Research Report: Digital Technologies and SME Business Operations

This research proposal examines the impact of digital technologies on the business activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), specifically focusing on Rockpool Digital Technology. The study aims to analyze the current status of business activities, evaluate the implemented digitalization for continuous improvement, determine the influence of digital technologies on business success and operations, and recommend ways to enhance digital working within the organization. The research employs an interpretivist philosophy and a descriptive research design, using both primary and secondary data collection methods. Primary data will be gathered through questionnaires administered to 30 employees, while secondary data will be sourced from books, journals, and online resources. The research timeline spans several weeks, covering activities from literature review and data collection to analysis, conclusions, and report writing. The proposal also includes a research ethics approval form, confirming the project's ethical considerations and adherence to guidelines.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF
DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGIES ON
SME’S

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM...................................................................................................2
RESEARCH ETHICS APPROVAL FORM...................................................................................7
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM

Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question,
objective or hypothesis)
The impact of digital technologies on business activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's)
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?):
Research Objectives
 To analyse the current status of business activities within Rockpool Digital Technology
 To evaluate the digitalisation adopted by Rockpool Digital Technology for continuous
improvement.
 To determine influence of digital technologies on business success and operations of Rockpool
Digitial Technology
 To recommend ways to improve digital working within operations of Rockpool Digitial
Technology
Research Questions
 How organisational activities within Rockpool Digital Technology are being accomplished?
 Evaluate the digitalisation within Rockpool Digital Technology and its significance in business?
 How digital technologies accord the business success and operations of Rockpool Digitial
Technology?
 What are the methods that can improve digital working within Rockpool Digitial Technology?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
In modern era the digital working is existence late critically by the businesses so that business can have
sustainable development. It has been witnessed that using technology innovation the business firm is
attaining number of benefits. It assists in improving overall performance. Along with this, investment
on workplace digitalisation has been precocious in recent years. Although small business enterprises
are also looking forward to have changes in operations to promote digitalisation. It has created a curacy
to realize the benefits that businesses are actually attaining using digital technologies. On with this,
easy ness of digital technology is also an involvement aspect. It has also motivated researcher to ensure
standards which are being employed to meet the objectives. Other than this, rational behind the
selection of Rockpool Digital Technology is its continuous improvement in performance on day to day
basis using digital tools. Business firm is also promoting methods to ease the technology use. It has
enhanced the interest to understand the digital technology practices related to Rockpool Digital

Technology.
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):
In addition to this, it can be said that by having an effective consideration of preparation activities the
issues can be resolved. It has been noticed that analytical, observation and other essential skills are
required in order to ensure that overall project is being complete. For sustainable achievement of the
study the data collection and interpretation skills are also required as it assists in meeting the framed
objectives.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective
or hypothesis:
As per Tsimonis and Dimitriadis, (2014) there are different type of changes that
has taken place in relation with technology. All these are done so that firm is able
to satisfy their customers’ requirements. Main focus of companies is to gain
maximum profit, this is only possible when they are able to meet up requirements
of service users. According to Hajli and Nick, (2015) various type of social media
like Facebook, Twitter, etc. are used by firms so that they can develop strong
relationship with customers. In all these aspects workers face serious issues they
fail to focus on determining changes. Management need to convey all the
technological changes that they are willing to make as it enables to develop their
understanding in positive manner and in accepting the changes. Implementation
of digital technology helps to business to raise their sales and profitability. Apart
from this, it also enables to determine the areas in which improvement can be
made.
 Bowen, G. and Ozuem, W., 2014. Computer-Mediated Marketing
Strategies: Social Media and Online Brand Communities. IGI Global.
 Hajli and Nick., 2015. Handbook of Research on Integrating Digital Media
into Strategic Marketing. IGI Global.
 Tsimonis, G. and Dimitriadis, S., 2014. Brand strategies in social
media. Marketing Intelligence & Planning. 32(3). pp.328 – 344.

 Middleton, K.L. and Chambers, V., 2010. Approaching digital equity: is wifi
the new leveler?. Information Technology & People. 23(1). pp.4-22.
 Hashim, J., 2015. Information communication technology (ICT) adoption
among SME owners in Malaysia. International Journal of Business and
Information. 2(2).pp12-13.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Key Activities
Week1 Week 2
& 3
Week4 Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week 8
& 9
Week
10
Preparing for
Introduction
Literature Review
Collecting secondary
information
Examining of collected
Data
Research Design
Research Methodology
Obtaining Primary Data
Analysis of primary and
secondary data
Conclusions and
Recommendations
Completion of remaining
work
Revise and draft

Final Submission
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data
collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings,
production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the
report):
How long this
will take:
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use
and why?
Considering the nature of the present research interpretivism as a philosophy
will be used where researcher will interpret the results so that other individuals
can amended understand it. It will assist in meeting key goals and objectives for
sustainable development. Plan of action application will assist in analysis of
current status of business activities within Rockpool Digital Technology. With an
effective application of inductive approach the specific information can be
gathered. In addition to this, it can be said that effective collection of data can be
assistance using such methods. Descriptive research has been taken into account
to gather detailed information. Considering the nature of the present study
descriptive design will be used through that statement of the topic selected will
be provided. Further, through this it will become possible to gain expected
findings and research will be carried out in appropriate manner. By having an
effective consideration of key terms the issues in regard to practice can be
surmount.
Along with this, it will assist in ascertain influence of digital technologies on
business success and operations of Rockpool Digital Technology. Moreover,
primary and secondary data collection intention be referred as critical aspect.
With an effective application of such norms the issues can be overcome. To have

primary data collection the questionnaire will be framed on the basis of
objectives. It assist in meeting key goals and objectives in desired manner. On
the other side, the secondary data collection will be accomplished with a help of
diverse secondary sources. In this regard, various sources related to the digital
technology and its use in business will be analysed. Using books, journals and
other online sources the data collection process will be accessed as it will also
assist in meeting objectives. Moreover, for effective data interpretation the
analysis technique need to be employed by the experts. It is necessary for
experts to have application of thematic approach of analysis. In this, different
themes are being framed on the basis of objectives so that research objectives
can be accomplished. Sampling for the present study will be 30 employees of
Rockpool Digital, London. It will assist in meeting standards in more desired
manner with an authentic data collection.
What your areas of research will cover:
In order to have better understanding in regard to digital technologies and its
impact on the performance diverse areas are being considered as critical factor.
For effective analysis of the information, different themes will be framed in order
to meet the standards of literature review. It has been witnessed that analysis of
current status of business activities within Rockpool Digital Technology will be
taken into account. Along with this, key areas of improvement after the
application of digitalisation will be referred in desired manner. Moreover,
understanding about the subject is also being analysed done evaluating the
digitalisation adopted by Rockpool Digital Technology for continuous
improvement in performance. In helper to this, it can be said that by having an
effective determination of influence of digital technology on business success and
operations of Rockpool Digitial Technology the overall study needs can be
accomplished. Along with this, usage of advice structure to improve digital
working within operations of Rockpool Digital Technology will be critical
concern. It will help to improve the performance for attainment of key goals and
objectives.

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):
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:
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
The impact of digital technologies on business activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME's)-
A study on RockPool Digital Technology.
Student name:
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 No
➢ Use of personal records Yes
➢ Data Analysis Yes
➢ Action Research No
➢ Focus Groups No
➢ Others (Please specify) : None
Section 3: Participants

What your areas of research will cover:
Present study will be focused towards diverse factors which allows to attain the information in relevant
manner to access the following questions:
 How organisational activities within Rockpool Digital Technology are being accomplished?
 Evaluate the digitalisation within Rockpool Digital Technology and its significance in business?
 How digital technology impacts the business success and operations of Rockpool Digital
Technology?
 What are the methods that can improve digital working within Rockpool Digital Technology?
In present study participants were selected from adult category. In this, employees of Rockpool Digital
will only be allowed to have participation so that key outcome can be attained. Individual cooperation
with the members and also member data sheets will be utilized for act about examination.
Questionnaire will be framed by the experts happening the basis of objectives of the study. In this,
application of close-ended questions framework is state think of so that outcome can be attained. Along
with this, key terms in regard to respective members is being referred.
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a
brief explanation of the study)?
Yes
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This
could be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Yes, but information will not be shared with third party. It will only be accessed for the accomplishment of study and data analysis.
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: It will be taken from the participants
 Potentially vulnerable participants: No
 Sensitive topics: No

 Risk to participants and /or researchers: This will be considered in the research
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer,
sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
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):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date