Reflective Essay on the Study: Analysis of Impact of Knowledge Management on Decision Making Process: Case Study of Woolworths

Running head: REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Reflective essay on the study: Analysis of impact of knowledge management on decision making
process: Case study of Woolworths
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Introduction
A research study was planned to analyze the impact of knowledge management on the
decision making process of the organizations. The decision making process is a complex
procedure that takes various factors, such as, leadership styles, techniques, resources, tools and
equipment and competencies, into consideration (Pettigrew, 2014). As stated by Webb (2017),
the knowledge management process needs to be utilized effectively for the optimum outcome in
the organization. Hence, to evaluate the importance of knowledge management on the decision
making process, I chose Woolworths as the case study company. Woolworths is one of the
largest supermarket and grocery stores in Australia and has captured 37% of the grocery market
by 2017 (Westbrook, 2017). I chose this organization as I assumed that substantial amount of
information could be available on Woolworths. This essay will illustrate my learning from the
subjects while preparing the research proposal for the study on Woolworths. It will also present
the challenges that I encountered while studying and making the proposal.
Discussion
Conducting a research study contributes not only in the academic world, but also in
developing the knowledge and personality of the researcher. It is beneficial in improving the
observation skills, interpretation abilities, data collection abilities and judgmental abilities of the
researcher along with enhancing the knowledge on the subject of study (Saunders & Lewis,
2012). While making the proposal, my guide has helped me immensely to make the research
framework, understand the significance of the study, and learn the appropriate research
methodologies. The proposal starts with a problem statement, which is followed by research aim
and objectives. With the help of my guide, I was able to narrow down the research topic from the

2REFLECTIVE ESSAY
vast subject. Knowledge management and decision making in the organizations are large
subjects that include numerous important factors. However, it is not possible to study every
aspect of the subjects as that would make the study robust. Thus, it is important to narrow down
the research subject and choose a topic that was not explored earlier, so that important
contribution in the academic and business world can be possible. With this perception, I explored
the subject and chose to evaluate the relationship between knowledge management and decision
making process in the corporate world. The supermarkets and grocery industry has been chosen
for the study as I found that not much research was undertaken earlier to study the implications
of the research variables on the grocery industry. Hence, I chose to examine the impact of the
research variables on the largest supermarket and grocery chain in Australia, that is, Woolworths.
While moving forward with the research topic, I learnt to identify the research problem.
This is a significant step in a research study as the entire research study is based on the research
problem. As stated by Collis & Hussey (2013), research study is undertaken to address specific
research questions, which exhibit various aspects of research problem. Hence, making a proper
problem statement is essential while conducting a research. I found that Woolworths has faced
some losses from the contemporary brands due to various problems in the strategic planning and
efficient decision making. This constituted the problem statement for the study. With the help of
my guide, I learnt how to make research aim, objectives and research questions. I designed the
research aim as to examine the impact of knowledge management on decision making process of
Woolworths to address the research problem. I also learnt to frame the research objectives and
questions following the research aim. In this research proposal, I presented four research
objectives that address different aspects of the study, such as, leadership style, techniques for
decision making, impact of knowledge management practices and recommend ways to address