Technological Impact on Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company - MBA Project

This project plan examines the impact of technological upgradation on the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, a major UK cheese manufacturer. The study investigates challenges faced by the company due to evolving market dynamics, including Brexit and increased online competition. It aims to assess the impact of external factors, evaluate the effects of technological advancements, and propose recommendations to mitigate negative consequences. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including PESTLE, Porter's 5 Forces, and SWOT analyses. The project emphasizes secondary research and adheres to ethical guidelines, concluding with strategic recommendations for the company's future growth and adaptation to technological changes, such as developing an e-commerce platform.

Running Head: TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 1
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON THE
CHEDDAR GORGE CHEESE
COMPANY
Project Plan
Student Name:
Student Number:

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 2
Executive Summary
Companies operating in the UK market face many challenges. These companies are
hampered by their uninterrupted operation due to various laws, tax rules, different
bureaucracies. Cheddar Gorge Cheese company, the UK's largest cheese company, sells most
of its products in the UK, Europe and other countries around the world. The scope of current
research includes evaluating technological upgradation impact on the company.
The study will make a theoretical assessment of the impact of external/macroecological
factors on the organization. Analysis and analysis of Porter's 5-strong analysis to make the
company's recommendations. It is very important to establish research methods and get the
results of the research. The study will focus on qualitative and quantitative data. Researchers
will use of secondary research data to complete and arrive at the findings. Each data in the
study is cross verified to arrive at findings of the study. The study will comply with all ethical
standards proposed by the university.

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 3
Table of Contents
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................2
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Aim, Scope, and Objectives.......................................................................................................5
Method of Analysis and Evidence.............................................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................8

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 4
Introduction
Companies operating in the UK market faces a number of challenges that are complicated.
With disparate laws, tax norms, various red tape, and other implications that obstruct the
smooth functioning of businesses further (Arshad et al, 2014). The UK ranks as one of the
world's leading location for doing business, based upon the World Bank 'Doing Business
survey. Brexit negotiation outcomes have created uncertainty in the exit period. UK's major
cheese manufacturers, especially "The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company" sells the majority
of its products in the UK and also in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The company is a
well-known place where traditional cheddar cheese is manufactured in an authentic manner.
It has been in existence since the 15th Century. The company has been manufacturing cheese
with the earliest reference to family members manufacturing cheese, who are the forerunners
of the business. The company has been supplying manufactured cheese to various parts of
Europe where demands for its products exist. The majority of customers of the company are
present in parts of Europe, especially in France, Spain, and Italy.
With the implementation of technological upgradation, cross-border trade have almost
come to halt. While the majority of the cheese manufacturers facing a struggle to keep up
with growth trends, technological upgradation has become mandatory. Earlier with eased
norms of trading across borders using standard prices, procedures and time, however
currently most trades are conducted over website or Apps. Currently, the preparation of
documents for conducting cross-border trades are implying major barriers to trade for cheese
manufacturers. The organization has lost out some of its large clientele to other smaller
cheese manufacturers located elsewhere in Europe, where companies are easily able to sell
online. Most large and retail customers are considering switching to other manufacturers,

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 5
given the same price and quality (Trkman et al, 2010). This has created a major challenge for
the company, which is losing out on major revenues and incurring losses. The technological
upgradation in terms of developing an ecommerce portal or app or selling online has
implemented slowdown for major businesses that rely on cross-border trade.
Aim, Scope, and Objectives
The current study aims “to understand the impacts of technological upgradation on the
business of The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company.
The objectives of the current study are as follows;
 Objective 1: To understand the impact of external factors on the organization Objective 2: To evaluate the specific impact of technological upgradation on the
organization Objective 3: To arrive at recommendations that the organization can adopt in order
to cover the negative effects
The scope of this research will undertake theories to evaluate the impact of external/
macro-environmental factors on the organization. This research will consider theory such as
PESTLE analysis to understand ways in which such macro-environmental factors impacts on
the business (Samnani, 2014). Understanding of the impact of external forces will enable
deciding upon which macro-environmental force impacts the most on the company or causes
volatility of its business. Then specific factors such as impact from technological factors will
be evaluated to understand its impacts on the organization.
An analysis of industry analysis using Porter’s 5 forces framework will be undertaken to
understand the advantages/disadvantages the current organization has over other European
organizations (Dobbs, 2014). An analysis of the industry forces such as the bargaining power

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 6
of suppliers and buyers will assist the organization to devise a suitable strategy as a
recommendation later on. This framework will reveal the impact of industry forces on the
organization.
A SWOT (or internal analysis) will be undertaken to understand strengths the organization
possesses which can be converted into opportunities. The weaknesses which can become
threats for the organization are evaluated. Taking the findings from SWOT analysis a
comprehensive plan for recommendation will be developed, which the organization can
undertake and overcome the loss of revenue faced. This finding will be the major outcome of
the project and contribution to the organization. The organization can apply those
recommendations for the future and longer-term benefits of the company.
Method of Analysis and Evidence
Ascertain research methodology for research is important to arrive at the findings of the
study. This study will primarily make use of qualitative data as well as quantitative data. The
scholar with the collected data of secondary nature will conduct quantitative analysis to arrive
at the findings regarding the study (Eberle, 2014). The scholar will make use of secondary
research to collect data from various websites such as Euro Monitor, magazines and company
publications to understand the challenges they are facing. The scholar will make use of a
thorough research and revalidate the data for this study. The qualitative data will provide a
rich subjective and interpretive perspective regarding the study (Farrelly, 2012). However,
the scholar has not only used the qualitative procedure as often it does-not supports an in-
depth understanding of the situation being investigated. Due to time constraints often,
secondary research has been used which might lead to a limitation in the study (Weber,
2017). Qualitative methods also include semi-structured and unstructured data which is more
time consuming to analyze and then arrive at its findings.

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 7
Quantitative data collected for the study will be easier to collect and analyze. The scholar
will make use of interpretive analysis to arrive at the findings of the research (Kumar, 2019).
It is more scientific in nature and can enable arrive at the findings through numerical analysis.
The research questions will enable deciding upon suitable research methodology for the
study. The study will abide by all ethical guidelines as suggested by the university.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this research will aim at providing suitable recommendations to the
organization such that it can make up some of its losses. This study will also effectively
evaluate the challenges faced by food business due to not adapting technological upgradation.

TECHNOLOGICAL IMPACT ON A CHEESE COMPANY 8
References
Arshad, A. S., Rasli, A., Arshad, A. A., & Zain, Z. M. (2014). The impact of entrepreneurial
orientation on business performance: A study of technology-based SMEs in
Malaysia. Procedia-social and behavioral sciences, 130(2014), 46-53.
Eberle, T. S. (2014). Phenomenology as a research method. The SAGE handbook of
qualitative data analysis, 184-202. DOI: 10.4135/9781446282243.n13.
Dobbs, M. E. (2014). Guidelines for applying Porter's five forces framework: a set of
industry analysis templates. Competitiveness Review. DOI: 10.1108/CR-06-2013-0059
Farrelly, P. (2012). Selecting a research method and designing the study. British Journal of
School Nursing, 7(10), 508-511. DOI: 10.12968/bjsn.2012.7.10.508.
Kumar, R. (2019). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage
Publications Limited.
Samnani, A. (2014). Macro-environmental factors effecting fast food industry. Food Science
and quality management, 31, 37-40.
Trkman, P., McCormack, K., De Oliveira, M. P. V., & Ladeira, M. B. (2010). The impact of
business analytics on supply chain performance. Decision Support Systems, 49(3), 318-
327.
Weber, M. (2017). Methodology of social sciences. Routledge.