Digital Workplace Transformation within Waitrose: Role in Enhancing Employee Engagement and Productivity

This research report investigates the role of digital workplace transformation in enhancing employee engagement and productivity within Waitrose. It explores the challenges faced by Waitrose in the absence of digital workplace transformation and the digital strategies adopted by Waitrose to improve employee engagement and productivity. The report also includes a literature review and research methodology.

Unit 11: Research Project
(Digital workplace transformation
within an organisation)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................3
Research topic...................................................................................................................................3
Research aim and objective...............................................................................................................3
Research rational...............................................................................................................................4
Research question.............................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW..............................................................................................................................5
What is the conceptual framework of digital workplace transformation and key driver used within
organisation?.....................................................................................................................................5
What ate the significant roles of digital workplace transformation in order to enhance employee
engagement and productivity within Waitrose?...............................................................................5
What are the challenges faced by Waitrose in absence of digital workplace transformation?.........6
What are the digital strategy adopted by Waitrose in improving employee engagement and
productivity?......................................................................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS..............................................................................9
Frequency distribution table..............................................................................................................9
Data presentation and interpretation.............................................................................................10
REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.........................16
Reflection........................................................................................................................................16
Recommendation for alternative research methodology..................................................................16
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION...............................................................................17
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................20
APPENDIX............................................................................................................................................22
Questionnaire..................................................................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION
Workplace transformation is one of the vital business strategies which provide various
benefits to the company. Workplace transformation is a process of rethinking a working
environment which is more flexible as well as smooth. It is an arrangement of various work,
workers, technology and network which are aligned together in order to improve the
functioning of the business (Vallicelli, 2018). With the help of digital workplace
transformation companies are executing their operation in effective and efficient manner. In
the current research report the investigation is made on the role of digital workplace
transformation which increases the employee engagement and productivity. The present
research is based on Waitrose which is one of the well known retailers in United Kingdom.
The store was founded in 1908 by Wallace Waite, Arthur rose and David Taylor. It
headquarter is located in London, United Kingdom (Eden and et. al, 2019).
Research topic
To identify the significant role of digital workplace transformation in order to enhance
employee engagement and productivity within UK retail industry
Research aim and objective
Research aim:
To identify the significant role of digital workplace transformation in order to
enhance employee engagement and productivity within UK retail industry: A study on
Waitrose.
Research objective:
 To understand the conceptual framework of digital workplace transformation and key
driver used within organisation
 To identify the significant role of digital workplace transformation in order to enhance
employee engagement and productivity within Waitrose.
 To discern the challenges faced by Waitrose in absence of digital workplace
transformation

 To recommend some of the digital strategy adopted by Waitrose in improving
employee engagement and productivity
Research rational
The main rationale behind this investigation is to examine the role of digital workplace
transformation in an organisation. It has been indentified that at the time of COVID-19 the
digital workplace transformation has gained major focus and many organisation has adopted
this business strategy in their workplace. The current research will fulfilled dual perspectives
of the researcher which are personal and professional (Mitrofanova, Konovalova and
Mitrofanova, 2018). With respect to the personal perspective the existing investigation would
build various skills of investigator such as research abilities, announcement skills, analytical
skills and many others. On the other side, with admiration to professional perspective the
researcher would be able to learn various method of digital workplace transformation which
they can use in their organisation when they will be working as a manager.
Research question
 What is the conceptual framework of digital workplace transformation and key driver
used within organisation?
 What ate the significant roles of digital workplace transformation in order to enhance
employee engagement and productivity within Waitrose?
 What are the challenges faced by Waitrose in absence of digital workplace
transformation?
 What are the digital strategy adopted by Waitrose in improving employee engagement
and productivity?

LITERATURE REVIEW
What is the conceptual framework of digital workplace transformation and key driver used
within organisation?
According to the view of Turner (2019), digital transformation can be referred as a
procedure of using various technology and network in the work place in order to improve the
business operation and function. With the existing of digital technology company change and
modify their overall business surrounding so that they can earn competitive advantage from
the competitors. At the time of Covid 19 pandemic the concept f workplace transformation
has gained more importance and many organisations shift their focus to acquire the concept
of workplace transformation in their business. Some of the key drivers of digital workshop
revolution are connection and collaboration, automation, human resource, employee,
communication and many more. With the help of these drivers organisation are realign their
business function with one another in effective and efficient manner so that goal can be
attained in the given time duration (Braganza and et. al, 2021).
What ate the significant roles of digital workplace transformation in order to enhance
employee engagement and productivity within Waitrose?
As per the view of Maltseva (2020), there are various significant role of digital
workplace transformation which assists in making an effective engagement. The role of
digital workplace transformation within Waitrose is as follow:
Communication: The foremost role of digital transformation is making an effective
line of communication between the workers and staff so that remote working can be done in
efficient manner.
Realign the work: Another role of workplace transformation is align work with
technology and network so that duplication of work can be minimised as well as work can be
done in fast pace (Brahma, Tripathi and Sahay, 2020).
Employee engagement: At the time of Covid 19 it becomes very necessary to make
an interaction of employee with work. At that time digital workplace transformation play a
crucial role in making an employee engagement in efficient manner.

What are the challenges faced by Waitrose in absence of digital workplace transformation?
In the eye of Trenerry and et. al (2021), in the absence of workplace transformation
within the organisation there were many challenges which company face which impact their
productivity and performance in negative manner. There are several challenges which is
being faced by Waitrose while not having the concept of workplace transformation in their
stores.
Delay in decision making: the foremost challenge company face is making decision
not in time which impacts them in worst manner. In the absence of technology top managers
are not able to get the beneficially information at time which in other hand deal in making
effective decision for the organisation.
Lack of communication: Another challenge that company face is lack of proper
communication between the members which o the other side reduces the productivity of the
organisation. As employee doesn’t get instruction at proper time which impact the
productivity level in significant manner.
What are the digital strategy adopted by Waitrose in improving employee engagement and
productivity?
As per the view of Nienaber and Martins (2020), there are various types of digital
transformation strategy adopted by Waitrose in their workplace which help them to make a
effective employee engagement as well as increase productivity level. Some of the strategies
they use are as follow:
Remote working: The foremost business strategy that they implemented in their
organisation is adopting remote working so that operation cannot be stopped at the time of
pandemic. In this employee are performing their job outside the working space.
More It technology: Another approach was using more IT tools and equipment in
their space. In this all the work of the workers are aligned with information technology
software. Through this a proper aligned is made which helps in increasing the productivity
level (Kalitanyi and Goldman, 2021).
Some other business ways that they implemented are virtual training and recruitment process,
reducing staff and many more.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is the scientific process which aids in attaining research goal
in consistent manner with the assistance of information. This is the processes which identify,
analysed and interpret data in appropriate manner and as well as according the investigator
requirement. This section is also used by the reader as they calculate the validity and
reliability of the report from the type of data used. There are various level of research
method which asset the investigator to used accurate information in their investigation
(Seehawe, 2018).
Research philosophy: Philosophies are two types which can be used as per the
choice of the investigator they are positivism and interpretivism. In the existing investigation
positivism philosophy is used in the report because it will identify the pattern prevailing in
the society in objective manner.
Research approach: Approaches are used in the investigation to evaluate the
hypothesis and theories in accurate manner. Two technique of research approach are
deductive and inductive approach. In the present investigation deductive approach has
selected because it will, identify the relationship between variables in effective manner. On
the other side existing hypothesis which is formulate after research problem are being tested
with quantitative data (Ross and Call-Cummings, 2020).
Research strategy: There is several kinds of strategies accessible to the agent some
of them are survey, experimental research, focus group, action research and many other. as
per the current research requirement examiner is using survey research strategy. The reason is
mass information in large volume can be gathered from large population (Acharyya and
Bhattacharya, 2019).
Research choice: Research choice is of two types which are Quantitative and
qualitative this can be used by the researcher to gathers information as per the study. In the
recent research, quantitative data is used to evaluate the hypothesis and attaining aim. In
quantitative data the information is in numbers, figure and values (Bairagi and Munot, 2019).
Time horizon: In the present study, investigator has opted for cross sectional time
horizon because it will observe multiple variables in short time. As well as data in this gather
in one time so that accurate information can be acquired.

Data collection: Primary data and secondary data are the two types of data. In the
existing investigation, researcher has selected both primary data and secondary data
collection method. Primary data puckers new information and secondary data uses past
information. To gather first hand information questionnaire is designed and for second hand
data books and online site is used (Mahuika and Mahuika, 2020).
Data analysis: In the present investigation, the data analysis technique which is used
to measure data is frequency distribution because it inspects mathematical information in less
time and cost.
Sampling: Sampling are of two forms that are probability sampling and non probability
sampling. As per the researcher requirement probability sampling is opted because it will
select sample in equivalent and reasonable manner. The sample size is 30 employees from the
brand Waitrose (Ledford and Gast, 2018).

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Frequency distribution table
Q1. What are the major key drivers that should be focused by Waitrose
while implementing digital workplace transformation within their
organisation?
Frequency
a) Connection and collaboration 9
b) Human resource 8
c) Technology 7
d) Communication 6
Q2. As per your opinion, What roles are being played by the digital
workplace transformation so that employee engagement and
productivity within Waitrose can be enhanced?
Frequency
a) Communication 5
b) Realign the work 7
c) Employee engagement 12
d) Reduce operational cost 6
Q3. What are the trials faced by Waitrose in lack of the digital
workplace transformation strategy within their organisation during the
global pandemic?
Frequency
a) Delay in decision making 10
b) Lack of communication 7
c) lack of employee interaction and collaboration 5
d) Less productivity 8
Q4) As per your perspective, Which type of digital strategy embraced
by Waitrose within their organisation in order to improve worker
engagement and productivity?
Frequency
a) Remote working 12
b) Aligning technology and networks with workers 5

c) Virtual training and development session 9
d) Social media marketing 4
Q.5. According to your opinion, what is the total effect of digital
workplace revolution within Waitrose?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 22
b) Negative impact 5
c) Can't say 3
Data presentation and interpretation
Q1) What are the major key drivers that should be
focused by Waitrose while implementing digital
workplace transformation within their organisation?
Frequency Percentage
a) Connection and collaboration 9 30
b) Human resource 8 27
c) Technology 7 23
d) Communication 6 20
30%
27%
23%
20%
Key drivers
while implementi ng digital
workplace transformati on
a) Connection and collaboration b) Human resource
c) Technology d) Communication

Interpretation: From the above tabular and graphical presentation is interpreted that available
30 employees, 9 is of the view that the major key drive of digital workplace transformation is
connection and collaboration. As technology and network helps in building more connection
between work and workers.
Q2) As per your opinion, What roles are being played
by the digital workplace transformation so that
employee engagement and productivity within
Waitrose can be enhanced?
Frequency Percentage
a) Communication 5 17
b) Realign the work 7 23
c) Employee engagement 12 40
d) Reduce operational cost 6 20
17%
23%
40%
20%
Roles of
digital workplace transformati on
a) Communication
b) Realign the work
c) Employee engagement
d) Reduce operational cost
Interpretation: From the beyond information from chart and table this can be discussed that
12 participants answers that the major role of digital workplace transformation is making
employee engagement with their job so that they can work in more motivated way. 7 have
said that digital workplace transformation helps in realigning the work with technology, 5
have answered that digital workplace transformation plays a role of making effective
communication path way between team and managers. Rest 6 is of the view that it reduce the
operation cost and expenses of the company.

Q3) What are the trials faced by Waitrose in lack of
the digital workplace transformation strategy within
their organisation during the global pandemic?
Frequency Percentage
a) Delay in decision making 10 33
b) Lack of communication 7 23
c) lack of employee interaction and collaboration 5 17
d) Less productivity 8 27
33%
23%
17%
27%
Challenges faced by Waitrose in
absence of digital workplace
transformati on
a) Delay in decision making
b) Lack of communication
c) lack of employee
interaction and collaboration
d) Less productivity
Interpretation: With the assemble piece of information this can be analysed that 10
respondents, have said that the key trials that is faced by Waitrose due to lack of digital
workplace is delay in decision making which effective their decision in large manner. 7
answers that lack of communication is the biggest problem that is being faced within stores, 5
have answered that lack of employee interaction and collaboration has being seen among
employee with their work. Rest 8 is of the view that less productivity was there in the absence
of digital transformation.
Q4) As per your perspective, Which type of digital
strategy embraced by Waitrose within their
organisation in order to improve worker engagement
and productivity?
Frequency Percentage

a) Remote working 12 40
b) Aligning technology and networks with workers 5 17
c) Virtual training and development session 9 30
d) Social media marketing 4 13
40%
17%
30%
13%
Digital strategy adopted by
Waitrose within their
organisati on
a) Remote working
b) Aligning technology and
networks with workers
c) Virtual training and
development session
d) Social media marketing
Interpretation: From the collected data using questionnaire it is analysed that mainstream of
respondent feels that the best digital workplace strategy adopted by Waitrose is providing
remote working to their workforce. 9 answers that virtual training session is good as it
develop employee skills by online session, 5 answers that it helps in aligning work and
workers with technology. Remaining 4 is of the view that social media marketing is the best
approach to gain more market share.
Q5) According to your opinion, what is the total effect
of digital workplace revolution within Waitrose?
Frequency Percentage
a) Positive impact 22 73
b) Negative impact 5 17
c) Can't say 3 10

73%
17%
10%
Overall impact of digital
workplace transformati on within
Waitrose
a) Positive impact
b) Negative impact
c) Can't say
Interpretation: With the accumulated data it is summarised that out of 30 employee of
Waitrose, 22 is of the view that digital workplace transformation has positively impact the
performance and productivity level of the company.

REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Reflection
Digital workplace transformation creates positive impact on the organisational
performance of the employee. It helps in creating a positive working environment in the
workplace as advance tool and technique are used within the company. In the conducted
investigation on digital workplace transformation it has identify the employee performance
largely depends upon the how effective company transform their working place in order to
crate flexible working environment within the organisation. I have applied Gibb’s model in
order to explain my journey to complete the investigation on digital workplace. Gibb’s is a
reflective cycle which explain own experience and efforts while carrying out the work. There
are five step in the model which are discussed below:
Description: I have received the opportunity to carry out the investigation on the
topic digital workplace transformation that is impact digital transformation and organisational
performance in retail industry. This research is based on quantitative research method so for
this I design questionnaire to gather information. As it aids me to get appropriate and reliable
data for the study.
Feelings: While carrying out the research over workplace transformation I felt
positive and energetic. My tutor motivates me as well as provide all the necessary support for
conducting the investigation. I feel proud that I am able to gather information from the
participants. I also feel that in recent time having digital technology is very important as it
helps to build effective relations between employee and job. It improves the performance of
both employee and organisation. During analysing the data, I somehow felt nervous as I need
to use frequency distribution tool to inspect quantitative data. There is certain problem which
is also face that is time management issue.
Evaluation: With the present investigation I evaluate my strength and weakness that I
possess. The strength that I have is great communiqué skill which in this investigation has
helped me in gathering information from the applicants in flexible manner. On the other side,
the weakness that I have in myself is poor management skill which hinders my various tasks.

Due to poor time management I am not able to complete and mange my task in effective
manner.
Analysis: From carrying out the research, I analysed that due great communication
skill I easily achieved the aim and objective of the investigation. I also analysed that I have
lack of time management skill which hinder me to carry out the research within the time
framework. It is very important to have time management approach because it aids in
completing the whole investigation in efficient manner. I also analysed that to carry out
investigation in sound manner I need secondary data which is acquired using second hand
source such as online site, books, articles etc.
Conclusion: From the above investigation it is concluded that for completing the
research, I need different research skill, methods and tools. These all support me to perform
the investigation in better manner. Apart from this it is also summarised that quantitative
research method is useful for the current research project. With the investigation I acquire
deeper knowledge on digital workplace transformation and its impact on organisational
performance.
Recommendation for alternative research methodology
In the present research, quantitative research methodologies were used through which
mathematical and statistical data was collected and analysed. It was used to demonstrate
numerical data in the forms of graphs and charts. In the future investigation, the investigator
is willing to apt qualitative research methodology. In this interview as a research instrument
will be used in order to collect in-depth information and at the same time face to face
interactions can be made between the interviewee and interviewer.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
From the assemble information it is being concluded that in recent global era it is
very important for the company to transfer their workplace and adopt the strategy of digital
workplace transformation. During the time of Covid 19 it helps the organisation to modify
their working space and adopt various new changes and ideas within their company in order
to run their business in effective and efficient manner. With the aid of digital transformation
the effectiveness and efficiency in the employee towards their job has improved in large
manner. Employee is able to operate their business operation in flexible and smooth manner.
With the help of workplace transformation organisation are able to improve their
performance which on other side assists them to gain higher profitability and growth. Not
only this digital workplace transformation also facilitates the organisation to earn competitive
edge from their competitors and enhance their market image and share. Technology is the
working place has improved the way of working and also helps the company to serve their
buyers in best possible manner. Communication between teams and employee engagement
has also improved in much better way with digital workplace transformation. Thus, it is
concluded that organisation should invest their capital in transforming their workplace into
digital place.
Recommendation
It has been suggested to the organisation that they should invest their capital and
adopt the strategy of digital workplace transformation. Technology advancement within
company helps them to enhance their productivity and performance in large manner.
Organisation should also train their employee about the network and technology they are
using as it develop their skills and knwoldge about the tools and equipment which they can
used to make their work flexible.
It is also recommended to the company to hire and attract IT professional in their company
who as excess knowledge about It tools which they can use in solving the problems related to
network. This also helps in improving the performance of the organisation.
It s suggested to the business hat with digital workplace transformation they can created a
positive working environment for their employee which on the other side motivate employee
to work in ore energetic and enthusiastic manner. Digital workplace also assists in securing
and protecting company data is beneficially manner which helps them to perform their
operation in best way as compared to the competitors. The major recommendation to the

organisation to is to provide remote working to their employee which helps in making
effective interaction between the staff and work at the time of pandemic.

REFERENCES
Books and journal
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Taylor & Francis.
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
Braganza, A., C and et. al, 2021. Productive employment and decent work: The impact of AI
adoption on psychological contracts, job engagement and employee trust. Journal of
business research. 131. pp.485-494.
Brahma, M., Tripathi, S.S. and Sahay, A., 2020. Developing curriculum for industry 4.0:
digital workplaces. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning.
Eden, R., and et. al, 2019. Digital transformation requires workforce transformation. MIS
Quarterly Executive. 18(1). pp.1-17.
Kalitanyi, V. and Goldman, G.A., 2021. Human capital management in the fourth industrial
revolution. In Research Anthology on Cross-Industry Challenges of Industry 4.0 (pp.
1592-1612). IGI Global.
Ledford, J.R. and Gast, D.L. eds., 2018. Single case research methodology. New York, NY:
Routledge.
Mahuika, N. and Mahuika, R., 2020. Wānanga as a research methodology. AlterNative: An
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engagement. Business Horizons. 63(4). pp.493-505.
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and limitations of digital transformation of HR management. In The European
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the levels of employee engagement to improve organisational effectiveness. The TQM
Journal.
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Trenerry, B., and et. al, 2021. Preparing workplaces for digital transformation: an integrative
review and framework of multi-level factors. Frontiers in psychology. 12. p.822.
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APPENDIX
Questionnaire
Q1. What are the major key drivers that should be focused by Waitrose while
implementing digital workplace transformation within their organisation?
a) Connection and collaboration
b) Human resource
c) Technology
d) Communication
Q2. As per your opinion, what roles are being played by the digital workplace
transformation so that employee engagement and productivity within Waitrose can be
enhanced?
a) Communication
b) Realign the work
c) Employee engagement
d) Reduce operational cost
Q3. What are the trials faced by Waitrose in lack of the digital workplace transformation
strategy within their organisation during the global pandemic?
a) Delay in decision making
b) Lack of communication
c) lack of employee interaction and collaboration
d) Less productivity
Q4) As per your perspective, which type of digital strategy embraced by Waitrose within
their organisation in order to improve worker engagement and productivity?
a) Remote working
b) Aligning technology and networks with workers
c) Virtual training and development session
d) Social media marketing
Q.5. According to your opinion, what is the total effect of digital workplace revolution
within Waitrose?
a) Positive impact
b) Negative impact

c) Can't say