Digital Business and E-commerce Management

The assignment covers various topics related to digital business and e-commerce management, including the innovator's dilemma, cloud computing as an innovation, critical success factors for implementing business intelligence systems in small and medium enterprises, and more. It also includes a list of references from academic journals and books, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

Managing Successful
Business Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Devising clear aim and objectives....................................................................................1
P2. Project management plan for incorporating the project...................................................3
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart for devising stages and time frame.............4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4. Carrying out a small scale by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods...7
PART 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5. Analysing data by using appropriate tools and techniques..............................................9
P6. Communicating appropriate recommendations and conclusion on the basis of analysed
data.......................................................................................................................................15
P7. Reflection.......................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Every business starts a new project with a course of time which has to be understood by
the managers of a company so that better and appropriate working can be gained (Baden-Fuller
and Haefliger, 2013). Managing a successful business project signifies the assessment of each
and every activity properly so that better and suitable implementation will lead to take place.
This project signifies and based on Oakleaf Partnership Limited which is one of the recruitment
consultancy service providers of United Kingdom. Management needs to implement and
understand the impact of digital technology on business activities for gaining better and suitable
outcomes. In this consideration, managers need to frame an aim and objectives with clear project
management plan by dividing each and every stage of work properly so that better and suitable
outcomes could be derived. On the basis of provided work, appropriate and suitable study needs
to be incorporated with appropriate methods in order to accomplish the set aim and objectives
properly. At last, data needs to be analysed with appropriate recommendations for evaluating the
outcomes of study.
PART 1
P1. Devising clear aim and objectives
In this modern world, it is important for an organisation to understand the importance of
digital technology on business and operations so that better and suitable targets will get
accomplished (Chaffey, 2015). This process is considered as the best source in order to reach at a
large number of customers so that better and effective gains can get promoted. If digital
technology is implemented in business properly then the whole process become smooth through
which administration become more appropriate as well as storing of data get enhance by
reaching wide range of users. Oakleaf Partnership Limited is one of the famous recruitment
consultancy firms in UK that provides better and appropriate suggestions to a wide range of
individuals regarding job and support in order to provide them excellent opportunities as well.
The annual staff turnover of a company is 14% with highest number of women employees with
rate of 81%. It was found in the year 2005 with 52 staff members currently. In this recent era,
business needs to expand their working scenario properly by using digital platform so that large
number of people lead to take appropriate and suitable advice related with work as well as wide
number of youth whom unemployed in differ parts of world get job as well.
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Topic: “Importance of digital technology on business activities of Oakleaf Partnership
Limited”.
Background of project:
Business is a composition of diverse range of activities and there is a need to alter work
with provided time frame so that suitable outcomes could be gained (Christensen and Raynor,
2013). By effective participation in developing and concern technology, business organisations
lead to gain positive results in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. The
implementation of digital technology with its importance on business activities get analyse by
taking example of OakLeaf Partnership Limited so that organisation leads to meet with each of
their single target. There are several other recruitment and consultancy firms are determined
which are using digital technology in their working but not to such extent. Thus, administration
needs to implement digital technology properly so that competitive advantages could be gained
by the association (Christensen, 2013). Association could use social media, YouTube and other
platforms for promoting their business as well as give a brief introduction about firm in order to
make user more understandable. Hence, a positive reflection which can be gained by
implementation of digital technology is enhancement of the profit and productivity.
Aims: “To determine the importance of digital technology in order to improve business
activities: A case study on OakLeaf Partnership Limited”
Objectives:
 To evaluate the impact of digital technology on business operations of OakLeaf
Partnership Limited
 To identify the use of digital technology for improving business activities OakLeaf
Partnership Limited
 To measure the relationship between digital technology. Along with, its support to
enhancing business activities of OakLeaf Partnership Limited.
Research Questions:
 What is the impact of digital technology on business operations of OakLeaf Partnership
Limited?
 How to use digital technology in order to improve the business activities of OakLeaf
Partnership Limited?
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 What will be future impact of digital technology in order to support business activities of
OakLeaf Partnership Limited?
P2. Project management plan for incorporating the project
Projects can be of short term or long term which made a vast impact on an organisation
performance so that better and appropriate results could be derive (Epstein and Buhovac, 2014).
For this consideration, project management plan gets incorporated which signifies and include
several concepts and variations which need to understand by managers of a company properly so
that better working could be promoted. This project is based on OakLeaf Partnership Limited
whom project management plan stated as follow so that better working could be promoted in
order to gain better results: Cost: Value of a project need to understand by business managers so that cost get incur
on a project get evaluated properly (George, McGahan and Prabhu, 2012). It is important
to estimated and analyse the cost of project in advance so that budget get allotted in order
to done each and every activity. The cost of digitalisation technology for a firm usually
high in nature which have to incorporate in project properly. OakLeaf Partnership limited
need to analyse the cost of digital technology implementation properly for better and
suitable outcome. This enables in operating activities properly and effectively. Scope: Another major section which associated before implementation of project is
scope. Managers have to determine and evaluate the scope of a project properly so that
better and suitable results could be gain. It concerns with evaluation of feasibility of
project in order to gain better and appropriate outcome for development and growth.
OakLeaf Limited Partnership need to determine that if digital technology get introduce in
business then will they gain competitive advantage so that sustainability of working could
manage. Time: It is better for every big or long term decision to evaluate expected time in which
operation get implement (Ghobakhloo and et. al., 2012). Operational department need to
complete their project on define time period so that business become able to gain and
accomplish all targets properly. The define time duration for concerning project of
OakLeaf Partnership Limited is of 2 months in which implementation and understanding
of new technology have to get done in a suitable and appropriate frame for maximising
efficiency of project.
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 Quality: It is better to maintain appropriate quality of a project so that all its essentials
could be manage (Laforet, 2013). Quality is a major concern for every small or large
business which need to understand by an organisation personnel’s for maximising
effectiveness and efficiency. OakLeaf Partnership Limited need to manage appropriate
quality of a project so that all essentials get fulfil in a suitable and better manner for
maximising satisfaction level of each and every user. Risk: There are certain number of risk factors are associated with business which have to
analyse by managers properly so that suitable strategies lead to get formulate. With every
new project various risk already associated with it like financial risk, failure risk etc.
OakLeaf Partnership Limited need to understand all of them properly so that such risk
could minimise as well as better and appropriate outcome could be gain. Resource: A major thing or factors which enables or help for implementing every project
are resources. Every project has some constitutes resources which made a vast impact of
positive and successful implementation of project. Resources which enables in order to
implement successful project is human resource, finance and systems. OakLeaf
Partnership need to use all resources properly by motivating them so that a better and
appropriate work get done.
 Communication: Last factor of project management which made a vast positive response
towards success is communication. All associates need to communicate properly with
each other so that better and effective working get encourage.
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart for devising stages and time frame
Every project need to get complete on the basis of providing stages and framework (Lin
and Chen, 2012). This enables in order to accomplish all targets and goals properly so that better
working could be promoted. In such aspect, there are various kinds of methods get use which
need to use by OakLeaf Partnership Limited so that better and appropriate working could be
maintain and manage: Work breakdown structure: This is a kind of working which enables in divide the whole
work of a team into various manageable sections. Each and every level of work
breakdown structure provide suitable and appropriate detail related with project so that
better and effective working could be promoted. Work get divided into various sections
properly as well as every person get understand this section effectively with proposed
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structure. With this aspect, project get successfully implemented so that better and
appropriate outcome possibility could be promoted. Managers of OakLead partnership
Limited have to create their own WBS so that they lead to divide project of digital
technology implementation and understanding of that carried down effectively. It will
also support to divide budget of a project properly in order to gain better and suitable
outcome so that effectiveness and efficiency in working could be enhance for better and
appropriate growth as well as development.
 Gantt chart: This project is showing various activities and a kind of project management
tool which need to use by many organisations so that better and appropriate working
could be promoted (Olszak and Ziemba, 2012). This chart is helpful for a successful
implementation of a project because it describes start as well as finish date of a project.
Thus, chances of better and appropriate working could be promoted with support of
Gantt chart in order to which maximum return and suitable implementation of project
lead to take place. On the basis of this method, every research as well as small or big
projects get execute properly in order to maximise efficiency. Below are several
activities which included in Gantt Chart for OakLeaf Partnership Limited which stated as
follow:
Task Days Predecessors
Define cause 1
Formulation of aims and
objectives with questions
3 1
Project management plan 8 1,2
Data collection technique 4 2
Data collection process 10 2,4
Information analysis 15 5
Recommendations 5 6
Conclusion 4 7
Submission of report 2 8
5

This scenario need to get followed up by business managers of OakLeaf Partnership
Limited so that better and appropriate decisions lead to get carried down in order to accomplish
suitable outcome.
PART 2
P4. Carrying out a small scale by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
Research is an essential method which need to opt by business managers properly before
starting any new project (Onetti and et. al., 2012). It is essential to organise an appropriate and
suitable study so that better and effective working could be manage. Thus, OakLeaf Partnership
Limited have to carry out a small scale research by using qualitative and quantitative method of
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investigation. Thus, by using and consulting best and appropriate method, aim and each and
every single objective get accomplish in an appropriate and suitable frame.
Qualitative research method: This study signifies and highly based on research questions
after the study become immersed in nature (Peppard and Ward, 2016). This study lead to provide
outcome on the basis of themes with support of organising results and outcome by presenting
coherent and consistent pictures in order to gain better and suited outcome. It is based on a single
and individual phenomenon for a specified thing so that better and suitable outcome lead to get
evaluated properly. The design of this investigation usually flexible in nature with revolves
around the study completely by applying inductive approach with a motive to generate theory
and concepts for further study. Basically based on small samples so that analysis could become
easy and appropriate in nature. Such kind of study completely based on narrative description
with suitable interpretations so that chances of appropriate and suitable understanding could be
maintain. In such aspect, primary research need to take in consideration by applying
questionnaire survey. This enables in support to gain better and suitable answers on required
consent by evaluating various aspects of individual which related with a study.
Quantitative research method: This study is complete based on hypothesis which get
generated with aid and support of quantity measures (Priem, Li and Carr, 2012). All consents are
in the form of measurable variations which need to understand in a study properly so that better
and suitable aspects and outcome lead to get evaluated. Data is in a numerical framework in a
precise format so that an understanding could be maintain in order to gain better and appropriate
outcome. Chances of repeated study is more in nature due to base in hypothesis as well as
analysed data or information. A major reason behind using this type of study is just to evaluate
cause and effect relationship so that better and suitable gains could be enhance by using
deductive approach and based on wide range of samples. The data is in a form of numerical so
that a statistical analysis could be maintain and manage. Usually it used descriptive and casual
research design so that better and appropriate working could be encourage in order to gain better
and suited results with appropriate framework. It is based on large samples just for analysing
their views in an appropriate and suitable manner for gaining better results.
This study on OakLeaf Partnership Limited lead to use primary research in consideration
by preparing questionnaire survey on 20 participants whom are employees of a company.
Employee’s participation lead to support in providing better and appropriate outcome in order to
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evaluate importance of digital technology. Below is a questionnaire for OakLeaf Partnership
Limited which stated as follow:
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Q1. According to you, is digitalisation is useful to empower little associations?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. Will this process lead to support Oakleaf to gain appropriate outcome?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3. Does this factor support growth and development for OakLeaf Partnership Limited?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4. In which manner digitalisation reflection lead to take place?
a) Positive
b) Negative
Q5. Will digitalisation concept enables to store each and every single unit properly?
a) Yes
b) No
Q6. Do you think it will going to enhance customer base of OakLeaf Partnership Limited?
a) Yes
b) No
Q7. Does this approach promote and support to gain competitive advantage?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8. As per recent era, which sort of marketing will aid company into advancement?
a) Modern techniques
b) Traditional techniques
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Q9. Will digital method enables in order to improve goodwill of a company?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10. Do you want to give any suggestions or recommendations in implementation of
digital techniques?
PART 3
P5. Analysing data by using appropriate tools and techniques
Theme 1: Digitisation is helpful to empower small business
Q1. According to you, is digitalisation is useful to empower little
associations?
Respondents
Yes 17
No 3
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 17
3
Interpretation: Digitalisation is one of a helpful measure which support and enhance working
of an organisation whether they are small or large. In such aspect, it get evaluated that
digitalisation is helpful for each and every organisation to get empower and sustain into keen
competitive world.
Theme 2: Digitalisation provide long term benefits to Oakleaf
Q2. Will this process lead to support Oakleaf to gain appropriate
outcome?
Respondents
9

Yes 16
No 4
16
4
Yes
No
Interpretation: Digitalisation is one of a beneficial approach through which business
organisation become able to enhance their working and target assessment. Thus, for gaining
future benefits, management need to use suitable and appropriate method. Although,
digitalisation provide and reflect long term benefits.
Theme 3: Digital method is supportive for gaining growth
Q3. Does this factor support growth and development for OakLeaf
Partnership Limited?
Respondents
Yes 15
No 5
10

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
15
5
Interpretation: Growth and development in business consider as major and particular aim. Thus,
business managers of OakLeaf need to implement appropriate and suitable digital method into
business so that growth and development lead to get gain for maximising efficiency.
Theme 4: Digitalisation will going to provide positive attribute towards business operations
Q4. In which manner digitalisation reflection lead to take place? Respondents
Positive 13
Negative 7
Positive Negative
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
7
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Interpretation: Positive reflection lead to take place by business managers of Oakleaf. A major
thing behind every project assessment is positive attribute so that better and appropriate working
could be manage.
Theme 5: Digital technology support in order to store data properly
Q5. Will digitalisation concept enables to store each and every
single unit properly?
Respondents
Yes 16
No 4
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
16
4
Interpretation: An important consideration which wants every small organisation is storing of
data and information properly. Business managers have to understand this factor properly and
need to implement digital technology for storing each and every single unit of information for
future benefits.
Theme 6: Digital technology will support in order to enhance customer base
Q6. Do you think it will going to enhance customer base of
OakLeaf Partnership Limited?
Respondents
Yes 18
No 2
12

0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
18
2
Interpretation: A major reason behind implementation of each and every project is increase of
customer base. Business need to implement digital technology into business properly so that
association will going to create an appropriate customer base which facilitate to increase profit
growth rate.
Theme 7: Digital methods support in gain competitive advantage
Q7. Does this approach promote and support to gain competitive
advantage?
Respondents
Yes 15
No 5
0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
5
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Interpretation: Another essential factor or element for business is to gain competitive advantage.
Business managers need to introduce a new technology in working for gaining competitive
advantage so that effectiveness and efficiency could be maintain for supporting sustainability.
Theme 8: Modern techniques will aid company into their development
Q8. As per recent era, which sort of marketing will aid company
into advancement?
Respondents
Modern techniques 11
Traditional techniques 9
Modern techniques Traditional techniques
0
2
4
6
8
10
12 11
9
Interpretation: Modern marketing technique is supportive for business for managing
advancement. This advancement lead to contribute in overall success and sustainability of
business in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.
Theme 9: Digital technology support to improve goodwill of a company
Q9. Will digital method enables in order to improve goodwill of a
company?
Respondents
Yes 15
N 5
14

15
5
Yes
No
o
Interpretation: A major factor behind successful implementation of digital technology is to
improve goodwill of a company for gaining better and effective competitive advantage. This will
support in order to maximise efficiency with sustainability for long term context.
P6. Communicating appropriate recommendations and conclusion on the basis of analysed data
With every analyse information, there is a need to provide appropriate and supportive
recommendations and suggestion related with project so that better and appropriate outcome
could be gain (Somsuk, Wonglimpiyarat and Laosirihongthong, 2012). Thus, on the basis of
analysed information of OakLeaf Partnership Limited, suggestions given are as follows:
 It is important for business to completely modernise each and every business activity so
that better and suitable working could be promoted. Digital technology is helpful in order
to accomplish all goals and targets properly by using social media as the best tool to
communicate each and every consent. In such aspect, Facebook, Twitter, etc. could be
utilised.
 Another important recommendation for Oakleaf Partnership Limited is to store and
secure data properly that is confidential in nature. This will support in order to gain better
and appropriate outcomes which signify the overall growth and development to gain
competitive advantage with sustainability.
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P7. Reflection
It has been examined by me that each task expressed some positive and negative impacts
which need to comprehend in a proper way. Along with these lines, to meet with expressed
destinations in a suitable way and improve claim learning and execution, it is critical to manage
every single negative angle appropriately and advance emphatically. With this venture, different
things get learn appropriately which bolster keeping in mind the end goal to enhance execution.
One of a fundamental factor is related with figure out how to get ready point and targets. Based
on venture title, detailing of point and target isn't a simple thing which bolster in execute all
fundamentals of undertaking legitimately. Alongside this, it additionally reflect about utilization
of diagrams and graphs and in addition their creation which isn't a simple thing. Along these
lines, these are some positive viewpoints which learn through this undertaking and support in
deep rooted learning.
A few obstructions which emerge with venture is spending which make leaps keeping in
mind the end goal to finish the undertaking. Alongside this, time is likewise restricted which
emerge issue while making study. Also, odds of positive and suitable increases isn't simple in
nature. Along these lines, all these are major and extensive parts of this business venture.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the study that digital technology is helpful for business to gain
growth and development. It is important to implement digital technology into operations to run
business smoothly and gain set targets effectually within stipulated period of time. For this
aspect, initially it need to devise clear aims and objectives with project management plan which
includes about cost, scope, time, quality, resources etc. Along with this, work breakdown
structure and Gantt chart lead to provide effective and appropriate outcome. By analysing aspects
with support of primary data chances of effectiveness tends rises with suitable suggestion
required areas.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baden-Fuller, C. and Haefliger, S., 2013. Business models and technological innovation. Long
range planning. 46(6). pp.419-426.
Chaffey, D., 2015. Digital business and E-commerce management. Pearson Education Limited.
Christensen, C. and Raynor, M., 2013. The innovator's solution: Creating and sustaining
successful growth. Harvard Business Review Press.
Christensen, C., 2013. The innovator's dilemma: when new technologies cause great firms to fail.
Harvard Business Review Press.
Epstein, M. J. and Buhovac, A. R., 2014. Making sustainability work: Best practices in
managing and measuring corporate social, environmental, and economic impacts.
Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
George, G., McGahan, A. M. and Prabhu, J., 2012. Innovation for inclusive growth: Towards a
theoretical framework and a research agenda. Journal of management studies. 49(4).
pp.661-683.
Ghobakhloo, M. and et. al., 2012. Strategies for successful information technology adoption in
small and medium-sized enterprises. Information. 3(1). pp.36-67.
Laforet, S., 2013. Organizational innovation outcomes in SMEs: Effects of age, size, and sector.
Journal of World business. 48(4). pp.490-502.
Lin, A. and Chen, N.C., 2012. Cloud computing as an innovation: Percepetion, attitude, and
adoption. International Journal of Information Management. 32(6). pp.533-540.
Olszak, C. M. and Ziemba, E., 2012. Critical success factors for implementing business
intelligence systems in small and medium enterprises on the example of upper Silesia,
Poland. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management. 7(12).
pp.129-150.
Onetti, A. and et. al., 2012. Internationalization, innovation and entrepreneurship: business
models for new technology-based firms. Journal of Management & Governance. 16(3).
pp.337-368.
Peppard, J. and Ward, J., 2016. The strategic management of information systems: Building a
digital strategy. John Wiley & Sons.
Priem, R. L., Li, S. and Carr, J. C., 2012. Insights and new directions from demand-side
approaches to technology innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic management
research. Journal of management. 38(1). pp.346-374.
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Somsuk, N., Wonglimpiyarat, J. and Laosirihongthong, T., 2012. Technology business
incubators and industrial development: resource-based view. Industrial Management &
Data Systems. 112(2). pp.245-267.
Turner, R., Ledwith, A. and Kelly, J., 2012. Project management in small to medium-sized
enterprises: Tailoring the practices to the size of company. Management Decision. 50(5).
pp.942-957.
Online
Oakleaf Partnership Ltd. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.b.co.uk/company-
profile/?oakleaf-partnership-ltd-99645>.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.workbreakdownstructure.com/>.
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