Analysis of SMEs and E-commerce Adoption

The assignment requires an in-depth analysis of SMEs and their adoption of e-commerce. It involves examining different studies, research papers, and journals related to the topic, including those on ICT adoption, business model dynamics, entrepreneurship, and e-marketing. The analysis should provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing SMEs' adoption of e-commerce and its impact on their growth and development.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Research proposal which clear define question with hypothesis and literature review....3
P2 Research method with primary and secondary sources of information............................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P3 Conduct primary and secondary by having an use of method and techniques.................5
P4 Apply accurate tools and research findings and data........................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P5 Communicative research outcomes are done in appropriate manner with intended
audience..................................................................................................................................5
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................5
P6 Reflection of effectiveness of research method and techniques.......................................5
P7 Determine alternate research methodologies for the project.............................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Research is a essential process that is carried out by business organisation in order to
gather relevant information so that effective decision can taken place. Researcher have to
perform number of interrelated activities to make the research process efficient. The report is
based on “ The implications of digital technology on Handle Recruitment Ltd.” It is a small scale
organisation that delivers different type of services to business organisation. Digital technology
play a vital role in such companies as it helps in growing at sustainable level as well as bring
innovation in the system. Research highlights the impact of digital technology, aims, objectives
and method adopted by researcher to conduct research process (Hashim, 2015). Apart from it,
data analysis is also performed to examine the collected data.
TASK 1
P1 Research proposal which clear define question with hypothesis and literature review
The research report is based upon Handle Recruitment Limited, who formulates to
implement digital technology concepts into the business organisation so that work process can be
conducted in effective and efficient manner. Company delivers services related to recruitment
and staffing process to various type of organisation that include sport bodies, retailers,
entertainment organisations (Alshamaila, Papagiannidis, 2013). Digital technology helps this
company to expand in number of innovative areas that will yield them high outcomes and results.
Managers have to carry out research process to collect information and data from their target
people so that work process is carried out in prospective way.
Topic: “The Impact of Digital Technology on business activity”. A case study on Handle
Recruitment Limited.
Aims and Objectives:
Every business organisation carry out research process in fulfilling some aims and
objectives for this they have to carry out number of activities.
Objectives:
 To determine the impact of digital technology on business process.
 To examine the outcomes of company after implementing digital technology.
 To find out relationship between digital technology and growth of the firm.

Objectives focuses on companies to frame number of actions so that they can attain set
aims and able to establish sustainable image in market place. There are several research
questions which has to be addressed by the researcher through collecting relevant information in
order to determine exact results (Apulu, Latham and Moreton, 2011).
Research Questions:
 What is the impact of digital technology on business process?
 What type of outcomes will be earned by business organisation after implementing digital
technology system?
 What is the relationship between digital technology and growth of the firm?
Hence, to analyse all the above research questions, information need to be collected so
that process can be conducted in effective manner. There is a need of illustrating literature
review to conclude the information efficiently.
a.) Impact of digital technology on business process
There are certain aims and objectives for which business organisation is established in
market place. It include earning high profits and image so that they could be retained for longer
period of time. Modern world is full of advancement that have to be comply by today's business
organisation in order to increase the business growth at sustainable level (Heeks, 2010). Handle
Recruitment Limited have applied number of innovative methods to enhance their productivity
and work process. Hence, it is the digital technology system that allow these companies to
implement number of tools and techniques that will provide them competitive advantage and
increase their overall performance.
The digital technology posses positive impact on the business process as there are n
number of benefits that are enjoyed by the management. For instance, Handle Recruitment
Limited improves their delivering services in order to satisfy their customers and make them
happy. They continuously make efforts to enhance the overall efficiency and productiveness and
excel in their field in order to full fill the business needs and wants at efficient manner. This
enable them to grow at right path and in correct direction (Awa, Ojiabo and Emecheta, 2015).
b.) Positive outcomes will be earned by organisation after implementing digital technology
Implementing digital technology in the business organisation will help in carrying out the
whole work process effectively. Handle Recruitment Ltd deals in connecting their prospective
customers with the employees that will enhance their brand, for this introduction of digital

technology concept in the company will improve their services. Moreover, several modifications
are also introduced in range of services that is delivered to different type of clients that include
sports bodies, entertainment organisation, different type of retailers and many other.
According to Tony D’Emidio, digital technology if applied in correct manner than it will
result in carrying out the research process in innovative mode. It is very important for the
company to concentrates on their customers which are present in market place and examine their
nature properly so that final results could be determined accordingly. Author have observed that
business environment is dynamic in nature that keeps in changing with time hence, it is required
by companies to introduce innovation and creativeness in their work process so that they could
stand firmly in competitive world. There are number of competitors that are present in same
industry and causes high competition hence, it is necessary to adopt digital technology in their
system (Baines, Lightfoot and Smart, 2011).
c.) Relationship between digital technology and growth of the firm
Introducing digital technology into the system helps in managing the whole system in
prospective manner. Managers and leaders can carry out their procedure in accordance to set
rules and regulations so that work task is conducted in prospective way. Management can apply
innovative and expeditious process so that every individual can work towards right path and
direction so that their vision and mission could be attained. Every business organisation aims to
earn high profits as well as satisfy the needs and wants of their consumers so that they could be
retained for longer period of time. According to Baines, Lightfoot and Smart, digital technology
helps in implementing all modern and advanced system so that high income and profits could be
retained. It is the responsibility of management to introduce such innovative procedure that will
yield them high returns in the form of profits and performance. The overall performance of
company helps in achieving high growth of the firm so that their competitive image could be
drafted for longer period of time (Hojegha and Esfangareh, 2011). Handle Recruitment Limited
experiences sustainable growth by applying several modern technology concepts in to their
system.

P2 Research method with primary and secondary sources of information
Researcher have to conduct their research process by collecting useful and relevant
information from sources that are available (Jagongo and Kinyua, 2013). Handle Recruitment
Limited carry adopts several methods that are described below:
 Primary Source: Through this source researcher collects the first hand information
through questionnaires, observation and surveys so that original data could be collected.
This include personal interaction with the clients.
 Secondary Source: Secondary information refers to analysing the already gathered data
which is supplied through books of different authors and journals (Bayo-Moriones, Billón
and Lera-López, 2013).
 Qualitative method: It involve collecting the data that is qualitative in nature and
include facts, figures so that it could be analysed in adequate manner. It include
collecting the best options from number of alternatives that are present and taking the
decisions accordingly. They are exploratory in nature however, random sampling is
descriptive approach.
 Quantitative method: It involve gathering of information which include numerical
figures and mathematical figures so that relevant information can be determined. It assist
in determining the future results in effective way.
 Sampling: in this method, sample size is selected from total population so that research
can be performed on it. Researcher have to make decision in this regarding and have to
conduct cluster sampling, random sampling in which data is collected from selected lot
size. For this research the sample size is 25 which is selected from random sampling.
TASK 2
P3 Conduct primary and secondary by having an use of method and techniques
It is a complex process to collect the data from primary and secondary sources as it
involve number of interrelated activities which have to be conducted by the researcher in
efficient manner (Kannabiran and Dharmalingam, 2012). Handle recruitment Ltd have carry out
their research through questionnaire method from collecting response from 25 respondents and
feedbacks are examined accordingly.

Questionnaire
Name:
Address:
Email Id:
Gender:
1.) Is it beneficial for Handle Recruitment Limited to apply digital technology concept?
 Yes
 No
2.) Is Digital Technology assists in maintaining healthy relationship between consumer and
company?
 Yes
 No
3.) Is digital technology helps in attaining competitive advantage in market place?
 Yes
 No
 May Be
4.) Handle Recruitment Limited brings innovation and creativeness in services through adoption
of modern technology?
 Yes
 No
5.) Is digital technology aids in expansion of current business of Handle Recruitment Ltd?
 Yes
 No
 May Be
6.) Whether company is expending huge amount on implementing digital technology?
 Agree
 Disagree

7.) Any recommendations?
…......................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................
P4 Apply accurate tools and research findings and data.
Theme 1: Benefit of Digital technology
1.) Is it beneficial for Handle Recruitment
Limited to apply digital technology concept?
Observation
 Yes 10
 No 15
Interpretation: From the above collected information it has been interpreted that 10 respondents
responds yes digital technology will be beneficial for the company if it is applied in the system
whereas remaining 15 provide a negative response. Digital technology play essential role in the
company as it will help them to focus on important aspects that will yield them high returns and
profits. Therefore, handle recruitment must inculcate proper digital technology system.
Yes
No

Theme 2: Maintaining healthy relationship with the customers
2.) Is Digital Technology assists in maintaining
healthy relationship between consumer and
company?
Observation
 Yes 13
 No 12
Interpretation: From the above gathered data it has been concluded that out of 25 clients, 13
respondents believed that by applying effective digital technology in the company it will results
in constructing the effective relationship between customer and company so that final results
could be accomplished. On the other hand, 12 clients do not believe that digital technology helps
in building the conducive relation with the consumers. Therefore, company adopt proper tools
and techniques in order to create proper relation with their customer. So that consumers could be
retained for longer period of time.
Yes
No

Theme 3: Digital Technology helps in gaining competitive advantage
3.) Is digital technology helps in attaining
competitive advantage in market place?
Observation
 Yes 10
 No 10
 May Be 5
Interpretation: From the above collected data it has been interpreted that out of 25 clients, 10
respondents agrees that introducing digital technology system will help the company to create
their competitive image in the market place. As there are number of competitors that are present
in market place, it is very much necessary to carry out the work process by adopting modern and
advanced technology system so that final aims could be achieved. On the other hand, 10
respondents do not agrees for the same hence company have to consider it while making
effective decision. 5 respondents could not take the decision and believed that may be it will help
or may be not.
Yes
No
May Be

Theme 4: Digital Technology helps in bringing Innovation and creativeness
4.) Handle Recruitment Limited brings
innovation and creativeness in services through
adoption of modern technology?
Observation
 Yes 18
 No 7
Interpretation: From the gathered data it has been analysed that 18 respondents out of 25
believed that by applying digital technology in the organisation will bring innovation and
creativeness in number of work process that is conducted in the company. On the other hand, 7
do not agree for this aspect. Therefore, it is necessary for Handle Recruitment Limited to
introduce innovative tools and techniques properly so that final results could be attained in
effective way. Considering the point of views of 7 clients who have not agreed to this theme.
Theme 5: Digital technology helps in expansion of business
Yes
No

5.) Is digital technology aids in expansion of
current business of Handle Recruitment Ltd?
Observation
 Yes 10
 No 5
 May Be 10
Interpretation: From the above interpreted data it has been concluded that digital technology is
directly linked with expanding the current business operations. Out of 25 respondents, 10 clients
agrees that digital technology helps in expansion of current business operations or transactions.
On the either hand, 5 do not believed on such information and remaining 10 is do not agree on
the above option. Proper plans and actions must be taken by company to expand their existing
business at sustainable level.
Theme 6: Expenditure made by company in implementing digital technology
Yes
No
May Be

6.) Whether company is expending huge
amount on implementing digital technology?
Observation
 Agree 19
 Disagree 6
Interpretation: From the gathered information, it has been interpreted that out of 25 respondents
, 19 clients agrees that company is making huge expenditure in bringing number of innovative
tools and techniques in order to adopt digital technology system whereas on the other hand, 6 say
no that company is not investing high amounts. Hence, it is necessary for the organisation to
formulate proper plans and procedures related to investment process. Handle recruitment must
formulate proper budget to introduce digital technology system.
TASK 3
P5 Communicative research outcomes are done in appropriate manner with intended audience.
Covered in PPT
Agree
Disagree

TASK 4
P6 Reflection of effectiveness of research method and techniques.
There are several research techniques that are formulated to determine the benefits of
research project that helps in determination of final results in accurate manner. It has been
observed that digital technology helps in earning high growth and sustainable image of the
company (Burns, 2016). There are different methods which is adopted in this framing of research
project and its effectiveness are described below:
Sampling process: In this random components are selected from total population on
which research is conducted. I have utilised effective strategy in order to carry out their sampling
process in correct format. The sample size must be accurate so that research study is conducted
expeditiously.
Collection procedure: I have observed that there are different types of tools and
techniques that can be applied to collect relevant data and information in prospective manner.
Broadly, there are two methods that are primary and secondary which possess different ways and
nature and helps in assembling information in effective way (Laforet, 2013).
Quantitative methodology: It helps me to gather facts and information in which it is
required to accomplish final results in efficient way. This method help me to understand the
results that has to be drafted so that managers could determine proper format.
Qualitative methodology: It involve all data that is qualitative in nature and include
some standards that has toe be focused upon in proper manner. This method assists me to define
research work process in efficient and effective mode.
P7 Determine alternate research methodologies for the project
Strategies are defined to execute the whole work process in conducive way in set time
period. Researcher have to formulate proper strategies so that need and requirement of research
process gets completed (Cavalcante, Kesting and Ulhøi, Dai, 2010). There are number of options
that are available having its own advantages and characteristic therefore, it is necessary to select
the most suitable and best option. Apart from it, statistical data is calculated that helps in
describing the information which is relevant and helps in accomplishing the goals in set time
period. This procedure involve examination of statistical information in relation to final
outcomes is determined (Mazzarol, 2015).

Researcher can perform the research investigation of internal management of accounting
system and managing conducive relationship with customer's helps in increasing the perspective
at right direction. All business organisation aims to earn high profits and goodwill so that they
could able to earn high results in the form of customer retention and sustainability. For
completing the task in proper way it is very much necessary to draft such strategies and
methodologies that can be effectively implemented. Proper system must also be conducted to
choose the best alternative and measure the results so that deviations can be determined and
proper steps could be taken (El-Gohary, 2010).
CONCLUSION
From the above prepared report it has been concluded that research is conducted by the
researcher in order to examine certain aspect. Research highlights the impact of digital
technology on Handle Recruitment Limited, which is small scale company delivering services
related to recruitment. Company have gathered information from customers related through
questionnaire and make effective decisions accordingly. There are number of sources through
which relevant data is collected and make data analysis for the same.
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.