Economic, Cultural, and Ethical Impacts of Globalization

This assignment involves researching the effects of globalization on various business departments within an organization, using British Telecom as a case study. The student is expected to analyze the positive economic, cultural, and ethical impacts of globalization on these departments. The project requires the student to develop team-working and leadership skills, manage research tasks, and identify potential risks and issues. The student will also reflect on their learning experience and plan tasks for the next week.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of the Research ...............................................................................................2
Research Plan.........................................................................................................................3
Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart for the project...................................................7
Research Methodology and Data collection .....................................................................10
Analysis and interpretation ...............................................................................................12
Recommendation on findings...............................................................................................20
Conclusion to the research....................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................23

INTRODUCTION
Globalisation is a term which is defined as the integration between nations and regions of
the world that involves trading of products and services across borders. It expands the brand
identity of an organisation at global level which indirectly or directly makes huge impact on their
sustainability and economic growth of operated nation. For this, management plays an important
role in expanding business at global level through identifying market situations along with its
complexities. For this, research has to be conducted by the researcher appointed by the
management of an organisation. British Telecom, a UK-based organisation which deals in
providing communication services throughout the world is taken for the purpose of preparing
this report. It’s headquarter is located in London, UK. The project mentions the aims and
objectives of company's project, project management plan, Time scale, qualitative and
quantitative methods, data interpretation and recommendation to facilitate an organisation to
make decision whether to globalise their business or not.
Positive impact of globalisation in context of businesses in UK.
Economic impact: The growth of economy is based on the contribution of organisations
operating in their nation in terms of creating job opportunities, huge tax payments to the
government etc. This is the main reason by which the governmental authorities of particular
nation invite foreign companies to make FDI in their nation and operate its business with having
sufficient amount of resources. Therefore, globalisation makes positive impact on the economy
of a nation (Bertels, Koen and Elsum, 2015).
Cultural impact: To expand business operations at global level, an organisation must
have an adequate support from the workforces consisting employees of different culture and
backgrounds so that it makes easy for company to deal with the culture of operated nations more
effectively. Avoidance of culture may bring difficulties towards an organisation to achieve huge
sustainability within shorter time period.
Ethical impact: There are various nations whose governmental authorities are framed
different rules and regulations for an organisation to operate its business more ethically. It further
requires communicating with employees to follow ethical laws while dealing with their targeted
clients. This will maintain healthy relations with the people as well as nation in which the
company operates.
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Background of the Research
British Telecom is an organisation operating in UK which deals in providing
telecommunication services in more than 180 nations. The company is already achieved huge
success at global level due to delivering differentiated customer experiences, investing in
integrated network leadership etc. It further decides to expand its business operation in different
nations so as to achieve strong brand image among established competitors. For this, it requires
an adequate support from different divisions of company which are described as under:
Operations: While globalising its business, British Telecom needs to deal with large
number of clients which requires support from operation unit to make transactions with them in
more effective and efficient manner. They are responsible to make better coordination between
its different departments due to which the chances of duplication of work can be minimised.
Dealing with new people and influencing them to be their loyal customers can be possible
through a better communication (Boyle, 2017).
Marketing: It is the department which gives their maximum possible efforts in spreading
information about the company's services at the nation in which they decided to expand. It can be
done through preparing suitable marketing budget and allotted work to the employees who are
having sufficient knowledge about the customer’s needs and requirements of operated nation.
HR: It is the unit which is responsible to facilitate British Telecom to deal with the new
clients more effectively through hiring candidates having knowledge of different culture and
background. This will make easy for company to achieve huge sustainability in new market
within shorter time period.
Accounting: Expansion of business requires lots of transactions to be made which are
essential to record in books of accounts of company. This requires support from accounting
department to record and store data of transactions made on daily basis so as to assist company
about the expenses they incurred during globalising their business (Doherty, Ashurst and
Peppard, 2012).
Aims of the Project
“To analyse the positive economic, cultural and ethical impacts of globalisation on
various business departments operating within organisation”- A case study on British
Telecom.
Objectives:
2

 To determine the concept of “Globalisation”.
 To examine the impact of globalisation on different business departments within British
Telecom.
 To identify the deviations faced by British Telecom at the time of globalising business.
Research Plan
Project Title To analyse the positive economic, cultural and ethical
impacts of globalisation on various business departments
operating within organisation”- A case study on British
Telecom.
Project Plan
Company Name: British Telecom
Cost Cost is required to incur in every field at the time of
globalising business. For example, up-gradation of
technology, hiring of employees, purchase of latest
equipments and infrastructure etc. It requires support from
management to prepare a suitable budget which guide
employees to invest accordingly with optimum utilisation
of resources. The management of British Telecom has
forecasted to raise 560000 pound in order to expand its
business operations at global level. Whereas on the other
side, the researcher has demanded 60000 pound from the
company in order to conduct an appropriate research for
them (Fageha and Aibinu, 2013).
Scope Scope is related with the possibilities the company can
achieve benefits after expanding its business at global
level. Due to providing better telecommunication services
in most of the nations, British Telecom have wider scope
3

in every market they enter. It will help them in gaining
huge market share which leads to higher profitability.
Whereas on the other side, researcher have scope of
identifying relationship between globalisation and overall
performance of company over a time. In addition with this,
the researcher has an opportunity to examine the impact of
globalisation on different business functions.
Time Time is valuable factor that if it gone then it will be
difficult for an organisation to grab competitive
opportunities and achieve huge sustainability in new
market within shorter period of time. It increases the
business cost as well if the predetermined activities are not
executed within given time frame. Therefore, it is essential
for the management to set time frame for its employees
with a hope of getting quick better results from them
during its expansion of business (Forsgren and Johanson,
2014). The management has forecasted that globalising its
business will take approximately 6 months. Whereas on
the other side, researcher forecast to take 2 months of time
period of carrying out an effective research.
Quality Customers involvement within organisational activities
can be maximised if the company provides quality
services which can be possible through making their
employees more capable to deal with their targeted clients
in more effective and efficient manner. Providing online
platform to customers to give their feedbacks on the
company's services maximises the satisfaction level of
customers. Whereas on the other side, researcher can also
maximise the quality of research through using qualitative
methods such as primary sources including questionnaire,
personal interviews etc. which enable to draw a valid and
4

accurate outcome at the end of research.
Communication Through a better communication, management has an
opportunity to make customers loyal towards the
company's services. Therefore play an important role in
achieving huge customer strength in new market.
Expansion of business requires lots of funds and
manpower which requires support from stakeholders such
as investors, employees etc. It will be possible if the
management brings transparency in financial information
of company towards their interested parties (Jeston, 2014).
Whereas on the other side, researcher can contact with the
respondents through an e-mail, direct call, online
invitation, meeting personally etc. in order to collect
accurate and reliable data from them related with the topic
of research.
Risk Risk is always present in business environment which are
complex and contingent in nature. It may either affect
negatively or positively to the business plans and policies
framed before expansion of business. Therefore, it is
important for the management to forecast the risk that may
arises due to poor managerial support, inappropriate
amount of funds, unskilled employees etc. Such risks are
required to be taken into consideration so that an effective
can be made to deal with such future risk in an appropriate
manner. Whereas, on the other side researcher can also
face risks related with unwillingness or disinterest among
respondents to give reliable views and opinions, misuse of
resources by team mates etc. This may restrict them to
bring out valid outcome at the end of research thus need to
be eliminate by preparing plans and strategies in advance.
Resources Resources are an essential element which needs to be
5

arranged and managed in advance so as to utilise them in
an optimum manner during execution of project activities.
For the company, resources are employees, technology,
funds etc. which are required to be invest in expansion of
business (Lundin and et. al., 2015). Whereas, for the
researcher resources includes books, journals, research
paper, interest networking etc. which are required to used
to search and collect relevant information related with the
topic of research.
Type of Research
Primary and Secondary
Quality and Quantity
Research refers to careful and systematic study of any
specific topic or problem using different types of scientific
method so to find out the feasible solutions of it. There are
two different types of research i.e., primary and secondary
research which is explained below,
Research requires an appropriate method to conduct in
desired way so as to bring out desired solution on the topic
of research. Such methods includes:
 Primary research: It is costly method to conduct
due to collecting fresh and new information by
using various sources such as questionnaire,
personal interview, focused groups etc. Due to
providing accurate data, it is mostly preferred by
researcher but can be conducted effectively if
having abundant resources and time period (What
is primary research, 2018).
 Secondary research: It is optional but important
method which is used to get relevant information
about the research topic within minimum time
period and cost. It gathered data through using
various sources such as books, articles published
by authors on internet sites or newspapers. It
6

gathered used information thus less reliable and
accurate.
 Qualitative research: It is more beneficial to
adopt if the researcher requires understanding the
views, behaviour, and beliefs etc. of others. Using
such method enable researcher to determine the
reason of every action of human. It limits the
researcher to select entire population to collect
their views but can be useful due to requiring less
time and money. Collecting information which is
qualitative in nature through using interviews,
questionnaire, panel interview etc. increases the
accuracy and reliability of data (Spender, 2014).
 Quantitative research: It is specific in nature in
which the information is collected in numerical and
statistical terms by using various tools such as
online survey, books and articles etc. It takes less
time and cost to incur but requires specific
knowledge about interpretation of data into
meaningful and understandable way.
Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart for the project
Work breakdown structure: Work breakdown structure is basically refers to the division
of project in to the smaller activities for executing the assigned project on the predetermined
period of time. Through the work breakdown structure, the project can be delivered in a proper
manner because of the segmentation in smaller parts. It plays an essential role in managing the
team in small sections for accomplishing the pre-specified organisational objectives. The
disintegration of team in smaller parts is helpful in achieving the desired goals through the
hierarchical system. Work breakdown structure consist of several elements such as goods,
workers, services etc. This structure is also beneficial for estimating the required funds and
7

resources of the project in order to effectively accomplish the objectives. Through this structure,
value of the developed products can be calculated.
Gantt chart: It refers to the visual representation of the time allotted to the project. Gantt
chart is useful for planning and tracking the various activities of assigned project. In this chart,
horizontal lines are used for arrangements and indicate the measures which should be taken for
completing the project in the given time. In Gantt chart, the activities are divided based on the
given period of time. Through this chart, employees can control their work with the required
efficiency as the determined goals are provided to the employees with the help of this chart.
8

9

Research Methodology and Data collection
Research methodology: It is considered as an effective techniques which is used to
identify, select, process and analyse data about the research topic. It assist an organisation to
critically evaluate the validity and reliability of results obtained during research study
Data collection: It is considered as a method of gathering data from various sources so
that it can be interpreted and transform in meaningful and understandable way so as to draw a
valid conclusion at the end of research.
Questionnaire: It is an effective way of gathering views and opinions of people about the
research topic with more accuracy and reliability. It is a form listing of several questions related
with the topic of research that to be asked from the selected sample size which represents the
views and opinions of whole population (Reiss and Rayner, 2012). Collecting information
through using such primary source makes easy for researcher to interpret within less time time
and efforts.
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Contact number:
Q1) Do you have better understanding about the term “Globalisation”?
A) Yes
B) No
Q2) Does Digitalisation have favourable impact on economic, culture and ethical aspects?
A) Yes
10

B) No
Q3) How different cultures affects the working performance of British Telecom due to
international trading?
A) Developing overall working performance of corporation
B) Degrade the brand identity at global level
C) No effect
Q4) What deviations restrict British Telecom to enter into new nation due to
globalisation?
A) Different culture
B) High talent personnel
C) Fluctuations in Currency
Q5) Provide the expected benefits British Telecom received due to globalising their
business?
A) Huge expansion in customer and market share
B) Increment in sales and revenue
C) Staff retention
Q6) What kind of resources British Telecom should mostly acquire to expand its business
operations at global level?
A) Technology
B) Financial resources
C) Employees engagement
Q7) Which factor mainly attracts other nation to invite foreign company to conduct its
business in their area?
A) Reduction in unemployment rate
B) Enhancement of standard of living of people
C) Growth in an economy of nation
Q8) Which factor marketing unit should consider first while expansion of business at
global level?
A) Understanding of different culture that includes beliefs, values.
B) Training of staff
C) Latest marketing techniques and tools
11

Q9) How the future barriers of globalisation can be overcome?
A) Research of foreign nation before entering
B) Training to the staff
Q10) Recommend some ways to British Telecom regarding achieving competitive
advantage in other nation while globalising their business.
Sample size: The researcher has taken 40 respondents as sample size under the present
research which represents the views and suggestions of entire population. These respondents are
stakeholders of British Telecom which includes employees, customers and members of
community as a whole.
Analysis and interpretation
Theme 1: Explain the word “Globalisation”
Q1) Do you have better understanding about the term
“Globalisation”?
Frequency
A) Yes 37
B) No 13
12

A) Yes B) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
37
13
Frequency
Interpretation- From the above graph it has been clearly identified that out of the 40
respondents, 37 respondents have better understanding about the concept of globalisation
whereas remaining 13 people doesn't know much about such concept.
Theme 2: Favourable impact of digitalisation on economic, culture and ethical aspects
Q2) Does Digitalisation makes favourable impact on economic,
culture and ethical aspects?
Frequency
A) Yes 39
B) No 11
13

A) Yes B) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
39
11
Frequency
Interpretation- Among 40 respondents, 39 respondents thinks that globalisation makes
positive impact on culture, economic and ethical aspects whereas remaining 11 respondents
doesn't agree with them.
Theme 3: Different cultures affecting working performance of British Telecom
Q3) How different cultures affects the working performance of
British Telecom due to international trading?
Frequency
A) Developing overall working performance of corporation 25
B) Degrade the brand identity at global level 10
C) No effect 5
14

A) Developing overall working performance of corporation
B) Degrade the brand identity at global level
C) No effect
0
5
10
15
20
25
25
10
5
Frequency
Interpretation- Out of the 40 respondents, 25 respondents thinks that different cultures
affects the entire working performance of company whereas other 10 people thinks that it
degrade the brand identity at global level. The remaining 5 people are neutral as according to
them, no effect can be identified by company due to different cultures.
Theme 4: Deviations that limits British Telecom to globalise their business
Q4) What deviations restrict British Telecom to enter into new nation
due to globalisation?
Frequency
A) Different culture 14
B) Political instability 16
C) Fluctuations in Currency 10
15

A) Different culture
B) Political instability
C) Fluctuations in Currency
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 14
16
10
Frequency
Interpretation- From the 40 respondents, 14 respondents observed different culture as
the main barrier or deviation which can restrict company in its expansion whereas other 16
respondents thinks political instability is main hindrance. The remaining 10 people identified
fluctuations in currency as the main barrier.
Theme 5: Expected benefits received by British Telecom due to Globalisation
Q5) Provide the expected benefits British Telecom received due to
globalising their business?
Frequency
A) Huge expansion in customer and market share 15
B) Increment in sales and revenue 15
C) Staff retention 10
16

A) Huge expansion in customer and market share
B) Increment in sales and revenue
C) Staff retention
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15 15
10
Frequency
Interpretation-Out of the 40 respondents, 15 respondents thinks globalisation increases
customer and market share of British Telecom whereas other 15 people have clearly aid that it
help company in achieving huge sales and revenue. The remaining 10 respondents thinks it help
in retaining experienced employees due to having their future growth in their professional career.
Theme 6: Types of resources required to globalise the business
Q6) What kind of resources British Telecom should mostly acquire
to expand its business operations at global level?
Frequency
A) Technology 10
B) Financial resources 20
C) Employees engagement 10
17

A) Technology
B) Financial resources
C) Employees engagement
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
10
20
10
Frequency
Interpretation- Among 40 respondents, 20 respondents recommend financial resources
is an essential resource to be raise by British Telecom while globalising their business whereas
10 people consider technology as an important resource. The remaining 10 people consider
employees engagement as an essential resource.
Theme7: Factors which influences other nations to welcome foreign companies to operate
Q7) Which factors mainly attracts other nation to invite foreign
company to conduct its business in their area?
Frequency
A) Reduction in unemployment rate 15
B) Enhancement of standard of living of people 12
C) Growth in an economy of nation 13
18

A) Reduction in unemployment rate
B) Enhancement of standard of living of people
C) Growth in an economy of nation
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
15
12
13
Frequency
Interpretation- Out of the 40 respondents, 15 respondents thinks that government of new
nation in which British Telecom decides to expand is favourable of their decision of their
globalisation due to contributing maximum efforts in minimising the unemployment rate of
nation whereas other 12b respondents favours enhancement in standard of living of people as the
main factor which drives nation to welcome foreign companies to invest. The remaining 13
respondents thinks globalisation increases the economy of nation due to entering of new
company into a new nation.
Theme8: Roles of marketing function during globalisation
Q8) Which factor marketing unit should consider first while
expansion of business at global level?
Frequency
A) Understanding of different culture that includes beliefs, values. 12
B) Training of staff 18
C) Latest marketing techniques and tools 10
19

0
4
8
12
16 12
18
10
Frequency
Interpretation- Among 40 respondents, 12 respondents thinks that marketing department
should first make efforts in enhancing the skills of their employees through conducting staff
training whereas 12 respondents recommend marketing unit to understand the cultural factors
first. The remaining 10 people suggest marketing unit to utilise latest marketing techniques and
tools.
Theme 9: Measure to overcome future barriers of globalisation
Q9) How the future barriers of globalisation can be overcome? Frequency
A) Research of foreign nation before entering 18
B) Training to the staff 22
20

A) Research of foreign nation before entering
B) Training to the staff
0
5
10
15
20
25
18
22
Frequency
Interpretation- From the 40 respondents, 18 respondents thinks that British Telecom
should conduct research before deciding to enter into new market whereas 22 people suggest
company to providing training to its staff in order to make them more capable to deal with future
barriers more effectively.
Recommendation on findings
It has been recommended to the British Telecom after analysing the above data that the
company can achieve strong brand image at global level along with huge customer base and
revenue if the management can take an effective decisions and suitable plans for its staff and its
various departments. Here are the some actions to be taken by British telecom in order to make
their business more successful at global level:
 The management of British Telecom should conduct staff training either at workplace or
outside of an organisation so as to increase their capabilities of doing allotted task in
desired way.
 It also requires for management to motivate its employees to respect and understand
culture of people of new nation so that it can be easy to deal with them and achieve their
loyalty with company for longer period of time.
 British Telecom should arrange and manage financial resources through raising from
various sources such as banks, shareholders funds etc. It also required to guide their
21

employees to utilise available resources in an optimum manner through analysing their
performance level on regular basis.
 British Telecom should give marketing department as main priority through providing
them enough resources and skilled marketing members by conducting recruitment
process. It is done due to having maximum support of them in expansion of business at
global level more successfully.
 It also required to recruit skilled and knowledgeable staff from different locations who
knows how to deal with the people of different culture and backgrounds more effectively.
Conclusion to the research
It has been concluded from the above project report that Globalisation is important every
company as it brings more beneficial outcomes in return in form of increasing market share and
revenue to a certain level. It requires an effective management who are more capable to fill the
requirements of skilled staff through recruiting and providing training programs either at
workplace or outside of an organisation.
22

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bertels, H. M., Koen, P.A. and Elsum, I., 2015. Business models outside the core: Lessons
learned from success and failure. Research-Technology Management. 58(2). pp.20-29.
Boyle, G., 2017. Design project management. Routledge.
Doherty, N. F., Ashurst, C. and Peppard, J., 2012. Factors affecting the successful realisation of
benefits from systems development projects: findings from three case studies. Journal of
Information Technology. 27(1). pp.1-16.
Fageha, M. K. and Aibinu, A. A., 2013. Managing project scope definition to improve
stakeholders’ participation and enhance project outcome. Procedia-Social and Behavioral
Sciences. 74. pp.154-164.
Forsgren, M. and Johanson, J., 2014. Managing networks in international business.
Routledge.Reiss, G. and Rayner, P., 2012. Portfolio and programme management
demystified: managing multiple projects successfully. Routledge.
Jeston, J., 2014. Business process management. Routledge.
Lundin and et. al., 2015. Managing and working in project society. Cambridge University Press.
Oakes, G., 2016. Project reviews, assurance and governance. Gower.
Polonsky, M. J. and Waller, D. S., 2018. Designing and managing a research project: A business
student's guide. Sage publications.
Spender, J. C., 2014. Business strategy: Managing uncertainty, opportunity, and enterprise.
Oxford University Press.
Wellin, M., 2016. Managing the psychological contract: Using the personal deal to increase
business performance. Routledge.
Online
What is primary research?. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<https://whatismarketresearch.com/market-research-techniques/what-is-primary-
research/>.
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APPENDIX
Performance Review and Self-Assessment
Learner Name
Project Title
“What are the positive economic, cultural, and
ethical impacts of globalisation on different
business functions within an organisation”. A case
study on British Telecom.
Important stages
 Developing Aims and Objectives
 Preparing Project Management Plan
 Aggregation of Data
 Interpretation
 Recommendation
 Conclusion
Key factors you learned from the
project Overall project help me to get sufficient
knowledge about the term globalisation along with
the challenges that comes towards company while
globalising their business. It also help me to
understand the important of various departments
such as marketing, accounting, HR etc.
What skills did you develop I am focusing to work on improving my team
working and leadership skills which facilitate me
to conduct research in future as well.
Discuss the project management skill
you developed
I came to know about using of research methods
and techniques in an appropriate manner.
Project
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Did the project achieve its aim:
yes
Was the Team efficient:
Yes
Did the project succeed:
Yes
Project Log Book
Project Logbook
Name:
Project title: “What are the positive economic, cultural, and ethical impacts of
globalisation on different business functions within an organisation”. A case study
on British Telecom.
Date:
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved
25

Points to consider:
What have you completed?
With the help of this research positive economic, cultural impact of globalisation on different
business departments. Through the present research, I came to know about the positive
economic, cultural and ethical impacts of globalisation on various business departments
operated within business organisation”- A case study on British Telecom.
Did you fulfil task requirements?
Yes
Are you on track and within deadlines set?
Yes
Did you need to make any changes to your project management plan?
Yes
Any risks and/or issues identified?
Points to consider:
Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills required for undertaking research/tasks?
Yes, lack of time and resources assist me to deal with limited respondents regarding
research topic. Language barriers is another factor which restrict me to communicate
with different cultural people more effectively.
Did you identify any additional risks/issues that have an impact on the project
management plan?
No
Problems encountered
Points to consider:
What barriers did you face?
26

Lack of team efforts and leadership skills.
How did you overcome them?
To make better communication with my team mates and removes hurdles in
communication channels.
New ideas and change of project direction
Secondary method is also useful to adopt which consumes less time, funds and manual
efforts.
What have I learnt about myself this week?
Points to consider:
How did I feel when I had to deal with tasks/problems? Did I find it useful to complete
the tasks?
Nervousness is the major factor which brings difficulties for me to deal with people in
the beginning of the project but as research continues I have no such problem.
How well have I performed? What did I contribute? What can I improve on next week?
It was satisfactory. I am able to achieve project aims and objectives.
How might this learning apply in the future?
To execute research activities in near future.
Tasks planned for next week
Points to consider:
Which tasks are priority?
Data collection and interpretation is important and at priority.
Have you set aside sufficient time for completion?
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
27

ahead
Supervisor comments to address
28

29