Information Technology Problems and Solutions for Small Businesses

Running head: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR
SMALL BUSINESSES
Information Technology Problems and Solutions for Small Businesses
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

1
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES
Abstract
This paper discusses about the concept of information technology in the small business. The
benefits of adoption of information technology in the small businesses have been discussed in the
study. The aim of the research s to identify the problems of information technology in the small
businesses and recommending its strategies.
The research paper has focused on the concept of the information technology and small business.
The factors affecting the adoption of information technology in the small businesses have been
analyzed. The impact of adoption of information technology in the small business have been
discussed.
The research has followed positivism philosophy with deductive approach. The descriptive
design of the research has helped in analyzing the impact of the information technology on the
small businesses. Data has been collected from both primary and secondary sources. Online
survey questionnaires have been constructed with 6 close ended questions. Interview has been
conducted with three managers of different small businesses. Data has been properly analyzed by
both qualitative and quantitative analysis method.

2
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................4
1.0 Background of the study...................................................................................................4
1.1 Rationale................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Problem Statement.................................................................................................................7
1.3 Research Aim, Objectives and Questions..............................................................................7
1.3 Hypothesis.............................................................................................................................8
1.4 Research Structure.................................................................................................................8
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................9
2.0 Concept of Information Technology.....................................................................................9
2.1 Concept of Small business enterprises................................................................................10
2.3 Adoption of IT in small companies.....................................................................................11
2.4 Factors influencing adoption of IT......................................................................................12
Internal factors.......................................................................................................................12
External factors..........................................................................................................................14
2.5 Conceptual framework.........................................................................................................15
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................16
3.1 Introduction:........................................................................................................................16
3.4 Research Philosophy:...........................................................................................................16

3
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES
3.4.1 Justification for determination of the picked Philosophy:................................................17
3.5 Research Approach:.............................................................................................................17
3.5.1 Justification for determination of the picked Approach:..................................................17
3.6 Research Design:.................................................................................................................17
3.6.1 Justification for determination of the descriptive Design:................................................18
3.7 Data Collection Method:......................................................................................................18
3.7.1 Data Sources: Primary and Secondary.............................................................................18
3.7.2 Data Techniques: Qualitative and Quantitative................................................................19
3.8.1 Sampling Technique:........................................................................................................19
3.8.2 Sample Size:.....................................................................................................................19
3.8.2 Sample Size:.....................................................................................................................20
3.9 Ethical Considerations:........................................................................................................20
3.10 Research Limitations:........................................................................................................20
3.11 Gantt chart.........................................................................................................................21
3.12 Summary:...........................................................................................................................21
References......................................................................................................................................23

4
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.0 Background of the study
Information technology has been an emerging technology in the market. Small business
enterprises have been using this technology for developing the business in the market. Due to
various advantages of IT in the market, numerous number of SMEs are adopting the technology
in the market. However, there are some different cases in the adoption of the information
technology by the SMEs and by large companies in the market (Nguyen, Newby & Macaulay,
2015). The use of the IT in the business is very dependent in the infrastructure and talent of the
employees in the company. The use of the IT can be both positive and negative for the business.
The use of different sources of applications on the company helps in maintaining different
operations on the company (Harris & Patten, 2014). The IT applications have been refurnishing
the growth of the company in the market. Various information technology including cloud
computing and ERP implementation have been mostly used by the SMEs in the market (Abebe,
2014). These technologies have been helping in maintaining the development of the company in
the market by multiplying the production and managing services provided by the company.
However, new technologies are carving the market by innovating new techniques of business
in the market. The implementation of IT in the small business enterprises have led to increase in
risks including cyber-attacks and other online threats (Schaper, 2016). Therefore, various
solutions have been created by the IT for mitigating these problems in the small business
enterprises. These solutions include use of hardware and software for internet security, updated
antivirus and ERP systems for proper management of the operations in the company (Hashim,
2015). The use of these techniques have helped in initiating the growth of the company in the

5
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES
market. These technologies have been replacing traditional way of working into modern
technological approach.
This research deals with the problems in using information technology in the small business
enterprises. Various problems have been identified in the study due it the implementation if the
information technology in the small business enterprises (Verbano, Crema & Venturini, 2015).
However, IT solutions have been provided with respect to the problems in the business. The
study has helped in accessing strategic management in the business organization. This research
will help in attaining a proper customer satisfaction level in the market that might help in
increasing the growth of SMEs in the market.
1.1 Rationale
Information technology have helped in providing an opportunity to the businesses for
improving their efficiency and effectiveness in the market. Information technology has embarked
various opportunities in the market along with various risks for small business enterprises
(Tarutė & Gatautis, 2014). The implementation of the IT in the business have led to several
online threats and risks including cyber-attacks and phishing (Gray, 2017). Therefore, there are
different cases evolved in the market that has been creating problems for the small business
enterprises affecting the business.
In the current scenario, cyber-attack has been increasing in the market. According to a
survey, there has been increase in the number of cyber-attacks by 7% all over the internet
(Seethamraju, 2015). The use of the information technology has been creating massive amount if
cyber threats in the market. The use of various technologies in the small business enterprise have
been maintaining the management of business organization.