The Impact of Digital Technology on Business Activity - (Doc)

THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGY ON BUSINESS
ACTIVITY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aims and objectives..............................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk
and resources..........................................................................................................................3
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart..................................................................4
M1 Comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project schedule.....6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods...........7
M2 Accuracy and reliability of different research methods...................................................9
D1 Project management process...........................................................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P5 Interpretation and evaluate the project outcome.............................................................10
P6 Recommendation.............................................................................................................18
P7 Reflection on understanding research.............................................................................19
M4 Value of the project management process and use of quality research.........................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Today in order to gain high competitive advantage, every company used to make project
which aids them in enhancing productivity and performance of business also. Therefore, for this
manner, managers of such companies are required to conduct proper research for making a
project. In this regard by management of successful business project will lead to increase growth
and development opportunities of business (Bengtsson and Johansson, 2014). This type of
research comprises with creative and systematic work which will aid in increasing the stock of
knowledge that further used for devising new application. Along with this, digital technology
also plays an important role in enhancing activities and making business successful. It aids
organisation in transforming the way and resources through which operations of business are
carried out. In this manner, a report has been prepared on impact of digital technology on
business of a firm. For this context, Unicorn Grocery of UK has been taken which is located in
Manchester, England. This enterprise sells organic, fresh and processed food or drink products. It
is one of the largest groceries which has given turnover around £7 million. By implementing
digital technology in business this firm has got an award 'Best Food Retailer' in 2017. In this
mention report, various aspects of business has been discussed which includes scope, cost,
quality and resources. Along with this, Gantt chart and breakdown structure also gives stages and
time framework for completion.
TASK 1
P1 Project aims and objectives
Today in fast developing area, it is essential for every type of business to conduct a
proper research for making an appropriate plan. It will help them in expanding business in other
locations and gain higher profitability as well. But for such processes, it is amendable for
companies that project made by them should be reliable as well as more profitable so that they
can gain better competitive advantage (Berends and et. al., 2014). The main objective of firm
behind making a project is to utilise resource like manpower, raw materials, machineries and
capital in a systematic manner. In context with Unicorn Grocery, it deals in small business sector
having near about 70 employees in outlets. This co-operative firm is founded in 1996 and entire
business is controlled and run by employers with a flat management structure along with equal
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rate of pay. It serves a high range of products like household, cosmetics, body care and general
grocery items. In terms of price strategy, it always sells commodities by keeping price in a
systematic way.
As competition is increasing at rapid rate, therefore, this firm requires to implement
digital technology. It will help in increasing performance level of business through which higher
profitability can be generated. Implementation of such techniques aid employers in making good
interaction with consumers and build an effective relationship also. This would help in gaining
retention of consumers for long-term profitability of business (Glaub and et. al., 2014). In
addition to this, making business digitalise always impact on performance in a positive manner.
Topic: How digital technology has transformed business activities:operational, marketing, HR
and accounting.
Background of research
It is necessary for each and every type of organisation to introduce latest technology in
business in order to enhance and improve quality of business more better. This type of
transformation is imperative for kind of business which improves performance of employees,
stakeholders, customers and all people who are associated with them. In addition to this, it also
encourage employers in giving new and highly innovative products at marketplace. In this
manner, Unicorn Grocery needs to adopt digital technology organisational system so that
attention and retention of customers can be gained in an appropriate manner. This firm uses
various tools of social media and internet application to spread awareness of its products at
marketplace and attract more customers towards the same (Whyte, Stasis and Lindkvist, 2016).
Introducing digitalisation in business aid this firm in achieving objectives and targeted aims
within a predetermined period of time.
Aim: To evaluate the importance of transformation of digital technologies in business
activities for enhancing profitability and productivity. A Case study on Unicorn Grocery
Objectives:
 To evaluate the impact of concept of digitalisation on profitability of the firm.
 To determine importance of digital technologies for retaining customers for longer period
of time.
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 To measure the effectiveness of digital tools used by organization to increase
productivity.
Research questions:
 How to evaluate the impact of concept of digitalisation on profitability of the firm?
 How to determine importance of digital technologies for retaining customers for longer
period of time?
 What are the major digital tools used by organization to increase productivity?
P2 Project management plan covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk
and resources
Execution of digital technology is helpful in achieve aims and goals in an effective or better
manner. IT is necessary for manager of Unicorn grocery to execute better program which can be
concerned to manage various projects, it is helpful in implement various tasks as well as
functions of project management in systematic way (Kerzner, and Kerzner, 2017). It will help to
company in finish various activities of project. In addition to this, manager of Unicorn Grocery
company uses better raw materials, produce quality products etc. Some necessary components of
project management plan given below as above:
Scope of projects risk: Under this consist all necessary requirements along with the details for
better implementation of project activities. In this involves al boundaries and limits to be
included at the time of implementing any activities and tasks. In addition to this, these
boundaries may be time to meet with activity along with the allocated budget to specific activity.
Its major focus on quality of work as well as goods in an effective manner.
Cost: The consumers of this time period are very cost conscious. They want products on
reasonable costs. It is a responsibility of company to make some changes in its pricing strategies
on continuous basis. In addition to this, large projects require more funds in order to finish
specific projects (The Project Management Plan (PMP). 2015). There is a requirement to
manage to develop better capital management by different resources.
Quality: In this modern era, consumers want quality product which can satisfy demand or
requirement of people in an effective manner. It is important factor and helpful in attract large
number of consumers towards firm.
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Time: In order to finish project, it is necessary to decide specific period of time. Regards this, it
is essential for employer to concern with the various project function which aid to finish project.
It is helpful in minimising cost of manufacturing and some of the other expenses (Ghobakhloo
and et. al., 2012).
Communication: For achieving aims of firm, it is important for management of firm to prepare
better policies. If communication among all staff members and managers will be clear then in
this case they will able to focus on achieving set aims and goals of company in significant
manner. It is helpful in bring effectiveness in operations of company.
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart
In order to achieve success of business in a precise manner, it is necessary for
management of a firm to formulate a proper plan. It will include entire activities, strategies and
policies used to make modifications in system. But for this process, managers of a company like
Unicorn Grocery needs to conduct proper research through which they can analyse major
benefits and drawbacks of creating innovation in products. Further project makers are also
required to use effective techniques and tools for collecting relevant and accurate information on
a particular topic. Generally small business enterprises use following two techniques for
executing a plan:
Work Breakdown Structure- It is the most beneficial technique used in project
management by a firm. This technique is used to breakdown a project into smaller and
manageable components in terms of size, responsibility and duration of task. It would help
members who engage in group activities to complete a project on time as well as accomplish
objectives in a successful manner. In addition to this, WBS also provides a framework for
estimating the cost required in completing a particular project. This would help employers to
control cost and expenses as well. It can display in various form like vertical as a tree structure
and horizontal in outline form as well.
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(Sources: Work Breakdown Structure, 2018)
Gantt chart- This technique is given by Henry L. Gantt which used as a production
control. It is a horizontal bar chart that provides a graphical illustration of a project which further
helps in planning, coordinating and tracking a particular task of a project (What is a Gantt
Chart?, 2018). This method is used to allocate time to different segmented activities of a task so
that objectives of main task can be completed on time. As this chart is constructed on Cartesian
Plane in which horizontal axis represents total time taken for completing a project and vertical
one reflects the major tasks used in making a project. Thus, it provides an illustration of status of
a project in a clear and concise manner. Therefore, for conducting proper research, managers of a
firm are required to use following following steps:
 Problem identification
 Literature review
 Identify main issues
 State and define concept of study
 Choice of respondents which are going to implement project research
 Development plan
 Data collection
 Analysis and review
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Illustration 1: Work Breakdown Structure

M1 Comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project schedule
Project management plan is generally made in formal structure through which managers
can execute a plan in proper manner. It also helps in keeping an eye on performance as well as
monitoring and implementing the project in a systematic manner. In addition to this, usage of
techniques like Work Breakdown Structure and Gantt Chart helps in fragmenting a task into
smaller components in given framework of time. While in terms of milestone schedule, it
consists some building blocks of strategy which is used to set a plan tactics into concrete terms
with real budget and responsibilities of management (Ghobakhloo and et. al., 2012). On the other
hand, project schedule refers to a particular mechanism through which all activities can be
completed within predetermined period of time. These processes aid Unicorn Grocery to
accomplish objectives and set goals of new project in a successful manner.
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TASK 2
P4 Small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
In any research plan the most necessary elements are objectives and aims which are
needed to be set in proper way. In addition to this, for conducting an appropriate research,
project maker needs to use proper methodologies. It would help in collecting appropriate
research so that better result can be obtained. In this regards managers of Unicorn Grocery use
two different methods of research that are quantitative in which data is measured in terms of
quantity. While second method is qualitative one in which data is collected in terms of quality.
Both are these methods useful in conducting a research in systematic manner. In addition to this,
the two basic methods used by every investigator for collecting relevant method are primary and
secondary methodologies.
Primary- This research method is used to meet specific needs of a project which is
conducted by project makers themselves. They used surveys, interviews and questionnaire
format for collecting a relevant information on a particular topic in a proper way. This techniques
provides reliable information as compared to other methods who used to conduct data with the
help of others. In addition to this, investigators use statistical models by taking a sample group
from targeted audience. Further, it includes two methods that are exploratory and specific
research. Exploratory method does not target a particular aim, it uses to identify issues occur
within a business. While specific research is used to find solution of a particular problem.
Secondary data- This research is an another technique for collecting a data in which
investigators used literature reviews and existing information from textbooks, encyclopedias and
more (Pinto, 2015). As compared to primary method, this source is used to collect data in more
precise and fast manner but it fails to give reliable information. Generally published data is
available in public records, technical and trade journals, publication of Government and more.
While unpublished data can be found in biographies, letters or other.
In this present report, a researcher has used both primary and secondary source to collect
the data. In this manner, a questionnaire is prepared for gathering information from a particular
group in which 50 respondents are taken in a systematic manner. It will help in getting proper
reviews and feedback of people on making business digitalised is helpful or not. In this manner,
a questionnaire format has been prepared for obtaining different opinion of selected respondents:
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QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Contact Number:
Q1) Is transforming digital technology in business helpful in expansion?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q2) If making business digitalised provides support to Unicorn Grocery to give tough
competition to rivals?
a) Accepted
b) Not Accepted
Q3) As per current scenario, is fast developing technology helpful in serving better
services to consumers on time?
a) Fully Agree
b) Not completely Agree
c) Highly Disagree
Q4) In what manner digital technology provides benefits to business?
a) Attract more consumers.
b) Increase sales and productivity
c) Expand business
Q5) If Unicorn Grocery sell its products or services through online procedure then, it will
helpful in making improvement in customer base?
a) Yes
b) No
Q6) Tools used by company for increasing productivity
a)Skype
b) E-mails
c) Other online tools
Q7) Is digital technology useful in creating modifications in business operations for
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Unicorn Grocery?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8) Which method suits more for retailing companies to marketing their products in
wider manner as per present situation?
a) Modern marketing
b) Traditional marketing
Q9) Is Unicorn Grocery use effective methodology to store data of employees in a
prescribed and secure manner?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10) Recommend the major ways of transforming digital technologies in business
operations of Unicorn Grocery.
M2 Accuracy and reliability of different research methods
Managers of Unicorn Grocery use both quantitative and qualitative methods of
conducting research in a proper manner. These methodologies used to provide accurate
information on a particular topic. In addition to this, for obtaining better outcomes, it is necessary
for managers to check reliability and accuracy of both methods. In this manner, reliability
concerns on measuring consistency of data while qualitative research used to check validity and
appropriateness of tools and techniques used in achievement of desired result.
D1 Project management process
Behind a project management, primary challenge faced by investigators is to achieve
targeted goals and objectives within a set period of time (Peters, Blohm and Leimeister, 2015).
It includes some key areas like phase management, planning, controlling, communicating,
procurement and integration. In this process, project management aids a firm in completing the
objectives in a desired manner. It includes various steps among which some are given below for
the process of project management:
 Planning
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 Implementing
 Controlling
 Integrating
 Closing
Therefore, it is essential for managers of Unicorn Groceries to follow these steps of
project management process. This would help in managing, controlling activities and
performance so that a project can be completed in a systematic manner. In addition to this, for
collecting relevant information on a particular research topic, investigators are needed to use
better methodologies and techniques like conducting surveys by making a proper questionnaire.
This would aid them in getting reviews and feedback of customers living in a particular area
about transforming the digital technology in business.
TASK 3
P5 Interpretation and evaluate the project outcome
Questions Frequency
Q1) Is transforming digital technology in business helpful in
expansion?
a) Agree 45
b) Disagree 5
Q2 If making business digitalised provides support to Unicorn Grocery
to give tough competition to rivals?
a) Accepted 48
b) Not Accepted 2
Q3) As per current scenario, is fast developing technology helpful in
serving better services to consumers on time?
a) Fully Agree 22
b) Not completely Agree 18
c) Highly Disagree 10
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Q4) In what manner digital technology provides benefits to business?
a) Attract more consumers. 13
b) Increase sales and productivity 20
c) Expand business 17
Q5) If Unicorn Grocery sell its products or services through online
procedure then, it will helpful in making improvement in customer
service?
a) Yes 37
b) No 13
Q6) Tools used by company for increasing productivity
a) Skype 7
b) E-mails 31
c) Other online tools 12
Q 7 Is digital technology useful in creating modifications in business
operations for Unicorn Grocery?
a) Yes 36
b) No 14
Q8) Which method suits more for retailing companies to marketing
their products in wider manner as per present situation?
a) Modern marketing 32
b) Traditional marketing 18
Q9) Is Unicorn Grocery use effective methodology to store data of
employees in a prescribed and secure manner?
a) Yes 29
b) No 21
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Q10) Recommend the major ways of transforming digital technologies
in business operations of Unicorn Grocery.
THEME 1: Transforming digital technology into business
Interpretation: Management of Unicorn Grocery has conducted a research on targeted audience
by taking a sample of 50 respondents. So, it has interpreted from this mention graph that
transforming technology into business is much helpful in gaining competitive advantage and
acquiring a good position at marketplace which is agreed by 45 respondents of them. While
5 are not agree on the same.
THEME 2: Making business digitalised
12
a) Agree b) Disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
45
5

Interpretation: From this research, it has interpreted that introducing digital technologies in
business is much helpful in increasing productivity and sales performance of a business. In
addition to this, it also aids organisation in improving their brand image at marketplace in better
manner. This graph has shown that out of 50 respondents, 48 have accepted this statement while
minimum of them i.e. near about 2 are not agree on the same.
THEME 3: Fast developing technology helpful in serving better services to consumers
13
a) Accepted b) Not Accepted
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
48
2
Column D
a) Fully Agree b) Not completely Agree c) Highly Disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
22
18
10 Column D

Interpretation: Making business digitalised and adopting fast technologies in
organisational system is helpful in providing better services to customers. So, above graphical
representation of data has shown that in every 50 respondents, 22 are fully agree on this
statement and 18 thinks it is not so effective. While 10 are totally disagree with this.
THEME 4: Digital technology provides benefits to business
Interpretation: Usage of digital technologies in marketing, operation and production etc.
provide various benefits to firm like expanding business in other locations, increasing sales and
productivity and attracting minds of customers in an efficient way. In this manner, above graph
has revealed that in 50 respondents, 20 are believed that digitalisation helps in increasing sales
performance more. While 17 are thought in enhancing business and 13 said that it is much
beneficial in attracting them.
THEME 5: Online procedure
14
a) Attract more consumers.
b) Increase sales and productivity
c) Expand business
0
5
10
15
20
25
13
20
17
Column D

Interpretation: Present retail enterprise want to provide online services to customers which
helps them in placing their orders as well as get the same on time in an easy and effective
manner. Therefore, to judge effectiveness of this technique, it has observed that major proportion
of population i.e. 37 out of 50 is agreed but rest of them are disagree to use online services for
purchasing products. Thus, it is suggested to this firm to launch its business on online application
and sale commodities in a better way.
THEME 6: Tools used by company for increasing productivity
15
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40 37
13
Column D

Interpretation: Digital technology has given various tools and techniques to enterprise for
making communication with customers living at nearby or distant places. Therefore, in context
with Unicorn Grocery, 31 out of 50 respondents believe that e-mail is best techniques to give
information to them about offers and services of this firm. While 7 believe that Skype is more
better and rest of them used other online sources for the same.
THEME 7: Digital technology useful in creating modifications
16
a) Skype b) E-mails c) Other online tools
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
7
31
12
Column D
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
36
14
Column D

Interpretation: In order to interpret that if using digital technology is helpful in creating
modification, managers conduct a research on 50 respondents, 36 are satisfied with this
statement. While 14 said that it is not much beneficial for enhancing productivity and
profitability of business.
THEME 8: Method of marketing products
Interpretation: Since Unicorn Grocery has made various changes in business strategy and
system but in terms of using marketing tactics, it has interpreted that out of 50 targeted
audiences, 32 have agreed that it uses modern marketing technology. On the other hand rest
of people i.e. 18 said that this firm use traditional techniques of marketing.
THEME 9: Methodology to store data of employees in a prescribed and secure manner
17
a) Modern marketing b) Traditional marketing
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
32
18
Column C

Interpretation: This graph has been made to show how much adequately Unicorn Grocery has
used technology to store personnel data of employees. So, it has interpreted that out of 50
respondents 29 are agree that their private information is stored in confidential manner. While 21
are not agree on the same.
P6 Recommendation
Unicorn Grocery is one of the largest retail companies of UK which sell organic products
at marketplace. But due to rise in competition and rapid changes in trends, this firm needs to
create modifications in system (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). This would help in providing
innovative products or services to customers in a better manner as well as increasing brand value
of business also. From this research it has seen that making a business successful and expand in
other locations, its management is required to make improvisation in business environment. By
conducting this research, it has recommended to Unicorn Grocery to follow some suggestions
which are g
 As per research, it is cleared that Unicorn Company is required to create some
modification in techniques. It should adopt latest technologies in association through
18
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
29
21
Column D

which various departments like marketing, finance, operational management and more
can do their functions in more specific manner.
 It has seen that since this company deals in small business sector but yet has made a good
reputation in UK marketplace. So, it doesn't need to create modifications in entire
business activities. It has to create alterations in marketing and production division only
so that minds of customers can be attracted in more precise manner.
 As research is conducted by primary and secondary source both so feedback of people
can be gained in a proper manner. Therefore, it has recommended that this firm needs to
formulate a proper plan in which set objectives and goals are given as well as activities
used to complete the same.
P7 Reflection on understanding research
During conducting an investigation, there are many different issues which an investigator
faces (Larson and Chang, 2016). In context to avoid some issue, it is important fore investigator
to organise various kind of activities as well as operations of experiment in significant manner.
Under this, an investigator cab develop plan in the form of written in chronological manner. At
the time of perform various investigation activities or tasks, I faced various kinds of issues.
Between all issues, mostly I faces funds along with time related problem. In order to conduct an
investigation I chose sample size of 50 respondents. The funds was not proper because I faced
many obstacles at the time of carrying out an investigation. Under this investigation, I put all the
effects to complete operations and activities with in set period of time.
M4 Value of the project management process and use of quality research
Project management process plays a crucial role in accomplishing major goals of project
within a predetermined period of time (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). It would help in utilising
available resources in a proper manner. In context with small business enterprises like Unicorn
Grocery, project management process helps in improving standardisation of business, giving
opportunity to enhance growth of business and more.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above given report that Unicorn Grocery company carried
out activities as well as operations of research in context to achieve goals and objectives of
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business within set time period. For increase effectiveness of operations of company, firm use
digital technology which is helpful in connect people in all over the world. Firms identify
different opinions as well as view points of consumers to satisfy their needs ion better manner. It
is helpful in enhancing profit level and success of firm in better manner. Under this mention
report studied about the small investigation through apply qualitative as well as quantitative
methods of research. Project management plan which covers quality, time, scope,
communication and many others has been discussed in given assignment.
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