Regent College Project: Digital Tech and Small Business Growth, HND

This project examines the impact of digital technology on supporting small business growth and innovation, focusing on the case of Ontraport. It outlines project aims, objectives, and a detailed project management plan, including a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart. The project employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyze data collected from Ontraport employees, exploring the advantages and limitations of digital technology implementation. Data analysis includes the use of questionnaires to gather insights into the impact of technology on business performance and operational efficiency. The project concludes with recommendations to mitigate challenges and enhance the effective use of digital technology in small business environments, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject.

PROJECT GROWTH: THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL
TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS
GROWTH AND INNOVATION
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Table of Contents
TASK 1....................................................................................................................................................4
LO 1........................................................................................................................................................4
P1......................................................................................................................................................4
Project aim and objective .....................................................................................................................4
P2......................................................................................................................................................5
Project management plan .....................................................................................................................5
P3......................................................................................................................................................7
Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart..........................................................................................7
...............................................................................................................................................................7
...............................................................................................................................................................7
TASK 2....................................................................................................................................................8
LO 2........................................................................................................................................................8
P4......................................................................................................................................................8
Research Methods ................................................................................................................................8
TASK 3..................................................................................................................................................11
LO 3......................................................................................................................................................11
P5....................................................................................................................................................11
Data Analysis .......................................................................................................................................11
P6....................................................................................................................................................16
Recommendation ...............................................................................................................................16
TASK 4..................................................................................................................................................17
LO 4......................................................................................................................................................17
P7....................................................................................................................................................17
Reflection ............................................................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................18
REFERENCE LIST...................................................................................................................................19
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APPENDIX............................................................................................................................................20
Log Book.........................................................................................................................................20
Performance Review ......................................................................................................................22
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INTRODUCTION
Application of modern technology has a major role in the context of organisational
practices. Organisations across the globe apply different technology regarding the
organisational performance as well as its development. This study is intending to present the
impact of the application of modern technologies in order to improve the organisational
performance. This study will revolve around an American organisation Ontraport. Ontraport
has been recognised as business automation software developer that assists different SMEs.
Learner of this study will evaluate the impact of digital technology in the context of
Ontraport. This study will present a project plan regarding the application of digital
technology. There are different methods to analyse a project and the learner will shades light
on both primary and secondary methods in order to evaluate the impact of such technologies
in the context of organisational development of Ontraport. It will present the analysis and
evaluation of modern technologies in organisational context and intending to provide a
recommendation study in order to mitigate certain challenges that stood on the way of
applying digital technology in small business organisation.
TASK 1
LO 1
P1
Project aim and objective
Objectives
 To determine suitable technologies regarding the development of Ontraport
 To identify advantages in the organisational context of Ontraport because of the
application of digital technology
 To figure out the limitations regarding the application of digital technology
 To suggest recommendations in order to mitigate such limitations
Aims
Application of modern technology has a major impact on the performance of both an
individual and an organisation. This influence the performance as well as development.
Regarding the development of the organisation as well as individual skills, modern people are
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dependable on the application of modern technologies. Hence, this study is intending to
present the impact of the application of digital technologies regarding the development of an
organisation.
P2
Project management plan
Scope:
Application of digital technologies is useful in organisational context. This helps the
organisation to develop the work culture within the organisational workplace. It also assists
the organisation to manage its resources. Skill of the employees is an important factor
regarding the organisational performance. Application of digital technologies could help the
organisation to develop the skills of the employees. As stated by Gibson et al. (2014, p.49),
the organisation could achieve better services from their work force. In the context of
Ontraport Application of digital technologies are subjected to certain advantages it regarding
the organisational performance achievement of the objectives. It could assist the organisation
to analyse the market as well as requirements of the customers. This will allow Ontraport to
offer better service to their customers. Hence, application of modern technologies could help
the organisation in different perspectives.
Quality:
Application of technologies is also related with the development of the workforce. This could
help the organization to develop the skill of its employees. Ontraport could develop the
individual skills of the employees. Improvement in the skills of the employees is related with
the quality of the services. As suggested by Chaffey (2015, p.57), the application of digital
technologies could allow the organisation to improve the skill of its employees in order to
offer services with better quality.
Time:
Application of digital technologies could affect the organisational performance regarding the
time of production or services. In the context of Ontraport, application of digital technology
could help the organisation to reduce the time while providing services to its customers. It
could also help to communicate with the employees and management of different functions
of the organisation. Hence, this provides benefits to the organisation regarding its productive
times.
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Cost:
Cost is an important factor regarding the organisational performance. Application of
technology is also related with the application of modern technologies. It requires certain
features and factors to apply in proper function. These factors are related with certain cost of
the employees. Ontraport is required to bear a certain amount of cost regarding the
application of digital technologies. Introduction of digital technologies is also related with its
maintenance and application. According to Alshamaila et al (2013, p.25), there will be
certain cost expenses for the organisation regarding this issue. Purchase of certain hardware
and software related with those technologies are one of such factors. Maintenance and
application of such technologies required to develop the skills of the employees. Hence, the
organisation will be subjected with additional expenditure regarding the employee training
and development. Resource management and power supply are other factors related with the
application of digital technologies in the organisational context.
Communication:
Communication is also an important factor regarding this project as this helps the
organisation to convey the messages of the management as well as organisational objectives
to its employees. As opined by Lin and Atkin, (2014, p.87), in order to apply the digital
technologies in the organisational workplace, Ontraport is required to convey the
organisational message among the employees regarding the application and introduction of
digital technologies.
Risk:
Application digital technology is also related with certain limitations and risks. The most
important one in this context is that digital technology is hack-able. Hence, the application of
such technology could threaten the safety of organisational information of Ontraport. Along
with that employee, skills and maintenance are other factors that increase the risk level
regarding this project.
Resources:
As application of digital technologies suggests the introduction of new strategies in the
organisational context, hence Ontraport is required to manage certain resources while
introducing such technology. This may include certain hardware, software and systems.
Ontraport will also require to manage the resources of employee training related with these
factors.
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Figure1: Project Management Plan
(Source: Researcher)
P3
Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Figure2: Work Breakdown Structure
(Source: Researcher)
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Figure 3: Gantt chart
(Source: Researcher)
As the Gantt, chart and work breakdown structure of this project suggests the project will
take 23 days to complete. The project will be done in few different steps. Initially it will
require selecting the project and completing a background research. Then the learner will
determine the procedure of the research. At next step, there will be an analysis of the data
collected throughout the research. Finally, there will be analysis of the risk regarding the
project.
TASK 2
LO 2
P4
Research Methods
Qualitative research method:
Qualitative research method suggests the scientific process of research consists of several
objectives. This research method intends to find out the answer of the research question by
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conducting research in a systematic way that includes the procedure of question-answer. As
stated by Smith (2015, p.59), this method puts emphasis on the collection of evidences and
provides the findings of the research, which were not determined primarily. Along with these
characteristics, qualitative research put emphasis on the perspectives of people who are
retained with the research topic or problem statement. As opined by Taylor et al (2015,
p.67), this method of research is more effective regarding the accumulation of information
about the opinions, values, social contexts and behaviours of related populations. It put
importance on the gathering of textual information including detailed description of the
experience of the people about the research issue. The prime intention of this research
method is to provide human experience about the research issue. It also assists the learners to
determine the intangible factors related with the research along with certain information
based on those factors. As suggested by Silverman (2016, p.61), qualitative research follows
three general methods while conducting the research. This includes observation of the
participants, interviews that are conduct in depth and focus of the groups. This research
method generally includes three types of data such as notes based on field, recordings and
transcripts.
Quantitative research method:
Quantitative research method put emphasis on the objective measurements. It presents
analysis of statistical or numerical data gathered through surveys, questionnaires polls. As
stated by Creswell (2013, p.71), it also analyses pre-existing data in a computational
technique. In order to explain the data related with a particular phenomenon, this research
method put emphasis on the accumulation of numerical data, which can be generalise across
the group of research related people. Prime characteristics of quantitative research suggest
that the data will be collected through structured instruments during the research. It consists
of large size of sample in order to explain and analyse the result. According to Bernard (2017,
p.59), it provides outcomes, which are highly reliable. Features of quantitative research
include several factors. Explanation of collected data is one such factor. It is also required to
present those facts, which remain unanticipated during the research. As opined by Mertens
(2014, p. 73), another important characteristic of this research method is the explanation of
the techniques, which are applied in order to collect data during the research. Prime objective
of this research method is to develop a relationship among the several factors in the context
of wide population. Hence, the research applies either descriptive or experimental research
design.
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Application of these research methods could help Ontraport to comprehend the factors related
with the application of digital technologies. Qualitative research will help the organisation to
determine the facts and the viewpoints of the people related with this program. The
organisation could also comprehend their views regarding impact of digital technologies in
the organisational context. On the other hand, quantitative research method helps the
organisation to interpret the numerical factors related with the research. Application of these
research methods will help the organization to gather and interpret information from related
field as well as pre-existing data related with the application of digital technologies.
Data
Since how long you are working in the Ontraport?
 0-5 year
 5-10 year
 More than 10 years
Do you think that digital technology can impact on business performance?
 Strong agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
What are the digital technology that can be implement in the Ontraport?
 Mobile phone
 Social media
 Others
What is the main use of digital technology in Ontraport?
 Enhance production capabilities
 Enhance communication
 Improve efficiency level of operations
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TASK 3
LO 3
P5
Data Analysis
There are various data collection tools and techniques, which can be applied in order to
interpret the data accumulated during the research. Every tools and techniques has certain
features that influence the interpretation of the research data.
Questionnaire:
It suggests the list of questions about the research issue asked to the respondents who are
related with the research. This tool is a systematic compilation of certain questions among the
sample people. It is very common tool to gather data during a research. Researchers often use
this tool, as this is easy to develop and regulate. As stated by Frontczak et al. (2012, p.61),
through the questionnaire, a researcher could comprehend different viewpoints of people
related with the issue of research. There are several advantages regarding the application of
this tool. This includes economical attribute, time saving procedure, wide area of coverage
and high reliability. On the other hand, there are certain limitations including limitation of
respondents, manipulated or wrong answer, illegible answers and others. Application of this
tool is even limited for certain cases.
In order to find the results' researcher has asked questions with the 10 employees of
Ontraport.
Theme 1: Time length of working in the Ontraport
0-5 year 7
5-10 year 2
More than 10 years 1
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Interpretation: From the above discussion it is analysed that 7 out of 10 answers have said
that they are working in the organization since 0-5 years. On other hand 2 respondents have
viewed that they are in the firm since 5-10 years. Whereas 1 answerers have said that they are
in the firm since more than 10 years. From the discussion it can be interpreted that maximum
people are working in cited firm since 0-5 years.
Theme 2: digital technology can impact on business performance
Strong agree 5
Agree 3
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 1
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