Research: Underground Cabling and Telecommunication Performance

This research project investigates the significance of underground cabling and its influence on the performance of the telecommunication industry, with a specific focus on Virgin Media. The report explores factors influencing research project selection, conducts a thorough literature review, and outlines the research project's specifications, including objectives, research questions, and methodology. The methodology encompasses research design, approach, philosophy, and data collection techniques. The study employs a descriptive research design and an interpretivist philosophy, utilizing both primary and secondary data sources, particularly questionnaires. The project aims to identify the significance of underground cabling, analyze industry performance, determine the impact of underground cabling, and recommend strategies for achieving a competitive advantage. The report also covers data analysis, research evaluation techniques, and recommendations, providing a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter.

RESEARCH PROJECT
(To investigate the relevance of underground cabling and its
impact on the performance of telecommunication industry)

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................1
1.2 Factors that contribute into the selection of research project................................................1
1.3 Literature review....................................................................................................................2
1.4 Research project specification...............................................................................................4
1.5 Gantt chart.............................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Research resources.................................................................................................................6
2.2 Research investigation on the basis of specifications............................................................7
2.3 Record and collate data..........................................................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Research evaluation techniques.............................................................................................9
3.2 Data analysis........................................................................................................................10
3.3 Recommendations................................................................................................................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
Covered in PPT..........................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

TASK 1
TITLE: To investigate the relevance of underground cabling and its impact on the performance
of telecommunication industry- A study on Virgin Media.
1.1 Introduction
Business organizations perform their operations on the basis of their vision and mission so
that they can achieve competitiveness at the market area. Communication is a medium through
which the gap between people can be reduced to some extent. For this, now companies use
underground cabling which is the replacement of overhead cables. These cables provide
electrical power (You and et. al., 2012). The main aim of this is to make the lines less influential
at the time of snow or thunderstorm. Due to this kind of technology the cost of cables can be
increased but its operational cost is get reduced for long time period. The present report is based
on Virgin Media Ltd which is a British company and perform its operations in
telecommunication sector. They are using underground technology so that they can ensure the
smooth functioning for their customers. The firm offer some services to their end users like
broadband, fixed line, mobile telephony, digital television and so on.
The current research report is based on the significance of underground cabling and how it
affects the performance of an enterprise. In this context, researcher uses some tools and
techniques so that overall study can be carried out in an effective manner. Some research
approaches, design, philosophies, data collection techniques, sampling and analysis methods are
explained in detail (Lucivero, 2012). The issue which is identified in this report is the
effectiveness of undergrounding as these kind of issues can be arises due to improper
management. So, the current investigation is focused on this issue so that the significance of this
innovation can be evaluated. This kind of analysis is beneficial for both organization and
customers. As through this, organization can make a smooth wire connection in underground so
this become beneficial for consumers also.
1.2 Factors that contribute into the selection of research project
Some different aspects and components are there which help the researcher in order to
select an appropriate research project. On the basis of these, overall study can be conducted in an
efficient and effective manner. So, researcher needs to focus on cost, time, size, knowledge,
experience, interest, scope, benefits, access to information and so on. Along with this, some
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resources like financial, human and physical also play their vital role in order to carry out further
analysis. The cost of a project should be low so that overall expenses can be reduced to some
extent and objectives can be achieved in successful way.
The knowledge and experience about the particular research topic should be there within
an individual so that the impact of underground cabling can be investigated in an appropriate
manner (Li, Yue and Junbing, 2013). Along with these, sufficient financial resources should be
available for the project manager so that survey can be conducted at the marketplace. The overall
field of study can be conducted in timely manner so that overall operations can be accomplished
in effective way. The main factor is an interest which can help the researcher in analysing the
facts and figures related to the study. Technological advancements and innovation are two main
components which are at boom in the modern period where by implementing these an enterprise
will be able to gain the attention of people. In this way my interest is get increased into the
research project and information is also available on the internet. So, these contributed while
selecting an appropriate topic for the study.
Furthermore, if all resources will be utilised in an efficient manner then it will be beneficial
for a researcher to carried out analysis in smooth manner. So, in this way it can be analysed that
how specified goals and objectives can be achieved by focusing on some factors or aspects.
1.3 Literature review
In this section, researcher collect the information from secondary sources such as articles,
journals, books, internet and so on. After reviewing different literature studies overall
significance of underground cabling can be evaluated in an effective manner. On the basis of
this, gab between different studies can be reduced to some extent.
Significance of underground technology
According to the views of Qian-long and Hong-wei (2014) there are many organizations
who perform their operations in order to fulfil the needs and demands of their clients. In order to
convert the regular customers into loyal one, an enterprise use the concept of technological
advancements so that they will be able to increase the satisfaction level among people.
Underground cabling is the replacement of overhead lines as through this power lines can be
saved from natural disaster. On the other hand, it has been analysed by Jaiswal, Abegaonkar and
Koul (2016) that overhead lines are used in the ruler areas more as compare to urban because
through this large area can be covered. But, some underground cables are find out in built up
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cities. There are some advantages and disadvantages of this kind of innovation. Like as through
the company can establish its operations throughout the world in an effective manner.
Casula and et. al., (2016) stated that through this kind of innovative technique the visual
impact of such cables can be reduced to some extent. Along with this, planning delays and
transmission losses can be reduced which will be beneficial for both company and local public.
So, in this way there are such advantages of using this type of innovation. Apart from this, there
are some advantages of overhead lines like if any kind of damaged is happened with these
underground cables then it became easy for the firm to repair such damages. So, it become easy
to handle such kind of issues. If cables are built underground, then they are not restricted with
any vehicles and any other natural disaster.
Shams, Lam and Silve (2013) confronted that there are some limitations of using this like
cost of underground cables are high and their repairing is also a complex task. The overall
operations of such kind of cabling is difficult to perform. Due to some ground movements, the
functioning of wires can get affected.
Organization performance
As per the views of Botta (2016) the performance of an organization is depending upon
some aspects such as their quality, pricing, innovativeness, brand image, network connection and
so on. If an enterprise will implement underground cabling in an effective way, then through this
they can offer their services to people at global as well as domestic level. If an industry performs
its activities in an appropriate manner, then they will be able to improve their image in positive
manner. When overall cabling has been operated in an effective manner then they will be able to
achieve their targets. On the other hand, it has been analysed that through the modern cabling
system the health of the people can be ensured as through some wires the properties will not get
damaged. By implementing this the telecommunication industry will be spread their network in
rural as well as urban area. So, in this way their performance can be improved in effective way.
Impact of underground cabling on the company’s performance
Kurz (2013) says that underground cabling or innovation can affect the organizational
performance in both positive as well as negative manner. There are factors which can affect the
environment and health of the people. Like at the time of installation of such cables into ground
the soil get affected which is not good for biodiversity. Along with this, deep rooting plants can
be avoided in order to prevent the cables which are situated into the ground. At the same time,
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the health of the people is also get affected while implementing the cables into the ground. As
cables which are undergrounded they produces EMF raise which can affect their health. So, if
these factors affect the environment and health of people then due to this their performance is get
affected at the market area. So, in this way it can negatively affect the image of company.
According to the views of LI and QIAN (2012) if cables have been built under the ground
then through this network can be spread in many areas. Through this, many people can access
their network which is helpful for them in improving the brand image.
1.4 Research project specification
Aim: To investigate the relevance of underground cabling and its impact on the
performance of telecommunication industry- A study on Virgin Media.
Research objectives: Some objectives are formulated for the current field of study which
needs to be accomplished. These are as follows:
 To identify the significance of underground cabling which is adopted by Virgin Media.
 To analyse the current performance of telecommunication industry at the market area as
compare to other players.
 To determine the impact of underground cabling on the performance of industry.
 To recommend some ways through which they will be able to gain competitive advantage
in more successful manner.
Research questions: These questions are framed on the basis of aim and objectives of the
current field of study. These are like:
Q1. What is the significance of underground cabling or technology?
Q2. How performance of an enterprise can be evaluated?
Q3. What is the link between innovation and performance of firm?
Q4. What ways are there through which Virgin Media can achieve competitive advantage?
Research methodology
Here, methodological framework has been used by researcher so that overall research can
be conducted in an efficient way. There are some approaches and methods which are used for the
research so that it can be evaluated that how underground technology can affect the
organizational performance (Vaioleti, 2016). In the current project, the justification has been
given for all tools and techniques that how these are suitable for the research. Some of these are
as follows:
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Research design: Some designs has been used by researcher to set a path so that overall
understanding for the particular topic can be increased (Wahyuni, 2012). Descriptive,
exploratory, casual, experimental are some research designs. Here, in the current field of study
descriptive has been followed so that in-depth analysis can be carried out.
Research approach: Inductive and deductive are two approaches which can be used by
researcher in order to get the outcome without deviating from path. In deductive, hypothesis has
been created on the basis of theories (Snyder, 2012). On the other hand, inductive is followed by
the project manager in this study where some theories are developed on the basis of observation.
Research philosophy: Philosophies has been used in the projects so that an effective
conclusion can be drawn (Riedl, Davis, and Hevner, 2014). Interpretivism and positivism are two
philosophies. Positivism is a scientific approach where mathematical tools has been used. Here,
in the present study interpretivism has been followed so that human perceptions can be identified
for the particular topic.
Data collection technique: Here, in the current research project the data has been
gathered from both primary and secondary sources (Roberts, 2013). Primary is related to the
survey like questionnaire, interview, focus group and observation. By conducting these, more
authenticate and valid information can be collected. In the study, questionnaire has been used in
which open ended and close ended questions has been asked to the number of respondents. On
the other hand, secondary sources are related to the various books, internet, research papers and
so on.
Sampling: This is a technique which is used by researcher so that a sample size can be
extracted from large population. Probabilistic and non-probabilistic are two sampling techniques.
In probabilistic, the criteria have been set and here random sampling is used by researcher in an
effective manner (Green, Camilli and Elmore, 2012). Here, 20 sample size has been selected for
the current research project and survey is conducted on employees.
Data analysis: The data can be analysed on the basis of thematic approach where themes
are formed on the basis of questionnaire. By implementing this, interpretation can be performed
in an effective manner and graphs can be made.
1.5 Gantt chart
A plan can be prepared by project manager on the basis of different activities and their
time in which they get completed (LI and QIAN, 2012). Through this, operations can be
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managed and activities can be accomplished in timely manner. When deadline is set for the
particular research then through in this manner specified objectives can be achieved.
TASK 2
2.1 Research resources
Some resources have been used by researcher in order to collect the valid and authenticate
information. When valid data collected every time then their reliability can be ensured in an
effective way (Botta, 2016). Primary and secondary resources are there through which
information can be gathered related to topic and in this way further evaluation carried out.
Primary is related to the surveys which are conducted at the market area and some of these are
like questionnaire, interview, observation, focus group etc. In questionnaire, some set of
questions are asked to an individual that what they think about underground cabling. In interview
approach, face to face interaction has been performed between interviewer and interviewee.
Observation is an another approach in which researcher make the decisions by observing the
activities which are performed by respondents.
Here, questionnaire has been used by researcher in which both open and close ended
questions are asked to the employees. Apart from this, information is also gathered from
secondary resources such as books, articles, journals, newspaper, magazine and so on. By getting
the relevant data, research questions can be resolved in more successful manner.
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2.2 Research investigation on the basis of specifications
The investigation can be performed on the basis of questionnaire in which researcher asked
some questions related to the services of company to their respondents. Through this, kind of
survey project manager will be able to carried out analysis in an efficient way. In this way their
validity and reliability can be ensured so that they will be achieve their specified objectives in
more successful way. Here, the sample size is 20 and survey is conducted on the employees of
Virgin Media. The questionnaire is stated below:
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Designation:
Q1. How long have you been working in Virgin Media?
 Less than 1 year
 Less than 2 year
 2 to 3 years
 More than 3 years
Q2. Do your organization use underground technology or innovation?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t know
Q3. Are you agreeing that innovation can lead an enterprise towards success?
 Strong agree
 Agree
 Neither agree nor disagree
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q4. On what factors you pay more attention while implementing the underground cabling?
 Health of people
 Environment
 Cost of implementation
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 Others
Q5. Are you satisfied with the working environment of telecommunication industry?
 Highly satisfied
 Satisfied
 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
 Dissatisfied
 Highly dissatisfied
Q6. What strategies will you recommend to Virgin Media so that they can attain competitive
advantage?
_____________________________________________________________________________
2.3 Record and collate data
The data can be recorded and collected in an effective manner so that overall interpretation
can be performed. For this, a frequency table can be made which shows the responses of staff
members towards a particular question. Along with this, the relationship can also be established
between two factors such as underground and organizational performance.
How long have you been working in Virgin Media? Frequency
Less than 1 year 6
Less than 2 year 8
2 to 3 years 3
More than 3 years 3
Do your organization use underground technology or innovation? Frequency
Yes 12
No 3
Don’t know 5
Are you agreeing that innovation can lead an enterprise towards
success?
Frequency
Strong agree 8
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Agree 4
Neither agree nor disagree 2
Disagree 3
Strongly disagree 3
On what factors you pay more attention while implementing the
underground cabling?
Frequency
Health of people 7
Environment 7
Cost of implementation 4
Others 2
Are you satisfied with the working environment of
telecommunication industry?
Frequency
Highly satisfied 8
Satisfied 5
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 2
Dissatisfied 4
Highly dissatisfied 1
TASK 3
3.1 Research evaluation techniques
There are some research evaluation techniques that can be used by researcher so that
analysis can be performed in an effective manner (Jaiswal, Abegaonkar and Koul, 2016). There
are two type of evaluation such as summative and formative. In formative, feedback has been
received by an individual on continuous period and in another approach review can be measured
after completing the research. Here, in the current project summative has been followed by
project so this will be beneficial for them as goals can be achieved in more effective manner.
There are two types of research methods which can be used by investigator like qualitative
and quantitative. In the first one, some graphical methods have been used where data can be
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analysed in an effective way. On the other hand, in quantitative overall information can be
represented in numerical form. Here, qualitative method has been used as through this views of
people can be identified related to the underground cabling. Under this, thematic evaluation
approach has been used where different themes are formed and graphs has been made on the
basis of responses which are given by different respondents.
3.2 Data analysis
The data can be analysed on the basis of thematic approach in which different themes have
been formed on the basis of responses which is gather from people. Here, in this graphs are also
made so that interpretation can be done effectively.
Theme 1: Mostly staff members are working in Virgin Media from less than 2 years.
Findings: There are approx. 30% who are working from less than 1 year, 40% are
working less than 2 years, 15% are working from 2 to 3 years and other 15% are working from
more than 3 years.
Theme 2: Employees are agreed that their firm uses underground technology.
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