Impact of Globalisation on the Corporate Structures of Unilever Plc: Assignment

Research Form

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a
question, objective or hypothesis)
“The impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of large multinational companies and
the major challenges they face.” A study on Unilever PLC.
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?):
Research objectives
 To study the concept of about globalisation.
 To identify the impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of Unilever Plc.
 To examine different challenges faced by Unilever Plc while globalize their corporate
structure in international market.
 Recommend different ways for overcoming challenges of globalisation over corporate
structure of Unilever Plc.
Research questions
 Do you understand the concept of globalisation?
 What is the impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of Unilever Plc?
 What are the challenges faced by Unilever Plc while globalize their corporate structure
in international market?
 What are the different ways for overcoming challenges of globalisation over corporate

structure of Unilever Plc?
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):
By selecting this topic, it is easy to understand difference in working of different departments.
This topic is interesting because researcher came to know about working style of Unilever and
challenge they face at international level. If researcher plans in future for expansion of
business, then they are able to plan working style and possibilities of duplication and
confusion of activities is less. This investigation assist researcher in improving
communication and presentation skills, so if similar study gets in future, then they are able to
conduct in best and significant manner. This investigation is important because these days,.
Many associations are working at international level so knowledge bout corporate structure
can be known. This also acknowledges about change in working style and issues which is
faced by organisation. With the help of this investigation, individual is able to improves their
academic knowledge as well.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question,
objective or hypothesis:
Concept of about globalisation
According to Patricia Fox and Stephen Hundley (2019) globalisation refers to the process
under which there is expansion of business through interconnectedness of people, group of
people, organisations, etc. This has to be done in better way because growth and development
of association depends of it. With globalisation of business operations Unilever has more
options to use resources, foreign investment, more risk and profits, changing trends, extensive
competition, etc. When business operates in more then one country, then there is difference in
working style of different departments as well.
Impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of Unilever Plc
Corporate structure refers to the group of departments which are working in organisation for
achieving aims and objectives. While working at international level, there is requirement of

more emphasise on working style. According to Mike Myatt (2019) there are possibilities that
departments of Unilever has to change in their working style with difference in geographical
region. This is relevant in current market. For instance: marketing manager has to make more
innovative approaches through which they can communicate to targeted consumer and make
positive brand image in industry.
Different challenges faced by Unilever Plc while globalize their corporate structure in
international market
There are some challenges as well with expanding business at globalise level, so it is
important to consider changes to get positive impact. In order to deal with challenges,
managers has to plan specific actions through which they can communicate to specific person.
Some challenges are change in cultural values, difference in demand of consumers, etc.
According to Neil Kokemuller (2019), sometimes there are possibilities that managers does
not get skilled employees, so they have to outsource the functions which is costly approach.
Unilever performs work in different segments, so they have to analyse availability of different
resources for maintaining their product quality at global level.
Different ways for overcoming challenges of globalisation over corporate structure of
Unilever Plc
It is essential to understand challenges and then overcome it because if challenges are not
resolved, then organisation is not able t get success at international level. It is responsibility of
managers to analyse different places and select one which is best among all and resources are
available. As per view of MANAL HADDAD (2019) managers has to know about cultural
issue which affects working style and creates similar working style as surroundings,
knowledge about rules and regulations has to acquired through hiring legal expert, employees
must be trained regarding new technological changes.

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):
there are different activities which has to be considered to
get correct and appropriate outcome as conclusion and
recommendations. Some activities are discussed as under-
Introduction
Setting aims and objectives
Literature review
Research methodology
Collection of data
Analysis of data
Conclusion and recommendations
Submission of final report
How long this will
take:
2 days
6 days
11 days
15 days
22 days
18 days
3 days
1 day

Milestone one: ___data collection______________
Target date (set by tutor): __24/7/2019__________________
Milestone two: ___data interpretation____________________
Target date (set by tutor): __23/8/2019____________________
Gantt Chart
Gantt chart is graphical representation of research activities in context to
their time. This helps to provide knowledge about flow of activities and
taking actions one after another.
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:

In order to understand different tools and techniques while conducting investigation research
methodology is studied. “Research Onion” frame work is used to get in- depth knowledge of
different methodologies and approaches.
Research philosophy- Research philosophy is the way through which code of conduct and
practices to be followed for conducting investigation can be known. There are three
philosophy i.e. positivism, interpretivist, pragmatism. Positivism philosophy is used under this
investigation because this considers complete information about investigation topic.
Research approach- Research approach provides specific way through which research will
done in update form. There are two types of approach i.e. deductive and inductive. Inductive
approach is used because this is simple to represent and give relevant and complete
information.
Research method- In order to conduct investigation in best way there are two methods of
conducting it i.e. Qualitative and quantitative method. In this investigation, qualitative method
is used. This is best because in which justification is provided for specific view, so this
method is specific and relevant.
Research design- There are different design under which investigation is conducted. There are
three types of research design i.e. descriptive, exploratory, experimental. In this study,
descriptive design is used because it shows all the aspects properly through which reader can
become aware bout it.
Data collection methods- For providing interpretation and appropriate recommendations and
conclusion, there is requirement of collect data. There are two methods of collecting
information i.e. primary and secondary information. Primary information is first hand data
because it is collected from respondents through questionnaire, personal interview, etc. in this
study, questionnaire is used. While secondary information is collected and gathered by some
some else, so information is collected through online sources, books, journals, etc. In this
study both the methods of collecting information is used.
Sampling- Sampling is the method under which some respondents are selected for the purpose
of collecting their views about investigation topic. There are two methods of sampling i.e.
probability and non probability sampling. In this investigation, simple random probability
sampling method is used because under this method, there is equal probability of being
selected so possibility of partiality is low. 10 Employees are selected for collecting primary
data.
 Fox. P. and Stephen Hundley. S., 2019. Importance of Globalization. Online.
Available through: <https://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/127540-
Importance-Globalization.aspx>.

 Myatt. M., 2019. THE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON BUSINESS. Online.
Available through: <https://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/127540-
Importance-Globalization.aspx>.
 Kokemuller. N., 2019. Globalization Challenges for Businesses. Online. Available
through: <https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/globalization-challenges-businesses-
22245.html>.
 HADDAD. M., 2019. Overcoming the Challenges of Globalization. Online. Available
through: <https://manalhaddad.com/2014/07/26/overcome-the-challenges-of-
globalization/>.
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:
“The impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of large multinational companies
and the major challenges they face.” A study on Unilever PLC.
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?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Respondents are workforce of Unilever as the have knowledge about
working in better and effective manner.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what
you are doing:
mobile technology is used to inform participants.
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?
Consent of participants is collected in written format in order to make
study more reliable and authentic.
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
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?
Researcher can access data. If someone wants to access it, then permission of investigator is
required.
During the research:
investigator
Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in written format.
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?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?

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.