Critical Thinking and Organizational Behaviour during COVID-19: A Case Study of Sainsbury

This report discusses the importance of critical thinking in managing organizational behaviour during COVID-19, using Sainsbury as a case study. It analyzes the difference between beliefs, attitudes, and values in a workplace context and assesses their impact on workplace behaviour. The report also includes a reflective journal.

Part 1 and 2 Individual
Business and reflective journal
1

Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Part 1................................................................................................................................................3
Overview of organisation.......................................................................................................3
Importance of critical thinking within the organisation taking COVID -19 and lockdowns
situation into consideration.....................................................................................................3
Discuss and analyse the difference between beliefs, attitudes and values within a workplace
context....................................................................................................................................5
Critically assess their own beliefs, attitudes and value systems and their impact on workplace
behaviour during this pandemic.............................................................................................6
Recommendation....................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
Part 2 Reflective Journal................................................................................................................10
a)...........................................................................................................................................10
b)...........................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
2

Introduction
Critical thinking is defined as a form of skill of individuals by which they can think as well
as rationally. This is about the individual’s wants and believes or to do. Critical thinking is
emotive as well as rational (Bean, and Melzer, 2021). The present report is divided into 2 parts
which first part underline how organizational behaviour beliefs, attitude, and value system affect
workplace behaviour. While on the other hand, second part of the report is a reflective journal.
To conduct this report, Sainsbury is being selected which is operating as a leading organization
in the retail industrial sector.
Part 1
Overview of organisation
The selected organization to conduct this report is Sainsbury which is operating as the
second-largest retail supermarket in the provinces of the United Kingdom. This company is
operating in the retail industrial sector and was founded in the year 1869. The organization offer
wide range of products and services to consumers through superstore, hypermarket, supermarket,
convenience shop and influence consumers with the help of different tactics and strategies.
During the period of COVID-19 retail industry faced a major challenge in terms of conducting
their business operations along with managing employees on simultaneous basis (Braverman,
2020). The outbreak of this pandemic halted many business activities such as supply of raw
materials and affected inventory management workforce management and supply chain
management of company in adverse manner.
Importance of critical thinking within the organisation taking COVID -19 and lockdowns
situation into consideration.
Sainsbury is the second largest chain of supermarket and provide their services and products to
customers with a vision to be most trusted retailer in which people love to work and shop. This
organization is conducting its roles and responsibilities to be the consumers first choice for food
for which they offer outstanding quality of services and products at a competitive price range.
The main aim of this organization is to offer greater food at a fair price and offer high quality
services and facilities to customers in order to retain its competitive image in organization.
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Furthermore it has been underlined that critical thinking is mainly defined as the process of
skilfully and actively conceptualise, apply, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information that has
been gathered, generated, observed and experience to conduct an action. Critical Theory refers to
a way of doing philosophy that involves a moral critique of culture (Calma and Davies, 2021). It
has been evaluated that critical theory is mainly define as a theory to negate or discredit a
broadly held or compelling thought or perspective in the public eye. Hence, critical race theorists
and basic critical gender theorists offer scrutinizes of conventional perspectives and inactive
form of beliefs about race and orientation. Basic scholars might utilize decisive reasoning
procedure, yet their topic is particular and in this it has been underlined that they likewise may
offer critical evaluation of critical thinking.
Figure 1: Critical Thinking
Source:
Critical thinking is one of the most efficient form of skill if applied then lead organization to
conduct their decision in a logical manner. This is an of the most effective form of concept which
plays important rule as to undertake decisions with an effective thought process while enabling
person to better express their ideas thoughts and beliefs. Furthermore it has been underlined that
the outbreak of covid- 19 created many challenges in front of organizations operating in retail
industrial sector. As due to lockdown and strict measures imposed by the government of United
Kingdom and countries all around the globe Sainsbury faced major challenges in terms of
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providing products and services to customers. In addition to this organization also faced
challenges in terms of managing employees which affected satisfaction level of consumers. In
this critical thinking plays important role within organization as it benefits them to undertake
creative and innovative way to conduct operations to tackle COVID-19 and lockdown situation.
In this to overcome this situation organization implemented the use of critical thinking into
practice and with the help of understanding the gravity of the situation they turn the challenging
situation into opportunity to conduct operations in a smooth manner. In this with the help critical
thinking process organization encourage communication to have transparency with customers
which help them to make consumers to understand the challenges that organization is facing
(Elder and Paul, 2020). In addition to this in order to effectively overcome the crisis of COVID-
19 in terms of supply chain management Sainsbury with the help of critical thinking maintain
healthy relationship with contracting parties and offered them sufficient notice for delay in
payments which helps in maintaining relationship. Along with this with the help of various
critical thinking approaches and practices company managed the situation of COVID-19 and
lockdowns in an effective manner.
Discuss and analyse the difference between beliefs, attitudes and values within a workplace
context.
Organisational values are defined as the guiding principle which offers in organization with a
direction and purpose. Values assist organization to manage their interaction with both
employees and consumers. Furthermore it has been analysed that an organizational culture is
mainly inclusive of experiences, organization expectation philosophy and values which duly
guide other individual behaviour and allow them to interact with others and fulfill organization
expectation (Forster, DePhilippis and Forman, 2019). Values address essential convictions that a
particular method of lead or end-reality is by and by or socially desirable over an inverse or talk
method of direct or end-reality. In this, it has been underlined that they contain a critical
component in that they convey a singular's thoughts regarding what is correct, great, or
attractive. Furthermore, it has been evaluated that values have both content as well as intensity
attributes. In this, it has been evaluated that the content attribute says a method of lead or end-
reality is significant. While, on the other hand intensity attribute indicates how significant it is.
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Whenever a person's get positioned in values as far as their force, we acquire that individual's
worth framework. Everybody have an order of values that structures own worth framework, and
these impact own perspectives and conduct. It has been analysed that employees consumers are
nowadays considerably influenced by the ethical principle values believes and attitude within
organization. Furthermore it has been underlined that values are mainly defined as desired ways
of behaving. It has been underlined that when an employee value collide with organization
values then it helps in enhancing their job satisfaction. In terms with workplace believes are
basically intellectual, economic, political, social, moral and spiritual elements. While values are
global abstract principle which serves as a guiding principle in individual life example harmony,
equality, competitiveness and wisdom. While in context with attitude these are cognitive
affective and behavioural, It has been underlined that attitude arise out of core beliefs and values
that an individual hold internally, while believes are mainly defined as convictions and
assumptions that person hold based on their past experiences. While in terms with values these
are mainly defined ideas which is based on concept things and people. All these factors are
having capability to highly influence the ability to organise and learn knowledge and skills. From
the analysis it has been underlined that in terms with workplace context attitude are not same as
behaviour (Guffey and Loewy, 2021). These are construct of value system and internal beliefs. It
has been analysed that all the elements of beliefs, attitude and values plays important role in
workplace context and allow organization to manage changes guide employees conduct business
operation and provide services to customers. Nonetheless, the theory related to values, beliefs
and attitude gives an incredible answer for the Attitude Behavior Discrepancy. Most importantly,
attitude of the subject to the article not entirely settled, and next, a similar subject's view of a
specific circumstance should be controlled. In addition to this, it has been underlined that As per
the theory related to Beliefs, Attitudes and Values, a subject uncovers the particular disposition
in the circumstances in that the way of behaving is joined to the mentality which is compensated.
Additionally, a subject doesn't uncover the attitude in the circumstances while the way of
behaving is punished. Thus, from the above analysis it has been underlined that there is wider
range of difference between beliefs, attutude and values.
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Critically assess their own beliefs, attitudes and value systems and their impact on workplace
behaviour during this pandemic.
In Sainsbury it has been analysed that attitude and behaviour of employees within business
organization impact on the overall level of satisfaction of consumers. During the time period of
covid- 19 business organization provided support to employees in order to solve problem which
help employees to build a positive image in front of consumers. However it has been underlined
that some of the staff members within business organization did not put efforts and time in
providing support to consumers to solve a problem which created negative impact on
organization performance (Higgins, Kurti and Davis, 2019). In this it has been underlined that it
is important for manager of organization to provide training to staff in terms of better consumer
service. This challenge has been created by attitude and perception of employees during the time
period of COVID-19 to adopt changes
Furthermore, in terms of organizational performance it has been analysed that attitude and
behaviour of employees reflects the performance of business, as if a worker of a company does
their duty in a proper manner than it helps in solving consumers and create group profitability for
company. It is essential for managers to provide effective training to employees. In context with
Sainsbury this company recognise their employees who are performing better in workplace this
helps in creating a workplace (Yuldashev, 2019). It has been underlined that as a result they can
share their value behaviour, attitude and beliefs. It has been underlined that within Sainsburys
employees are from different cultural background which help company to provide appropriate
incentive to encourage their staff. This helps in developing culture belief and attitude which help
company to have a positive culture which encourage staff performance and benefit organization.
It has been analysed that in the time period of COVID-19 Sainsbury maintain their
corporate image with the help of encouraging employees to attend conferences and reflect their
perception. It has been analysed that resistant attitude and belief of employees to make changes
in their roles during the time period of covid-19 affected organization in terms of negative
perception of customers. However company managed maximum employees with the help of
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having a positive attitude in terms of providing training and other benefits to employees. In
addition to this organization also undertaken the advantage of human relation theory which helps
them to understand the importance of employees interpersonal relationship, attitude, group
dynamics and further benefit company to implement leadership style with the help of
communicating with employees (Ishii, Yomura and Okano, 2020). In addition to this with the
help of implementing Elton Mayo theory, Sainsbury promote the hypothesis that employees are
motivated by relational and social forces more than environmental and financial condition. By
implementing this theory Sainsbury increase productivity by treating employees in an effective
manner during the time period of COVID-19 and provided training another benefits and flexible
working opportunities which benefit them to manage their work during pandemic. In addition to
this, with the help of Taylor’s scientific management theory Sainsbury promotes the idea that
there is "one right way" to do something.
It has been underlined that critical thinking is a logical approach which help organization
to undertake and understand challenging times in effective manner. In this with the help of the
red model that was introduced in, The RED Model was introduced in Pearson’s Watson-Glaser
II Critical Thinking Appraisal . Sainsbury recognise evaluate and draw valid conclusions has
been assumed by Sainsbury leaders and managers that during the time period of a challenging
situation like covid- 19 employees will get affected which affect organization in terms of lack of
profitability and productivity (Wren and Bedeian, 2020). In this they evaluate information in an
effective manner and look for the assumptions from different perspectives. This further lead
them to draw conclusions to overcome this challenging situation in which with the help of taking
advantage of human relation theory they managed COVID-19 lockdown another government
interventions.
Recommendation
It has been analysed that believes attitude and value system of an organization are directly
related with employees attitude and their performance ability. In order to manage the challenges
during COVID-19 and lockdown situation Sainsbury managed values, believes and attitude of
employees with the help of taking advantage of various theories such as human relationship
theory, Scientific management and Elton Mayo in order to manage the situations and effective
8

manner. In addition to this with the help of implementing red model of critical thinking
organization managed challenges (Muldoon, 2020). However it has been analysed at Sainsbury is
inclusive over environment in which employees are from various backgrounds. Furthermore it
has been underlined that during the time period of COVID-19 the values and perception of
employees get affected. In this according to Taylor it has been assumed that management
primary objectives required to be secure to develop the success for business organization along
with combining huge success of every workers. According to this theory it is recommended to
Sainsbury to conduct management analysis and research to guide employees. Furthermore
behavioural management approaches also defined as human relationship in which with help of
good understanding and behaviour in workplace group dynamics motivation and enhance
productivity can be assured. Sainsbury is a collection of norms rules, formal structure, different
processes and formal practices. Behavioural theory emphasise on the employees but not focus on
the task of Sainsbury. In this Sainsbury is recommended to implement the use of hierarchy of
needs employees in order to consider workplace safety and provide secure environment to
workers in order to accomplish their self-actualization and further encourage them to conduct
rules and responsibilities effectively.
Furthermore it has been analysed and during the time period of COVID-19 Sainsbury
managers with the help of contingency management theory undertaken proper actions to manage
lockdown and COVID-19 situation. This theory allow managers to provide encouragement to
employees in order to enhance their productivity (Pantano, Scarpi and Dennis, 2020). This theory
effectively support manager of Sainsbury to do work in an effective manner. It is recommended
to Sainsbury managers to undertake advantage of system theory several business events and
patterns and manage the business problem in order to accomplish business goals by motivating
employees. It is essential and recommended for Sainsbury leaders and managers to align
employees values and beliefs with the organization in order to provide maximum satisfaction to
customers and take business operations in effective manner.
Conclusion
Thus it has been concluded that own beliefs, attitude and value system is having direct and
indirect impact on workplace behaviour. For this it is essential for company to undertake use of
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various theories. There are some certain theories that has been utilized by company such as
critical thinking, In this with the help of this company can manage attitude and behaviour of
employees. Furthermore, it has been learned by me that it is essential for organization to
undertake the use of critical thinking tool and implement the use of various models such as
human relationship theory in order to encourage productivity.
Part 2 Reflective Journal
a)
A belief is mainly feeling true for an individual. However, a belief of an individual can be
unproven and irrational. For example the world is round or there is a life after death is believed
by me is irrational or unproven. In addition to the this has been underlined that believes are
observation that however seem to be rational. Human beings have ability to believe more things.
Beliefs are mainly further categorised into two different categories which are central belief, it is
difficult to change and peripheral beliefs which are easy to change.
In terms with attitude both negative and positive feelings on the individual ideas things are
included by attitude. This is a method in which individuals express their beliefs or values by
word or behavior (Pherson and Pherson, 2020). For example an individual feel upset when they
know about airplane crash. This is the unfavorable reaction from the person to this topic which is
shown by the belief or feeling. On the other hand it has been underlined that a value is
significantly a measure of importance of individual that joins to something. Furthermore it has
been underlined that value is usually revealed in the way of living such as, I value the member of
my family.
Furthermore in terms with values, these are basically forms of belief that are significant
for a person to direct their manner of living. This is important part of individual life as a person
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has many values and believe that they mainly have comparatively some values as they contain
those beliefs which are very significant to live their whole life. Both negative as well as positive
feeling on the individual idea and things are included by value. Values are divided into 2
segments which is instrumental value and terminal value.
It has been learnt by me that the theory of value, beliefs an attitude provides a great
solution for attitude behavior of person. In terms with the theory of attitude, beliefs and values
these are subject to try feel the specific attitude in a situation intact behavior is attached to the
attitude which is rewarded. Furthermore according to my weekly learning it has been learned by
me that a belief is mainly an internal feeling that something is true. While it has been learned by
me that a value is duly measured of the worth or importance of an individual attached to
something. Furthermore in terms of attitude it has been learned by me that in my weekly lessons
that it is a way of individual expression or applies their values and beliefs which is expressed
with behaviour as well as words.
b)
It has been underlined that attitude or behaviour of employees of a business organization is
significantly having direct impact on the level of consumer employees of business organization
providing more efforts to support staff in terms of solving their issues and developing good
image, providing satisfaction level of customers. If organization does not give proper amount of
efforts and time to consumers that it turned towards creating negative impact of company. In this
it is essential for company managers should provide training to staff in associated to providing
better consumer services (Pirson, 2019). It has been underlined that attitude and behaviour
employees reflect the performance of business organization. It has been has been underlined that
if worker of company does not conduct their roles and responsibilities in proper manner and do
not emphasise on solving problems of consumer that lead towards effective performance of
organization. It has been underline that the manner of workers behaviour in the workplace can
result as good or profitable image for company. It has been learned by me that Scanlon's
philosophy was that if the company would foster and use employee ideas and suggestions and, in
turn, reward employees for their constructive efforts, the company would improve profitability
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and workers would gain through steady employment and increased pay. In this it is essential for
managers to provide proper training. It has been underlined by me that with the help of
recognising staff beliefs, values and attitudes. Organisation like Sainsbury can further provide
incentives and training to workers by respecting their beliefs, culture and attitude have a
significant impact. According to the Kolb learning theory it is not only enough to have
experience of learning. It is essential to reflect on the experience develop knowledge based on
ideas and concepts and use them in new circumstances in life. It has been that only latitude and
value system impact on work behaviour. For instance if I am having positive attitude for living
efficient value system than allow me to conduct my roles responsibility in organization from my
experience. In Sainsbury it has been underlined that I performed my roles and responsibilities in
effective manner and offer my value to honesty and integrity to people.
In addition to this it has been underlined that own attitude, beliefs, value system impact in
an effective manner is as if I am having positive values attitude and believe then it benefit me to
create other individual and overall goals of organization while providing satisfaction to
customers. It helps for creating a positive working balance in workplace environment while if I
have negative values, beliefs and bad attitude then attend towards creating issues in front of
organization in number of ways along with dissatisfaction among consumers.
c)
Behavioral or human relation theory upholds me a great deal to make got or safe climate
for the working environment in where the representatives feel solace or important to impart their
thoughts and insights. Then, at that point, this human connection hypothesis upholds me to move
or spur the specialists to uncover on their way of behaving or work and urges them to be useful
in the working environment (Saleh, 2019). Additionally, as a leader the supervisor should
prepare the employees how to cooperate in a group. In addition to this, it has been evaluated that
behavioural management approach is otherwise called the human relationships movement as it
expresses the work's human aspect. Scholars of social methodology expected to be the human's
great comprehension and conduct in the working environment counting struggle, inspiration,
collective vibes, assumptions and improved efficiency. Furthermore, it has been duly underlined
that the behavioural or human relation theory to overseeing was made in the 100 years of 1930 as
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the response next to the associations' robotic view and human instinct's doubtful view suggested
by the old style strategy. Also, conduct strategy keeps up with individuals who are passionate
rather than monetary normal creatures; business associations are the strong frameworks of the
general public rather than the mechanical issue.
Instead of aiding or empowering them the administrator additionally give exertion in where
abilities of them will be valued. This makes trust in the specialists and rouses them to convey
novel thought that assists with making cooperative and move thinking. Then again, the
administrator had helped by Maslow's Hierarchy of needs theory in various ways. This
hypothesis helped the administrator of Sainsbury's to ponder the inspiration, improvement and
preparation of the laborers of a business association. Also, Maslow's Hierarchy of requirements
hypothesis helped the administrator of Sainsbury's to establish the climate of the working
environment completely safe which empowers the specialists and different individuals to achieve
their self-realization and urges them to take care of business appropriately in the association.
Frederick Winslow Taylor was laid out the scientific management theory. Supervisors of
Sainsbury's should degree the business efficiency logically as well as fix better objective for the
workers to acquire the objective. Then, at that point, scientific management theory required the
supervisors of Sainsbury's to find a few things of the workers of a business association. It
controlled the arrangement of piece-rate in that the employees were pursued or salaried for their
work yield yet not for the time term they worked (Schachter, 2020). Additionally, Taylor
expected that the administration's primary item ought to be gotten to foster the accomplishment
for the business association, joined with the tremendous progress of each laborer. This
hypothesis is the methodology of joining a few associations' angles experimentally by applying
different logical strategies (counting the executives, examination and exploration. This
hypothesis portrayed various jobs of the organization segment as well as focuses on the
management of the work rather than individuals, specializations of work, control's range, task
examination, cost bookkeeping, preparing and individual determination. At long last, this
hypothesis focuses on the design of Sainsbury's and the hierarchical administration level.
Furthermore, in terms with contingency management theory that has been departed started
management to undertake situation of business organization managers within Sainsbury relied on
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several elements of the condition of business organization. However Sainsbury managers is
needed to make application of leadership models which include the employees participation as
encouraging motivation. With the help of this theory Sainsbury managers effectively and
efficiently overcome issues such as outbreak of covid 19. This theory helps in management
effective overcome complexities such as covid 19 which is affecting company. Furthermore in
terms with taking use of system theory managers have effective understanding to recognise
various systems to motivate employees as well as consumers. It has been claimed that business
organization system is mainly created by different type of element, employees, leaders and
managers work to fulfill a specific goal. In addition to this has been underlined on system theory
great person which allows Sainsbury as a duty manager to make observations of different
business partners and events helps in supporting Sainsbury’s manager manage overall goals and
objectives effectively. In addition, to this it has been underlined start Weberian bureaucracy or
bureaucratic management theory coined sociologist Weber. Max Weber the bureaucratic
management theory this theory is mainly inclusive of 2 main aspects which is proper organising
of business or initiation in hierarchy and having clear and effective form of in order to support
employees and company. It has been underlined that this theory benefit Sainsbury to implement
effective method which is being really recognised as this is mainly defined by sociologist Weber.
Max Weber stated that bureaucratic management theory mainly outline company necessary to
perform work (Wang and Xu, 2019). With the help of rational method rather than pursuing
irrational emotion. Thus according to the analysis it has been there are different management
theories and manner in which different beliefs, attitudes and values in theory differently. It has
been underlined that in terms perception of managers and leaders this theory is interpreted in
different manner. While on the other hand with the perception employees their part different
beliefs. It has been duly experienced by me that it is essential to make implementation of set of
management theory in order to accomplish overall goals and objectives of organization.
14

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