Influence of COVID-19 on Workplace Transformation: A Study on Sainsbury's

This research proposal aims to identify the influence of COVID-19 on workplace transformation practices in Sainsbury's. It will analyze the concept and significance of workplace transformation, examine different practices adopted by Sainsbury's, and determine the challenges faced by the company.

Research Proposal Form
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
“To identify the influence of COVID-19 global pandemic in increasing adoption of workplace
transformation practices in an organisation”. A study on Sainsbury’s
Research objectives (e.g. what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to learn how to
do? What do you want to find out?):
 To analyse the concept and significance of workplace transformation.
 To examine different workplace transformation practices adopted by Sainsbury’s in
managing business activities and functions during COVID-19 global pandemic.
 To determine the issues or challenges faced by Sainsbury’s in executing practices of
workplace transformation.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept and significance of workplace transformation?
 What are the different workplace transformation practices adopted by Sainsbury’s in
managing business activities and functions during COVID-19 global pandemic?
 What are the issues or challenges faced by Sainsbury’s in executing practices of
workplace transformation?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest, future
plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
One of the main reason to choose the present topic is related with personal interest of researcher
Student Name
Student ID
Centre Name
Tutor
Unit No
Proposed Title Influence of COVID-19 global pandemic in accelerating workplace
transformation

for gaining insight about workplace transformation and its importance in a company. Along with
this, the investigator is having dual perspective in choosing the topic that is professional and
personal. In context to professional, using data from the study and execute it properly help
researcher to implement further study in proper manner. On the other hand, it help to improve
skills that is communication, research skills, analytical skills of researcher which is a personal
perspective.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Concept and significance of workplace transformation
According to Barnes, (2020), Workplace transformation is defined as the process of improving
skills, technology, capabilities, process in order to gain growth and success. In addition to this,
COVID-19 has bring major workplace transformation in an organisation as they shift towards
digitally as most of the employees work remotely (What is workplace transformation, 2020). It
help company to cope with the changing business environment and situation in an effective and
proper manner.
Different workplace transformation practices adopted by Sainsbury’s in managing business
activities and functions during COVID-19 global pandemic
As per the view point of Lawton (2021), it is analysed that there are different workplace
transformation practices which is adopted by company in order to deal with the issue of COVID-
19 global pandemic. One of the strategy is shifting towards online and digital system as it help
to manage all the activities and business functions at remote areas (Workplace transformation
strategy, 2021). Another strategy is performance analysis on continuous basis as it help in
making improvements. Apart from this, there are also other strategies that is strategic
integration, training and development and many more.
Issues or challenges faced by Sainsbury’s in executing practices of workplace transformation
According to Beiton (2021), it is analysed that there are many issues faced by company while
executing practices of workplace transformation. One of the issue is lack of skills and knowledge
of staff members due to which they are not able to understand the changes properly (Workplace
transformation obstacles, 2021). Another challenge is high cost to bring changes that has

negative influence on revenue and profitability of an organisation. Apart from this, there are also
other issues that is non-acceptance of change by employees, technical issues and many more.
REFERENCES
Online
What is workplace transformation, 2020 [Online] Available through; <
https://community.connection.com/workplace-transformation/>
Workplace transformation strategy, 2021[Online] Available through <
https://www.techtarget.com/searchhrsoftware/tip/Digital-workplace-transformation-strategy-6-
steps-to-creating-yours>
Workplace transformation obstacles, 2021[Online] <Available through
https://fmsystems.com/blog/4-obstacles-youre-facing-with-your-workplace-transformation/>
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g. research, development and
analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of
final outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
How
long
this will
take:

Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): _________________
Milestone two: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): __________________
Gantt Chart
It is basically a bar chart which demonstrate each and every activity of investigation against the
time period. In addition to this, it assists researcher to complete the study on time and attain
research objectives. Below is the Gantt chart of present study:

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What your areas of
research will cover:
Research methodology is an important aspect of a study as it gives support and assistance to
researcher in gathering information effectively and appropriately. The research onion
framework is adopted to clear out the methods used to conduct present study. It involve
different layers which are as follows:
Research philosophy: It is one of the important part of research methodology that include two
forms that is positivism and interpretivism. In context to present investigation, positivism
philosophy is suitable as it give structure quantitative results within less time (Ivanova and et. al.,
2021). Moreover, it also assist to present trends associated to topic in an effective manner.
Research approach: It is the process that is utilized by research worker to analyse information
related to topic and is mainly divided into two forms that is deductive and inductive. In context
to present investigation, deductive approach is effective and suitable as it gives assistance in
analysing quantitative information in less time.
Research choice: It is an important part of research methodology which is categorise into two
choices that is quantitative and qualitative (Chan, 2019). As per the topic of research,
quantitative research choice will be used as it assist to collect numerical data and also assist to

attain facts within a structure and systematic manner.
Research strategy: The different types of research strategy are experiment, survey, case study
and many more. In the present study, survey is taken into consideration as it help to collect
valid and reliable data directly from the source that has positive influence on the outcome of
study.
Data collection: It is the procedure which is adopted for collecting data related to topic. The
two various sources of data collection is primary as well as secondary but as per the topic of
investigation, primary research will be effective. The main reason to select this method is it
assist in collecting data directly from respondents and also help to attaining set objectives
timely.
Sampling: The process that is used to choose sample size from the total population is defined as
sampling. It is mainly divided into two parts that is probability and non-probability sampling. In
context to the present study, random sampling which is a form of probability sampling will be
used as it assist to select large sample size from the total population (Silverman, 2020). The 40
employees is selected as respondents and the reason to select them as participants is they have
knowledge about working policies and activities of company.
Research instrument: It refers as the tool which are utilized in an investigation to gather,
analyse and measure information associated to topic. The various forms of research instrument
are questionnaire, interview, focus group and so on. If it is taking about present study,
questionnaire is chosen as it help in attaining numerical information that can be interpreted to
make research optimal and realistic.
Data analysis: The process that is used by research worker to analyse gathered information is
known as data analysis and is of different forms that is thematic analysis, frequency distribution
analysis and so on. For the present study, frequency distribution analysis is used as it help to
analyse primary and numerical information within an effective manner.

REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Ivanova and et. al., 2021, November. Current Trends in Economic Research: Methodology and
Practice. In International Scientific and Practical Conference Operations and Project
management: strategies and trends (pp. 717-725). Springer, Cham.
Camic, P.M., 2021. Qualitative research in psychology: Expanding perspectives in methodology
and design. American Psychological Association.
Chan, E.Y.Y., 2019. Research Methodology II: Climate and human behavioural model. In Climate
Change and Urban Health (pp. 104-110). Routledge.
Silverman, D. ed., 2020. Qualitative research. sage.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification
and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

ANNEXURE “B”:
Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected
form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please
answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit
tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: “To identify the influence of COVID-19 global pandemic in increasing adoption of
workplace transformation practices in an organisation”. A study on Sainsbury’s
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:

Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Email
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
By the use of questionnaire and E-mail, the participants is informed.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to
participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
The consent from respondents is obtained in written form.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not
wish to answer?
Yes No

If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to
be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the
study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary of
your findings in general)
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?

In mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research: Investigator
Where will the data be stored?
n mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
For approx. 6 months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please
outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following:
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes No

I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that may arise in the
course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your supervisor and also attach to the Research Proposal when
submitting to Turnitin.