The Impact of Mobile Phones and Tablets on Modern Business - Coursework Example

The Impact of Mobile Phones and Tablets on Modern Business 2. Background Over the past few years, technology has tremendously changed to include advanced gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets. These gadgets have been used for numerous purposes including entertaining and connecting friends and family. Tablets and phones have been fitted with numerous applications with different uses. The use and demand for smart phones and tablets has grown tremendously. The increment of tablets and smart phones across the world has created a complex environment and an opportunity for organizations. Tablets and smart phones have gained popularity over the past few years because of their comfort of interaction with the user and their entertainment uses. Numerous studies have suggested that tablets and smart phones have been primarily used for playing video games, watching videos and movies and reading books. However, tablets and smart phones are not entirely used for entertainment purposes. Since the functionality of smart phones and tablets is comparable to that of desktops and laptops, they have more undiscovered uses that can be beneficial not only to people but also to organizations. Presently, most organizations across the world have adopted the use of mobile phones and tablets to aid in their operations. Many of these organizations have employed smart phones and tablets to aid their business operations hoping to attain benefits from such usage. However, few of these organizations understand the role and potential of mobile phones and tablets in business. While many companies and corporations are still wrestling with apprehending the role of tablets and smart phones in business, few have dedicated their time and resources to consider their role in their operations. The lack of recent research on the potential and role of smart phones and tablets in business and the failure and negligence of organizations to understand such roles and potential serve as the impetus for this research. 3. Preliminary Review of the Literature It is fairly apparent that the arrival of tablets and smart phones has changed lifestyle trends among people in many aspects. This technology has generated inevitable wave to establish a connection with the old friends and entertain. Notably, technology has also transformed operations in businesses by introducing useful applications in smart phones and tablets. Smartphone and tablets have a tremendous impact in modern businesses. A study by Basso (2013, p. 67-71) revealed that businesses have unlimited ways of developing engagement with customers. Needless to say, smartphone and tablets have applications that facilitate continuous engagement and interaction with customers. Notably, successful marketing is participative by nature and creates memorable experiences with customers. Modern businesses are taking advantage of the mobile native apps or the mobile web to expand their influence (Khosrow-Pour, 2012, p. 36-42). Modern businesses are exploring innovative marketing methods and using them to retain their market share. Some of the mobile technologies available include mobile marketing, location based marketing (LBS), video on demand and social media. These applications are known to increase both distribution and communication channels. Leveraging on mobile technologies is helpful in improving efficiency and performance of companies. Quality and affordable cloud based (Saas) software-as –service applications facilitate sales a management and workforce automation. Modern businesses are able to reduce cost and save time due to seamless data connectivity. This improves their connectivity. Simple and powerful tools have been of help when it comes to connectivity and mobile device applications. The main challenge in modern businesses is how to adopt a suitable app or platform in large organizations. According to Davies (2012, p. 112-25), smart phones and tablets must be seen as enablers and vital in the modern business fraternity. According to an eBay survey, one in six businesses, in Australia, has not invested in m-commerce devices such as tablets and smart phones. 40 per cent of respondents are ignorable on mobile devices like tablets. The eBay survey gives strong insight on the attitude towards mobile devices, but fails to capture the significance of cellular phone gadgets in modern business (Davies, 2012, p. 145-54). Through using ordinary Wi-Fi connections, mobile devices can be interconnected and create an intuitive interface that is user friendly (Basole 2011, p. 78). For instance, in Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, a luxurious hotel, guests can contact the customer care via an application on their mobile phones or tablets. The guest can also comment the process of booking a room through the social media. According to Davies (2012, p. 167), small businesses have benefited from smart phones. They have identified that smartphones and tablets are vital in the acquisition and retention of customers. For example, owners of modern small businesses in the United States of America are concentrating on new technologies to expand their market share. They have given preference to technologies that enhance mobility. According Blackwell and Lynn (2011), most business owners believe wireless or mobile applications and communications enhance customer relations. However, the observation falls short of revealing the real impact of smart phones and tablets in the modern businesses. Surprisingly, about 75 per cent of the businesses surveyed are not tapped the benefits of using smart phones and tablets. Smart phones, tablets and other handy gadgets are increasingly becoming powerful, complex and popular. Many knowledge workers prefer to work using personal devices. Personal data and workplace information is converged in one mobile device. Proliferation of portable computing devices has an impact in consumer behavior (Basso, 2013, p. 98-112). According to Khosrow-Pour (2012, p. 62), smart phones and other computing devices have an impact in business practices. Most previous researches tend to suggest that portable computing devices have a significant impact in modern businesses. However, the details of the impact of smart phones and tablets are left to speculation. According to Basso (2013, p. 121-34), it is upon information technology and workers to make global and mobile portable computing model function. Trends indicate knowledge workers will continue demand autonomy and elasticity through the use of mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. Knowledge workers are not limited to the confines of the regular business schedules or office. This is causing mobile marketplace to expand. Portable computing technology has impacted the pace and timing of modern business (Vaughan-Nichols, 2012, 10-13). Smart phones and tablets have created a need for people to connect and collaborate instantly. The ability to receive phone calls, send emails, and messages on a single personal device has introduced new business dynamics (Basole, 2011, p. 214). Modern businesses are turning to the use of applications and databases which are designed for optimal view and facilitate transactions through the use of mobile devices. Therefore, customers are able access services regardless of their geographical location. The concept of mobile payments (m-payments) is growing gradually. Mobile platforms are becoming avenues for digital advertising. Apple iAD, Google, Amobee among others facilitate mobile advertising platforms. In addition, modern businesses are leveraging on various forms of mobile advertising, which range from complex interactive advertising to basic static banners. Most chief executive officers in modern businesses are depending on social media, smart phones and tablets to encourage growth. A survey by Sarker and Wells (2011, p. 35-40) revealed that the chief executive officers in many companies are leaning on smart phones and tablets to build consumer connections. Most CEOs predict that future growth will be pegged on mobile devices more than the social media. The social media enables companies to connect with customers by creating audiences. 4. Research Question and Objectives This research will seek to understand the role and potential of mobile phones and tablets in business. It will seek to answer the question, what are the potential benefits that organizations can gain through using mobile phones and tablets? The specific objectives of the research will include: i. To critically evaluate the potential and role of smart phones and tablets in increasing efficiency and effectiveness in organizations, ii. To analyse the link between the use of tablets and mobile phones and increased company profits, iii. To evaluate the discernments and attitudes of organizations towards the use of tablet and mobile phones in their operations and determine whether these attitudes and discernments differ among organizations. 5. Methodology and Research Methods i. Research Strategy and philosophy Questionnaires will be distributed and electronically mailed to the respondents to complete. This data will be collected over a period of one week. The respondents, who will be business executives from different organizations, will fill the questionnaire and send it within the one week period. The participation of the Chief Executive Officers will make this research have a positivism philosophy. The business executives will be contacted and their consent obtained before taking part in the study. This study qualifies to be a positivist because the reality in this study is stable and can be seen and described from the standpoints of the participants. ii. Research Approach and Design A qualitative approach will be employed in this study. According to Creswel (2003, p. 77), qualitative research is a formal, objective and systematic process to delineate and test relationships and examine cause and effect interactions among variables. Questionnaires will be used in this descriptive, exploratory and explanatory research. A questionnaire is used to collect information for defining a population too big to oversee unswervingly (Dawson, 2002, p.232). In this study, information will be gathered through self-administered questionnaires electronically mailed to the respondents by the researcher. This study chose a descriptive survey because it will provide an accurate portrayal or account of the attributes, for instance of behaviour, abilities, opinions, beliefs and capabilities of an individual or a group. This design was selected to achieve the objectives of the study. iii. Data Collection Questionnaires will used to collect information. A questionnaire is a printed self-report form aimed at eliciting information that can be gained through written answers of the respondents. Information gained through the questionnaire is no different from that obtained through interviews (Dawson, 2002, p. 168). Information will be gathered to evaluate the role and impact of mobile devices and tablets on modern business. Questionnaires will be chosen because they will require less energy and time to administer and will ensured high reaction rate. The questionnaires will have closed-ended questions with a few open-ended questions. In the open ended questions, the respondents will respond in writing, where as in the closed-ended questions the respondents will have options determined by the researcher. Open-ended questions will be used because they allow participants to respond to the questions in their own words and provide more detail. On the other hand, closed-ended questions are easy to administer and analyse. The questions will be in English language. The questionnaires will consist of section A and B. Section A will aim at obtaining information of the respondents’ company, his or her position in the company and the department that he or she was working under. Section B will have questions that require the respondent to respond on how tablets and mobile phones had impacted modern business. The sample to be selected will have to have used a mobile phone or tablet to transact business on behalf of the company. iv. Reliability, Validity and Generalization According to Creswell (2003, p. 145), reliability refers to the extent of consistency with which a tool assesses the characteristic it is tailored to measure. Though the responses of participants in a research are expected to be consistent, this research anticipates some inconsistencies in the responses to be obtained from the participants. However, in order to have the responses to show consistency in their answers, there are numerous things that will be done. First, reliability of the responses will be ensured by diminishing sources of assessment error such as data collector bias. This data collector prejudice will be reduced by the researcher being the only one to oversee the process of sending and follow-up on questionnaires and exhibiting similar personal attributes to all respondents. The respondents will be offered a confortable period over which they will be expected to fill the questionnaire. On the other hand, in order to achieve content validity, questionnaires will constitute questions on the knowledge of the respondents about mobile phones and tablets. Validity denotes the degree to which a tool assesses what is planned to assess (Dawson, 2002, p. 118). Notably, questions will be drafted to ensure that they are representative of the impact of mobile phone devices and tablets on modern business. Content validity will also be ensured through consistency in administering the questionnaires. In addition, all the respondents will be constantly reminded to complete the questionnaire in time. This will be carried out to avoid scenarios where the respondents fail to fill the questionnaires. In reference to Dawson (2002, p. 180), external validity refers to the notch at which study findings can be generalized beyond the sample employed. All the people approached to take part in the study completed the questionnaires. Generalizing the results to all the participants is, therefore, justified. v. Population and Sample description The sample to be employed in the study will be business executives from renowned organizations in United States. The respondents will be business executives who mostly carryout their daily business transactions through their mobile phone devices or tablets. A convenient sample of 20 respondents will be selected from 20 renowned organizations. A sample refers to the elements chosen with the intention of obtaining certain information from them. A convenient sample engrosses respondents included in the study because they happen to be at the right place at the right time. Data Gathering Activity Details of Sample Method of Data Analysis Which Research Objective This Data Informs. Electronic mailing of questionnaires Business executives from renowned organizations Qualitative data analysis through tables, percentages and graphs The role of mobile phones and tablet in business Filling of questionnaires Business executives from renowned organizations Qualitative data analysis through tables, percentages and graphs To critically evaluate the potential and role of smart phones and tablets in increasing efficiency and effectiveness in organizations and to evaluate the discernments and attitudes of organizations towards the use of tablet and mobile phones in their operations and determine whether these attitudes and discernments differ among organizations. 6. Ethical Considerations Carrying out a research not only necessitates diligence and expertise but also integrity and honesty. This is performed to protect the rights of people. To render the research ethical, the rights to anonymity, self-determination and informed consent will be observed. The participant’s consent will be gained before they take part in the process. Informed consent is defined as the participant’s agreement to take part voluntarily in the research after receiving all necessary information about the research. An information sheet will be send to their e-mails. The information sheets will be in formal English language and will detail the research, the researcher, the rationale behind their nomination for the study, what will be expected of them and what purpose the information provided will serve. Additionally, the participants will be informed of their responsibilities and the potential risks to be involved, if any. It will be the duty of the researcher to be accountable for dealing with any risks involved. Anonymity will be maintained since the subjects will not be linked to the individual responses. The participants will not be required to state their names in the questionnaires. The ethical principle of self-determination will be observed where the subjects will be treated as autonomous and permit them to choose whether to take part or not. 7 Planning and any special resources required Gantt Chart Activity Time Literature Search 10 days Draft Research questions 2 days Draft Bibliography 1 day reading available literature 2 days Feedback on literature Review 1 day Complete Literature Review 4 days Identify the sample for research 5 days Gather Information 7 days Analyse data 5 days Complete the Bibliography 2 days Draft Abstract 1 day Proofread the document 3 day Complete all chapters 10 days The research will also require numerous resources in order to make it a success. Activity Resources Required Sending Questionnaires (Data Bundle) $50 Mobile Handset Airtime $40 Printing $20 Transportation $30 References Basso, A. 2013. Beyond 3G video mobile video telephony. Multimedia Tools and Basole R C, 2008. Enterprise Mobility: Applications, Technologies and Strategies - Volume 2 the Tennenbaum Institute Series on Enterprise Systems - Book Edition of INFORMATION KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS Management 1st ed. IOS Press. Blackwell, J. and K. S. Lynn. 2011. Broadband Subscribers Market Data. ABI Research. Available at http://www.abiresearch.com/ research/1002969 Creswell, J. W. 2003. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method Approaches 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications. Dawson, C. 2002, Practical Research Methods, New Delhi, UBS Publishers’ Distributors Davies, R. W. 2012. The Era of Global Transition: Crises and Opportunities in the New World. Khosrow-Pour, M. 2012. Information technology and organizations: Trends, issues, challenges and solutions. Vol. 1. Harrisburg, PA: Idea Group Inc. Paelke, V., Reimann, C., & Rosenbach, W. 2013. A visualization design repository for mobile devices. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality, Visualisation and Interaction, Cape Town. Sarker, S., & Wells, J. D. 2003. Understanding mobile handheld device use and Adoption. Mobile Commerce Opportunities and Challenges, 46(12), 35-40. Vaughan-Nichols, S. J. 2012. Achieving wireless broadband with WiMax. Computer, 37 (6), 10-13. Read More