Implications of Digital Tech on SMEs: Talon Outdoor Case Study Report

This research project investigates the implications of digital technologies on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), using Talon Outdoor as a case study. The report begins with a research proposal, including a literature review and hypotheses, followed by a discussion of appropriate research methods for primary and secondary data collection. It details the conduct of primary and secondary research, considering costs, access, and ethical issues. The project then explores the application of analytical tools for data analysis, the communication of research outcomes, and a reflection on the effectiveness of the applied research methods. Alternative methodologies and lessons learned are also discussed. The report includes sections on research ethics, participant details, and data collection methods. The aim is to understand the concept of digital technology's implication in SME, identifying factors for effective results, ascertaining the relationship between digital marketing and Talon Outdoor, and recommending ways to enhance the performance of digital technology to attract more people.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Table of Contents
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Produce research proposal with hypotheses and literature review....................................3
Topic: The implications of digital technologies on SME – A case study on Talon Outdoor.3
Introduction............................................................................................................................3
Background.............................................................................................................................3
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM...................................................................................................4
RESEARCH ETHICAL FORM......................................................................................................9
P2 Appropriate research methods for primary and secondary data collection.....................16
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business
research project that consider costs, access and ethical issues.............................................17
P4 Implication of analytical tools in order to analyse the research findings and data.........19
P 5 Communicating or demonstrating the outcome of research project..............................20
P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research method applied for meeting objective of business
research project.....................................................................................................................25
P7 Alternative research methodologies and lesson learnt in the view of the outcome........25
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................27

LO 1
P1 Produce research proposal with hypotheses and literature review
Topic: The implications of digital technologies on SME – A case study on Talon Outdoor
Introduction
With passing of time, customer demand and perception continuously change day by day.
Therefore, digital technology play very important role that helps to make creative and advance
results at workplace. This is because, it will influence to the customer demand and requirement
towards the small business enterprise. In this regard, present study based on implications of
digital technology at workplace. It creates effective work performances that make credible work
in the systematic work (Quinton, Canhoto and Budhathoki, 2017).
Background
In order to identify implications of digital marketing on SME, it is very important to
select the large part of the UK to develop effective results at workplace. This is because, digital
technology play important role to make successful operations to small sector business operations.
It assists to increase market share through engage in different areas of the world. Further, digital
marketing also develop services that helps to meet with aims and objectives easily. From the help
of survey, it has been assessed that Talon Outdoor need to concentrate on the development that
assists to make high growth of company. It is the important element that greatly influence to the
productive approach. The selected company operating their functions in multinational brand so
that it assists to make more effective results in the enterprise. It is crucial element that increases
profits to attract customers in the business. Hence, targets will be accomplish to develop
effective results.
In order to make rapid growth, digital marketing create effective results at workplace.
Therefore, it impacts to customer choice and ascertain more profits in successful way. Target
market also develops that helps to focus on the SME growth and outcomes. Along with this,
small business requires large amount of fund so that effective functioning will be develops for
high profits and revenue.
3

RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM
Student Name: ______________________
Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor:
________________
Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title:
______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
The implications of digital technologies on SME – A case study on Talon Outdoor
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 understand the concept of implication of digital technology in SME.
 To identify factors that make effective results in SME sector.
 To ascertain interrelationship between digital marketing and Talon Outdoor.
 To recommends ways through performances of digital technology will be enhances to
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attract more people.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project
 Interest
 Scope
 Future objectives
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Concept of implication of digital technology in SME
According to the point of Prieto Martín and Ramalingam, (2016), there are different elements
exists that impact to the functions and operations of small sector. However, Caniëls, Lenaerts and
Gelderman, (2015) argued that customers have different perception towards the same products and
services.
Factors that make effective results SME sector
Stankovska, Josimovski and Edwards, (2016), explore their ideas towards enhancement of digital
marketing that assists to develop creative results at workplace. Beside this, (Morgan-Thomas,
2016) stated that digital technology consists detailed information towards the opportunities that are
exists in front of the business. In the contrast, Quinton, Canhoto and Budhathoki, (2017) also
frame their ideas and views to create market profitability at workplace.
Relationship between Talon outdoor and digital technology
Stankovska, Josimovski and Edwards, (2016), explore their ideas towards enhancement of digital
marketing that assists to develop creative results at workplace. In the contrast, Quinton, Canhoto
and Budhathoki, (2017) also frame their ideas and views to create market profitability at
workplace.
Ways to increase performances of SME with implications of digital technology
According to the Foroudi, Foroudi and Duda, (2017), public relation is the most useful framework
that make crucial results at workplace. In this regard, brand performances will be enhances
through systematic process in small sector enterprise. On the other hand, Hernandez, Prieto Martín
and Ramalingam, (2016) stated that it is responsibilities of the organisation to implement advance
technology that deliver effective results in it.
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Section Four: Activities and time-scales
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):
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Formulation of research proposal
Preparing aim and objectives
Writing background research study
Assortment of suitable research
methodologies
Data collection by using primary and
secondary sources
Examination of the collected data
Interpretation of collected
information to generate expected
results
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Conclusion and recommendations
Submission of draft report
Modifications as per the feedback
comments
Final Submission
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?
Research design: Descriptive research design
Research philosophy: Interpretivism
Research approach: Inductive
Sampling: Simple random sampling with 20 sample size
Research strategy: Qualitative strategy
What your areas of research will cover:
Internal organisation of Talon Outdooor
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
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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 (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree:
(Name of the IV)
Date
8

RESEARCH ETHICAL FORM
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
The implications of digital technologies on SME – A case study on Talon Outdoor.
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
Yes
(✓)
No
➢ Questionnaires
Yes
(✓)
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No
➢ Observations
Yes
No
(✓)
➢ Use of personal records Yes
No
(✓)
➢ Data Analysis
Yes
(✓)
No
➢ Action Research
Yes
No
(✓)
➢ Focus Groups
Yes
No
(✓)
➢ Others (Please specify) :
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Section 3: Participants
9 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)?
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
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
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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
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