Research Methodology and Project Planning

This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of research methodology and project planning. It involves a literature review on the impact of multinational companies on local business environments, drafting aims and objectives, preparing a schedule of project and work breakdown structure, selecting a sample for the study, deriving data collection methods, and conducting interviews with focus groups. The assignment also includes data analysis, findings, and conclusions, as well as formative feedback from a tutor. It is an essential resource for students seeking to understand research methodology and project management techniques.

Managing a Successful Business
Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................1
P4. Small Scale Research............................................................................................................1
Focus Group Discussion..................................................................................................................5
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................6
P5. Data Analysis........................................................................................................................6
P6 Research Outcomes..............................................................................................................19
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................1
P7 Reflection...............................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Managing successful business is based on existence of organisation and its ability to satisfy
customers in competitive market (Anaf and et.al., 2017). In other words, multinational
companies’ enterprises that have full control over the assets, facilities and subsidiaries overseas
in addition to their headquarters in the home country. Present study has been based on the impact
of McDonald’s on local businesses. With increasing globalisation and market trends it is
becoming important for the business focus on growth on the basis of local competitors. The
project will help in deriving various factors which impact McDonald’s in local business
environment.
Research hypothesis and aim:
“In the above pretext and to engage in research the aim revolves around the impact of
McDonald’s in the local business environment”.
Research Questions:
The key research questions are set below to fulfil the purpose of this study.
 What perceptions do the customers bear with concerned to McDonald’s?
 What is the impact of McDonald’s in the local business environment?
Objectives:
 To identify positive and negative perceptions of the people on McDonald’s
 To explore the impact of McDonald’s in local business.
LO 2
P4. Small Scale Research
Research Methodology
1

In order to conduct the business, researcher has been used different methods and
techniques to collect data in order to achieve the aims and objectives. Present study has been
research on to identifying the potential impact of increasing the MNCs effects on local
businesses (Lyons, Bartlett and McDonald, 2016). In order to gathered such information,
research required to use some research methods such as given below:
Desk Research
Desk is the very effective research methodology technique which can be conducted in
research at their initial stage. This is the cheapest and well effective technique which can be used
by the research which is also most productive to fetch results (Flick, 2015). This is the best
technique through researcher can easily collect data of McDonald's in local business
environment.
Primary Research
This is the another result that contributed the best effective and leading generating goals
in order to meet out the best developing result. Primary research collects data by observing or
communicating with customers or competitors. Primary research data could be collected through
surveys, interview, focus groups etc. Present study has been taken discussion with participants
and take interview from them. Present study has been taking two focus group of customers in
order to conduct interview in the form of Questionnaire.
Research Population and sampling
The Proposed populations of this research are the customers of the McDonalds in
welling. Sampling is the most essential research methodology that helps to accomplish the aims
and objectives in order to put the effective result oriented goals (Kumar, 2019). There are many
types of sampling method simple random sampling which is not clearly mentioned and effective.
2

Present study has been taken purposive sampling in order to produce a number of cases for in-
depth analysis that emphasises explanation.
Analysis of data
Data analysis is the next phase after data collection in order to analyse the cleansing,
transforming and modelling data with the goal of discovering useful information conclusions and
supporting decision making. Present study has been taken thematic coding and descriptive
interpretative and emerging overarching elements to conduct the study into deeper manner.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical consideration is the most critical way of research methodology that might be
affect the research in negative manner. Ethics are the norms or code of conduct which has
to be very effective for the researcher to be conduct in proper way (Mackey and Gass,
2015). In which researcher liable to perform such duties such as they are restricted to share
the respondent information with others. Also, researcher should responsible to adhere all
rules and regulations of research.
Questionnaire
Age:
Occupation:
1 How often do you purchase food from McDonalds ?
 Weekly
 Monthly
 Occasionally
2. Which area do you think needs the most improvement ?
 Delivery Time
3

 Environment
 Product Variety
 Prices
 Offers and Discounts
 Others
3. What factors do you think is considered when visiting McDonald's ?
 Product assortment
 Price
 Food Quality
 Discounts/coupons
 Nutrition
4. Do you think McDonald reduces the importance of other food outlets ?
 No
 Yes
 Don't Know
5. Thinking your most recent visit to McDonald's to what level of satisfaction do you rank that
visit ?
 Very Poor
 Poor
 Good
 Very Good
 Excellent
6. Do you think McDonald is beneficial for employment development ?
4

 Yes
 No
7. Is McDonald price high rates of products comparatively others in UK ?
 Yes
 No
8. What are the problems you faced at McDonald ?
 Long Queues
 Rude Behaviour of employees
 Other
9. As per your suggestion at what range McDonald affect local businesses ________ ?
10. Suggest that how much other local business is effective other than McDonald _____ ?
Focus Group Discussion
This discussion or the interview session has been held on the basis of age group of people
16- 25 or 25-40 years.
1. How often you eat junk food in your daily basis ?
 Weekly
 Monthly
 Daily
2. Do you think Local business is given healthier food than McDonald ?
 Yes
 No
5

 Don't know
3. Is McDonald is beneficial for the UK in economic terms ?
 Yes
 No
4. Do you think McDonald reduces the role of local food businesses ?
 Yes
 No
LO 3
P5. Data Analysis.
Theme 1: Purchase food from McDonalds
1. How often do you purchase food from McDonalds ? Frequency
Weekly 5
Monthly 7
Occasionally 3
6

Interpretation : As per the above table it has been found out that how many respondents
visit McDonalds weekly, Monthly and Occasionally. As per the 15 respondents 5 of them visit
McDonalds weekly because they visit on weekends. On the other side, 7 of them were suggests
that they come on monthly basis because the avoid junk foods rest of the 3 customers prefer to
go McDonalds on Occasionally basis when they want get some party offers or something else.
From the analysation, it has been concluded that people are less likely to visit McDonalds.
Theme 2: Area do you think needs the most improvement
2. Which area do you think needs the most improvement in McDonalds? Frequency
Delivery Time 5
Environment 3
Product Variety 2
Prices 2
Offers and Discounts 3
Others 0
7
Weekly Monthly Occasionally
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
5
7
3 Frequency

Interpretation : As per the above graph it has been found researcher that how many
customers were thought that McDonalds should need to improve. So out of all respondent 5 of
them were suggests that McDonalds require improving delivery time as they are very slow to
give or take orders at the country due to which customer face time wasting. As per the other 3
customers they suggest McDonalds to renovate their environment entrance as they are still same
as before due to which customer got bored. As per the 2 think McDonalds needs to improve
product variety in drinks or in burgers to attract more buyers. Rest of the two customer think that
company requires focusing on the prices as they are little high and some rest customers
recommend McDonalds to increase some offer discounts.
Theme 3: Considered when visiting McDonald's
3. What factors do you think is considered when visiting McDonald's ? Frequency
Product assortment 2
Price 3
Food Quality 2
8
Delivery Time
Environment
Product Variety
Prices
Offers and Discounts
Others
0
1
2
3
4
5
6 5
3
2 2
3
0 Frequency

Discounts/coupons 6
Nutrition 2
Interpretation : According to this interpretation, researcher found for which reason customer
like to visit McDonalds so as per the 2 of them said product assortment because of variety. 3 of
them said price because its prices are attractive. 2 are says McDonalds having good quality of
food and they prepared food in front of buyers. Rest of the 6 respondents were said McDonalds
offering different discounts. It has been analysed that, customer like McDonalds rather than local
restaurants or any other food businesses.
Theme 4: McDonald reduces the importance of other food outlets
4. Do you think McDonald reduces the importance of other food outlets ? Frequency
No 8
Yes 5
Don't Know 2
9
Product assortment
Price
Food Quality
Discounts/coupons
Nutrition
0
2
4
6
2
3
2
6
2
Frequency

Interpretation : As per this interpretation researcher has found out that as per the view
of customers McDonalds not reduce the role of other local businesses. As per the 8 respondents
said no McDonalds not affect other businesses and out of all 5 of them were thought that yes
McDonalds affect the profit and appearance of other food outlets through which local businesses
feel demotivated to present in the market. On the other hand, as per the 2 buyers have done't and
not have any knowledge about the answer.
Theme 5: Most recent visit to McDonald's to what level of satisfaction do you rank that
visit.
5. Thinking your most recent visit to McDonald's to what level of satisfaction do
you rank that visit ? Frequency
Very Poor 4
Poor 3
Good 3
Very Good 2
Excellent 3
10
8
5
2
No
Yes
Don't Know

Interpretation : As per this interpretation process it has been found out that, customer
not much like the quality of McDonalds in frequent manner. Apart from that, 4 of them were
give very poor rank to McDonalds and out of them three were given poor rank because of high
fat in the product which is not good for the human health. 3 customer think that McDonalds
having good quality products because of food taste with different flavours. Two of the customer
were gives very good rank to the company in more effective and leading manner. On the other
side, 2 were given excellent rank to McDonalds because of their new food concepts.
Theme 6: McDonald is beneficial for employment development
6. Do you think McDonald is beneficial for employment development ? Frequency
Yes 10
No 5
11
Very Poor
Poor
Good
Very Good
Excellent
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5 4
3 3
2
3
Frequency

Interpretation : As per this interpretation it has been analysed that 10 people think
positive for international business because they give various opportunity for the local people
through they gain opportunities for development such as standard of living, employment, full fill
customer needs and wants etc, rest of the 5 customers said no. According to them international
businesses attracts all people towards them due to which local businesses get low profit
comparatively. Due to this local businesses more it affects the overall business achieve in more
effective manner and also affect the more effective leading business which affect local business
in ineffective manner. Overall, it affects the business new business opportunity and less growth
for local businesses.
Theme 7: McDonald price high rates of products comparatively others in UK
7. Is McDonald price high rates of products comparatively others in UK ? Frequency
Yes 5
12
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
5 Frequency

No 10
Interpretation : As per this interpretation process it has been evaluated by the researcher
that company sell their products at low prices which is affordable for the normal people. As per
the 5 customers they said that yes it provides high prices and rest of the 10 customers
McDonalds charge less and low prices which easily purchase by customers. According to that, in
majority people are thinks that McDonalds charge low prices that also attract customers towards
their product or service in high advanced manner.
Theme 8: Problems you faced at McDonald
8. What are the problems you faced at McDonald ? Frequency
Long Queues 10
Rude Behaviour of employees 1
Other 4
13
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
5
10
Frequency

Interpretation : As per this interpretation process where researcher found out that, in
which areas customer facing issues at McDonalds. So as per that, 10 of them were said company
having long customer queues due to which they got frustrated from the time they spend on the
store. As per the one candidate rude behaviour of employees are the issues they face while they
visit the McDonalds. Apart from that, this low or bad phase of McDonalds restrict customers to
visit the outlet and low customer focus. Apart from that, 4 of them customers were thought that
they having their own issues they face. Such as high customer crowd in the outlet, late delivery,
low customer focus and in attractive offers.
Theme 9: As per your suggestion at what range McDonald affect local businesses
________ ?
Ask this open ended question to customers in order to get their suggestions that according
to them how much multinational company affect local enterprises. The result has been refers that
multinational business affect the business in both manner positive and negative both. Like, out of
14
Long Queues
Rude Behavior of employees
Other
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
1
4 Frequency

15 respondents collectively higher range of people think multinational business provides huge
opportunity for the local people to grow and develop in developed manner. In contrast, some
customers think that multinational cooperation restrict the way of local business due to which
small businesses get demotivated. Apart from that, customers also said that, multinational
organisation companies given negative impact on the business which less effective for the
business organisation.
Theme 10: Suggest that how much other local business is effective other than McDonald
_____ ?
As per the above report it has been evaluated that customer partially suggest that local
business is valuable than multinational business in many terms such as they provide home prices
and it also very important to economic development as well. In the contrast, some customer
thinks that, multinational company also provides employment opportunity and growth in order to
build up the ineffective leadership approach and goals that they provide.
FGD Focus Group Discussion
Theme 1: Often you eat junk food in your daily basis
1. How often you eat junk food in your daily basis ? Group 1 Group 2
Weekly 2 1
Monthly 1 3
Daily 2 1
15

Interpretation : As per this interpretation it has been evaluated that, as per the
discussion with two group which one is age group of 16- 25 and second of the group is belongs
to 25-40 years. As per the group one they said they visit McDonald weekly and one of them were
said they go on monthly basis. As per the second group people out of them were went to the
outlets weekly and only 3 where visits McDonald on monthly basis. So overall as compare two
group 2, group one is visits McDonald in more frequent manner because of health issues.
Theme 2: Local business is given healthier food than McDonald
2. Do you think Local business is given healthier food than
McDonald ? Group 1 Group 2
Yes 2 4
No 3 1
Don't know 0 0
16
Weekly Monthly Daily
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
1
3
1
Group 1
Group 2

Interpretation : As per this interpretation when customers asked by this question that
does local business given healthier food than McDonald. So as per the group 1 2 of them were
said yes and rest of the three customer said no. On the other hand, group two 4 people said yes
and rest of the one customer said no. In other words, it has been analysed that group two people
are think that local businesses is given healthier food than McDonald.
Theme 3: McDonald is beneficial for the UK in economic terms
3. Is McDonald is beneficial for the UK in economic terms ? Group 1 Group 2
Yes 3 4
No 2 1
17
Yes
No
Don't know
0 1 2 3 4 5
4
1
0
Group 2
Group 1

Interpretation : As per this interpretation process it has been analysed that, when
customer asked by this question that whether McDonald is effective for UK in economic terms. S
as per the group 3 of them were thought as and rest of the 2 members said no. as compare to
other group where 4 of them were thought yes and rest of the 1 said no. So it has been evaluated
that, group one and two both suggest that McDonald is beneficial for the UK economic in terms
of further development of needs, growth in new opportunities and reduce the issue of
unemployment.
Theme 4: McDonald reduces the role of local food businesses
4. Do you think McDonald reduces the role of local food businesses
? Group 1 Group 2
Yes 3 4
No 2 1
18
Yes
No
Don't know
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Group 2
Group 1

Interpretation : As per the above table it has been interpretative that according to people
is McDonald reduced the impact of local business. So as per the customers of group one
suggested yes and on the other side, group two customers that yes it reduced the role of local
businesses in order to reduce their product image in the market.
P6 Research Outcomes
As per the above report it has been analysed that international business has been given
both positive and negative impact on the local businesses in different manner (Thornton and
et.al., 2016). As per the survey conducted by the researcher it has been analysed that some
respondents suggests that yes international business is good for the economic development and
some are opposed to international business because it reduces the profit interest of local
businesses. Study conducted research with the help of different research tools and techniques.
Overall, study explained the both positive and negative impact of multinational cooperation (Noe
and et.al., 2017). In accordance with overall analysis of impact of local business environment on
McDonald’s, few suggestions can be given to improved services of restaurant which are as
follows:
19
Yes No
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
3
2 Group 1
Group 2

 It is important for the firm to focus on needs to segment different market segments
particularly. Offering wide range of products on the basis of taste and preferences of
demographic segments can help in increasing sales and managing competition from local
competitors.
 McDonald’s should focus on making healthy innovation in products in order to
promotion heath and meet dietary needs of consumers. Managing changes in product on
the basis of nutrition can assist the firm in managing impact of local business
environment.
20

LO 4
P7 Reflection
Throughout this research I got to learn different learning concepts and terminologies to
conduct research in proper manner. Being a part of this research helps me to fulfil my learning
objectives and also nourish my skills development task. Apart from that, present research also
helps me to enhance my research skills in order to build up the long-lasting results in order to
meet out the best outcomes for my career enhancement. In order to conduct this study, I have
been participated in many activities such as to gathered the information from the market to
identify the actual impact of McDonald on local businesses. So according to me I analysed that
international companies has been given both positive and negative impact on the business
environment. Throughout this study I learnt how to conduct survey with the help of qualitative
method technique. Further I also learned about how to use thematic presentation which helped
me to upgrade my presentation knowledge. Overall, the present research helps me in my further
research assignment which will conducted in future.
The study helped me in learning about impact of local business son McDonald’s with the
help of qualitative research method. The study helped me in gaining diversified knowledge and
also helped me in enhancing my skills. Drafting aim and objectives of research was interacting
because it helped me in outlining aim of study on the basis of wide topic. This helped me in
gaining knowledge over local business environment and their competitive impacts of leading fast
food chain Mc Donald’s. In addition, I learned that it is important for the food service
organisation to focus on food preferences of different segments of consumers.
However, to derive impact local business son MacDonald’s I carried out two type of data
collection process first in which I conducted interviews of 15 consumers with the help of
1

questionnaire. Also, I conducted interview of two focus groups where each group was of 5
customers of two different segments. Collecting information from different focus group helped
me in determining that for managing competitive advantage it is important for the business to
focus on taste and preferences of different segments.
Examining of data helped me in deriving that for managing changes it is important for
organisation to focus on managing changes in product range which needs to focused on
individual needs and health needs of consumers. Thus, I can conclude by saying that I am
satisfied with the study and skills I learned because it will help me in future researcher and
projects.
CONCLUSION
As per the above report it has been concluded that, globalisation affect businesses in
different manner. Apart from that, present has been based on the research in which it has been
concluded at what extend international market reduced the role of local businesses at
international context. Furthermore, study outlined differently qualitative and quantitative
methods and use of qualitative methods in research to collect and analyse valid information. The
study summarized with appropriate recommendation which can helps McDonald’s in managing
impact and competition form local business.
2

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Anaf, J. and et.al., 2017. Assessing the health impact of transnational corporations: a case study
on McDonald’s Australia. Globalization and health 13(1). p.7.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Lyons, M., Bartlett, J. and McDonald, P., 2016. Corporate social responsibility in junior and
mid-tier resources companies operating in developing nations–beyond the public relations
offensive. Resources Policy. 50. pp.204-213.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Noe, R. A. and et.al., 2017. Human resource management: Gaining a competitive advantage.
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Thornton, L. E. and et.al., 2016. The impact of a new McDonald's restaurant on eating
behaviours and perceptions of local residents: A natural experiment using repeated cross-
sectional data. Health & place. 39. pp.86-91.
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APPENDIX
Logbook (Weekly)
Weeks Goal Outcome Challenges
1
Literature review on impact
of multinational company
on local business
environment
In Texted references on the basis of
topic of study
Accumulation of
relevant studies
2 Drafting of aim and
objectives
Fixed aims and objective No
3 Drafting schedule of project
and work breakdown
structure
Work breakdown is prepared to meet
time constraints
4 Drafting Research
Methodology
Selection of interview as the
qualitative research method
Deciding use of
methods for project
was complex as well
confusing
5 Selecting sample for the
study
Used purposive sampling with two
focus group discussion
No
1