Digital Technologies' Implication on SMEs: Austin Fraser Case Study

This research report investigates the implications of digital technologies on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), using Austin Fraser as a case study. The report begins with an introduction outlining the research's overview, background, significance, aim, objectives, and research questions. The literature review explores the issues and barriers encountered during technology implementation, the impact of digital technology on small businesses, and the significance of digitalisation in achieving profitability. The methodology section details the type of investigation, research design, philosophy, approach, data sampling, collection, and analysis, including ethical considerations. The data analysis section presents the findings, followed by recommendations and a conclusion. The report emphasizes the importance of digital tools in the contemporary business environment, particularly for SMEs seeking to compete effectively and gain a competitive edge. The research aims to determine the impact of digital technologies on SMEs, identifying issues, barriers, and the significance of digitalisation for gaining profitability. The report also highlights the need for SMEs to adapt to digital platforms to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and improve communication with clients. The report concludes with references to support the research.

Research Project

Table of Contents
TITLE:.............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Overview of research..............................................................................................................1
Background of research..........................................................................................................1
Significance of research.........................................................................................................2
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................2
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................2
Research Questions................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Issues and barriers occurs during implementation of technology..........................................3
Impact of digital technology upon small business.................................................................5
Significance of digitalisation in gaining profitability.............................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................7
Type of Investigation..............................................................................................................7
Research Design.....................................................................................................................7
Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................8
Research approach..................................................................................................................8
Data sampling.........................................................................................................................8
Data collection........................................................................................................................9
Ethical consideration..............................................................................................................9
Data Analysis..........................................................................................................................9
DATA ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................10
Recommendation...........................................................................................................................20
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................22

TITLE:
“To determine the implication of digital technologies on small medium enterprises: A
case study on Austin Fraser organisation”.
INTRODUCTION
Overview of research
The digital technology plays a crucial in the contemporary business environment as it
assures that practices and processes which are undertaken in an organisation are redefined. The
small businesses have been taking reliance of the digital tools to compete effectively in the
operating market. In current time period, an organisation can developing and making
investigation before they are taking certain type of actions and steps in the large market place
which assist in developing effective strategies and policies that can help firm in gaining desired
goals and targets in better manner. With the assistance of small business enterprise, it is
necessary for firm is to evaluating and identifying the digital technology on their business
operation and its functions in effective way. Digitalisation and SMEs required to analysing and
evaluating the level of techniques which help in developing and making direct effect on their
business organisation. In addition to this, an enterprise need to focus on their latest trends and
this will formulating business operation and its activities (Sweetser, English and Fernandes,
2015). There are various nations which are implementing and applied current technologies
whose main purpose is to connecting with people, businesses and latest devices. Austin Fraser
Ltd are recruitment consultants, matching people with occupation in applications, digital,
aviation, automation and life science. The important objective of this company is to exploring the
business and their major functions and operations in large scale for offering different types of
products and services to their desired customers for satisfying their requirements and needs.
Background of research
Austin Fraser is an organisation which is known to deliver and support organisation
through provision of capable human resources. This organisation is also known to deliver
networking and consultancy services to people throughout the country (Hughes, 2012). It is
essential to incorporate digital practices for this organisation to make sure that there is an
positive improvement in the manner services are delivered. In addition to this, digital methods
and techniques are very expensive in nature so this will assist in using digitalisation tools and
technologies through this people can easily fulfilling their customers needs in better manner. As
1

a small business of Austin Fraser, they are providing jobs to the country people to sustain them
for long time period. An organisation mainly providing small packs for evaluating and
understanding about recruitment services or facilities. In current era, people are mainly
concentrate on giving digital knowledge to their children so this will help in increasing their
ability and capability in the digitalisation sector (Drucker, 2012). The main aim of person is to
earning best suitable job which assist them in earning high amount of income and revenue.
Significance of research
It is very important to carry out a research in this segment so that change which has been
caused by the digital tools in this contemporary environment can be identified. The additional
information in this segment will make sure that better decisions are formulated by the
management leading to organisation to new heights. Digital technology is help in increasing
organisational performance by executing accurate techniques and methods at right place. With
the help of implementing digital technology, the firm can manage and maintain their entire
performance that can be used for providing suitable job position in the reputed company.
Research Aim
Research aim can be explained as potential outcome and specific intervention of
investigation that help in providing clear image about investigation study. This is common
statement that will consist with whole goals, motives and purpose of this particular examination.
Along with this, the major aim of this specific research is to determine and analyse whole
research aim (Casey and et. al., 2011). The research aim states the cause behind undertaking this
study. The purpose undertaken being this study is “To determine the implication of digital
technologies on small medium enterprises: A case study on Austin Fraser organisation.”
Research Objectives
The research objective can be described as the effective results which is sought by
investigators at the end of entire procedure of research. The main objective of this investigation
is to identifying the gap between the actual and expected results in proper manner. This motive
will assist in explaining the summarised project what has to be attained with this specific
research. Objectives of research helps in making sure that aim of this study is being fulfilled. The
major objectives for this study are as follows:
 To ascertain the issues and barriers which occurs in an organisation while implementing
digital technology.
2

 To examine the impact of digital technology on Austin Fraser company.
 To determine the significance of digitalisation for gaining profitability.
Research Questions
A research question is effective and valuable for enquiry into particular issues and
concern. This will consist as an initial stage of this investigation study. It is that section of
research which is totally connected with the objectives of this research. Along with this, section
of specific research assist in giving clear views and reviews of literature in effective way. The
major research questions which will be helpful in attainment of objectives for this study are as
follows:
 What are the issues and barriers which occurs in an organisation while implementing
digital technology?
 What is the impact impact of digital technology on Austin Fraser company?
 State the significance of the digitalisation for gaining profitability.
LITERATURE REVIEW
This will determined as an important part of research report that will assist in conducting
depth investigation in regard for analysing and evaluating outcome in better manner. It is text
scholar paper that includes present knowledge where substantive results and outcome should be
involved. Along with this, in this part there are various scholars and authors which help in
analysing and determining the final outcome in better manner. This section of investigation will
providing accurate direction to the specific investigation that required to be carry out the entire
research work in right direction so this will accumulating towards final and accurate results.
Such type of data has been collecting and gathering with the help of secondary method of data
collection so this will play an essential role in going towards right direction (Markham, 2011).
Along with this, the major reason of specific research is to overcome with weakness of the past
investigation project effectively.
Issues and barriers occurs during implementation of technology
It is said that implementation of latest digital tools in an organisation comes with
numerous disadvantages and challenges as well. The employee working with an organisation
will not be able to completely adjust with change in the circumstances and may experience a
decline in the productivity. The complete change in the business culture will be responsible for
lack of interest and frustration of employees. Being a SME, it faces constraints on the financial
3

grounds as well which are to be countered effectively. In small business enterprise, the firm
owners are facing different types of barriers and conflicts that involves employees, organisation,
team, groups, etc. in addition to this, there are various problems and issues which will occurs
within the firm that are explained as under: Workers issues – A single person has been facing various issues and conflicts which
create difficulty among supervisor, firm structure and other related topic. The
management need to resolve various major issues that will try to eliminate all major
issues which occur within an enterprise (Hwang and Wu, 2012). Apart from this, workers
need to provide effective services and facilities to their staff members that can easily
managing and maintaining entire work which can assist them in achieving desired goals
and targets in better manner. Requirement of skilled employees – Austin Fraser need to hire talented and skilled
workers who are doing work for reaching with potential goals and objectives. This is the
major issue within an organisation so company manager required to select best suitable
employees who handle or manage all types of work properly. With the help of digital
technology, it is essential for company is to hire best suitable employees which assist in
adopting current methods and techniques in the firm. Occurring Risk factor – If company does not selecting any type of digital technology so
this will create major risk within an organisation. In addition to this, it will assist in
controlling and managing all business operations or its functions in proper manner. Risk
factor help in formulating and developing whole process of business for earning huge
amount of income and revenue in better manner (Howard and Hussain, 2012). While
implementing such techniques and methods, there are different risk aspects that can
occurs within an enterprise. Lack of budgets – For using or adopting digital technology, it is essential for company is
to manage and control their budget system which will help in maintaining all occurring
risk factors that will create major issues or problems within an enterprise. Along with
this, it is necessary for company is to using new methods and techniques which can assist
in gaining high amount of revenue or income in better manner. Also this will support
them in surviving in the difficult and complex situations.
4

 Requirement of time period – At last, firm need to focus on effective time period and
they are try to deal with appropriate time in effective manner. It will help them in
developing and managing proper schedule in given time framework.
Impact of digital technology upon small business
It has become crucial for an organisation to opt for digital platforms as they contribute to
an organisation in achieving competitive edge. A business post implementation of technology
will be able to uplift productivity of their workers through enhancing efficiency (Drucker,
2012). The digital tools have been influential in making sure that work is being carried out in
innovative manner. There is a simultaneous reduction in errors which directly impacts services
delivered in a positive manner. Digital technology play an important role in the small business
and this will directly impact on business operations and its functions in effective way. There are
two main kinds of digitalisation such as tangible and non tangible that will assist them in
developing huge amount of income and revenue. There are various points which assist in
determining the direct impact of digital technology that are described as under: Easily communicating with their clients – It is the first method and techniques where
company can adopting or using digital technology which directly impact on organisation
capacity and ability for desired people in proper manner. In addition to this, an enterprise
mainly communicating with potential client who interested to buying such types of
facilities and services in faster manner. Operational efficiencies – In an organisation, digital technology assist business for
understanding or evaluating their financial requirements and also protect them from past
resources which includes physical and time disparity. Apart from this, the company need
to using and adopting desired digital technology that can help them in evaluating the
whole business organisation for managing and maintaining cost storage for keeping
innovative goods and services in better manner (Orton-Johnson and Prior, 2013). With
the assistance of conducting accurate technology, the firm need to execute such things so
this will help in saving time for meeting through using internet and other methods
properly. Research capacity – For doing effective investigation, business concern will protect
their employees information and data from any type of harm so this will help in
providing clear possibility that will totally differ from other competitors in effective way.
5

At the time of surviving in the large market area so company will help in developing and
acquiring new chances properly.
 Security – In current era, there are different organisation who are implementing current
methods and techniques of security that will assist them in preventing from any kind of
condition or harm in effective manner. In addition to this, digital technology can be used
for protecting their desired workers from any danger while this will occur by methods,
tools and techniques (Laudon and Laudon, 2015). Digitalisation assist business for
keeping with main opinion and thoughts that will differ from such rivals.
Significance of digitalisation in gaining profitability
It is a fact that implementation of technology in the right manner will make sure that
business is able to entertain enhanced level of productivity. It can be considered as a bedrock of
commerce and emerge as a catalyst when it comes to growth. The enlargement of operations will
be helpful to a business in gaining economies of scale ultimately leading to achievement of
higher profitability on behalf of an organisation. Digital technology will play an effective role in
developing and formulating organisational performance and productivity at large market place.
In current period of time, online marketing help in buying effective goods and services with the
help of online apps and websites. Along with this, it is necessary for every small business
enterprise is to using or adopting new technologies so this will growing fast and satisfactory job
position. According to … small and medium size business are help in providing different
advantages to the nation success and growth. There are different usage of digital technology for
increasing company profitability and productivity that are described as under: Quicker, more encompassing communication – The radical development in this
procedure of communication help in developing and building with the help of internet
and it is connecting techniques or methods like laptops and smart phones (Casey and et.
al., 2011). In addition to this, the effective communication system will assist in
identifying the business operations and its functions at large scale. With the assistance of
online service provider, Austin Fraser is mainly concentrate on establishing
communication channel so this will help in making transactions in more easy way for
customers as well as organisation. Management of resources – In this, digital techniques and methods are appropriate for
managing resources within work place so it will assist in executing right endeavour at
6

right side. An enterprise mainly focus on hiring specialist for operating and regulating
effective techniques which help in making valuable results for benefit of an organisation.
 Labour saving – In this, Digital technology assist in decreasing the individual efforts so
they are easily executing appropriate ideas and thoughts through work force can be
reduced. This will help in encouraging the employees at workplace and also contributing
the high growth and success of the company (Markham, 2011). Digitalisation help small
business for saving the labour cost so they can easily determine the actual position of the
business. Along with this, employees are play an essential role in the company and also
contributed in organisation productivity and profitability in better manner.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter of research process highlights the collection of relevant data from number of
sources which can be analysed by researcher to present it in effective format. Researcher have to
perform number of interrelated activities that have to be performed in conducive way so that
final results could be accomplished in accurate time period. There are certain steps that have to
be followed while carrying out this procedure that is described below:
Type of Investigation
The research can be conducted in different ways by the researcher in order to fulfil its
objectives and purposes. There are number of options through which investigation of research
can be conducted, researcher have to choose most suitable option that will result in
accomplishing its target. Investigation process is carried out in two different types that include
quantitative and qualitative method. Both are different from each other, quantitative method
involve examining data in statistical manner. Austin Fraser have to carry out research of gathered
data and present information so that ultimate results can be carried out. Research is the method
of systematic collection of information and data which help in analysing modern knowledge in
such location (Mellis and et. al., 2013). There are certain types of investigation such as
descriptive, qualitative, quantitative, empirical and some more. Research techniques and methods
are using to analysing and examining the computation and calculation
Research Design
There are number of research design in which researcher have to conduct their study.
Broadly, there are there are three types of research plans that include casual, exploratory and
experimental designs. For this process, exploratory design is adopted. This will define the whole
7

business strategies which investigator select for combining different components for ensuring the
research issues and problems. It is the blueprint of measurement, analysis, collection of accurate
information and effective data. Researcher required to developing appropriate design of
investigation which gain the valid results or outcomes in appropriate manner. Along with this, it
includes implementation of various methodologies variables that are collected and gathered with
the assistance of various methods in proper manner (Hwang and Wu, 2012). It is very necessary
for identifying the occurring research issues and problems in given time period so that entire
business activities should be completed.
Research Philosophy
This part include the strategies through which relevant data is collected and interpreted in
order to reach final results and outcomes. The method which is used are positivism and
interpretivism. This will assist the researcher to carry out their work in right direction. Research
philosophy is the consideration about such ways where data need to be gather and selected for
gaining accurate results and outcomes. With the help of this, knowledge about effective research
issues can be increasing along with assistance for conducting investigation in effective manner.
Research approach
This is the process and plan which help in conducting research at large market place. It
includes communications of philosophical prediction for carry out the research at right direction.
With the help of this, researcher provide full detail about gathering data, analyse correct
information and data for framing valid conclusion. Such type of factors assist them in developing
effective decision making procedure and gain sustainability at large market area. Researcher
mainly concentrate on their examination and they are taking appropriate decision according to
the requirement of company. In this step, one of the activity of research process is formulated in
effective manner. Two types of research approach is selected that are inductive and deductive.
As per the current market scenario and also described situation, investigator using qualitative
research approaches included in this assignment (Howard and Hussain, 2013). This is essential
for firm is to executing inductive method for framing potential desires.
Data sampling
Researcher have to collect information from the selected data from the sample they have
chosen. Investigator gathers the data from random sampling in which respondents are selected
randomly from the total population. The sample size selected in this research procedure is 30. it
8

is the set of information which has been selected from statistical population by describing
effective procedures. The element of sample that can be used in research which are called sample
point, unit or observations. In this, sample is presented in subset to manageable size. Along with
this, data sampling is statistical method that assist in analysing, interpreting and selecting
information in proper manner (Doong and Ho, 2012). This can be divided into two parts such as
probabilistic and non probabilistic method of sampling. In this, probabilistic techniques includes
area where investigation conducting and on the other hand, non probabilistic method define
voluntary response.
Data collection
This is that process which help in collecting and gathering effective facts uncertain in
establishing well organised manner that enable for framing valid answer of correct question and
determine consequences. Collection of data from any survey and network places through data
entry, logging and capturing. In this report, 30 respondents has been selected for drawing
accurate results in proper manner. Investigator mainly concentrate needs and requirements for
satisfy them. There are two types of methods such as primary and secondary data collection that
can be used by researchers.
Ethical consideration
It is one of the major part of research working that includes rules and regulations as per
the entire investigation activities which can carry out in effective manner. Researcher implement
common rules to make judgement between ethical and unethical person behaviour. This outcome
is presenting the data which is one of the most appropriate format of such goals and targets that
help in reaching with desired objectives (Doong and Ho, 2012). Along with this, ethical
behaviour are essential for collaborating so they are developing common trust and respect among
investigation individual. The respondents information and data need to kept personal and this
should be discovered for any other person without taking any approval.
Data Analysis
The data which have been gathered is analysed with the use of some tolls and techniques.
There are different sources from which relevant information is gathered that include primary and
secondary sources. Both formulates different type of information to the researcher and is utilised
by them according to their need and wants so that final aims and objectives could be
accomplished.
9

DATA ANALYSIS
This is that part of research which assist them in analysing and examining the entire data
and information that can be collected and gathered by investigator for specific research report.
This part of investigation can be done with the help of developing themes and also this is based
on questions of questionnaire which are filled by respondents. Such are as follows:
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name..........................................
Gender........................................
Age..............................................
Q1). What are the major grounds beside executing advanced technology at workplace? Sales increment Performance betterment Information security All the above
Q2). Does execution of digital technology is useful for an organisation? Agree Disagree
Q3). Do you observe any modification within organisational turnover? Yes No
Q4). What are the major disadvantages while using digital techniques at market place? Lengthy procedure Costly Time consuming All the above
Q5). Does digital technology impact on Austin Fraser market reputation? Yes No
Q6). Does digitalisation influence on customers buying behaviour in Austin Fraser? Yes
10