Research Proposal: Digital Technology Impact on SME Business Activity

This research proposal investigates the impact of digital technology, specifically mobile technology, on the business activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The proposal aims to identify the impact of mobile technology on building strong customer relationships, using Cleenol Group Ltd. as a case study. The research objectives include understanding the concept and importance of mobile technology, examining its advantages for small businesses, determining its effectiveness in customer relationship building, and analyzing the challenges associated with mobile technologies. The research will employ a qualitative, descriptive, and deductive approach, with primary data collection methods. The proposal also outlines the research activities, timescales, and ethical considerations, including data storage, security, and participant consent, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines and data protection regulations. The student will use questionnaires, observations and focus groups for data collection.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: _______ “The impact of digital technology on business activity of SME’s”.
_______________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question,
objective or hypothesis)
To identify the impact of mobile technology in building strong relationship with customers. A case
study on Cleenol Group Ltd.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer?
What do you want to learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
 To identify the concept and importance of Mobile technology for Cleenol Group Ltd.
 To examine the advantages of Mobile technology for a small business organization.
 To determine the effectiveness of mobile technology in building relationship with
customers.
 To analyze the major challenges of mobile technologies.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
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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):
The reason behind choosing this research project is to aware about the mobile technology and
develop the better relationship with consumers in a better manner. Through this I get better
knowledge about the mobile technology as well as enhance my skills.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question,
objective or hypothesis:
Mobile technology: The amazing impact on our lives. 2013. [Online]. Available
through<https://www.zdnet.com/article/mobile-technology-the-amazing-impact-on-our-
lives/>
10 Ways to Improve Your Business with Mobile Technology, 2017. [Online]. Available
through<https://smallbiztrends.com/2013/05/improve-business-mobile-technology.html>
How To Use Technology To Improve Customer Relationships. 2016. [Online]. Available
through<http://www.saxonsgroup.com.au/blog/small-business/use-technology-improve-
customer-relationships/>
Is technology killing your business? 3 common problems to look out for, 2017. [Online]. Available
through<https://www.information-age.com/technology-killing-business-3-common-
problems-123466069/>
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research
project (e.g research, development and analysis of How long this
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ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis,
tutor meetings, production of final outcome,
evaluation, writing the report):
will take:
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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?
Type of investigation- Qualitative
Research design- Descriptive
Research Approach- Deductive
Research Philosophy- Interpretivism
Data collection- Primary
What your areas of research will cover:
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):
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I confirm that the project is appropriate.
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.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
Student name:
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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 No
 Questionnaires Yes
 Observations Yes
 Use of personal records No
 Data Analysis Yes
 Action Research No
 Focus Groups Yes
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
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)?
By random sampling method
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
Through informing them through emails.
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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
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 No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher will access to personal information
During the research:
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Where will the data be stored?
In hard disk and personal computer
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?
In hard disk and personal computer
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Around 2 years
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.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research
(including transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
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:
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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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