Research Proposal: Digital Technologies Impact on UK SME 4Com

This research project examines the impact of digital technologies on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a specific focus on the UK-based company 4Com. The report begins with an introduction outlining the increasing use of digital technologies in business operations and their potential effects, both positive and negative. Task 1 involves the development of a research proposal, defining a research question, supported by a literature review. The literature review explores the benefits of digital technologies, such as improved communication, data analysis, and marketing capabilities, while also considering the challenges and potential negative impacts. The research objectives are to determine the importance of digital technologies on SMEs, analyze 4Com's current position, identify the impacts of digital techniques on the company's performance, and provide recommendations. The research questions address the types of digital technologies used, the methods for analyzing their impact, and how these technologies contribute to success in the competitive market. The research employs both primary and secondary data collection methods to analyze the impact of digital technologies on 4Com, aiming to provide insights and recommendations for the company's growth and success in the digital age. The report covers the research methodology, data analysis, findings, and recommendations for 4Com to leverage digital technologies effectively.

Research Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Produce a research proposal that clearly...........................................................................1
defines a research question or hypothesis.............................................................................1
supported by a literature review............................................................................................1
................................................................................................................................................1
P2 Examine appropriate research methods and......................................................................5
approaches to primary and secondary research.....................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using................................................................8
appropriate methods for a business research.........................................................................8
project that considers costs, access and ethical......................................................................8
issues......................................................................................................................................8
..............................................................................................................................................11
..............................................................................................................................................11
P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse....................................................................11
research findings and data...................................................................................................11
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................20
P5 Communicate research outcomes in an...........................................................................20
appropriate manner for the intended audience....................................................................20
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................21
P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research..........................................................................21
methods applied for meeting objectives of the....................................................................21
business research project.....................................................................................................21
P7 Consider alternative research methodologies..................................................................21
and lessons learnt in view of the outcome’s........................................................................21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................23
.......................................................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24

APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................26

INTRODUCTION
In the current era, every business firm is using smart and advanced technologies within
organisation for completing their work and operations in a proper and systematic manner. By the
same, they can attain their targets and goals in an effective and efficient manner (How digital
marketing can contribute to SME's growth?, 2017). Apart from this, digital technologies are the
fastest growing across all over the world due to which every organisation is using then in their
working process as with the help of this, awareness and promotion of their services and products
at national and international level can be systematically done at a fast pace (Thomas, 2011). In
the other, at this time it is necessary to be use smart methods and techniques so that organisation
can attain their targets and objectives in a systematic manner. Therefore, digital technologies can
be carried out as effective tools, systems and devices. In order to this, in which included all
digital devices, systems such as social media, online promotion activities, multimedia, cloud
computing, mobile devices and so more.
Basically, this research report is based on 4com which is a SME operating in the UK
dealing with electronic products and goods. Moreover, there will be elaborated about the actual
impaction of digital technologies on SME's sector which may be either positive or negative in
nature. Thus, selected organisation seeks to be expand their business firm at national and
international level as well as it wants to be attain their goals and objectives in a impressive way.
On the other hand, there will be conduct an effective research in the market place for identifying
the actual impacts of digital marketing on SME's. Additionally, primary and secondary data
collection methods will be used by the researcher (Topol and Hill, 2012)
TASK 1
P1 Produce a research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis supported
by a literature review
With the increase in globalisation world is experiencing a challenge to cope up with the
latest technologies that are present all over the world. This has further raised the level of skills
and capacities of different enterprises. Their ability to use the available resource increased since
the new technology has power to take advantage of resources and converting them into final
products at low cost. Kossaï and Piget (2014) says that the introduction of new technologies
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helps in bringing people and distinct countries more closer as with the assistance of the same
communication can be done more efficiently and people can be reached sitting far of places.
Good communication also helps in creating better satisfied customers as they can be provided
with instant assistance through the use of electronic media. In views of Awa and et.al., (2011)
digital applications assist the small business entrepreneur in collecting immense information
from the market which they can easily process and can further convert the same into qualitative
data. It has now become more easy to save the data and keep a record of same so that it can be
used in future too for taking several decisions and making the comparative study.
Distribution of gathered data has also become more convenient as implementation of
electronic technology can assist in communicating more information to greater number of user in
less time and also the message conveyed will be more impact full and capable of influencing the
demand of user. Than Matbouli and Gao, (2012) further highlighted the importance of digital
technology by putting light on the results of development in various software. He shows that how
these new apps are helping the small enterprise in analysing the data and reaching to the
conclusions in less time period which further assist the same in doing more productive activities
which can lead to the expansion in business activities. Emails, social networking sites and other
wireless communications helps in doing more powerful promotion of different goods and
services which are being offered by the company to the customers. Advertisements that are done
by using these techniques are more powerful and are capable of giving long lasting effects on the
mind of customers. In views of Parry and et.al., (2012) digitalisation further helps in achieving
the competitive advantage to the small scale companies. Various tools and techniques are made
available for them which are helpful in growing and providing a good competition to the other
business units dealing in same industries.
Each individual dealing in different business sectors is running in the race of proving
themselves better than the others. For this it is crucial that companies adopt the code of conduct
which has the capacity of giving most beneficial returns at minimum cost. Levenburg, Schwarz
and Motwani (2015) highlights the benefits of digital technology to accounting. He says that to
keep record of every smaall and big transaction manually was tough and difficult to maintain.
Also in that case the chances of loosing the information was also high. This drawback was
resolved by implementing the new techniques as here data once stored can be utilised lifelong
and hence can also be presented before in case deed as an evidence. Thereafter, in regard to
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Sanders and Galloway, (2013) the use of digitally supported a[applications bring more of
security at the work place and by ensuring safety of employees as well as of the documents. By
keeping passwords and other locks important files can be secured against unfair use of them.
This way it is an important concept as to keep the sensitive information safe from wrong hands
is very important so that they do not suffer any loss. Thereafter the concept of time management
was highlighted by Pérez Urquía and Muñoz (2010)for all the small scale business enterprises.
He say that it is very crucial for the fresh companies to work with the technique of digital
technology so that they can complete their projects in the given time frame. This code of conduct
helps in reducing the time taken to do the task manually and further further assist in achieving
the set targets. It removes the barriers to be available all the time as with the new methods of
doing work business activities can be carried out by sitting at distinct places and interacting
through various applications like video conferencing.
Apart from these McAdam, Reid and Mitchell, (2010) the concept of digital marketing is
also helpful in developing consultancy facilities which are more advanced from just the
marketing expertise. Expert advises are easily available which can be used in case of resolving
various issues and conflicts that arise in the working surroundings due to diversification in work
force or other reasons. Their suggestions can also be implemented in the operations of the
company through which the overall productivity of the company gets improved. There are
graphic designers, networking experts, architecture specialist who has immense of knowledge
and hence can become a part for organisation growth. Than in the last the views and perspective
of Cartelli, (2012) is observed. He says that the facilities of online services are so effective that
they help organisation in saving much of the total cost. Employees can be hired for online work
for whom no necessary work place is required. They by sitting at their homes can contribute in
the productivity of organisation. They charge less pay in return and are also easy to manage. An
entirely different level connection can be established with the potential customers which in turn
gives them value propositions.
This shows that how digital technology has its major positives which it offered to the
organisations and hence ensure the long term growth of the work place. A new impact of the
same code of conduct was introduced. He favours the latest technology by showing its
contribution in innovation which can be made possible very easily using the distinct
technologies. Development in the existing product is very much necessary so that interest of the
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customers can be maintained and further developed in future. Risk factor is reduced when the
product or service is technology supported as it is than netter from those created manually. When
an organisation is involved with the culture of bring change they are able to produce more
quality products which has the capacity to meet the demand of market.
Digital technologies
Digital technologies are the best ways or sources of increasing awareness and promoting
company's products and goods in the market. Thus, company can get success in the competitive
market place as well as achieve their goals and objectives in an trenchant and economical style.
However, 4com is the SME sector company of UK, it sells mobile -phones, chargers and other
electric devices to customers as per their needs and expectations. In context of digital
technology, in which included digital system, devices, online games, applications and so more.
At this time, most of the companies are focused on adopting and using smart digital techniques
and tools within organisation so that they can give high satisfaction to their customers as well as
set a strong brand image in the competitive market place (Levine and et. al., 2013). Moreover, in
which included several factors or causes which impacts on business firm either positive or
negative in nature due to this, it is necessary to identify and examine its effects on SME with the
help of appropriate methods and techniques in impelling way.
Small and medium sized business firms that have using digital technologies in their
business firm. It shows the fastest growth in organisation as compare to others as per the result of
market research. In the other hand, digital technologies are directly impacts on small business
firm either positive or negative. Thus, in the context of positive manner revenue of the SME's
had grow by 10% in the last years because with the help of digital system company can
effectively enhance the awareness of its products and devices in the competitive market place as
as well as systematically promote at national and international level in an effective and efficient
way. In the other hand, digital technologies and media impacts on SME because there are
included several factors. Thus, it is required to be systematically analysed and evaluate all major
factors with the help of appropriate methods and techniques (Selwyn, 2010).
Aim: To identify the impacts of digital technologies on SME's: A study on 4Com.
Research objectives: There are defining the major objectives and goals of its research
project such as follows:
 To determine the actual importance of digital technologies on SME's
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 To analyse and examine the actual position of the selected business firm.
 To identify the impacts of digital techniques on the company's working performance.
 To provide some effective recommendations to company so that 4com can get success in
competitive market place as well as achieve their goals.
Research questions: There are systematically carried out some specific research
questions in a effective manner such as follows:
Q1. Which type of digital technology system and methods adopted by the company?
Q2. How can systematically analyse and evaluate the actual impacts of digital technologies on
the business firm?
Q3. How digital technologies are helps in getting success in competitive market place?
Q4. What are the relationship between digital technologies and small business firms?
P2 Examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
In this context, resources are the main elements of the research report because with the
help of this researcher will get success as well as attain their decided goals and objectives in a
effective and efficient manner. Apart from this, for conducting research in the market place there
are included several major resources which played important role in research project.
Additionally, it is required by the researcher have to systematically followed rules, regulations
and polices by the researcher so that they can smoothly compete their functions as well as
achieve their goals in a systematic way (Carlson, 2010). Apart from this, it is required to be
implement and adopt appropriate management system and polices in the research project which
have to be effectively followed by the researcher in a impressive way. Management system helps
to manage and control all over operations and activities as well as research team will complete
their works as per the decided time schedule.
Therefore, by the researcher should be systematically allocate the works and tasks to
team members as per their capabilities and skills so that they can effectively perform their
operations with appropriate results or outcomes. Additionally, should be delegate some powers
and rights to them so that they can take appropriate decisions regarding research report
(Yokobori and et. al., 2015). After conducted research in the market place must be use
appropriate data collection methods and approaches so that researcher will effectively gather the
actual and reliable information and actual from the market place. On the other hand, will be
systematically identify and analyse the major factors and causes who may be directly impacts on
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research report either positive or negative in nature (Helping small and medium enterprises
achieve business growth and realise their potential, 2017).
Apart from this, it is required by the researcher should analyse and identify the customer's
demand and expectations from the company so that they can effectively produce products and
services for them. Due to this, customers will effectively get appropriate satisfaction towards
their needs and expectations. It helps in achieving goals and objectives as well as with the help of
this selected organisation can get success in competitive market place. Additionally, with the
help of effective research can identify and analyse the actual impacts of digital technologies on
SME's (Mallampalli and Carter, 2014).
Illustration 1: Digital technologies
(Source- Harikishnan V, 2017)
As per above defined, research is an important process for every business firm because
with the help of this systematically identify and analyse the actual market conditions as well as it
assist to define customer's expectations from the business firm (Lindgren, 2012). Apart from this,
research methodology is a important concept in which using several appropriate methods and
techniques while conducting research in the market place. With the help of this research can
effectively get success as well as achieve their goals and objectives in a effective and efficient
manner. In the other hand, as per above represent research questions will effectively identify the
actual impacts of digital techniques on SME's as well as with the help of this systematically
examine the working performance of the business firm in an effective and efficient style. In this
order. It included several research methods and approaches such as follows:
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Research design: Before conducting research in the market place have to be effectively
choose an appropriate research design so that researcher can systematically gather and collect
appropriate information and data. Additionally, researcher can attain their goals and objectives in
a impressive manner (Bartscherer and Coover, 2011). In the other hand, there are consider
several methods and techniques such as descriptive, explanatory, correlation and so more. In this
research project descriptive research design will be used by the researcher in the project in an
effective and efficient manner so that respectively attain the targets and objectives of the research
report.
Research approach: In the context of research approach, in which included two type of
methods such a inductive and deductive. Both these selected methods will be used and adopted
by the researcher according to the type and style of research projects so that they can be attain
the targets and objectives in a impressive way. Apart from this, in this report researcher will be
used inductive research approach so that they can identify the impacts of digital technologies on
SME's.
Research philosophy: In which included two type of research philosophies such as
interpretivism and positivism which will be selected and choose by the researcher according to
the type and style of research project. Apart from this, in this research project interpretivism will
be used by the researcher for identifying and examining the actual impacts of digital technologies
on SME's ( Deegan and Sutherland, 2016).
Data collection techniques: It is required for every researcher must be systematically
collect and gather the actual and reliable information about the searches project as well as the
selected company. Thus, several type of methods and techniques can be used by the researcher
for collecting the data from outside environment. Basically, there are involved two type of
methods such as primary and secondary. Moreover, in the context of primary data collection
approach. It can also known as first hand information about the any topic and subject which does
not used by the any person. Apart from this, secondary data collection method in which included
several sources for gathering the information such as books, journals, articles, newspaper,
internet and so more (Black, 2010). Second hand data already used by the person for getting
results and achieving targets. In the other hand, in this report will be used primary data collection
method so that researcher will gather the actual and reliable information from the market in an
effective and efficient manner.
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Sampling techniques: Sampling can be consider as an important concept in the research
project because in which select the extract sample from the over all population of the country for
conducting research and gathering information. Apart from this, selected research project will be
used random sampling so that researcher will systematically compete the research as well as
attain their goals and objectives in a systematic style (Oldham and Da Silva, 2015).
Data analysis: This is the last part of research methodology because in which
systematically analyse and evaluate the collected data and information with the help of
appropriate methods and techniques. In order to this, there are available two type of methods
such as qualitative and quantitative data methods. In this research report, qualitative data data
analysis method will be used by the researcher. Thus, there will be prepared effective
questionnaire with different themes after that will be make effective graphs on collected
informations due to this will significantly interpret the authentic data of research project.
TASK 2
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business research
project that considers costs, access and ethical Issues.
Primary and secondary data is all about accumulation of necessary information in order
to attain specific objectives of an organization. But, it is essential to consider few major elements
while acquiring relevant information such as; cost and ethical issues which is discussed as
follows-
Cost- It means, researcher needs to forecast specific amount of funds before making any
project in order to minimize the probabilities of obstacles. Along with this, an organization needs
to collect sufficient amount of funds for managing all the business operations in effective
manner. Thus, capital is essential for implementing organizational activities at workplace as well
as aids in satisfying the needs of clients.
Ethical issue- As per this element, it has been understood that ethics is really
indispensable for the success of an organization as well as aids in controlling the probabilities of
fraudulent activities. In fact, management of whole project requisite to follow ethics as it helps in
accumulating necessary facts or figures in more suitable manner. Mainly, numerous of ethical
issues are identified at workplace while accumulating data such as; usage of wrong sources,
misuse of data henceforth.
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There are preparing an effective questionnaire for systematically competing the
investigation of the research report (Okazaki and Yagüe, 2012). Thus, with the help of
questionnaire effectively get an identify the views and ideas of customers towards company as
well as digital technologies. Therefore, there has been chosen 20sample size of the customers for
collecting and gathering the information.
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Q1. Are you satisfied from the services and electronic devices of 4com?
 Extremely satisfied
 Satisfied
 Normal
 Dissatisfied
 Extremely dissatisfied
Q2. Do you agree digital technologies are helps in increasing profitability and productivity of
the selected organisation?
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
Q3. What do you think about digital techniques and tools are assist to promote goods and
products at world wide level?
 Yes
 No
Q4. As per your experience, will you recommend the use of 4com company's products and
devices to your peers and family?
 Yes
 Neutral
 No
Q5. How long have you been using the services and products of 4com?
 1 month
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