Impact of COVID-19 on Workplace Transformation: A Case Study of ALDI

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

Introduction
 Workplace transformation can be defined as an act of rethinking about the provision of
flexible workspaces in order to accommodate workers and equipment, so that effective and
efficient accomplishment of work could be ensured (Almeida, Santos and Monteiro, 2020).
 This research project is based on the impact of COVID – 19 in workplace transformation
which will be studied in the context of ALDI which is a supermarket chain based in
Germany. It was founded in 1961 by Theo Albrecht and Karl Albrecht. Its business is
expanded over 20 countries and has more than 11000 stores across the globe.

Research project aims, objectives and research
questions
Aim
 The study aims to determine the impact of COVID – 19 in transforming workplace practices with reference to ALDI.
Objectives
 To understand the concept of workplace transformation.
 To identify the need and importance of workplace transformation with the emergence of pandemic like COVID – 19.
 To identify the challenges faced in workplace transformation due to the advent of COVID – 19.
 To suggest the practices of workplace transformation for smoother working at ALDI during COVID – 19.
Research questions:
 What is meant by workplace transformation?
 What is the need & importance of workplace transformation for the employees of ALDI during COVID-19 pandemic?
 What challenges did the management and employees of ALDI have faced in transforming their workplace practices in the
event of COVID-19?
 What are the effective workplace transformation practices that could be suggested to the management of ALDI to ensure
smoother working and achievement of organizational goals in desired manner?

Literature review
Concept of workplace transformation
 According to Hwang and Höllerer, (2020) can be defined as an opportunity of moving towards
more dynamic or new models of working with the changes taking place in organization's environment. It is
helpful in providing opportunities for revolutionary change and enhancement of organizational
performance. Shankar, (2020) has described workplace transformation in terms of change in working
pattern with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic that is, shifting from on site working to work from home
practices due to the necessity of maintaining social distancing and restriction of people movement with the
imposition of lock-downs.
Need and importance of workplace transformation
 Bartsch and et.al., (2020) has identified that workplace transformation is helpful in providing a range of
benefits to the employer such as empowering employees towards working in effective manner which leads
to increase in both morale and productivity. Also, transformation in working practices becomes necessary
to enhance communication & collaboration among employees due to the need of work that an organization
needs to accomplish is highly complex and collaborative. Accordingly, need of flexible workspaces arises
to ensure higher collaboration and creativity among team members.