Research Proposal: Digital Technology's Impact on SMEs Business

This research proposal investigates the influence of digital technology, particularly cloud technology, on the business activities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The study aims to determine how cloud technology affects the storage and sharing of information within businesses, using a case study of Dixon Schwabl. The proposal outlines the research objectives, which include identifying the concept of cloud technology, determining its benefits, analyzing the relationship between cloud technology and information sharing, and identifying implementation challenges. The proposal details the research methodology, including qualitative methods, data collection techniques such as questionnaires and observations, and data analysis approaches. It also addresses ethical considerations, ensuring participant consent and data privacy. The project includes a Gantt chart for activity scheduling, literature review, and discussion of the benefits and barriers of digital technology adoption by SMEs. The research will employ a qualitative approach, collecting data through questionnaires and observations, and analyzing the findings graphically to present the impact of technology on business operations.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form
of a question, objective or hypothesis)
The impact of digital technology on business activity of SME’s
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to
answer? What do you want to learn how to do? What do
you want to find out?):
Aim- “To determine influence of cloud technology on storage and sharing of
information”. A case study on Dixon Schwabl.
Objectives
 To identify the concept of cloud technology in business organisations.
 To determine benefits of cloud technology in Dixon Schwabl.
 To analyse relationship among cloud technology and sharing of information.
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 To identify complexities which company face at the time of implementation of
cloud technology at workplace.
The business firm uses the technology in order to develop new value in models of
business, consumer experience and internal capabilities that help in support its
core operations. The main motive of organisations to use the digital technology in
order to enhance productivity of business.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other
subjects you are studying, personal interest, future plans,
knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is
important):
The main reason behind select of this given research project is to get knowledge
in selected topic of research because it will be helpful in future. Through
conducting this investigation, an individual will be aware about the concept of
digital technology and also its advantages that company can get by using it in an
effective manner. With the help of conducting this investigation, the knowledge of
an individual will be enhanced and it will help in conducting investigation in
future. It will help in provide some idea about to start a new business enterprise at
the workplace. In addition to this, it will help in future context and also helpful in
conducting the business operations in a signifiant manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research
question, objective or hypothesis:
Benefits of digital technology
The organisations use digital technology in order to create value of business.
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There are some benefits related to the digital technology mention below as above:
Gain better insight- Under this, digital transformation is helpful in change way
firm conduct the business. By execution of the modern data insight platform,
improve data collection and also centralised the dashboards when the business
analytics can consumed in an easy manner.
Protect and control data- With ever- enhancing rise related with data breaches,
protection is necessary for the business. In addition to this, with modern
technology, safeguards which are available in order to protect the cloud
environment and on- promises, outcomes will be better.
Business security- It is a big issue in business and in this present time period,
there are many hackers which steal the information about firm every time. In
order to protect data, firm can use the advanced technology in an effective
manner.
Employee monitoring- Under this, business can manage the large team with the
help of using technology in business. Under this, applications are helpful in track
the customers services and their call times. Through this, managers can easily
understand the lag time and provide the many beneficial opportunities to business.
Easy communication- In this, communication is helpful in make relationship
among people more strong. With the help of using advanced or new technology,
organisations can communicate with its consumers in a better manner and also can
develop positive relationship with them. So, it is a main benefit of digital
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technology to business.
Barriers of digital technology
Expenses- Having the cutting edge of the technology is ongoing expense. Under
this, there is initial cost of purchasing, training expenses, updates are included. It
is necessary that technology should be updated on periodic basis sand it will need
some investment.
Ethics- It is a min disadvantage of technology and it is concerned with the ethical
standards of staff members.
For an example- Staff members may select surf Internet for the personal reasons
in office time but they ignore the-technology related procedures. For this, it is
necessary for manager to provide the ethic training to staff members.
Research Gap- It is a kind of research question that is need to be answered in a
proper manner related to specific research area. In this investigation, research
questions is related with impact of the technology on small and medium size
enterprise. By identifying the research gap, investigator can try to deal with its
and overcome from the issues.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
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Activities to be carried out during the research
project (e.g research, development and analysis of
ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis,
tutor meetings, production of final outcome,
evaluation, writing the report):
Gantt chart refers to the framework in which activities are shown on the
basis of given time period. Through this, employees are able to perform the
business activities with in given period of time. Under this given Gantt
chart, all activities are divided effectively. The first activity is related to
determining problems and it will be completed in five days. The second
activity is literature review and it will take almost 22 days in completion.
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Third activity is related with the clearly define the concept of investigation
in 7 days. Third activity is population and it will complete in 5 days.
Fourth activity is data collection and researcher will take time in complete
this activity is 12 days.
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are
you likely to use and why?
Research Philosophy- It refers to belief about way under which data regarding
phenomenon should be collected, used and analysed. Under this, there are two
different kinds of research philosophies and these are interpretivism and
positivism. This present research is based on the interpretivism philosophy
because it is based on the qualitative methods and provides information in detailed
manner.
Research methods- There are two different kinds of research methods:
Qualitative method: It is a necessary method of research and is used to gain better
understanding of opinions, motivations and underlying reasons. It gives insights to
issue or assess to create ideas for the quantitative investigation
Quantitative method: This research method is used to search outcome in the
exploratory framework. It is based on information accumulation as well as data
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i.e. related to convey hypothesis.
Among both of them, investigator uses the qualitative investigation because it
provides the detailed information about specific research area.
Data collection- Data collection is a procedure of collecting as well as measuring
information on variables in a systematic manner.
Primary method- Under this, investigator collect the fresh data and information
which is not used before. The different sources of use the primary method are
survey, observation, questionnaire etc.
Secondary method- Under this, data is gathered through other person and also
used before.
Data Sampling and sample size- It is statistical analysis technique that used to
chose, manipulate and also analyse representative data subset in context to
determine the trends and patterns in set of large data being examined. In order to
select the respondents from total population, researcher use random data sampling
method in probabilistic method. Under this, 20 sample size is taken through
investigator to collect information about specific research topic.
Data analysis- It refers to way to analyse the collected data from the authentic
sources.
Present Findings- The research findings will be presented with the help of
graphical presentation.
Ethical consideration- It is regarded as necessary part of investigation and under
this it is essential for investigator to follow rules, principles and norms at the time
of conduct an investigation in a better manner.
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What your areas of research will cover:
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or
will be submitted for another qualification and is
appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date
______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal
checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date
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Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected form
human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit tutor. Please
complete this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: “To determine influence of cloud technology on storage and sharing of information”.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews No
 Questionnaires Yes
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 Observations Yes
 Use of personal records No
 Data Analysis Yes
 Action Research No
 Focus Groups Yes
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Through using random data sampling method, participants will be selected.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
With the help of telephone and emails, participants will be informed.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it
be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at
any time?
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting
questions that do not wish to answer?
Yes
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If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for
their informed consent to be observed.
Yes
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief
explanation of the study)?
Yes
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This
could be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with
the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Investigator
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In computer system
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
No
If Yes, please provide further details:
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After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In computer system
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Almost 2 years
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may
arise because of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may
apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Sensitive topics
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research
(including transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and
Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit
Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the
ethical issues that may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to
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