CARIBBBEAN STUDIES

Internal Assessment

Candidate Name: Theo Bryan

Candidate Number:
School: St Georges College
Year of examination: 2016
Topic: An investigation into the impact of changing technologies on small
businesses in Yallahs.

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 Table of Contents

Chapters Pages

Introduction.1-3
Purpose of Research....4
Definition of technical terms...5
Literature Review....6-9
Data Collection and Sources..10-14
Presentation of Data...15-19
Analysis of Data.20-22
Discussion of findings23-24
Limitations and Recommendations25
Conclusion..26
Bibliography...27
Appendices.....28-29

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3
 Problem Statement

An investigation into the impact of changing technologies on small

businesses in Yallahs.

Background to the problem

The industrial revolution refers not only to a series of events but a shift in

the organization of the society. The first change after this revolution was in

the textile industry. In the home based textile manufacture, the machines that

were used were small and generally either hand powered or powered by the

wind or running water. The new textile industry used a series of inventions

that transformed the methods of making textiles. Machinery replaced

humans and animals as the source of power to run machines; and the

centralized factory system replaced the distributed, home-centered system of

production (Rutherford and Ahlgren, 1990). One of the main reasons for the

industrial revolution was the development of the steam engine by James

Watt. The steam engine burned fuel and the heat from the fuel was used to

turn water into steam; the steam was used to drive wheels in the engine.

Steam engines were first used in coal and ore mines to pump water out of

them. After James Watt improved the design of the Steam Engine, the

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engine was applied to other industries to power railroad locomotives, ships

and later automobiles.

Mumford (1986) identified the clock as the key machine of the modern

industrial age. He noted that with the clock, time became divided into

regulated units instead of remaining dependent on the events of the day.

Prior to the clock, people would work according to patterns of the sun and

moon. After the clock, day was presided over by a monitor from the time of

rising to hour of rest.

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 Purpose of Research

The purpose of this research is to meet the requirement from the Caribbean

Examination Council which is to gain a portion of the final examination

grade. This research seeks to examine how the rapid advancement in

technology affects the development of businesses, particularly small

businesses. The findings of this research will add to existing literature on

this topic and highlight and bring closure to uncovered issues relating to the

research problem. The research will also present a clear evaluation of

possible solutions to the problem.

The educational importance cannot be overlooked as it is the researchers

aspiration to pursue a degree in the field of entrepreneurship and business

management.

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 Definition of technical terms

Business

A business is defined as an organization or economic system where goods

and services are exchanged for one another or money.

Technology

Technology refers to the purposeful application of information in the design

production, and utilization of goods and services, and in the organization of

human activities.

Statement of the problem

Describe your problem in a paragraph

You need to have research objectives and research questions. You also need

to include educational value of research.

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 Literature Review

Modernization is relatively new. Theorists associated with the

modernization concept were of the view that technological advancements

and economic changes can enable changes in moral and cultural values

Condorcet was the first to make the connection between economic and social

development and to suggest that there can be continuous progress and

improvement in human affairs. This view simply implies that new processes

and improvements are required to keep pace with the world that is constantly

changing. He advocated that technological advancement is a means of giving

people further control over their environments and that technological

progress will eventually lead to social progress. French sociologist, Emile

Durkheim, in his book Division of Labor described mechanisms for the

maintenance of social order and the ways in which primitive societies might

make the transition to becoming more economically advanced industrial

societies. For Durkheim social evolution occurs over time, otherwise it

would lead to crisis.

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 Talcott Parsons, Madarins of the Future(2003) stressed the importance

of societies remaining open to change and saw revolutionary forces as a

restricting development.

Osmund Vitez, an accountant instructor and former cooperate

accountant with experience ranging from small business to large business,

conducted a study on technological change on business activity. He

conducted a quantitative research in 2011 and it revealed that technology has

revolutionized the way companies conduct business. Small businesses use

computers, servers, websites and personal digital products to develop

competitive advantages in the economic market place. They should also

consider implementing technology in their planning process. Technology

reduces business cost, business technology helps to automate back office

functions, such as record keeping, accounting and payroll. Businesses must

also use technology to create secure environments for maintaining a

sensitive business for consumer information. It helps to improve the

communication process. Emails, texting, websites and personal digital

products application help companies improve communication with

consumers. These communication methods allow companies to saturate the

economic market with the message. The may also receive more consumer

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feedback through these electronic communication methods. They are

connected to consumers in a real time format.

Significant changes in the workplace are the result of new and

advanced technology. For the past generation, technological inventions and

improvements seem to be introduced every week (Ruth Mayhew, 2004).

Technology makes it possible to telecommunicate, from the virtual offices

and communicate with businesses and individuals across the world. Flexible

work schedules are popular because so many duties and responsibilities can

be accomplished from employee while travelling. The private sector initially

became the test case for telecommunicating arrangements, and the feudal

government followed suit in its attempt to be competitive with industries in

attracting qualified candidates. The study also showed that remote reporting

relationships are also a factor of improved technology. A manager of team

members who live and work in different cities, and even different countries

is becoming popular. Mayhew concluded by stating that the advancement

into technology enables companies of all sizes to do business with customers

all over the world. Businesses can establish satellite in practically any

country no matter its internet access. The competition for providing internet

access to developing nations will enable growth in areas previously deprived

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of business opportunities due to a lack of communication devices.

Multinational companies engaged in international marketing of international

products are described as technology exploitation (Robert W Rycroft). The

research conducted by the George Washington professor also revealed that

the primary benefit of technology is efficiency. Transformation from a small

business to a large business is capable of providing products and services at

a faster, more efficient rate which can result in higher profits. The US

Bureau of Labor Statistics reports indicate that occupations in computer

science and information technology field will expand exponentially because

of the demand for state of the art technology products.

An article retrieved from the website www.smallbusiness.chron.com

written by Judi Light Hopson states that every workplace can benefit from

technology. Even a small plumbing business with three employees can use

software to track clients and document all aspects of work. Accounting and

marketing software programs are available to help small and large

businesses. Although software is designed to save time and energy, it is

important to remember that technology can erase the human touch if it is

cared for.

You have to structure research questions before you can organize literature

review, you also need to find sources to cite in the review.

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 Data Collection
A quantitative research was conducted and the researcher used both primary

and secondary sources to carry out this research effectively. The secondary

sources include books and articles found online, while the primary source

used was in the form of a questionnaire. A total of fifty (50) questionnaires

were distributed to small entrepreneurs in Yallahs. A simple random

technique was used to distribute the questionnaires. The secondary sources

contributed to the research by providing existing literature relating to the

issue. It showed previous studies and those results can be compared and

contrasted with the results of this research to develop conclusions about the

problem.

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Describe the better than thatfor questionnaires how many did you hand

out? What date did you hand out and retrieved them? How many did you get

back? For secondary sources describe the author, title of the book and what

makes the author credible to be used in the research

Data Collection Source

Questionnaire
Instruction to respondents: Answer the following questions by placing a tick ( ) in the
most appropriate box () of your choice, provided below, or give a suitable answer where
necessary. Please dont write your name on the questionnaire.

1. What is your gender?

Male

Female

2. What is your age?

18-22 years

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 23-27 years

28-32 years

33-37 years

Over 37 years

3. How long have you been operating this business?

< a year

1-3 years

4-6 years

7-9 years

4. Do you use technological devices in your business?

Yes

no

5. What type of business do you operate?

Wholesale/ supermarket

Hair and nail salons

Delivery services

6. Why did you decide to implement technological devices in your

business?

To improve customer service

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 To increase profits

To remain competitive

7. Which category of technological devices is used the most in your

business?

Machinery

Communication

Transportation

8. Of all the major technological devices, which one is utilized the most

in your business?

Cellular phone

Computer

Cash register

Camera

9. How do technological devices enhance the productivity of your

business?

Increased profits

Work is done more efficiently

Reduction in criminal activities such as stealing

Less time consuming

10.How effective are the devices to your business?

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 Maintain good customer service

An increase in the number of customers

Technology is cheaper than manual labor

11.Do you always try to be updated with the latest advancement in

technology?

Yes

No

12.How would you describe the changes the advancement of technology

has on your business?

Gradual

Revolutionary

13.What are the negative impacts of technology your business?

Slow productivity

Inaccurate results

Increase wastage

Increase expense

14.Technology is rapidly advancing. If you to create a new device, what

would that be?

A car that dont use oil

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 A phone that dont use electricity

15.What are some of the challenges you are experiencing with the

installation of technological devices in your business?

Workers spend more time doing personal business rather than

working

Misuse of the resources of the business

Reduction in revenue

This should go to the appendix good questions.

Presentation of Data
Pie Chart I

Reasons for using technological

devices

To improve
20% 20% customer service
To increase profits
60%
To remain
competitive

Pie chart I show that a total of 60% of the respondents implemented technological devices in their

business to remain competitive in the job market, while 20% of the respondents use technology to

increase profits and the remaining 20% see technology as a way of improving customer service.

Pie chart II
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 Most used device

0%
10% 30%
10% cellular phone
computer
cash register
50%
camera

Pie chart II shows that majority of the business owners use the computer, 30% use the cellular phone, 10%

use the cash register and the other 10% use the camera as the main device in their business.

Pie Chart III

Type of business
Wholesale or supermarket Hair and nail salon Delivery services

20%
50%

30%

Pie chart III shows that the most popular type of small business in Yallahs is either a supermarket

or wholesale and it is used by 50 % of the respondents. A total of 30% operate hair and nail

salons and the other 20% operate delivery services.

Pie chart IV

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 Category of devices
Machinery Communication Transportation

25% 25%

50%

Pie chart IV shows that 50% of the operators use technology primarily for communication
purposes, 25% use it mainly for communication and the remaining 25% use it as machinery.

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Bar graph I

Ways in which devices enhance the

business
Less time consuming
How is productivity

Reduction in criminal activities

enhanced

Work is done in a more efficiently

Increased profits
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Number of respondents

Bar graph I shows that 50% of the operators use technology to increase profits, 20% implement

technology to ensure that work is done promptly and efficiently while another 20% use

technology because it is less time consuming and the remaining 10% see technology as a

mechanism that helps in the reduction of criminal activities.

Bar graph II

The effectiveness of the devices

An increase in the number of customers

Effectiveness

Technology is cheaper than maual labour

Maintain good customer service

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Number of respondents

Based on bar graph II the majority, a total of 80% of the operators stated that technology is

cheaper than manual labor, 10% agreed that technology results in an increase of customers and

the other 10% stated that the use of technological is good way of maintaining good customer

service. Whatever is explained must represent on the graph

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Table I

Negative impacts of the devices

Options Number of Percentage

Respondents

Slow productivity 10 20%

Inaccurate Results 5 10%

Increase Wastage 5 10%

Increase Expense 30 60%

Total 50 100%

As seen in table 1, increased expense the major negative impact of technology. Of the total

number of respondents, 10 agreed that technology results in slower productivity, 5 believe that it

causes inaccurate results and also 5 operators agreed that technology negatively affects their

businesses by increasing wastage.

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Table II

Challenges with the installation of the devices

Options Number of Percentage

Respondents

Workers spend more 15 30%

time doing personal

business rather than

working

Misuse of the 30 60%

resources of the

business

Reduction in revenue 5 10%

Total 50 100%

As seen in table II, 30 respondents are of the view that the most significant challenge they are

experiencing with the installation of technological devise is the misuse of the business

resources.15 responded by saying that the workers more time doing personal business rather than

working and the remaining 5 has seen a reduction in revenue.

Not badgo through and check the amount of respondents in data source you said you gave to

fifty so it should represent on the graph.

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 Analysis of data
Of the total number of respondents, 60% were male and 40% were

female operators of small businesses in Yallahs, St. Thomas. Majority of the

small business operators were over 32 years, 30% were in the age group 33-

37 and also 30% were between ages 28-32. One common feature among all

these small businesses was the use of technology as the respondents stated

that they use technological devices in their businesses. A total of 60% of the

respondents are operating their businesses for over ten years, 10% operating

between 7 and 9 years, businesses in operation for 4-6 years amounted to

10%, another 10% are in operation for 1-3 and the recently opened

businesses also amounted to 10%.

According to pie chart I, a total of 60% of the respondents

implemented technological devices in their business to remain competitive

in the job market, while 20% of the respondents use technology to increase

profits and the remaining 20% see technology as a way of improving

customer service. The findings also revealed that majority of these

businesses are heavily dependent on the computer to aid production as the

computer was selected by 50% of the business owners as the device utilized

the most in the business as shown in pie chart II. Pie chart II also show

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that the cellular phone was the second most used device in small businesses

in Yallahs as it was chosen 30% of the respondents. The remaining 20%

equally agreed that the cash register and the camera were the most used

device in their organization.

Based on pie chart III, 50% of the business owners are operating

wholesale/supermarket, 30% hair and nail salons and the 20% are operating

as providers of delivery services. Due to globalization and modernization,

60% of the operators implemented technology to increase profits, 20% use

technology as a means of remaining competitive in the labor market and the

remaining respondents use technology as a way of improving customer

service. Pie chart IV however states the operators mainly use the devices

for communication purposes rather than for transportation and machinery.

Bar graph I shows that 50% of the operators use technology to

increase profits, 20% implement technology to ensure that work is done

promptly and efficiently while another 20% use technology because it is less

time consuming and the remaining 10% see technology as a mechanism that

helps in the reduction of criminal activities. Based on bar graph II the

majority, a total of 80% of the operators stated that technology is cheaper

than manual labor, 10% agreed that technology results in an increase of

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customers and the other 10% stated that the use of technological is good way

of maintaining good customer service.

Table I revealed that half the number of respondents use technology to

increase profits, 30% use technology to ensure that work is done more

efficiently, 10% to reduce criminal activities and the remaining respondents

selected less time consuming which eventually aids production. Table II

however showed that most business owners see technology as being

advantageous to their businesses as it is cheaper than manual labor. 10%

agreed that technology increases the number of customers likewise profits

and another agreed that it aids in the maintenance of good customer service.

To conclude, technological devices are being used by business

operators of all age and provides more positive than negative results. The

devices are so essential to the functions of the businesses and hence the

operators have to keep updated with the latest advancement. The trend is

also seen whereby the younger operators implement the devices quicker and

are able to better operate them than the older operators.

This is interpreting you need to analyze the datawhat are the trends and

patterns of the findings? what anomalies can be drawn?

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 Discussion of findings

Technology plays an integral role in the business place. Technology is

what decides the status of the business in terms of revenue. The most

popular type of small business in Yallahs is a supermarket or wholesale.

Small businesses are popular among the younger generation. They include

technology in their business primarily to increase revenue. However there

are a lot of negatives with the utilization of these devices. The negatives are

mainly as a result of the misuse of the devices by the employees and also the

increase expense that results from the use of these devices.

All the aims and objectives of this research were achieved. One of the

main objectives was to examine the reasons for the implementation of the

devices and was clearly explained in the findings. It showed that most

operators used these devices as mean and way of gaining profits and to

ensure that they maintain a good customer service. Another objective was to

investigate the positive and negative impacts these devices have on the

businesses. The research showed that while revenue increase, the devices

also lead to an increase in expense. Workers also took advantage of the

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system and misuse the devices. It also showed where criminal activities were

reduced due to the implementation of the surveillance camera. One of the

primary objectives was to provide existing literature on use of technology on

small business was achieved. The research showed the results of studies

previously done by researchers on the topic and it also provides uncovered

issues. It was the aim of the researcher to examine the areas in which

technological devices improve the productivity of the business. The research

however showed where technology is the perfect way of improving

productivity in the business. Therefore the research findings reveal that all

the aims and objectives of the research were met.

You are using the sources from the literature review to compare and contrast

your findings

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 Limitations and Recommendations

While conducting this research, the researcher encountered numerous

challenges, especially as it relates to time and money. The researcher did not

complete the research on the projected time as some respondents delayed in

answering the questionnaire. Also some respondents misplaced the

questionnaires and the research had to reprint questionnaires thus causing a

strain on the researchers pocket.

Despite the challenges, the researcher was able to complete the

research and would like to address some of the issues of concern. Firstly,

small business operators should implement a system whereby employees

would be coerced to focus primarily on work instead of personal matters.

Also operators should be constantly updated with the latest technological

device as a way of increasing revenue and remaining competitive in the

market place. How are they going to be updated? You need to make 4 well

developed recommendations

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 Conclusion

Based on the findings of this research, majority of the small business

owners are males who operate a supermarket/ wholesale. It also revealed

that technology which is rapidly advancing has both positive and negative

impacts. The positive impacts include the increase in profits, the faster

production of goods and services and the maintenance of good customer

services. On the other hand, technology negatively affects small businesses

increasing expense, hence a reduction in revenue and the major misuse of

the resources by the employees. While technology is rapidly advancing,

many operators are still of the view that impact of these devices are gradual

rather than revolutionary.

Conclusion, recommendation and limitation that is the format.

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 Bibliography
Durkheim, Durkheim (1997). Division of Labor

Parsons, Talcott (2003). Madarins of the Future

Please adhere to the APA referencing style

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 Appendices
The pictures below depict the use of technology in small businesses in the Caribbean

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