University Research Report: Digital Technology Impact on SME Activity

This research report investigates the impact of digital technology, specifically cloud technology, on the business activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), using Pacific Computers as a case study. The report includes an introduction to digital technology and its importance, a literature review supporting the research question, and a detailed research proposal with aims, objectives, and research questions. The methodology section outlines the use of qualitative research methods and the collection of data through primary and secondary research. The report further explores the concept of cloud technology, the need for data storage, and the benefits of cloud technology for SMEs. The research examines research methodologies, data analysis, and the communication of research outcomes, concluding with reflections on the effectiveness of the research methods and alternative methodologies. The report aims to identify the importance of cloud technology in improving data storage and filing for businesses.

Research Project

Table of Contents
TITLE..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Research proposal that defines a research question or hypothesis supported by a literature
review.....................................................................................................................................1
P2. Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
................................................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P3. Primary and secondary research methods for business research project that consider costs,
access and ethical issues.........................................................................................................8
P4. Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data........................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................19
P5. Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience 19
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................20
P6. Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the
business research project......................................................................................................20
P7. Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
.......................................................................................................................................................32

TITLE
“The impact of digital technology on business activity of SME’s “
INTRODUCTION
In business world, digital technology can be defined as an electronic tool that contains
number of equipments which can be used by a company to use data or information in sort of
numerical codes. From previous years, it has been analysed that digital technology has changed
the whole scenario of doing business for organisations. In world full of digitalisation, companies
have kept their focus over attaining high growth and success through implementing appropriate
source and technologies. Researcher in this investigation report have opted for cloud technology
which will help company in storing large number of data (Cheng and Kumar, 2012).
In present research, SME which has been chosen i.e. Pacific Computers and it is located
at Crockford Ln, Chineham, Basingstoke RG24, United Kingdom. This company made an IT-
integrated audio visual technology equipment for businesses and education. Report is going to
include research proposal which is enclosed with aims and objectives. On the other hand,
investigator will use primary and secondary investigation methods in order to collect the data
over desired objectives and aims. Away with this, research is going to be enclosed with proper
data analysis i.e. of gathered data. Lastly, investigation will put light over recommendations
which is needed for a company to implement for better outcomes in near future.
TASK 1
P1. Research proposal that defines a research question or hypothesis supported by a literature
review
Modern business world is filled with digital equipments that are used by the companies in
order to become more effective at marketplace. In past few years, when digital technology took
place of all the traditional approaches of business it changed the whole scenario of the all deeds
and ethics of working in a company because after adopting the digital technology, firms have
become much more faster and raised there profit margins as well (Clowes, 2015). It also helped
in consumers in reaching to company directly while sitting at home (Mobile application of
company for customers). According to Gartner survey, around 62% of SMEs are using cloud
computing technology. On the other hand, rest of them are planning to do so. Here, a type of
digital technology has been chosen in present investigation i.e. cloud technology which is being
1

considered as a modern way of storing heavy data in modern era. Issue which was found that
Pacific Computers have not adopted the cloud technology which took company behind and
impacted negatively on there reputation. Therefore, this can be considered as the reason why
researcher have opted this topic to investigate.
Background of the project
In past few years, digital technology can be taken as a wide range of subject to be studied
for researcher, because those organisations have adopted this type of technology has raised there
profit margins and became much effective as compared to previous performances (Ekufu, 2012).
It helped them in interacting with customers directly with the help of there own websites/mobile
applications and helped in improving overall performance level as well with considering
artificial intelligence tools and techniques. Over the years, using social media, cloud technology
and artificial intelligence has brought high number of opportunities for companies.
Thus, it can be considered as the main reason for Pacific Computers to adopt cloud
technology. Pacific Computers which is an IT system company and doing business in United
Kingdom has not adopted the cloud technology. This impacted on there overall performance
because keeping information in paper form is time consuming and is not effective as well. In past
few years, cloud technology has been adopted by many companies because it helped them in
storing heavy information for a longer period of time. Apart from this, it has also been analysed
that if Pacific Computers do not adopt this approach than it might create issues for the company
as well (Kirubakaramoorthi, Arivazhagan and Helen, 2015). Therefore, it is needed for the
company to implement digital technology in near future.
Significance of Research:
This current research is based on impact of digital technology on business activity of
SME’s. This research study will prove to mire effective for small business firms to aware about
the impact of the digital technology on business activities. It is helpful in increasing the
knowledge as well as personal interest of an individual about the specific subject area. On the
basis of academic view point it will helpful in future in perform the research in a significant
manner.
Research Aim:
2

It is comprise to be the most basic component of a research on which whole investigation
stays based. The major aim of this particular project is “To identify the importance of cloud
technology in improving storage and filing of data”. A case study on Pacific Computers.
Research Objectives:
 To identify the concept of cloud technology.
 To determine the need of storing large data for Pacific Computers. To examine the benefits of cloud technology in improving storage system of Pacific
Computers.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept of cloud technology?
 Why it is necessary for Pacific Computers to store large number of data?
 What are the benefits of cloud technology in improving storage system of Pacific
Computers?
The above mentioned research questions are effective in drawing a reliable theoretical
frame work for the research work as to overcome with the research issue i.e. no utilisation of
cloud technology by Pacific Computers. Theoretical description is effective in rendering all
relevant information in regards to the appropriate area of study. The section of literature review
is essential in conducting an in-depth research through analysing the opinion of various authors
and scholars as well (Kulkarni and et. al., 2014).
Concept of cloud technology
According to Lai, Tam and Chan, 2012, Cloud refers to a clear IT environment which is
made or designed with keeping an aim of storing, analysing and using the data for a longer
period of time. Cloud computing helps in accessing the data/information whenever an
organisation is having an internet connection. It is method for deliver information technology
under which the resourced are retried from Internet by web- based application and tools as
opposed to direction connect with server. Cloud technology is use of different services for an
instance serves, software, software development platforms, over internet etc. It is required for
companies to have internet connection in order to use this type of technology. Firms can easily
store heavy data and take it is use whenever it is required for the company.
With the help of above mentioned information, it has been analysed that what author has
given is somewhat right and using cloud technology might help a business firm in keeping heavy
3

data online without using any sort of hard drivers of storage. On the other hand, in today's ever
changing business climate, it's critical that small business owners get what they need right when
they require it, thus, using computers has helped companies in keeping important information for
a longer period of time.
Need of storing large data for Pacific Computers
According to Mahamadu, Mahdjoubi and Booth, 2013, big/large data is important for
every single firm as it may aid them in doing basic analysis whenever a critical situation arises.
Big data is used for gathering large data and it is complex to process by using the traditional
tools or application. In 1950s, big data used to be kept in numbers like in a spreadsheet which
were used to get examined manually. This used to take time because every single company used
to have one or two employee that used to look into spreadsheets. This process was time taking,
but over the years, due to change of course things have changed and business companies are
using many tools, techniques and technologies in order to keep and use gathered data for a longer
period of time. Recently organisations are using cloud technology.
Benefits of cloud technology in improving storage system of Pacific Computers
As given by Park and Kim, 2014, there are many benefits that can be seen in Pacific
Computers at the time of using cloud technology and these are given beneath:
Scaling infrastructure : This is being considered as the fastest growing application of
cloud technology in recent era. It has been found that cloud based infrastructure is much
effective in nature and do not requires much cost as well. With the help of this, storage system of
Pacific Computers may get improved because if every single employee will use cloud
technology based application than they might store a huge data without facing any sort of rise in
company's expenses.
Cloud-based office systems : This type of system shows or reflects over all the changes
that has been made by users instantly. With the help of this, fundamental shifts and collaboration
can be seen among staff members of a company. Through this, Pacific Computers may easily
improve its storage system because top level personnel of this company can keep there eyes over
what changes needed to be made.
Remote workspaces : Social barriers can be reduced to zero for all the individuals and
will help in creating a remote based infrastructure at workstation of a company. Through this,
4

Pacific Computers may easily manage there data in micro seconds with the help of digital
technology as there will be no need of manpower.
P2. Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
Research Methodology can be considered as an important for an every single
investigation whether it is done at small or large scale (Shin, 2015). For every investigator it is
required to adopt right approach of research methodology as per set objective. With the help of
this, favourable outcomes can easily be drawn on the basis of desired goals and objectives.
Failure into this may lead investigator in come to a wrong conclusion. Thus, it is much needed
for researcher to analyse the situation first and understand the behaviour and whole concept of
conducting the investigation, as then only correct research method can be adopted. In present
case scenario, issue which was found by the investigator is that Pacific Computers did not
adopted cloud technology. Thus, it is much important for researcher to choose right method in
order to gain knowledge. Majorly, there are two type of research methodologies utilised by the
investigator and these are qualitative and quantitative. On the other hand, in order to collect the
data investigator may majorly use primary and secondary method. Here, some of methods that
can be used by investigator of present research report are being discussed beneath:
Qualitative Research: This is being considered as one of effective research method that
may aid investigator in pulling out favourable outcomes. This approach is utilized by the
researcher to understand the quantitative piece of chosen objective. Most of the time, it has been
analysed that if investigator adopts this method results can be formulated in theoretical opinions
and in reasonable form. In present investigation, researcher chose qualitative research method in
order to conduct this investigation because the chosen topic will only give better results using
this type of research methodology because of its nature (Shin, 2013).
Quantitative Research: This type of investigation helps a researcher in pulling out results
in numerical form. It is pretty much required for researcher to look into the behaviour of selected
issue/topic. Results that majorly gets accumulated under this in the form of statistical or
mathematical number. On the other hand, quantitative method stays much effective in nature
than any other method because it gives the exact results to the researcher because it is in
numerical form. According to present topic which has been chosen by investigator, quantitative
approach will be less effective in nature because the analysis which is required needs to be in
this.
5

Primary Method: Under this method, there are many ways through which data can be
collected like interview, survey, and etc. This type of data collecting method is much helpful in
gathering much more authentic information than any other approach. Thus, using this approach
may lead researcher to gather relevant data as per the requirement of the company. In present
case, investigator have used questionnaire in order to collect the information related to desired
objective (Smith, Bhogal and Sharma, 2014).
Secondary Method: Data which is already gathered by someone else than the user can be
considered secondary approach. Under this method, information which is used by the
investigator is already being gathered by others like authors, scholars, or other researchers. Using
this approach might not take much time for investigator to collect the data and investigation can
be conducted right on time without facing any sort of delay.
Sampling: For the purpose of conducting research in an effective way, the researcher has
the main role in choosing the sample size so that proper collection of data can be done. As this
might help in analysing the information and aid in coming to a conclusion over set objective. In
present investigation, research have used random sampling method with the help of this, 50
respondents have been selected from the public (Tashkandi and Al-Jabri, 2015). Random
sampling methods is basic sampling technique where researcher choose sample from the large
group or population. Each person is selected through chance and every member of population
has equal chance of being involved in sample.
6

TASK 2
P3. Primary and secondary research methods for business research project that consider costs,
access and ethical issues
Research is a wider concept that plays a necessary role in providing the effective and
reliable information about the specific areas of an investigation. It is careful consideration of the
study related to specific concern by using the scientific methods. It is systematic inquiry to
explain, describe, control and predict observed phenomenon. For conducting an investigation,
researcher use the effective tools to gather relevant information and data in systematic manner. It
will helps in conduct investigation with in certain period of time. In order to gather data,
researcher uses the primary and secondary sources. At the time of conduct an investigation, it is
necessary for researcher to have accurate and reliable capabilities and knowledge regarding
specific research field. It will help in provide the valid conclusion or outcomes to business (Shin,
2013). At the time of conduct an investigation, an investigator should know about some factors
which are mention below as above:
Cost- It is regarded as necessary key aspect for small and large business firms. Without
money, researcher can not conduct an investigation and also not able to perform any activity in
systemic manner. It is essential that researcher should arrange proper flow of money on the basis
of research activities. As Pacific computers is small size company so it does not need more
money. Survey is conducted among the 40 respondents which have knowledge about the cloud
computing technology.
Ethical consideration- It can be determined as most necessary part of investigation.
During conduct an investigation, research faced different problems which has affect on complete
research. An investigator requires to adhere to promote objectives of an investigation imparting
error prevention, authentic knowledge and truth. Time and cost both are the ethical issues which
requires to maintain through an investigator. Proper flow of money is necessary during conduct
an investigation in a systematic manner. It is a responsibility of researcher to keep the data or
information of respondents confidential.
7

QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Contact number:
Address:
Q1) Are you aware about concept of Cloud Technology?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) According to your point of view, is cloud technology beneficial for conducting
business?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q3) Does cloud technology helpful in sharing, storage of information in an effective
manner?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4) What are different benefits of cloud technology to Pacific Computers organisation?
a) Storage of data and data backup
b) Enhance productivity
c) Time saving and Cost effective
d) Powerful server capabilities
Q5) What are various models for the deployment in cloud technology?
a) Public cloud
b) Private cloud
c) Hybrid cloud
d) Community cloud
Q6) Does Cloud technology helps in provide cost benefits to Pacific Computers business
firm?
a) Yes
b) No
8

Q7) What is importance of cloud computing to Pacific Computers company?
a) Security
b) Stop the software Piracy
c) Reduce cost of conduct business
Q8) What are different complexities Pacific Computers face at the time of executing cloud
technology in business?
a) Service Provider Reliability
b) Data privacy
c) Downtime
Q9) What are various ways by which Pacific Computers can overcome from arisen
challenges of cloud technology?
a) Shifting Systems
b) Consider IAM to combat cloud security
c) Establish network security groups
Q10) Recommend different methods through which Pacific Computers company can
enhance its business operations at large scale.
P4. Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data
THEME 1: Aware about concept of Cloud Technology
Q1) Are you aware about concept of Cloud
Technology?
Frequency
Yes 25
No 15
9

Interpretation: Cloud technology is distributed data processing under which some of the
scalable information capacities as well as resources are given as service to many external
consumers by internet technology. It helps in shared the pools of configurable computer system
resources as well as high level of services which can provisioned quickly with less management
effort. As per the given graph, there are 25 respondents which said that they are well known
about the cloud technology and its uses. But on the basis of opinion of 15 respondents that they
do not have proper knowledge about the cloud technology.
THEME 2: Cloud computing technology beneficial for conducting business
Q2) According to your point of view, Is
cloud technology beneficial for conducting
business?
Frequency
Agree 30
Disagree 10
10
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
25
15
Column B