Impact of Covid-19 on Sainsbury's Productivity and Business Operations: A Study on Retail Sector

This research aims to identify the impact of Covid-19 regulations on organizations productivity and business operations in the retail sector, with a focus on Sainsbury. The study evaluates potential strategies that can be implemented by Sainsbury to manage the Covid-19 crisis and enhance business productivity. The research methodology includes the use of positivism research philosophy, deductive research approach, survey as a research strategy, and quantitative research design. The population sampling includes 40 employees of Sainsbury. The study includes a critical review of literature on the impact of Covid-19 on retail sector and Sainsbury's productivity and business operations.

Research Proposal
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Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Critical Review of Literature...........................................................................................................4
Methodological approach and research design................................................................................7
Conclusion and potential outcomes...............................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................12
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Introduction
The outbreak of Covid- 19 affected every industry around the globe and lead them to face
number of challenges which are inclusive of financial loss, interrupted supply chain and more.
The present report is conducted on Sainsbury which is operating in retailing industry and offers
wide range of products and services to consumers (Papadopoulos, Baltas and Balta, 2020). The
present research outline the impact of Covid-19 on company productivity and business
operations that has been done with the help of a literature review and use of appropriate research
methodology with a time scale.
Research aim
“To identify the impact of Covid-19 regulations on organizations productivity and
business operations in retail sector. A Study on Sainsbury.
Objectives
 To identify the impact of Covid-19 regulations on organizations productivity and
business operations in the retail sector.
 To determine the impact of Covid-19 regulations on Sainsbury’s productivity and
business operations
 To evaluate potential strategies that can be implemented by Sainsbury to manage the
Covid-19 crisis and enhance business productivity.
Rationale
The Present selected topic is rational as it helps in determining the impact of COVID-19
on business operations productivity. This research helps in evaluating the impact of COVID-19
on business overall sales growth and other aspects. This research is conducted with the help of
in-depth evaluation of various authors and articles which helps in determining the major
challenges that has been faced by organisations like Sainsbury with the help of this research
companies in retail industry.
Research questions
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 What is impact of Covid-19 regulations on organizations productivity and business
operations in the retail sector?
 What is the impact of Covid-19 regulations on Sainsbury’s productivity and business
operations? What are the potential strategies that can be implemented by Sainsbury to manage the
Covid-19 crisis and enhance business productivity?
Critical Review of Literature
Literature review is defined as an overview of previously conducted or published work on a
specific topic. In addition to this it has been underlined that this is mainly a piece of academic
writing which duly demonstrate understanding as well as knowledge academic literature on a
specific topic. Furthermore, it has been evaluated that literature review plays important role as it
acts in the foundation of knowledge on the topic. With the help of this investigator can undertake
research in effective manner while finding gaps in the research. Along with this it has been
underlined and this is not the most important inviting section of research project as it is inclusive
of survey and analysis of secondary data which is essential to conduct investigation. In terms
with present research investigator have undertaken use of online articles and journals to analyse
the impact of Covid-19 regulations on organizations productivity and business operations in
retail sector.
Impact of Covid-19 regulations on organizations productivity and business operations in the
retail sector
According to the viewpoint of Bailey and Breslin, 2021 Covid-19 affected each and every
industry in business environment which lead organization to face financial and operational
challenges. The outbreak of virus affected individuals, healthcare sector, supplier business
organization and every aspect world. There are number of challenges which continues to affect
the overall growth of business organization in adverse manner. It has been analysed that the
outbreak of Covid-19 make severely affected retail industrial sector.
In addition to this has been analysed The United Kingdom retail industry were severely
affected which changed the manner shopping of consumers. After the outbreak of Covid-19
economic shutdown and strict lockdown as one of the regulations imposed by the United
Kingdom government forced customers to rely on online shopping. This created negative impact
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on many small and medium scale organization in retail business sector in United Kingdom. The
drawn out suggestions to the retail area will be immense. Around 33% of British buyers believe
that the manner in which they shop will change for all time - more prominent than changes in the
manner they will travel, impart or work. Furthermore, close to half (45%) of buyers have now
bought a thing on the web that they had just at any point recently bought available, since the
episode. This has presented them to new client ventures. Unavoidably, a few social changes will
persevere and will stay after the emergency. Many business organizations in retail sector
permanently forced to shut down their business operations due to the impact of this pandemic.
The outbreak Covid-19 affected supply chain process of organization in adverse manner as they
are needed to adopt different types of regulations for safety and security of employees and
customers. Along with this many other strict measures lead business organization in this
industries to face interrupted supplies in time effective manner. From the number mentioned
analysis it has been analysed that the outbreak of Covid-19 make drastically change the retail
industry because of various forms of regulations and rules that has been imposed on retail sector
by government. This have had various impact on business of retail industry in the provinces of
United Kingdom. Many business organizations such as Apparel, home appliances luxury items
etc faced serious financial and operational challenges. This also lead many business
organizations such as Sainsbury to change the manner of providing facilities products and
services to customers by relying on digital technologies which increase additional budget
pressure on them.
Impact of Covid-19 regulations on Sainsbury’s productivity and business operations
According to the viewpoint of Carnevale and Hatak, 2020 Sainsbury is a leading organization
which offers wide range of products and services to customers around the world. The outbreak of
Covid-19 disrupted each and every aspect around the world along with organizations in business
industry. Sainsbury is among the companies which has faced the drastic impact of the outbreak
of this pandemic on their business operations and productivity. Being the second largest
supermarket in the provinces of United Kingdom Sainsbury offers number of employment
opportunities to individual. This get affected due to the outbreak of Covid-19 there is numbers of
rules and regulations imposed by government which lead organization to close their stores in
order to break the chain the spread of virus. However in order to provide continuous services to
customer Sainsbury with the help of online grocery shopping and many other digital platforms
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provide opportunities to customers to conduct shopping. Company also embraced e-commerce to
overcome the challenges posed by Covid-19 regulations. However, irrespective of these
measures Sainsbury faced challenges in terms of managing employees from remote areas, safety
and security of managing information on digital platforms, managing needs and demands of
customers as major consumers adopted online shopping trend etc. In addition to this Sainsbury
also faced increasing competition from other rivals like Asda Tesco extra, as these organizations
embraced digital marketing. In addition to this it has been identified that the outbreak of Covid-
19 also affected Sainsbury profitability and business operations in adverse manner as company
faced challenges to manage motivation of employees on remote working due to various forms of
regulations. Thus according to the analysis it has been identified that due to the outbreak of
Covid-19 pandemic many challenges and issues that has been faced by Sainsbury which directly
and indirectly affected their business operations as well as productivity, these are mainly due to
different types of regulations. This need business organization to analyse strategies of
competitors and implement policies and practices as per the new shopping behaviour of
consumers by managing motivation level of employees. All these challenges that has been post
Covid-19 affected Sainsbury and lead them to adopt many new changes and make modification
in their strategies which affected them financially.
Potential strategies that can be implemented by Sainsbury to manage the Covid-19 crisis and
enhance business productivity
According to the viewpoint of Christa and Kristinae, 2021 the outbreak of COVID-19 affected
each and every industry around the globe and lead them to face number of challenges which
disrupted them operationally as well as financially. It has been underline that COVID-19 created
number of challenges in front of leading organizations Sainsbury affected their ability to serve
customers in more faster and effective manner. Company faced number of challenges such as
management of employees in remote working accomplishing needs and demands of customers as
majority of them shifted towards online platforms, management of safety and security of data,
increase in competition from other rivals. However all these challenges can be effectively
overcome by company with the help of taking advantage of various strategies and techniques in
order to increase business productivity and manage the challenges that has been caused by the
outbreak of Covid-19. Company can undertake advantage of artificial intelligence AI. In today’s
business world proves to be an effective technological measure that helps in making
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improvement in the manner in which companies are performing their roles and responsibilities.
With the help of this technology Sainsbury can not only improve demand forecasting but can
also undertake pricing decisions and can optimise product placement.
In addition to this Sainsbury can also undertake use of virtual reality and can provide
consumers with more engaging shopping experience. In this technology will also help company
to drive sales reservation increase brand awareness and loyalty and save time and money. In
addition to this seems very can effectively manage security and safety of data with the help of
taking use of cloud computing (Kamal, 2020). This platform provide organization to have a
single source of data compiled from multiple sources and allow them to plan targeted marketing
campaign and generate consumer customize offering company can also under take advantage of
increase in use of digital tools in technologies to collaborate employees and further encourage
them to conduct roles and responsibilities. Thus from the above analysis it has been underlined
that with the help of taking advantage of these strategies Sainsbury can effectively manage the
crisis that has been posed by COVID-19 regulations and can enhance their business productivity.
Methodological approach and research design
Research methodology is one of the most important part of research work as offer vital and
essential information sensitive to the choice in selection of research method. This part of
research plays important role as it outlines the method and approaches that investigator has
undertaken. In order to fulfill research in effective as well as viable manner (Kamal, 2020). It is
essential for investigator to undertake use of appropriate and effective research methods and
techniques in order to accomplish research aims and objectives in effective manner. In context
with present research investigation investigator undertaking the use of research onion model. The
primary reason behind taking use of this is to make sure that research is being done in effective
manner with the help of appropriate methods and techniques.
Research Philosophy-
Research philosophy are on different types that are Positivism, interpretivism, Pragmatism and
Realism with the help of these philosophies researcher can accomplish research aim and
objectives Skinner will define an effective manner (Bairagi and Munot, 2019). It has been
underlined that philosophy are mainly believe about the manner in which data about a
phenomenon is required to be gathered, evaluated and used in order to accomplish aims and
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objective of present research researcher will take advantage of positivism research philosophy.
Primary reason behind undertaking use of this method is that it is suitable and appropriate to
collect information and further analyse them in practical and statistical. With the help of
undertaking use of this method investigator is aiming towards to fulfill research objectives in an
appropriate manner.
Research approach-
There are mainly two type of research approaches which are inductive and deductive. With the
help of taking advantage of these investigator can accomplish research aims and objectives in a
well defined and effective manner (Willmott, 2020). In relation with present research objectives
investigator will undertake use of deductive research approach. The primary reason behind
taking advantage of this is to do to coordinate with positivism research philosophy. In addition to
this another most important reason behind taking use of this method have better form of testing
as well as scanning of facts and figures. With the help of this method investigator is aiming
towards to fulfill research objectives in appropriate manner.
Research Strategy
Research strategy is defined as a step by step plan of action which duly provide investigators and
ability to conduct efforts which enable to conduct research in a systematic manner and produce
quality research (Mukherjee, 2019). This is one of the most important aspect of research
methodology as it allow investigator to select the right data collection and analysis procedure.
Furthermore it has been underline that this act as an entire framework and design of a research
work and is mainly based on the selection of resource strategy which are inclusive of empirical
research, action research, observation, survey and many more. In order to accomplish aims and
objectives of present research investigator will emphasise on taking advantage of survey. The
main justification behind taking advantage of this method is to take sample size and collect data
of larger population to draw valid conclusions.
Research Design
Research design is defined as a framework of market research method as well as
technique that an investigator select (Clarke and Visser, 2019). There are different type of
research design such as quantitative and qualitative. In order to conduct present research
investigator will undertake use of quantitative research method. The main justification behind
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taking use of this method is to collect data in numerical and systematic form and further
represent them with the help of charts and tables in an effective manner.
Population Sampling
Sampling is defined as a static process which love investigator to undertake of selecting
viable sample size out of the whole population. In present research investigator will undertake
advantage of random sample size method in which overall 40 respondents has been selected from
Sainsbury those who are employees of company.
Data Collection
There are mainly two forms of data collection method primary and secondary in order to
fulfill aims and objective of present research investigator will undertake use of both the methods.
In terms of primary research method investigator will acquire data of first hand and authentic
directly from participants with the help of questionnaire. While in terms with secondary data
collection method investigator will undertake use of in depth evaluation of past research works
and findings. The main aim behind this is to accomplish research with relevant and valid
methods.
Data Analysis
In order to analyse method investigator will take use of frequency table and pie chart
while in context with secondary method investigator will undertake literature review.
Ethical Considerations
Ethics plays important role in research in context with present research investigator will
emphasise on maintaining authenticity in privacy of collected data (Pandey and Pandey, 2021).
In this to effectively overcome ethical issue investigator will undertake use of BERA code of
ethics and will comply with the Data Protection Act in order to maintain privacy and authenticity
of data.
Reliability and Validity
In order to effectively maintain reliability and validity of present research investigator
will come investigator will undertake use of effective methods. In this with the help of taking
advantage of Gantt chart reliability and consistency of all the activities will be measured. Along
with this investigator will undertake use of questionnaire and further analyse data in effective
manner.
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Time plan (Gantt Chart)
A Gantt chart is a project management tool that illustrates a project plan. It normally incorporates
two areas: the left side layouts a rundown of undertakings, while the right side has a timetable
with plan bars that picture work (Snyder, 2019). The Gantt graph can likewise incorporate the
beginning and end dates of errands, achievements, conditions among undertakings, and chosen
ones.
TASK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Define
objectives
Research
design
Collect
data
Analyse
the data
Formulate
conclusion
Conclusion and potential outcomes
As per the above mentioned research it has been concluded that covid-19 crisis had adverse
impact on all business organisations around the globe. In this retail industry is among the worst
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hit industrial sector that has affected companies in adverse manner. It has been analysed that
Sainsbury is operating as a leading organization in retail industrial sector that has affected due to
covert crisis this crisis not only affected living standards of people but also increased regulation
and rules which is essential for organization to implement in order to continue their business
operations in order to significantly comply with the rules and regulation organization need to
develop a robust system in which they needed to evaluate that all regulations has been adopted in
an adverse effective manner. From the research it has been analysed with the help of literature
review that COVID-19 regulation adversely affected organization productivity as they are
needed to implement more safety and security measures. In addition to this it also increases the
overall budget of organization in this sector as business organizations needed to make more
investment to implement new tools and technology.
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References
Books and Journals
Papadopoulos, T., Baltas, K.N. and Balta, M.E., 2020. The use of digital technologies by small
and medium enterprises during COVID-19: Implications for theory and
practice. International Journal of Information Management, 55, p.102192.
Bailey, K. and Breslin, D., 2021. The COVID‐19 pandemic: what can we learn from past
research in organizations and management?. International Journal of Management
Reviews, 23(1), pp.3-6.
Carnevale, J.B. and Hatak, I., 2020. Employee adjustment and well-being in the era of COVID-
19: Implications for human resource management. Journal of Business Research, 116,
pp.183-187.
Christa, U. and Kristinae, V., 2021. The effect of product innovation on business performance
during COVID 19 pandemic. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 9(1), pp.151-158.
Kamal, M.M., 2020. The triple-edged sword of COVID-19: understanding the use of digital
technologies and the impact of productive, disruptive, and destructive nature of the
pandemic. Information systems management, 37(4), pp.310-317.
Snyder, H., 2019. Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and
guidelines. Journal of business research, 104, pp.333-339.
Pandey, P. and Pandey, M.M., 2021. Research methodology tools and techniques. Bridge Center.
Mukherjee, S.P., 2019. A guide to research methodology: An overview of research problems,
tasks and methods. CRC Press.
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Willmott, H., 2020. On research methodology. The Journal of Organization and Discourse, 1(1),
pp.1-4.
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
Clarke, E. and Visser, J., 2019. Pragmatic research methodology in education: possibilities and
pitfalls. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 42(5), pp.455-469.
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