Analyzing Digital Technology's Impact on Marks & Spencer's Business

This report examines the impact of digital technology on Marks and Spencer (M&S) in the UK. The study begins with an introduction to the role of digital technology in modern business and its impact on various functions. It explores the research background, aims, objectives, and research questions. The report then delves into the scope of the research, risk management, cost control, and the rationale behind the study. A Gantt chart is presented to illustrate the project timeline. The core of the report involves the interpretation and analysis of survey data, which includes themes on digital technology implementation, issues faced, departmental usage, and the impact on business performance. The report concludes with key findings, including the critical role of digital technology in enhancing business operations and performance. Recommendations are provided, such as designing a webpage and promoting services through social media, along with the use of cloud computing technology to improve M&S's business activities and overall performance.

MANAGING
SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PLAN

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Research background.......................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................5
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................7
TASK 6..........................................................................................................................................15
TASK 7..........................................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
In the today's time, digital technology has revolutionised the way that anyone can
conduct the business. There are various kinds of digital technologies used in the business by
which many organisations enhance its business procedure and profitability. In several activities
of business such as administration, communication, storage, distribution, production, marketing,
finance etc required effective technology through which all process can effectively conduct. The
present report provides the depth knowledge and understanding about the digital technology and
its impact upon the business activities and function (Bulgurcu, Cavusoglu and Benbasat, 2010).
The major aim of this study is to analyse the impact of digital technology on the business
activities and operation with respect of Marks and Spencer UK. In order to address this aim,
researcher have developed various objective and used different methods of research
methodology by which actual issue can easily address.
TASK 1
Research background
In the present time, every business desires to improve the speed of business process and
save the cost. This can possible only by use of effective source of digital technology. Any
technological device that function through a binary computational code such as laptops, mobile
phones, computers, internet etc. In the present report, the discussion has been done on the
significance and impact of digital technology on the business performance and operation in the
restaurant (Bulgurcu, Cavusoglu and Benbasat, 2010). For attain this objective, scholar have
conducted primary data collection and used qualitative research methods.
Research Aim
To explore the understanding about the impact of digital technology on the performance and
operation of business enterprise: A case study of Marks and Spencer UK
Research Objective
 To examine the meaning and concept of digital technology?
 To analyse the significance and importance of digital technology in the business context
 To examine the role of digital technology in various functional department such as
human resource, marketing, operation, IT
 To assess the impact of uses of digital technology on the business performance and
activities

 To recommend the ways by which business performance and operation can more improve
by use of digital technology.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of digital technology?
 What are different significance and role of the digital technology in various functional
department of an organisation?
 How digital technology can influence business functions and operation?
TASK 2
Scope of the research project
The present report is developed on the basis of the digital technology and its significance
in the various functional department of organisation. This research study have huge scope
because it aids in developing effective understanding and knowledge about the digital technology
and its implication in business toward improve operation and growth. With assistance of this
subject, communication procedure in the business can also improve. In various aspects such as
administration, storage and distribution, production etc required effective source of technology.
Risk management
In the present research study, risk management is essential aspect to control and monitor
the entire investigation. With help of risk management process, researcher can easily overcome
the risk in the proposed research investigation. In this present study, risk can occur related to
plagiarism because researcher collect secondary information from various secondary sources
such as books, journals online articles, blogs etc. On these sources, there is high risk of
plagiarism.
Cost control
In the present research study, there are various kinds of activities which incurred cost and
expenses. Researcher required sufficient fund in various aspect such as transportation cost,
printing and stationary, internet cost etc. Due to insufficient amount of fund, scholar may face
issue related to cost. In order to control the cost, scholar has used activity based costing method
by which researcher can easily control the cost.
Quality control
In this present study, researcher have to control the quality of the investigation. As all
information which is going to add in the researcher should be in high quality.

Rationale of the study
The major reason for selecting this topic is to analyse the impact of digital technology on the
business operation and function. Researcher have selected this topic as research to because
scholar wanted to explore knowledge and understanding. In addition to this, in the present time,
most of the organisation is using this channel for enhance speed and operation of business. Thus,
researcher desires to acknowledge the actual impact of digital technology on the business
performance.
TASK 3
Gantt chart
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Develop research proposal
Design aim and objective of the
research
Significance of the study
Rationale of the study
Research methodology
Selection of the research methods
Prepare questionnaire
Data collection in survey
Data analysis and interpretation
Conclusion
Submit the draft

TASK 4
Research methodology is very significant aspect and terminology for address the research
issue. It is a systematic process and theoretical analysis of the method applied in the study. It is a
planning for doing research about any subject. In this aspect included various methods and
technique such as research approach, philosophies, research techniques, data collection, sampling
etc. In the present study, the major objective of researcher is to explore the understanding about
the impact of digital technology on the performance and operation of business enterprise. Thus,
for attain this objective, scholar will apply following methods- Research philosophies- In the entire research methodology, research philosophy is one of
the significant aspect which provide depth knowledge and understanding about the
research study. With help of this method, researcher can understand the actual objective
and issue of the study (Zumitzavan and Michie, 2015). There are major two kinds of
research philosophies that is interpritivim and positivism. In order to explore the
understanding about the impact of digital technology on the performance and operation of
business enterprise, researcher has applied positivism research philosophies. Research approach- In order to conduct the research investigation, research approach is
one of essential aspect by which investigation objective can effectively analyse. This
approach allow investigator in analysing and assessing the actual outcome of the study.
There are major two kinds of research approach that is inductive and deductive approach.
In the inductive approach, there is presence of research question and in the deductive
approach, hypothesis can design by the investigator (Smith and Lewis 2011). In the
present study, scholar has applied deductive approach for explore the understanding
about the impact of digital technology on the performance and operation of business
enterprise. Research technique- Research technique is that criteria for analysing and interpreting
information about the subject. It is source which assist to scholar in analysing and
addressing the problem of study in more excellent manner. Major two kind of research
technique that are qualitative and quantitative (Soni and Kodali, 2012.). On the context of
qualitative, it is a technique of inquiry that develops understanding on the human and
social science and it is exploratory type of research. On the other hand in the context of

quantitative research, it is used to generate numerical data and it is conclusive type of
research technique. In the present study, for explore the understanding about the impact
of digital technology on the performance and operation of business enterprise, researcher
will apply qualitative research technique. By use of this method, researcher will conduct
the survey for data collection. Data collection- In order to conduct investigation, data collection is essential way by
which researcher can gather information about the subject and get an appropriate solution
of problem. Data collection is a systematic procedure under which researcher can collect
information from primary and secondary sources. If scholar use the survey, interview
observation for collecting data about the subject then it is known as the primary data
collection (Saunders and Bezzina, 2015). On the other hand if scholar uses books,
journal, online articles, blogs etc for data collection then it is known as the secondary
data collection. In the present study, scholar will apply primary data collection under
which scholar will conduct survey of 20 employees who are working in the Marks and
Spencer for acknowledge about implication of digital technology which is using in cited
venture.
 Sampling- This is another important aspect by which some number of people can select
for data collection. It is a process under which researcher choose some group of people
from the whole segment (Aaker, 2011). Thus, in the present study, scholar will select 20
personnels who are working in the Marks and Spencer organisation so as information
about the usefulness and role of digital technology in the cited venture can easily collect.
TASK 5
Theme 1: How many year experience do you have in the Marks and Spencer
How many year experience do you have in the Marks and Spencer Frequency
6 Months 5
1 to 2 Year 9
3 to 4 year 4
More than 5 year 2

Interpretation and analysis: From this question it has been analysed that selected respondents
in the survey have effective experience of working in the market and Spencer. From the collected
information about the subject of digital technology, it has been analysed that 9 employees have
experience of working in cited venture of 1 to 2 year. On the other hand 4 employees have
experience of working in cited venture of 3 to 4 year.
Theme 2: Do you think the implementation of digital technology is required in the Marks and
Spencer
Do you think the implementation of digital technology is required in the
Marks and Spencer? Frequency
Yes 18
No 2
6 Months 1 to 2 Year 3 to 4 year More than 5 year
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Frequency

Interpretation and analysis: This section stated that there is huge requirement of
implementation of digital technology in the Marks and Spencer. From the 20 employees in the
survey, 18 employees thinks that implementation of digital technology is required in the Marks
and Spencer. On the other hand 2 employees thinks that there is no requirement to implement
digital technology in Marks and Spencer.
Theme 3: Which kind of issue have faced by cited venture at the time of implementation of
digital technology
Which kind of issue have faced by cited venture at the time of
implementation of digital technology? Frequency
Organize training and development session for its employees 5
Enhance the cost ad expense of company 10
Unclear and knowledge 3
Yes
No

Other 2
Organize training and
development session for its
employees
Enhance the cost ad expense
of company
Unclear and knowledge
Other

Interpretation and analysis: From this question in the survey it has been analysed that the
major issue faced by cited venture at the time of implementation of digital technology is related
to cost and expenses. As in order to implement digital technology, company have to bear high
expenses and cost.10 employees thinks that cost and expenses is major issue for this
implementation. On the other hand 5 employees thinks that company have to face the issue
related to training and development as company required to organise training for
implementation of digital technology.
Theme 4: In which department mostly use of digital technology in the Mark and Spencer
In which department mostly use of digital technology in the Mark and
Spencer? Frequency
Finance 4
Marketing 3
Operational 3
All department 10
Interpretation and analysis: This section defined that digital technology used in all functional
department of Marks and Spencer. The major objective of this question in the survey is to
identify that which department mostly use of digital technology. From the 20 employees in the
survey, 10 respondents said that all functional department required the use of digital technology.

Theme 5: Which major use of digital technology in Marks and Spencer
Which major use of digital technology in Marks and Spencer? Frequency
Communication 4
Administration 5
Finance
Marketing
Operational
All department

Storage and distribution 8
Production 3
Interpretation and analysis: This section defines that digital technology is mostly used in the
storage and distribution work in the Marks and Spencer. From the collected information in the
survey, 8 respondents said that storage and distribution is major use of digital technology in
Marks and Spencer. On the other hand 5 respondents said that digital technology is used mostly
in administration work in the Marks and Spencer. In addition to this, 4 respondents said that
digital technology mostly used in communication work in the Marks and Spencer.
Theme 6: Do you agree that digital technology can assist in improving speed of business
operation and process
Do you agree that digital technology can assist in improving speed of
business operation and process? Frequency
Strongly agree 10
Administration Production
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Frequency

Agree 6
Disagree 3
Strongly disagree 1
Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly
disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Frequency

Interpretation and analysis: From this question in the survey it has been analysed that digital
technology can assist in improving speed of business operation and process. From the survey of
20 employees of Marks and Spencer, 10 are strongly agreed by the statement that digital
technology can assist in improving speed of business operation and process. In addition to this 6
respondents are just agreed by the statement. On the other hand , 3 respondents are disagreed by
this mentioned statement that digital technology can assist in improving speed of business
operation and process.
Theme 7: Do you agree that digital technology can restructure and innovate company's system,
activities and operation
Do you agree that digital technology can restructure and innovate company's
system, activities and operation? Frequency
Strongly agree 9
Agree 8
Disagree 2
Strongly disagree 1

Interpretation and analysis: This section defines that digital technology can restructure and
innovate company's system, activities and operation. In the survey of 20 employees it has ben
analysed that 9 respondents are strongly agreed by this statement that digital technology can
restructure and innovate company's system, activities and operation. In addition to this, 8
respondents are just agreed by the statement that digital technology can restructure and innovate
Agree Strongly disagree
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Frequency

company's system, activities and operation. Thus, from the collected information it has been
analysed that with help of digital technology, innovation can bring within the company.
Theme 8: Do you think that Marks and Spencer's business performance and growth has been
improved after implementing digital technology
Do you think that Marks and Spencer's business performance and growth
has been improved after implementing digital technology? Frequency
Yes 15
No 5
Yes
No

Interpretation and analysis: From this section it has been analysed that Marks and Spencer's
business performance and growth has been improved after implementing digital technology. In
the survey, from 20 employees of Marks and Spencer, 15 employees said yes as they think that
Marks and Spencer's business performance and growth has been improved after implementing
digital technology. On the other hand 5 employees in the survey said no about this statement that
Marks and Spencer's business performance and growth has been improved after implementing
digital technology.
TASK 6
From the entire research project it has been concluded that digital technology plays a very
crucial role in the business enterprise by which company can enhance its operation and
performance (Borghoff and Pareschi, 2013). From collected data in the survey it has been
analysed that in several activities of business such as administration, communication, storage,
distribution, production, marketing, finance etc required effective technology through which all
process can effectively conduct. However, it has been also analysed that in order to major issue
faced by cited venture at the time of implementation of digital technology is related to cost and
expenses. As in order to implement digital technology, company have to bear high expenses and
cost. Following are some recommendations for improve the business activities and operation of
Marks and Spencer by using digital technology-
 Marks and Spencer should design its own web page on the internet so as it can
communicate with customer by digital manner. Company should promote and advertise
its services by use of social media so as firm can place its information about product

features, prices etc on digital manner (Abdillah, 2014). This strategy assists in improving
promotion of Marks and Spencer's product and services in the market.
 Marks and Spencer should use the cloud computing technology that enables ubiquitous
access to shared pools of configurable system of resource and higher level service that
can be rapidly provisioned with minimal management efforts, often over the internet
(Bilbao-Osorio, Dutta and Lanvin, 2013). With help of this digital technology, company
can keep secure and safe is information related to business operation.
 Marks and Spencer should restructure its digital system and platforms so as it can
improve its business performance. Cited venture should update its technology in various
department such as marketing, HR, finance etc so as speed of business can enhance.
TASK 7
In this entire discussion about the research project I have gained effective knowledge and
understanding about the digital technology. My concept and idea about this subject has been
cleared with help of this investigation. The major objective of this study is to explore the
understanding about the impact of digital technology on the performance and operation of
business enterprise. Thus, in this project, I have included various method and technique of
research methodology. With assistance of this study, I have gained the knowledge about the
methods of research methodology. In addition to this, in this project by primary data collection
my various skilled has been improved like communication skill, analytical skill, interaction skill,
observation skill etc. At the time of interpretation and analysis, my analytical skill has been also
improved etc. From this report, I have learnt to solve the major issue which is incurred in the
research study.
1 How many year experience do you have in the Marks and Spencer
 6 Months
 1 to 2 Year
 3 to 4 year
 More than 5 year

2 Do you think the implementation of digital technology is required in the Marks and Spencer?
 Yes
 No
3 Which kind of issue have faced by cited venture at the time of implementation of digital
technology?
 Organise training and development session for its employees
 Enhance the cost ad expense of company
 Unclear and knowledge
 Other
4 In which department mostly use of digital technology in the Mark and Spencer?
 Finance
 Marketing
 Operational
 All department
5 Which major use of digital technology in Marks and Spencer?
 Communication
 Administration
 Storage and distribution
 Production
6 Do you agree that digital technology can assist in improving speed of business operation and
process?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
7 Do you agree that digital technology can restructure and innovate company's system, activities
and operation?
 Strongly agree
 Agree

 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
8 Do you think that Marks and Spencer's business performance and growth has been improved
after implementing digital technology?
 Yes
 No
9 Recommend the strategies by which performance and operation can enhance by use of digital
technology?