Impact of Covid-19 on Workplace Transformation: A Study on Sainsbury, UK

Business
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Business...........................................................................................................................................1
Title – Transformation in the workplace.........................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................4
Methodology....................................................................................................................................6
Data analysis..................................................................................................................................11
Interpretation of data............................................................................................................13
Conclusion and Recommendation.................................................................................................21
References......................................................................................................................................23
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Title – Transformation in the workplace
Introduction
The business environment is inclusive of number of internal and external factors that are
uncertain and can affect organization decision making and overall profitability. In this to assure
maximum competitiveness and manage business activities during the challenging time it is
essential to undertake use of digital technology (Meske and Junglas, 2021). This will help an
organization to manage performance of employees, supply chain network and consumer
satisfaction level. The present research is conducted on the impact of global pandemic covid-19
on workplace transformation. The study is conducted on Sainsbury which is operating as a
leading organization as the largest chain of supermarket in the provinces of the United Kingdom.
The company was founded in the year 1869 and operates in retail industry. The present research
include discussion on research and objectives with the help of literature review, appropriate
methodology, data analysis and certain recommended practices.
Aim:
To the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace
transformation. A study on Sainsbury, UK.
Research objectives
 To identify the concept of workplace transformation.
 To determine the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace
transformation.
 To evaluate the ways in which Sainsbury can implement digital technology to overcome
the impact of Covid-19 in order to accelerate workplace transformation.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of workplace transformation?
 What is the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace
transformation?
 What are the ways in which Sainsbury can implement digital technology to overcome the
impact of Covid-19 in order to accelerate workplace transformation?
Rationale
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The COVID-19 outbreak created number of challenges and issues in front of organization to
manage supply chain network, employees, consumers and business activities. The present
research topic is rational as it is conducted by researcher on the topic of transformation in the
workplace. With the help of this organization can identify the digital tools and technologies
through which they can overcome the challenges and can transform their workplace for
betterment and long term growth and sustainability, along with maximum satisfaction of
customers (Attaran, Attaran and Kirkland, 2019). This research is also rational as it develop the
investigator current level of understanding and knowledge associated to workplace
transformation concept and will further benefit to conduct future research appropriately.
Literature Review
Literature review is a systematic overview of previously conducted work on a particular topic. It
is an essential aspect of study which allow investigator to summarise and synthesize the
argument of existing knowledge in a particular research area.
Concept of workplace transformation
According to the viewpoint of Selimović, Pilav-Velić and Krndžija, (2021) it has been analysed
that workplace transformation is termed as rethinking of flexible workplace in order to undertake
use of different forms of technology and practices to make transformation in workplace culture.
It is a concept in which company requires to implement the use of digital transformation by
taking assistance of technology, in order to align business goals and objectives with employees
responsibilities and roles (Dery, Sebastian and van der Meulen, 2017). The main purpose behind
this is to make improvements in organizational workplace standard and further increase
competitiveness in industry. Workplace transformation is a concept of significantly making
improvement in employees, skills, knowledge, tools and abilities in order to keep up with
changes in business environment.
Impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace transformation
According to the perception of Noor-Ilander, (2021) the outbreak of Covid-19 lead organisations
around the world to face many challenges and issues due to lockdown and strict measures by
government. During the time period of covid-19 employers faced the challenge associated to the
shortage of labour, as employees were subjected to do work from home. Furthermore, it has been
analysed that global pandemic Covid-19 not only affected small scale and medium scale
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organization but it also adversely affected companies on leading scale such as Sainsbury. The
respective organization faced challenges to conduct their business rules and responsibilities due
to shortage of labour (Thevannoor, 2020). Furthermore it has been analysed that after the
situation is getting normal there is increase in the trend of digital shopping along with digital
technologies to manage employees from remote areas. Sainsbury also faced challenges in terms
of increasing workers efficiency and interrupted supply chain network (Avis, 2016). Global
pandemic covid-19 significantly encouraged organization to accelerate workplace transformation
in order to undertake use of digital technologies to enhance consumer satisfaction.
Ways in which Sainsbury can implement digital technology to overcome the impact of Covid-
19 in order to accelerate workplace transformation
As per the viewpoint of Usher, (2018) Covid-19 created number of challenges and issues in front
of organization like Sainsbury to manage employees, provide services to customers, acquire raw
material etc. The outbreak of this pandemic created challenges and issues in front of Sainsbury to
manage the business operation in feasible and effective manner (Haddud and McAllen, 2018).
However in order to overcome the issues due to this pandemic Sainsbury implemented some
strategies. However, in order to enhance competitiveness after the situation is getting normal
Sainsbury can undertake use of digital tools and technologies to not only to overcome the impact
of Covid- 19 but also transform their workplace (Rangraz and Pareto, 2021). In this with the help
of taking use of artificial intelligence (AI), business analytics, cloud computing, virtual
communication tools etc. organization can manage performance of employees in effective
manner. Along with the help of undertaking use of robotics and another technologies company
can encourage the use of digital technology to enhance online shopping experience of customers.
This will help them too transform their workplace and further satisfy customers.
Methodology
Research methodology is one of the most important aspects of overall research that offers vital
information associated with the choice and selection of research methods (Guruprasad and
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Satyanarayana Murty, 2020). This section allow investigator to select effective and viable
methods to conduct research appropriately. In context with present research investigator with the
help of research onion model to analyse the appropriate methods to fulfil the present research
aims and objectives in an effective manner.
Figure 1: Research Onion, 2020.
Research Philosophy-
There are different types of research philosophies such as Positivism, interpretivism, Pragmatism
and Realism that investigator can undertake order to fulfil desired research objectives and
accomplish overall research goals (Kumar, 2018). In context with present research investigation
researcher has undertaken the use of positivism research philosophy fulfil to fulfil the research
aim on Sainsbury. The primary reason behind taking of this method is to conduct research in
more scientific and practical way.
Research approach-
There are various forms of research approaches such as inductive and deductive out of which
investigator has undertaken the use of deductive research approach (Flick, 2015). The primary
reason to take use of this method is to effectively coordinate with positivism research
philosophy. In addition to this with the help of this method investigator is aiming towards to
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