology like
virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and more, provide a number of benefits to
organisations. It includes enhancing performance of business, increasing capacity of operations
through digital interface, make functions more easier, safer, faster and more efficient (The
Impact of Emerging Technologies on Business, 2018). Therefore, in context with Vodafone,
through introducing mentioned technologies, aid this firm in staying relevant within present
competitive landscape. For growth in communication business, this firm mainly integrates new
techniques within Product Design & Prototyping; Sales, Marketing & External Communication;
Workforce Collaboration; and more. Here, utility refers to the common thread for all these
operations, which increases only via XR tech (Hosking and Anderson, 2018). But all these
positive benefits can only be gained by high contribution of workers. Therefore, it forces
organisations to integrated advanced technologies for improvement of workers’ productivity. It
includes mobile-friendly technologies, collaboration tools (Unified Communication System),
cloud-based techniques, conference sessions and more, which would make able employees to get
timely information about business. Along with this, getting timely training also helps to enhance
their skills and increase their abilities to improve customer relations (Advantages of technology
in business, 2018). This would help in improving their productivity to give better performance,
for achievement of corporate goals. In this regard, positive impact of digitalised business for
Vodafone and other organisations can be determined in following way –
Increased productivity and efficiency – Automated business operations and other functions, is
one of major benefits of introducing technology. Cloud computing, artificial intelligence,
robotics and more, allow workforces to work in more efficient manner (Dubey and et. al., 2019).
They can handle business related functions and activities in easy way, without travelling from
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