Research: Digital Technology's Impact on SME Business Activity

This research project investigates the impact of digital technology, with a specific focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), on the business operations of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), using Callsign as a case study. The report begins with an introduction outlining the importance of digital technology and AI in modern business, followed by a detailed research proposal that defines research questions, objectives, and a supporting literature review. The research explores the concept of AI, including machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks, and analyzes its role in increasing growth and productivity within companies. The study examines the impact of AI on HR policies and practices, identifies different ways organizations can implement AI, and discusses potential issues and challenges. The research incorporates both primary and secondary research methods, data analysis, and communicates the research outcomes, including a reflection on the effectiveness of the methodologies and alternative research methodologies. The report concludes with a summary of findings, references, and a comprehensive analysis of how AI can revolutionize business operations and enhance cybersecurity.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Table of Contents
TITLE:.............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1) Research proposal that clearly defines a research questions or hypothesis and supported
by a literature review..............................................................................................................1
P2) Research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research..........................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P3) Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods and technique 8
P4) Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research finding and data..........................11
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................20
P5) Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience20
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................21
P6) Reflection on the effectiveness of research methods and techniques............................21
P7) Determine alternative research methodologies for the project......................................21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................23

TITLE:
“The impact of digital technology on business activity of SME’s “
INTRODUCTION
Digital technology plays a crucial role in business operations and it includes different
kinds of electronic equipments that made the task more easier. Artificial intelligence (AI) is
defined as a science in which intelligence machines are developed and it mainly includes
computer programmes (Ways for implementing Artificial Intelligence, 2018). It is determined as
a software that can work like how human brain thinks. Main purpose of Artificial Intelligence is
to create expert system which can display intelligent behaviour and provide guidance to its users
(Ainin and et. al., 2015). There are many field in which AI can be used like computer science,
psychology, Neuron Science etc., Callsign is a company that is taken in this assignment. Firm
works with the motive of providing cyber security to individual and company while doing any
kind of online transaction or surfing process. Therefore, Callsign works on Intelligence Driven
Authentication try to resolve problems by using “two factor authentication”. Present report will
focus on use of Artificial intelligence in business operations for gaining maximum benefits
within the company. For this, specified aims and objectives have been formulated with the help
of which entire research can be conducted. Further different methodologies, literature review for
making research authentic is mentioned in this assignment. Lastly, data analysis is being done for
making research more authentic.
P1) Research proposal that clearly defines a research questions or hypothesis and supported by a
literature review
According to Minelli, Chambers and Dhiraj, (2012) with the change in course of time
digital technology has came up as a revolutionary move and most of the companies in order to
gain maximum benefits are adopting these technologies. As a result, it is giving effective results
to the firm. Artificial Intelligence is one of the criteria that comes under this. In short, Artificial
Intelligence is capable of doing different task which are other than human intelligence like
understanding and recognising human speech, strategic game system, etc.
In year 1956, Artificial Intelligence was determined as an academic discipline. Concept
of AI can be divided into various sub-factors such as technical considerations, humanoid etc., for
example: robotics, machine learning, etc. Traditional form of Artificial Intelligence includes
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reasoning, learning, knowledge representation etc., but as per modern times in the twenty-first
century AI has advanced to computer power in which now people can store large amount of data.
Other than this, in recent times technology has got more advanced For example: Sophia robot
who is a humanoid robot was developed by Hong-Kong based company. Therefore, Artificial
Intelligence; if optimised in a better manner then company can gain maximum benefits and
through this firm can sustain superior position at market area (Anderson, 2014).
Background of the report
Artificial Intelligence mainly belongs to the area of computer science whose major work
emphasizes on developing intelligent machines which can work and behave like humans. This
includes some of the activities like speech recognition, learning, planning and problem solving.
Thus, AI is determined as a branch of science whose purpose is to create intelligent machines
through which problem solving can become easier (Ates and et. al., 2013). Therefore, Callsign is
one of the company that comes under Artificial Intelligence Start-ups in United Kingdom.
Services that are provided by this firm have been incorporated by big companies, banks,
financial institutions etc. Callsign has developed a software name deep learning algorithms
which go through hundred of data points in order to ensure that individual who is using the
devices is actually the same person or anybody else. For example: a criminal logged into an
account and wants to transfer some amount. Here, software developed by Callsign suspect and
notice the way individual had typed bank name if this doesn't match than the person become
suspicious. Therefore, algorithm will kick them out and lock the account (Barnes and Hunt,
2013). Other than this, different variable are also taken into consideration like location, time of
the days, what internet provider or browser is being used by a person etc.
Therefore, by using Artificial Intelligence, company can think of operating its business
more secure and services that are provided by Callsign can make things more secure and people
can get rid of traditional passwords.
Aim:
“To determine significance of Artificial Intelligence on developing productivity of
business. A case study on Callsign.”
Research Objectives:
 To identify the impact of artificial intelligence on HR policies and practices within
Callsign?
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 To identify the concept of Artificial Intelligence.
 To analyse role of Artificial Intelligence in increasing growth and productivity in
company.
 To determine different ways by which can organisation can implement Artificial
Intelligence.
 To ascertain different issues and challenges company can face during implementation of
Artificial Intelligence at workplace.
Research Questions
 What are the impact of artificial intelligence on HR policies and practices within
Callsign?
 What is the concept of Artificial Intelligence?
 How to analyse the role of Artificial Intelligence in order to increase growth and
productivity within the company?
 What are the ways to determine different ways by which can organisation can implement
Artificial Intelligence?
 What kind of different issues and challenges can company face during implementation of
Artificial Intelligence at workplace?
Questions that are mentioned above are effective and helpful in analysing and evaluating
a theoretical framework so that a valid conclusion can be derived. This will further assist
researcher in using collected data for analysing the strengths and limitations that are present in
the research. In addition to this, literature review was also used for making the report authentic
and reliable for analysing and making appropriate strategies for the organisation.
Literature review:
Literature review is an kind of narrative review or a scholarly paper that includes the
current knowledge and skills that includes various kinds of findings with theoretical and
methodological contribution for a subject matter.
What are the impact of artificial intelligence on HR policies and practices within Callsign?
How AI and machine learning will impact HR practices 2019, As per the view of
Anupam Jauhari, Due to evaluation of Tools and techniques various kinds of changes occurs in
human resource that are very much important. Artificial intelligence reshaping the methods to
hire and manage the workforce in various ways. The more data driven technology helps in
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making rapidly changes by focusing on the employee oriented corporate culture to remain
always worth ful in organisational development and enhancement. Recruitment and selection is
an kind of tedious activity for the Human resource practitioners so with help of modern
technology and by artificial intelligence they can select one of most competitive workforce.
Concept of Artificial Intelligence
According to Bayo-Moriones, Billón and Lera-López (2013), Artificial Intelligence over
the past 20 years had played a very crucial role in business and resulted in implementing some of
the amazing innovations for example: in the fields of medical research, autonomous vehicles etc.
In order to know the concept of Artificial Intelligence, it is crucial that a person knows about
three basic elements which are machine learning, deep learning and neutral learning (Artificial
Intelligence, 2018). Further, all three factors are explained below for better understanding:
Machine learning and application: These are concern with day-to-day activities like use
of G-mail, applications in smartphone etc. Thus, machine learning is a branch of Artificial
Intelligence which provides machines with an ample number of task through which goals and
objectives can be gained. For example: machine has given a task of image-recognition and after
analysing million of pictures, now machine will be capable of recognising different patterns,
shape etc.
Deep learning: This is determined as an another component of Artificial Intelligence as
deep learning analyse different perspectives and provides a insight of a particular field like how
artificial intelligence works. For example: after analysing and with the help of deep learning
computer scientist will develop a mechanism or software through which company can secure
their data and information (Brodie and Mylopoulos, 2012). Therefore, before implementing this
kind of Artificial Intelligence, it is crucial that company have proper knowledge about the same.
Neutral networks: This is inter related with deep learning or can be linked with the same.
Company who use this artificial intelligence mainly uses maths and computer science. Sophia, a
humanoid is the best example for this because she her human body constitutes codes or nodes.
Therefore, Artificial Intelligence can be used by many companies as depends upon the
requirements of organisation. As Callsign deals in cybersecurity for an example: Lloyd bank and
Deutsche bank are using Callsign's technology for providing better and secured experience of
online transactions by its clients.
Role of Artificial Intelligence in increasing growth and productivity in company
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According to a study, it has been evaluated that by the year 2035, Artificial Intelligence
will assist company in increasing its productivity by 40 percent (Chaffey, 2015). The concept of
Artificial Intelligence help company in enhancing manufacturer's bottom line with the help of
intelligent automation, innovation diffusion etc. There are some elements of Artificial
Intelligence that can assist firm in providing benefits to an organisation described as below:
 It will help company in making decision faster and appropriately, for example: for a
security purpose most of the enterprise can use services provided by Callsign in order
make their system secure and reliable. If firm find any kind of flaws than they can discuss
and formulate strategies in order to eliminated the same.
 With the help of Artificial Intelligence, company can secure its data that is not possible
by normal human process. For example: Lloyd Bank after implementing services
provided by Callsign now they have strong cybersecurity base which is protecting bank's
confidential data and information. Other than this, Artificial Intelligence assist companies in identifying issues and problems
which cannot be identified humans in an appropriate manner. Further this can assist firms
in analysing opportunities that are present in the market area.
Determine different ways by which can organisation can implement Artificial Intelligence
According to Chiang, Goes and Stohr, (2012), Artificial intelligence is a wide topic to
discuss and to understand as well. Company who are incorporating this system must have
appropriate knowledge so that they can explain to its employees for the same. Therefore,
different ways by which company can implement Artificial Intelligence are given below:
Virtual Assistance: This is determined as the basic way through which company can
introduce Artificial Intelligence. Most of the people have experience virtual assistance while
speaking into a phone or searching for basic questions for increasing knowledge. For example:
major companies are using chatbots which is a computer programming that helps in
communicating via auditory or textual methods. Although, it provides benefits but this can
further cause more issues (Colombo, Croce and Grilli, 2013). For example: customers are calling
for register their complaints but rather end up taking to a machine.
Generating insight: This helped in collecting data information which can be further use
for implementing strategies and action plan so that company can gain maximum benefits. As per
current market scenario, machine are assisting firm in maintaining a large number of data. For
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example: Software provided by Callsign can assist firm in analysing any illegal activities or
threats which are suspicious. This will further have assist company in eliminating problems
which can hamper business operations (Concept of Artificial Intelligence, 2018). Therefore,
Artificial iIntelligence will allow company in knowing any changed activity or behaviour which
will further improve security system of a firm.
Automation of Manual Process: Artificial Intelligence ease the way of working with
humans for example: automated restaurants which are run by robots like in Japan Shokkenki.
Therefore, this trend is very much in underway because these technologies are not assisting
company in performing its activities in a better manner but robots who are working can perform
work the whole day without any tea breaks. Another example for this can be taken is of
investment bank who can use Artificial Intelligence for compiling data and information which
are not found in standard database.
Unlocking Unstructured Data: In a company traditionally data that are available are in
structured form and are stored for getting better evaluating in future business operations. Other
than this, unstructured data covers a small area. Therefore, to unlock this unstructured data,
company can incorporate Artificial Intelligence for getting appropriate results from the same
(Gubbi and et. al., 2013).
Different issues and challenges company can face during implementation of Artificial
Intelligence at workplace
Artificial Intelligence provides a large number of opportunities to companies as they can
use it for recruitment and selection process to produce goods that are unique in nature. In relation
with Callsign, with the help of Artificial Intelligence, they are providing cybersecurity to its
clients which is enabling them in securing their privacy data of employees and customers as well.
Although, it gives benefits but their can be some limitations which can create issues while
implementing Artificial Intelligence in workplace. Some of the issues are stated below:
Lack of compute power: Artificial intelligence has made life easier for example:
company are using cloud computing and other processing programmes in order to increase
volume of data collection (Kannabiran and Dharmalingam, 2012). Therefore, if company doesn't
have appropriate facilities than they can find it difficult in executing plan of action and strategies
in a better manner.
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Building Trust: As per an analysis, it has been assumed that by 2030 Artificial
Intelligence will take over entire market and this can create problems for humans if they doesn't
understand of how to operate the same. For example: Callsign's Software which use algorithms
are basically linear maths but if the process will become complicated than it will develop a trust
issues and it can create problem understanding and using these Artificial Intelligence.
One-track minds: Some of the Artificial Intelligence that are used by companies are
highly specialised which means these are created in order to carry out a specific task. For this,
company stimulate consider different input values so as to get appropriate results and outcomes.
For example: in relation with humans, their minds look for different purposes while analysing an
issues and evaluating a proper solutions as well. Whereas Artificial Intelligence doesn't think of
this and works on one-mind track (Knight and Liesch, 2016).
Insufficient money: This can be a major concern if a company is small or medium as for
implementing Artificial Intelligence a large amount of money is required. In addition to this, its
maintenance cost is relatively higher as compared to other technologies. Therefore, if a company
who wants to introduce AI in their company, doesn't have ample amount of money than it can be
difficult for them for doing the same (Lee and Choi, 2013).
P2) Research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research.
Research Methodology:
Research Methodology is a process through which researcher collects data and
information so that a valid conclusion for the research can be evaluated. Company majorly
conduct this for making appropriate decisions in order to take their business in forward direction.
Further this, methodology includes interviews, publication, surveys and other different research
techniques. Therefore, to make research more authentic, different approaches is set that assist
investigator in setting up parameters so as to achieve the set targets and objectives in a limited
period of time. Thus, different kinds of approaches and factors are explained below for having
better understanding:
Qualitative Research: It is determined as a primary exploratory research which is used
for understanding opinions and motivations. In addition to this, it provides a researcher an insight
so that an investigator can develops an ideas and hypothesis for achieving potential outcomes.
Other than this, it is helpful in getting into thoughts into a deeper perspective so that effective
solutions can be derived. For conducting qualitative research, most of the company use
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unstructured or semi-structures techniques along with participative and observation methods.
Moreover in this, sample size which are taken are relatively small. Sample size for conducting
this research will be 50 which will be sufficient for doing this research.
Quantitative Research: This method is used in order to qualify problems by using
numerical data. As a result, it assist researcher in transforming information into statistical form
as this research is easier in explaining (Loebbecke and Picot, 2015). Therefore, quantitative
research uses measurable data so as to formulate facts and uncover different approaches in the
pattern in quantitative research. This methods includes online surveys, paper surveys, face-to-
face interviews etc.
Primary Method: This is considered as an proprietary research in which data are
collected by the researcher i.e. going into the market area. While collecting information, it is
determined as one of the best method as data that are gathered are trustworthy and reliable. In
addition to this, it assist company in making appropriate decisions and evaluating valid
conclusion for the given research topic. This can be conducted through questionnaires, surveys,
observation etc.
Secondary Method: In this, information are gathered through external sources like books,
magazines, newspapers, journals etc. It is used by a researcher as it is less time and cost
consuming techniques that also gives a high-quality of database which can be further
incorporated for making research reliable in order to achieve goals and objectives in a given
period of time. For example: if investigator wants to get governmental data for a topic than
researcher can use this method.
Data Sampling: Collecting information from large number of people is not possible so
investigator gather data from a subset of population. This is a process that is used for getting
substance from high number of population (Mazzarol, 2015). Further, it can depend on
probabilistic in which data are collected through random sampling as it gives appropriate results
with out any bias. Whereas non-probabilistic sampling doesn't provide equal chance to public of
being selected. While conducting this research, selected size is of 50 respondents which is
appropriate as per the concern because collecting information from large number of people is not
possible and these will be a subset from population. Therefore, for conducting this research
probabilistic sampling was being used.
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Limitations – There are several limitations faced by the researcher while conducting
research such as time management because there are there are several activities that require
proper time classification. Along with this, fund are most important part which must be managed
in effective manner as well as also required for conducting research. Artificial intelligence is
wide concept which require proper funds while implementation. Thus, sometimes limitation
faced by the researcher is also related to Fund.
Ethical consideration: There can be some kind of ethical issues which can be faced by
researcher while conducting this research. Thus, a proper plan and strategies can be made so that
things can be done in a systematic manner. Other than this, report must not show any kind of
biasses towards any kind of person or any community. The basic problem that can be faced by
investigator is of time and cost and to cope up with both the factor proper precautions were
taken. In addition to this, information that are collected must be kept confidential so that nobody
can misuse them.
TASK 2
P3) Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods and technique
Research is determined as a wide concept that is done in order to get adequate
information and knowledge in a specific field. If researcher wants that all the activities are done
in a better manner than it is crucial that information and data are collected in an appropriate way
so that a valid conclusion can be generated. For this research both primary and secondary
methods are used. Former one assist an individual in gathering information by their own
therefore, this is help researcher in getting authenticated information which are authentic and not
used by any other for their research. Whereas secondary method is less time consuming and in
this data can be collected through newspapers, books, journals and other sources. This is
determine as the easiest form for gathering information.
Henceforth, for conducting this research both primary and secondary methods are being
used. While going through this research, researcher goes with many issues and complications
and biggest problem were cost and time. Further, for more information these have been
explained below:
Cost and Time: This is considered as a key factor whether small or medium business
enterprise. Thus, it is required that investigator have adequate amount of money for performing
all the activities that are essential for performing the research in a better manner (Minelli,
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