Impact of ICT on African Businesses

This assignment delves into the significant impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on businesses across Africa. It examines how ICT adoption influences various aspects of business operations, including communication, marketing, finance, and human resources. The analysis considers both the benefits and challenges associated with ICT integration in the African business context, highlighting key trends and opportunities for growth and development.

Managing Successful
Business

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Aims and Objectives.............................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
P2. Project management planning...............................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
P3. Work break structure and Gantt Chart to give time framework...........................................4
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Research by executing the methodology..............................................................................6
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................8
P5. Evaluation of project outcomes............................................................................................8
TASK 6..........................................................................................................................................17
P6. Recommendation and suggestion for project......................................................................17
TASK 7..........................................................................................................................................17
P7. Reflective Report................................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Businesses carry out different operations so that they can beat their opponents and gain
competition advantage over their rivals so for that they have to perform all activities through
following certain strategies and techniques. All the strategies which has been framed should be
based on the analysis of internal and external factors affecting the business. If they have to gain
knowledge about these they can carry out SWOT and PESTLE respectively. Organisation have
to regularly come out with new products and services in order to attract a lot of people towards
their business (Ackermann, 2012). To manufacture new products and improve their services they
should focus on adopting new technological advancement in the company as with this they will
be able to bring efficiency in whatever they are doing. This way they will able to attract a lot of
consumer as their productivity will increase. This assessment will be dealing with various
aspects of digital technologically through considering the case scenario of Hazlitt Hotel which is
located in London. If they will be adopting new technology in hotel they can gain various
benefits from it. But in this case, it is duty of management to ensure that all changes are
implemented in right manner with help of certain planning tools.
TASK 1
P1. Aims and Objectives.
It is analysed that activities which are done for business purpose has been a completed
process and the reason behind this is that it is quite tough to maintain the right performance all
the time. To increase the longevity of business adoption of new things is quite necessary and in
this context technological development has key role to play. It is necessary that organisation
should use the resources in proper which are available with them so that they can use it future
also. The other advantage of this is that they will attain more profits as they will be delivering
best services to customer (Howard, 2010). Cloud computing services is one of the main
advantage which can be gained through digitalising the business. Hotel can store the data on
server and they did not have to worry about loosing it. The key feature of this services is that
data can be assessed anytime at anywhere by company. Communication process can be made
simpler and easier with this process as interaction can be made with internal and external
individual who are directly or indirectly attached to hotel (Turban, Sharda and Delen, 2011).
They can get feedback of their services and products from the guests who are visiting the hotel.
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Hazlitt Hotel can give the services which are totally customer centred thus ensuring that they are
aware of all necessary information about the hotel and its facilities. This way they are bringing a
transparency in the services as customers are getting whatever they have been promised.
Topic:- To bring digitalisation in Hazlitt Hotel.
Background of Project:- Businesses set the target which they wants to achieve in particular
time period but and the aim of these is to look for growth and expansion of their market share.
They try to analyse the trends which are going on and adopt it at their workplace. When they
introduce digitalisation in the services they will able to record personal information of visitors
who are staying in hotel (Johnson, 2010). For this they can use cloud services which is online
facility for storage data and will assist them in making beneficial decisions. In earlier time due to
absence of different communication channels companies found marketing a tough task but with
the adoption of digitalisation they can reach a large number of people in less period of time thus
convincing them to buy the products.
Aim:- To increase the usage of digital technology.
Objectives:-
 To evaluate the impact of digital technology.
 To have information and learning about importance of digitalisation.
 To realise required of digital technology in current scenario.
Research Question
 Can adopting digital technology in the business which bring positive outcomes.
 How to make digital process more effective so that their can be efficiency in the existing
operations.
TASK 2
P2. Project management planning.
It can be known as process in which all concepts which are part of research are analysed
according to needed changes which can be processed. It can be analysed that this is the most
simplest way to complete the inspection of desired goals which can be achieved (Brynjolfsson
and McAfee, 2014). Each of the business in market perform certain operations which helps the
organisation in achieving their set goals. But these targets can be achieved in the case if there is
coordination and balance between them according to the time in which they are going to be
2

performed. Proper execution can be only takes place if things are performed according to plan
which are developed. To know standard of inspection there is need to know the knowledge about
scope of quality, cost and budget (Christensen, 2013). This way they can set the gaols and
objectives which needs to be reached. In the case of Hazlitt Hotel it is needed that the production
system has to be analysed which will give them the idea about influence of digital technology on
them.
Nature of Research:- Research topic which needs to be analysed has crucial role in any
business and would assist them in making sure that they maintain their position in the market.
This would directly focus on increasing revenues and profits with increase in productivity. The
best way to make changes and adopt digital technology is to implement this into the policies of
Hazlitt Hotel which guides them how they will be offering the services in new way (Johnson and
et. al., 2015). Building website for hotel will boost their business as with this they will be able to
interact with customers who wants to take their services and for resolving the queries they can
build an app thus giving them information about the hotel rates and services (Mbogo, 2010).
Thus it can be said that this is a assistance facility provided by Hazlitt Hotel to gain consumer
satisfaction. Recording their information is not an easy task about the adoption of digitalisation
at work place thus bringing positive results.
Management Risk:- The process of research involves various levels thus it can be said it
is a longer process thus steps involved in this has to be taken care of. Collection of data, selecting
the relevant and credible source of information and interpretation are some of the stages which
are part of this (Heeks, 2010). After performing these things only the final results will be
extracted so it can be said that it is a little risky and complicated process. This brings the chances
of error in the process and any single mistake can lead to wrong interpretation and results
(Donner and Escobari, 2010). To reduce the chances of this it is required that there should be
selection of proper strategy by the researches thus analysing all its aspects.
Time:- It is required that researcher should set the timing for each data collection and this
timing should be appropriate thus in future they can get the chances of modifying the process
which is not up to the mark (Bharadwaj and et. al., 2013). They have to ensure that there should
be no compromise on the quality of data as the missed information can be gained collected. The
interpretation stage should also be given proper timing thus it has to be used in right manner.
3

Reviewing the data before presenting it to the user is quite important as that stage the changes
can incorporated certain changes before the implementation takes place.
Scope:- The data is giving a clear picture of the study and scenario as it has been
collected from different sources thus scope of data is vast (Salehi, Rostami and Mogadam, 2010).
It also highlights the areas where impact of digital technology is maximum and who all are the
individuals which would impact.
Resources:- Through the above information it can be stated that there is difference in
nature of research so for this there is utilisation of mixed reactions using the primary and
secondary data. Basic aim of this research is to cover all aspects of topic that's why both the
sources are used. If they have to know whether digital technology at Hazlitt Hotel is effective or
not, feedback from consumers can be gained through research (Andriole, 2010). Other than this
internet and books are also be considered as the prominent sources.
Communication:- Research is the process where communication is done thus
exchanging the ideas and opinion on stated topic. Through this the customers opinion regarding
the adoption of digital technology by Hazlitt Hotel is analysed. This way effectiveness in the
hotel activities can be known which brings the credibility (Kallunki, Laitinen and Silvola, 2011).
All these things makes the research relevant and brings the chances of variations in finding if
there is no proper communication or interaction taking place or not.
Quality Control:- It is a quite important factor which has to be considered as this
decided the standards which has to be used to increase the standard of quality research. They
ensure that whatever information they are getting is relevant enough to know the trends and
adopt the changes according to it (Roberts and Eesley, 2011).
By evaluating all components a right report can be made which make sure that all needs
of guests are fulfilled. The other advantage of this research is that they can know how to use the
resources in a manner than it yields better productivity.
TASK 3
P3. Work break structure and Gantt Chart to give time framework.
There is great significance of time management if any organisation who wants to attain
the business goals. Gantt chart and work breakdown structure is a tool which helps them in
4

finishing their work in certain time frame which has been decided so that there is better
outcomes.
Work Breakdown Structure:- To achieve the targets in time it is required that the
operations which are part of it should be distributed in equal parts thus increasing the work
efficiency. Work breakdown structure can be used for such purpose as with this all the aims will
be achieved in suitable manner. The management of hotel will try to allocate the work in equal
way as they are aware that this will decrease the workload on the employees who are part of
organisation (Murat and Baki, 2011). Through this, staff who are part of hotel will work with his
or her skills and abilities thus bringing efficiency in the work. On the other hand if they find it
difficult to do any task they can take help of their co-worker or team member. In the case, if
organisation makes the structure completed they will find it harder to achieve the goals. To make
sure each of staff are getting right work in equal quantity Hazlitt Hotel management is analysing
the skills and capabilities of the staff. This way they can get idea that which task will be better
for them.
Illustration 1: Work Breakdown
Structure
§
Gantt Chart:- It may be considered as productive tool as through using this all
operations which are related to business can be performed in better way. It is a management
technique which includes in managing the time frames so that all tasks can be performed with
proper planning. In formulating time scales that would be beneficial as with this operations has
to be done in set time interval. In this scenario they use Gantt charts so they will easily able to
5

distribute roles and responsibilities in right way. Hazlitt Hotel is using this in order to completing
task in right time period helping them in attaining competitive advantage.
TASK 4
P4. Research by executing the methodology.
To get quality in research it is required that they should execute suitable strategies which
will provide them advantage over others. With the utilisation of certain methodology the research
can be converted into a logical form as this has better results and now Hazlitt Hotel can use this
so that they take better decisions. Due to awareness about the ongoing trend and actual condition
they will know what will be better for them (Townsend and et. al., 2013). They have also
information about skills and abilities posses by employees of Hazlitt Hotel and by using primary
and secondary research methods they can conduct research.
In collection of data both researches can equally support them thus analysing data
properly and minutely as it can be used in future scenario. In case of Hazlitt Hotel they will be
implementing both the methods so that they can gain knowledge about the influence of
digitalisation on hotel (Fichman, Dos Santos and Zheng, 2014). With the use of primary
research method they can easily able to bring relevancy in the research.
Primary Data:- It refers to the data which is collected from various resources and
generally collected at initiation of research so that there is can be accuracy in the things which
has been done. Questionnaire, interviews and observations are some of techniques and tools
which can be utilised for this kind of purposes and on the other side it also gives right
information about research report. With the help of this researcher needs which satisfy them can
be attained and in for the research they have framed a questionnaire. For questionnaire responses
and reviews from 50 individual have been taken.
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QUESTIONNAIRE
The manager of Hazlitt Hotel has developed various questions and the information which is
gained from this is used in developing a business strategy. They have no other ways through
which they can make the business strategy effective. For this 50 sample research respondents
has been chosen so that maximum information can be gathered.
Name:-
Age:-
Email:-
Gender:-
Question 1: What do you think about digitalisation making the business activities
sustainable?
(a) Strongly Recommended
(b) Recommended
(c) No Idea
Question 2: Does digitalisation are able to help Hazlitt Hotel in attaining business goals?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Don't Know
Question 3: Chances of labour turnover through digitalisation?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Can't Say
Question 4: Does information which are stored in the digital devices are safe or not?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Can't Say
Question 5: What kind of ads can be used by the hotel to market their brand using digital
concept?
(a) Social Media Ads
(b) TV and Newspaper Ads
(c) Email Marketing
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(d) Digital Banner
Question 6: Effect of digitalisation in context to longer period of time?
(a) Positive
(b) Negative
(c) Neutral
Question 7: Do you think Hazlitt Hotel should adopt technological advancement in their
organisational culture?
(a) Strongly recommended
(b) Recommended
(c) Don't Know
Question 8: Which would be more suitable marketing strategy for adopting digitalisation?
(a) Tradition
(b) Modern
Question 9: Advantages which can be gained by Hazlitt Hotel after introducing digital
technology at their workplace?
(a) Increase in the customer satisfaction level
(b) Decrease in the production cost
(c) Efficiency at the work
(d) Above all
Secondary Data:- Such kind of data already pre-exists in the market and research on
particular topic has been done by some other researcher. Magazines, newspapers, books and
journals and etc. are some of sources through which the data can be taken out on particular
research topic (Johnson, 2010). Normally this source is preferred when the research is in urgent
needs of some information. There are chances that data collected from such resources can vary
and can also be wrong as there can be difference in perception of different researchers.
8

TASK 5
P5. Evaluation of project outcomes.
The outcome is gained through analysing the data which has been gathered and this will
be also used to achieve the goals which was set by the researcher. The outcomes can be helpful
in making the right decisions concerned to Hazlitt Hotel.
Theme 1: Role of digitalisation in gaining Hazlitt Hotel sustainability.
Question 1: What do you think about digitalisation making the business activities
sustainable?
 Strongly Recommended 35
 Recommended 10
 No Idea 5
9
Strongly Recommended Recommended No Idea
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
35
10
5

Interpretation: Most of the people that is 35 out of 50 strongly recommended that
Hazlitt Hotel with adoption of digitalisation they can make their business activities sustainable. It
was just 5 people who has idea about business activities sustainability.
Theme 2: Contribution of digitalisation in attaining business goals.
Question 2: Does digitalisation are able to help Hazlitt Hotel in attaining business goals?
 Yes 40
 No 9
 Don't Know 1
10

Interpretation: In the questionnaire the opinion of people were asked about the
contribution of digitalization in attaining business goals set by Hazlitt Hotel. In response 40
believed that through adopting digitalisation all the mission and goals can be attained in
particular time period.
Theme 3: Chances of labour turnover by adopting digitalisation concept.
Question 3: Chances of labour turnover through digitalisation?
 Yes 32
 No 12
 Can't Say 6
11
Yes No Don't Know
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
40
9
1

Interpretation: It has been observed that employees who are part of any organisation does not
feel valued when any new technological advancement is introduced in the company in which
they are working. The consumers were asked about this and they reacted as per the expectation
as 32 respondents agreed to this fact. 12 people denied with such chances and 6 were not able to
speak on this.
Theme 4: Privacy and security issues concerned with digitalisation.
Question 4: Does information which are stored in the digital devices are safe or not?
 Yes 25
 No 20
 Can't say 5
12
Yes No Can't Say
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35 32
12
6

Interpretation: Privacy and security has been a issue with internet and other digital devices as
the data is stored in cloud. But 25 respondents said that they feel confident about their
information which is stored in server. As in hotel the data is stored in personal private server
which makes it difficult to hack by any user who are around you. A large number of people that
is 20 raised their concerned about the privacy and security.
Theme 5: Effectiveness of digital advertisement.
Question 5: What kind of ads can be used by the hotel to market their brand using digital
concept?
 Social Media Ads 20
 TV and Newspaper Ads 8
 Email Marketing 15
 Digital Banner 7
13
Yes No Can't say
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
25
20
5

Interpretation: Through the market research it has been found that advertisement through social
media are more effective as compared to email marketing, TV & newspapers,e mail marketing
and digital manner as 20 people agreed to this fact.
Theme 6: Long term impact of digitalisation on Hazlitt Hotel.
Question 6: Effect of digitalisation in context to longer period of time?
 Positive 37
 Negative 5
 Neutral 8
14
Social Media Ads
TV and Newspaper Ads
Email Marketing
Digital Banner
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
8
15
7

Interpretation: It may happen that digitalisation can be adopted for a shorter period of time but
to analyse its impact for the longer period of time most of respondents that is 37 said that this
will have positive impact.
Theme 7: Requirement of technological advancement at Hazlitt Hotel.
Question 7: Do you think Hazlitt Hotel should adopt technological advancement in their
organisational culture?
 Strongly recommended 40
 Recommended 6
 Don't Know 4
15
Positive Negative Neutral
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40 37
5
8

Interpretation: 40 respondents strongly recommended that Hazlitt Hotel should adopt
technological advancement in their culture so that they can attract more customers towards their
business.
Theme 8: Best marketing strategies for implementing digitalisation.
Question 8: Which would be more suitable marketing strategy for adopting digitalisation?
 Tradition 35
 Modern 15
Interpretation: In the implementation process of digital technology it is necessary to know the
right business strategy which can help them in this. Most of the customers said that they should
16
Strongly recommended Recommended Don't Know
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
40
6 4
Tradition Modern
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
35
15

stuck to tradition strategy only and it was just 15 out of 50 respondents asked to change it to
modern.
Theme 9: Benefits which can be gained through adopting digital technology.
Question 9: Advantages which can be gained by Hazlitt Hotel after introducing digital
technology at their workplace?
 Increase in the customer satisfaction
level
7
 Decrease in the production cost 5
 Efficiency at the work 8
 Above all 30
17
Increase in the customer satisfaction level
Efficiency at the work
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
7
5
8
30

Interpretation: There are various benefits of adopting digitalisation but it was asked that which
one advantage would benefit Hazlitt Hotel. But every one said that all the advantages are one of
them.
TASK 6
P6. Recommendation and suggestion for project.
With the adoption of digitalisation Hazlitt Hotel wants to attract more number of guests
towards their hotel and they are taking it as apart of their expansion plan thus increasing the
market share through using internet. They have developed a smart app which can be installed by
traveller where they gets the freedom to look at the property of hotel, rooms tariffs and other
services which are offered in hotel. With cloud computing they can store personal information
and ensures that data is protected and can be assessed anywhere thus giving them competitive
edge.
TASK 7
P7. Reflective Report.
Through the research I have founded that to increase the efficiency every organisation on
regular basis have to adopt new technological advancement so that they can increase their market
share. At the same time they can communicate with their customer thus providing them crucial
18

information about the hotel and their packages. To know the market trends they have to regularly
market research and try to adopt those changes in their business. Hazlitt Hotel staff has to be
given training and motivation so that they can know how to adapt according to technological
changes and how they can use it. I have gained information that if data has to be collected
different approaches as to be used.
CONCLUSION
From the above research it has been summarised that in this period digitalisation is
ensuring that each of task can be done in timely manner as this is bringing efficiency. Most of
the operations which are carried out everyday in life cannot be completed without the use of
technological devices and gadgets. To complete the tasks on time they can use time management
strategies which decrease their process cost and helping Hazlitt Hotel to deliver fine quality
services.
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APPENDIX
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