The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Employee Performance

Research
Project

Title: The impact of cultural diversity on employee performance. A case study on M&S....................3
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1....................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis supported by a literature
review ..................................................................................................................................................3
P2 Appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research.......................6
TASK 2..................................................................................................................................................10
P3 Primary and secondary research using appropriate methods.......................................................10
TASK 3..................................................................................................................................................20
P5 Communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience...............20
TASK 4..................................................................................................................................................21
P6 Reflection on the effectiveness of reserach methods ...................................................................21
P7 Alternative reserach methodology ...............................................................................................21
CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................................22
RECOMMENDATION.........................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................................23
APPENDIX ...........................................................................................................................................25
QUESTIONNAIRE............................................................................................................................25

Title: The impact of cultural diversity on employee performance. A case study on
M&S
INTRODUCTION
Cultural diversity is also known as multiculturalism which simply means group of diverse
individual that are from different culture or society. (Rizwan and et. al., 2016). Most of the business
firm started to embrace corporate diversity in the early 2000s due to many trends in demographic as
well as changing workforce. In simple term it can be said that, cultural diversity mainly used for
explaining several cultures which co-existing with larger culture. This research is based on Mark and
Spenser which is British multinational retailer which was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and
Thomas Spencer. They are serving at worldwide level and headquarter at London, United Kingdom. It
is important to have cultural diversity within organisation which result in wide impact on employees
performance as well as also in accomplishment of organisational goals and objectives in effective
manner.
TASK 1
P1 Research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis supported
by a literature review
Generally diversify culture consider language, religion, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity,
gender and many more. Main reason behind conducting this research is to gather knowledge related to
cultural diversity and its impact on employees performance (Kumudha and Jennet, 2018). Within this,
people are from different culture and work together for accomplishing common objectives. For
business firm also cultural diversity is important but it results in several other negative impact on
employees performance. Apart from this there are some personal and professional reason both reasons
behind selecting this research topic. As further researcher want to work in HR department so this
research will provide him assistance in gaining wide knowledge about cultural diversity within
workplace and also how to enhance performance as well as motivation of personnel’s.
Research aim
“To evaluate strategies applied to manage diversity at workplace.” A case study on M&S
Research objectives
 To identify importance of diversity at workplace
 To determine different strategies to manage diversity at workplace

 To analyse impact of diversity on employee behaviour at workplace
Research questions
 What is the importance of diversity at workplace?
 What are different strategies used to manage diversity at workplace?
 How diversity impact on employee performance at workplace?
Literature review
Literature review is important part of the study because it helps researcher in collection of
secondary data from various number of secondary sources i.e. magazines, books, articles etc. All these
are useful sources for investigator because it will help them in identification of research gap. Within
an investigation, main research gap is strategies applied to manage diversity at workplace. In previous
investigations, there were data available about the importance of cultural diversity management but
there were missing information about the strategies for management of diversity. In order to fill such
gap, research questions has been followed by investigator. This will support researcher in
accomplishment of research aim and objectives as well as fulfilling of missing information. Research
questions of present investigation will be explained as below:
What is the importance of diversity at workplace?
As per the views of Lepsinger (2018), Cultural diversity is also known as multiculturalism
which simply means group of diverse individual that are from different culture or society. Generally
diversify culture consider language, religion, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender and many
more. Most of the business firm started to embrace corporate diversity in the early 2000s due to many
trends in demographic as well as changing workforce. In simple term it can be said that, cultural
diversity mainly used for explaining several cultures which co-existing with larger culture (Shore,
Cleveland and Sanchez, 2018) (Sanyang and Othman, 2019) (Saifullah, 2019). There are several
importance of cultural diversity within working of Mark and Spencer explanation of these are as
follows :-
 Enhanced creativity – People from distinct backgrounds tend to experience differences as well
as have diverse perspectives. Exposure to a variety of views leads to greater creativity to a
workplace.
 Minimize employee turnover – Mark and Spencer with diversified staff have specific
individual characteristics and viewpoints more inclusive. Diversity and organizational
inclusion contribute to recognition and respect of all workers.

What are different strategies used to manage diversity at workplace?
As per the views of Burney (2020), it has been identified that there are several strategies which
Mark and Spencer can use for managing diversity at workplace. Explanation of these are as follows :-
 The hiring process – Developing diversity within hiring procedure is essential component of
strategy management plan as well as it is important to incorporate federal equal employment
opportunity guidelines (Evans-Lacko and Knapp, 2016). Because it is an starting point for
making sure that hiring procedure effectively encourage diverse applicant pool.
 Education – It is not enough to put posters related to diversity in workplace or update staff
manual. There is requirement of effective strategy incorporates diversity training in company.
Before starting training it is important for manager of Mark and Spencer to decide key areas
which have to be focus as well as have to discuss what they have to accomplish.
 Policy review - While company policies in general tend to be all-encompassing, ensuring the
same treatment for all, this doesn't always contribute to encouraging diversity (Hossain and et.
al., 2019). To embrace a more diverse workplace, companies must review polices on holidays,
time off and employee communication.
Equality and diversity policy of Mark & Spencer –
 Maintain a level of at least 30% female directors on the M&S Group plc board over the
short to medium term.
 Assist the development of a pipeline of high-calibre candidates by encouraging a broad
range of senior individuals within the business to take on additional roles to gain valuable
board experience.
 Consider candidates for appointment as non-executive directors from a wider pool
including those with little or no previous FTSE board experience.
 Ensure non-executive directors ‘long lists’ include 50% women candidates.
 Only engage executive search firms who have signed up to the voluntary Code of Conduct
on gender diversity and best practice.
 Report annually against these objectives and other initiatives taking place within the
Company which promote gender and other forms of diversity.

 Report annually on the outcome of the board evaluation, the composition and structure of
the board as well as any issues and challenges the board is facing when considering the
diverse make up of the Company.
How diversity impact on employee performance at workplace?
According to the views of Kerga and Asefa (2018) Diversity includes various elements such as
organizational values, employee behaviour, etc. It enables in developing a positive culture at work
place. Also, by managing all these diversities is maintained as it can be said that diversity depends on
organization culture. Any modification within culture will impact directly on diversity. Apart from
this, it will also give wide impact on behaviour of staff members. While working as a team member’s
people will get to know about each other religion, values and so on. In team employees will interact
with each other and share thoughts, ideas and so on. Moreover, manager also plays an essential role in
managing diversity (Sundari, 2018). They treat them in fair and equal manner.
In diversity if there occurs any discrimination within organization then it impacts on employee
behaviour in negative way. This is because it leads to unfair and injustice among employees. They do
not respect ethics and values and also are not able to maintain dignity. Alongside, it leads to change in
their behaviour. They start working in unethical ways. Apart from it, a negative environment is
developed within organization (Ozgen, Nijkamp and Poot, 2017). Another reason is manager start
favouring those who are favourites. Usually, discrimination occurs between men and women. the use
of strategies depends on management decision and nature of organization. For this there are many
other factors as well which are considered. For instance, current situation of business firm, policies,
procedures and many more. Moreover, it is crucial for manager to recognize that how essential staff
are and how they can be retained.
P2 Appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research
In research methodology section of investigation, research onion will be used. This section
will explain methodology for study by consisting different layers of research onion. Research onion
illustrates stages which are involved within development of research work. In addition to this, research
onion provides description related to different research process stages (Zhuwao, S. and et. al.,2019).
Research onion includes various stages explanation of these are as follows :-
Research philosophy
Research philosophy is related to set of belief regarding nature of reality which will going to
investigate in research. Research philosophy is of two type positivism and interpretivism (Anglim and
et, al., 2019). Both types of research philosophies are essential but for conducting present
investigation, positivism philosophy is more valuable for researcher because it will helps investigator