Current Issues of Equality and Diversity at the Workplace: A Case Study on IKEA

This report investigates the current issues of equality and diversity at the workplace, focusing on a case study of IKEA. It explores the challenges faced by IKEA in managing a diverse workforce and provides recommendations for resolving these issues. The report also discusses the aims and objectives of the research, the project management plan, and the research methodology used.

Equality and Diversity
Current Issues

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO1..................................................................................................................................................4
P1 Aims and Objectives...............................................................................................................4
P2 Project Management Plan.......................................................................................................4
P3 Gantt Chart and WBS.............................................................................................................5
LO2..................................................................................................................................................7
Literature Review........................................................................................................................7
P4 Research Methodology...........................................................................................................8
P5 Data Collection and Data Analysis.......................................................................................10
P6 Recommendation..................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
LO4................................................................................................................................................14
P7 Performance Review............................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

Title: To investigate current issues that arises in equality and diversity at the workplace. This
report on IKEA.
INTRODUCTION
Diversity in the workplace has become one of the most discussion topic for people
because there are various companies which have brought diversity in the workplace in order to
gain high profitability. However, management plays effective role in the workplace such as to
understand employees needs and expectation for the workplace (Doucet and McKay, 2020).
Unfortunately, they unable to give such respect and equal opportunity to the employees which
they expect from manager as resulted that brings demotivation among them. Due to this, various
current issues have faced by companies while managing diversity at the job place. In this
research will discuss over current issues of diversity by the support of IKEA company.
Background: IKEA is a retail company that trades personalized furniture in to multiple countries
around the world. It was founded in 28 July 1943 and globally famous for it’s customized
furniture. In this research project will includes aims and objectives of the IKEA.
LO1
P1 Aims and Objectives
Aims
“To analyze current issue of equality and diversity at the workplace. A case study on
IKEA.
Objectives
 To evaluate current problem of diversity at the workplace
 To determine current challenges that have tackled by IKEA while organizing diversified
workforce to work on goal.
 To recommend strategies that can be resolved determined challenges
Research Questions

 What are the current issues of diversity that arises at the job place?
 What are the challenges that have deal by IKEA while coordination diversified workforce
to work on goal?
 Which strategies can be suggested to resolve determined current issues?
P2 Project Management Plan
 Scope: Current issues of diversity is the one of the most important research assignments
that has huge scope in the international market. This research will support various
organizations to develop healthy and productive working environment and establish
welfare of individuals at the workplace (Council, 2018).
 Resource: Internet, books and research papers etc. resources will take for this research
project to gather extensive informative over equality and diversity and it’s current issues
in the IKEA company.
 Communication: I will practice two-way communication process to gather actual data
related to research topic.
 Quality: In this research project will use qualitative research method that will maintain
standard of data while collecting from resources.
 Cost: This research assignment cost will take estimated 4000 euro.
Investment Range Cost
Net Cost € 1100
Transportation cost € 1000
Assistant fees € 500
Books and published
research papers cost
€ 1300
Consultancy fees € 100
Total € 4000
 Time: It takes around 12 weeks to complete whole research assignment precisely.
 Risk: Time and resources can become big risk for the project because they are limited but
it can overwhelmed by using available resources effectively.

P3 Gantt Chart and WBS
Gantt chart:
Break Down Structure

LO2
Literature Review
According to Dennissen, Benschop and van den Brink, (2019) diversity in the workplace
supports business to achieve it’s objectives and raises goodwill of the company. When a
organization posses diversity at the workplace then they make organization able to understand
needs and expectations of customer for the product and services because there are lots of people
in the workplace who keeps difference from each other in term of age, gender, sex orientation,
culture, race, language and others. To maintain diversity at the workplace requires equality that
leads satisfaction in individuals that no unethical behavior and discrimination will take place.
Equality and diversity are not only supported to gain competitive advantage but also improves
level of satisfaction in customers.
However, Ellemers and Rink, (2016) have criticized above stated fact through the
published books to manage diversity in the job place is not easier task for the business because it
brings extensive conflicts among people. There are various companies who already has tried to
manage diversity at the workplace in which various companies has failed and few has succeeded
due to good managerial skills. Current issues of equality and diversity are gender equality,
discrimination, language issue, ethnic and cultural difference, generation gaps and others that are
facing by companies which already have established diversity at the workplace. So, companies

unable to focus on their goals and objectives effectively. For example, ethnic and cultural
difference is one of the major issues that faces by companies like IKEA while coordination
diverse staff to achieve common goal. To take productive decision involves number of staff by
company but due to cultural difference each one gives preference to their thoughts that creates
conflict issue among them. Thus, management unable to take effective decision on time. Another
current issue is skill gap that occurs while managing diversity at the workplace. The reason
behind is that diversity brings all age people so often aged and experienced people or employees
do not like interference of young age employees. Most of the time it become conflict issue
among staff which brings demotivation in young age people.
As per the view of Gibney, (2017) in recent time, companies face various challenges such
as communication issue. It has become one of the most important challenge for the companies
that they face at the workplace while managing diverse workforce. However, diversity is defined
by it’s term such as diverse or different. Diversity in the workplace means such as people who
keeps variations from each other but work together at common platform. This situation often
become challenging for the management of the company because they have to use such language
which can be understood by everyone in equal manner. Another is talent retention issue that is
another current issue. Currently most of the companies faces employee retention issue because
diversity brings miscommunication, conflicts and often discrimination at the workplace as result
that brings demotivation in them. Due to this company often retain bad talent instead of good
talent.
Janssens and Steyaert, (2019) has quoted in their published books about current issues of
equality and diversity that it can overcome effectively if companies implement some effective
strategies like diverse communication program, anti-discrimination strategy, conducts conference
meeting etc. These strategies will resolve all current issues precisely and bring mental and
physical stability in diverse workforce at the workplace.
P4 Research Methodology
 Research Type: Research is the process of finding new data, ideas and thoughts that
support to increase possible of the company. Qualitative and quantitative are two
methods that assist company to collect data about research topic effectively. Qualitative
method emphasizes on quality of information while collecting data. On the other hand,

quantitative method is the process of collecting information into numerical figure. In this
research project will use qualitative method in order to collect effective information’s.
 Research Philosophy: It is another effective method that is used to collect information
through theories. This method is basically dependent on two methods i.e. positivism
philosophy provides information which is exist in market. On the other hand, interpretive
method supports to understand reality of market and pick relevant data from collected
data (Kantola and Verloo, 2018). Positivism philosophy is used for this research
assignment that is required for qualitative method.
 Research design: This context helps in influencing techniques to conduct research in the
market. This framework contains three type designs i.e. deductive, inductive and
abductive. Inductive research design will apply to gather data that will influence
productivity of business.
 Research approach: This approach is further classified into three research approaches i.e.
explanatory, exploratory and descriptive. Exploratory research is used to gain appropriate
answering of given questionnaires. On contrary, descriptive method is applied to interpret
behavior of individuals. While explanatory method is used to evaluate factors that
impacts on business environment. Exploratory approach will use for this research
assignment because it will support to find logical answering of given questions (Park,
2020).
 Research sampling: There are two methods of data collection i.e. probably method and
non-probably system. I will apply random sampling method in order to collect data
effectively. The reason behind is that it provides equal opportunity to whole staff to
become part of sample population. 10 random employees of IKEA company are chosen
as sample population for the interview session.
 Data Collection: It is another effective method of data collection that plays efficient role
in research project, there are two techniques of data collection i.e. primary and secondary.
Primary method is applied in collecting data through opinion and interview session. On
contrary, secondary method has applied to collect information through journals books,
internet and social media for this assignment. In this research will use both primary and
secondary data.

 Data Analysis: This method provides prospect to pick relevant data from available data
effectively. There are two method of data analysis i.e. thematic and statistics. Thematic
method will apply for this research assignment because it supports to distribute whole
collected information into themes that can be interpreted more easily.
 Ethical Consideration: It is the set of rule and principles to maintain individual’s welfare
who are being part of sample population (Poushter, Fetterolf and Tamir, 2019). As per
the view of ethical considerations, researcher must meet all ethics and legislation which
are designed and imposed by government for the research assignment. IKEA company
undertakes all ethical consideration and maintains self-esteem and respect of individuals
in interview session.
P5 Data Collection and Data Analysis
Theme:1 IKEA has maintained equality and diversity at the workplace
Q:1 Do you think IKEA has maintained equality and diversity at the
workplace?
Frequency
A. Yes 7
B. No 2
C. Not sure 1
Total 10

Interpretation: The figure has demonstrated above mentioned summery that out of 10
respondents only 2 employees replied that they do not think IKEA has maintained equality and
diversity at the workplace effectively. But they unable to give indication to prove their statement.
On the other hand, 7 respondents commented that IKEA has maintained diversity at the job
place. the reason behind is that IKEA is worldwide famous for its customized furniture which
can possible by its employees. It always takes initiatives to keep its staff member happy and
wealthy. There is only 1 employee who was not sure with above stated fact. Based on the
majority can be interpreted that IKEA has effectively managed diversity within job place.
Theme:2 Upper management of IKEA keeps gender equality in promotion policy.
Q:2 Do you think upper management of IKEA keeps gender equality in
promotion policy?
Frequency
A. Yes 8
B. No 2
C. Not sure 0
Total 10
Interpretation: It has been summarized that out of 10 communicators only 2 respondents
replied that IKEA’s upper management does not keep gender equality in promotion policy, they
believe company cannot keep gender equality for some designated post like manager and leader
but they do not have any logical answering to prove their statement. While 8 communicators

answered that upper management keeps equality in gender while offering promotion. The reason
behind is that to maintain diversity requires to keep equality in each policy. As company already
has managed equality and diversity within job place then this statement automatically interpreted
that IKEA keeps equality in promotion policies.
Theme:3 Current issues of equality and diversity that are facing by IKEA in recent times.
Q:3 What are the current issues of equality and diversity that are facing by
IKEA in recent times?
Frequency
A. Inability to resolve conflicts 2
B. Poor communication 2
C. Bad talent retention 1
D. All of them 5
Total 10
Interpretation: From the above chart is calculated that out of 10 employees only 2 respondents
replied that IKEA currently faces communication issue of equality and diversity due to this
unable to influence diverse workforce to give effective performance. While other 2 employees
stated that bad talent retention is the current issue of equality and diversity that faces by IKEA in
recent times due to this it unable to meet customers’ needs and requirements. Remaining five

respondents commented that inability to resolve conflicts, poor communication and bad talent
retention etc are the major issues that faced by IKEA currently. Based on the majority has been
interpreted that IKEA requires to adapt such strategies which deals all current issues associated
with equality and diversity at the workplace.
Theme:4 Strategies that can be recommended to deal with identified issues related with equality
and diversity?
Q:5 What are the strategies that can be recommended to deal with identified
issues related with equality and diversity?
Frequency
A. Diversity training program 2
B. Offer equal opportunities 1
C. Anti-discrimination policy 2
D. All of them 5
Total 10
Interpretation: It has been interpreted that out of 10 employees only 2 communicators replied
that diversity training program is the best strategy that will support IKEA to resolve
communication issue effectively and maintains their wellbeing. While other 5 communicators
answered that IKEA needs to implement all above sated strategies i.e. diversity training program,
anti-discrimination policy and offer equal opportunity etc. helps to deal with all identified
current issues and motivates them to give excellent performance at the workplace.
Finding and Discussion

It has analysed that IKEA has managed diversity at the job place successfully due to this
it already has expanded it’s business into multiple countries around the world. from the data
analysis task has interpreted that equality and diversity is highly important for organization’s
success in today’s world. Currently IKEA faces various problems related to diversity that has
been interpreted with 3rd theme. According to 3rd theme ineffective communication bad talent
retention and inefficiency of conflict resolution are the major issues of equality and diversity that
arises in IKEA in recent time. These issues bring competitive disadvantage and negative
publicity of company. But there are numerous strategies like anti-discrimination policy, diversity
training session etc. supports IKEA to deal with identified problems of diversity at the job place
and maintains wellbeing of the diverse workforce in the company.
Alternative method
Quantitative method is another effective technique for research perspective that can bring
effective outcomes in upcoming research assignment. The reason behind is that it gives entire
information into numerical figure. From past few years there are various researchers who using
this method to gather information. So, it is another alternative method for the future research
assignments.
P6 Recommendation
360 Degree feedback strategy is one of the best strategy among others that will support
IKEA to keep it’s diverse workforce mentally and physically stable. With this strategy company
can evaluate performance of individuals that will help to retain good talent at the workplace.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarized that each company requires to take effective approaches to
determine issues and tactics to deal with issues related to equality and diversity effectively that
always keeps working environment productive and heathy as well.

LO4
P7 Reflection
The whole research was based on current issues of diversity that arises at the job place. I
used literature review to understood diverse concept of authors which has given over diversity
through their published books and research papers. Literature review has denoted that equality
plays effective role in diverse workforce in the company. With the support of IKEA company
enable to understand integrity of diversity and equality in order to gain organization’s success.
There are various research methods like qualitative methods, research philosophy etc. are used to
collect adequate and authentic information while maintaining quality of collected information
(Ylöstalo, 2016). While data collection task supported to interpret all themes related to equality
and diversity effectively due to this enable to draw logical conclusion of the research assignment.
However, entire research was based on secondary research method for data collect. This topic
does not require any change with the timeframe. This method allows to collect important data
about the research topic in minimum time. In the initial phase I was not enable to understand
where to start research but some experienced professionals and internet assisted to me to in
achieving all different objectives and aims related to research by giving proper direction. The
whole performance in this research project can rate good marks as it has gained all defined
objectives in timeframe.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Council, C.B., 2018. Equality and Diversity Scheme.
Natha, S., 2020. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY MAINSTREAMING.
Doucet, A. and McKay, L., 2020. Fathering, parental leave, impacts, and gender equality:
what/how are we measuring?. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy.
Ellemers, N. and Rink, F., 2016. Diversity in work groups. Current Opinion in Psychology. 11.
pp.49-53.
Gibney, E., 2017. UK gender-equality scheme spreads across the world. Nature. 549(7671).
pp.143-144.
Janssens, M. and Steyaert, C., 2019. A practice-based theory of diversity: Respecifying (in)
equality in organizations. Academy of Management Review. 44(3). pp.518-537.
Kantola, J. and Verloo, M., 2018. Revisiting gender equality at times of recession: A discussion
of the strategies of gender and politics scholarship for dealing with equality. European
Journal of Politics and Gender. 1(1-2). pp.205-222.
Park, C., 2020. Equality and Diversity Policy.
Poushter, J., Fetterolf, J. and Tamir, C., 2019. A changing world: Global views on diversity,
gender equality, family life and the importance of religion. Pew Research Center. 44.