E-commerce Impact on Business Success: eBay Case Study Project

This research proposal investigates the impact of e-commerce on business success, with a specific focus on eBay as a case study. The study aims to determine the importance of e-commerce for business growth and development, analyze the relationship between e-commerce tools and profitability, and identify challenges associated with implementing advanced technologies. The proposal outlines research objectives, questions, and the rationale for selecting this topic, emphasizing the increasing role of e-commerce in the modern business environment. It includes a review of relevant literature, a detailed plan of activities and timescales, and a description of the research approach and methodologies, including the use of a qualitative approach. The proposal also addresses ethical considerations, including informed consent and data security. The student plans to use a qualitative approach to analyze the benefits of e-commerce and the challenges businesses face when adopting it. The research will involve data analysis and questionnaires, with ethical approvals in place, ensuring data security and participant confidentiality.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Aim
To determine importance of e-commerce on business success” and it is a
case study on eBay
Research objectives
To analyse the importance of e commerce for growth and development of
business.
To determine the relationship between e commerce tools and maximising
profitability of firms.
To analyse the major challenges which are faced by business by
implementing advanced technologies.
Research Questions
Q 1. What are the importance of E-commerce for growth and development
of business?
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Q 2. How E-commerce tools can help eBay in maximising its profitability?
Q 3. What are the main barriers that can be faced by eBay while
implementing advanced technology in business operations?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
E-commerce is beneficial for a firm to improve its business activities.
Digital tools helps in expanding business operations all around the globe.
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are
studying, personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to
improve, why the topic is important):
In current time period, the ecommerce play an important role in the
regular life of an individual. Internet is providing change to the great
manner in easier manner to the country people. Most of the businessman
are adopting ecommerce sites which attracting large number of
customers towards their services and goods at market place in better
manner. With the enhancing in the number of users of internet so the
business men must not leave the single chance to achieving their targets
and goals. In the online world the business companies are drive their
customers so that they are targeting by compelling websites in proper
manner.
According to Fitzgerald and et. al., (2014), under global business
environment, it is hard for firms to open their physical stores in every
single country because it asks high investments. Therefore, e-commerce
system has helped companies in doing business all around globe where
they can offer products and services and delivers them to people who are
sitting in different nations. In order to sustain in modern digitalised
market it is very much required for managers to keep on going through
with different tools that are related to e-commerce so that to execute all
operations of eBay in effective manner.
As per viewpoint of Leeflang and et. al., (2014), there are ample number
of external and internal barriers present at marketplace which can create
problems for organisations while getting digitalised or they can also
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delay the process of applying new and updated technology at workstation.
EBay organisation has great name in all over world because it delivers
quality products and services to consumers at their homes right on time
and these goods which are being provided by them stays authenticated.
But, it has been located that this firm also deals with many issues which
ultimately reduce both productivity and profitability at the same time.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective
or hypothesis:
Leeflang, P. S. and et. al., 2014. Challenges and solutions for marketing in a
digital era. European management journal. 32(1). pp.1-12.
Fitzgerald, M. and et. al., 2014. Embracing digital technology: A new strategic
imperative. MIT sloan management review. 55(2). p.1.
Matt, C., Hess, T. and Benlian, A., 2015. Digital transformation strategies.
Business & Information Systems Engineering. 57(5). pp.339-343.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project
(e.g research, development and analysis of ideas,
writing, data collection, numerical analysis, tutor
meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation,
writing the report):
 Research proposal
 Determining research aims and objectives
 Prepare research questions
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Questionnaire
 Data analysis
 Conclusion
 Recommendations
 Final submission
How long this
will take:
7 days
8 days
7 days
14 days
7days
8 days
10 days
7 days
14 days
82 Days
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Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use
and why?
Qualitative approach because the topic which has been chosen by the
researcher will pull out favourable outcomes only using this research
method.
What your areas of research will cover:
Benefits of E-commerce and challenges faced by companies while
adopting it.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted
for another qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
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Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date
Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected form
human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit tutor. Please
complete this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.
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Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
“To determine importance of e-commerce on business success and
growth”. A case study on eBay.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
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Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it
be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at
any time?
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting
questions that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for
their informed consent to be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a
brief explanation of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This
could be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes No
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Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with
the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
I will be keeping data secured and will not share with any other student.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be carried on my laptop.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be uploaded on the portal
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may
arise because of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may
apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
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 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including
transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and
Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit
Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the
ethical issues that may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to
your supervisor only
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