Exploring the Role of Technology in the Growth of UK Small Businesses

Desklib offers solved assignments and past papers to help students succeed.

The Impact of Technology Change
(A Research on UK Small Businesses)
Student Name:
Student ID:
Name of the University:
Module Code:
Author Note:

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
Abstract
The topic of the study is investigating the impact of technology into a small business. Southern
Business Technologies is a small-scale business and also is a well-known company. To maintain
the employees and also to deal with several functions the management of the company needs to
adopt the best means of technology. It should be mention that the business can be only improved
having the best technology into account. The rise of the competition has brought the need for
technology into business operations. Even the performance of the business is also depended upon
the technology as it helps the management to reach to their aims and objectives easily. For the
better improvement, the company needs to adopt the below-discussed materials which are
divided into five parts. The below part provides all the relevant options about the knowledge of
technologyand also about the benefits of technology into business operations.
1

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
Table of Contents
Part A: Project Proposal...................................................................................................................4
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................4
1.1 Research Background............................................................................................................4
1.2 Research Topic......................................................................................................................4
1.3 Research Problem..................................................................................................................4
1.4 Research Aim.........................................................................................................................5
1.5 Research Objective................................................................................................................5
1.6 Research Rationale................................................................................................................5
1.7 Research Questions................................................................................................................6
1.8 Scope of the research.............................................................................................................6
1.9 Research Significance............................................................................................................6
1.10 Research Structure...............................................................................................................7
1.11 Research Outline..................................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................8
2.1 Technological impact on small scale business......................................................................8
2.2 Various types of business technology....................................................................................8
2.3 Application of these technologies in diverse operations.......................................................9
2.4 Merits of these technologies................................................................................................11
2.5 Pitfalls of these technologies...............................................................................................12
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................14
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................14
3.2 Research Onion....................................................................................................................14
3.3 Research Philosophy............................................................................................................15
3.4 Research Approaches...........................................................................................................16
2

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
3.5 Research Design..................................................................................................................18
3.6 Data Collection Method.......................................................................................................19
3.7 Research Strategy................................................................................................................21
3.8 Data Collection Tool............................................................................................................21
3.9 Summary..............................................................................................................................22
Part B: Dissertation........................................................................................................................23
Chapter 4: Research Data Analysis and Findings..........................................................................23
4.1. Purpose of Data Analysis....................................................................................................23
4.2. Data findings and Analysis.................................................................................................23
4.2.1 Quantitative Findings and Data Analysis.....................................................................23
4.2.2 Qualitative Findings and Data Analysis.......................................................................30
4.3 Data Interpretation...............................................................................................................31
4.4 Research Limitation.............................................................................................................31
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation...............................................................................32
5.1 Relating to the objectives.....................................................................................................32
5.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................32
5.3 Scope in the future...............................................................................................................33
References......................................................................................................................................34
Appendix........................................................................................................................................37
Appendix 1: Personal Opinion...................................................................................................37
Appendix 2: Quantitative Questionnaire...................................................................................38
Appendix 3: Qualitative Questionnaire.....................................................................................39
3

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
Part A: Project Proposal
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Research Background
The entire study will be based on the impact of technologies in the business operation of
Southern Business Technologies. To fulfil the demands of the customer and to sustain in the
competitive market it is important to introduce the latest types of machinery and equipment.
With the help of the latest technology, the business operations could run their business smoothly
and with perfection. This is also important for Southern Business Technologies to hold the same
position in the marker as because of the tremendous rise of the competition in the international
market. With the rise of the technology, the management would get much different help and
support and that will also become the success key factor also.
1.2 Research Topic
The topic is on the impact of technologies in the business operation. The management of
Southern Business Technologies had implemented the use of technology into their business
system so that they could get help in managing the employees, controlling every project running
under the company, to expand their business in other fields and also to reduce expense in the
human labors. Hence, by getting all the supportive options the company could get an easy way to
reach to their destination of aims and goals easily and efficiently.
All the positive points of the technology need to be utilized for the better improvement of the
company. It will also help the organization to increase its performance in many different
locations of the market. Even to give a standard service to the customers or to the clients the
management of Southern Business Technologies had to utilize every aspect of technology.
Moreover, proper training also could be given to all the members working under the company so
that they could work accordingly to the company’s expectations.
1.3 Research Problem
Due to the rise of the use of technology in the business operations in different companies much
human labor had become jobless and even unskilled people are also becoming a waste asset in
4

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
the company. The use of technology has many suitable options however, on the other hand, it is
also providing some negative impacts. Many small size companies cannot afford high-end
equipment or technology as their financial condition is not up to the mark.
However, in some cases, it is found that the companies do not have proper and well-trained
people to run that machinery or the latest technologies. It is been also noticed that the large
giants are also giving their impacts on the other small and medium-sized companies as they have
a strong financial background.
1.4 Research Aim
The present research project aims to understand and evaluate the significance of the operational
activities of Southern Business Technologies organization. The motive of the research is also to
offer the company appropriate and effective techniques through which they can determine the
impact of the new technologies on cutting down the operational cost, enhancing the
communication system, collaborating with different big firms and to attract the attention of wider
range of customers.
1.5 Research Objective
 To verify the different methods through which the management of Southern Business
Technologies can enhance their business performance following the path of technology.
 To identify the manner in which the technology would help the business to achieve
success and carry out their daily activities maintaining rules and regulation.
 To get the right information about the entire study of technology on the business
operations of Southern Business Technologies.
 To provide further recommendations to the management of Southern Business
Technologies so that any kind of problem could be easily handled and with an easy
solution.
1.6 Research Rationale
With the use of the right technology into account, it becomes easy to manage the entire business
operations. Even to achieve success the use of technology is important and mandatory. Any kind
of competition also can be handled as to retain their reputation in the target market. The right
5

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
candidate also can be selected so that they could deliver their best performance. Even to collect
information from the relevant sources the use of technology is useful and effective.
1.7 Research Questions
 What are the core benefits of technology into business context?
 How technology supports the business to upgrade their performance?
 What are the drawbacks of technology while getting adopted by a small scale business?
 What is the significance of technology in the workplace?
 How technology helps the organization to promote the business differently?
 How to overcome from getting negative impacts coming from technology?
 What are the steps to implement the latest technology into business operations?
 Why the demand for technology has increased from the last time?
 What kind of technologies can be used in the small scale business?
 How technologies are used to have communication?
1.8 Scope of the research
The main scope of the present research project is to understand understanding the importance of
the technology in the business context. It can be also noticed that the organization, Southern
Business Technologies needs to implement the right useful technology so that they could
improve their business performance. The employee motivation also could be done and while
providing incentives or appraisal the use of technology in the account of the business is useful
and mandatory as well. The profit margin of the business also can be improved as it helps to
expand its business in different location of the market as well. To be successful and to maintain
the reputation the use of technology is necessary.
1.9 Research Significance
The main significance of the present research project is to provide appropriate information of
different technologies will efficiently enhance the productivity of the organization. It will also
reflect the areas in the business operation of the organization where technologies are mostly
required and through which the organization can achieve their goals and objectives.
6

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
1.10 Research Structure
The entire structure of the research study has been splitted into different chapters
Chapter One: In this chapter an appropriate and specific introduction of the entire research
project has been provided along with the objectives, structure, rationale and questions which are
relevant with the present research topic.
Chapter Two: The next chapter will represent the literature that has been collected by reviewing
and assessing different journals and articles. The whole review of literature will provide basic
information of different technologies which can be used by the organization, their merits,
demerits, applications and many more.
Chapter Three: This chapter includes the research methodology part where different methods
and techniques will be given through which the research project process can be accomplished
successfully.
Chapter Four: The fourth chapter comprises of the data analysis and finding part. In this chapter
different tools through which the data has been collected and results will be discussed.
Chapter Five: The fifth chapter is the conclusion part where the recommendation from whole
sum scene of the entire research project can be understand. This will also provide the
significance of the project on recognizing and identifying the future prospects which can be
attained by the present research process.
1.11 Research Outline
In this particular portion of the chapter provides a detailed structural overview of the study,
which helps the scholar to run the research project systematically and obtain the desired outcome
within a specific time. The present part of the research project will provide a short description
of every single chapter of the research project, which will help others to understand the overall
project efficiently. In order to ensure the profit of the organization the advantages of different
business technologies that can be effective for enhancing their business will be discussed in the
research project.
7

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Technological impact on small scale business
Small scale businesses required to have efficient technology in order to run their business
successfully. Presence of various improved technological tools and methods gives a positive
environment in the workplace. It gives an opportunity to the small business owners to collaborate
with other business firms which can help them to enhance their business. Technology provides a
platform for the company to connect, to share, to collaborate with valuable stakeholders.
Technological tools like Cloud storage, internet, telephone system, information technology
services, and business emails will provide exceptional future prospects for the Southern Business
Technologies Basingstoke telecom company.
2.2 Various types of business technology
There are various types of technology, which can be implemented by different business in order
to ensure their business productivity, and profit.Some of the well-known technology are
highlighted below:
Internet: Internet is one of the key advantages for improving the productivity of a company.
Thus, for upgrading the business there is a necessity of high and improved internet connections
in an organization to make the work easier and faster. The company can opt for Ethernet or T1
connection to make their internet connection improved one.
Business email: Creating a business email account is a far best idea to receive and send
business-related messages. It helps to enhance the reliability of the business and also it builds a
good impression of professionalism to the stakeholders of the company. However, High alerted
security is very important to reduce the risks of Viruses, spam, and malware.
Cloud storage: Such technology enables the information or data to be stored and accessed via
using the internet source. This technology is one of the beneficial ones which not only stores the
records of the important data but also makes the business functions an easy one.
Information technology: IT services have various advantages on the business of the small-
medium firms as it helps them to search the platform where they can make their business a wider
8

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
one. It is not only beneficial in building strong security but also useful in backing up the data in
the systems which manage the business of the companies efficiently.
Figure: Information technology and services
Sources: (Fleisch, Weinberger, and Wortmann, 2015)
Telephone system: In the present modern scenario, there are various options that are available
such as Voice of Internet protocol (VoIP) which is an innovative one which provides call
forwarding, voicemail and conference calling facility.
2.3 Application of these technologies in diverse operations
All these technologies that have been mentioned above are very effective which will make all the
operational activities in an organization simple and effortless.
Research and development: Internet can be used to collect information from all over the world.
Along with this it also makes the communication system an efficient one. It also helps the
business of a company to search their target customers on social media platforms, for marketing
and selling their company’s services (Shabbir, Ghazi, and Mehmood, 2016).
Business communication: Business mail account is very essential for every business as it is
applied while sending messages, receiving messages. Such implementation can make the
9

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
communication system in the company more efficient. As a telecom company, there is a need for
the Southern Business Technologies Basingstoke to constantly communicate with their
customers and to improve their business networking chain.
Data storage: The main topic of concern of every organization whether it is a large, medium or
small is to cut down the extra expenses from the operational cost. Along with the workforce,
there is a need for advanced and innovative types of technologies in the business, which can be
beneficial for making the operational activities easy and effortless. Cloud storage can be used to
store data in distributor web environment. It also saves cost and offer prominent security.
Figure:Cloudstorage
Source:(Yangetal.2017).
Finance forecasting: Certain software can be useful for calculating the unit cost, recording the
daily expenses to point out the needless cost from the operational activities. Many technological
tools like Xero, Fresh books not only help in reducing the cost of the business but it also saves
the time which can be implemented in other business developing functions.
10

THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY CHANGE IN UK SMALL-BUSINESS
Improved services: Business technologies can be used in storing the data of the customers and
other valuable stakeholders of the company. The presence of IT software in the company is also
valuable in keeping records and in such a way it reduces the unit cost of the business. By the
application of I.T infrastructure in the organization makes the activities faster by sharing
important information, helps to remove the additional resources.
Interactive communication: In the present scenario, there are different technologies which have
made the communication process easier for business corporations. Emails, text messages, and
different applications have In Small and medium business improved and advanced
communication system plays an important role which can enhance the organizational
productivity (Nayshtut et al. 2016).
2.4 Merits of these technologies
Internet:
 It helps to reach a wider range of customers and makes it will make easy to access with
their company's services.
 It is useful to share and receive a large number of informative data which can be useful
for their company’s business.
Business email:
 It is useful to communicate with the employees as wells as other stakeholders of the
company in an effective way. (Ancin et al. 2016).
 Information can be easily transferred from one place to another within a minute.
Cloud storage:
 The cloud base system is beneficial in lowering down the unit cost of the organization
and to make their more efficient and profitable one.
 It reduces the hardware cost and its maintenance cost is much cheaper than other
technological tools.
Information technology and services:
11