Impact of Culturally Diversified Workforce on Working Environment - Waitrose Case Study

This research proposal aims to examine the impact of a culturally diversified workforce on the working environment at Waitrose. The study will explore the importance of cultural diversity, the benefits of a diversified workforce, and the impact of discrimination on the working environment. Recommendations will be provided to improve performance.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................3
Research Ethics approval form......................................................................................................10

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: To examine the impact of culturally diversified workforce in creating a
better working environment. A case study on Waitrose & Partners.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
Research Aim
The specific purpose behind conducting this investigation is to study the impact along with the
consequences of developing a culturally diversified workforce, that helps in building a better
working environment at a workstation. The case has been taken into consideration of Waitrose
& Partners, which is of one of the supermarket food retailer, which is holding the position of
largest employee-owned retailer in all over Britain. The specific supermarket that has been
taken into consideration by researcher within Waitrose is located at Coulsdon CR5 2HR, United
Kingdom. Basically, the existing working environment of Waitrose Supermarket particularly at
Coulsdon, United Kingdom is not effective enough and impacted upon performance level of
staff. The reason that came in front was discrimination, which needed to be reduced through
promoting cultural diversification.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer, what do you want to
learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
 To study the term cultural diversity and its importance.
 To examine how appropriate working environment can help Waitrose to improvise
employee's performance level.
 To determine the impact of diversified workforce on existing working environment of
Waitrose. To recommend the measures that can be opt by Waitrose to improve the performance

level of both company and staff as well.
Research Questions
 Why is it important for a business organisation to develop culturally diversified
workforce ?
 What are the benefits that Waitrose can get of developing diversified workforce at
working station ?
 How discrimination impacts on both working environment and performance level of the
business organisation ?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying, personal
interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
This investigation that has been taken into consideration by me is to identify that how
diversified workforce could help a business organisation in meeting their goals or to improve
their performance level within today's working environment. Including this, another reason that
I have performed research on this topic is my own interest. Basically, it is my dream to work
with individuals that belongs to different cultures, and because of this I can get to know about
their values, which would aid me in finding better career opportunities in near future. Away
with this, I have found that considering this project my own skills and knowledge will
improvise in relation to different terms like cultural diversity, discrimination, better working
environment and so on. On the other side, my skills in relation to research, and more would also
get improvised right on time. Scope section of this topic is that, it will aid me in enhancing my
own knowledge in relation to better working environment.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Cultural diversity can be considered as an important approach, which holds number of elements
like different cultures, global monoculture, homogenization of cultures and more, which are
followed by individuals, where they respect each other's values and perceptions.
Cultural diversity and its importance:
Cultural diversity basically, plays an important role for a business organisation because today's
society holds various racial, cultures, along with the ethnic groups as well. With the help of this,

it is said that a company could effectively bring appropriate cooperation and collaboration
among staff members.
https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/social-behavioral-sciences/what-is-cultural-diversity/
Appropriate working environment can help Waitrose to improvise employee's performance
level:
Considering appropriate working environment, it is said that Waitrose could effectively lead it's
staff members to improve their motivation level, performance and so on. Under this, it is said
that ideal business organization stays aware of the fact that what actual modifications took place
in culture and according to it, these organisations work. Here, offering staff with work habits,
dress code, detailed information in relation to traditions, and governing assumptions as well.
https://hbr.org/2013/05/creating-the-best-workplace-on-earth
Impact of diversified workforce on existing working environment of Waitrose:
Waitrose could effectively enhance it's productivity, creativity among staff, language and
community relations, enhancement among motivation and more can easily find out through
following different approaches to bring diversified workforce into existence within the business
organisation. This can be done through HR departments of Waitrose, through developing a
range of policies and so on.
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-diverse-workforce-18780.html
Measures that can be opt by Waitrose to improve the performance level of both company and
staff as well.
There are a range of measures that can be opt by Waitrose are: Conducting group discussions,
conducting meetings, delivering training programs to staff and so on. With the help of this,
performance planning sets the stage for the year by communicating objectives, and setting an
actionable plan to guide the employee to successfully achieve goals.

https://www.sap.com/india/insights/hr/optimize-monitoring-performance-and-goal-
management.html
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g
research, development and analysis of ideas, writing, data
collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of final
outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
 Introduction
 Aim and objectives of the Research
 Literature Review
 Research Methodology
 First Feedback
 Data Collection
 Data Analysis
 Conclusion & Recommendation
 Second Feedback
 Submission of the project
How long this will
take:
2
4
8 – 15
3
8
21
17
5
2
2
Milestone one: _____Research Proposal____________
Target date (set by tutor): ___29 Days_________________
Milestone two: _____Research Project__________________
Target date (set by tutor): _______45 Days_______________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
what type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What
your areas of research will cover:
Research Methodology plays an important role in every single investigation, because

considering this aid in applying the investigating approaches that may aid in collecting right
information in correct time. Including this, researchers mainly uses research onion, which is
said to be one of the crucial framework or a model that consist of both outer and inner layer.
Away with this, as mentioned by Saunder et. al., (2007), research onion can be stated as an
approach that holds different stages along with the phases as well, that helps in conducting the
investigation right on time. Under this some of the phases are presented beneath:
 Research philosophy: Under this investigation, research will take into consideration of
Interpretivisim philosophy in order to collect right data. Away with this, considering this
philosophy, it will become easy for researcher to conduct investigation based on the
experiences that society is facing.
 Research Approach: The research approach, which has been utilised is Inductive,
which will help researcher in delivering appropriate information in regards to the chosen
topic.
 Research strategies: In present investigation, the strategy that will be utilised is
strategy, that would aid in gathering appropriate data through performing both off and
online surveys.
 Research Choice: Quantitative and qualitative are the two investigating choices that can
be utilised by researcher. Under this report, qualitative research is utilised as this will aid
in pulling out conclusion based on different perceptions and so on.
 Research time horizon: Basically, the whole research is going to get finished around 20
Weeks.
 Data collection methods: Report has utilised both the primary data and secondary
research methodology. In primary approach, researcher will utilise questionnaire
method, where 50 respondents are directly selected considering random sampling
method. Away with this, secondary research method will be utilised to conduct the
literature review section where journals, online sources, books and more are used.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another

qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants
or the use of data collected form human participants are required to gain
ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed
research fully with your unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time
before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
“To examine the impact of culturally diversified workforce in creating a better working
environment. A case study on Waitrose & Partners”.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes ✓ No
 Questionnaires Yes✓ No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes ✓ No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :

Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: more than 18
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
In present context, researcher used random sampling method to recruit respondents.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
Personal interaction will take place among researcher and all the participants who are involved
within the investigation, where data will be shared with respondent in relation to research topic.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it
be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at
any time?
Basically, just before conducting the investigation, researcher will get consent from, where they
will directly enable respondents to fill the consent form. This will lead investigator to ethical
conduct the research, where it's targeted participants will be having choice to perform the
investigation along with investigating subject as well.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting
questions that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for
their informed consent to be observed.
Yes No

Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief
explanation of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could
be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes No
Because, it is may be possible that they could utilise the information for their own purpose (in an
unethical way).
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the
Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
The researcher
During the research: The researcher
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be stored in USB and researcher’s laptop.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
USB, PC and on Cloud Storage
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
The data will be recorded and kept for a long time purposes in the word form
2 months and 15 days.
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No

Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may
arise because of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply.
Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including
transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and
Ethics Policy: Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit
Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the
ethical issues that may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your supervisor and also attach to
the Research Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.