Digital Technology Supporting Small Business Growth at M&S

This report investigates the impact of digital technology on supporting small business growth and innovation at Marks & Spencer (M&S). It includes a project management plan covering cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resources. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, including questionnaires and thematic analysis, to gather data on employee perspectives regarding digital technology implementation. The report presents research findings, including interpretations of survey responses, and concludes with recommendations for leveraging digital technology to enhance M&S's growth and innovation. The project also includes a WBS and Gantt chart for project management and a reflection on the research process.

The impact of digital
technology in supporting
small business growth and
innovation at M&S.

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Aim and objectives of study.................................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan with cover cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and
resources in digital technology in M&S......................................................................................2
P3 WBS and Gantt chart.............................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Small scale research through applying qualitative and quantitative research methods........6
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................14
P5 Research data with using appropriate tools and techniques.................................................14
P6 Recommendations ...............................................................................................................16
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................16
P7 Reflection.............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

TITLE: The impact of digital technology in supporting small business growth and innovation
at M&S.
TASK 1
P1. Aim and objectives of study
Background
Digital technology provides a wide range of tools to entrepreneurs to take guidance for
new business with start-up and growth. In the small business accounting, marketing and
communication is considered as revolution through different networks that continuing adopted to
make changes in the business (Ratzinger, Amess and Mosey, 2017). In the selected business,
Marks and Spencer accounting considered to setting and managing new systems through
adopting some software. It increasing decision-making effectiveness in the enterprise to attain
creative goals and objectives. Along with this, it is also helpful to manage time in the more
administrative activities that helps to considered in-depth schedule in the business environment.
Rationale
In order to implement the digital technology in Marks and Spencer, main benefits
considered in business that is competed with other enterprises in the market. It also takes up the
professional marketing material that considered cost efficient web marketing tools to spread
information (Sussan and Acs, 2017). Further, there are several advantages considered in modern
technology which help to improve the relationship with several people in business world. New
venture is also undertaken which make rapid growth at workplace. Time management also
included in it that helps to focus on the meeting online that enable to entrepreneurs to attain
desired results. In addition to this, retail business is also able to ascertain creative elements in the
business with implementation of digital technology.
Research Aim and Objectives
Aim: The impact of digital technology in supporting small business growth and innovation at
M&S.
Objectives:
 To identify reasons behind digital technology support to small business
 To analyse importance of growth and innovations in M&S
 To interrelate digital technology as well as growth and innovation of M&S
1

 To recommend ways through which digital technology could be implemented in the
growth of M&S
Research questions
 What are the reasons behind digital technology support to small business?
 What is the importance of growth and innovation in M&S?
 How interrelate digital technology and growth and innovations of the M&S?
P2 Project management plan with cover cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and
resources in digital technology in M&S.
Task
Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Manually
Scheduled Research Project Tue 3/27/18 Tue 3/27/18
Manually
Scheduled Planning Wed 3/28/18
Manually
Scheduled Finding of the topic 5 days Thu 3/29/18 Wed 4/4/18
Manually
Scheduled Problems statements 3 day Sat 3/31/18 Tue 4/3/18 1
Manually
Scheduled
Allocation of the
resources as per time
frame
2 days Tue 4/3/18 Wed 4/4/18 2
Manually
Scheduled Implementation Wed 4/4/18
Manually
Scheduled Review of literature 6 days Fri 4/6/18 Fri 4/13/18 3
Manually
Scheduled
Selection of correct
research methodologies 1 day Sat 4/7/18 Sat 4/7/18 4
Manually Data analysis and 2 days Sun 4/8/18 Mon 4/9/18 5
2

Scheduled interpretation
Manually
Scheduled
Evaluation of results and
outcomes 2 days Mon 4/9/18 Tue 4/10/18 5
Manually
Scheduled Project closer Tue 4/10/18
Manually
Scheduled
Giving conclusion and
recommendation 1 day Wed 4/11/18 Wed 4/11/18 6
Manually
Scheduled Results of documentation 1 day Thu 4/12/18 Thu 4/12/18 7
In respect to look towards the effective aims and objectives, it is essential to manager of
Marks and Spencer to develop creative learning in the business. In respect to develop creativity,
every business need to concentrate on the effective time frame which assists to accomplish
desired tasks and goals as well (Kane, Palmer and Kiron, 2015). It includes several important
aspects which help to ascertain creativity in business:
 Cost: In order to frame the aim and objectives, in the present research total £690. There
are several activities has been promoted to attain desired goals and objectives at
workplace. Along with this, all allotted cost considered on each activity to perform
several tasks (Oldham and Da Silva, 2015). Hence, all customers are engaged to develop
effective functioning.
 Risk: Further, in the selected research topic there are several risks exist that face by
researcher to find conclusion. In this way, lack of proper time and cost impact on the
functions and create issue at workplace. Therefore, all people are engaged to gather
relevant information towards the business (Weill and Woerner, 2015).
 Scope: In order to find the relevant results and outcomes, effective research considered
through implement digital technologies. As results, it enhances revenue and profitability
to make effective functioning at workplace. Further, there are innovations are develop
strategies to make systematic work in research (Donnelly, Simmons and Fearne, 2015).
 Resources: With regards to carry the present research, there are several resources needed
to find appropriate results. In this way, primary and secondary information has been
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implemented at workplace to make effective functioning in the enterprise (Vigdor, Ladd
and Martinez, 2014).
 Communication: In addition to this, communication also play important role in business
success. This is because, with the help of communication, researcher will able to get
proper and effective information through share employees ideas and views. It assists to
make proper interaction among several people in the business (Centobelli, Cerchione and
Raffa, 2016).
 Quality: In addition to this, quality is also important tool that helps to find innovative
results and outcomes in the business. In this aspect, primary data helps to ascertain fresh
and relevant information towards the research. In addition to this, secondary information
helps to find other authors views towards the present research (Abbasi, Tarhini and Shah,
2015).
P3 WBS and Gantt chart
Illustration 1: Work break down structure
4

5
Illustration 2: Gantt chart
Illustration 3: Network planning

TASK 2
P4. Small scale research through applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
To gather relevant information, present research project considered questionnaire in
which several questions are included. In this consideration, qualitative information will be
gathered through graph, thematic analysis, etc. (Burns, 2016). Following questionnaire helps to
consider the views of several respondents towards research program:
Questionnaire
Section A
Name:
Age:
Gender
Section B
1. As per your opinion which is the most suitable element for successful digital technology
implementation?
 Creativity
 Flexibility
 Economic competence
 Management competence
 All the above
2. With the help of digital technology, which is the main element considered in the Marks and
Spencer?
 High business growth
 Better position in market
 Financial growth
 All the above
3. Which is the main issue exist in the implementation of digital technology?
 Lack of time
 Lack of money
 Risk to invest money
4. Do you agree with the implementation of the advance technology to make high growth in
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Marks and Spencer?
 Yes
 No
 Cannot say
5. How much do you agree with implementation of digital technology in the chosen
organisation?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
6. Which element help to make growth and innovations to develop effective results at small
business?
 Increasing discount
 Improvement in goods and services
 Reducing cost of operations
 All the above
7. Do you agree that Marks and Spencer will grow with implementation of digital technology?
 Yes
 No
 Cannot say
Theme 1 In implementation of digital technology all elements are required in business
As per your opinion which is the most
suitable element for successful digital
technology implementation? Frequency
Creativity 1
Flexibility 1
Economic competence 2
Management competence 2
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All the above 16
Interpretation: In respect to carry the above graph, it can be interpret that in the Marks and
Spencer 16 employees stated that creativity, flexibility and economic competence as well as
management competence all elements considered with operating successful digital technology.
In this way, there are 2 employees stated that only economic competence are considered to make
effective operations and functions in the business environment. Furthermore, there is one
employee said that creativity is the important consideration which helps to make high growth and
development in the business environment.
Theme 2: Digital technology implementation in business makes a better position in the
market.
With the help of digital technology, which is
the main element considered in the Marks
and Spencer? Frequency
High business growth 2
Better position in market 14
Financial growth 2
8
1
12
2
16
Creativity
Flexibility
Economic competence
Management competence
All the above

All the above 2
Interpretation: In order to saw to the above graph, it can be stated that there are 14 employees
said that digital technology helps to make better position in the market. Furthermore, there are 2
candidates said that high business growth helps to make innovative results at workplace. In
addition to this, 2 candidates ascertained their views that it make high financial growth to support
to goals and objectives of the company. Remaining 2 candidates stated that digital technology
considered high business growth, better position, financial growth in the Marks and Spencer.
Theme 3 Main issue in the implementation of digital technology is lack of money
Which is the main issue exist in the
implementation of digital technology? Frequency
Lack of time 3
Lack of money 15
Risk to invest money 2
9
2
14
22
High business growth
Better position in market
Financial growth
All the above