Equality and Diversity in the Workplace: Implications and Impact

This research project explores the implications and impact of equality and diversity in the workplace, focusing on the case study of TESCO. It discusses the role of equality and diversity, identifies different aspects, investigates the responsibility of upper management, and examines the influence on employee performance. The study also highlights the removal of issues like gender pay gap, sexual harassment, and gender divide in leadership.

Unit 06: Management Successful Business Project
Research Report
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................3
Background....................................................................................................................3
Aim.................................................................................................................................3
Objectives.......................................................................................................................3
Research Questions.......................................................................................................3
Rationale........................................................................................................................3
Literature review................................................................................................................4
Research methodology......................................................................................................4
Data analysis.....................................................................................................................8
Questionnaire.................................................................................................................8
Themes..........................................................................................................................9
RECOMMENDATIONS...................................................................................................13
REFLECTION..................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES................................................................................................................16
Appendix ……………………………………………………………………………………16-17
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INTRODUCTION
Company: TESCO
Theme: Equality and diversity in the workplace
Topic:
 gender pay gap
 sexual harassment
 gender divide in leadership
Background
Equality and diversity management is very productive for an organisation. This
research project has covered those all aspects which has based on equality and
diversity. There is various innovative data collection methods used for finding these
different data mentioned in this work. The company selected for this research is
TESCO.
Aim
For knowing the implications of equality and diversity in the workplace.
Objectives
 To be aware of the actual role of equality and diversity
 To identify different aspects of equality and diversity
 To investigate the responsibility of upper management regarding to the above
topic
 To know influences of equality and diversity on an employee’s performance
Research Questions
 Why the role of equality and diversity is too necessary in the workplace?
 What are the major aspects of equality and diversity?
 Why the role of upper management is too necessary in implementation of
equality and diversity?
 How equality and diversity influences performance of employees?
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Rationale
Equality and diversity management always plays great role in any organisation’s
administrative centre. This is the main reason that, at present top-level management
within each business is trying to implement equality and diversity within workplace.
Basically, when any company’s top-level management properly manages equality and
diversity within its workplace, then its existing employees will be able to get equal
chance of growth in the workplace. That’s why currently nearly everyone (employees)
likes to work only in that organisation where manager properly managed equality and
diversity in the workplace. In these circumstances, administrative within every industry
or company must properly manage equal opportunities as well different cultures or
gender in its respective workplace.
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Syed and Ozbilgin (2019) to there are equality and diversity aspects
plays very great role in any workplace. That’s why top-level management within every
business or company extremely need to reflect in their daily operations. Basically,
equality and diversity management support to a company for taking extra-ordinary work
from their employees. Currently many successful businesses or companies have
already managed equality and diversity within their respective workplace. Reason is
top-level management of these successful companies absolutely understanding the role
of equality and diversity in the workplace. That is why currently these companies are
able to take huge advantages from their member of staff and give them the equal
opportunities regardless of their cultures or traditions. Actually the major parts of
workers also like to work only in the same organisations or companies where existing
management already has systematically managed equality and diversity in the
workplace.
As illustrated by Pimpa (2019) currently local government also within different
country has passed specially law which has based on equality and diversity. For
example; government of the United Kingdom has given specially instructions to those all
businesses which comes under its authorisation area that, every business owner is
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responsible for providing equal growth opportunity to its all employees. In this situation,
most businesses within the UK already have managed equality and diversity in their
respective workplace.
Project plan:
 Cost: £500 used to complete this project.
 Scope: This project work helps to those all organizations in all around the world
understand actual value of equality and diversity management
 Time: Total six months was needed to complete this research project.
 Quality: Some productive data analysis methods used to maintain proper quality
of collected data.
 Communication: Communication played excellent role while collecting data
through different resources.
 Risk: Many risk factors were involved in processes of this project. For example;
risk relating to time exceed. But time management skills supported to properly
deal with this risk factor.
 Resources: There are various resources used for properly completing this
project, like; books & journals, internet, magazines, human resource (Tesco’s
employees)
Work Breakdown structure
Work breakdown structure (WBS) is very helpful for reducing complicated
activities by collecting various tasks. Anyone cane easily deal with different complicated
activities with the support of WBS. A productive work breakdown structure has been
discussed below;
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Gantt chart
A Gantt chart always helps in understanding actual ways which has taken for
completing a research project. A productive Gantt chart has been attached below;
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research is the process of finding new ideas and information which helps to
increase the potential of organisation. The main focus of research is to increase the
information about any find which helps to develop better and frequent activities
(Mohajan, 2018). There are two types of research which helps to increase the
efficiency of the business organisation to develop effective theories.
Qualitative research focuses on quality of the products and services to improve
the performance of the company to increase their sale. This data collecting type helps to
understands all the internal factors of the product and services to increase the efficiency
of the company. Quantitative research type focuses on the statistical aspect of the data
collection to understand the information effectively. This report is using qualitative
research types which help to understand the internal factors of the company and
develop better strategies to achieve objectives effectively.
Research Philosophy
Research philosophy is the way in which the data should be collected to increase
the efficiency. It is very essential for researcher to understand the right type of
philosophy which helps to enhance the efficiency of business and gain better theories
from the collected data. It is based on two philosophies (Fletcher, 2017). Positivism
philosophy believes on the true facts which are currently present in the environment.
Interpretive philosophy is the medium which helps to understand the reality of the
environment and collect accurate data from it effectively. This is very essential for
business to understand both philosophies to maintain the quality of research and gain
better results. This project will use positivism philosophy to develop effective theories
effectively.
Research Design
Research design is the systematic framework which helps to develop methods to
conduct research in the market (af Wåhlberg, 2017). There are different combinations of
methods which are linked to develop effective research design and increase the
efficiency to gain accurate data effectively. However, research design can be presented
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as: design inductive, design deductive and abdicative research. This research project
will use inductive research design to collect data and increase the productivity of
business effectively.
Research Approach
Research approach is the strategic combination of contrasting way to process
the data collection to gain better results. There are different types of research approach
exploratory, descriptive, explanatory research (Kumar, 2019). Exploratory research is
used to find the answers to some questions which help to increase the better data
collection. Descriptive research emphasizes on developing information base understand
behaviour, taste preference of population. Explanatory research is used to understand
the influence of other factors in the market environment. This project will use exploratory
research approach effectively.
Research Sampling
Sampling methods also plays an effective role in a research project. In this
situation, sampling methods has played great role in this research project as well.
Basically, there are two types of methods includes in data sampling, probably and non-
probably. Therefore both are considered as effective method; however for this research
project it was used a random sampling method to collecting data (Irwin and Springgay,
2017). Therefore, random employees of Tesco selected for the interview session is 10.
Those 10 employees given different answers when some questions were asked them
which has based on equality and diversity. They properly shared their various opinions
of equality and diversity aspect while interview session.
Data Collection
Data collection is another major step within this research project, because this is
step provides various data which has highly required completing this research project.
Basically, there are two types of data collection methods available which were
contributed in completing this project, like; primary and secondary. In this situation,
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primary data collection method helps in collecting data though observation and interview
etc. (Daniel, 2018). Still, secondary data collection method helps in the collecting data
throng different resources like; books & journals, internet, magazines, etc. These are
some major resources of data collection. There are primary and secondary both data
collection methods used for completing this research project.
Data Analysis
Data analysis is very important within task for a research project, because
through data analysis process give opportunity to remove such data from the research
project which is completely unreal, illogical, and useless. The main aim behind data
analysis stage is to put only such data within the research project which is really useful,
logical and meaningful. Basically there are two types of data analysis methods available
was contributed in analysing all collected data (Ciocoiu, 2018). These methods are
thematic and statistical, in which only thematic method used in this project for analysing
data. The thematic data analysis method supports in divide whole collected data into
different themes, in which this process really helps in analysing collated data.
Ethical Considerations
There are all ethical considerations were used while collecting data for this
report. According to ethical considerations stage of research project, everyone is highly
responsible to adhere and follow those all legislations and ethics which local
government has imposed on research task. For example; researcher has no right to use
data of another researcher without taking its permission. In this situation, there are all
legal and ethical consideration used in this research project as well (Wildemuth, 2016).
For example; there were no pressurised different employees of Tesco for knowing their
opinions on questions. On the other side, there were no such question asked to
employees while interview which can negatively affect their emotions and dignity. It
means, all ethical consideration was properly considered while collecting data for this
research project.
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DATA ANALYSIS and interpretation
Questionnaire
Date:
Question 1: Do you think everyone in your workplace is treated as equal by your upper
management?
 Yes
 No
 Not know
Question 2: what is the impact of equality in your workplace?
 Positive
 Negative
 No impact
Question 3: What issue are removed by equality and diversity in your workplace?
 Gender pay gap
 Sexual harassment
 Gender divide in leadership
 Different cultures or religion
 All above
Question 4: Do you think your upper management should continue manage equality and
diversity within workplace?
 Of course
 No
 Not know
Question 5: In your opinion, what are main barriers of equality and diversity
management?
 Low interest of upper management
 Poor management strategies
 Lack of knowledge
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Themes
Theme 1: Do you think everyone in your workplace is treated by equal by
your upper management?
 Yes 7
 No 2
 Not know 1
Total 10
· Yes
70%
· No
20%
· Not know
10%
Upper management promotes equality and diversity
Interpretation: While interview session, there are 7 out of 10 employees of the Tesco
said that yes our upper management really promotes equality and diversity in the
workplace. On the other side, there are 2 employees said that, our upper management
not promotes equality and diversity in the workplace. At the end, the rest 1 employee
said that, I don’t know my upper management promotes equality and diversity in the
workplace or not. So the conclusion is that top-level management of Tesco really
promotes this theme in the workplace because everyone is treated the same regardless
of their culture or religion or even their gender. Reason is, there are 7 employees Tesco
out of 10 agreed with this statement that, upper management of company highly makes
equal opportunity and variety in the workplace.
Theme 2: what is the impact of equality in your workplace?
 Positive 8
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 Negative 1
 No impact 1
Total 10
80%
10%
10%
Equality and diversity impact your performance
· Positively · Negatively · No impact
Interpretation: There are 8 out of 10 members of staff of Tesco said that, equality and
diversity aspects affect positively their routine in the workplace. On the other side, there
is 1 employees said that, it negatively impacts my performance, and 1 said equality and
diversity no impacts my performance in the workplace. On the basis of these data, there
are equality and diversity positively impacts performance of different employees in the
any workplace. Reason is, there are 8 employees out of 10 have agreed within this
statement that, equality and diversity impacts their performance in the workplace. That’s
why each organisation should highly consider equality and diversity within its workplace
for improving performance within employees or people.
Theme 3: What issue are removed by equality and diversity in the
workplace?
 Gender pay gap 1
 Sexual harassment 1
 Gender divide in leadership 1
 All of the above 7
Total 10
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10%
10%
10%
70%
Issue are removed by equality and diversity
· Gender pay gap · Sexual harassment
· Gender divide in leadership · All of the above
Interpretation: Equality and diversity always helps to an organisation for removing
different issues from the workplace. For example; gender pay gap, sexual harassment,
gender divide in leadership etc. According to interview result, there are 7 employees out
10 said that, treats everyone as equal helps in removing these all issues from the
workplace which has mentioned above. On the side, there 1 employees said that, it
gives opportunity to remove gender pay gap issues from the workplace, then 1 said
sexual harassment, and rest 1 said that equality and diversity removes gender divide in
leadership issue from the workplace. According to findings, equality and diversity gives
opportunity to remove almost all issues from any workplace.
Theme 4: Do you think your upper management should continue manage
equality and diversity within workplace?
 Of course 6
 No 1
 Not know 3
Total 10
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60%
10%
30%
Upper management should continue manage
equality and diversity
· Of course · No · Not know
Interpretation: According 6 out 10 employees of Tesco, the upper management should
respect and treats all staff the same as well he should accept the diversity, because
equality and diversity management give them opportunity to improve their performance
in their respective workplace and they also can contribute with their experience gained
from other place. On the other side, there is 1 employee said that, management do not
continue managing equality and diversity in the workplace. At the end, rest 3 employees
don’t know about, their management should continue managing equality and diversity in
the workplace or not. On the basis of findings, upper management within each
organisation should continue making equal opportunity in its workplace.
Theme 5: In your opinion, what are main barriers in the equality and
diversity management?
 Low interest of upper management 3
 Poor management strategies 4
 Lack of knowledge 3
Total 10
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30%
40%
30%
Main barriers in the equality and diversity
· Low interest of upper management · Poor management strategies
· Lack of knowledge
Interpretation: There are 3 out of 10 employees said that low interest of upper
management is the biggest barrier within the equality and diversity management. Then
4 out of 10 employees agreed with this statement that poor management strategies, is
the main barrier for the equality and diversity management. At the end according to the
rest 3 employees, there is lack of knowledge is the main barrier in the equality and
diversity management. So the conclusion is, top-level management within every
organisation should try to remove all barriers from its equality and diversity
management. Reason is, these barriers always negatively affects to equality and
diversity management of company or business.
RECOMMENDATIONS
According to findings, top-level management within each company or business
should highly consider equality and diversity in the workplace. Otherwise, it can never
take productive work from its employees or workforce. Currently most people or
employees knows about advantages of equality and diversity (Köllen, Kakkuri-Knuuttila
and Bendl, 2018). That’s why they always give high priority to only those organisations
where existing management has properly managed equality and diversity in the
workplace. This is the main reason that, each business or company should take some
productive decisions for properly managing equality and diversity within own workplace.
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Basically, an employee always feels valued by upper management, when its upper
management properly follow concept of equality and diversity in the workplace.
Most employees always would like to contribute with their enormous work in that
workplace where upper management provide equal growth opportunity to every
employee. In this situation, there are all organisations, companies or businesses should
always provide equal growth opportunity to each employee by managing equality and
diversity in their respective workplace. By this step, all organisations, companies or
businesses will be able to take extra-ordinary work from their employees (Dwight and
Biscomb, 2018). Currently there are lots innovate strategies available to a company for
accurately managing equality and diversity in its workplace, in that management of that
organisation should implement those strategies for taking huge advantage form equality
and diversity management.
Communicating recommendations
There are well-developed communication skills are highly required to complete a
research project in proper manner. A researcher has always required to communicate
with lots of people while collecting data through different resources. In this situation, if
researcher has well-developed skills, then it can easily complete its research project.
This is the main reason that communication played very excellent role in this research
project.
REFLECTION
From the research I have learned that is very important to understand all the factors
which can helps the business to increase the efficiency and compete in the market
effectively. While making this project I gain knowledge about different techniques which
can be used to conduct research and increase database to make decision effectively.
This also helped me to increase my skills to understand information technology to
collect data. There were different types of research analysis to determine the
competitiveness of the business. I learned that effective communication is very essential
in to develop and understand research data and make effective strategies and theories
to achieve objectives effectively. At the initial stage I was very ineffective to understand
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all the data which were collected for making strategies. However, I gradually understood
different strategies and techniques which are used to increase the potential of the
business and help them to compete in the market effectively. While making this
research project I realised that technology plays a significant responsibility in increasing
the efficiency to compete the development and gain better information about all the
factors effectively. This also helped me to understand all the information which is very
effective for me to become better manager in my future career.
I gained knowledge and skills which developed my personality to become
effective leader and also increased my potential to understand and make decisions
effectively. Doing the research in the retail industry gave me the knowledge that there
are rapid changes in the global market and it is very essential for retail business to
conduct research in market to attain core competency effectively. Due to globalisation
and changes in external factors I understood that effective strategies are not only things
which support business growth but effective research of the market helps to support all
the other activities of the business in long run and also reduces the cost to generate
better profit margins effectively. I also learned that information is the king of any
business and it is very important to analyse all the current trends of the market to
become leader effectively. From this project I gained more skills like, decision making
skills, problem solving skills, time management skills, communication skill which helps
me to develop effective understanding about all the methods.
I have used qualitative research as it is very essential to increase the quality of
product with low pricing which also increases the efficiency of the business to maintain
the quality of products and increase customer satisfaction effectively. I was very
important for me to understand that human resource is the major resource which helps
the business to grow and increase the potential effectively. It also helped me to develop
better workforce diversity information and increase my knowledge to make policies and
objectives in the future research projects. Due to increase issues and challenges in
retail industry research also helps business to innovate its products and services to form
effective customer base and increase the efficiency to increase their satisfaction level.
Research also includes different types of sample population and in retail industry I
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understood that it is better to take sample from urban society as it more developed and
has effective understanding about all the types of competitors to differentiate the
product specifications. It also reduces the marketing cost and helps to increase the
profit margins of the company effectively.
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Appendix
Copy and paste completed logbook and performance review (I have this one
ready to paste)
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
af Wåhlberg, A., 2017. Driver behaviour and accident research methodology:
unresolved problems. CRC Press.
Ciocoiu, M. ed., 2018. Materials Behavior: Research Methodology and Mathematical
Models. CRC Press.
Daniel, B. K., 2018. Contestable professional academic identity of those who teach
research methodology. International Journal of Research & Method in
Education. 41(5). pp.548-561.
Dwight, A. and Biscomb, K., 2018. Ten years of the UK’s Equality Standard for
Sport. European Journal for Sport and Society. 15(2). pp.171-188.
Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International journal of social research methodology. 20(2). pp.181-194.
Irwin, R. L. and Springgay, S., 2017. A/r/tography as practice-based research. In Arts
Education and Curriculum Studies. (pp. 162-178). Routledge.
Köllen, T., Kakkuri-Knuuttila, M. L. and Bendl, R., 2018. An indisputable “holy trinity”?
On the moral value of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Equality, diversity and
inclusion: an international journal.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage
Publications Limited.
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.
Pimpa, N., 2019. How mining companies promote gender equality through sustainable
development?. Cogent Business & Management. 6(1). p.1647590.
Syed, J. and Ozbilgin, M., 2019. Managing diversity and inclusion: An international
perspective. SAGE Publications Limited.
Wildemuth, B. M. ed., 2016. Applications of social research methods to questions in
information and library science. ABC-CLIO.
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