Impact of Employee Collaboration Tools in UK Retail Industry

This research aims to identify the impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing productivity and transforming the workplace within the UK retail industry. The study focuses on Asda, a British supermarket chain, and aims to determine the benefits and challenges of using employee collaboration tools during workplace transformation.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name
Student ID
Centre Name
Tutor
Unit No
Proposed Title Impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the productivity
and its contribution in workplace transformation within UK retail
industry
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Research topic: To identify the impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the
productivity and its contribution in workplace transformation within UK retail industry
Overview of the topic:
Employee collaboration tool means a use of different types of software and online services
within company that enables employees to work together on common projects. With the
help of employee collaboration tools, staff can interact with each other and also
communicate effectively (Kroh, J and et. al., 2018). The current research is based on
determining the impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the productivity and
its contribution in workplace transformation within UK retail industry. Within this
investigation, the chosen organisation is Asda, it is a British supermarket chain which deals
with varieties of products and services including groceries, financial services, general
merchandise and many others.
Research Aim:
To determine the impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the
productivity and its contribution in workplace transformation within UK retail industry. A
Study on Asda
Research Objectives:
 To identify the need and requirements of employee collaboration tool within UK
retail industry
 To analyse the impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the
productivity and transforming the workplace of Asda
 To examine the benefits availed by Asda while using employee collaboration tools
during workplace transformation within business

 To discern the challenges faced by Asda while implementing employee
collaboration tools during workplace transformation for enhancing the productivity
and performance of business
Research question:
 What are the need and requirements of employee collaboration tool within UK
retail industry?
 What are the impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the productivity
and transforming the workplace of UK retail industry?
 What are the benefits availed by Asda while using employee collaboration tools
during workplace transformation within business?
 What are the challenges faced by Asda while implementing employee collaboration
tools during workplace transformation for enhancing the productivity and
performance of business?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
The major reason behind doing this investigation is to determine the impact of employee
collaboration tools in increasing the productivity and its contribution in workplace
transformation within UK retail industry. This investigation is helpful in providing the
benefits of employee collaboration tools during workplace transformation (Attaran, Attaran
and Kirkland, 2019). Further, it also focuses on determining the challenges faced by
company while implementing employee collaboration during workplace transformation.
By conducting this investigation, the two main objective of researcher will be attained such
as professional and personal objectives. In terms of personal objective, the investigator will
learn about the different research methods and tools through which information can be
collected in effective and efficient manner. The investigator also gains knowledge about
the need and importance of employee collaboration tool within workplace and also identify
how these tools helps in enhancing the productivity and performance of business. On the
other hand, the professional perspective of investigator will be accomplished as they can
learn more about employee collaboration tools and implement within their workplace in
order to boost the productivity and performance of business.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Need and requirements of employee collaboration tool within UK retail industry
As per the opinion of Chung, Shim and Kim (2022), there is need and requirement of

employee collaboration tools within workplace as it helps in increasing the productivity
and performance of employees due to which they work in more effective and efficient
manner. With the help of employee collaboration tool, company can improve the way team
members work and also solves their problem in better manner. Employee collaboration tool
is also needed to communicate effectively and organise the projects in easy way. It
provides a platform where staff can see and communicate about the ongoing work.
Impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the productivity and transforming the
workplace of Asda
According to the opinion of Jimenez-Jimenez, Martínez-Costa and Rodriguez (2018),
employee collaboration tools creates a great influence on the productivity of employees by
encouraging them to give productive outcomes and accomplish business goals in effective
manner. It enables real time information exchange for facilitating the business process by
reducing the errors and delays that minimise the customer experience and lowers the
productivity of business. With the help of employee collaboration tools, company can
transform their workforce by increasing collaboration, improving productivity, bringing
more innovation and also improving communication process.
Benefits availed by Asda while using employee collaboration tools during workplace
transformation within business
According to the perception of Lee and Hung (2022), there are various benefits which can
be availed by organisation while using employee collaboration tools during workplace
transformation. The few benefits are improving team collaboration, quick access to
information, improve business execution, enhance team productivity and also boost
knowledge sharing ability.
Challenges faced by Asda while implementing employee collaboration tools during
workplace transformation for enhancing the productivity and performance of business
As per the viewpoint of Soeldner (2021), there are various challenges which can be faced
by the company while implementing employee collaboration tools during workplace
transformation such as difficulty in achieving seamless communication, developing trust
among employees, poor engagement, dependent on internet availability, lack of clear
vision and many others.
Section Four: Activities and timescales

Milestone one: _________________

Target date (set by tutor): _________________
Milestone two: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): __________________
Gantt Chart
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
Research methodology is a chapter that is used to identify, analyse and interpret the
relevant information in appropriate way.
Research philosophy: The two kinds of research philosophy are positivism and
interpretivism. Within the current investigation, researcher will lay emphasis on selecting
positivism philosophy as it helps in collecting quantitative information (Shotton and
Waterman, 2022). The reason behind using positivism philosophy is that it focuses on
gaining generalised and objective information in systematic manner.
Research approach: Research approach is categorised into two parts such as deductive
and inductive approach. As per the current research, inductive approach will be
implemented by the researcher for obtaining data. The main benefit of using this approach
is that it collects quantitative data to test theories and hypothesis (Mohajan, 2018).
Research strategy: The different forms of research strategy are survey, experimental
studies, case study, interview, action research and many more. In present investigation,
researcher will be selecting survey strategy (Moradi, 2021). This strategy helps in
gathering information from large population in quantitative manner.
Research choice: Research choice is classified into two form such as quantitative and
qualitative. According to the current investigation, quantitative method will be chosen for
obtaining numerical data in the form of statistical facts and figures (Patterson, 2019).
Data collection: The two types of data collection method which can be used by researcher
are primary and secondary data collection method. In current investigation, researcher will
be choosing primary data collection method. It helps in gathering fresh data directly from
the chosen participants (England, 2021). Questionnaire will be framed by the investigator
in order to collect the information related to the chosen topic.
Sampling: In the present investigation, probability sampling method will be used by the
researcher as it gives equal and fair chance to chosen respondents. The sample size will be
30 mangers of Asda.
References

Attaran, M., Attaran, S. and Kirkland, D., 2019. The need for digital workplace: increasing
workforce productivity in the information age. International Journal of Enterprise
Information Systems (IJEIS), 15(1), pp.1-23.
Chung, S. J., Shim, O. and Kim, S., 2022. Analysing the status of communication
designers’ role and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Design Journal, 25(3), pp.397-415.
England, A., 2021. Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods. In Research for
Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (pp. 71-96). Springer, Cham.
Jimenez-Jimenez, D., Martínez-Costa, M. and Rodriguez, C .S., 2018. The mediating role
of supply chain collaboration on the relationship between information technology and
innovation. Journal of Knowledge Management.
Kroh, J and et. al., 2018. Use and efficacy of information technology in innovation
processes: the specific role of servitization. Journal of Product Innovation
Management, 35(5), pp.720-741.
Lee, D. and Hung, C., 2022. Meta-analysis of collaboration and performance: Moderating
tests of sectoral differences in collaborative performance. Journal of Public Administration
Research and Theory, 32(2), pp.360-379.
Mohajan, H .K., 2018. Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related
subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), pp.23-48.
Moradi, H., 2021. Quantitative research methods for communication: a hands-on approach:
by Jason S. Wrench, Candice Thomas-Maddox, Virginia Peck Richmond and James C.
McCroskey, New York, NY, Oxford University Press, 2018, 672 pp., $94.95 (paperback),
ISBN 9780190861063.
Patterson, G., 2019. Queering and transing quantitative research. Re/orienting writing
studies: Queer methods, queer projects, pp.54-74.
Shotton, H. J. and Waterman, S., 2022. Contexts and Considerations for Quantitative,(Post)
Qualitative, and Mixed Methods Research. Advancing Culturally Responsive Research and
Researchers: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods, p.1.
Soeldner, J. H., 2021. Systematic Literature Review: Research Collaboration and Social
Software. Understanding Social Research Networking Sites, pp.15-106.
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

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: Impact of employee collaboration tools in increasing the productivity and its
contribution in workplace transformation within UK retail industry
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)?
Through probability sampling
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through consent form
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?
Through mail
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?
The researcher only
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In electronic device
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In USB and laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
For six 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.