HOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HAS

TRANSFORMED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

OF OXFAM
Research Proposal
CONTENTS
RESEARCH TOPIC....................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.........................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................................2
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................2
Role of digital technology.......................................................................................................................3
Importance of information technology in promoting business growth.....................................................3
Impact of digital technology on varied functions of Oxfam....................................................................3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY................................................................................................................4
Data collection methods..........................................................................................................................4
Data analysis technique...........................................................................................................................4
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN...........................................................................................................5
Gantt chart...............................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................6
RESEARCH TOPIC
The main topic of the research is “How digital technology has transformed business
activities”. The research is conducted to evaluate the impact of digital technology on various
functions of the organization such as marketing, finance, human resource and operations. The
organization taken under consideration is Oxfam. Here, the emphasis will be done by the study
on analyzing the role of digital technology in business. Furthermore, it will also provide support
to many upcoming talents who have aspiration to explore the information technological aspects
of the organization. Therefore, the present study will give emphasis on how digital technology
compels the functional department of Oxfam to alter their business activities. It will also focus
on evaluating the implications of technology for management of the company and importance of
information technology in business.

INTRODUCTION

The rising technology has transformed the ways organizations carry out their business. It
has also enabled the small businesses to level the playing field with larger corporations. Digital
technology has become a growing necessity of each and every business concern. With every
passing year, more and more world is leaning towards it. It is becoming impossible to separate
technology and business from each other (Gaspar and Kolari, 2016). Innovation helps in
breeding the business and technology helps in paving the way and thus, it can be said that in
order to sustain in the market, business needs technology. Since, the early times of man business
always existed. It initiated with simple barter system and today it has changed exponentially due
to advancement of technology. Industries would collapse, if technology is taken away from their
business. This pertains to the fact that most of the operations and activities of business involves
the use of technology. The current subject matter will draw attention of readers as well as other
management officials of business organizations (Ethridge, 2004).
Talking in relation with the Oxfam, it is a global movement of people that works together
to alleviate poverty for each and every individual. It is a confederation of 20 independent
charitable organizations that pays attention to end global poverty. The main purpose of Oxfam is
to provide supportive hands in creating lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty. The
advancement in the technology has impacted the functions and activities of the company. To

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achieve long lasting success, up gradation with the pace of rising technology is quite necessary.
Pertaining to this, the theoretical part of this research report will present introduction in relation
with the importance of information technology in business. Further, the role of digital technology
in business organizations, specifically in Oxfam will be evaluated by the researcher. In addition
to this, how technology has transformed business activities of Oxfam such as marketing, human
resource, operations and finance will be analyzed significantly (Khosrowpour, 2001). For the
purpose of reaching the main aim, subsequent objectives needs to be developed as well as wide
range of tool techniques and research methods needs to be adopted by the researcher.
Furthermore, the experimental segment of the report will include both qualitative as well as
quantitative techniques. Finally, the research paper will come to end with discussing about
different findings and conclusions drawn from these outcomes.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the present research report is to evaluate how digital technology has
transformed business activities within Oxfam to promote business growth. A deep insight into
the concept of technology and its importance in business will be done. Thus, in order to achieve
the aim, objectives are being set down and these are defined underneath:

 To evaluate the role of digital technology in Business

 To analyse the importance of information technology for promoting business growth
 To assess the impact of digital technology on varied functions of Oxfam such as
marketing, human resource, finance and operations
 To apprise various implications of technology for management of the Oxfam

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LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Digital technology has become a growing necessity of each and every business concern.
With every passing year, more and more world is leaning towards it. It is becoming impossible to
separate technology and business from each other. Innovation helps in breeding the business and
technology helps in paving the way and thus, it can be said that in order to sustain in the market,
business needs technology.

Role of digital technology

Due to advancement in the technology, the business of each and every organization has
caused a tremendous growth in trade and commerce. The concepts and models related to
business have been revolutionized due to introduction of technology. This is because of the fact
that technology has given a new and better approach of carrying out a business. It has offered
faster, convenient and more effective ways of conducting business transactions (Afzal, 2015).
There are many actions of technology in business such as accounting and management
information system, point of sale systems and even a calculator is a product of technology. Other
than this, the automated processes being offered by digital technology provides support and
security to the business processes and act as a link to the world.

Importance of information technology in promoting business growth

The business success is certainly dependent on various factors. Some of which
encompasses accurate analysis, selecting the right technology and the vision for future. Many
researches have proved that from the last two decades the path of innovation has significantly
increased their market share, overall competitiveness and financial figures. Information
technology is being regarded as the only technology that offers an opportunity to evaluate
particular data as well as plan the business journey of an individual accordingly. In addition to
this, it also provides many tools that solve complex problems and plans the scalability of the
business concerns (The role of technology in business, 2018). Thus, it can be said that in the
modern age, the digital technology is a great tool that helps the business in promoting its
products and services as well as business to the global market while sitting in the comfort of your
remote office. Cloud computing and modern communications have enabled the global
organizations to manage as well as monitor their virtual offices all across the globe.

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Impact of digital technology on varied functions of Oxfam

 Marketing and sales – Digital technology helps is creating new channel for listening,
talking and engaging. Because of the enhanced volume digital data the marketing
analytics has increased significantly.
 Accounts and finance – One of the biggest applications of digital technology in the
function of finance and account is the enhancement of business intelligence by making
use of social technologies and data analytics.
 Human resource – It includes both human capital and issue related to management of
people. The function of human resource is impacted by transformation of digital
technology in several ways. The department requires new job opportunities for a wide
range of positions. Other than this, legal and people related issues have increased such as
protection of intellectual property, privacy and confidentiality.
 Operations – Business intelligence systems creates many opportunities to enhance the
operation of the firm both internally as well as externally. Mobile devices, robotic
technologies and 3D printing add value to both research and development as well as
production initiatives.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Data collection methods
For the purpose of gathering useful information and data, the researcher will employ both
primary as well as secondary data collection methods (Crowther and Lancaster, 2012). For
collecting primary information from the employees and management of the Oxfam, survey
method will be adopted by the researcher. The respondents will include employees of age group
20-35 and 36-60 years. The survey will be conducted by asking questions to the respective
employees. On contrary to this, secondary data will be accumulated by evaluating an assessing
numerous journals, academic papers, articles, books, magazines and research papers related to
the topic. These secondary resources will support in comprehending detailed knowledge in
relation with the subject matter. The wisdom gained will help the researcher in accomplishing
the objectives of the research study competently. Therefore, from various data collection sources,
a complete idea as well as overview of the topic can be extracted skillfully.

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 Data analysis technique
Each and every research is incomplete without evaluation as well as assessment,
pertaining to this; particular section of the report will analyze the information gathered from
primary and secondary method of data collection (Israel, 2009). Data analysis is being regarded
as one of the most significant aspects, as seeking help from this section, the researcher will be in
a position to draw final conclusion and will evaluate that the research objectives being defined
earlier are being accomplished or not. In the current research report, the data accumulated will be
analyzed by taking into consideration qualitative research analysis. In this regards, thematic
analysis will be adopted by the researcher for analyzing the primary as well as secondary data.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN

A project management plan is defined as a document that takes into account the scope
and object of the project. It is mostly represented in the form of Gantt chart that helps in
communicating with the stakeholders easy and smoothly. The very first thing is to understand the
scope of the project and accordingly intensive research is being carried out. After that it is
important to write down the work break down structure or developing a project outline. It is very
important to write the full plan of the project at this stage. After writing the plan, it is important
to execute Team Gantt and publish the plan. Finally, it is vital to make sure that keep following
the plan and prepare to keep planning.
Gantt chart
Activities/date 8/5 18/5 20/5 1/6 10/6 2/7 2/9 17/10 14/11 5/12 10/12 10/12
Writing research proposal
Reading literatures
Finalizing the objectives
Drafting literature review
Devising research
approach
Drafting research strategy
Reviewing secondary data
Developing questionnaires
Conducting survey
Analyzing the data
Drafting findings
Updating literatures and

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completing other chapters
Revision and formatting
the draft
Submitting

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REFERENCES

Books and journals

Crowther, D., and Lancaster, G., 2012. Research Methods. 2nd ed. UK: Routledge.

Ethridge, D.E., 2004. Research methodology in applied economics: organizing, planning, and
conducting economic research. 2nded. Wiley-Blackwell.

Gaspar, J. and Kolari, J., 2016. Introduction to Global Business: Understanding the
International Environment & Global Business Functions. 2nded. Cengage Learning.

Israel, D., 2009. Data Analysis in Business Research: A Step-By-Step Nonparametric Approach.
SAGE Publications.

Khosrowpour, M., 2001. Managing Information Technology in a Global Economy. Idea Group
Inc (IGI).

Online references

Afzal, B.A., 2015. The Role of Information Technology in Business Success. [Online]. Available
through: < https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-information-technology-business-success-
abid-afzal-butt >. [Accessed on 8thMay 2018].

The role of technology in business. 2018. [Online]. Available through:

<https://www.oksbdc.org/the-role-of-technology-in-business/ >. [Accessed on 8thMay 2018].

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