Impact of Digital Technology on Business Activity: A Research Project

This research project explores the impact of digital technology, specifically e-commerce implementation, on business activities. Through a survey-based approach, the study analyzes the perspectives of individuals and businesses on the effectiveness, challenges, and future of e-commerce. The findings highlight the significant role of e-commerce in streamlining business operations, enhancing customer experiences, and expanding market reach. The research also delves into the challenges associated with e-commerce, such as security concerns and trust issues, and provides recommendations for mitigating these challenges.

RESEARCH PROJECT PART 2-
IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
ON BUSINESS ACTIVITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Data analysis and interpretation...................................................................................................................1
Conclusion and recommendation..............................................................................................................16
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................16
Recommendation...................................................................................................................................16
References..................................................................................................................................................20

Data analysis and interpretation
Research conducted by researcher
Being the researcher of the project, the small scale research is to be conducted on understanding the
impact of digital technology on business activities by especially referring e-commerce implementation.
Currently, many organizations are planning to use the e-commerce system in their business operations to
expand their expertise to the international boundaries. The internet is the major platform for buying and
selling the products online. Thus the use of study is very effective to gain the knowledge on the subject
so that researcher in future can also plan the same to do in practical professional life (O'Leary, 2017).
In the present report, the application of survey method will be done which is based on the questionnaire
set for gathering the information related to e-commerce activities in business through the respondents.
Moreover, in other word, researcher has majorly focussed on the quantitative research method to
maintain ethical implications and getting real practical information.
Survey Questionnaires
For carrying out the research, the investigator has developed the questionnaire. The questionnaire is
referred as the set of chosen question that are written in the formal structure to be distributed in the
survey to the respondents. This technique will collect the information from the group of respondents on
the topic undertaken in study for meeting the success of the business (Sharp et.al. 2017). Thus, it is best
approach in practical life for assessing the information from different respondents. Some of the
questions are prepared to have conclusive analysis:-
1. For how many years you are using the e-commerce sites?
 Less than a year
 One year but up to five year
 More than five year
 Can’t say
Less than a year 12
One year but up to five year 23
1

More than five year 3
Can’t say 2
Total 40
30%
58%
8%
5%
Less than a year
One year but up to five
year
More than five year
Can’t say
Analysis
According to the survey, it is been determined that around 57% of the respondents or user are using the
e-commerce system for more than one year. As recently, the emergence of e-commerce has taken place
thus the maximum user are from the period between zeros to five years. The enhanced use of e-
commerce system is very effective as it supportive for both employer and employee. The e-commerce
sites save time, efforts and provide simplicity in the business operations (Turban et.al. 2017). Although
few of the respondents said that they are using the e-commerce from more five years as they might be
involved from internet from numerous years in their businesses.
2. Do you believe in online trading?
 Confidently
 Sometimes but careful
 Not at all
I m confident 13
Sometimes but careful 20
2

Not at all 7
Total 40
33%
50%
18%
I m confident
Sometimes but careful
Not at all
Analysis
Online platform generally provides greater opportunities for the customers as well for the organization.
From the analysis, it can be said that around 50% respondents make the online trading sometimes as
they essentially use in their business or personal life. The trading business is majorly moving towards
the path of e-commerce business that means use the online is effective for everyone in the organization.
The respondents who are confident in using the e-commerce for online trading might be very confident
(Chaffey, 2015). They might deal in the products that are supportive in online trading very much. But in
present also around 18% of the respondents still not believe in using online trading they like to conduct
their business through physical outlets or they did not have time to carry out their online as they have
large number of sales from physical stores only.
3. What is your objective of implementing e-commerce system?
 Personal use
 Professional use or
 Both
3

Personal use 10
Professional use 17
Both 13
Total 40
25%
43%
33%
Personal use
Professional use
Both
Analysis
Currently internet has been used by large number of people for every purpose whether for purchasing or
inquiring anything. According to the above analysis, it can be interpreted that around 40% of the
respondents said that they use e-commerce system for professional use. The justification of this is that
major businesses are carried out using online business and as e-commerce is platform for buying and
selling anyone can come and sell their products. On the other hand, around 23% respondents said that
use of e-commerce is done by them because of the buying something or just to spend their time by
accessing the product (Scarborough, 2016).
Further, around 33% of the respondents said that they use e-commerce system for both the purpose. This
type of individual’s falls in the category of both buying and selling the goods and services. The research
has given the significance that e-commerce is important to the business in every perspective whether it is
personal and professional.
4. How often you conduct the online buying using e-commerce platform?
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 Yearly
 Half yearly
 Quarterly
 Monthly
 Daily
Yearly 3
Half Yearly 4
Quarterly 7
Monthly 11
Daily 15
Total 40
8%
10%
18%
28%
38% Yearly
Half Yearly
Quarterly
Monthly
Daily
Analysis
E-commerce is very effective in the current time as it helps in generating the revenue and increase in
profits. According to the current analysis, it is been determined that maximum number of users uses
daily e-commerce platform for buying the goods online. Thus, the study also reflects that 28% of the
respondents said that they use e-commerce system monthly for buying the goods online. The survey also
reflected that few of the respondents very rarely use the e-commerce platform for buying the goods.
Hence, it is ensured that e-commerce has been very supportive in the organization and for the customers
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as well. It also shows that e-commerce is very famous among the youth as it ensures easiness, simplicity
and effortless operations in the business (Turban et.al. 2017). It also proves that the business enterprises
enhance the value, brand and high returns in the business. For enhancing the customers for online
shopping the business should involve proper security system which will support in creating the trust
among the customers.
5. According to you, how e-commerce effective to you?
 Fasten the procedure
 Price reasonability
 More customer choices
 Don’t know
Fasten the procedure 19
Price reasonability 12
More customer choices 8
Don’t know 1
Total 40
48%
30%
20%
3%
Fasten the procedure
Price reasonability
More customer choices
Don’t know
Analysis
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According to the above analysis, it has been seen that e-commerce makes the process faster as easy
selection is done among the variety of the products, gives the price comparison and returns policies as
well. Around 19 of the respondents also believe in this system. For the products, e-commerce system
also offers the goods at reasonable prices which are supported by 12 respondents. Fasten the process is
very beneficial strategy for the organization selling the goods through the e-commerce platform. Price
reasonability is favoured by the respondents who majorly conduct the online shopping. Further, the
study also reflects that e-commerce offers more choices to the customers in context with size, colour and
quality comparison as well (Turban et.al. 2015). The prices are also transparent and changes when some
sale arrives on the internet shopping websites. Thus, it is clear that online shopping is very effective for
the customers as well as for the employee’s as they carry out the business operations essentially.
6. As per your opinion, how e-commerce system is supportive in business operations?
 Secure payment guarantee
 Smooth business operation and customer communication
 Caters business demand of customer’s
 Don’t know
Secure payment guarantee 10
Smooth business operation and
customer communication
15
Caters business demand of
customers
12
Don’t know 3
Total 40
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25%
38%
30%
8%
Secure payment guarantee
Smooth business
operation and customer
communication
Caters business demand of
customers
Don’t know
Analysis
E-commerce is very supportive to the business as it has simplified the business operation, provides easy
communication with the customers through mails or other medium and also analyse the demand quickly
of the customer and fulfils the same urgently if possible. But in all this benefits of e-commerce, the
majority of the respondents that the business operations gets simplified easy as organization can cut their
essential costs which ultimately advantage to customers in term of low pricing. The next thing is
payments are also secured as organisation works on the digital platform. In this they get the money
directly in their bank account that has reduced the hurdle for both organizations as well as for the
customers (Akter and Wamba, 2016). Around 25% of the respondents said that they use e-commerce for
any purpose as they can use secure payment procedure that consumes less time.
Today the organizations are also working on the path of research which can also be done through
research in market for the products demand. As soon the demand is identified, organization works for
the fulfilling the demand. In this way, the customer is also satisfied and the organization also gets the
revenue and sales. Thus, it can be concluded that e-commerce supports the business operation is getting
smooth business flow, secure payments and demand meeting.
7. Do you think the use of E-commerce has been enhanced in the recent years?
 Yes
 No
8

 Don’t know
Yes 27
No 8
Don’t know 5
Total 40
68%
20%
13%
Yes
No
Don’t know
Analysis
According to the survey, it is been ensured that maximum respondents said that use of e-commerce has
been increased in recent age. Around 67% are in favour because now the basic needs of the individuals
can be fulfilled by just sitting at their workplace, placing the order, paying for it and they get the goods
or services at their doorsteps. The other reason can also be that today using the internet is the cheapest
medium for every individual as the telecommunication organization provides internet facilities at very
low prices. Thus, booming the e-commerce websites very quickly is due to low internet services rates
and it has created the vast opportunities for the business world (Turban et.al. 2017).
Although, few of the respondents i.e. around 20% said that still e-commerce needs more years to
increase their involvement rate. The organization need to make the resources that are very economic as
sometime they initially requires heavy investment that cannot be affordable. On this aspect, organization
initially has to invest but shortly they receive greater benefits from it.
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8. What is your point that e-commerce has greater advantages then traditional approach?
 True
 False
 Don’t know
True 24
False 12
Don’t know 4
Total 40
60%
30%
10%
TRUE
FALSE
Don’t know
Analysis
According to the survey, it is been analysed that majority of the respondents i.e. around 60% said that e-
commerce has higher advantages in comparison with traditional method. The reason can be that both the
parties involved in the transactions get the benefits from it. In the traditional approach, organization
carries the long system of making the sales and then profits but now the organizations are using their
competencies by using relevant shortcuts which also provides major advantages. Further, the
organization has cut their cost by implementing the e-commerce websites (Sigala, 2017).
Although traditional approach is also effective as many customers still not prefer to purchase the goods
online that means they are buying the goods from physical outlets. Moreover, customers also did not
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trust much about the quality and the price that is offered online thus they like to purchase it from the
stores only. It is supported with the 30% of the respondent as well according to the analysis mentioned
above.
9. Do you think that e-commerce eliminates the process of intermediaries?
 Yes
 No
Yes 34
No 6
Total 40
85%
15%
Yes
No
Analysis
Around 85% of the respondents believe that e-commerce platform removes the intermediary’s channels.
On this account, the cost will reduce essentially for the organization as only two parties are involved in
the transaction and all the middlemen are eliminated. The customer order the good, makes the payments
and the goods are delivered to the customer’s directly. Intermediary’s means distributors and resellers
are eliminated but now the goods are delivered directly from the factory outlet to the customer’s straight
away. On the other side, around 15% of the respondents said that e-commerce not entirely removes the
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middle person (Hanna, 2016). As still the manufacturer sells the retailers and then retailer sells the goods
through online trading platform.
10. In which business e-commerce is applied majorly?
 Real estate
 Banking
 Matrimony
 Retail
 Travel and tourism
Real estate 5
Banking 4
Matrimony 10
Retail 6
Travel and tourism 15
Total 40
13%
10%
25%
15%
38% Real estate
Banking
Matrimony
Retail
Travel and tourism
Analysis
Around 38% of the respondents said that e-commerce is mainly used in travel and retail sector. The
reason for this is because the tourism organization now works towards their official websites to make it
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more effective. Further, the customers also while making the decision for travelling to the destination
also first has the access towards the internet for the locations, budgets and the packages available. Thus,
tourism is highly promoted through e-commerce. While rest of the domains also use the e-commerce to
make their sales and they are also benefitted with the same.
11. According to you what are the major difficulties and challenges organizations faces in using e-
commerce?
 Trust
 Security issues
 Less awareness among the customers
 Other issues
Trust 20
Security issues 8
Less awareness in customers 7
Other issues 5
Total 40
50%
20%
18%
13%
Trust
Security issues
Less awareness in
customers
Other issues
Analysis
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Around 50% of the respondents said that they cannot believe on the organizations that serve the services
or products online. The reason is anyone is now entering into the platform and fake information can also
be given to the customers so as to generate their personal information and then misuse the same. The
other challenges such as security issues, in this concern also respondents while making the purchases is
in fear that their information entered can be used by anyone (Wang et.al. 2016). On this account, the
proper systems of security are been installed by the e-commerce business essentially.
12. What are most crucial criteria while customer buy’s something online?
 Choice
 Payment security
 Pricing
 Quality
 All of the above
Choice 7
Payment security 3
Pricing 10
Quality 5
All of the above 15
Total 40
18%
8%
25%
13%
38% Choice
Payment security
Pricing
Quality
All of the above
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Analysis
According to the above analysis, it can be reflected that every criteria to the organization and for the
customer is important whether it is price, quality, payment or choice. On this account, while making the
purchase customers essentially overlooks the quality whether it is good or not, price is reasonable or not
and payment structure is secured or not and lastly they are getting the good which they want or not.
Finally, after they make the purchase decisions for the goods (Chaffey, 2015). On the other side, the
organizations who are offering goods on e-commerce also has to see the product from every aspect
mentioned above to maintain their brand and reputation on the internet platform as well. The analyses
can be drawn through the support of 38% for the entire criterion determined in e-commerce platform.
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Conclusion and recommendation
Conclusion
The researcher has carried the research which is based on the usefulness of e-commerce system in the
organization. The researcher has concluded the few points which in the favor of the implementation of
e-commerce as the digital technology in the business. With the research happened, it has determined that
if the firm needs to commercialize the services in the market but in the digital form they can applied in
the e-commerce system. The research reflects that with the support of e-commerce approaches they can
offer new and latest direction to the management in the competitive market (Demirkan, 2015). It is also
reflected that e-commerce has put the major influences on the living standards of the people in their
professional and personal life. The major approach behind the e-commerce is to evaluate the research in
which it has determined the e-commerce implementation in the business for promoting the services and
products in the market. It has major given the impact on traditional or physical market which includes
more costing and time resources.
The e-commerce concept is to operate and manage the business operation procedure in the easy way and
on this account they need to be more concentrated on the needs and customers expectations. E-
commerce system in the firm manages the internal procedure of the organization and it can be done
through employee’s training so that effectiveness of the system can be maintained. It can also be
summarized that the research is the most crucial source for the firm which the business can use the
information and effectively communicate with the customers accordingly (Chaffey, 2015). The main
objective of the research is to assess the usefulness and significance of e-commerce and it is analyzed
and summarized that e-commerce strategy, which offers the management opportunities to the
organization like offering high profit margin, cost of acquisition can be lowered and also enhances the
re-purchasing rate.
Recommendation
As per the above research it is recommended that research gives the most favourable results from the
respondents in execution of the e-commerce system. The analysis and finding part of the research has
also summarised that with the implementation of e-commerce system they can encourage the services
and goods in the market parlance by attracting the customers with giving quality assurances. Irrespective
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of this, still efforts and needs of improvement are required and on this account few of the
recommendation are required on implementation of e-commerce system:-
In the business activities and operations implementing e-commerce
It is suggested that organization that provides the customer services has to implement the e-commerce in
their business as the digital technology tool that supports to be commercial at the international platform
as well. It is also suggested that firm can develop their e-commerce development in which they require
to offer the information related to the services and products along with its quality and services (Sigala,
2017). With the support of system of e-commerce the organization can even spread the awareness about
the products among their customers so as to influence the customer’s towards the buying of their
product. This also shows that the organization also working towards their CSR responsibilities.
For protecting the internal information use of e-commerce
As the organizations will decide to use the e-commerce system on their business and on this account
they need to implement some security system for protecting the information of the customer’s that
purchases from the organization. The information shall be stored in the system of e-commerce that
ensures security as well. Hence the organization while implementing e-commerce requires applying the
logical security system that ensures file permission, directory access, user role management and
database encryption (Akter and Wamba, 2016). With the support of this security tools they can store the
save data in the system and can restrict the access of unauthorised user. With this confidential
information will also be saved in the effective manner. The major intention behind giving this
recommendation is that organization can create the trust on the customers by giving them assurance that
their data is saved and secured efficiently.
Cloud computing technology
With the implementation of e-commerce system, organizations will generate lots of information and
personal details of the customers in the purchasing process. On this account, the firms need to store the
information and for this purpose, the use of cloud computing technology can be done. The major
advantage of the cloud technology is that it can save the huge information of the n number of
organizations just by registering on the cloud platform (Goel and Goel, 2016). Any employee in the
organization can access the information about the customer whenever they are in need and the access is
provided by simply entering the password.
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It saves organization cost and provides scalability, speed and reliability in the information and cheapest
medium of sharing the data. Hence, due to these advantages it will be highly beneficial to use the cloud
computing in the execution of e-commerce system.
Use social media for advertisement
In the present day, the use of social media has been increased at the vast scale by every type of age
group. Thus, it can offer greater advantages to the organization for promoting their goods and services
on the e-commerce platform. With the use of social media websites such as Twitter, Instagram,
facebook, YouTube, blogs etc the organizations can promote their sales and services in the huge
audience. The organizations just need to create their official websites in which they must give variety of
products they deal in along with categories, price range and payment structures. The sites must be quite
attractive that influence the customers to purchase the product instantly (Hanna, 2016). Thus the
organization needs to connect their official websites with the social media sites which is done through
search optimisation technology in e-commerce system.
Hence, it is the strong marketing technique is the current competitive environment and also offers
effective communication, sharing and responses of the customer quickly. The profit margins of the
organizations are also enhanced as they have major saved their cost on designing and structuring the
physical outlets or locations.
Researcher recommendation
MS Access and spreadsheets:
The current research is conducted through the means of quantitative research approach which offers the
reliable and accurate result to the researcher. Although the researcher has used the quantitative method
but it should be managed and concluded effectively. The use of MS Excel gives the supportive results
and stores the information so that the researcher can use it whenever they are in need. This tool is
effective as they are free of cost and can be installed essentially (O'Leary, 2017). The data storage
facility is been offered by MS access and Spreadsheet tool. All the information gathered from the
respondents in the approach can be applied by the investigator by using this tool as it offer the correct
analysis and research findings.
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Alternative research method:
In the current research, the researcher can use the quantitative research method. Irrespective of that, the
researcher can apply the qualitative research method which is also effective technique for collecting the
information (Sharp et.al. 2017). The implementation of e-commerce can also be done through using
different philosophy such as interpretivism that will gives the supportive interpretation for the study
altogether. The researcher can even make use of different approach and design such as exploratory
research design and inductive research approach essentially.
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References
Books and Journals
 Akter, S. and Wamba, S.F., 2016. Big data analytics in E-commerce: a systematic review and
agenda for future research. Electronic Markets, 26(2), pp.173-194.
 Chaffey, D., 2015. Digital business and e-commerce management. Pearson Education Limited.
 Demirkan, H., 2015. Special section: Enhancing e-commerce outcomes with IT service
innovations.
 Goel, K. and Goel, M., 2016, May. Cloud computing based e-commerce model. In Recent
Trends in Electronics, Information & Communication Technology (RTEICT), IEEE International
Conference on (pp. 27-30). IEEE.
 Hanna, N.K., 2016. E-commerce as a techno-managerial innovation ecosystem: Policy
implications. Journal of Innovation Management, 4(1), pp.4-10.
 O'Leary, Z., 2017. The essential guide to doing your research project. Sage.
 Scarborough, N.M., 2016. Essentials of entrepreneurship and small business management.
Pearson.
 Sharp, J.A., Peters, J. and Howard, K., 2017. The management of a student research project.
Routledge.
 Sigala, M., 2017. Collaborative commerce in tourism: implications for research and
industry. Current Issues in Tourism, 20(4), pp.346-355.
 Turban, E., King, D., Lee, J.K., Liang, T.P. and Turban, D.C., 2015. Electronic commerce: A
managerial and social networks perspective. Springer.
 Turban, E., Outland, J., King, D., Lee, J.K., Liang, T.P. and Turban, D.C., 2017. Electronic
commerce 2018: a managerial and social networks perspective. Springer.
 Wang, W.T., Wang, Y.S. and Liu, E.R., 2016. The stickiness intention of group-buying websites:
The integration of the commitment–trust theory and e-commerce success model. Information &
Management, 53(5), pp.625-642.
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