Challenges of Managing Multicultural Teams

Running Head: CHALLENGES OF MANAGING MULTICULTURAL TEAMS
Topic- Case study analysis of ‘future of work’ from the perspectives of Coles Supermarkets
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CHALLENGES OF MANAGING MULTICULTURAL TEAMS2
ABSTRACT
The paper is an explanatory paper based on the article ‘future of work’ and its relevance
to Coles supermarket in Australia. A brief summary of the company is provided in the
introduction section and in the discussion section the case study ‘The future of work: work for
the future’ is analysed and its relevance to Coles is evaluated. Various aspects of POLC
(Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling) management framework is discussed and how
it works in Coles is also mentioned. How organizing has changed in present times is critically
discussed from the case study and how Coles is using automation and AI effectively is also
discussed later on. The paper thus, brings a holistic preview of the various aspects of ‘future of
work’ of present business organizations and to support evidential instances the example of Coles
Supermarket is analysed from wider perspectives.

CHALLENGES OF MANAGING MULTICULTURAL TEAMS3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to Coles supermarket...................................................................................................4
Brief introduction to POLC management framework and how it is used in Coles.........................4
Critical analysis of organizing aspects of POLC framework in relation to trends outlined in the
case study ‘future of work’..............................................................................................................7
Automation in Coles supermarket chain and its impact on supermarket and employees...............8
Conclusion and key findings...........................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................11

CHALLENGES OF MANAGING MULTICULTURAL TEAMS4
Introduction to Coles supermarket
Coles supermarket or simply Coles is a chain of supermarkets, retailing and consumer
service chains operating mainly in Australia (Coles 2019). It is founded back in 1914 and is
currently operating in 807 supermarket stores throughout Australia. It has more than 1,00,000
employees till date and has occupied for more than 80% Australian market (Coles 2019). Current
slogan of Coles goes like “good things are happening at Coles”. It has some private level
brandings of its own like Coles Smart Buy, Coles Green Choice, Coles Finest, Coles Organic,
Mix Clothing and Coles Simply Less and Simply Gluten Free (Coles 2019). Online retailing has
become popular in recent times and it has focused on health food and meat supply to support
healthy living in the country. It contributes around 28% towards economic prosperity of regional
Australia (Cameron 2017). Coles share around 31% Australian market share after its near
competitor Woolworths having 41% share (Coles 2019). In Australia, Coles provide around 70%
of the total value in food and grocery retailing. The marketing and pricing campaign are a
‘down-down’ approach which help Coles in increasing its market dynamics to a considerable
amount (Cameron 2017). At present it has focused on supply chain and distribution automation
and robots are coming in position of Coles staffs.
Brief introduction to POLC management framework and how it is used in Coles
P-O-L-C management framework is the acronym of Planning, Organising, Leading and
Controlling. Problem solving is one of the major functions of managers in every organizations.
As a part of problem solving the principles of management are being divided into four major
functional categories of Planning, Organising, Leading and Controlling (Lukovic 2014). They
are integrated holistically for the smooth functioning of an organisation. The 80-20 rule increase
the scope of criticism of the POLC framework and its accuracy is being judged (Lukovic 2015).