Digital Technology's Impact on NISA Retailers' Business Growth

This project investigates the impact of digital technology on NISA Retailers, focusing on business growth and innovation within the UK retail sector. The research encompasses project management, including a project aim, objectives, and a detailed project management plan with WBS and Gantt charts. A qualitative research method is employed, analyzing data through themes related to IT executive experience, technical skills, and the adoption of digital technologies like CRM software, internet-enabled tablets, and smartphones. Challenges such as hiring the right talent are explored, alongside the perceived benefits of digital technology adoption. Recommendations are provided based on the research findings and the project concludes with a reflection on the value of the research in meeting its objectives, supported by references and an appendix containing the questionnaire used. The project's aim is to examine the influence of digital technology in supporting the growth and innovative context of small business organizations, specifically NISA retailers.

Managing
Successful
Business

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aim and objectives for NISA Retailers.......................................................................1
P2 Project management plan.......................................................................................................2
P3 WBS and Gantt Chart.............................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative research method..............................................7
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................13
P5: Analysis of data using appropriate tool and techniques......................................................13
P6 Recommendation..................................................................................................................16
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................16
P7 Reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet the objective..........................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................20
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................20

TASK 1
P1 Project aim and objectives for NISA Retailers
Title of the research- “The impact of digital technology supporting small business growth
and innovation”.
Background of the study
Digital technologies are nowadays at a higher pace of development where it directly
indicates the fulfilment of one’s present day needs and demands. It is basically on
considering the fact where today’s contemporary era has in turn emerged modernised set of
consumers. It has in turn created a prompt necessity of applying such up-to-date tools and
techniques by the businesses to effectively serve the customers (Autio and et. Al., 2014). This
will not only satisfy the modern-day requirements of the customers but will together provide
an opportunity to the firms for becoming a significant part of evolution. The current study is
based on addressing such considerations of small to medium scale business organisations. It
is where they are often required to compete with the giant size businesses that are already
existent in the market.
The present research has intended to explore the influence of digital technology and
its use in supporting the growth of small size businesses by together giving them a chance to
operate in accordance to today’s contemporary market environment. This will in turn result
into a sustainable growth of the business with certain progressive measures to be taken up for
the welfare of both the company and its targeted set of audiences (McDonald and Jones,
2012). This way, the small to medium size entities (SME’s) are together expected to generate
higher level of profits in terms of satisfying the concerning demands of their associated
stakeholders. It is with a special context of fulfilling the requisition of shareholders as well as
investors who are apparently assisting the entities in terms of funding. The current research
work has reflected such vital considerations of retail based establishments operating in the
retail industrial sector of UK. For which, a well-known small-scale retail enterprise named
NISA has been taken into consideration.
Aims and Objectives: This section is important in terms of defining the overall consideration
of this undertaken study and on whose basis; it has been conducted by the investigator. It is
proven to give a defined format of research to be carried on with a suitable accomplishment
of its intended outcomes at the end.
1

Aim- A prior aim of this research is “To examine the influence of digital technology in
supporting the growth and innovative context of small business organisations operating in the
retail sector of UK- A study on NISA retailers”.
Objectives- It is on the basis of above intended goals where the investigator is together
required to focus upon some below formulated objectives to carry out a guiding study. These
research objectives are-
 To analyse the importance of digital technologies in developing small scale
businesses.
 To determine the impact of incorporating digital technologies onto the business and
its growth.
 To ascertain the way in which digital technologies lead to succour an inventive
progress of the businesses operating in the retail industry of UK.
 To recommend ways in which NISA can undertake effective strategies of digital
technologies for a rising growth of its business.
Research question: It is on the basis of above framed aims and objectives, below specified
are the questions to be addressed by the researcher for a timely achievement of its intended
purpose.
 Why it is important for the small size businesses to incorporate with digital
technologies?
 How the utilization of digital technologies in small scale businesses can lead to its
growth and development?
 In what way, application of digital technologies can assist the SME’s to incorporate
inventive measures in their business-related activities?
P2 Project management plan
This is to discourse upon some major aspects of study that are required to be considered
by the researcher at the time of investigating a selected subject matter. It is mainly on
referring to the things required to be considered while framing a project plan for its efficient
management. This includes some below defined factors, discussed as- Cost- This is on discussing upon a foremost consideration of the researcher to
investigate with efficient monetary resources so as to manage the expenses of
travelling, communicating, printing and other research related expenditures. Scope- It is to demonstrate the range of this study that will help investigating the
usefulness of digital technologies in benefiting today’s contemporary businesses
2

(Sarigiannidis and Chatzoglou, 2014). It is with a special context of small scale
organisations operating in the retail industry of UK with a factual reference to NISA
Retailers. Although, this in turn is apparent to benefit other small-scale establishments
operating in a similar sector of UK by together benefiting the small size firms,
operating in other likely sectors. Such specific selection of retail industrial sector has
been made on considering the ongoing state of competition in UK market. Time- A total time period of 12 weeks, within which, this study is required to be
completed. Quality- Quality assurance parameters have together been used by ensuring to carry
out a valid and reliable set of study (Browning, 2014). This has been done by
considering the aspects of validity reliability in this research work. Communication- A prior communication has been done by the investigator with that
to the participants as well as other related bodies to take their consent before
involving them into the study with a purpose of utilizing their contributed ideas. Risk- Any risk pertaining to the study has been taken care of (Issa and Kogan, 2014).
It is with a foremost concern of avoiding any instance of project failure or
requirement of raised budget and time. Resources- Time and budget have been depicted as the 2 leading resources
contributed in the study with another leading resource of people who have willingly
participated in this research work.
3

P3 WBS and Gantt Chart
Figure 1: Project Plan
4

Figure 2: WBS
5

Figure 3: Gantt chart
6

Figure 4: Network Diagram
TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative research method
Theme 1- Most of the IT executives are freshers.
Since how many years, you are employed with NISA
Retailers?
Respondent
s
Percentag
e
6 months 4 40
1 year 3 30
2-3 years 2 20
More than 3 years 1 10
7

Interpretation- This is on considering the above interpreted finding where a large number of
IT executives in NISA are freshers. It is on considering the least number of experiences they
got and have joined the firm only 6 months back. Although, other respondent participants are
well experienced in this field of work where 3 are working since last 1 year, 2 since last 2 to
3 years and 1 who is working from more than 3 years. It is therefore on referring to the
secondary set of data that describes a vital fact about the experience of technical experts in an
organisation whose specialization increases with that to a rising amount of time.
Theme 2- Majority are proficient in terms of technical skills.
Rate your technical skills on the basis of below given options. Respondent
s
Percentag
e
Learner 2 20
Basic 3 30
Proficient 4 40
Advanced 0 0
8

Interpretation- Most of the technical experts are found to be proficient in their respective
areas and are comfortable using newer set of technologies. This is found to be an affirmative
aspect for NISA where they will be largely benefitted from newer adaptions as a way of
satisfying the changing needs and demands of their targeted customers. Although, there
together exist some who are still at the phase of learning with an enumerated ratio of 2 out of
10. Also, 3 have agreed to have basic skills and competencies and are not that comfortable
with the use of new technologies. Lastly, 4 are found to be proficient with no one who can
confidently accept to have advanced set of skills.
Theme 3- Almost all respondents have ensured using digital technologies to serve its users.
Does NISA believes in using digital technologies to serve its
consumers?
Responden
ts
Percenta
ge
Yes 10 100
No 0 0
9

Interpretation- This is on interpreting the above acquired data where the respondents were
asked about their consent towards using digital technologies as a way to serve the consumers.
Herein, it has been found that all participant respondents are agreed to use such digitalised
services to serve their clients with no one against it. It is together on relating this finding with
that to the findings acquired from the secondary set of data where using such advanced means
directly help the companies to prosper at a rising pace. It is specially on referring to the retail
based organisations who are much more concerned about its proper use to combat the
pertaining level of competition in the market.
Theme 4- Most of the respondents have favored internet enabled tablets and smartphones.
What is the most common ICT tool offered by NISA? Respondent
s
Percentag
e
Customer relationship management (CRM) software 4 40
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software 1 10
Internet enabled tablets and smartphones 5 50
10

Interpretation- Here, the respondents were asked to state about the most common tool of ICT
used by NISA and have been found a foremost viability of internet enabled smartphones and
tablets. This has been reported by 5 out of total 10 respondent participants with 4 in approval
of CRM stoneware and only 1 in favour of using ERP. However, on relating this finding with
that to the findings gathered from secondary sources, it has been found that using CRM and
internet enabled smartphones and tablets are the two most beneficial aspects. Both of these
measures are potent to assist the employees in fulfilling the factual requisition of their
consumers and helps in retaining both the workers and the customers.
Theme 5- Hiring right set of talent is a leading challenge by a large set of participants.
Any challenges faced by NISA while adopting digital
technologies onto the business? Respondents Percentage
An increased expenditure 1 10
Managing data flow 3 30
Hiring right talent to ensure fitting application of the
adopted measures 6 60
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Interpretation- This is on considering a seeming fact where application of several digital
technologies as a way of meeting the dynamic set of market is not an easy task. As a result, to
which, organisations like NISA Retailers are apparent to deal with some significant number
of challenges in doing so. The employed IT executives were therefore asked to report about
any such challenging aspect from the given alternatives. From which, 1 has stated an
increased level of expenses to be a leading challenge. Other 3 have agreed to face difficulty
in managing the flow of data. Lastly, a large set of respondents with an enumerated ratio of 6
have specified a foremost concern of hiring right set of candidates who can determine the
most suitable measure and implement tool exactly as required. This has together been found
to be a matter of concern on referring to the information collected from secondary sources of
data which has confirmed the significance of employing right candidates at right position.
Theme 6- More inventive measures is stated to be the foremost benefit of adopting digital
technologies.
What is the most perceived benefit, observed after the adoption of
digital technologies in NISA Retailers?
Respon
dents
Percen
tage
A reduced cost of operation 2 20
An enhanced quality of products 3 30
Diminished transaction time 1 10
More innovative measures 4 40
12

Interpretation- After going through the challenges, the organisation has together found to
have some perceived benefits from the adoption of digital technology at the workplace that
not only helps them to retain the consumers, but also assist in contending the workers. A
scope of operating in an inventive manner is the most approved response from most of the
participants with an enumerated ratio of 4. However, 2 have favoured reduced operational
costs with 3 in support of an enhanced product quality. Lastly, 1 has approved diminished
transaction time where on relating these findings with that to the secondary sources of
information, it has been found that bringing innovation is the most vital concern resulting in a
sustainable level of growth.
TASK 3
P5: Analysis of data using appropriate tool and techniques
This section has demonstrated the tools and techniques to be used for successfully
carrying out this research work. It is also known as the section of research methodologies
with a prime responsibility of the investigator to choose from the most suitable measures to
effectively attaining its intended goals. It has thereby depicted the entire research paradigm as
an assistance for both the researcher as well as the readers who will be referring to its
generated outcomes. Also, a structural format will aid in conducting a well competent study
with less or no deterrent aspects at all. Below specified are the method adopted by the
researcher to conduct this study-
Research Philosophy- This reflects the foremost concern of a research at the time of
undertaking a study and carries out in a justifiable manner. Herein, the investigator is
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required to choose an ethical tactic to conduct a moral study. This is a principal part of this
entire section where a selected method will be together reflected in other investigation
measures (Knobe and Nichols, 2013). There exist two common philosophies namely
interpretivism and positivism, from which the researcher has hereby referred to opt for an
interpretivism philosophy of research. It is in turn apparent to guide the researcher in
evaluating the subjective nature of the chosen topic. However, another philosophical measure
called positivism is not expected to assist in the current subject matter of this study where it is
more supportive for studying objective research areas.
Research Design- This together reflects a significant concern of the investigator to choose
from the most appropriate research design where it in turn reflects as the blueprint of the
study and will also guide into the other section of methodologies. There exists total three
distinct types of research designs namely descriptive, explanatory and exploratory. Selecting
one specific design of the research largely depends upon a chosen topic of investigation. It is
therefore on considering the present subject matter that depicts a very common aspect of
today’s business organisations (Lewis, 2015). Considering this, descriptive research design is
referred to be an appropriate measure for carrying out this study where it is also assistive in
describing the obtained findings. The other two measures are not supportive as per their
nature where exploratory study necessitates the researcher to rigorously explore the topic as a
way of gathering some newer set of ideas. Explanatory on other hand is apparent to make a
mere explanation of the subject matter with no such assistance of conducting an in-depth
investigation like the descriptive method.
Research approach- It is together stated to be an important outlook of the investigator where
an undertaken approach directly determines the overall scope of the study. This is being done
by selecting from one of the accessible approaches namely inductive and deductive where an
inductive method entails widening the overall scope of the research (Friend, J. and Jessop, N.,
2013). It is with a contrary approach of another method that involves lessening the research
scope. The investigator has thus selected a broadening approach called inductive to
encompass all its other relative areas. Also, this approach is expected to initiate with the
utilization of digital technologies onto the growth and inventive context of the business.
Data collection- There are two common measures for collecting pertinent set of data called
primary and secondary where the primary method depicts freshly collected information from
the respondents. It has been done with assistance of surveys or semi structured interviews,
etc., and where the researcher makes a significant use of questionnaire with a prime purpose
of interrogating the participant respondents (Palinkas, L.A. and et. Al., 2015). The secondary
14

data has been collected by referring to some previously carried studies on a similar research
topic by together referring to some authenticated books, journals and online websites.
Company reports and governmental reports together play an important role in the collection
of secondary information.
Sampling- Out of the 2-sampling measures namely random and purposive, the investigator
has hereby referred using the purposive method of sampling to purposively select from the IT
personnel of NISA Retailers (Csikszentmihalyi and Larson, 2014). Here, 10 IT executives
have been selected to contribute their own set of experiences in regard to find out the impact
of their adopted digital technologies on the business and in terms of its growth and inventive
context. A random sampling method is thereby not seemed to be useful as per its distinct set
of consideration.
Data analysis- Thematic analysis has been chosen by the researcher to investigate the
selected area of research where it is amongst the qualitative analytical method. This will be
done with assistance to the acquired findings from the participant respondents (Miles,
Huberman and Saldana, 2013). It is mainly on considering the subjective nature of the topic
where another method of analysis called quantitative is not apparent to support in the present
undertaken study and is more assistive to address statistical studies based on numerical facts
and figures.
Limitations- This is to demonstrate certain hindering aspects of study that commonly deters
the researcher in carrying out a definite study based on affirmative findings. It is mainly in
regard to specify 2 such limited resources of time and budget whose shortage can often lead
to hamper the entire research work (Shipman, 2014). It is thence important to carry out a
planned study to avoid any such discouraging aspects and where the researcher has opted to
use a Gannt chart for allocating time to each of the tasks to be undertaken for the completion
of this study. Also, for a proper allocation of budget, an activity based method has been used
to avoid any scarcity of resources at the end and accomplish the study goals and objectives on
time.
Ethical consideration- A foremost ethical concern of the investigator is to suitably address
the participant respondents while conducting the survey and asking them to make a willing
participation in it. This is mainly to avoid any sense of displeasure in them where the
researcher should together ensure avoiding any forceful contribution of the respondents in the
study (Ratheesh, Berk and McGorry, 2014). Beside this, their given answers should not get
influenced from any personal consent of the researcher and should solely depict their own set
15

of thoughts and ideas. Lastly, the gathered set of data must be used by only the authorised set
of users with no intervention of any unofficial body who is not associated to this study.
P6 Recommendation
It is on referring to the above concluded points that assured a prompt use of several
digitalised measures in the organisation and have resulted in bringing various positive
outcomes. Although, there together existed certain challenging aspects that are required to be
dealt by NISA Retailers for a successful implementation of such advanced procedures. This is
on referring to the foremost objective of analysing the importance of digital technologies in
the development of small scale businesses which has been found to be true. This objective
has been attained on referring to the findings where such progressive measures are always
evident to develop the overall profitability of organisations like NISA Retailers.
Another objective was to determine the influence of integrating digital technologies onto
the business and its growth where both these aspects are duly related to one other. This
objective has also been achieved where incorporating these advanced measures results in
developing the business to a great extent. It also results in a sustainable growth of the
business for a long term period. Lastly, identification of certain effective ways in which
NISA Retailers can take assistance of such advanced measures that will in turn support them
to adopt innovative approaches into the business. This objective has also accomplished by the
investigator where using today’s contemporary means such as social media tools, etc., are
highly beneficial in doing so.
It is thence on the basis of the above concluded objectives on whose basis, NISA
Retailers is recommended to firstly detect the exact needs of their targeted set of customers.
After which, hiring specialists for choosing from the most effective measures and implement
the same to fulfil the identified demands of its clients and users must be done (Donnelly and
et. Al., 2015). Also, feedbacks should be taken up by all involved bodies so as to assure a
pertinent application of all undertaken measures and their contribution in generating expected
outcomes. This should be done with efficient methods of evaluation and control so as to
avoid any sort of deviance from the stipulated goals and objectives.
TASK 4
P7 Reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet the objective
This is to reflect upon the undertaken value of the research that is based on the
effectiveness of digital technologies for small to medium scale organisations. It has been
conducted with a special context of the retail based enterprises operating in UK. The reason
16

behind this was an intense state of competition in the retail industrial sector of UK where I
have together selected a well-known small scale company named NISA Retailers over here. It
is on considering its prosperity in terms of growth where undertaking such developmental
measures is referred to be a very significant consideration for the cited firm. It is also on
referring to their acceptance towards taking such challenges to satisfy their client’s altering
demands. I have also learned some definite approaches for conducting such academic
research work in a guiding way. Lastly, I have learned about the application of various
project management tools to create Gantt chart and Network diagram, based on an undertaken
plan.
17

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Autio, E. and et. Al., 2014. Entrepreneurial innovation: The importance of context. Research
Policy. 43(7). pp.1097-1108.
Browning, T.R., 2014. A quantitative framework for managing project value, risk, and
opportunity. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. 61(4). pp.583-598.
Csikszentmihalyi, M. and Larson, R., 2014. Validity and reliability of the experience-
sampling method. In Flow and the foundations of positive psychology (pp. 35-54).
Springer Netherlands.
Donnelly, C. and et. Al., 2015. Digital loyalty card ‘big data’and small business marketing:
Formal versus informal or complementary?. International Small Business Journal. 33(4).
pp.422-442.
Friend, J. and Jessop, N., 2013. Local Government and Strategic Choice (Routledge
Revivals): An Operational Research Approach to the Processes of Public Planning.
Routledge.
Issa, H. and Kogan, A., 2014. A predictive ordered logistic regression model as a tool for
quality review of control risk assessments. Journal of Information Systems. 28(2). pp.209-
229.
Knobe, J. and Nichols, S. eds., 2013. Experimental philosophy(Vol. 2). Oxford University
Press.
Lewis, S., 2015. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five
approaches. Health promotion practice. 16(4). pp.473-475.
Miles, M.B., Huberman, A.M. and Saldana, J., 2013. Qualitative data analysis. Sage.
Palinkas, L.A. and et. Al., 2015. Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and
analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental
Health and Mental Health Services Research. 42(5). pp.533-544.
Ratheesh, A., Berk, M. and McGorry, P.D., 2014. Ethical Consideration for Treating At-Risk
Populations. Bipolar Disorder in Youth: Presentation, Treatment, and Neurobiology.
pp.133.
Sarigiannidis, L. and Chatzoglou, P.D., 2014. Quality vs risk: An investigation of their
relationship in software development projects. International Journal of Project
Management. 32(6). pp.1073-1082.
Shipman, M.D., 2014. The limitations of social research. Routledge.
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Online
McDonald, M. P. and Jones, A. R., 2012. Digital Business: How Technology Will Support
Growth. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/gartnergroup/2012/11/28/digital-business-how-technology-
will-support-growth/#2f5c4a6f50ac>.
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APPENDIX
Questionnaire
Name-
Age-
Gender-
 Since how many years, you are employed with NISA Retailers?
6 months
1 year
2-3 years
More than 3 years
 Rate your technical skills on the basis of below given options.
Learner
Basic
Proficient
Advanced
 Does NISA believes in using digital technologies to serve its consumers?
Yes
No
 What is the most common ICT tool offered by NISA?
Customer relationship management (CRM) software
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software
Internet enabled tablets and smartphones
Kindly specify, if anything else_________
 Any challenges faced by NISA while adopting digital technologies onto the
business?
An increased expenditure
Managing data flow
Hiring right talent to ensure fitting application of the adopted measures
Kindly specify, if anything else_________
 What is the most perceived benefit, observed after the adoption of digital
technologies in NISA Retailers?
A reduced cost of operation
An enhanced quality of products
20

Diminished transaction time
More innovative measures
 Anything else, you would like to share with us regarding the adoption of digital
technologies in NISA Retailers.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
21