Social Networking Impact on Business

This project examines the impact of social networking on the growth and innovation of small businesses, focusing on Continental Consulting Limited. It utilizes qualitative and quantitative research methods, including questionnaires and thematic analysis, to analyze data and provide recommendations for effective social networking implementation.

Managing Successful Business
Projects

“The importance of social networking helpful for development and invention
in medium sized business”
OVERVIEW
Digital technologies are useful for small business in terms of raising innovation and
growth. It assists in increasing social connectivity, communication and exchanges a good deal of
information. With the help of digital technology, company maintains flexible work environment
for employees (Entman and Usher, 2018). This assignment is based on Continental Consulting
Ltd. It is research and business consultancy. Company needs to identify impact of digital
technologies in business. This present research, it identifies importance of social networking
implementation to support growth and innovation of small business. It will explain different
approaches and techniques for collecting data to attain result. It will produce project management
plan, work breakdown structure, Gantt chart to accomplish aims and objectives of project. It will
also explain research approaches, philosophies for collecting data regarding task.
TASK 1
P 1. Project aims and objectives
Background:
Today's world, digital technology spreads widely. Digital technology involves different
kinds of operational activities which utilizes data in terms of numerical. It is beneficial for social
connectivity, communication speed, learning opportunities, increasing automation, huge storage
of various information etc. Through adopting digital technologies company well interact with
their clients and providing better services, so that it customers are taking all facilities. Therefore,
it increases profits and ultimately impacts on growth and innovation in firm. It reduced costs,
easily exchanges various news, operating different activities of firm. Thus, it increases
fruitfulness and innovation in workplace. Digital technologies thus supports growth and
innovation of company. This assists in maintaining production process and solving different
problems that improves performance and flexibility of organization.
Through social networking consulting firms are transformed. This helps in implementing
strategies in company for increasing profits. According to client demand, company's employees
provides fast, profitable and quality innovation. Digital technology includes social media
network as it is beneficial for firm to connect their clients. This assists in increasing profits and
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growth of organization. With the help of social networking, company build relationship with
customers and collaborate clients. This aids in sharing information, effective filling in the
organization. This assist in increasing productivity and marketing of products and services of
small sized firm. Social networking aids increasing safety and easily handling work in firm. It
will focus on customer attraction and increase experience about company. This activity increases
future expectation and growth of firm. By digital technologies, entity implements new products
and services to engage their customers. Implementing new technologies such social media,
mobile networking for providing better services to clients. It increases profitability of company.
Firm is able to assists to clients for using technical tools and assets that are the best result of
business. With the help of digital technology, small entity creates innovation in products and
services, improving performance. This aids in growth in globally and competition of large
organization.
Aim:
“To identify impact of social networking on growth of small business and innovation:A
study on Continental Consulting Limited”.
Objectives:
 To understand significance of social networking.
 To determine relationship between social networking and growth of Continental
Consulting Limited.
 To explain significance of social networking in bringing innovation in business.
 To explain strategies that support in implementing social networking effectively for
raising profits of company.
P 2. Produce project management plan
Project management plan
Project manager produce management plan that covers different aspects such as costs,
quality, time, communication, risk, resources, scope of project.
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Costs: Project manager of this task make sure that there is no unnecessary wastage of
money, extra expenditure by workers. Manager of project make sure that allotted budget for
using social networking for completing task (Hanelt and et.al., 2015). Manager also implements
strategies for reducing costs of task. Project handler makes sure that minimize costs by using
different methods for project progression. Such as eliminating waste, most effective methods of
training and recruiting etc.
Quality: Through using digital technology, manager has make sure that improvement in
quality. Project manager in this task has to maintain standards and monitor of quality by
implementing strategies such as continuous maintaining of quality, using tolls for solving quality
issues etc. This assists in completing task on time. Project manager has to utilize techniques in
improving of quality to task.
Time: Project manager of this task has to make sure that completing task in allotted time
duration in Continental Consulting Limited. Therefore, they implement strategies by reducing
time for accomplish project (Westerman, Bonnet and McAfee, 2014). With the help of resources
and capital, manager make sure that completing project on time.
Communication: Effective interaction between employees and managers essential for
completing projects of Continental Consulting Limited. By effective communication, manager
and staff are easily exchanges information, getting ideas and thoughts for completing task (Wu,
Straub and Liang, 2015). Project manager has to ensure that conducting meeting for getting ideas
and thoughts for successful project.
Risk: There are various kinds of risk that may occur in this project such as technological
risk, human resource risk, financial risk (Oldham and Da Silva, 2015). Project manager has to
implement strategies and techniques for reducing constrains for completing projects of
Continental Consulting Limited. High risk is barrier in project completion.
Scope: It is part of project planning that includes features, function, tasks, deadlines and
costs. Project manager ensure that this project is beneficial for their company growth and
innovation, working pattern and training of employees (Entman and Usher, 2018).
Resources: Project manager requires various resources such as human resource,
financial, technological etc. They need people, capital, technologies for completing tasks in
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organization (Demirbas, Gewald and Moos, 2018). Manager makes sure that proper utilization of
sources for success of project of Continental Consulting Limited. Director has to make ensure
that using of advances technologies, skilled workers of completion of task.
P 3. Produce work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Work breakdown(WBS):
It is structure of task transfer which form group in controllable divisions. This
construction gives important model of measuring pricing and assess with giving direction for
plan growth and measures. There are some reasons for creating WBS in a project such as
estimate costs, measures time and risk, indicates projects milestones and control point for
completing project (Siami-Irdemoosa, Dindarloo and Sharifzadeh, 2015). There are various
design goals for WBS such as providing perceptibility to important activity attempt, risk
activities, correlativity among actions and deliverable, display broad possession by project head.
Gantt chart:
It is kind of bar chart that elaborate a task agenda. It also shows addiction relationship
among works as well as present agenda position. It is horizontal bar chart which modality
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defined action of task time to time. Gantt charts include following characteristic like dates of
starting and ending of task, project marking, addiction among projects, person appointed to every
project (Slack, 2015). It is identifying performance and task in form of vertically and
horizontally. It gives clear illustration of project status. Gantt charts normally created initially
time starting strategy where each task scheduled to start immediately. This techniques increase
float time available for each project
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P 4. Applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
Research methodology is specific process or techniques used in to identify, select,
process and analysis information about of project. This assists in making decision regrading task.
The section defines research approaches, philosophy, designing, approaches, choosing and
sources of gathering information (Smith, 2015). This is important portion of research by using
techniques and methods.
Research approach assist investigation in framework way for accomplishing the study.
With this, investigator determine tool for collection and analysis data for completing projects.
There are two methods includes such as inductive and deductive. In inductive study, involves
investigating for activity from measurement and improvement of statement, explanation. This
aim of this approach to make significant from gathering information in terms of determine shape
and relation to increase approach (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). On the other hand, deductive
approach take steps describes earlier for inductive research and reverse order. This research is
concerned with developing hypothesis based on existing theory. In present study researcher has
used inductive approach to identify impacts of digital technologies on project. With the help of
this research, investigator determine data to attain objective of task. This approach assists in
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assessing various factors that helps in attaining aims of projects. With this study, researcher has
integrated inductive approach for getting result of this task.
Research philosophy defines with source, nature and development of knowledge. It is
belief about ways collected, analysed and used in data regarding events. Here various kinds of
beliefs such as practicality, empiricism, reality and interpretivism. In order to that, it assists in
achieving objectives of projects. In addition, research philosophy reflects researcher important
premises on base for study strategy. In this context, researcher has applied interpretivism
research philosophy to analysis impact of digital technologies on business growth and innovation
(Edson, Henning and Sankaran, 2016). This study also identifies and investigates factors that
helps in attaining objective of project. This aids in evaluated and collected data to attain aims of
this project. Through literatures reviews and knowledge, gathering information for getting result.
Interpretivism philosophy also supports in identifying impact over digital technologies
effectively and thus it assists in addressing each and every research question.
Research Design is prime of method and procedures utilized in gathering and measuring
variants for particular situations. Here various types of study designs such as exploratory,
descriptive, casual, case study and experimental design that supports researcher in conducting
study in desired manner. In context, investigator has applied descriptive design to identify impact
of digital technologies on business growth and innovation (Dougherty, Slevc and Grand, 2018).
In order to that, it assists in observing and describing behaviour of subject without influencing it
in any way. This assists to describe characteristics of population or events being studied. With
the help of it, researcher has identified and collected data about normal behaviour. In addition,
this aids to attain objectives of this project by researcher.
Qualitative Approach:
Qualitative research is concept of gathering information in form of numerical through
watching. This approach is focusing on human behaviour and components for academic
disciplines. It includes research conception and approaches from different established domain
field. Purpose of this approach to search information about project.
This study is the procedure of realistic research which deeply perceptive for societal
events within their natural setting (Smith, 2015). It direction and relies on through experiences of
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person being as meaning-making broker in their everyday lives. It is outlined that direction on
information by communication with human being. These methods are often part of survey
methodology involving telephone and consumer satisfaction study.
There are many methods that involves case studies, focus groups, participant observation
etc. This research is often useful in a sociological channel. This is to help navigate mixed
landscape. These actions are use in many approaches like activity inquiry which has sociological
basis or actor network theory. Interview is communal source of information on qualities or
categories of interest.
Quantitative Approach:
Quantitative research is organized verifiable research of observables events by applied
mathematics, or process method. Objectives of this approach are to create and utilize numerical
models, approaches and hypotheses pertaining to events. It gives central relation between
empiric watching and numerical aspect of quantitative relationship. This study definite quantity
specific experiences into in depth understanding with aim of determining and increasing meaning
through text, narrative or visual based data (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016).
This approach queries set of participants by developing exclusive themes. This approach
produces data only on specific case study for conclusion of hypotheses. It can include generation
of models, development of methods for measurement, collection, modelling, analysis of
empirical data. It focuses on discovering underlying meaning and patterns of relationship that
consider categorization of kinds of events and entities. Quantitative approach is an intrinsic
element of five kinds of evaluation supported by information preparation methodology. It also
includes review of literature, interviews with expert and computer simulation.
These studies do not give reasoning participants result because quantitative methods have
limitation. There are four kinds of study designs such as descriptive, correlation, quasi-
experimental and experimental. Qualitative methods utilized to realize meaning of conclusion
produced by quantitative methods. This research using statistical methods starts with collection
of data based on theory. Quantitatively based opinion surveys are broadly utilized in social
media with applied mathematics such as promotion of respondents in favour of positions
commonly reported.
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In present study researcher has used qualitative approach to identify impact of digital
technologies on business. Through this research, project manager determine strategies to support
implementing digital technology effectively for raising profits. With the help of questionnaire
technique individual has identified that use of digital technologies to support growth and
innovation. This approach assists in effective communication with clients, identify customers
needs and their satisfaction. Researcher utilizes qualitative approach to determine factors that
includes in project. This approach determines participants interest and observation, human being
experience regarding project. Through this research, investigator understand initially and
discover thoughts used in project planning process. Researcher finds human behaviour,
intentions and motivation on the basis of observation and interpretation.
Data collection is procedure of collecting and measuring information on variable of
interest that helps in attaining aims of projects. In this context, there are two sources primary and
secondary that help to attain aims and objective of project.
Primary source includes gathering information from participants through interviews,
questionnaire and focusing unit (Lewis, 2015). In order to that, researcher has applied
questionnaire technique as part of collecting data from primary sources. This helps in attaining
aims of projects.
As compared to, secondary sources includes gathering existing information from various
sources like written material, publication, online articles, website and other varied. This assists
in collecting data for identifying impact of digital technologies on small business.
Sampling:
Sampling is process utilized in applied mathematics investigating that predetermined
numbers of observation are taken from large population. In this context, random sampling
technique has been applied and 15 employees have been selected as sample for this project
(Palinkas and et.al., 2015). With the help of this, researcher is able to collect data that support to
get attains aims of project.
P 5. Analysis research and data by using tools and techniques
Data Analysis:
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In this project, thematic analysis has been used in order to attain result from it, with the
help of it; researcher is able to interpreted data to attain result.
1. Do you think social networking is helpful for business?
Answer Respondents
Yes 10
No 5
Total 15
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
5
Do you think digital technology
is helpful for business?
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 10 participants replied
that digital technology is helpful for business on the other hand 5 respondents replied that digital
technology is not helpful for business.
2. Do you think that implementing technological changes will impact on working pattern?
Answer Respondent
10

Strongly agree 6
Agree 4
Disagree 3
Strongly disagree 2
Total 15
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
6
4
3
2
Do you think that implementing
technological changes will im-
pact on working pattern
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 6 participants are replied
that they are agreed to technological impact on working patterns. On the other hand 3
respondents are replied that they are disagreed to implement technological impact on working
patterns.
3. Does mobile technology is beneficial in bring innovation in Continental Consulting
Limited.
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Answer Respondent
Yes 11
No 4
Total 15
11
4
Yes
No
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 11 participants are
replied that mobile technology is beneficial in bring innovation in company. On the other hand 4
respondents are replied that mobile technology is not beneficial in bring innovation in
Continental Consulting Ltd.
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4. Do you think that implementing social networking can increase cost of firm?
Answer Respondent
Strongly agree 7
Agree 5
Disagree 2
Strongly disagree 1
Total 15
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
7
5
2
1
Do you think that implementing
digital technologies can in-
crease cost of firm?
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 7 respondents are replied
that they are strongly agreed increase costs of firm by implementing digital technologies. On
other the other hand, 2 respondents are disagreed increase costs of firm by implementing digital
technologies.
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5. Will you accept such technological changes in your company?
Answer Respondent
Never 2
Always 9
Sometimes 4
Total 15
2
9
4
Never
Always
Sometimes
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 10 participants are
replied that they are always accepted such technological changes in company. On the other hand,
2 respondents are replied that sometimes they are accepted such technological changes in
company.
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6. Do you think that training can support you in accepting such technological changes?
Answer Respondent
Yes 10
No 3
Not sure 2
Total 15
Yes No Not sure
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
3
2
Do you think that training can
support you in accepting such
technological changes?
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 10 participants are
replied that accepting technological changes support training. On the other hand 3 respondents
are replied that technological changes are not support training. 2 participants are not sure for it.
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7. What is positive impact of social networking?
Answer Respondent
Increase communication with consumers 3
Cost cutting 2
Bringing innovation 4
Raise profitability 6
Total 15
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3
2
4
6 Increase communication with
consumers
Cost cutting
Bringing innovation
Raise profitability
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 6 respondents replied
that digital technologies helps in raising profitability. It can be interpreted that digital
technologies are beneficial for company.
8. What is negative impact of social networking ?
Answer Respondent
Increase cost 9
Poor knowledge to employees 4
Decrease employee Morale 2
Total 15
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9
4
2
Increase cost
Poor knowledge to employees
Decrease employee Morale
INTERPRETATION: From the above graph, it can be concluded that 9 participants are replied
that digital technologies increase costs of firms. It can be interpreted that digital technologies are
not beneficial for company.
P 6. Conclusion and recommendations
From the present study, it can be concluded that such technological changes impact on
working pattern to respondents. Digital technologies support training of participants in firm.
Researcher has used questionnaire technique as per qualitative approach to collecting
information for knowing views of respondents. This assists to get attain aims of this project.
Recommendations:
Researcher should utilize interviews techniques as per quantitative approach for gathering
data from participants to attain the objectives of this project. In order to that, investigator should
use online websites and journals as per secondary source for collecting existing data about
project to identify impact of social networking supporting of small business growth and
innovation.
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P 7 Reflect on value of research to meet stated objectives
From present study, digital technologies helps me for completing project on time. With
the help of such technological changes, I can achieve my objectives and get result form it.
Through questionnaire, I have known about employees views about impact of digital technology
in business growth and innovation.
Researcher can used case studies for collecting data to identify positive and negative
impact on digital technologies on small business. Investigator can also utilize quantitative
approach to collect data for determine impact of technological changes in business growth and
innovation.
CONCLUSION
From this study, it can be concluded that to attain aims of impact of digital technologies
to support growth and innovation of small business. Researcher has to used qualitative approach
to collect data for getting result. It can be discussed that project management plan, work
breakdown structure and Gantt chart to identify significance of digital technology in brining
innovation in small firms. Furthermore, report summarised that researcher has to use
questionnaire technique for know views of respondents about impact of digital technologies in
company. It can be concluded that primary source used for collecting data to attain result in
company.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Demirbas, U., Gewald, H. and Moos, B., 2018. The Impact of Digital Transformation on
Sourcing Strategies in the Financial Services Sector: Evolution or Revolution?.
Dougherty, M. R., Slevc, L. R. and Grand, J., 2018. Making research evaluation more
transparent: Aligning research philosophy, institutional values, and reporting. Open
Science Framework.
Edson, M. C., Henning, P. B. and Sankaran, S. eds., 2016. A guide to systems research:
Philosophy, processes and practice (Vol. 10). Springer.
Entman, R. M. and Usher, N., 2018. Framing in a Fractured Democracy: Impacts of Digital
Technology on Ideology, Power and Cascading Network Activation. Journal of
Communication. 68(2). pp.298-308.
Hanelt, A. and et.al.,, 2015, March. Digital Transformation of Primarily Physical Industries-
Exploring the Impact of Digital Trends on Business Models of Automobile
Manufacturers. In Wirtschaftsinformatik (pp. 1313-1327).
Lewis, S., 2015. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five
approaches. Health promotion practice. 16(4). pp.473-475.
Matt, C., Hess, T. and Benlian, A., 2015. Digital transformation strategies. Business &
Information Systems Engineering. 57(5). pp.339-343.
Oldham, G. R. and Da Silva, N., 2015. The impact of digital technology on the generation and
implementation of creative ideas in the workplace. Computers in Human Behavior. 42.
pp.5-11.
Palinkas, L.A. and et.al., 2015. Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis
in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health
and Mental Health Services Research. 42(5). pp.533-544.
Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R., 2016. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
Siami-Irdemoosa, E., Dindarloo, S.R. and Sharifzadeh, M., 2015. Work breakdown structure
(WBS) development for underground construction. Automation in Construction. 58.
pp.85-94.
Slack, N., 2015. Gantt Chart. Wiley Encyclopedia of Management, pp.1-1.
Smith, J. A. ed., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Westerman, G., Bonnet, D. and McAfee, A., 2014. Leading digital: Turning technology into
business transformation. Harvard Business Press.
Wu, S. P. J., Straub, D. W. and Liang, T. P., 2015. How information technology governance
mechanisms and strategic alignment influence organizational performance: Insights from
a matched survey of business and IT managers. Mis Quarterly. 39(2). pp.497-518.
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APPENDIX 1
Questionnaire
1. Do you think digital technology is helpful for business?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
2. Do you think that implementing technological changes will impact on working pattern?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
3. Does mobile technology is beneficial in bring innovation in.........
 Yes
 No
4. Do you think that implementing digital technologies can increase cost of firm?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
5. Will you accept such technological changes in your company?
 Never
 Always
 Sometimes
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6. Do you think that training can support you in accepting such technological changes
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
7. What is positive impact of digital technology?
 Increase communication with consumers
 Cost cutting
 Bringing innovation
 Raise profitability
8. What is negative impact of digital technology?
 Increase cost
 Poor knowledge to employees
 Decrease employee morale
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