Research Project: Digital Technology Implications for 3COM Business

This research project, titled "To identify the implications of digital technology on small business enterprise: A case study on 3COM," examines the impact of digital technologies on the operations and performance of the small business 3COM. The project begins with an introduction outlining the significance of digital technology and its influence on business success, followed by a literature review that explores the benefits and drawbacks of digitalization, as well as the role of technology in the business world. The research methodology outlines the type of research, approach, data sampling methods, and data collection tools used. The project then delves into data analysis, followed by conclusions and recommendations. The research aims to identify the advantages and disadvantages of digital technologies on business performance, analyzing the challenges faced by employees, and the overall impact of digital tools on business operations. The study utilizes a Gantt chart to illustrate the project timeline. The project concludes with a self-reflection on the research methodologies used, and suggestions for alternative approaches.

RESEARCH
PROJECT

Table of Contents
Title:- ...............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1: INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1
1.1 Overview...............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Significance of research........................................................................................................1
1.3 Aims and objectives..............................................................................................................2
1.4 Research questions................................................................................................................2
1.5 Gantt chart.............................................................................................................................3
TASK 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................................................................3
2.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................3
2.2 Benefits of digitalisation at workplace..................................................................................3
2.3 Drawbacks of advanced equipments.....................................................................................5
2.4 Importance and role of technology in business world..........................................................6
TASK 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................7
3.1 Type of research....................................................................................................................8
3.4 Approach...............................................................................................................................8
3.5 Data sampling.......................................................................................................................9
3.6 Tools for collecting data.......................................................................................................9
TASK 4: DATA ANALYSIS..........................................................................................................9
TASK 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.............................................................16
5.1 Suggestion...........................................................................................................................16
5.2 Conclusion..........................................................................................................................17
CHAPTER 6: SELF REFLECTION.............................................................................................18
6.1 Research method used for meeting objectives of this project.............................................18
6.2 Alternative research methodologies....................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................21

Title:-
“To identify the implications of digital technology on small business enterprise: A case
study on 3COM”
TASK 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview
Digital technologies have a greater influence on a success of a small as well as large
enterprise because it supports entire corporate world in attaining their set objectives or targets. In
fact their major role is to facilitate corporations in various manner such as; instant booking,
transactional process, accomplishment of work in a minimum duration, safeguarding the past or
present records. Along with this, it affects the culture of an association, efficiency and
relationship of an enterprise with business partners, customer, employees or different
shareholders (Alpkan and et. al., 2010 ). Basically, modern technologies have tangible as well as
intangible advantages which will support in generating maximum revenue by producing high
productivity with full satisfaction of their customers. 3COM is a small firm which was
established in around 1979 in order to manufacture digital electronics items for facilitating their
desired customers. Thus, it is best known for its qualitative computer network goods which
provide necessary services or facilities to entire society. Therefore, this project is going to
highlight role and significance of digital equipments at workplace by showing its benefits or few
drawbacks. Whereas, this portion of assignment provide the approx. information about selected
company by throwing lights on their background for understanding the major objectives of
project. Mainly digital technologies may hampered the working capabilities of an individual that
are performing their job role in a business entity. Hence, benefits and limitations of digitalisation
is going to outlined in this report in order to get updated about role of modern equipments at
workplace.
1.2 Significance of research
It is very indispensable to conduct this investigation for understanding the importance of
digital technology with the help of various facts or figures by considering necessary factors
which affects success of digitalisation at workplace (Baker, 2012). 3COM is small entity which
is engaged in serving modern equipments by designing various qualitative computer network in
order to facilitate overall corporate world while running their business. Along with this, it is also
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useful in completing specific task in a minimum duration. Basically selected company is trying
to introduce numerous of innovative products with extra features for generating maximum
revenue in a defined time period. However, implementation of any advanced machines supports
corporations in performing their job role in a efficient manner. One of the major objective behind
introduction of digital technologies is to develop entire nation as well as enhance world economy
by attaining maximum return on the investment. Instead of all this 3com is trying to design
number of software to protect computer system from viruses, making long distance networks by
coming up with numerous of ideas or techniques (Camisón and Villar-López, 2014). Thus, it has
been understood that this investigation plays a major role in achieving organisational aims or
objectives in a given time frame because of their advancement which attract millions of
customers towards it. Consequently, implementation of digital technologies is beneficial for
nation in various manner such as; initially it will supports in raising living standard of whole
society specially poor people, aids in removing poverty, proper communication at workplace
with the help of modern equipments.
Apart from this, 3com is creating different methodology for managing different hazard
related with the advancement of innovation. Like for example the representatives may limits to
embrace new innovation in the association whereas higher administrators of an association and
pioneers ought to be powerful in spurring the workforce to acknowledge the adjustments in real
life. This will advantageous for execution and capabilities of the representative and upgrade their
performance. The business element might be affected by the absence of master learning in
executing new innovation in rehearses. This to a great extent influences the productivity of firm
in embracing and building up the new refreshed advancements. Hence, research projects aids in
identifying positive or negative impact of technology on business operations as well as supports
in designing impressive action plan in order to minimization of risk (Carlsson, 2012).
1.3 Aims and objectives
Major aim or motive of this proposal is “to identify the implication of digital
technology on small business: A case study on 3COM” .
1.4 Research questions
 What are the influence of digital technology on 3COM?
 Identify various advantageous of using modern equipment at workplace?
 Describe the influence of modern technology on organizational performance?
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 Determine various challenges encountered by employees while performing their job role?
 What are the drawbacks of using digital technology at workstation?
 How long modern technologies are beneficial for entire industry?
 Identify the changes on consumer perception due to usage of digital technology?
 In what ways digital tools are developing small business at global marketplace?
1.5 Gantt chart
TASK 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This section of research project defines precise information about digital technology and
its impact on current business performance with the help of necessary information or data. In fact
it has been understood that digitalisation plays a very vital role in resolving business issues or
barriers which is faced by employees and managers at workplace because of their unique or
different features (Chiou and et. al., 2011). Basically, 3com is playing a crucial role in emerging
advanced equipments by coming up with number of innovative products which is helpful for
local people. Along with this, this part of project consist of relevant data related with influence of
modernization at international marketplace as well as overall world. Thus, researcher will deeply
understand the advantageous and drawbacks of digital machinery for entire company and its
impact on employees performance.
2.2 Benefits of digitalisation at workplace
According to Christensen (2013) it has been observed that introduction of digital
machineries supports an enterprise in various manner by providing accurate information or data
which is beneficial for overall company while decision making process. 3Com is an association
which is playing a major role in facilitating individuals as well as entire corporate world by
emerging with creative ideas for enhancing their existing products. Along with this, their main
objective is to strengthen the services which is provided by them to normal human beings to
make their life more interesting or full of happening. However, after getting aware about impact
of digitalisation it has been analysed that usage of advanced equipments is beneficial for both;
business world as well as to normal human beings.
Advantageous for corporate world:-
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 Accumulate necessary information:- First and foremost advantages of using advanced
equipment is to gathered essential data in a minimum time period which is helpful while
decisional process, policy designing, during strategy maker and various other business
operations (García-Morales, Jiménez-Barrionuevo and Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez, 2012). Thus,
it also plays a major role in understanding the need of desired customers in order to
design items as per choice of society . Enhance the performance:- Secondly, if employees are also using advanced
technologies then they can easily accomplish their assigned task in a defined time period
and gain maximum knowledge by using different machineries. Record keeper:- One of the major quality of digitalisation is that it helps in keeping
previous, current and future records in a single folder which is helpful for managers while
making decisions for overall company. Along with this it is also useful while distributing
profits between supervisors or subordinates. Transaction process:- After implementation of various modern machinery it is useful of
company while delivering products from one place to another in a minimum duration.
Additionally, it also facilitate business while transferring money from one person to
another like buyer to seller. Increased productivity:- With the use of advanced equipments employees may able to
accomplish their assigned task or activities as soon as possible in an efficient manner
which helps then in attaining personal and professional objectives. As a result it will
maximize the productivity of firm and succeeded in generating maximum revenue by
capturing attention of millions of clients.
 Enhanced safety or security:- Documents are totally safe in high tech equipments
because it consist of privacy locks which supports an enterprise in preventing their
secrets data from culprits or frauds. In fact, security is indispensable factor which is
required by every association in their enterprise in order to protect their new or
innovative ideas from their competitors or rivalries (Garrison, Kim and Wakefield, 2012).
Benefits for individual/ human beings:- Knowledge enhancement:-Initially they learn many more things by using new
technologies which is beneficial for them while performing their day to day life
activities.
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 Encourage towards modernization:- It is also useful in motivating an individual towards
luxurious life cycle by experiencing various different things and helps in raising their
standard of living which is advantageous for overall nation because improvement in
individual life may enhance the economy.
 Ability to face risk:- With the use of advancement items a person get aware about
number of things which is helpful for them while dealing with various problematic
situation.
Thus, according to above explanation it has been understood that introduction of
digitalisation process is highly profitable scheme because it protect an individual as well as
business entity from various problems or issues (Grol and et. al., 2013).
2.3 Drawbacks of advanced equipments
3Com is trying to expand their business across international boundaries by coming up
with number of high tech network and conduct modification in their current computer system as
per societal demand. Their main objective is to encourage overall world towards adoption of
digitalisation techniques for uplifting standard of entire society or business world. According to
Gunday and et. al., (2011) it has been analysed that handling or managing of a modern
equipments is not an easy task which requires lots of experience, knowledge, learning, skills and
attentive nature because single mistake is resulted in a heavy loss. For example; one wrongful
transaction affects the revenue of a specific business. Thus, it is essential for manager to consider
necessary factors before implementing advanced machineries. Creators of 3com company needs
to study drawbacks of digitalisation before introduction process in order to eliminate various
losses, control risk and so on. Hence, drawbacks of digitalisation is mentioned as follows:- Increased risk at identity theft:- According to this term hacking is increasing day by day
due to availability of advanced software or techniques by which any individual may get
succeeded in tracking the identity of a specific person. Along with this, it creates a risky
situation for every individual which are using technologies in their day-to-day life. Requires lots of knowledge:- High tech equipments are full of complexity which requires
learning, experience or information about that particular machinery (Hogan and Coote,
2014). Thus, managers of an association needs to appoint talented or skilled employees in
order to accomplish their job role in an efficient manner and able to attain set objectives.
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 Difficult to handle:- Sometime experience or leaders are also failed to understand the
working process new machinery due to its complexity and unique features. Thus 3com
are also designing various complicated products and modifying their computer in more
complex form which is not easy for understanding normal human beings Chances of loss:- Due to maximization of hackers passwords are also predicated by them
which creates a major problem for business because it will create a chance of loss. Along
with this, sometime because of wrongful usage of modern machineries previous data or
information may get deleted which affects the overall corporation (Hung and et. al.,
2011). Expensive:- Implementation of advanced equipments requires maximum amount or
funds because designing of these products consume costly raw materials.
 Longer process:- As per this factor digitalisation is seen as a longer process because of
its complexities (Meskendahl, 2010).
Thus, managers of 3com needs to design their products by considering these above
factors in order to make goods free from barriers.
2.4 Importance and role of technology in business world
Technology at workplace permitting specific business entity towards expansion process
by understanding the need or desired of customers groups. In fact organisational techniques like ;
video conferencing, social networks and various other things supporting in eradicating
boundaries or limitation of expansion. Along with this, it also aids in performing various
business operations in an efficient manner by providing numerous of tools or techniques.
According to Jestonand Nelis, (2014 )it has been identified that digitalisation is very crucial for
every organization either small or large because it help employees in accomplishing their
assigned task or activities in a minimum time period by adopting high tech equipments. Thus
number of factors are there which shows that technology is significant for entire association in
various manner that is described as follows:- Enhance the communication:- According to this component interaction process become
more easier with the help of modern technology by using mails, mobile phones consist
of high quality network and so on. All these modes of communication helps in
transferring message in one go without any interruption due to availability of qualitative
network.
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 Efficiency:- Digital technology act as a indispensable tool in improving the efficiency of
a employees as well as supervisors because it supports in designing impressive goods or
services in less time (López-Nicolás and Meroño-Cerdán, 2011). Consume minimum duration:- It will also take very less duration because of their
fastest services due to availability of high network which is provide by 3com company in
their local area. High productivity:- As per this element, introduction of advanced technologies at
workplace is very useful in maximizing their profits by enhancing the performance of
workers and encourage them towards their personal or occupational goals (Melton and
Hartline, 2010). Development of economy:- Emergence of high tech systems aids company in uplifting
their national or international economy because maximum usage of technology raise the
living standard of overall society. Maximum return:- Emergence of modern machinery with advanced facilities helps an
enterprise in generating maximum revenue by satisfying needs of millions of customers.
 Budget disciplinary:- Capital is a lifeblood for every organization either small or large in
order to perform business activities which requires an effective budget plan for
controlling extra or unused expenditure (Mellor, Hao and Zhang2014).
Hence, it is has been understood that digitalisation is very much essential or act as a very
vital component for overall corporate world because it helps in achieving set objectives as soon
as possible.
TASK 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
According to this section of investigation programme learner should get aware about
method of accumulating necessary or relevant data which is used by company while decision
making process. Along with this, it also highlight various modes of acquiring facts or figures in a
ethical way without exploiting others (Stauffer, 2015). Basically, major objective of this portion
is to support company during policy or strategy designing by gathering necessary information or
data with the help of suitable method.
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3.1 Type of research
In this portion various kinds of research are going to highlight by considering relevant
facts or figures. Usually, agent needs to pick a superior technique for planning exercises in
appropriate path by taking entire venture right way. Research can be quantitative or qualitative in
nature in light of the fact that these two methodologies is exceptionally successful in gathering
right and reasonable information that can be used by Babcock universal in accomplishing their
points and goals (Anderson and Agarwal, 2011). Quantitative strategy for examine is appeared
in a factual arrangement that implies entire data is accumulated as far as fiscal that can be sued
for computing anything On the other hand, qualitative technique speaks to better nature of
information which can be used by colleagues of research in settling on exact choices. It is to be
noticed that in this exploration venture, just 'Subjective philosophy' is utilized to aggregate
suitable data and figures as the title of present report depends on the effect of workers
relationship and computerized systems on execution of wander. Basically, qualitative and
quantitative are playing eminent role in research process by accumulating information in various
manner. Along with this aids in facilitating organization while offering relevant facts or figures
in order to take corrective decision as per situation.
3.4 Approach
There are usually two sorts of approach that are inductive and deductive. According to
the need, inductive research approach has been utilized by specialist in this undertaking for
building up the hypotheses on the ground of their evaluation. The another reason of picking this
approach is that entire undertaking is relying upon subjective philosophy (Jørn Nielsen and
Hjørland, 2014). In this way, it has been perceived that this structure is particularly suited
keeping in mind the end goal to achieve the last goal. However, number of approaches are
identifies which helps in gaining information from distinct members such as questionnaire,
interviews and survey for understanding the need of changes at marketplace. Questionnaire is
used in this project for analysing the need of reformation or adoption of modern technologies at
workplace.
3.5 Data sampling
Information inspecting is a strategy of choosing the case that rehashes from first
populace. It is the obligation of agent to pick better procedure of looking at data with the goal
that they can use probabilistic or non – probabilistic strategy for testing. Here purposive testing
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strategy had been utilized as this is a bit of probabilistic examining technique that backings in
accomplishing legitimate case from all populace (Ruppert, Law and Savage, 2013). In this
undertaking, analyst picks the example of 20 agents who are by and by working in 3com
worldwide for building up their living styles.
3.6 Tools for collecting data
Data accumulation is considered as one of the fundamental segment of this examination
report. Here expert assembles information by taking utilization of essential and auxiliary assets.
In this task, analyst is settling on legitimate choices with the goal that they can keep together all
the substance according to the reasonableness. Here the information will be gathered by means
of essential and auxiliary assets as there is a need of proper data in setting of subject of the
venture (Yoo and et. al., 2010).
TASK 4: DATA ANALYSIS
This is an essential segment because it helps in checking the total work of the assignment.
This should be possible by taking perspectives of the considerable number of representatives
presently working in the 3com small business enterprise . Here the example estimate is 20. in this
segment survey are made on the premise of significant raw numbers and a meeting session of
employees are directed here.
Questionnaire
Name : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age : ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gender : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q1. Emergence of advanced technology is beneficial for society or not? Yes No
Q2. Have you seen any affect of high tech networks in developing business entity related
activities of 3Com ? Yes No
Q3. Which department of 3com needed to be more digitalised ? Human resource department
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