Business Research Project: Environmental Factors Impact on Airbnb

This project proposal investigates the impact of environmental factors on Airbnb's business performance in the lodging industry. It identifies technological, political, and cultural factors as key influences. The research aims to determine the role of technology in improving business performance and growth, examining challenges faced during implementation and ways to overcome them. The methodology section outlines the research approach, including data collection methods and analysis techniques. The literature review discusses existing research, highlighting the significance of technology, political stability, and social environment on the lodging industry and Airbnb's operations. The proposal also includes ethical considerations and company consent forms, ensuring responsible research practices.

Index
Instructions.......................................................................................................................................... 3
1.The Proposal Template.................................................................................................................... 4
1. Ethical Review Form........................................................................................................................ 5
1.1Ethical Review Form: Part 1............................................................................................ 6
1.2Ethical Review Form: Part 2............................................................................................ 7
1.3Ethical Review Form: Part 3............................................................................................ 8
2.Company consent............................................................................................................................. 9
Appendix 1: Participant information sheet......................................................................................10
Appendix 2: Participant consent form.............................................................................................11
Appendix 3: Company consent form...............................................................................................12

Instructions
This document has three sections:
Section 1: The Proposal Template
Section 2: The Ethical Review Form (Parts A, B and C)
Section 3: Company Consent Form
All students are required to complete Sections 1 and 2, and together these form the Business
Research Project Proposal.
Only students who are conducting research directly with a company need to complete Section 3.
Important: If your research involves the use of human participants, you will need to complete the
Ethics Approval Form. Failure to complete the Ethics Approval Form, when required to do so, will
result in your work being returned unmarked. No research with human participants can be undertaken
without receiving Ethics Approval and achieving a pass grade on the proposal.
Before you submit this Proposal form, please make sure that you have:
Read the Business Research Project Handbook and follow all instructions.
Read the lecture and seminar materials in the Business Research Project module area in
Canvas.
Discussed your ideas with a Business Research Project seminar tutor. You can do this
face to face in the seminars or learning sets, or you can do this by email or through MS
Teams.
Discussed with a Business Research Project seminar tutor any questions you have about
Part 3 of the Ethics Approval Form (if required).
(If you are completing research directly with a company) Gained consent from the
company if you are conducting research on a company.
BRP Proposal Template 2021-22 Page 2

1. The Proposal Template
Use the following sections in your proposal. Once completed, delete the text with instructions, update
your headings (see the ‘Styles’ in the tab ‘Home’) and update your table of contents.
Student number [do NOT write your name]
Please state which tutor(s) you discussed your proposal with, and the forum you used
(e.g. face to face, email, MS Teams)
Title (maximum 20 words)
A title should summarise simply the main idea of the proposal. You may want to use a colon to separate the main idea and a
further explanation/elaboration of the main idea (e.g. ‘CSR: Does it influence consumers in the banking sector?)
An investigation into the impact of environmental factors on business performance of lodging
industry: A study on Airbnb
Terms of Reference (approx. 400 words)
Provide a rationale that explains your reason for selecting this area of study and why it is interesting and relevant.
Research rationale
The main reason of conducting the present investigation is to find out the impact of
environmental factors on the performance of business within lodging industry. This
assists in carrying out various advantages and disadvantages of environmental
factors in respect of taking out business activities. In the current present time, there
are many things that occur and have direct impact over different functions of
business.
There are many changes that occur especially in technology area so the
report clearly aims at carrying out relevant information. The current topic is of great
interest to me because technology is one of the factors that I believe have great
influence over company (Jung and et. al., 2021).
The report will help me in attaining my two objectives through two different
perspectives. As per my personal objective, I will understand that an individual
should always be ready for facing unforeseen situations. As per my professional
perspective, I will get to know about the extent of influence that creates advantages
and disadvantages to several business activities and functions. This will help me in
making decisions in my professional career in relation to changes happening in the
outside of the business.
State your research question and associated aim(s) and objectives i.e. what you want to achieve and how.
Research Aim
To identify the role of technological factors in improving business performance and growth
of lodging industry: A study on Airbnb
Research Objectives
 To study the environmental factors exist within lodging industry of the United
Kingdom.
 To determine the impact of technological factors on business performance
and growth of Airbnb.
 To examine the challenges that would be faced by Airbnb while implementing
technological factors
 To evaluate the ways that could be adopted by Airbnb for overcoming the
challenges associated with the implementation of technological factor?
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Research Questions
 What are the environmental factors existing within lodging of the United
Kingdom?
 What is the impact of technological factors on business performance and
growth of Airbnb?
 What are the challenges that would be faced by Airbnb while implementing
technological factors?
 What are the ways that could be adopted by Airbnb for overcoming the
challenges associated with the implementation of technological factor?
State the scope of your study: what will you include and what will you not include?
The scope of the present study is explaining the extent to which the study
area would be carried in the work and explains the parameters within the
investigation would be operating. The present investigation's scope is limited to the
factor technology within an organisation (POPȘA, 2019).
It covers the several problems related to the implementation of technology in
different activities of the organisation. This report will carry out in-depth information
by exploring the research questions and the various parameters in which would
operate in relation to the time frame and population. Books, journals, articles, survey
will be included and used to achieve defined aim and objectives.
Relation to previous research (approx. 1000 words)
Presents your preliminary review of existing literature from secondary sources. You should identify credible
texts/sources such as books, journal articles, business/industry reports, credible websites and any other online based
sources etc that are relevant to the topic and research area chosen. Identify and critically review some key themes and
theories relevant to your selected research area (topic). Use Harvard style for citations.
Literature review is referred as the chapter that covers information from secondary
sources such as journals, articles, newspapers, books etc. This focuses on filling the
gap in already published piece of information. This focuses on addressing the
defined research questions in given shorter time period.
What are the environmental factors exist within lodging of the United
Kingdom?
According to Ham and Chung (2021), there are many environmental factors that
have impact over lodging industry. There are three significant environmental factors
that have impact over the industry of lodging. These three factors include:
technological, political and cultural factor. Technology is defined as the factor that is
continuously developing. The lodging industry is directly affected by the changes in
technology. As new and advance technologies are available, organisation within the
industry gets pressure to adapt all the changes and if they do not adapt these they
get left behind. With the help of advance technology, the way lodging industry
advertise and promote has expanded.
Advertising with the assistance of social media allows customers of lodging
industry to get familiar with the prices and other offers provided by them. The other
significant environmental factor i.e. political factor also has impact over lodging
industry of the United Kingdom. If Government imposes any ban on the travelling of
people, then this hurts the industry immediately as it decreases demand of
accommodation (Larpin and et. al., 2019).
On the other hand, if country has welcoming political gesture then this assists
in helping the growth and success of the lodging industry (Sprague, R., 2020).
Government initiatives and political stability are important for the development of the
lodging industry. Government of the United Kingdom in the year 2019 announced
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new deal dubbed as Tourism Sector Dear which provides commitment of building
new hotel rooms. The country United Kingdom is known as the politically stable
country that positively favours the lodging industry's growth. This certain growth
further fuelled by the initiatives of the Government. Social environment is another
significant factor that has impact over lodging industry. Younger generation is quite
interested in improving their social life as well as travelling; therefore, increasing
demand for lodging industry. Airbnb has reported that there is increasing demand
long-terms stays in their hotels (Albarea and et. al., 2020).
What is the impact of technological factors on business performance and
growth of Airbnb?
According to Lorde and Joseph (2019), Airbnb is the organisation that gives
short-term lease, lodging and rent services. It is basically known as cheaper hotel
alternative. There are quite average people take benefits of Airbnb business model.
They simply rent out spare rooms for tourists, guests and earn great amount in
reward. The organisation growth is quite amazing and great in the recent years.
Technology is referred as the connection between several communities all around
the globe. Airbnb uses technology for connecting with large number of people.
Visitors could easily download applications and website for making many bookings.
This kind of business model is totally depending upon ratings and reviews. A
bad view could hurt the reputations of the hosts. Some bad reviews and the
company can be out of the business. Airbnb has become fully automated and assists
the tenants and hosts to get linked in a positive way (Dann, Teubner and Weinhardt,
2019). This helps customers to get easily connected and linked with the organisation
and have positive impact over growth and business performance of Airbnb. This
organisation also uses messaging system for verifying personal profiles of hosts and
guests.
What are the challenges that would be faced by Airbnb while implementing
technological factors?
According to Heo and Blengini (2019), it is identified that implementation of new and
advance technology is not an easier task because it requires great amount of
investment as well as longer time period. Adoption of new and advance technologies
is not an easier task as Airbnb faces challenge in forming and creating great amount
of budget. This involves great amount of funds for getting appropriate technologies.
The other major challenge is researching about the various available alternatives
(Geissinger, Laurell and Sandström, 2020).
It consumes larger period of time to select technology from different available
alternatives. The other serious challenge for Airbnb is rigidity of employees because
they do not get comfortable to operate with the new technologies due to their lack of
knowledge and awareness (Sung, Kim and Lee, 2018). This makes company to suffer
and this ultimately wastes their time as well as most important resource i.e. funds.
What are the ways that could be adopted by Airbnb for overcoming the
challenges associated with the implementation of technological factor?
According to Nathan and et. al., (2020), it is determined that there are many challenges
faced by Airbnb in the procedure of implementation of technological factors. Some of
the ways that can be adopted by Airbnb to overcome the challenges related with the
process of execution of technological factors are: training and development sessions
for employees, forming appropriate budget team, forming research and development
team etc. Training and development is one of the effective ways because this will
make them learn about the significance of adopting technologies (Anwar, 2018).
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This also includes explaining the requirement of advance technology for
carrying out functions and activities in easier manner. In these sessions they get
understanding that this is beneficial for the company as well as for them. The other
significant way is apt team of research and development team, this team helps in
finding out the various technologies innovated in the market (Kuzmanović and
Langović, 2018). This also assists in identifying the technologies that are relevant for
taking out business and operations of Airbnb. This will ultimately help organisation to
save their precious time as well as financial resources for carrying out some other
significant business operations.
Methodology (approx. 600 words)
Provide an overview of the methodology you propose to use as the basis for the research project design and justify your
choices. The following areas are normally covered in the structure of the methodology chapter: research methodology (i.e.
qualitative or quantitative or mixed), sampling, data collection methods, data analysis methods you are planning to use, ethical
considerations, limitations. Do not describe everything you know about methodology – specify your choices and explain why
you made them.
Research methodology is the section that gives certain research methods for
accumulating data in shorter time duration. Some of the research methods that will
be used in the current investigation are:
Research Philosophy: Research philosophy is the methodology that assists in the
procedure of evaluation of information in the minimum period of time. The philosophy
is basically relied upon three main parts: epistemology, ontology and realism (Pandey
and Pandey, 2021).
Investigator will choose epistemology so that positivism philosophy could be
considered. Positivism philosophy is appropriate when there is need to evaluate
assemble numeric information and it is scientific approach for attaining objectives
with numeric information (Bairagi and Munot, 2019).
Research Approach: Research Approach is the other quite important methodology
that accommodates in the measurement of statistical piece of information. The
approach has three important types: inductive, deductive and abductive approach
(Kumar, 2018).
Deductive approach would be used by investigator because it facilitates in
measuring numerical piece of information in minimum period of time. The deductive
approach will accommodate in measuring numeric piece of information and primary
piece of information (Dźwigoł, 2018).
Research Strategy: Research strategy is the explained as the methodology
because it accommodates in assembling data in relation to the topic. There are
many strategies are that include action research, grounded theory, survey, interview,
case study and so on (Snyder, 2019).
Survey will be used by researcher because it assists in assembling first hand
data and statistical piece of information. Survey will facilitate in assembling statistical
data in the short time duration (Ragab and Arisha, 2018).
Research Choice: Research choice is the type of methodology which provides form
of information that required to be accumulated. The choice is of two parts that are:
mono method, mixed method and multi-mixed method. Investigator will select mono
method because it provides two significant forms that are: quantitative and
qualitative research choice. Investigator will select quantitative research choice
because it concentrates on assembling quantitative data and analysing accumulated
assembled data (Clarke and Visser, 2019).
Data Collection: Data collection is the methodology that gives particular types for
assembling information according to the topic. Data collection has two main kinds
that are: primary and secondary data collection. Researcher will take help of primary
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and secondary data collection because it facilitates in assembling information from
different sources (Ørngreen and Levinsen, 2017).
Primary data collection will assist in collection of raw data from the instrument
called questionnaire. This is very great method because it accommodates in carrying
out new data on the selected topic. On the other hand, secondary data collection will
assist in carrying out second-hand and used data from several sources such as
books, articles, newspapers, journals etc. Hence, both the methodologies are great
for the collection of raw as well as used piece of information (Davidavičienė, 2018).
Sampling: Sampling is the methodology that helps investigator to choose certain
number of respondents. This has two major kinds that include: probability and non-
probability sampling. Researcher will take assistance of probability sampling and for
this 40 employees will be chosen because they have great information about the
influence caused to organisation due to environmental factors (Säfsten, K. and
Gustavsson, M., 2020).
Timeline
Use a Gantt Chart (or similar) to show your research project activities and timescales.
Gantt chart is referred as the chart that clearly includes and highlights activities with
their proper time duration. This is the chart that aligns activities with the time required
for attaining the defined aim and objectives. There are two sections in the chart, one
clearly explains the activities to be undertaken with apt time duration.
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References
A full list of texts cited in this proposal, plus any additional ones you will be using Use Harvard style for both citations and
reference list.
Jung and et. al., 2021. Exploration of Sharing Accommodation Platform Airbnb Using an
Extended Technology Acceptance Model. Sustainability, 13(3), p.1185.
Ham, J. and Chung, N., 2021. The role of perceived technology and consumers’ personality
traits for trust transfer in airbnb. In Information and Communication Technologies
in Tourism 2021 (pp. 128-133). Springer, Cham.
Lorde, T. and Joseph, T.S., 2019. Airbnb, technological change and disruption in
Barbadian tourism: a theoretical framework. Third World Quarterly, 40(12),
pp.2190-2209.
Heo, C.Y. and Blengini, I., 2019. A macroeconomic perspective on Airbnb’s global
presence. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 78, pp.47-49.
Nathan and et. al., 2020. Tourists’ use of Airbnb app for visiting a historical
city. Information Technology & Tourism, 22(2), pp.217-242.
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
Ragab, M.A. and Arisha, A., 2018. Research methodology in business: A starter’s
guide. Management and Organizational Studies, 5(1), pp.1-14.
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Clarke, E. and Visser, J., 2019. Pragmatic research methodology in education: possibilities
and pitfalls. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 42(5),
pp.455-469.
Säfsten, K. and Gustavsson, M., 2020. Research methodology: for engineers and other
problem-solvers.
Davidavičienė, V., 2018. Research Methodology: An Introduction. In Modernizing the
Academic Teaching and Research Environment (pp. 1-23). Springer, Cham.
Larpin and et. al., 2019. An analysis of regional developments of Airbnb in Switzerland:
Insights into growth patterns of a P2P platform. In Information and
Communication Technologies in Tourism 2019 (pp. 92-103). Springer, Cham.
Albarea and et. al., 2020. Assessing crucial variables for consumer choice in sharing
economy accommodation sector. Airbnb in north east Italy. International Journal
of Digital Culture and Electronic Tourism, 3(2), pp.129-147.
Sprague, R., 2020. Are Airbnb Hosts Employees Misclassified as Independent
Contractors?. U. Louisville L. Rev., 59, p.63.
Dann, D., Teubner, T. and Weinhardt, C., 2019. Poster child and guinea pig–insights from
a structured literature review on Airbnb. International Journal of Contemporary
Hospitality Management.
Sung, E., Kim, H. and Lee, D., 2018. Why do people consume and provide sharing
economy accommodation?—A sustainability perspective. Sustainability, 10(6),
p.2072.
Geissinger, A., Laurell, C. and Sandström, C., 2020. Digital Disruption beyond Uber and
Airbnb—Tracking the long tail of the sharing economy. Technological Forecasting
and Social Change, 155, p.119323.
Kuzmanović, M. and Langović, Z., 2018, May. Factors Affecting Online Booking Intention
and Behavior: the Case of AIRBNB. In Tourism International Scientific
Conference Vrnjačka Banja-TISC (Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 132-151).
Anwar, S.T., 2018. Growing global in the sharing economy: Lessons from Uber and
Airbnb. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 37(6), pp.59-68.
POPȘA, E.R., 2019. SHARING ECONOMY--A CHALLENGE FOR THE HOTEL
INDUSTRY. CASE STUDY: AIRBNB. Revista Economica, 71(2).
Ørngreen, R. and Levinsen, K., 2017. Workshops as a Research Methodology. Electronic
Journal of E-learning, 15(1), pp.70-81.
Snyder, H., 2019. Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and
guidelines. Journal of business research, 104, pp.333-339.
Kumar, R., 2018. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage.
Pandey, P. and Pandey, M.M., 2021. Research Methodology Tools and Techniques.
Dźwigoł, H., 2018. Scientific research methodology in management sciences. Фінансово-
кредитна діяльність: проблеми теорії та практики, (2), pp.424-437.
Appendices (optional)
You are not necessarily required to include any appendices. However, if necessary to include any, you may provide draft
questionnaires, large tables, long lists, diagrams/images, illustrations and/or graphs etc that cannot be included in the
main body of the proposal.
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2. Ethical Review Form
This form is designed to ensure that the Bloomsbury Institute London operates an ethical review
process that falls within the University of Northampton Research Ethics Procedure and the Guidance
on Ethics for Researchers.
All students need to fill in this form; however, you may only need to complete Part 1 (see explanation
below).
The Ethical Review Form consists of 3 parts:
Part 1 is an initial assessment of your project. The question is asking you whether you will
be conducting empirical research for your Business Research Project. Your
methodology may involve the collection of primary data through questionnaires,
interviews and observations etc. or you may be conducting ‘desk based research’ i.e.
only using secondary research data.
If you are only using secondary research data, you will not need to complete Parts 2 or 3
of the form.
If your research involves human participants, i.e. you are collecting primary data, you have
to complete Part 2 of the form.
If your answer is no to all the questions in Part 2, ethics approval is automatic and
providing you receive a pass grade for your proposal you may continue with your
study.
If your answer is yes to any of the questions in Part 2, you need to fill in Part 3 of this form.
You should discuss this with a tutor prior to submission of your proposal.
Upon submission, your proposal will be graded and then reviewed by the Head of
Research/Ethics Committee. You will be informed of the decision, together with any
comments, as soon as possible. You may be asked to provide a fuller report and a
meet with the Ethics Committee.
If the committee finds it difficult to make a decision, we may pass this on to the University
of Northampton Research Ethics Committee. However, in the vast majority of cases,
we hope to resolve any issues.
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2.1 Ethical Review Form: Part 1
Part 1 needs to be completed by all Business Research Project students.
Please read the following two statements and place an X in the area indicated for the statement that
most accurately represents your research intentions.
Student Statement Insert X Student Action
Statement 1
I have read the above information. I
confirm that my research does not
include study on human participants.
You do not need to complete Part 2
of this form. Ethics approval is not
required.
Statement 2
I have read the above information. I
confirm that my research does
involve the study on human
participants.
Please proceed to complete Part 2
of this form.
Proposals that are submitted without the completed Ethical Review Form will not be graded.
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2.2 Ethical Review Form: Part 2
Part 2 only needs to be completed if you put a cross against Statement 2 in Part 1 above.
Yes No
I have prepared a participant information sheet (including information on secure data
storage), and submitted it in Appendix 1.  
I have prepared a participant consent form (including information on right to withdraw
from the study), and submitted it in Appendix 2.  
If you have put a cross No for either of the above, please note that your final Research Project will
have to include a participant information sheet and a participant consent form.
Please answer all of these questions by ticking yes or no in the box provided.
Yes No
1.
Does the study involve participants who are particularly vulnerable or unable to
give informed consent? (e.g. people under the age of 18, people with learning
disabilities, students you teach or assess)  
2.
Will it be necessary for participants to take part in the study without their
knowledge and consent at the time?  
3. Does the study involve audio or visual recording of people in public places?
 
4.
Will the study involve the discussion of sensitive topics? (e.g. sexual activity, drug
use, illegal activities, death, whistleblowing)  
5.
Are drugs, placebos or other substances to be given to the study participants or
will the study involve invasive, intrusive or potentially harmful procedures of any
kind?  
6.
Does your study involve a topic that would be considered ‘sensitive’ (age, culture,
race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic standing, or religion)?  
7.
Is physical pain or psychological stress from the proposed project likely to cause
harm or negative consequences beyond the risks in normal life?  
8.
Does the study involve groups or materials that may be construed as terrorist or
extremist?  
9. Will financial inducements (other than expenses) be offered to participants?
 
10.
Does the study involve the collection of data that is not anonymised (contains
identifying information such as name and address)?  
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, please fill in Part 3.
BRP Proposal Template 2021-22 Page 12

2.3 Ethical Review Form: Part 3
Part 3 only needs to be completed if you ticked Yes for any of the statements in Part 2 above.
2.3.1 Explanation of intent to address ethical issues
Please provide an explanation of how you intend to address the ethical issues raised in Part 2.
You will need to do this in consultation with a Business Research Project tutor. Please identify which
tutor you discussed these issues with, and how the discussion took place.
BRP Proposal Template 2021-22 Page 13

Tutor’s name:
How discussions took place:
Explanation of how you intend to address the ethical issues raised in Part 2:
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3. Company consent
Print off this form and gain the required signature. You then need to scan the page and insert it as an
image in Appendix 3.
Alternatively, the company may choose to give you a signed consent document of their own, which
you will need to scan and insert in Appendix 3.
Consent from the host Company
Student Name: _______________________________________
Student ID number: _______________________________________
I consent to the aforementioned named student carrying out research on company premises
or in relation to this Company.
Senior Manager Name: _______________________________________
Senior Manager Signature: _______________________________________
Host Company Name: _______________________________________
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Appendix 1: Participant information sheet
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Appendix 2: Participant consent form
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Appendix 3: Company consent form
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