ICT Impact on Small Business

This project examines the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the performance of Little India Restaurant, a small business in London. The study analyzes the benefits and challenges of ICT adoption, provides recommendations for effective implementation, and offers insights into the role of ICT in enhancing business operations, customer satisfaction, and overall growth.

RESEARCH PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC:.............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Overview of the company......................................................................................................1
Rationale.................................................................................................................................1
Aim and Objectives................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
Meaning and concept of Information Communication and Information (ICT).....................2
Benefits of using ICT in the functions and operations of businesses.....................................3
Challenges faced by small business in using highly advance technologies like ICT and majors
to overcome the issues............................................................................................................3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES.................................................................................................4
Research philosophy...............................................................................................................4
Research Type........................................................................................................................4
Research Approach.................................................................................................................4
Sampling.................................................................................................................................5
Data Collection.......................................................................................................................5
Data Analysis..........................................................................................................................6
Research Limitation................................................................................................................6
Ethical Consideration.............................................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS..........................................................................................................................7
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................13
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................13
ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES...................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................18

TOPIC:
“To identify the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the
Small Business Enterprise. A study on Little India Restaurant.”
INTRODUCTION
Digital technology is one the most popular technology across the world. Throughout the
world today, people consonantly surrounded themselves with digital technology. Even in some
third-world countries, accessing computers, cell phones and the internet is no longer a luxury but
instead a part of everyday life (Dutta, Geiger and Lanvin, 2015). Digital technology is very
important for business across the world. Information Communication is one of the most famous
advance technology which provides access to information through telecommunication. Internet,
wireless networks, cell phones and other communication mediums are included in ICT.
In this present research paper, the impact of Information and Communication
Technologies on the performance small businesses will be determined by using various
techniques and methods.
Overview of the company
In this present report, Little India Restaurant is being chosen for assessment. It is a tiny
restaurant which is very close to tourist attractions with bright colours and a mirrored glass wall.
It is located in London. The entire décor, services and menu having the touch of Indian culture
and values.
Rationale
It is fact that digital life has changed as well as transformed the life of people and
businesses. Digital technology has make the life of people and business very easy and effective.
The reason behind choosing the topic of Information and Communication Technology is that it is
one of the best and useful technology used by the businesses to make ease communication
among the stakeholders (Gelenbe and Caseau, 2015). Further, it also reduces the cost of
operations, raised efficiency, improving decision making along with increasing competitiveness
in the market place especially for small businesses. Thus, researcher will identify the impact of
ICT in the performance of small businesses.
Aim and Objectives
Aim:
1

“To identify the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the
Small Business Enterprise. A study on Little India Restaurant.”
Objectives:
 To extract the meaning and concept of Information Communication Information (ICT).
 To identify the benefits of using ICT in the functions and operations of businesses.
 To determine the challenges faced by small business in using highly advance
technologies like ICT.
 To provide recommendation on effectively implementing ICT in the operations of Little
India Restaurant.
Research Question:
1. What is the meaning and concept of Information Communication Information (ICT).
2. What are the benefits of using ICT in the functions and operations of businesses?
3. What are the challenges faced by small business in using highly advance technologies
like ICT?
4. What are the recommendation on effectively implementing ICT in the operations of Little
India Restaurant?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Meaning and concept of Information Communication and Information (ICT).
According to Baller, Dutta and Lanvin, (2016) Information and Communication
Technology is one of the most common technologies which are used by the businesses in the
world of competition. It is the technology that supports activities involving information such as
gathering, processing, storing and presenting data. It is very closely related to the information
technology but focuses primarily on communication technologies which includes wireless
networks, internet, cell phones and many other mediums of communication. Further, it is also
used in the business for storing, processing, analysing as well as to share huge amount of data
that enable employee's and managers in order to make decision accurately and quickly.
As per the Wildevuur and Simonse, (2015) ICT has brought marvellous changes in the
life of businesses. The integration between computing, networking along with processing of
technologies as well as their applications are highly increased. Especially for small businesses it
plays a very important role in gaining the competitive advantages. Small businesses using ICT
gains important effects on the operations and functions of the firms. However, not only small,
2

ICT is very much beneficial for the big size organisation. The results produced by this advance
technology is very beneficial for the raising the level of customer satisfaction and increasing
demand of product and services.
Benefits of using ICT in the functions and operations of businesses.
As per the findings of Hilty and Aebischer, (2015) the benefits and advantages of
Information and Communication Technology are countless for the business. Communication
plays a very critical role in achieving success of the company either it is small or big. It is very
helpful for the organisation in controlling and reducing cost of operations, increases efficiency,
improving decision making as well as increasing competitiveness in the marketplace. By using
ICT within the operations and functions it becomes easy for companies to store, process,
evaluate as well as share huge amount of information. Managers and employees make decisions
very fast as well as accurate by the information available from corporate information.
According to Capurro, (2018) customer services are improved by using ICT and this is
one of the biggest benefits for small size organisations. Company can offer quick response to the
issues of customers and also provide high standard services by which customer satisfaction is
encouraged. But the Long, (2018) argued that security issues is one the biggest disadvantage
which can discourage employees satisfaction. For instance, Text messages, Emails etc. are often
vulnerable to hackers who must not have approach to certain information. Thus, these issues can
create serious legal liabilities if the personnel information of customers like number of credit
card, security number.
Challenges faced by small business in using highly advance technologies like ICT and majors to
overcome the issues.
Bryson, (2017) articulates that, there are many challenges which are faced by Information
and Communication Technology especially for small enterprises. But still it is very critical many
organisations. There are many issues by which small enterprises majorly suffered are issues of
integration. When new technologies are implemented it is very important that systems and other
technologies should support the advance technologies like ICT, IOT and many others. So, it is
very essential that organisation should plan before implementation of any technologies.
Disaster and Backup recovery is another challenge faced by small enterprises in
implementation of Information and Communication Technology as said by Matos and et.al.,
(2016). If any important documents is deleted from the system than it becomes a very critical
3

issue for the company. So, they have to use correct solutions for backups as well as procedures
of disaster recovery. Another issues faced by organisations are threat of security especially for
small businesses. It is because hackers have become highly intelligent and they are mostly
targetting small businesses. Thus, in order to overcome these issues, it is very important to have
IT software's to protect these threats. Further, the best solution for all these challenges are to
focus on training and development to staff members.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
Research philosophy
There have been two types of research philosophies such as interpretivism and positivism
techniques. Thus, in the present research researcher have used interpretivism techniques. The
qualitative data set have been analysed on the thematic basis on which each score had been
interpreted appropriately to define the valid information.
Research Type
To select the research type, this is one of the fundamental task which is used by the
researcher before starting the research. The careful consideration of study regarding a specific
concern or a problem using scientific methods. There are mainly two types on which research is
applied are qualitative and quantitative. The research which is based on the numeric figure's,
statical data, mathematical or computation techniques are called as quantitative research (Kumar,
2019). Whereas, the research which is based on the naturalistic inquiry like emotions, feelings,
views, experience etc. Researcher has applied qualitative methods in order to identify the impact
of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the Little India Restaurant.
Research Approach
After the selection of research methods, the next step in to select the research approach
for answering the research question. There are two research approaches which is applied in
research project are Inductive and Deductive research approach. This is the type of approach
which is goes in the same direction as that of conditionals by developing a hypothesis based on
existing theory. Whereas, inductive approach does not go in same directions as it is concern with
developing new theory emerging from new data. Researcher has applied inductive approach in
order identify the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the Little
India Restaurant (Mackey and Gass, 2015).
4

Sampling
When it is qualitative research, sampling plays a very critical role in completion of
research, it is because, data collection process is not able to start before sampling. Sampling is
the technique which is used to divide the large population into small size so that it becomes easy
for the researcher to study and solve the problem (Flick, 2015). There are two types of sampling
techniques which are applied in the research are Probabilistic and Non- Probabilistic sampling.
Researcher has used probabilistic sampling in which random sampling technique has been used.
20 employees of Little India Restaurant are taken for sample size.
Data Collection
The next step after selection of sample size is data collection process. Data collection
process is the process in which researcher gathered, analyse and interpret the data from the
sample. Data Collection process is very important as well as it is directly linked with the research
questions. There are two methods for data collection process which are primary and secondary.
Data which is collected by the researcher own efforts through questionnaire, survey, interview,
observation, schedule etc. are called as primary methods (Bresler and Stake, 2017). Whereas, the
information which is collected by the researcher from any other sources like books, journals,
articles, blogs etc. are the called as secondary data. Researcher has gathered information from
both the sources.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of Organisation: Little India Restaurant
Designation of Respondents: Employee
Age:
Gender:
1. Do you know about Information Communication Technology (ICT)?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
2. According to you, what is impact of ICT on the performance of business functions and
operation?
 Positive
5

 Negative
 Neutral
3. Do you think ICT is very beneficial for the growth and development of restaurant?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly Disagree
 Disagree
 Neutral
4. What are advantages of ICT to your restaurant?
 Reducing cost
 Increasing efficiency
 Increasing competitiveness
5. What are the challenges your restaurant faced by using ICT?
 Threat of security issues
 Integration issues
 Data Recovery and Backup
Recommendations if any................
Data Analysis
This is next step after data collection as the information which is gathered by enumerator
is raw data. So, it is very important to make them useful and meaningful. Data Analysis is the
process which is used to clean, mould and refined the data. Qualitative and Quantitative methods
are applied in the research to analyse the data. Researcher has applied qualitative methods to
analyse the data as it is easy and reliable for the researcher as compare to use SPPS and other
analytical tools (Alvesson and Sköldberg, 2017). Data has been analysed by using thematic
analysis where the information are presented by graph, tables and charts.
Research Limitation
Research limitation are those which are not control by the researcher in any concern.
Limitation are influences which the researcher cannot control. Here are the following the
limitations faced by the researcher are cost which is not control by researcher, risk is another
6

factors which have probability to be raised (Fletcher, 2017). In addition to this, issues of access
or permission of various websites and articles are also takes too much time for approval.
Ethical Consideration
Ethics are very important for the researcher as these are mandatory to obeyed in any
concern (Smith, 2015). These are the norms and standards that makes difference in what is right
and wrong. Here are the ethics which are considered by enumerators in this present study are as
follows-
 Informed consent.
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research.
 Risk to respondents.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
DATA ANALYSIS
Theme 1: Maximum employees know about Information and Communication Technology.
Particulars Employee's
Yes 14
No 4
Not Sure 2
7

Interpretation: The above survey conducted at Little India Restaurant of London from 20
employees and it was analysed that maximum employees know about Information and
Communication Technology as said by 14 employees. They are using all this technologies like
internet, cell phones and other wireless devices in their personal life. Whereas, 4 employees of
restaurant are unknown about ICT as they did not even use these technologies. Remaining 2 does
not have proper answer.
Theme 2: Positive impact of ICT on the performance of business functions and operation.
Particulars Employee's
Positive 11
Negative 7
Neutral 2
8
Yes No Not Sure
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Employee's

Interpretation: The above survey conducted at Little India Restaurant of London from
20 employees and it was analysed that ICT leads to positive impact on the performance of
business functions and operations. They said that it makes the work luxurious and comfort which
automatically brings the productivity. Whereas, 7 are not supporting as they said that it leads to
positive impact on the performance because of security issues, lack of integration etc.
9
Positive
Negative
Neutral

Theme 3: ICT is very beneficial for the growth and development of restaurant.
Particulars Employee's
Strongly Agree 7
Agree 3
Strongly Disagree 5
Disagree 2
Neutral 3
Interpretation: The above survey conducted at Little India Restaurant of London from
20 employees and it was analysed that ICT is very beneficial for the growth and development of
restaurant as majority is supporting with the reason that firm can gain competitive advantage in
the marketplace by using ICT. Further, some employees are not supporting as they said that it
raises the cost of production like organising training, cost of integration etc. leads to under-
development of firm. Rest employees are neutral.
Theme 4: Increasing efficiency is the major advantages of ICT.
Particulars Employee's
Reducing cost 5
10
Strongly Agree
Agree
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Employee's

Increasing efficiency 9
Increasing competitiveness 6
Interpretation: The above survey conducted at Little India Restaurant of London from
20 employees and it was analysed that ICT helps in increasing efficiency in the function and
operations of the business as 9 respondents are supporting. They said that communication is the
heart of business and ICT improves the communication which automatically bring efficiency in
the business. 6 respondents argued that ICT increasing competitiveness in the marketplace
through customer satisfaction, better services and many others. Further, 5 are supporting the
option that ICT helps in reducing cost like cost of storage is eliminated by storage software's,
USB etc.
Theme 5: Integration
issues are the major challenge faced by restaurant.
Particulars Employee's
Threat of security issues 5
Integration issues 8
11
Reducing cost
Increasing efficiency
Increasing
competitiveness

Data Recovery and Backup 7
Interpretation: The above survey conducted at Little India Restaurant of London from
20 employees and it was analysed that firm face integration issues by using ICT within business
as they said old system are not able to integrate with new technologies, so that organisation have
to update or replace their system on regular basis. Further, thereat of security issues and data
recovery and backup are other challenges faced by organisation in using ICT in the restaurant.
Summary of research findings:
On the basis of above analysed information on which it can be said that implication of ICT
technique in hospitality business will be effective in improving the productive efforts of
employees. Thus, there will be growth opportunities as per raining the quality of services with
such implications.
12
Threat of security issues
Integration issues
Data Recovery and Backup
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Employee's

RECOMMENDATION
From the above primary analysis, it is recommended by the researcher that Little India
Restaurant should use Information and Communication Technology within their operations and
function as it raises the efficiency of the businesses, reduces the cost of operation.
Researcher also suggested that, firm should use cellular phones and provide internet
facilities so that customers are connected with the organisation. All the offers and discounts are
informed through Emails and messages.
Scholar also advised that firm should focus on providing training to employees as it boost
the employee's satisfaction as well as reduced employee's resistance (Dutta, Geiger and Lanvin,
2015).
Scholar also advises that firm should be remain upgraded with the technology and use
upgraded technologies so that issues of integration is solved.
REFLECTION
While reflecting on the experience of conducting research, I came to realise that I truly
enjoyed the entire research process. I am a type of person, who always seeks to acquire
knowledge through learning and reading. I am very happy that I have learned the deep meaning
of Information and Communication technology (ICT) in the business. I have evaluated all the
benefits and drawbacks of the Information and Communication technology. After the evaluation,
I have realised that ICT leads ton positive impact on the performance of organisation especially
to small enterprise. All the task and activities are very enjoyable and very useful for my carrier
development. I have difficulties in framing the questionnaires which will evaluate the impact
digitalization on the industry to be asked to employees. Moreover, I have been benefited with
adequate advices and operational suggestion presented by tutor during module.
In formulating aim, I have found some difficult that either to broad the topic like digital
technology or to narrow w down the aim like ICT. But, I have consulted my peers and friends,
and I came to know that digital technology is very broad topic which cannot able to solve the
research questions effectively. So, I have decided to narrow down the research aim. Furthermore,
I collecting information from secondary sources, I have learned so many things and acquire deep
knowledge on ICT which also makes me easy in formulation of questionnaire. Data collection
process is also one of the amazing experience I got. All these things are very useful for my future
13

growth and development. I am very confident that this research paper is very useful for users
both in academic filed and corporate filed.
ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
Current Research methods
used
Could be used Reason
Qualitative Research Type Quantitative Research type The result obtained could be
more authentic, relatable and
valid as quantitative method is
free from bias and any other
personal interest.
Inductive Approach Deductive Approach This approach is less time
consuming.
It is simple, effective and
precise.
When research is based on
quantitative methods than the
data will be more authentic
and reliable.
Non-Probabilistic Sampling
(Questionnaire)
Probabilistic Sampling
(Interview)
More detailed information
could be gathered.
Researcher can ask more
personally.
Qualitative Method for Data
Analysis
Quantitative Methods for Data
Analysis
The data analysed will be more
authentic and reliable as
compare to qualitative
methods.
Data can be used for prediction
as it is based on cause and
effect relationship.
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CONCLUSION
The above report comes to the conclusion that digital technology is widely used by the
businesses irrespective to size and scale. It has been found that Information and Communication
technology is one of the most effective technology which is used by the organisation in storing,
analysing and communicating data. Further, it was also identified that ICT increases the efficient
in the operation and function of firms, reduced operational cost and many other benefits. In the
contrary security threats, integration issues etc. are some challenges faced by organisation in
implementation of ICT.
15

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Alvesson, M. and Sköldberg, K., 2017. Reflexive methodology: New vistas for qualitative
research. Sage.
Baller, S., Dutta, S. and Lanvin, B., 2016. Global information technology report 2016. Geneva:
Ouranos.
Bresler, L. and Stake, R.E., 2017. Qualitative research methodology in music education.
In Critical Essays in Music Education (pp. 113-128). Routledge.
Bryson, J., 2017. Effective library and information centre management. Routledge.
Capurro, R., 2018. Why Information Ethics? 1. International Journal of Applied Research on
Information Technology and Computing, 9(1), pp.50-52.
Dutta, S., Geiger, T. and Lanvin, B., 2015. The global information technology report 2015.
In World Economic Forum(Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. P80-85).
Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(2), pp.181-194.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Gelenbe, E. and Caseau, Y., 2015. The impact of information technology on energy
consumption and carbon emissions. Ubiquity, 2015(June), p.1.
Hilty, L.M. and Aebischer, B., 2015. Ict for sustainability: An emerging research field. In ICT
Innovations for Sustainability(pp. 3-36). Springer, Cham.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Long, R.J., 2018. New office information technology: Human and managerial implications.
Routledge.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Matos, A.P., Costa, J.J., Pinheiro, M.R., Salvador, M.C., Vale-Dias, M.L. and Zenha-Rela, M.,
2016. Anxiety and dependence to Media and Technology Use: media technology use and
attitudes, and personality variables in Portuguese adolescents.
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Smith, J.A. ed., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Wildevuur, S.E. and Simonse, L.W., 2015. Information and communication technology–enabled
person-centered care for the “big five” chronic conditions: scoping review. Journal of
medical Internet research, 17(3).
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APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of Organisation: Little India Restaurant
Designation of Respondents: Employee
Age:
Gender:
1. Do you know about Information Communication Technology (ICT)?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
2. According to you, what is impact of ICT on the performance of business functions and
operation?
 Positive
 Negative
 Neutral
3. Do you think ICT is very beneficial for the growth and development of restaurant?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly Disagree
 Disagree
 Neutral
4. What are advantages of ICT to your restaurant?
 Reducing cost
 Increasing efficiency
 Increasing competitiveness
5. What are the challenges your restaurant faced by using ICT?
 Threat of security issues
 Integration issues
 Data Recovery and Backup
18