Impact of Technology on Small Businesses

This assignment examines the significant impact of technology on the performance and growth of small businesses. It delves into various aspects, including the influence of e-commerce, social media, mobile payments, and accounting information systems on SMEs. Students are expected to analyze research findings, identify key factors driving successful technology adoption, and discuss strategies for small businesses to leverage technology effectively.

Research Project

Table of Contents
TITLE:.............................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Overview of research............................................................................................................1
1.2 Background...........................................................................................................................1
1.3 Significance of research........................................................................................................2
1.4 Aims and objectives..............................................................................................................2
1.5 Research questions................................................................................................................2
1.6 Time scale.............................................................................................................................2
CHAPETR 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................3
2.1 Evaluate the impact of technology on company profitability and productivity....................3
2.2 Business is performing differently after adopting digital technology...................................4
2.3 What are the major changes in sales using technology.........................................................5
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................6
3.1 Types of research..................................................................................................................6
3.2 Research design.....................................................................................................................6
3.3 Data sampling........................................................................................................................7
3.4 Methods of data collection....................................................................................................7
3.5 Ethical consideration.............................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS..................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 5: RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION.....................................................16
5.1 Recommendation.................................................................................................................16
5.2 Reflection............................................................................................................................16
5.3 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................18

TITLE:
“To determine the impact of digital technology on business activity”. A case study on Softwire
organisation.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview of research
In the whole market place, the competition level is higher and conducting research assist
firm for developing proper strategies and decision in effective manner. Along with this,
investigation is that which help in gathering and collecting required data or information for
Softwire company (Alshamaila, Papagiannidis and Li, 2013). The traditional source of operating
business has been change and people are engage with the help of digital technology while
conducting business activity. These technology affect on both positive and negative term which
is essential for implementing major activities that provide advantages. According to this result,
an organisation are able for increasing their profitability and productivity in proper manner.
1.2 Background
Research has been formulating and developing in the large market place which help in
collecting and gathering required facts and figures for the sector and transform them for using
accurate data and information in appropriate manner. This will influenced the firm for gaining
high level of income and revenue. For analysing the impact of digital technology on business
activity which directly or indirectly affect on business operations and its functions. The company
are adopting current technology and methods that can help in attracting large number of
customers towards their products and services. Therefore, staff members are using such
techniques and tools for increasing their skills by which they can easily manage all business
activity.
1

1.3 Significance of research
The major objective of this study is that they can analyse those areas where they required
to developing latest technologies in better manner (Apulu, Latham and Moreton, 2011). On the
other side, they need to manage and maintain all business activities which help in increasing
company profitability and income. For getting these targets and goals, they required to examine
and analyse correct methods which are helpful in determining the major impact of digital
technology on organisation business activity.
1.4 Aims and objectives
Aim: “To determine the impact of digital technology on business activity”. A case study on
Softwire organisation.
Objectives:
 To determine the performance of company after executing digital technology
 To analysing the impact of digital technology on profitability and productivity
 To identify changes in sales while using technology on business operations
1.5 Research questions
 Evaluate the impact of technology on company profitability and productivity?
 How business is performing appropriately after adopting digital technology?
 What are the major changes in sales using technology?
1.6 Time scale
It is something which assist management of the firm to divide their task in various parts
so that company can complete their work within specific time period. Gantt chart help company
for analysing each and every data and information regarding appropriate task and activity so that
they can identifying the deadline of their work in the context of organisation (Awa, Ojiabo and
Emecheta, 2015). Along with this, time schedule assist in developing effective policies and
strategies within the firm so that they can finish their different working criteria in proper manner.
Such activity and work that will take a lot of time for acquiring desired affect on working
scenario of an organisation. Time schedule does assist venture while managing and maintaining
the whole work regarding digital technology which help in making and developing smooth
functioning of their work so that Softwire firm can easily gaining income and also enhancing
their productivity in proper manner.
2

CHAPETR 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Evaluate the impact of technology on company profitability and productivity
As per the Baines, Lightfoot and Smart, 2011, it can be analysed that digital technology
assist in executing advanced and new techniques and method within an organisation so that
appropriate working can be observed in different manner. It can be determined as one of the
essential factor that can provide result or outcome in the development and growth of the venture.
Therefore, if Softwire firm giving proper facilities and services to their customers and this can
help in expanding the whole business operations and its functions in other locations. Usually,
digital technology provide assistance to each company that have success and growth of economy
in correct manner. Thus, executing various organisation that can assist occupation possibility for
the people in economy that does not enhancing their standard of living, it can lead for gaining
their common requirements in their life in appropriate way.
There are various digital technology which are determining as advantageous for
increasing profitability of company that are as follows:
Along with this, innovative application are those that have high level of authorities and
they have to gather different types of data or information which are good for most of the staff
members who are collecting accurate facts and figures for entity and develop for achieving their
desired goals and targets in proper manner. Therefore, employees are doing effective working as
per their modern technology that assist company in completing their work in given time period
and they are change over their working in acquiring appropriate results or outcome for increasing
productivity and sales volume.
Softwire is the type of network tunnelling protocol that create a virtual “wire” which
transparently encapsulates with other protocols. They are also making correct strategies and
policies for attracting large number of customers towards their services.
If an organisation implemented the new and innovative technologies so it is necessary for
company is to provide appropriate training and development programmes to their employees
which help in increasing their skills and abilities for getting goals and targets. Apart from this, it
is essential for Softwire company is to provide best quality based services or faculties to their
clients and try to satisfy their needs and demand in given time frame (Bayo-Moriones, Billón and
Lera-López, 2013). Along with this, they have suitable knowledge regarding their working after
that there are various technology which can adopted in effective way. For doing productivity at
3

different work place of company that has expand their business operations and its functions in
appropriate manner in all over the world.
Therefore, the major techniques and methods are those that can provide advantages
which increasing their effectiveness and profitability to lead towards processing their new and
creative things that are assist in making useful and appropriate things and this will make for
gaining competitive advantage at given time period in better manner (Cavalcante, Kesting and
Ulhøi, 2011). Digital technology provide appropriate platform to the firm in which they can
communicate and interact with their customers and also help in making good relation with their
other buyers for expanding their business in other locations. Therefore, the company will
adopting the creative and unique things that assist venture for satisfying their buyers needs and
demand which lead towards maximising the level of profitability.
2.2 Business is performing differently after adopting digital technology
In an organisation, there are various functions and activities which help in managing and
maintaining the level of income with the help of business operations and major functions.
Therefore, digital technology determined as large element in their competitive market place.
Generally, digital technology assist in measuring effective profitability and productivity which
can be accomplished in better manner. Therefore, small organisation are try to expand their
business operations and functions that can provide correct services to their customers with the
assistance of digital technology and modern techniques assist in doing correct working in the
company. Softwire company conduct or organise an campaign that can designed for the
organisation and it will create major impact on different things which make appropriate result or
outcome in positive manner. There are various sources such as social media, videos and personal
relation that are assist in gaining performance (Dai, 2010). At early time period, the business are
totally depend upon quality based goods and services and it is required for firm is to make their
customers happy with their effective services. In current business environment, adoption of
technology is not simple task so organisation are providing correct resources and efforts that are
required for them. There are different changes which can be noticed after execution of digital
technology within the firm that are as under:
 Increasing productivity – Mainly, it is necessary for firm is to measure efficiency of
various things and resources that are used for converting the output and input in different
manner. After executing these things that can be noticed for enhancing their productivity
4

in better way. There are various which exist in this and it will assist in enhancing the
productivity with the assistance of digital technology for several approaches to
manufactured that can be implemented for developing to reducing the losses and attribute
of products and services in correct manner. It is that criteria that can assist in enhancing
the profitability and productivity in an organisation.
 Growth – In the large market place, small business will play an essential role for adopting
technology in better manner due to this it will create great impact on success and growth
level and this is such which can attain by different ventures. Therefore, some major
trends in the huge market along with technology that is used in cloud computing that are
not help them in revolution of the firm (El-Gohary, 2010). Thus, there are some better
things that are available for this approach and this will assist in getting cost efficiency for
increasing in the market place. It can be observed that small firms are adopting digital
technology which has been grow by 15% and they are earning appropriate income or
revenue in correct manner.
 Communication – This is considered as the backbone of an organisation which help
employees to communicate with their customers and also solve their issues and problems
in proper manner. An effective communication assist in developing coordination and
cooperation between organisation. Therefore, the techniques and methods of
communication assist in designing clear roles and responsibilities which have to be
fulfilled by staff members in appropriate manner.
2.3 What are the major changes in sales using technology
According to Hashim, (2015) if digital technology is used in appropriate manner then the
sales of firm that can increased and therefore Softwire can achieving their goals and targets in
effective manner. There are no modern technology that resultant for any direct communication
with their customers and they are using production for making appropriate goods for them and
also getting high level of profitability and productivity in correct manner. Therefore, in current
time period, an organisation like Softwire are using modern technology that will help in doing
correct work and they are manufacturing goods and services as per their customers requirement
as well as market place. With the assistance of this, digital technology assist in keeping direct
communication with their customers in correct manner. Modern technology is such which help in
5

increasing sales of the firm by selecting different methods and techniques that can assist in
enhancing sales of company which lead towards earning high amount of income or revenue.
On the other side, digital technology can be used at their prime level and it is used in
effectively which assist firm for attaining desired goals and targets in better manner. Therefore,
advanced technology can aid in earning high amount of income for long time period and this can
develop them for make business environment stable. Along with this, digital technology have
effective sales methods and techniques that can be used and provide some special offer which
can given to their customers by which they can easily attract large number of customers towards
company goods and services in appropriate manner (Heeks, 2010). The sale of company can
used with the assistance of marketing that are related to effective technology and all these factors
are used together. They are also earn huge amount of income and revenue that can expand their
business operations and its functions.
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Types of research
In this part learner are going to highlight various tools and methods which assist in
getting correct facts and figures for accomplishing potential goals and objectives of the business
in proper manner. With the help of this, it is helpful for the firm because it will help in
generating growth and success for particular project development and there are various tools and
methods which are very useful for presenting necessary facts and figures. Along with this, there
are two types of techniques that includes qualitative and quantitative method in which qualitative
is useful method for developing specific project. Another is quantitative method which is used
for collecting and gathering all statistical form of information. Therefore, qualitative is mainly
applicable for executing essential digital technology within an enterprise.
3.2 Research design
As per this part, association need to prepare and design all accurate path which assist staff
members towards accurate guidance for achieving company goals and targets in appropriate way
(Hojeghan and Esfangareh, 2011). Thus, there are different essential techniques and method
which assist in designing and preparing specific research that includes exploratory, descriptive
and experimental research method. With the assistance of descriptive investigation, organisation
can easily overcome with such work and its common issues and problems which occurs within
6

the workplace and they are required to analyse the future actions and activities in effective
manner.
3.3 Data sampling
It is that term which refer the techniques and methods that assist in collecting and
gathering facts and figures for related to research project and also get accurate outcome or result
in effective manner (Jagongo and Kinyua, 2013). This can be divided into two types that
includes probabilistic and non probabilistic. In probabilistic method of research, they are
selecting particular facts and figures while doing random sampling. For performing this, they are
need to set appropriate procedures therefore this will ensure towards large number of
populations. Along with this, the non probabilistic techniques of sampling techniques which refer
as odd method where large number of people can select sampling that can not easily evaluated
and measured. It is fully opposite term of probabilistic sampling techniques. In this study, the
major motive of this sampling method is the main part of probabilistic sampling techniques and
tools.
3.4 Methods of data collection
Information define that method and techniques which assist in collecting and gathering
appropriate data and information in correct way. There are two kind of data collection that
includes secondary and primary which are as follows:
 Primary data – It is that method which help in gathering and collecting facts and figures
with direct technique. There are different ways by which they are gather relevant data and
information such as interviews, surveys, observation and so more. This is totally based on
person nature.
 Secondary data – It define that facts and figures are collecting by some other individual
and it is that facts which are used by researchers and they are developing and making
appropriate conclusion for specific research. There are different methods of gathering and
collecting data that includes newspaper, books, etc.
3.5 Ethical consideration
It is vital task for an organisation in the section of this research project. This can be
described as major rules and norms that are differentiated among right or wrong characteristics in
better way (Kannabiran and Dharmalingam, 2012). It will play an important role in protecting
7

various types of issues and barriers while conducting correct investigation. There are different
types of ethical values which should be followed by investigator at the time of conducting
various research project or task. It is necessary for conform that help to deal with community and
society in effective manner.
QUESTIONNAIRE
1.) Does digital technology assist firm for gaining competitive benefits? Frequency
 Yes 25
 No 5
2.) Is Softwire company maintain better relation with their customers and
growth?
Frequency
 Yes 28
 No 2
3.) Does digitalisation assist Softwire for increasing sales? Frequency
 Yes 12
 No 10
4.) Which type of method is used by Softwire at workplace? Frequency
 Increase in productivity 22
 Profit maximization 8
 Enhancement in employees personality
5.) What are the issues while using digital technologies?
 Possibilities of accidents 28
 Complicated process 2
 Hacking
6.) Which are the major reason behind for executing digital technology in
company?
Frequency
8

 Increment in sales performance 27
 Attract consumers 3
 Reduce the time period
7.) In current era, which approach is best suitable for organisation? Frequency
 Traditional 15
 Modern 15
8.) Does company can make alterations in firm serving procedures? Frequency
 Yes 15
 No 10
9.) Any recommendation?
….........................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS
Theme 1: Digital technology assist firm for gaining competitive benefits?
Interpretation: As per the above mentioned table, it can be analysed that digital technology is
important for an organisation which help in increasing and enhancing their growth and success in
better manner. Most of the customers are gaining proper competitive advantages and benefits to
the firm and this is necessary for company is to make proper strategies and policies which assist
9
25
5
Yes
No

in gaining benefits in appropriate manner. Rest of the people are said that digital technology help
company for achieving and reaching with competitive advantageous for an organisation. So all
the important activities and functions should be maintain and managing all functions which are
related to business operations and their functions.
Theme 2: Better relation with their customers and growth?
Interpretation: It is essential for company manager is to make and create string relation with their
customers and also enhancing their success and growth level within an organisation. Most of the
respondents are agree on this statement that they need to maintain and establish good relation
with their customers in appropriate manner. They should provide effective services and facilities
to their customers according to their needs and requirements in better manner. It will help in
achieving and analysing whole business operations and their functions in better manner. Rest of
the respondents are agree on that they are maintaining and making appropriate relation with their
customers for gaining maximum profitability and productivity in proper manner.
10
28
2
Yes
No

Theme 3: Digitalisation assist Softwire for increasing sales?
Interpretation: It can be clearly state that digital technology help the Softwire firm for enhancing
their sales volume and it will help in maintaining and managing all required business operations
and functions in better manner. Along with this, most of the customers determined as one of the
important method for enhancing and increasing their sales volume in better manner. According
to the above analysis, it can be determine that most of the people are say yes for that
digitalisation help in attracting large number of customers.
Theme 4: impact of using Softwire at workplace?
Interpretation: According to the above analysis, it can be concluded that Softwire company are
using better methods and techniques within an organisation. It will help in increasing and
11
24
6
Yes
No
20
6
4 Increase in
productivity
Profit
maximization
Enhancement in
employees
personality

enhancing the success and growth level. can be considered as it is one of the essential method
which is help in managing and maintaining desired goal and targets in effective manner.
12

Theme 5: Issues while using digital technologies?
Interpretation: There are various issue and barriers which are occurs while using digital
technology methods and techniques in the workplace. Such as possibilities of accidents which
create awareness about digitalisation within the firm. Most of the customers are agree on
possibilities of accidents which arise issues and major barriers in better manner.
Theme 6: Executing digital technology in company?
Interpretation: It can be stated that it will help in implementing digital technology that can used
for maintaining and managing all major functions and business operations in better manner. Most
of the people are said that there are various methods and techniques which are used for executing
digital technology for making and developing income or profitability in the firm. Some people
13
15
8
7
Possibilities of
accidents
Complicated
process
Hacking
18 5
7
Increment in sales
performance
Attract consumers
Reduce the time
period

are agree on increasing in sales which attracting large number of customers towards effective
services and facilities in better manner.
14

Theme 7: Both approach is best suitable for organisation?
Interpretation: There are two methods and techniques which are using best suitable tools for
managing and maintaining desired goals and targets within an organisation. Traditional method
is used in collecting data and information and on the other hand, modern method is used for
determining the major factors and aspects for analysing and examining the company
performance in better manner.
Theme 8: Company can make alterations in firm serving procedures?
Interpretation: Company is looking forward to change their serving procedures so that they can
work in better manner and thus according to survey the result was a like out of 30 people 21
person said that Yes they can alter their service procedure but it should be effective for the
customer. Apart from that 9 person said that No the procedure they are working on and serving is
quite effective and no need to change their serving procedure as well.
15
15 15 Traditional
Modern
21
9
Yes
No

CHAPTER 5: RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Recommendation
As per this investigation, it is totally based on impact of digital technology that
recommend things and it can be determine as one of the most important thing that can create
connection along with production of products and goods in modern technologies for satisfying
their customers needs and demand in better manner. The current process is used by them for
satisfy their buyers needs and requirements in appropriate manner. They are mainly concentrate
on company which are getting high level of success and growth that achieving desired goals and
objectives in better way. For targetting whole company, they are providing customer satisfaction
which are providing beneficial elements to their customers in large market place. There are
various strategies and policies that are used by company for making strong position at the market
area. It is used for adopt latest techniques and methods on modern technologies and this will
assist in achieving whole target in proper manner.
5.2 Reflection
With this study, I have learn different things such as digital technology play an important
role in improving and maintaining current position of the firm due to this this will assist in
reducing the various business related issues and barriers in given time period. Along with this,
small company are encountered large number of things while smoothly running the company due
to various external and internal factors. I was analysed that entire project is moving towards one
stage where digital technology seen as most beneficial factors for firm growth and success so this
will help staff members while achieving desired goals and targets in better manner. Therefore, I
can require to identify one things which is used to modern techniques which is not simple task
along with their high level of complexities. Thus, it can be analysed that small firm concern
which have more data and information regarding use of advanced technology and they does not
gaining much knowledge about difficult in digital techniques and methods. Therefore, the overall
study will increasing my skills and learning regarding taking advantages of digital technology for
company development and their employees. Generally, I am generally involve with difficult
circumstances for getting high level of data and information which get aware about managing all
digital techniques and methods. This means that whole project help me in analysing and
examining the different tools for evaluating the various alternatives and opinions that are related
16

to customers perception for making possibilities in goods and services according to their demand
and needs.
5.3 Conclusion
According to the above mentioned project, it can be analysed that digital technology is
the major force for various things that can change within an organisation. Therefore, it will be
concluded that it is necessary for them is to make sure that some contemporary techniques such
as cloud computing, digital mode of communication and many more. All the updated
technologies are contributing high level of success and growth of an organisation.
17

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alshamaila, Y., Papagiannidis, S. and Li, F., 2013. Cloud computing adoption by SMEs in the
north east of England: A multi-perspective framework. Journal of Enterprise
Information Management, 26(3), pp.250-275.
Apulu, I., Latham, A. and Moreton, R., 2011. Factors affecting the effective utilisation and
adoption of sophisticated ICT solutions: Case studies of SMEs in Lagos,
Nigeria. Journal of Systems and Information Technology, 13(2), pp.125-143.
Awa, H.O., Ojiabo, O.U. and Emecheta, B.C., 2015. Integrating TAM, TPB and TOE
frameworks and expanding their characteristic constructs for e-commerce adoption by
SMEs. Journal of Science & Technology Policy Management, 6(1), pp.76-94.
Baines, T., Lightfoot, H. and Smart, P., 2011. Servitization within manufacturing: Exploring the
provision of advanced services and their impact on vertical integration. Journal of
manufacturing technology management, 22(7), pp.947-954.
Bayo-Moriones, A., Billón, M. and Lera-López, F., 2013. Perceived performance effects of ICT
in manufacturing SMEs. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 113(1), pp.117-135.
Burns, P., 2016. Entrepreneurship and small business. Palgrave Macmillan Limited.
Cavalcante, S., Kesting, P. and Ulhøi, J., 2011. Business model dynamics and innovation:(re)
establishing the missing linkages. Management decision, 49(8), pp.1327-1342.
Dai, W., 2010. The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Small and Medium Enterprises
(SMEs). Journal of Business Systems, Governance & Ethics, 4(4).
El-Gohary, H., 2010. E-Marketing-A literature Review from a Small Businesses
perspective. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 1(1).
Hashim, J., 2015. Information communication technology (ICT) adoption among SME owners in
Malaysia. International Journal of Business and Information, 2(2).
Heeks, R., 2010. Do information and communication technologies (ICTs) contribute to
development?. Journal of International Development, 22(5), pp.625-640.
Hojeghan, S.B. and Esfangareh, A.N., 2011. Digital economy and tourism impacts, influences
and challenges. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 19, pp.308-316.
Jagongo, A.O. and Kinyua, C., 2013. The social media and entrepreneurship growth (A new
business communication paradigm among SMEs in Nairobi).
Kannabiran, G. and Dharmalingam, P., 2012. Enablers and inhibitors of advanced information
technologies adoption by SMEs: An empirical study of auto ancillaries in India. Journal
of Enterprise Information Management, 25(2), pp.186-209.
Laforet, S., 2013. Organizational innovation outcomes in SMEs: Effects of age, size, and
sector. Journal of World business, 48(4), pp.490-502.
Mazzarol, T., 2015. SMEs engagement with e-commerce, e-business and e-marketing. Small
enterprise research, 22(1), pp.79-90.
Mbogo, M., 2010. The impact of mobile payments on the success and growth of micro-business:
The case of M-Pesa in Kenya. Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in
Africa, 2(1), pp.182-203.
Minghetti, V. and Buhalis, D., 2010. Digital divide in tourism. Journal of Travel
Research, 49(3), pp.267-281.
Omar, A and et. al 2010, January. Determining factors for the usage of web-based marketing
applications by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. In United States
18

Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Conference Proceedings (p. 723).
United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Online
Quinton, S., 2013. The digital era requires new knowledge to develop relevant CRM strategy: A
cry for adopting social media research methods to elicit this new knowledge. Journal of
Strategic Marketing, 21(5), pp.402-412.
San Martín, S., López-Catalán, B. and Ramón-Jerónimo, M.A., 2012. Factors determining firms'
perceived performance of mobile commerce. Industrial Management & Data
Systems, 112(6), pp.946-963.
Small Businesses Adopting Technology Is Key To Raising Productivity. 2017. [Online].
Available through: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/philipsalter/2017/04/03/small-
businesses-adopting-technology-is-key-to-rising-productivity/#356f4d5549ac>.
SMEs need to embrace technology to boost growth. 2013. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/opinion/smes-need-to-embrace-technology-
to-boost-growth/>.
Taneja, S. and Toombs, L., 2014. Putting a face on small businesses: Visibility, viability, and
sustainability the impact of social media on small business marketing. Academy of
Marketing Studies Journal, 18(1), p.249.
Urquía Grande, E., Pérez Estébanez, R. and Muñoz Colomina, C., 2011. The impact of
Accounting Information Systems (AIS) on performance measures: empirical evidence in
Spanish SMEs.
19