Research Project: IoT Implementation in Bahrain Small Businesses

This project examines the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in small businesses within Bahrain, analyzing its impact and potential benefits. The research investigates the current state of IoT adoption, identifying strategies for successful implementation and highlighting the challenges faced by small enterprises. The study explores the ways in which IoT can enhance business performance, streamline operations, and improve competitiveness in the market. It delves into the specific context of Bahrain, considering the economic landscape and the factors influencing the adoption of IoT technologies. The project includes a literature review, a discussion of research methodology, data analysis, findings, and recommendations for future implementation. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the financial and infrastructural constraints that small businesses encounter when adopting IoT, and proposes strategies to overcome these barriers. The project concludes with recommendations for improving IoT implementation and its future scope within the small business sector of Bahrain.

Running head: IMPLEMENTATION OF IOT IN SMALL BUSINESSES
Topic: Implementation of IoT in Small Business Industry: Case analysis of Bahrain
Name of the student:
Name of the university:

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Acknowledgement
Conducting the overall research has been one of the best experiences that I have got in my life.
The research contributed much to enhance my knowledge base along with analytical skills that
has been paramount. It gave me enough opportunity to face challenges in the process and also
ways to overcome them. This would not have been possible without the valuable guidance that
has been offered by my professor, peers and all those who have contributed to enrich my
experience. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my supervisor
_________________________ for constantly guiding me through the entire research process. I
would also like to thank my friends who had provided me with all kinds of help and assistance
while encouraging collecting primary data and valuable resources. Lastly I would like to thank
my family who supported me throughout my education.
I would not have done this without your support.
Heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes,
Yours sincerely,
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Abstract
Internet of Things is one of the most advanced technologies that is gradually taking up place
within business organizations and also in other services. It provides a platform to exchange
information from one point to the other with the help of interconnected devices. Almost all type
of business organizationsis adopting the use of Internet of Things within their business process
but most of the small enterprises are still a step back in implementing it. There can be several
reasons promoting to the cause part of which are reflected within the proposed study of this
paper. The research study that has been presented in this dissertation helps in exploring the goal
to find ways to implement the use of IoT within business sectors taking into consideration the
case analysis of Bahrain where the majority of the business sectors got impacted due to the
implementation of IoT. This thesis paper considers the factors that can help in the
implementation of IoT in small business sectors while identifying the necessary strategies that
needs to be taken up. The main purpose of the paper is to determine the aim and objective of the
research while determining the research questions and objectives. The theme described in the
paper provides details on the selected topic so as to enhance the skills to implement IoT
combining the necessary change in process with the organizational needs.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................5
1.1 Background of the study........................................................................................................5
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives..............................................................................................5
1.3 Aims of the study...................................................................................................................6
1.4 Objectives of the study..........................................................................................................6
1.5 Research Questions................................................................................................................6
1.6 Problem Statement.................................................................................................................7
1.7 Rationale of the study............................................................................................................7
1.8 Research Hypothesis..............................................................................................................8
1.9 Structure of the study.............................................................................................................8
Chapter summary:......................................................................................................................10
Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................................................................10
2.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................10
2.3 IoT implementation in various sectors of Bahrain..............................................................11
2.2 Conceptual Framework........................................................................................................19
2.4 Gap in the Literature............................................................................................................19
Chapter summary:......................................................................................................................21
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................21
3.1 Introduction:........................................................................................................................21
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3.2 Method Outline....................................................................................................................22
3.3 Research Philosophy:...........................................................................................................23
3.4 Research Approach:.............................................................................................................23
3.5 Research Design:.................................................................................................................28
Chapter Summary:.....................................................................................................................28
Chapter 4: Data Analysis, Findings and Interpretation.................................................................29
4.1 Introduction:........................................................................................................................29
4.2 Descriptive Analysis:..........................................................................................................29
4.5 Chapter Conclusion:............................................................................................................34
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation...............................................................................34
5.1 Conclusions:........................................................................................................................34
5.2 Linking with the objectives:................................................................................................35
5.3 Recommendations:..............................................................................................................36
5.4 Limitations of study:............................................................................................................37
5.5 Future scope of the study:....................................................................................................37
References:....................................................................................................................................38
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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
Internet of Things is defined as a network of connected systems or devices that are
embedded with sensors and electronic network that enables a platform to exchange data from one
point to the other. IoT is considered as one of the most advanced technology that can be used in
business as it helps in improving the overall performance of the business while reducing the
possibilities of human error (Fleisch, Weinberger &Wortmann, 2015). Many companies be it
small or large are adopting the use of Internet of Things technology within their business systems
so as to handle the complex situations in a lucid way. Implementation of IoT is the next step
forward for most of the businesses and consists of complex process that needs to be establishing
effectively (Krotov, 2017).Among all the IoT developed countries Bahrain stands as the best
suited example where IoT devices are growing in a rapid manner using IoT enabled devices in
their concept of business system (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 2010). Thus it is evident
that the use of IoT technology is gradually taking up the business sectors in a rapid way. The
following research is carried out so as to explain the impact of IoT technology in small business
determining its positive or negative impact and providing ways by which this technology can be
implemented within the business sector.
1.2 Research Aims and Objectives
Various researchers have shared their ideas based on the impact of IoT and their various
implementations on small business sectors. Implementation of IoT in small business helps them
in evolving in the global marketplace and stand out within the competition between the small and
large business sectors (Whitmore, Agarwal & Da Xu, 2015). Various authors have reflected
their views on the adaption of IoT technology in the country of Bahrain. Several continuous IoT
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projects have contributed to the development of the country as reflected in many case studies
while others have reflected several disadvantages over the application of Iot in the country of
Bahrain. Therefore this research aims at identifying the ways to implement IoT technology in the
small business sector of Bahrain.
1.3 Aims of the study
The study aims at understanding theconcept of Iot and its implementation in the case
analysis of Bahrain. This would in turn help in understanding the aspects of business sectors and
what way does it affect other actors within the business system. The primary aim of this research
is to understand the ways by which IoT can be implemented while researching about ways by
which industries make use of the technology.
1.4 Objectives of the study
The research objectives of this particular paper would explore the information related to
the implementation IoT technology in various field of small business sectors through different
methods. The following would be the primary objectives of the research for the undertaken topic:
 To find out ways by which IoT can benefit the small business sectors
 To find out the ways by which Bahrain implemented IoT within their business sectors
 To identify strategies so as to improve them further for the implementation of IoT within
the small business sector.
1.5 Research Questions
 What are the ways by which IoT can benefit the small business sectors?
 What are the ways by which Bahrain implemented IoT within their business sectors?
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 What are the different strategies that can help in implementing IoT in the business
sectors?
 How the present strategies can be improved so as to implement IoT in a rapid way in
business sectors?
1.6 Problem Statement
Bahrain is among the smaller economies in the GCC, but it is also one of the more
diversified, with well-developed financial services and manufacturing sectors. Despite its
diversified economy, Bahrain nonetheless faced pressures in recent years as a result of the 2014-
15 drop in oil prices. However, an aid package from other Gulf states, announced in late 2018,
and an accompanying fiscal-adjustment plan, as well as growth on the back of a partial oil price
recovery and a recent major oil and gas discovery, offer hope for a turnaround in 2019. Bahrain's
interest in small and micro businesses is due to the economic policy adopted by the Kingdom,
which aims to diversify sources of income, reduce dependence on oil as the main source of
income, and increase foreign economic, service and production base in the country.
In the following research, it would be studied about the implementation of IoT in small
business sectors in the country of Bahrain. The problem statement in this regard is to understand
the various reasons behind which small business organizationsruns behind to adopt ways to
implement IoT in their business process with their special implication on the financial or
structural disabilities that they face while implementing IoT.
1.7 Rationale of the study
It is often noticed that IoT technology is adopted by mostly large business organizations
as compared to small enterprises (In Lee and Kyoochun , 2015). The main reason that
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contributes to this factor is the financial disadvantages that the small companies face while
implementing IoT within their business process. Various reasons other than financial factor
contributes to this cause. Lack of proper infrastructure with in small business sectors along with
absence of proper strategiesmakes the small businesses to take a step back in implementing IoT
within their business sectors.
1.8 Research Hypothesis
The hypothesis of this research is “internet of things play an important role in business in
Bahrain and also impacts on the banking and other sectors”. This hypothesis will be discussed in
this paper and evaluated the key significance of the internet of things with the help of previous
research papers.
1.9 Structure of the study
The entire study has been divided into the several smaller units that are used in observing
the research in a broad manner. The chapters that are included in the study are as follows:
Chapter 1: Introduction:
The chapter of introduction briefly describes the undertaken topic with valid reason for
selecting it. Based on the identified reason, respective solutions are identified so as to implement
IoT in an effective manner within business organization. Moreover, the introduction chapter
identifies the research aims, its objectives, research questions and the hypothesis of the research
for the entire study.
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Chapter 2: Literature Review:
The second chapter of the dissertation comprises of the Literature Review that would
include the past theories and concepts that has been utilized within the entire research so as to
identify the barriers that are faced while implementing IoT in small business sectors of Bahrain.
This part of the chapter also deals with the critical analysis for determining the factors
responsible for implementing Iot in business sectors.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
The chapter of Research methodology deals with the detailed procedure and techniques
that are being utilized in the conduction of the entire study. It includes identification of process
including research methods that would help in gathering relevant information while carving out
path for the data collection and analysis process.
Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation
The information that are gathered while using the primary and secondary sources are
hence analyzed in this part with the help of statistical tools. The process of data analysis helps in
obtaining an in depth analysis of the mentioned topic while using various statistical tools and
representation of data. The validity of the hypothesis is also determined in this chapter. It
includes all the procedures that would be undertaken in order to determine the implementation
process of IoT in small businesses.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations
The chapter of conclusion and recommendation includes study along with supportive data
that are analyzed within the entire study. Here the analyst tries to conclude the study with
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relevant supportive data that are obtained from the analysis of the previous chapter. Based on the
conclusion suitable recommendations for the study are developed. This section includes
implication that witnesses the utilization of the process of the entire research so as to analyze the
implementation of IoT in small businesses of Bahrain.
Chapter summary:
For any business, budget is the plan that needs to be carved out properly so as to
implement IoT within the business systems. For small business organization, a financial problem
along with lack in the proper infrastructure has been identified as the main reason for which they
lack implementing IoT within their business process. The introduction chapter has clearly
identified the barriers that exist within or outside small business sectors that serves as the
limitations of the small businesses’ as to implement IoT within them. In this context, the case
study of Bahrain is analyzed. The chapter identified the aims, objectives as well as the research
questions that need to be followed while conducting the study. The chapter also provides a brief
of the other chapters that are included within the entire dissertation.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
This chapter of the dissertation includes the research processes that comprises of all the
previously stated ideas and the researches that are done on the topic of the research before by
other researchers and authors. The purpose of this research includes performing qualitative
analysis of data so as to produce a clear idea before conducting the entire research. For any
dissertation, the first step that is carried out is to present a literature review on the topic of the
research here in this case the literature review that is presented is based on the topic of
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“Implementation of IoT in small business sectors” while reviewing the case study of Bahrain.
Thus based on the presented literature review, the gap in the literature review is identified and
analyzed as per the knowledge acquired from the different works of different authors. Identifying
the gap in the literature, helps in saving time to look for the hidden information and to acquire
knowledge based on te present study of the research.
A literature review also helps in understanding the processes that are carried out within
the entire research work covering all the types of knowledge areas or ideas that are developed in
the initial stage of the literature review. It holds information of all kinds of research works and
helps in rebuilding the base of the research with prior analysis of the works as conducted by
other authors and researchers. This part of the research form a stepping stone and brings a way
forward to carry out further researches based on the topic of the research and to reach a
conclusion. The researches that are done earlier helps in identifying the people who are
associated with the topic while clearly defining the way by which the researchers carried out
their researches.They can be furthermore approached so as to conduct the series of interviews in
the latter part of the process of dissertation in order to utilize them to acquire more knowledge,
information and support from them. It helps in describing the in-depth knowledge of the data
hence collected in a elaborative process of the research. The literature review will enable the
analyst to gain intellectual view on the research topic focusing on the Implementation of IoT in
small businesses of Bahrain.
2.3 IoT implementation in various sectors of Bahrain
IoT is defined as an internet of things that connect computer networks, sensors and
devices with things by using internet connections. IoT is able to increase the performance of the
business and in Bahrain; most of the companies are using this technology for reducing human
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