Research Proposal: Digital Technology's Impact on SMEs, Unit 11

This report presents a research proposal focused on the implications of digital technologies on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), specifically using the Holiday Inn Express in London, UK, as a case study. The proposal outlines the research aim and objectives, emphasizing the need to understand the impact of digital technologies on business activities, identify the technologies used, evaluate their impact on operations, and suggest improvements. It includes a comprehensive literature review, discussing the advantages and drawbacks of digital technologies in the context of SMEs. The methodology section details the research philosophy (positivism), approach (deductive), strategies (qualitative and quantitative), design (descriptive), data collection methods (primary and secondary), and sampling techniques. The report also outlines the activities and timelines for the research, including literature review, methodology drafting, data analysis, and report completion. Furthermore, it describes the data collection methods, sampling strategies, and data analysis techniques (thematic analysis) to be employed. The proposal addresses potential costs, access, ethical considerations, and research limitations, providing a detailed plan for conducting primary and secondary research. The ultimate goal is to provide insights into how SMEs can leverage digital technologies effectively.

Unit 11 RP

Table of Contents
TITLE..............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Research proposal defining research questions and supported by literature review..............1
P2 Appropriate research method.................................................................................................4
P3 Conducting primary and secondary research using precise methods for business research
project..........................................................................................................................................6
P4 Application of appropriate analytical tools for analysing primary and secondary data.........8
P5 Communication of output.....................................................................................................18
P6 Reflection on the effectiveness of research methods...........................................................18
P7 Alternate research methodologies which can be used..........................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
APPENDIX A................................................................................................................................23

TITLE
“The implications of digital technologies on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME’s)”
P1 Research proposal defining research questions and supported by literature review
In the era of globalisation and digitisation, the management of organisations are striving
for generating maximum output by using digital technologies like cloud computing, advance
integrated information systems, communication technologies, etc. so that they can sustain in the
competitive environment (Davies, Coleman and Livingstone, 2015). In this race, small and
medium size organisations are participating more and more in order to put a benchmark on the
national economy of United Kingdom. Digital technologies not only helps in reducing the
manual efforts of the enterprises but it also helps in promulgating the profits and sales
adequately. In accordance with this context, the following research proposal will aim to
investigate the implications of digital technologies in Holiday Inn Express, London, United
Kingdom. The advantages and drawbacks of digital technologies used in the organisation will be
assessed in this proposal by analysing the primary and secondary data. In this context, the aim
and objectives of research proposal is described below:
Aim
“To understand the implication of digital technologies on business activity: A study on The
Holiday Inn Express, London, UK.”
Objectives:
 To comprehend the business activities at The Holiday Inn Express London, United
Kingdom.
 To identify the digital technologies used at The Holiday Inn Express London, United
Kingdom.
 To evaluate the impact of digital technology on business operations of The Holiday Inn
Express London, United Kingdom.
 To recommend and suggest methods through which The Holiday Inn Express London,
United Kingdom, can improve their digital technologies effectively and efficiently.
Rationale of study
I have developed by interest in this specific sector so that research can be conducted
adequately. I have implemented multiple strategies that assist me in improving my performance
level in effective and efficient manner. This research helps me in development of my skills by
1

nurturing my abilities. As hospitality sector remains unknown to me, the research proposal
provided me an opportunity to get familiar with the industry. Further, I have acquired adequate
information about implications of digital technologies in the organisation. Eventually, this
research proposal provides me ample of opportunities to interact with employees of the Hotel
Holiday Inn Express. This was very crucial for me in order to collect and analyse the data
effectively.
Literature Review
According to Edelman and Singer, (2015) digital technologies include the technologies
that helps in reducing the manual efforts, helps in saving both time and cost to the organisation.
These includes, smart computers, cloud devices, high tech information systems, etc. In the era,
which is characterised by dynamisms, where customers needs and preferences are changing
rapidly and with the development of new agile policies of government, competition within the
organisations is increasing rapidly. Percy and et.al., (2015) said that each and every organisation
is striving for promulgating its profits and sales by increasing customer base. Digital
technologies and information systems are assisting the management of organisations to increase
the effectiveness in the quality of work and products. Schegg and Stangl, (2017) said that there
were more than 5.7 million small and medium scale organisations in United Kingdom in 2017
which was over 99% of all businesses. This implies that majority of market share was acquired
by small and medium scale enterprises. In order to sustain in the competitive environment, the
management of organisations are using digital technology to robust their existing organisational
system and helps in increasing their profits and sales. Digital technologies revolutionised the
work culture and business process. It helps in reducing the long procedure of production to
distribution in small process (Tyner, 2014). Further it aid in increasing the effectiveness in the
quality of work and products. Taylor, Fritsch and Liederbach, (2014) argues that not everyone
can afford the digital systems and technologies. These are expensive and for small business
enterprises, the management tends to avoid implementing these expensive technologies at their
premises. Thus, it can be understood that digital technologies helped in reducing the time and
efforts of the organisation but also add cost to the organisation. Further, in order to use digital
technologies efficiently, the management needs to train their staff accordingly and precisely.
This increases both training cost and time of the organisation. As small and medium scale
2

enterprises have limited staff, the management did not bother to train them adequately (von
Briel, Davidsson and Recker, 2018).
From the above review of literature, it can be understood that digital technologies helps
in increasing the effectiveness in the quality of work in the organisation. It is expensive and
difficult to use without proper training, but management can increase the productivity and
profitability after using digital technology appropriately and precisely.
Activities and timescales
Activity 1th
W
ee
k
2nd
Wee
k
3rd
Week
4th
Wee
k
5th
Week
6th
Week
7th
Week
8th
Wee
k
9th
Wee
k
10th
Week
Identify
research
topic
Review of
Literature
Drafting
Methodol
ogies
Complete
Proposal
Design
question
and pilot
research
Document
ation of
records
Analysing
data and
interpreta
3

tion
Discussion
and
Conclusio
n
Final
Report
Editing &
Completio
n
P2 Appropriate research method
To conduct the research in appropriate manner, the researcher will utilise precise research
methodology. To accomplish the aim and objectives of the research, it is very crucial for the
researcher to consider the methods used to analyse the research. These methods will help the
researcher to answer the research questions appropriately and eventually researcher will able to
accomplish the goals of proposal. In this context, the appropriate, which will be utilise by the
researcher, is provided below:
Figure 1: Research Methodology
4

(Source: Research Philosophy, 2017) Research philosophy: Research philosophy is the belief of collecting, analysing, and
interpreting the collected data effectively and efficiently. There are four types of research
philosophies used widely by the researcher (Zou and Sunindijo, 2015). In the following
research proposal, to analyse the implications of digital technology on Holiday Inn
Express, researcher will use positivism research philosophy. As positivism research
philosophy sticks fast to the view that only factual knowledge can be gained through
observation. Thus, positivism research philosophy will help in analysing the data
collected and aid in answering the research questions adequately. Research Approach: Research approach is the plan following which the researcher will
able to attain the aim and objectives of the particular research. There are three types of
research approaches, which are used by the researchers while conducting their study. In
the following research proposal, the researcher will use deductive research approach to
test the validity of assumptions and theories. By using deductive research approach the
researcher will able to attain the goals of proposal and will able to comprehend the
collected data effectively and efficiently. Research Strategies: These strategies are formulated by researchers to conduct the
research precisely and effectively (Pretorius, Goede and Terblanche, 2016). In the present
research proposal to investigate the implications of digital technology on Holiday Inn
Express, the researcher will use both qualitative and quantitative research strategies.
Qualitative research strategy will help the researcher to analyse the theories and case
studies and quantitative research strategies will assist the researcher to comprehend the
statistical figure adequately. In this way, the researcher will able to accomplish the aim
and objective of the research proposal adequately and precisely. Research Design: Research design aid in increasing the effectiveness of the research
proposal. There are various types of research design which are used by scholars and
researchers widely to conduct their research (Zou and Sunindijo, 2015). Research design
helps in answering the research questions and analysing the theories. In the present
research proposal, the researcher will use descriptive research design. Descriptive
research can be explained as a statement of affairs as they are at present with the
researcher having no control over variable. Thus, by using descriptive research design,
5

the researcher will be able to attain the desired goals and objectives of the research
proposal. Data Collection: The process of gathering data and information is known is data
collection process (Clarke and Fujimura, 2014). Data can be obtained from two sources,
which are primary and secondary sources. Primary source of data will be obtained by the
researcher himself or herself by conducting questionnaire survey in Hotel Holiday Inn
Express. The secondary data will be obtain by analysing the books and journals written
by senior researchers and scholars. In this manner, the researcher will able to accomplish
the desired goals and objectives of the following proposal efficiently. Sampling: The process of taking small proportion of data from the large pool of
information is known as sampling. It is the crucial process of the research methodology
as to analyse the large collected data is not pragmatically possible for researcher. In this
context, the researcher will take a sample of 20 employees working at Holiday Inn
Express in order to gather their review about the impacts of digital technology on their
organisational performance. This will help the researcher to attain the aims and objectives
of the research effectively and efficiently.
 Data Analysis: The process of transforming the raw data into meaningful information is
known as the data analysis. It is the most essential and crucial process of the research
proposal (Luma and et.al., 2014). It helps the researcher as well as end user to
comprehend the collected data precisely. It is very important for the researcher to analyse
the collected data appropriately so that meaningful information can be generated. In the
present research proposal, the researcher will use thematic analysis to analyse and
interprets the gathered data efficiently. In this way, the researcher will be able to provide
brief understanding about the research topic and objectives.
P3 Conducting primary and secondary research using precise methods for business research
project
To conduct primary and secondary research, the researcher will be using precise
methodology of research that will helps in accomplishing the research aims and objectives. The
cost, access, ethical issues and research limitations faced by the researcher is described below
along with the methods used in the research:
6

 Research Philosophy: Research philosophy is the first part covered by the researcher. In
the present research proposal the researcher will be using positivism research philosophy.
It helps in generalising the thesis and assist in analysing the data effectively. Research
philosophy is the belief of collecting, analysing and interpreting the collected data
effectively and efficiently. Thus, positivism research philosophy will help in analysing
the data collected and aid in answering the research questions adequately (O'Brien and
Pipkin, 2017). Research Approach: Research approach is the general plan formulated by the researcher
to attain the research aim and objectives. In the following research proposal, the
researcher will use deductive research approach to test the validity of assumptions and
theories. By using deductive research approach the researcher will able to attain the goals
of proposal and will able to comprehend the collected data effectively and efficiently. Data Collection: The process of gathering data and information is known is data
collection process (Pretorius, Goede and Terblanche, 2016). Data can be obtained from
two sources, which are primary and secondary sources. Primary source of data will be
obtained by the researcher himself or herself by conducting questionnaire survey in Hotel
Holiday Inn Express. The secondary data will be obtain by analysing the books and
journals written by senior researchers and scholars. In this manner, the researcher will
able to accomplish the desired goals and objectives of the following proposal efficiently. Sampling: It is the vital process of the research methodology as to analyse the large
collected data is not pragmatically possible for researcher (Clarke and Fujimura, 2014).
In this context, the researcher will take a sample of 20 employees working at Holiday Inn
Express in order to gather their review about the impacts of digital technology on their
organisational performance. This will help the researcher to attain the aims and objectives
of the research effectively and efficiently. Data Analysis: It is the most essential and crucial process of the research proposal. It
helps the researcher as well as end user to comprehend the collected data precisely. It is
very important for the researcher to analyse the collected data appropriately so that
meaningful information can be generated. In the present research proposal, the researcher
will use thematic analysis to analyse and interprets the gathered data efficiently. In this
7

way, the researcher will be able to provide brief understanding about the research topic
and objectives. Ethical Consideration: Ethical consideration is the most crucial part of any dissertation
or research proposal (Luma and et.al., 2014). In order to increase the quality of research
and to avoid any uncertainty, the researcher must conduct his or her research in precise
and ethical manner. In the present study, the researcher will inform the participants of the
research (who are employees of Holiday Inn Express) about the purpose and motive of
research. The protection of the privacy of research participants will be ensured. Adequate
level of confidentiality of the research data will be ensured. Research Limitations: In the following research proposal, the researcher faced following
obstructions that creates a barrier in effective research project. The limitations are listed
below:
◦ Cost: The researcher faced budget issue as there is lack of budget available for
conducting the research effectively. By proper planning and using appropriate
strategies, researcher able to eradicate the issue adequately.
◦ Time: Another issue faced by researcher was related with time. As the management of
Holiday Inn Express was not available which increases the deadline of researcher.
This creates a obstruction in the effectiveness of research proposal.
◦ Data collection The issue faced by the researcher related with gathering of data. As
primary data collected from employees of the organisation. At first employees was
resist to participate in the survey. After taking permission and demonstrating them the
objectives of research, they begin to participate.
◦ Implementation of data collection method: There are various methods of data
analysis. Researcher got perplexed that which method should be optimum for the
following research. This becomes the limitation eventually.
◦ Access issues: Another limitation faced by the researcher was related with access
issues. In order to collect data from secondary sources, researcher needs access to the
relevant articles written by senior researchers. It was difficult for the researcher to
access the data effectively.
P4 Application of appropriate analytical tools for analysing primary and secondary data
Primary data analysis
8

The primary data analysis is done by using thematic analysis. In this researcher will
interpret the collected data in themes by formulating tables and charts. This will helps in
providing brief understanding of the research aim and objectives. The primary data analysis of
20 employees review is provided below:
Theme 1: Holiday Inn Express uses latest digital technologies at premises.
Is your organisation uses latest digital technologies at premises? Frequency
Yes 14
No 5
Not Sure 1
Interpretation: In the questionnaire survey, the question has been asked by the researcher in
order to acquire the information about the use of digital technology at Holiday Inn Express. After
analysing the sample of 20 employees, it was identified that 14 employees agreed with the
statement. 5 employees does not agree with the statement as they believed that the organisation
does not use digital technology in the organisation. Further, one employee was not sure whether
the organisation used latest digital technology or not. This implies that the management of
Holiday Inn Express uses latest and upgraded digital technology in the premises.
Theme 2: Holiday Inn Express got benefited by using digital technologies.
Is Holiday Inn Express got benefited by using digital technologies? Frequency
9
Yes No Not Sure
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
14
5
1
Use of Digital Technology

Yes 16
No 2
Not Sure 2
Interpretation: In order to conduct the research, the researcher conducted questionnaire survey in
the organisation in which he or she asked question to employees to know that digital
technologies provides benefits to organisation or not. From the analysis, it was identified that 16
employees agreed with the statement. 2 employees does not agree with the statement and 2
employees were not sure whether implications of digital technologies aid in providing any
benefits to the organisation or not. Thus, it can be understood that digital technology helps in
providing benefits to the management of Holiday Inn Express.
Theme 3: Smart Room Keys mostly prefer by Hotel Holiday Inn Express.
What type of digital technology mostly prefer by Hotel Holiday Inn Express? Frequency
Digital Conference facilities 4
Mobile Communication and automation 3
Smart Room Keys 9
Cloud Services 4
10
Yes No Not Sure
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
16
2 2
Benefits by using digital technology