A Study of Digital Technology's Impact on Small Business Growth at M&S

This report investigates the impact of digital technology on small business growth and innovation within the retail industry, using Marks & Spencer (M&S) as a case study. The study begins with an introduction highlighting the significance of digital technology in enhancing business operations and competitiveness. The report includes a project management plan covering cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resources, alongside a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart. Small-scale research, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, is conducted to gather primary and secondary data. The report then delves into data analysis, using appropriate tools and techniques, leading to recommendations for successful digital technology implementation. The research also explores the interrelationship between digital technology and small business growth, with a focus on factors supporting growth and innovation within M&S. The study culminates in a reflection on the value of research, project management, and decision-making processes, along with critical evaluations of project outcomes, providing a comprehensive overview of how digital technology can drive business success. The report provides an in-depth analysis of how the business can implement digital tools effectively.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Aim and objectives................................................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan which covers cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and
resources......................................................................................................................................2
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart...........................................................................3
M1 Milestone schedule and project schedule.............................................................................6
D1 Project management process.................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Small scale research with qualitative and quantitative research methods.............................6
M2 Accuracy and reliability of different research methods........................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Research and data with using appropriate tools and techniques............................................8
P6 Appropriate recommendations from data analysis and draw meaningful...........................16
M3 Tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity that support to justify
recommendations......................................................................................................................17
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................17
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking research and meet stated objectives with own learning
and performance........................................................................................................................17
M4 Value of the project management process and use of quality research..............................17
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect project management outcomes with decision-making
process and changes..................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Gantt chart.................................................................................................................4
Illustration 2: Network plan.............................................................................................................5
Illustration 3: Work break down structure.......................................................................................5

Topic: The impact of digital technology in supporting small business growth and innovation at
M&S.
INTRODUCTION
Digital technology defines as implementation of advance tools and techniques which
increase positive results with certain measurement and business development. With this regard,
in the enterprise tangible and intangible benefits assists to produce positive results as per
customer demand. Technological infrastructure also creates impact on culture, efficiency and
relationship maintenance (Srivastava, 2017).
Present study based on Marks and Spencer, which deals in retail sector operations in UK.
They consist operations in food, fashion, etc. to develop more significant advantages in different
areas of the world. In addition to, this firm also assists to deal with commercial and consumer
landscape that changes continuously with available devices (Digital technology implementation,
2018).
Present study conducts to implement digital technology in retail sector businesses. As a
result, functions and operations regularly increases in selected enterprise to gain competitive
outcomes as per market trends. Along with this, report also contains project management plan
with different tools and techniques that are applied in the present research. Moreover, it includes
small scale research with primary and secondary data to draw meaningful results.
TASK 1
P1 Aim and objectives
Background
In the business, digital technology helps to increase effectiveness by using different tools
and techniques to gain significant advantages. This is because, it assists to understand about cash
flow needs and preserve accurate resources with time and physical space. In Marks and Spencer,
effective and advanced technology is implemented that increase productivity and profitability. It
creates team dynamics in the enterprise because employees exist in different location to create
better interactions (Petković, Pindžo and Agić-Molnar, 2018). In the modern time, security must
be maintained by using digital technology to take appropriate decisions and gain desired results.
Consequently, it assists to focus on gathering appropriate information to build competitive
1

advantages. Technological capacity also helps to conduct research and increase competitive
results at workplace.
Rationale
In competitive environment, there are innovations and creativity continuously increasing
which helps to expand business operations in new areas. As a result, every enterprise copes up
with advanced tools and techniques that assists to meet desired results (Technology
implementation, 2018). In business model, digital connections develop successfully with
systems, people, etc. In the market, customer demand changes as per latest trends so that present
research conducted to implement digital technology to increase results as per latest trends and
demand. As a result, advance tools helps to gain appropriate results in business development to
continuously build effective functioning Moreover, in order to gain significant advantages retail
sector continuously grow (Katz, Koutroumpis and Martin Callorda, 2014). Along with this, it
also helps to grow operations to maintain effectiveness as per market trends and demands.
Aim and objectives
Aim: To identify impact of digital technology to support small business growth and innovation
in retail industry – A Case Study on Marks and Spencer.
Objectives
 To understand the concept of digital technology towards retail industry.
 To identify factors of digital technology to support small business growth and innovation
in Marks and Spencer.
 To explore interrelationship between digital technology and small business growth and
innovation in the chosen business. To recommend ways through digital technological tools can be implemented successfully
in Marks and Spencer.
Research question
 What do you understand by the concept of digital technology concerned to retail
industry?
 What are the factors of digital technology to support small business growth and
innovation in Marks and Spencer?
2

 How to explore interrelationship between digital technology and small business growth
and innovation in the chosen business?
P2 Project management plan which covers cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and
resources
In the project management plan, there are several elements included which assists to
develop more creativity and effectiveness. They are as follows: Cost: In order to conduct present study, researcher requires certain amount through which
appropriate functioning can be built successfully. They require around £580 to make
appropriate project management plan. It also assists to regulate systematic work with
digital technology implementation (Vendrell-Herrero, Parry and Sanchez-Montesinos,
2018). Scope: With this regard, retail sector can easily promote operations to attain competitive
advantages as per latest market trends. Furthermore, it also contains appropriate research
study which helps to increase other studies related with digital technology. Time: In the present research, total 35 days are required to find appropriate and valid
conclusions (Niehm, Hurst and Tan, 2015). Quality: Data and information must be qualitative so that reliability can be maintained. In
other words, all information must be kept with accuracy and authenticity so that it
develops appropriate functioning at workplace. Communication: Furthermore, investigator and respondents requires appropriate
communication so that desired results can be achieved. This is because, transparent
communication helps to share ideas and opinions in a positive perspective (Caro and
Martínez-de-Albéniz, 2015). Risk: Due to limited time and money, researcher has risk to implement valid and
appropriate conclusion. As a result, researcher need to select options to reduce this
problem to collect appropriate data and information.
 Resources: With this regard, researcher requires tools and techniques to implement valid
outcomes in appropriate manner. Hence, technical, physical and financial resources must
be required to operate functioning in whole study (Thaivalappil and et.al., 2018).
3

P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Task
Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Auto
Schedule
d
Initial phase 1 day Mon 9/24/18 Mon 9/24/18
Auto
Schedule
d
Setting goals and
objectives 9 days Tue 9/25/18 Fri 10/5/18 1
Auto
Schedule
d
Adequate resources 2 days Mon 10/8/18 Tue 10/9/18 2
Auto
Schedule
d
Primary and secondary
data 4 days Wed 10/10/18 Mon 10/15/18 2,3
Auto
Schedule
d
Data collection 7 days Tue 10/16/18 Wed 10/24/18 3,4
Auto
Schedule
d
Analysis of data 3 days Thu 10/25/18 Mon 10/29/18 4,5
Auto
Schedule
d
Evaluation 2 days Tue 10/30/18 Wed 10/31/18 5,6
Auto
Schedule
d
Feedback from mentor 3 days Thu 11/1/18 Mon 11/5/18 6,7
Auto
Schedule
d
Final submission 5 days Thu 11/1/18 Wed 11/7/18 7
4

Illustration 1: Gantt chart
Illustration 2: Network plan
5

Illustration 3: Work break down structure
M1 Milestone schedule and project schedule
In the present research, Gantt chart considers different activities and tasks to accomplish
aims and objectives. Major perspective in milestone is collection of appropriate data so that
researcher can concentrate on accomplishment of desired results in a systematic way.
D1 Project management process
In the project management process, there are some information and data gathered with
necessary steps. Moreover, in the project includes cost, scope, communication, etc. that assists to
create appropriate plan in the present research. It aids to collect more reliable information from
different tools and techniques (Caro and Martínez-de-Albéniz, 2015).
TASK 2
P4 Small scale research with qualitative and quantitative research methods
With respect to conduct appropriate research, different techniques and perspectives are
included in the research which will be applied in qualitative and quantitative methods. Introduction: In order to conduct research, it can be stated that digital technology
implementation determines successful functions at workplace. With this regard, Marks
6

and Spencer can implement digital technological software to gain desired results.
Moreover, it also assists to conduct further studies which are related with present topic.
As a result, it helps to understand qualitative and quantitative research methods. Research philosophy: Research philosophy assists to gather, analysis and using of data as
belief. This term encompasses with different philosophies in research approach. In
present study, interpretivisim research philosophy has been taken by researcher because,
it contains subjective interpretation into particular reality. Research based on small
sample to gain in-depth knowledge so that it provides valid conclusion in present study
(Thaivalappil and et.al., 2018). There are generally two types of philosophies such as
positivism and interpretivisim. However, positivism research philosophy is not useful for
present study because it requires highly structured and large samples. Research design: Research design contains arrangement of conditions from descriptive
measurement from case study, observation, survey, etc. In the present study, descriptive
design is selected because it helps to find in-depth information from data analysis. Apart
from this, there are other research designs also exist such as exploratory, descriptive,
explanatory and evaluation. All these designs are not suitable for the present research
topic. This is because, it not determines clear understanding and drawing appropriate
results (Hunneman, Verhoef and Sloot, 2017). Research strategy: Research strategy contains step by step plan of actions which assists
to give direction with several efforts. It enables to work systematically on the basis of
schedule. Hence, researcher has two options such as qualitative and quantitative. Present
study is based on qualitative strategy which contains method of inquiry to develop
perception. This investigation strategy is undertaken because it helps to increase initial
understanding towards research with opinion and views of different respondents.
However, quantitative strategy is not useful because it is based on tested hypothesis and
numerical data. Research approach: Research approach contain hypothesis with present research topic
and study. With the help of deductive approach, data used and formulate in appropriate
manner which process to find impact of digital technology. As a result, researcher contain
implementation of theory, setting hypothesis, assess observation test for confirmation or
rejection. Apart from this, there are two other research approaches such as inductive and
7

abductive. Inductive approach does not include formulation of hypothesis in a successful
manner but it is also starts with questions to find results with aim and objectives
(Research Approach, 2018). Abductive research include processes that is appropriately
devoted on the basis of observation, facts, etc. Data collection: In the research study, data collection is implemented with desired and
appropriate information which can be gathered from authentic sources. It includes variety
of techniques that are used to collect appropriate data and information for valid
conclusions. Present study considers questionnaires which helps to gather primary data
through conducting appropriate survey. It is the easiest way to generate results through
data collection (Foss and Saebi, 2017). Apart from this, there are several other methods
for data collection such as interviews, observation, focus group, etc. These methods are
not suitable for present research because it does not contain appropriate findings. On the
other hand, secondary information is also useful which can be gathered from secondary
tools. For instance, using books, journals, articles, etc. Data analysis: In data analysis, researcher implements inspecting, cleansing,
transforming and modelling information. Researcher undertakes qualitative data so that it
assists to describe characteristics in an appropriate manner. In the present research, it is
pursued with thematic analysis that supports ideas and opinions to develop significant
advantages.
 Sampling: Sampling is the process which used to select samples and implement method
to represent whole population. There are two methods considered that contains
appropriate functioning to draw valid conclusions. Probabilistic and non-probabilistic are
two methods generally implemented to target whole population (Rohani and Chua, 2018).
In the present research, probabilistic method has been selected in which simple random
sampling is determined with several benefits. For the present study, there are 20 sample
size which has been selected that are employees of M&S.
M2 Accuracy and reliability of different research methods
All elements of research methodology help to collect accurate and reliable data in a
systematic manner. It assists to develop significant advantages with appropriate implementation
of digital technology. It also ensures that all data are reliable because it is collected from
8

authenticated sources which would help to find appropriate and valid conclusions from the whole
study.
TASK 3
P5 Research and data analysis using appropriate tools and techniques
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1. Does digital technology helps to develop high growth and development in Marks and
Spencer?
 Yes
 No
 Cannot say
2. In the retail industry what benefit accompl with implementation of digital technology at
workplace?
 More customer attraction
 Maintain security
 Increase online activities
 Sales and growth
 All the above
3. Which is the most suitable aspect of implementation of digital technology?
 Facebook
 Instagram
 Twitter
 All the above
4. Which factor create major impact in respect to implement digital technology at workplace?
 Demographic factors
 Behavioural factors
 Psycho graphic factors
 All the above
9

5. What is suitable method to implement digital technology in positive context in the Marks and
Spencer?
 Online payment
 Online forms for collection of customer information
 Media rich content
 Optimised website
6. What is main benefit of using digital technology in the retail sector?
 Reduce operation cost
 Reduce transaction time
 Employee satisfaction
 Improvement in goods and services
7. Does digital technology useful perspective to reduce expenditure of retail sector business?
 Yes
 No
 Cannot say
Theme 1 Digital technology is useful element to make high growth and development in
Marks and Spencer
1. Does digital technology helps to develop
high growth and development in Marks and
Spencer?
Frequency
Yes 15
No 3
Cannot say 2
10

Interpretation: From the above analysis, 15 respondents said that digital technology helps to
make high growth and profitability in business. Moreover, there are 2 respondents interpreted
that there is no development with digital technology so that business has requirement of it.
Consequently, it can be defined that Marks and Spencer will grow with using advanced tools and
techniques.
Theme 2 All the above elements in the retail industry create benefits with digital technology
implementation
2. In the retail industry what benefit
accompl with implementation of digital
technology at workplace?
Frequency
More customer attraction 2
Maintain security 1
Increase online activities 1
Sales and growth 1
All the above 15
11
15
3
2
Yes
No
Cannot say

Interpretation: In present graph, 15 respondents stated that all the above benefits occur in retail
industry with using digital technology at workplace. It increases significant advantages to attract
more customers, reduce expenses, increase online activities, etc.
Theme 3 All the above perspectives are more suitable aspect of digital technology
3. Which is the most suitable aspect of
implementation of digital technology?
Frequency
Facebook 1
Instagram 2
Twitter 1
All the above 16
12
21
1
1
15
More customer
attraction
Maintain security
Increase online
activities
Sales and growth
All the above

Interpretation: In the present graph, it can be interpreted that 16 respondents said that
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, all these perspectives helps to implement digital technology in
retail sector. This is because, it assists to gain significant advantages with continuously
development and competing other businesses.
Theme 4 All factors impact on business to implement digital technology at workplace.
4. Which factor create major impact in
respect to implement digital technology at
workplace?
Frequency
Demographic factors 1
Behavioural factors 1
Psychographic factors 1
All the above 17
13
1
2
1
16
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
All the above

Interpretation: In the above graph, it can be interpreted that 17 respondents said all factors such
as demographic, psychographic and behavioural creates impact to implement digital technology
at workplace. In this regard, the chosen business should promote their effectiveness to measure
and draw valid outcomes in positive context.
Theme 5 Online payment is suitable method that implemented by digital technology in
positive consideration within Marks and Spencer
5. What is suitable method to implement
digital technology in positive context in the
Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
Online payment 14
Online forms for collection of customer
information
2
Media rich content 1
Optimised website 3
14
Demographic factors
Behavioural factors
Psychographic factors
All the above
0 2 4 6 8 101214 1618
1
1
1
17
Frequency

Interpretation: From the above graph, it can be stated that there are around 14 employees who
have views that online payment is more useful perspective that can be implemented with using
digital technology at workplace. In this regard, effectiveness can be successfully increased to
deal with innovative functions and operations in the business. There are other 3 people with
views that optimised website is important perspective which can be successfully implemented in
Marks and Spencer.
Theme 6 Improvement in goods and services consider main benefit with using digital
technology at workplace
6. What is main benefit with using digital
technology in the retail sector?
Frequency
Reduce operation cost 1
Reduce transaction time 2
Employee satisfaction 2
Improvement in goods and services 15
15
14
2
1
3
Online payment
Online forms for
collection of customer
information
Media rich content
Optimised website

Interpretation: From the above analysis, it can be stated that 15 respondents said that digital
technology contains benefits to improve goods and services with advanced tools and techniques.
It assists to increase profitability and effectiveness in useful way to cope up with desired
outcomes.
Theme 7 Digital technology is useful perspective to reduce expenditure in retail sector
business
7. Does digital technology useful perspective
to reduce expenditure of retail sector
business?
Frequency
Yes 17
No 2
Cannot say 1
16
1
2
2
15
Reduce operation cost
Reduce transaction time
Employee satisfaction
Improvement in goods
and services

Interpretation: In the present graph, there are 17 respondents who said that digital technology is
a useful perspective to reduce expenditure of retail sector operations. There are other 2
respondents who have view that it increases expenditure to maintain effectiveness of digital
technology.
P6 Recommendations and conclusion
Recommendations
From the above data analysis, it can be recommended that Marks and Spencer should
focus on digital technological tools and techniques. It assists to enhance their profits and revenue
with low expenditure. This also beneficial to gain profitability as per latest market trends to
accomplish desired results. Furthermore, the selected business should provide appropriate
training and development program to their employees which increases efficiencies by using
digital technology in a successful manner to improve business outcomes. Consequently, the cited
firm can deal with the latest trends and customer demands.
Conclusions
From the present study, it can be concluded that digital technology contains wide areas to
increase business efficiencies and productivity. This is because, it includes several Moreover,
report summarized about research methodology in which different elements included to gather
appropriate information for valid outcomes.
17
Yes
No
Cannot say
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
17
2
1
Frequency

M3 Tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity that support to justify recommendations
With the above analysis, it can be recommended that Marks and Spencer should look
upon desired results which can be accomplished through digital technology implementation. In
this regard, social media is a useful parameter through which the selected business can promote
their products and services. For instance, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
TASK 4
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking research and meet stated objectives with own learning
and performance
In order to reflect the present research study, it can be stated that I had learned and
understood several things that are useful to carry appropriate findings. I contribute my own part
to gather appropriate information that assists to develop significant advantages at workplace. I
had prepared certain questionnaires that is delivered through personal mail of respondents. It
increases understanding and effectiveness to conduct research in an appropriate manner. Apart
from this, each respondent has provided their views and ideas to deliver outcomes in desired
manner at workplace.
M4 Value of the project management process and use of quality research
Project management process consider authenticate data and information from different
sources that are useful to gather right and useful information towards present study. It includes
primary data analysis from conducting survey with using questionnaires. As a result, researcher
is able to communicate implementation of effective functioning to gain quality research
(Hunneman, Verhoef and Sloot, 2017).
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect project management outcomes with decision-making process
and changes
In order to take present study, it can be stated that project management contains valid
outcomes which can be implemented in real life. This is because, it is useful to gather
appropriate data and information which assists to take decisions in a reliable manner. On the
other hand, it can be critically evaluated that Marks and Spencer should make changes in their
systems and tools to implement digital technology at workplace. This is because, nowadays
social media mainly considers or implements advanced tools and techniques.
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Katz, R., Koutroumpis, P. and Martin Callorda, F., 2014. Using a digitization index to measure
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