The Impact of Digital Technology on Small Businesses: Putney Inc.

This research project investigates the implications of digital technology on Putney Inc., a small business specializing in pet medicines. The study begins with an overview of the research, its significance, aims, objectives, and research questions, followed by a Gantt chart for project management. A comprehensive literature review explores the reasons for adopting digital technology, the advantages of using latest tools, barriers to implementation, the impact on performance, and strategies for market success. The research methodology details the type of research, design, philosophy, approach, data sampling, and collection methods, including the use of questionnaires. Data analysis and findings are presented, leading to recommendations, ethical considerations, and a conclusion. The research aims to determine the effect of digital technology on small business organizations, offering valuable insights into technology adoption, challenges, and opportunities for Putney Inc. and similar enterprises. The study highlights the importance of digital technology in enhancing productivity, market competitiveness, and overall business performance, emphasizing the need for strategic implementation and adaptation to achieve desired outcomes.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Table of Contents
1:-INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................4
1.1 Overview of Research .....................................................................................................4
1.2 Significance of research...................................................................................................4
1.3 Aims and objectives.........................................................................................................5
1.4 Research questions...........................................................................................................5
1.5 Gantt chart........................................................................................................................6
2:- LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................7
2.1 Determining the reason of adopting the digital technology in Putney Inc.......................7
2.2 Advantages for using latest tools for enterprise...............................................................7
2.3 Barriers faced while implementing modern technology..................................................8
2.4 Do advanced technology is having any impact on performance......................................8
2.5 Ways which can help in attaining the higher position in market.....................................9
3:- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................9
3.1Type of research................................................................................................................9
3.2 Research design..............................................................................................................10
3.3 Research philosophy.......................................................................................................10
3.4 Approach........................................................................................................................10
3.5 Data sampling.................................................................................................................11
3.6 Data collection method...................................................................................................11
3.8 Questionnaire..................................................................................................................11
4:- DATA ANALYSIS..................................................................................................................12
5.FINDINGS..................................................................................................................................18
6.RECOMMENDATION..............................................................................................................18
7. ETHICS......................................................................................................................................19
8. REFLECTION...........................................................................................................................19
9. CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................19

Aim: “To determine the implication of digital technology on small
business organisation”. A case study on Putney Inc.
1:-INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview of Research
In market there is a huge competition in between the different company and they make
better strategies and decision which manipulate firm to perform in better manner and thus it
make them to earn higher profit as well. It was required to determine the implication of digital
technology on small business and on their productivity too. This is being also considered as the
collection of information and data in correct format and this help entity to take corrective action
which can directly impact on earning profit and convert to have a better working as well.
Therefore, the company can use the technology in great manner and it can help them to make
themselves stable in market (Beetham and Sharpe, 2013). Hence, according to research, Putney
Inc. is suffering from many more issues and problems which needs to be resolved by using
digital technology in perfect manner too. Normally, it can be said that digital technology plays an
effective role in the growth of business and thus it also make them to fight with competition in
market too. Therefore, research is done in market and thus it can make them to have proper kind
of working and thus environment changes with time and thus the company do use different
technology to enhance the performance and productivity. Generally, small companies also look
forward to enhance their working and productivity as well and they convert too expand their
business in right context too. Moreover, research is also help in gathering information and can
provide strength to stand by to complete the work and thus it make to perform in better manner
in market.
1.2 Significance of research.
In this concept, the proper research is to be done and corrective action does also need to
take and to know significance of digital technology in small firms as well. Even the implication
of digital technology can also help in earning higher sales and also be able to satisfy the demand
and needs of customers. Moreover, this also help in making a better image which does also gain
trust with the client too (Benckendorff, Sheldon and Fesenmaier, 2014). Putney Incorporation is
firm which sells generic medicines and drugs for pets and mainly they deal in medicine for dogs
and cats. They provide flavoured drugs for pets so that diseases can be managed in right

prospect. In fact there are various thing which make firm to expand their business with different
regions and this can also manipulate to receive high range of investment in great way. Therefore,
modern technology is used to increase the sales of company and to make them to earn higher
profits in great manner. Although technology is such which is needed concept for all the small
companies in world and even they can think to increase their sales by handling various complex
situation and it also make them to perform in better manner as well. Although several advanced
technology is being used by firm because of their uniqueness and features with power they have
in effective way. Putney Inc. is such company which bring out the medicines for the pets in right
contrast as well and does look forward to attain their goals and objectives, with this the company
also goes with expansion of business as well.
1.3 Aims and objectives
Aim: “To determine the implication of digital technology on small
business organisation”. A case study on Putney Inc.
Objectives:
 To identify the major reasons for adopting digital technology by
Putney Inc.
 To analyse the advantages of using the latest tools for enterprise.
 To identify major barriers faced by company while implementing
modern technology in Putney Inc.
 To analyse impact of advance technology on firm's performance.
 To identify the ways which can help in attaining the higher place in
market.
1.4 Research questions
 The determine the major reasons for adopting digital technology by Putney Inc.?
 What advantages are there of using the latest tools for enterprise?
 Different barriers faced by company while implementing modern technology in Putney
Inc.?
 Do advanced technology is having any impact on firm's performances?
 To know the ways which can help in attaining the higher place in market?

1.5 Gantt chart
It can be considered as the chart whose main objective is to look forward which also
highlight the accurate schedule in entire project which does help in accomplishing the overall
project and must be done by understanding the various aspect too. Although, it is also there that
activities has to be done in corrective manner as well with their time duration in right prospect
too (Bizirgianni and Dionysopoulou, 2013). Moreover, manager is such which help company to
split the various roles into various sections and thus it also attain the objectives in desired frame
as well. Hence, proper coordination and working in right direction does help in completing the
task and activities in great way too.
Although there are various things which also shows that researcher team and company must be
implemented in better manner with technology and should need to overcome possibilities in
mistakes with errors. Some of the advantages of Gantt chart are given below:
 Communication: Communication plays a vital role in any organisation. If the
communication is strong in all the departments, it will lead to achieve the desired goal
more rapidly, comparing it to the organisation with weak communication among team.
 Clarity: The more the clarity, the faster the results would be. It is important to use simple
language which is easy to decode and the points should be clear. So, that it will take less
time to complete the task.
 Time management: Schedule is such which can help in having different associations in
their project work which also look forward to have management in various and different
situation as well (Brynjolfsson and McAfee, 2012).Time management is important for all
the organisation in order to receive better results.
 Coordination: Adequate coordination among the Putney Inc. members is very much
required as it can help the members to work well and it will also lead to proper
distribution of work which will help in attaining less confusion and finish off the work on
time.
2:- LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Determining the reason of adopting the digital technology in Putney Inc.
As per the point of views of Brynjolfsson and McAfee, 2014 s, Putney Inc. is a small
scale company which is now looking forward to use the digital technology which is a very good

initiation as it will help the company to achieve more productivity and profit. Putney Inc. is a
company which deals in manufacturing pets medicines which is a great step for the welfare of
the animals. Firm is working to its full potential to adapt more technology to keep up with the
market trends and to look for more ways to upgrade their product's quality with time.
Where as, Buhalis and Foerste, 2015 states, that there are various methods by which the
digital technology can be helpful to the company. One of the great advantage of using digital
technology is that it helps in reaching the desired customers directly (Nguyen, Newby and
Macaulay, 2015). Through such techniques, Putney Inc. can reach out globally which will help in
earning more profit with less cost. Apart from earning profit, it can also help the respective
company to have a large market share and brand value. With the help of latest technology, the
company can invent new methods of productions and updating the quality of their products
(Taiminen and Karjaluoto, 2015). Furthermore, it will also ease out the whole operations of the
management with the help of more updated technologies.
2.2 Advantages for using latest tools for enterprise
There are various advantages of using technology in an enterprise. Technology helps in
making the work more easier (Ghobakhloo and et.al., 2012). It can help in cost reduction of the
respective organisation by adapting new machines for production and better ways of delivering
and marketing of the medicines. The latest machinery can help in producing more medicines in
less time. Where as, different styles of marketing like online marketing, online selling can help in
direct selling the medicines to the desired client which will help Putney in getting more clients.
The organisation will be able to operate internationally which will benefit the company in
attaining an international brand image. According too “Cohen and et. al., 2014” there are various
advantages in the enterprise of using digital technology and thus with this they can make aware
to millions of people about their medicines in country and with that they can save their pets in
right context too. Latest tools and technologies are used together that can help them to get stable
in market and with this they can earn higher profit as well.
These tools can be in any form and technology does changes with the change in
environment and thus it is required to work according to such only (Ramdani, Chevers and A.
Williams, 2013). Even the latest tools can be used to manufacture a right medicines and
vaccination for the pets and thus with this they can earn higher profit as well within the time
period too.

2.3 Barriers faced while implementing modern technology.
According to Del Chiappa and Baggio, 2015 says though technology hae many positive
aspect but it also have the power to ruin the company. The technology is an ever changing
element which is why it is not always easy to cop up with its pace (Chaffey, 2015). There are
always new software or new tools in the market which makes the existing tools outdated. Also,
maintaining these is a costly affair. Such technologies are not easy to understand for everyone as
everyone is not good with technology. Hence, addition training is required which will further
lead to rase expenses of the Putney. Barriers can be in form of (not accepting by human resource,
not having number of people to execute such in company or skilled employee is required) etc.
These are the things which create hurdles and barriers in their smooth functioning of their work
(Dahnil and et.al., 2014). It is required to provide solution to such problems and issues in the
organisation so that they can work in right manner and even that make them to earn higher profit
as well.
Furthermore, with more opportunities of expansion, it has become difficult for companies
to meet the expectations of the customers. As people with different backgrounds have different
preferences. Hence, it has become one of the concerns for the company. To overcome this,
Putney ltd. Need to do more research on the customers preferences and their needs to attain
positive results. This will further help in launching new products as per their demands.
2.4 Do advanced technology is having any impact on performance.
According too Di Pietro, Di Virgilio and Pantano, 2012 ,although, technology is such
which is having a great impact on their company performances. Therefore, it should be used in
such a way, which could further help Putney to reach its final objective. Technology does help
Putney Inc. in selling concept and thus it leads to have increment in selling concept as well.
Advanced technology is that which help them to make better decision and strategy and such
thing help them to attain their goals and objective in perfect way. Even with the help of
technology they can improve the performance of employees in right manner and thus they can
motivate them in better manner so that they can earn higher money in the huge numbers as well
(Degryse, 2016). Therefore, the advanced technology is such which does also help them to fight
with competition and even such thing make them to work according to the environment as well
and thus it is be like which make them to earn higher profit as well. Impact of digital technology
is there on the small companies as this also make them in enhancing their productivity with the

profit too (Bharadwaj and et.al., 2013). The digital technology is such which help to attract
millions of people towards the company and thus it also increases the sales of product in firm
too. Digital technology does help in increasing the performance of employees and company both
in great way. Impact of digital technology does make organisation to come up with good work
and even they can think of expanding their business across the globe or at national level though.
2.5 Ways which can help in attaining the higher position in market.
According to Dickinson and et. al., 2014 says that, higher position in market is such
which can help them to earn higher profit and productivity as well and thus top position does
means look to have a top graded position in the list of ranks. The recommendation are those
which help play a role of suggestion to company as in which manner they can work and higher
position they can attain in market too. There are various ways which can help in earning higher
profit in market and thus it also manipulate the different sources as well which support to have a
proper working in organisation as well (Visnjic, Wiengarten and Neely, 2016).
3:- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Investigation is the most crucial part of a project that used to guides a project towards a
definite direction through effective output (Egger, 2013). There are various research methods
that are used to cater information that support a project in flow in a specific time. Research are
conducted to provide results that can help to accomplish a project. Furthermore, research
comprises of several methods and techniques that are use for collecting information.
3.1Type of research.
There is a wide range of techniques through which a research team can collect a data with
facts and figures in an systematic way. As there are several methods and techniques which can
give a valuable results but in order to utilise a appropriate technique researchers needs to opt for
a most suitable technique. This is essential to opt a technique that can assist to move towards a
direction of project (Hojeghan and Esfangareh, 2011). The researcher majorly focuses on
qualitative and quantitative research methods to collet information from a huge pool. The
organisation get benefit due to these research methods. Both of these investigation methods
provides a better quality of the information and this is important to gather the data from a large
sample of people so that they can identify needs and requirement of the project. Through

conducting a research researchers will be able to focus on precise area where it needs an
improvement. It also enhances productivity and performance of the organisation.
3.2 Research design.
It is also considered as a important part of research research design can be define as
blueprint for conducting a research in a structural manner. As there are various methods and
techniques that are used for collection of information. In addition, through determining a way
which needs to cater information gives an effective output. There are three research designs such
as exploratory, experimental and descriptive. Exploratory research focuses on discovery of ideas
and insights as against to collecting statistical data. Experimental research is further divided in
different segments pre-experimental designs, true experimental designs, and quasi-experimental
designs. Descriptive can be opt for in – depth research that preceded by what and how.
3.3 Research philosophy.
This is also a significant part of research because investigation team requires to gathers
facts and figures by studying collecting reviews of various authors and scholars (Jaeger, 2012).
Therefore, philosophy has two major reports that includes itnerpretivism ad positiveness that
are quite different from each other. Thus, interpretivisim is opted to take actions at that time
when data and information are needed to collect from various sources. Positivism is a philosophy
which is used to collect data with scientific and mathematical logics.
3.4 Approach.
This can be define as a plan and procedure that comprises of steps to collect detailed
analysis of data collection, analysis and interpretation (Laudon and Laudon, 2015). Investigators
can conduct research on the basis of two major approaches that are known as inductive and
deductive. These approaches are use to run a research in a smooth way that can easily identify
the required changes in operations and functions of a business. Inductive approach provides a
framework for qualitative method. It is based on reasoning logics that are based on observation
and theories. Deductive approach is known for logics and reasoning procedures which are
connected with each other. It is a top down approach because each step is related with the
previous logical stage.

3.5 Data sampling.
Sampling refers to a scientific and mathematical method which is used to apply to
recognise the needs and a requirement of employees in Putney Inc (Lo and et. al., 2011). It is
used to collect opinions, perceptions and feedback of their employees. Thus, researchers
conducts investigation with qualitative methods through text analysis, online interviews, etc.
There are two ways of data sampling such as probability sampling that selects random number of
employees from a population. In this sampling, each member has equal possibility for selection.
Whereas in non – probability there is not a equal probability for selection.
3.6 Data collection method.
This is very important to align a collecte4d information in an organized manner that can
be understand and evolute easily (McCabe, Sharples and Foster, 2012). It is beneficial to select
type of data collection that is required to gather information in a systematic way. There are two
major data collection processes that are known as primary and secondary sources. Primary
research is used to collect fresh data that caters data for a first time and this data never used
before. Secondary sources provides data which is already gathered from others and it is used as
base research for several purposes.
3.8 Questionnaire
(Morrison, 2013)
Questionnaire
Name:
Email id:
Contact details:
Address:
Gender:
1.) Do technology will help company to earn profit in longer period?
 Yes

 No
2.) Technology can help in investment by Putney Inc. ?
 Yes
 No
3.) Do Putney Inc. is using technology to produce better medicine for pets?
 Yes
 No
 May be
4.) Which kind of technology is useful for the Putney Inc. ?
 Traditional
 Modern
 Both
5.) Does tools are helping in increasing productivity as well of organisation?
 Yes
 No
6.) Does small company provide training and development to employees in better manner?
 Agree
 Disagree
7.) Which tools is used by small company to promote themselves in market?
 Social media
 Telephones
 Other media
8.) Any recommendation?
…......................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................
4:- DATA ANALYSIS
Data Analysis is a process which includes various elements like inspecting, transforming
and modelling. It is very helpful for getting more information, mind making and helps in taking
better decisions. Data analysis is categorised in 2 subjects. These are Qualitative Data and

Quantitative Data. The Quantitative data research is a methodology which works on collecting
data and evaluating in mass. Where as qualitative research is idol for collecting deep data to
understand their reasons and psychology regarding their perspectives. Thus, these methods can b
applied to understand clients psychology as well as for the internal concerns of the company.
Theme 1: Technology in earning higher money?
1.) Do technology will help company to earn
profit in longer period?
Observation
 Yes 16
 No 4
Interpretation: The above pie chart suggests that the company is earning higher profit because
of technology or not and thus for this the result which has come out is 16 out of 20 people said
that yes it is there they are earning because of this and thus 4 out of 20 people said that no
technology is not helping in earning money. Thus they have to work according to requirement
and has to use everything in better manner as well.
Theme 2: Technology in investment?
2.) Technology can help in investment by
Putney Inc. ?
Observation
 Yes 18
 No 2
16
4
Yes
No