Research Proposal on Digital Transformation and the Designing of Work

This research proposal investigates the impact of digital transformation on contemporary work design. It aims to understand the reasons behind digital transformation, evaluate how it changes work design, and recommend ways it will impact the future of work. The proposal includes a literature review discussing network society and the sharing economy, emphasizing the flexibility offered by digital technologies in terms of geography and time. The research methodology employs an interpretivism philosophy and an inductive approach, utilizing a qualitative research strategy with secondary data collection and thematic analysis. Limitations of the study include the non-representative population, the potential vagueness of secondary data, and concerns about the reliability of information sources. The anticipated outcome is a deeper insight into how digital transformation changes work design, contributing to theoretical knowledge in the field. Desklib offers this and other research resources for students.

Research proposal
(How digital transformation alters the designing of work in
contemporary world)

CONTENTS
BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH...................................................................................1
RESEARCH QUESTION..........................................................................................................1
RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES..................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................1
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...............................................................................................2
Research philosophy...............................................................................................................2
Research approach..................................................................................................................2
Research strategy....................................................................................................................2
Data collection........................................................................................................................3
Data analysis...........................................................................................................................3
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY...............................................................................................3
ANTICIPATED OUTCOME.....................................................................................................3
GANTT CHART........................................................................................................................3
ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES...............................................................4
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................5

BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH
Even though development of technologies has improved the lives in some of the areas
making it simpler and easy, it has also complicated it in different manners such as demanding
excessive focus, lack of secured job and so forth. Thus, evolution of technology is a
controversial area and has undoubtedly altered the manner people work, communicate,
innovate and integrate at the workplace (Dodgson, Gann and Salter, 2018). Because of the
collective innovation in digital technologies such as enhancement of internet of mobile
phones, different software applications workplace arrangement and computing power, there
has been disruption in the existing business models and transformation of the organization
and workplace. Earlier offices were built up from c-suites which motivated workers to remain
attentive. However now, emphasis is on making the workers feel comfortable through
introduction of different concepts like remote and flexible working, online file sharing,
virtual software, standing desks and comfortable chairs (Damanpour, 2016). Following from
this, it is very crucial to understand the implication of digital transformation on the workplace
and employees.
RESEARCH QUESTION
The research question for the current research study are as follows:
 What are the reasons behind digital transformation?
 In what ways digital transformation changes the work design?
 What are some of the ways in which digital transformation will impact future work?
RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The main aim of the current research study is to analyse how digital transformation
has altered the work design in the contemporary world. For attaining this aim, there will be
requirement of certain objectives and these are:
 To understand the reason behind digital transformation
 To evaluate the ways in which digital transformation changes the work design
 To recommend ways about how digital transformation will impact future work
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Howcroft & Taylor (2014), one new phenomenon has been conflicting
with the notion of society being ascended with the development of digital transformation that
is network society. This mainly pays attention on incorporation along with break-down,
transient, deep social association and transmission of information and merging both work as
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well as play built on the estates of communication and transport technology. There is one
more phenomenon which has been developed due to digital transformation is the sharing
economy. Prior to the digitalization, data in regards with the product was very limited and
because of that there was irregularity of data and only the seller had abundant information as
compared to buyers (Edquist, Hommen and McKelvey, 2021). However, in the current time,
data in regards with the product is available on websites which has reversed the situation.
According to Towers and et.al, (2016), it has been recognized that information
technology has majorly impacted the manners in which the work is being carried out. In the
present time, there is no strict boundaries amid the departments and firms are more
assimilated comparatively as earlier. Even boundaries amid the firms are also fading away as
now organizations are developing partnerships along with joint ventures significantly.
Research and studies have determined that digital technologies have allowed flexibility in
terms of geographies and time. Explicitly there are many aspects being recognized by
literatures such as telecommuting, shifting job demands, flatter hierarchies, automation,
virtual teams and flexible work arrangements which has changed the work design because of
digital transformation (McOrmond, 2014).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research philosophy
There are different types of research philosophies such as positivism and
interpretivism. For the current research purposes, interpretivism research philosophy will be
more suitable due to the fact that it focuses on subjective interpretation of the data and
contend that reality can be comprehended with subjective or qualitative intervention.
Research approach
Again, research approach is of two types that is deductive and inductive. Deductive research
involves formulation of hypothesis and on the other inductive research involves formulation
of objectives, aims and research questions. Thus, in the present work inductive research
approach will be used by the researcher (Creswell, 2015).
Research strategy
Research strategy is a step-by-step plan of actions in the research work and these are
of different types. However, for the current research purpose qualitative research strategy will
be used by the researcher because it will help in comprehending the opinion, views and ideas
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about a certain problem on the basis of facts and also does not involve any numerical
information.
Data collection
Data collection methods are of two types that is primary and secondary data
collection. However, in the current research report only secondary data collection methods
will be utilized. It will be accumulated by making exploring different journals, online articles,
books and other published resources related to the concerned topic.
Data analysis
Further, the collected data will be analysed by making use of qualitative analysis
technique. In this regard thematic analysis tool will be used wherein different common
themes will be developed and presented (Bajpai, 2016).
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Some of the limitations of the current research study are:
 The population is also not a representative of UK community and thus, it cannot be
generalized
 As the research is based on secondary study, it might be vague and general
 The firm publishing the information might not be reputable
ANTICIPATED OUTCOME
The current research study will be going to offer great learning and knowledge as it
will be based on theoretical contribution being made by the literatures. Further, it will also
going to provide a deeper insight in regards the manner digital transformation changes the
work design in this contemporary world.
GANTT CHART
Research activities Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul
Deciding the topic of the research
Writing the research aim and objective
Comprehending background
Writing research proposal
Literatures review
Research methodologies
Submitting draft work
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Scripting conclusion
Submitting additional draft
Final submission
ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
There are different methods as well which can also be utilized for carrying out this
research study. In regards with the data collection methods, primary data collection method
can also be utilized which involves conducting survey of participants. Further, in relation
with data analysis both quantitative and qualitative analysis can be adopted. Quantitative
analysis can be performed through SPSS software.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bajpai, N., 2016. Business Research Methods. Pearson Education India.
Creswell, J.W., 2015. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods
Approaches. London, United Kingdom: SAGE Publications.
Howcroft, D. and Taylor, P., 2014. Plus ca change, plus la meme chose? —researching and
theorising the ‘new’ new technologies. New Technology, Work and Employment. John
Wiley & Sons Ltd, 29 (1), pp.1-8.
McOrmond, T., 2014. Changes in working trends over the past decade. National Statistics,
112(1), pp.25-35.
Towers, I., Duxbury, L., Higgins, C. and Thomas, J., 2016. Time thieves and space invaders:
technology, work and the organization. Journal of Organizational Change
Management, 19(5), pp.593-618.
Damanpour, F., 2016. Organizational complexity and innovation: developing and testing
multiple contingency models. Management Science, 42(5), pp.693-716.
Dodgson, M., Gann, D. and Salter, A., 2018. The Management of Technological Innovation.
Oxford University Press.
Edquist, C., Hommen, L. and McKelvey, M., 2021. Innovation and Employment: Product
versus Process Innovation. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham.
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