Information Technology & Knowledge Management

This research project investigates the relationship between information technology (IT) and knowledge management (KM). It involves conducting a literature review, gathering data through questionnaires and observations, and analyzing the findings to understand how IT influences KM practices. The analysis covers both strengths and weaknesses of using IT in KM, ultimately informing the student's continuous professional development in this field.

MANAGING SUCCESSFULLY
BUSINESS PROJECT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1...........................................................................................................................................1
P1 Construct the aim and objective for the research study.........................................................1
P2 Design the project management plan that covers cost, scope, quality and communication
for the research project................................................................................................................2
P3 Construct the work break down structure and Gantt chart....................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Carry out small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
for attain project aim and objective.............................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Analysis of the research and data using appropriate tools and technique for research project
.....................................................................................................................................................8
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of research and data analysis..............................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objective and own learning
and performance........................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Technology plays a very essential role in the present time as everyone either human being
or an organisation are directly and indirectly connected with technology. In the business context,
technology have huge significance by which firm can improve business activities and functions.
In today's time, there are various kinds of digital technologies used by the corporation in
surviving its business operation and gain effective profitability and productivity. Various
activities within the company require digital technology such as administration, communication,
storage, distribution, production etc (Aaker, 2011). The aim of present research project is to
analyse the influence of digital technology on the small business growth and innovation.
Researcher desires to determine the impact of digital technology on the small business growth
and innovation. Furthermore, the ways in which these small business enterprises are taking
advantage of implementing digital platform into operations are also covered under the study.
Thus, for attaining this objective, scholar has focused on various approaches and methods of
research methodologies. Black Penny restaurant has been selected for this research study which
is a small business enterprise in the UK.
TASK 1
P1 Construct the aim and objective for the research study
In order to survive and sustain in the competitive business environment, firm is required
to adopt such impressive tools and strategy which gives effective success and growth to the
business. In this manner, digital platform is one of the significant channels which can boost up
the performance of company. Apart from that, by implementing digital technology in the
business operation, company can also save its additional cost and expenditure. Firm can create
the digital business operation by use of various sources such as internet, laptop, computers,
mobile phone, smart phones etc. With assistance of using these platform of digital technology,
company can bring the innovation because procedure of business can become easy as well as fast
as compared to the traditional system. The major aim of the present study is to determine the
implication of digital technology in the business operation for growth and innovation with
respect of Black Penny restaurant in the UK.
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Aim of the Research
To determine the impact of digital technology for enhancing growth and innovation within the
small business enterprise: A case study of Black Penny restaurant UK
Objective of the research
To understand digital technology meaning and concept
To explore the role of digital technology in bringing innovation in the small business enterprise
To interpret the relationship between digital technology and growth of small business enterprise
To recommend the strategy through innovation and growth of business can enhance
Research Questions
What is the meaning of digital technology?
What are significance of digital technology in improving growth and innovation in the small
business enterprise
How digital technology can assist to small business enterprise in improving its success and
growth?
P2 Design the project management plan that covers cost, scope, quality and communication for
the research project
In the present research study, researcher has to focus on several aspects such as cost, scope,
communication, quality resources etc. Detail description of these resources are as follows- Cost- Cost is one of the most significant aspect in the entire investigation because due to
lack of finance, it is impossible to conduct the research activities. In various activities of
investigation, it requires cost such as transportation, printing and stationery, internet cost
etc. Scope of study- Digital technology is very huge aspect in the business context by which
company can bring innovation and growth in its operation (Khalid, 2009). With the help
of digital platform in the business, company can save the additional cost and expenditure
in the operation because it makes business operation easier and fastest. Thus, it can be
said that there is huge importance of digital technology in the small business enterprise
by which various functional areas like administration, communication, storage,
distribution, production etc. can be made easier and fastest. Time- Time is one of the significant aspect in the research investigation by which scholar
can conduct each activity in an appropriate manner. Due to short period, sometimes,
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investigator has to face issues. In order to manage the time for research and conduct each
activity in fixed time period, researcher has used Gantt chart method and work break
down structure by which each research activity can be conducted according to specific
time period. Communication- In order to conduct the research study, scholar has applied primary data
collection so, it is very important to communicate to respondents about questionnaires.
Researcher has taken personal email addresses of respondents and sent questionnaire to
all of them (Johnson and Christensen, 2010). This is the best strategy to collect
information in primary data collection method as respondents can freely share their views
without any biasness. Resources- In order to conduct investigation, researcher required major two resources
that is finance and human resource. In various activities of the research study such as
printing questionnaire, internet cost, transportation etc required sufficient amount of fund.
On the other hand, in order to conduct investigation, human resources also required by
the investigator. Quality control- Quality is another significant concern in the research study as researcher
has to manage the quality of information which is included in the research. In addition to
this, all information included in the research should be in high quality.
 Risk management- In the research study, risk can occur related to plagiarism. There are
various secondary sources such as books, journals, articles etc. from which information
has been collected. Thus, it is very important for scholar to overcome the risk of
plagiarism.
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P3 Construct the work break down structure and Gantt chart
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TASK 2
P4 Carry out small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods for
attain project aim and objective
In the entire research study, research methodology is one of the most significant aspect
by which researcher can address the right solution of research problem. In simple words, it can
be said that research methodology is a procedure for collecting, analysing, interpreting the
information of subject for obtaining right solution of research problem. It is a plan for conducting
research about subject (Bulgurcu, Cavusoglu and Benbasat, 2010). Research methodology
includes various methods such as philosophies, approach, data collection, data analysis,
sampling, research design etc. For determining the impact of digital technology for enhancing
growth and innovation within the small business enterprise, researcher has applied various
techniques of research methodology which are as follows- Research philosophies- In order to get detail knowledge and understanding about
research objective and subject, research philosophies is one of essential aspect. It aids to
individual to conduct detail understanding about objective (Borghoff and Pareschi, 2013).
Major two kind of philosophies such as interpritivism and positivism. For investigator the
implication of digital technology in bringing innovation and growth of business, scholar
has applied positivism philosophies of research by which effective data can obtain about
subject. Research approach- Research approach is referred as a tool with which particular set of
investigation is being conducted with the aim to attain required result. The major reason
for applying research approach is that scholar might not get distracted from aim of
research (Bilbao-Osorio, Dutta and Lanvin, 2013). Inductive and deductive, major two
kinds of research approach. In this present study, researcher has applied deductive
approach for determine the impact of digital technology for enhancing growth and
innovation within the small business enterprise. Research Design- Research design is a kind of tactic and strategy for addressing
appropriate solution of research study (Abdillah, 2014). It is regarded as a blue print that
enables in collecting, analysing and measuring the information. There are various kinds
of research design such as descriptive, exploratory, explanatory etc. In this present study,
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descriptive research design has been applied for determine the impact of digital
technology for enhancing growth and innovation within the small business enterprise. Data collection-In the investigation, in the absence of data collection no scholar can
address the right outcome at the right time. It is very important for scholar to collect
information about subject (Edward, 2000). There are major two kinds of data collection
method that is primary and secondary data collection. In the primary data collection,
information can collect from primary sources such as survey, interview, questionnaire,
observation etc. On the other hand in the secondary data collection scholar can collect
data from secondary sources such as books, journal, online articles, blogs etc. In the
current study for determine the impact of digital technology for enhancing growth and
innovation within the small business enterprise, researcher has applied primary data
collection under which scholar has conducted survey for employees of Black Penny
restaurant in UK. Research technique- Research technique is another one of the crucial part of research
methodology which assist in collecting, analysing, investigating and interpreting
information. Major two kind of research technique that is qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative research technique is exploratory type of research which develops
understanding on the individuals (Smith and Lewis, 2011). On the other hand,
quantitative research technique is conclusive type of research that used for generate
numerical data. In the present study, researcher has applied qualitative research technique
for determine the impact of digital technology for enhancing growth and innovation
within the small business enterprise.
 Sampling- Sampling is another one of the most important technique in the research
methodology which assist to researcher in addressing effective outcome. With assistance
of this technique researcher can select some number of people from the entire population
(Zumitzavan and Michie, 2015). In this research study, scholar has applied random
sampling method under which scholar has selected 20 employees of the Black penny
restaurant for collecting information.
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TASK 3
P5 Analysis of the research and data using appropriate tools and technique for research project
1 How long have you been working at Black Penny restaurant UK?
0-5 years
5-10 years
More than 10 years
2 Do you agree digital technology has changed the working criteria within the resurgent?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
3 What are the different kinds of technology used by the Black Penny restaurant?
 Mobile phone
 Social media
 Laptops
 Wifi
4 Do you think digital technology can bring the innovation within the Black penny restaurant?
 Yes
 No
5 Which kind of challenges faced by cited venture at the time of implementation of digital
technology?
 Cost related issue
 Update related issue
 Inadequate knowledge
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 Other
6 How the Black Penny can bring innovation with use of digital technology?
7 In which department digital technology mostly used?
 Finance
 Marketing
 Human resource
 Operation
8 Which major use of digital technology in the Black Penny restaurant?
 Production
 Communications
 Administration
 Operation
9 Do you agree that digital technology can assist to enhancing the growth and innovation in the
Black Penny restaurant?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
10 Recommend the way by which growth and innovation within the Black Penny restaurant can
enhance by help of digital technology
Theme 1: Employees working at Black Penny restaurant UK
How long have you been working at Black Penny restaurant
UK? Frequency
0-5 years 5
5-10 years 10
More than 10 years 5
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Interpretation and analysis: This section it has been analyses that the researcher have conducted
the survey from well experienced employees. In the survey mostly respondents are experienced
of 5 to 10 year. On the other hand 5 respondents have experience of 5 year within the Black
Penny restaurant. Thus, from this collected information it has been analyzed that most of the
respondents have well experienced within the cited venture thus they have great knowledge
about the working and impact of digital technology.
Theme 2: Digital technology has changed the working criteria within the resurgent
Do you agree digital technology has changed the working criteria
within the resurgent? Frequency
Strongly agree 12
Agree 6
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 1
Interpretation and analysis: From this section it has been analyzed that digital technology has
changed the working criteria within the restaurant. In the survey of 20 respondents, 12 are
strongly agreed by the statement that digital technology has changed the working criteria within
the resurgent. On the other hand 1 are strongly disagreed by this statement. Thus, from the
collected information it has been analyzed that there is a huge importance of digital technology
within the Black Penny restaurant. Working criteria within cited venture can improve by help of
digital technology platform. Furthermore, company can easily enhance the speed of business
operation and save the cost of business by help of digital technology.
Theme 3: Technology used by the Black Penny restaurant
What are the different kinds of technology used by the Black
Penny restaurant? Frequency
Mobile phone 4
Social media 8
Laptops 4
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Wifi 4
Interpretation and analysis: From this section it has been analyzed that social media is mostly
used by the Black Penny restaurant. In the survey from 20 respondents 8 said that social media is
mostly used by the cited venture thus, it can be said that social media is that platform which is
mostly used within the cited venture.
Theme 4: Digital technology can bring the innovation within the Black penny restaurant
Do you think digital technology can bring the innovation within
the Black penny restaurant? Frequency
Yes 15
No 5
Interpretation and analysis: This section stated that digital technology can bring the innovation
within the Black penny restaurant. From 20 respondents, 15 are said that digital technology can
bring the innovation within the Black penny restaurant. Thus, it has been analyzed that in order
to bring innovation and growth within the company, digital technology have major role within
the cited venture.
Theme 5: Challenge faced by cited venture at the time of implementation of digital technology
Which kind of challenges faced by cited venture at the time
of implementation of digital technology? Frequency
Cost related issue 4
Update related issue 3
Inadequate knowledge 10
Other 3
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Interpretation and analysis: It has been analyzed from the data that major issues that has been
faced by cited venture due to the Inadequate knowledge. While the other significant problem that
are being faced by organization are related to cost, operational inefficiency, and other issues.
These factors have greater impact on the success and growth of firm. It is very important for the
manager in cited enterprise to update themselves with the latest business trends in order to
support business entity in overcoming such problems. Management need to develop their focus
on adoption of effective technology and training to employees. As this will help organization in
reducing cost of production.
Theme 6: How the Black Penny can bring innovation with use of digital technology?
Analysis: According to the respondents, Black Penny restaurant can bring the innovation by
help of digital technology. Company can use various platform such as laptop, computers, mobile
phone, internet, Wifi etc. With help of internet and mobile phone, communication procedure can
become easy as functional department can share their information with each other. Furthermore,
company can place its information related to services at social media and company website so as
customer can get touch with company. In addition to this, in account and finance section,
corporation can use various application and software through which management can easily
measure financial performance.
Theme 7: Which department digital technology mostly used
In which department digital technology mostly used? Frequency
Finance 2
Marketing 4
Human resource 4
Operation 10
Interpretation and analysis: This section, researcher have analyzed that digital technology
mostly used in the operation department in the Black Penny restaurant. Thus, it can be said that
operation work within the corporation can become easier and fastest with help of this tool. From
collected data it has found that from 20 employees, 10 are said that digital technology mostly
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used in operation department and 4 employees said that digital technology mostly used in
marketing and human resource department.
Theme 8: Major use of digital technology in the Black Penny restaurant
Which major use of digital technology in the Black Penny
restaurant? Frequency
Production 2
Communications 6
Administration 4
Operation 8
Interpretation and analysis: From this question in the survey it has been analyzed that digital
technology is mostly used in the operation work in the Black Penny restaurant. From the 20
respondents, 8 are said that digital technology mostly used in operation work and 6 respondents
said that digital technology mostly used in the communication process within Black Penny
restaurant. Thus, from this collected information it has been analyzed and assessed that mostly
digital technology used in the operation and communication within the Black Penny restaurant.
With help of this technique, communication and operation procedure can become easier and
fastest.
Theme 9: Digital technology can assist to enhancing the growth and innovation in the Black
Penny restaurant
Do you agree that digital technology can assist to
enhancing the growth and innovation in the Black Penny
restaurant? Frequency
Strongly agree 12
Agree 6
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 1
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Interpretation and analysis: From this question in the survey it has been found that from 20
employees 12 respondents are strongly agreed by the statement that digital technology can assist
to enhancing the growth and innovation in the Black Penny restaurant. On the other hand only 1
respondent has disagreed by this statement. Thus, from this collected information it has been
analysed that digital technology helps to the small business enterprise like black penny to
improve its growth and innovation. Cited venture can bring innovation by use of various digital
platform and enhance the speed of business operation. Hence, it can be said that new idea and
creativity can bring into the cited venture by help of this digital technology.
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of research and data analysis
From this entire research study it has been concluded that digital technology plays a very
crucial role in the small business enterprise. Digital platform is one of the significant channels
which can boost up the performance of company. Apart from that, by implementing digital
technology in the business operation, company can also save its additional cost and expenditure.
Firm can create the digital business operation by use of various sources such as internet, laptop,
computers, mobile phone, smart phones etc. Black Penny restaurant can bring innovation and
growth by implementing digital platform into its operation. From this research it has been also
concluded that digital technology is mostly used in the operation work in the Black Penny
restaurant. It can be said that operation work within the corporation can become easier and
fastest with help of this tool. Following are some recommendation which should follow by the
Black Penny restaurant for improving its innovation and growth by use of digital technology-
 Black Penny restaurant should implement network attached storage devices by which it
can address the challenge related to generation of vast amount of data (Okumus, 2013).
 Cited venture should update its web page on the internet and social media so right
information about the services can deliver to the customer (Wessel and Christensen,
2012).
Company should update its digital platform and technology on time to time so as it can give the
best result to business and its operation.
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TASK 4
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objective and own learning
and performance
Undertaking the present research on the implementation of digital technology and its impact on
the small business enterprises I have analysed that in order to bring innovation and growth this
mentioned aspect is very important. From this study, I have gained effective knowledge and
understanding about various application of digital technology and its impact within various
functional department like marketing, human resource, operation, administration etc. I have
adopted primary data collection by which I have conducted survey from 20 employees of Black
Penny restaurant. With help of this survey, I have improved my analytical and communication
skill. In addition to this, entire research investigation have to complete under the specific period
by which my time management skill has been also improved.
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TEMPLATE
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved
(Account for a minimum of six weeks with
dates)
➢ What have you completed?
➢ Did you fulfil the requirements of tasks?
➢ Are you on track and within deadlines set?
➢ Did you need to make any changes in your
project management plan?
 I have organised investigation for
obtain the information about the digital
technology and its impact on the
business performace.
 Yes, I did fulfil all requirements of the
tasks.
 For this purpose, I have prepared a
Gantt chart to track my work and work
accordingly.
 No, I didn’t refer to make any changes.
Any risks and / or issues identified?
➢ Did you identify risks/issues with lack of
skills required for undertaking research tasks?
➢ Did you identify any additional risks/issues
that have an impact on the project management
plan?
 The major issue identified by me is
lack of time and insufficient financial
resources.
 Lack of time ad insufficient finance is
major issue which identified by me
Problems encountered
➢ What barriers did you face?
➢ How did you overcome them?
 Lack of time period and insufficient
fund is major issue within the research
study.
 By use of Gantt chart method and
Activity based costing method I can
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successfully overcome these barriers in
the research study.
New ideas and change of project direction Digitalisation within the business operation
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
➢ How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
➢ Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
➢ How well have I performed? What did I
contribute?
➢ What can I improve on next week?
➢ How might this learning apply in the future?
 I was feeling that I have lack of
knowledge about the digital
technology.
 Yes
 I have given my full contribution for
accomplished the task of research
study.
 I will try to accomplish all activities
within more small time period.
 This learning will help me in
conducting further research study on
the another subject.
Tasks planned for next week
➢ Which tasks are the priority?
➢Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
 Managing successful business project
 Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the supervisor and date:
1. What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The purpose of the project was to identify the impact on digital
technology on small medium Enterprise. The other objective of study is to
identify the way digital technology has supported small medium
organisation in implementing innovation at workplace and in fostering
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growth.
2. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment
undertaken.
Yes , The project has accomplished the goals. As the researcher has
able to gain sufficient
Knowledge about the use and importance of digital technology. The
assessment is based on the benchmark that has been set in order to
measured outcome or performance of organisation before or after
employing
Digital technology.
3. What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project (e.g
initial inception, project
activities and project outcomes) from a range of perspectives.
Conducting survey and interview
Analysing information
Interpretation
Implement strategy for find out best solution of research problem
4. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there timely
identification of issues and
resolution during the project process?
Lack of resources was the major problem that has occurred in conducting
research in systematic
Manner. The issues were in collecting primary data .As data was to be
collected from employee in
Cited venture. Many of the workers does not have much knowledge
about digital technology. The major issue is related to the time duration as researcher
have very limited time period and all activities have to accomplish within specific time.
5. What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I have gained knowledge about use and importance of implementing
digital technology at workplace. I have able to develop technical skills
that can be used by me for conducting research on futher subject matter.
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6. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the project?
Average
7. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
Interpretation and analysis : Strength
Communication: Weakness
8. How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
This project will help me in analysing, assessing and observing activities in the future. I have
improved my interaction skill in the data collection and have successfully prepared
questionnaire. Thus, I can say that my research skill have been also improved.
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REFERENCES
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Management, Leadership Styles, and Organisational Performance (pp. 27-34). Springer
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Smith, W. K. and Lewis, M. W., 2011. Toward a theory of paradox: A dynamic equilibrium
model of organizing. Academy of Management Review. 36(2). pp.381-403.
Soni, G. and Kodali, R., 2012. A critical review of empirical research methodology in supply
chain management. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management. 23(6). pp.753-
779.
Saunders, M.N. and Bezzina, F., 2015. Reflections on conceptions of research methodology
among management academics. European Management Journal. 33(5). pp.297-304.
Aaker, D., 2011. Marketing Research. John Wiley and Sons.
Edward, L., 2000. Marketing on the Internet. International Journal of Manpower. 21(2). pp.141
– 147.
Abdillah, L.A., 2014. Managing information and knowledge sharing cultures in higher
educations institutions. arXiv preprint arXiv:1402.4748.
Bilbao-Osorio, B., Dutta, S. and Lanvin, B., 2013, April. The global information technology
report 2013. In World Economic Forum (pp. 1-383).
Borghoff, U.M. and Pareschi, R. eds., 2013. Information technology for knowledge
management. Springer Science & Business Media.
Bulgurcu, B., Cavusoglu, H. and Benbasat, I., 2010. Information security policy compliance: an
empirical study of rationality-based beliefs and information security awareness. MIS
quarterly. 34(3). pp.523-548.
Bulgurcu, B., Cavusoglu, H. and Benbasat, I., 2010.. Process innovation: reengineering work
through information technology. Harvard Business Press.
Johnson, B. and Christensen, L., 2010. Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and
Mixed Approaches. UK: SAGE.
Khalid, A. N. S., 2009. Reflexivity in Qualitative Accounting Research. Journal of Financial
Reporting and Accounting. 7(2). pp.81–95.
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