A case study on Marks and Spencer (Assignment)

Research Project
(The impact of globalisation on the corporate
structures of large multinational companies and
the major challenges they face. )

Table of Contents
RESEARCH PROJECT PLAN ......................................................................................................1
Formative assessment..................................................................................................................1
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................7
TITLE: ..........................................................................................................................................10
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
P3) Primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business research project
that consider costs, access and ethical issues. ..........................................................................10
P4) Appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data.......................................10
P5:Communicate research outcomes in a appropriate manner for the intended audience........12
P6) Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the
business research project...........................................................................................................21
P7- Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes,as
this has not been completed......................................................................................................21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................22
REFLECTIVE STATEMENT.......................................................................................................22

RESEARCH PROJECT PLAN
Formative assessment
Topic The impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of large multinational
companies and the major challenges they face.
RATIONALE/
BACKGROUND
This report is based on the impact of globalisation over corporate structure of a
multinational company and major challenges faced by them. For performing this
investigation Mark & Spencer has been selected to determine several challenges it
has faced while globalising its business operation. Globalisation is very broader
term which refers to the process of integration and interaction among people,
businesses and government worldwide. This help an organisation to improve its
business practices as well as profitability by enhancing the market base (Bazilian
and Onyeji, 2012). But an organisation get only become successful at globalisation
of operations when it adopt an effective corporate structure as the overall
performance and management is controlled as per the structure of a company.
Corporate structure is generally defined as the organisation of different
departments and business units among which operations are being divided in a
manner that contribute toward accomplishment of organisational objectives. Mark
& Spencer is a British multinational retailer which deals in several product
categories such as clothing, luxury food and home product. It is headquartered in
London and maintain its business operations throughout the world. M&S has faced
several issues while expanding its business at global level which affected its
profitability and business operations up-to a great extend (Chen, Chiang and Storey,
2012). This can be better understood with the help of critically evaluating the
several published article over the globalisation of M&S and then presenting the
information with the help of literature review.
The considered project is based on the impact of globalisation over the corporate
structure of a large multinational company and the key challenges faces by them. It
is a wide area of academic research which provides a clear direction to the
researcher to addressing the chosen issue in appropriate manner. The major purpose
of the research is to exploring the idea and knowledge base of learner and
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researcher regarding the similar area of work by the execution of in-depth analysis.
This is an effective area which also plays vital role in developing the personal and
professional skills of people who are having their personal interest towards the area.
The major reason for conducting the research is the personal interest of researcher
as the investigator wants to explore the area of globalisation with the guidance of
suitable use of methodologies.
INTRODUCTIO
N
Globalisation is considered as the process of interaction and integration among
people, companies, and governments worldwide basis, thus in another words it also
refers as to the integration of markets in the global economy that leads to the
accrued interconnectedness of national economies. Globalisation is a wide area
which plays effective role developing performance and operations of an
organisation at large level (Barakat and et. al., 2015). In this present investigation
work Marks and Spencer is the chosen organisation, it is a large British
Multinational retailer company, with its headquarter is in Westminster, London.
The potential motive of the firm is to expand its operations at global level in respect
to attaining higher growth and success within the commercial centre. This project
contains the study about globalisation and its influence over the operations of
business. In this current exloration work, aims and objectives are created on which
the overall work is depend or provide support to the research and literature review
as to creating an appropriative theoritical framework (Lee, Shin and Park, 2012).
However, research methodology will help in rendering a systematic evaluation to
implement investigation activities in right manner and data analysis will take place
through conducting survey with the help of filling questionnaire.
Aim of the
research
To analyse the impact of globalisation over the corporate structure of large
multinational company and major challenges faced by them. A case study on
Marks and Spencer.
Objective of the
research
The significant objectives of this particular research are described as below:
● To study the concept of globalisation in the context of multinational
corporation.
● To identify the importance of corporate structure in smooth functioning of
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Marks and Spencer.
● To ascertain the potential impact of global expansion over the corporate
structure of Marks and Spencer.
● To determine the major challenges faced by Marks and Spencer during
globalisation of business.
Research
Questions
The major research questions that support the literature of this particular
investigation are described as under:
● What is the concept of globalisation in the context of multinational
corporation?
● What are the importance of corporate structure in smooth functioning of
Marks and Spencer?
● What is the potential impact of global expansion over the corporate structure
of Marks and Spencer
● What major challenges are faced by Marks and Spencer during globalisation
of business?
Research strategy Research methodology provides a design for investigator to follow, allowing them
to conduct their own investigation while using several method to arrive at similar
conclusion. It help the investigator to get feedback for the service provided by them
to their customer (Grayson and Hodges, 2017). Primary method and secondary
method are the two methods of collecting the data.
Type of Investigation : There are generally two type of investigation
mentioned below :
 Quantitative research : It involves collecting of information in numerical
form for statistical calculation so that proper calculation can be drawn. It
includes paper survey, mobile survey etc.
 Qualitative research : It refers to scientific method of data collection which
deals with description of things , symbols, concept and meaning. It does not
include numerical facts. It includes interviews and group discussion.
In order to conduct this research both qualitative and quantitative tools are
applied by the researcher because the combination of methodologies are effective
for the research in drawing valid and reliable outcome. The mixture method is
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effective in providing proper details by the help of accumulation of numeric and
non-numeric information. Qualitative investigation is effective in developing a
specific theoretical framework in which proper details are provides as to overcome
with the research issue. Quantitative investigation is appropriate in providing tactful
information by the accumulation of data in the form of figures.
Primary/
secondary
research
Data collection is considered as the most essential aspect of research thus an
investigation is based on the data and information accumulated by the researcher. In
an investigation work data and informations are accumulated through different
sources i.e. Primary and secondary method are the two methods used for collecting
the data, these source are descried as under:
 Primary method : This type of information is collected for the first time
and is totally fresh and more reliable (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson, 2012).
Several methods of collecting the data are interviews, telephonic method
and questionnaire.
 Secondary method : This type of information is collected by someone else
for other purpose. This information is not collected for first time. Sources of
secondary method includes books, trade journals and magazines etc.
In the present study on understanding consumer behaviour and identifying
factors that influence their buying behaviour researcher will take support of primary
source. Individual will collect fresh data related to buying pattern of customers and
will analyses these details. These fresh details will aid in answering research
questions in most effective manner.
Sources of data In order to conduct this research both primary as well as secondary method is used
by the researcher as both the tools are reliable in accumulation of data in respect to
justifying the issue in effective manner. Primary source is used for conducting
survey as in this Questionnaire is considered as a appropriate tool for gathering
information from analysing the perspective of people who are having knowledge
and interest regrading the chosen area of work. On the contrary basis secondary tool
of data collection is effective in execution of literature review by accumulation of
information from relevant sources like books, journals, published research articles
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