Strategies and Initiatives for Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

This research report focuses on the strategies and initiatives implemented by companies, with a case study on Tesco, to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. It aims to understand the advantages of equality and diversity practices, identify challenges faced by organizations, and provide recommendations for managers. The report includes a literature review, findings, analysis, and discussion.

Managing a Successful
Business Project
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Table of Content
TITLE: What strategies and initiatives do companies put in place to build a diverse and inclusive
workforce?.......................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
FINDING, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION.................................................................................8
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS..........................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
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TITLE: What strategies and initiatives do companies put in place to build a
diverse and inclusive workforce?
INTRODUCTION
Overview: Present research is done for purpose of making an inclusive workforce in a
organsitaion. In case of Tesco this research has been done so that employee opinion can be
analysed with reference to concept of equality & diversity. This research is being conducted with
help of some primary research methods (Agbontaen, 2019.). It helps in facilitation of
interpretation & recommendations that are being made at the end of this report for drawing right
amount of conclusions in their workplace.
Aims: The aim of this report is for identification of different types of strategies that is adopted by
a organisation for maintaining of a inclusive, diverse & equal workforce. Case study on Tesco.
Objectives: The objectives of this research are discussed below:
 Develop a understanding of advantages of practises of equality & diversity at the
workplace.
 Determination of challenges that are being faced by a organisation because of diversity of
the workforce.
 Identification of initiates & strategies that can be helpful for managers in tesco.
Questions:
 What are the advantages of diversity, equality & an inclusive workforce for a
organisation?
 What can be some of the challenges that is faced by Tesco because of their diverse
workforce?
 Determine some strategies that will be helpful for Tesco in development of an inclusive
and a diverse workforce?
LITERATURE REVIEW
MNC’s strategies and initiatives
According to the view points of Katie Reynolds, 2017, there is a requirement if diverse and
inclusive workforce that can help in building up of a broad culture in an organisation. It is very
necessary for purpose of developing an understanding in employees’ customers and all the other
related stakeholders. It is also very helpful in enhancement of more innovation in a organisation
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as people with different backgrounds and culture are willing to work together for achievement of
one common objectives that has been laid down by top management of a organisation. There are
many different strategies that can be adopted for the purpose of fostering innovation as people
with different types of backgrounds are exchanging their views, thousand and ideas. There are
many different types of strategies that are helping many MNC in becoming more competitive
and increasing their productivity. There is also a creation of a very strong brand image and a
tough competition is given by such organisations to their various competitors in the macro
environment (Basu, 2017). There is a requirement that all companies have to take many
measures so that they are able to embrace equality in having a workforce that consist of
employees that are different in terms of age, sex, culture, religion etc but them also they are
common and are together or achievement of laid down objectives. It is also helpful in increasing
overall goals in a more effective manner
Equality
According to view points of Zach Lazzari, 2019, there is a requirement of equality in a
workplace so that a fair and equal treatment is given to all workers so that it can help in
enhancement of their overall development and a friendly working environment. It is also
necessary for adoption of various legal restrictions that have to be followed in an organisation.
There is enhancement of confidence of all different stakeholders as they believe that company is
adopting all the legal & theoretical practises (Dahanayake, and et, al., 2018). Equal condition of
working are also very useful in motivating employee’s so that they are contributing in
achievement of high growth. In case of MNC for their further growth & expansion it becomes
compulsory to have equality in the working environment of a organisation.
Diversity
According to view point of Elisabeth Natter, 2019, diversity at a workplace is a feature that is
increasing with the enhancement of strategies such as globalisation taking place across different
parts of world. It leads to people of different countries visiting other for purpose of exchange of
their ideas and culture. It leads to a situation of people who belong to different caste, culture,
background, values, beliefs etc. All are coming together for the purpose of achievement of
common objectives of organisation (Englund, and Graham, 2019). A diverse environment of
working is also very helpful in having workforce that is helping company in having some
different and innovative ideas that can contribute in a more creative manner for overall
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achievement if their goals. It results into gaining of a competitive advantage and further into
increasing of their sales figures.
Project management plan
It can be defined as a plan that is used by researcher for purpose of identification of various
activities that have to be performed in a particular research and is related to various aspects of a
research project (Gatsi, 2016). It consists of various aspects of a project that are related to its
completion in given time period. The plan for present research of Tecso also consists of some of
such aspects as given below:
 Cost: It can be defined as a amount that is required for purpose of implementation and
carrying out of various activities that are part of a resource (Gottardello, 2019). It is the
amount that is used for purpose of conducting various activities that have been formed by
the researcher so that there is no shortage of funds in order to complete such activities.
 Scope: The scope of a research is very wide as increase of tesco it provides a
opportunity for purpose of achievement of high performance of employees. It is done
of major factor that is helping in increasing the further sue of a particular outcomes
of a given research scenario.
 Time: There is always requirement if a specified time frame that is fixed by the
researcher according to method of research being adopted. In present case there is
use of primary researching techniques for purpose of collection of first hand
information to some extent. So the time period that has been fixed by researcher is 6
months for carrying of work in a efficient manner.
 Communication: For conducting of work and all the activities that are part of a
research project there is a requirement to posses’ effective skills of communication
by researcher and all their various team mates who have the duty to be done in order
to assist researcher (Tang, Lai and Cheng, 2016). On such case if there will be no
proper coordination then it will become very difficult carry on work in the manner
specified and achievement of laid objectives.
 Risk: There is always a chances if presence of risk in every activity that is being
done. Different types of risk that are associated with present research work are loss
of time period, shortage of available resources, and no cooperative behaviour of
teammates. Non achievement of outcomes etc. All these are some of the risks that
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can arise in course of research work and has to be made sure by the researcher that
must be avoided or minimized.
 Quality: It can be defined as the aspect of how effectively objectives are being
achieved by a researcher in given course of time (PMP,, 2016). In present research
work there is both methods that have been sued by a researcher for gathering of
information such as there is secondary method in form of online available articles,
journals, books an various publications from their official sites have been considered.
On other hand there is also use of primary sources that consist of respondents who
have been selected from large available sample of Tesco employees so that correct
and authenticated information is only used for making and drawing of final outcome
of this research project.
 Resources: there are various different types of resources that are required
compulsorily for completion of the work. Such as financial resources, human
resources, resources in terms of time, efforts, money of all associated people with the
research (Nachmias, Aravopoulou and Caven, 2019). These are some of specified
sources of resources that have to be used by researcher in completion of this research
in the given time frame of 6 months.
Research gap
According to views of, Sanaullah Panezai, 2016, research gap is not sufficient and is related
to information that is missing and is related to some specific area or topic that is used for
drawing conclusion of a research
Work breakdown structure:
It is a process that is being adopted by researcher for purpose of dividing the work in smaller
activities so that all the work can be completed in a more effective manner. It is very helpful in
breaking down of work in smaller sections so that each section can be completed in the given
time frame only. It prevent from work getting delayed.
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Gantt chart:
It can be defined as a chart that is used for the purpose of graphical presentation of different
activities that has to be performed in course of research work. Gantt chart is based on two axis,
vertical axis is used for activities and horizontal is used for graphical representation of time.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology consists of some of aspects as discussed below:
Primary research: It is the data that is collected by use of various sources that are available
primarily such as questionnaire, observations, surveys etc. These are the means that are used for
the purpose of collection of data but it is related with higher cost (Kamenou-Aigbekaen, 2019).
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Secondary research methods: It is a method in which investigator is willing to collection of
data that is also existing from various platforms such as online available information,
publications, newspapers, magazines etc. It is methods that are related with less cost as no new
information is generated instead existing information is only sued by researcher (Hossain, and et.
al., 2019).
In present research work there is used of both primary and secondary methods of
research. In primary there is use of questionnaire for purpose of collection of data and in case of
secondary there are various online available sites that have been used for the purpose of
collection data. 30 respondents have been used as a sample for collection of information.
Qualitative research: It is a method in which investigator is willing to collect information that
is not numerical in nature. It is collected based on observation of researcher (Li and Lu, 2017.
Quantitative research: It is a type of market research in which there is collection of numerical
form of data. In present research work there is use of sampling as a method for collecting
information.
FINDING, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
The questionnaire that is used for undertaking the research is given below:
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you believe equality, inclusive workforce and a diverse workforce can be
beneficial for development of your organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are some of the benefits of an inclusive & diverse workforce?
a) Motivation of employees
b) Comfortable environment
at workplace
c) Both of above
Q3) According to your belief what can be some of the challenges that are faced by Tesco
because of workplace diversity?
a) Employee conflicts
b) Employees efficiency can be reduced
c) A negative impact on overall Profitability of company
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Q4) which strategy, according to your view can be adopted by managers in Tesco for
making an overall inclusive workforce?
a) More interaction with and between employees
b) Investment in diversity Trainings
c) Forming of different types of resource group
of employee
Q5) What is the basic role that will be played by an inclusive workforce in improvement
of overall organization’s performance?
a) employees with diverse background will be having better efficiency
b) Competitive employees
c) Both of above
From the above response if employees there are some strategies that can be formed in a
organisations. For making a interpretation of the above graph it is analysis as below:
Theme 1: Equality, inclusive workforce and a diverse workforce can be beneficial for an
organisation
Q1) Do you believe equality, inclusive workforce and a diverse
workforce can be beneficial for development of your organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
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Interpretation: The presented graph clearly depicts that every organisation has a workforce that
must be diverse and inclusive so that it can result into increasing performance of the
organisation. This view was completely agreed by majority as 20 employees out of 30
respondents in a positive manner and other 10 replied by saying a no to this question.
Theme 2: The benefits of a inclusive & diverse workforce
Q2) What are some of the benefits of a inclusive & diverse workforce? Frequency
a) Motivation of employees 4
b) Comfortable environment at workplace 6
c) Both of above 20
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Interpretation: bases on the graph above it can be said that employees in Tesco believe that the
major benefit of a diverse and inclusive workforce will be that it will help in motivating
employees and creation of a comfortable environment. 4 employees felt that it will help only in
the process of motivating employees and other remaining 6 employees felt that it will only lead
to creation of a comfortable environment for the employees.
Theme 3: Challenges faced by management of Tesco
Q3) According to your belief what can be some of the challenges that
are faced by Tesco because of workplace diversity?
Frequency
a) Employee conflicts 12
b) Employees efficiency can be reduced 8
c) A negative impact on overall Profitability of company 10
Interpretation: Above mentioned graph clearly indicates that there can be some challenges such
as 12 were of view that it can lead to employee conflict, 8 felt that employee efficiency will be
impacted and 10 that it can posses a negative impost on the profitability of a organisation
Theme 4: Strategy that can be used by managers
Q4) which strategy, according to your view can be adopted by Frequency
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managers in Tesco for making an overall inclusive workforce?
a) More interaction with and between employees 12
b) Investment in diversity Trainings 10
c) Forming of different types of resource group 8
Interpretation: Based on above mentioned graph it can be said that on asking employees about
their views of employees in Tesco about views of managers in development of a inclusive
workforce there was a maximum response as 12 employees felt that was given to answer that
there is a requirement of more interaction amongst employees that ahs to be encouraged.10 felt
that there must be investment on diversity training and 8 were of view that there is different type
of groups that can be helpful in inclusive workforce.
Theme 5: Role played by a inclusive workforce
Q5) What is the basic role that will be played by a inclusive workforce
in improvement of overall organization’s performance?
Frequency
a) employees with diverse background will be having better efficiency 16
b) Competitive employees 8
c) Both of above 6
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Interpretation: From the above mentioned graph it can be said that in Tesco what will be role of
a inclusive workforce there is a major response that will be given to employees with a diverse
background posses better efficiency and 8 felt that it will increase the competiveness amongst
employees which will result in enhancement of organisations overall performance. Rest 6 out of
30 were of view that it is going to support both role s that is better efficiency and competiveness.
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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
From the above research it can be said that every organisation can enhance their overall
benefit of diversity and equality in a organisation. This research is very helpful in enabling a
organisation in identification of different strategies that is used for development of some
inclusive workforce. In Tesco, there are various strategies that can be helpful in achievement of
laid objectives. There are certain recommendations that have been made from above analysis as
discussed below:
 There is a requirement of formation of policies for purpose of training of employee’s so
that they can be encouraged for purpose of development of understanding amongst
employees.
 Promotion has to be done by use of various situational and assessment that can help
employee in feeling of equal treatment.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Agbontaen, O.O., 2019. Workplace diversity and inclusion policies: insights from a foreign firm
in the Nigeria banking sector. Diversity within Diversity Management: Country-based
Perspectives, pp.239-280.
Basu, R., 2017. Managing quality in projects. Routledge.
Dahanayake, P.,and et, al., 2018. Justice and fairness in the workplace: a trajectory for managing
diversity. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
Englund, R. and Graham, R.J., 2019. Creating an environment for successful projects. Berrett-
Koehler Publishers.
Gatsi, J.G., 2016. Introduction to quantitative methods in business. Xlibris Corporation.
Gottardello, D., 2019. Diversity in the workplace: a review of theory and methodologies and
propositions for future research. Sociologia del lavoro.
Hossain, M., and et. al., 2019. Do LGBT workplace diversity policies create value for
firms?. Journal of Business Ethics, pp.1-17.
Kamenou-Aigbekaen, N., 2019. Gender Equality and Corporate Social Responsibility in the
Middle East. In Practising CSR in the Middle East (pp. 161-183). Palgrave Macmillan,
Cham.
Li, D. and Lu, M., 2017. Automated generation of work breakdown structure and project
network model for earthworks project planning: a flow network-based optimization
approach. Journal of construction engineering and management. 143(1). p.04016086.
Nachmias, S., Aravopoulou, E. and Caven, V., 2019. Diversity and Equality Issues in Modern
Organisations. In Inequality and Organizational Practice (pp. 17-43). Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham.
PMP, R.L.K., 2016. Managing Projects in Trouble: Achieving Turnaround and Success.
Auerbach Publications.
Tang, A.K., Lai, K.H. and Cheng, T.C.E., 2016. A multi-research-method approach to studying
environmental sustainability in retail operations. International Journal of Production
Economics. 171. pp.394-404.
Online
Katie Reynolds .2017. 5 strategies for promoting diversity in workplace [Online] Available
through :< https://www.hult.edu/blog/promoting-diversity-in-workplace/>
Zach Lazzari. 2019. Definition of equality in workplace [Online] Available through :<
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/definition-equality-workplace-14653.html>
Elisabeth Natter .2019. Define diversity in workplace [Online] Available through :
<https://smallbusiness.chron.com/define-diversity-workplace-4926.html>
Sanaullah Panezai .2016. Research gap [Online] Available through :
<https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_a_research_gap_or_knowledge_gap_in_re
search_and_literature_Is_gap_explored_or_constructed_How_can_gap_in_research_be
_identified
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APPENDIX I
Template for evidence collection to be attached with the report by the learner:
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: To identify various strategies that can
be adopted by the company for building a diverse
and inclusive workforce. A case study on Tesco.
Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved (Account for a
minimum of six weeks with dates)
 What have you completed?
 Did you fulfil Task requirements?
 Are you on track and within deadlines set?
 Did you need to make any changes to your project
management plan?
Comments
I have completed this particular research it
can be identified by development of inclusive
workforce.
Yes, there is a requirement that has to be
completed according to the demands of this
scenario.
Yes
No, there are no changes in overall project
management plan that is being required.
Any risks and / or issues identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills
required for undertaking research tasks?
 Did you identify any additional risks/issues that
have an impact on the project management plan?
Yes, there are certain lack of skills as it was
difficult to mange some risk that I had to
manage in given period of time.
Yes, there was a additional risk which was
related to distribution of overall time that is
being allocated for completion of project..
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Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
The employees in Tesco may not respond in a
more effective manner.
I have made them understand overall
importance of this research that they
cooperated in a better manner.
New Ideas and change of project direction
Effective channels of communication has
helped all the teams in completion of assigned
job roles..
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
 How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
 Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
 What can I improve on next week?
 How might this learning apply in the future?
I was very nervous to handle all these issues.
Yes this particular research has helped me in
improvement and increasing the present level
of knowledge.
I need to work on my overall communication
skill.
Understanding of basic concept & methods of
research in taking similar research.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority?
 Have you set aside sufficient time for completion?
Gathering of information for completion of the
overall research.
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
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Signature of the Supervisor and date:
APPENDIX II
Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:11 What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project aims was based on a very interesting topic i.e. To identify various strategies that
can be adopted by the company for building a diverse and inclusive workforce. A case study on
Tesco.
2. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, project was very successful for making all necessary recommendations that is
require by a organisation.
3. What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project
(e.g initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range of
perspectives.
I had to gather data from different sources. I posses effective communication skill that
made it easy to collect such data.
4. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there
timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
In the initial stages of undertaking this project, employee behaviour was a little issue that had to
be managed.11 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
This project I had to learn some different concepts & also develop understanding if the
basic concept of equality and diversity has to be improved.
6. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the
project?
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I rate myself according to my present level of skills that is 8/10.
7. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
The strength is effective communication skill & major weakness is the management skills.
8. How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
Communication skills has actually helped me in expressing myself.
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