Benefits and Risks of Offshoring and Outsourcing on Business Operations: A Study on Tesco

This research project aims to evaluate the benefits and risks of offshoring and outsourcing on business operations, focusing on a study conducted on Tesco. The research objectives include determining the concept of offshoring and outsourcing, identifying the benefits and risks faced by Tesco, and evaluating the ways for Tesco to attain success at the international market. The research will utilize qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including interviews, questionnaires, and data analysis. The data will be collected from participants recruited through random sampling methods. Ethical considerations will be addressed, and the data will be stored securely in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Research Project

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: “To evaluate the benefits and risk of offshoring and outsourcing on
business operations. A study on Tesco.”
1

Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
To evaluate the benefits and risk of offshoring and outsourcing on business operations. A study on
Tesco.
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 determine the concept of offshoring and outsourcing for company.
 To identify the benefits and risk face by Tesco by offshoring and outsourcing its business
activities at global level.
 To evaluate the ways by Tesco company can attain success at global level.
Research questions:
 What is the concept of offshoring and outsourcing for company?
 What are the benefits and risk face by Tesco by offshoring and outsourcing its business activities
at global level?
 What are the ways by which Tesco can attain success at international market?
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):
The main purpose of undertaking this research is to evaluate the actual benefits and risk of offshoring
and outsourcing availed by company while operating their business at international level. As it also help
in increase job opportunities that put positive impact on developing economic growth of nation. By carry
out this research, investigator also improve their skills and knowledge about topic and area as well.
Along with this, it is crucial for researcher to effectively undertake the study so that they can easily
attain positive and reliable outcomes.
2

Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Concept of offshoring and outsourcing for company
Outsourcing is considered as a aspect of getting work done in different country with the aim of
generating larger profitability level. Along with this, it also criticized for transferring jobs to other
countries that improve the economy growth of nation. As it also includes various risk like language
difference, geopolitical risk, poor communication and many more. All these are negatively impact on the
entire activities of the company. On the other side, outsourcing related to contracting work out to an
external business organization in which various risk are there like misaligned interests of vendors, lack
of in house knowledge and many more.
Benefits and risk face by Tesco by offshoring and outsourcing its business activities at global level
Both offshoring and outsourcing are important for company while operating their business at
international market. As it includes various risk and benefits that help company in improving overall
performance at market place.
Benefits of offshoring and outsourcing: One of the main advantage of offshoring for company is
that it is more flexible in which company easily handle changes. On the other side, outsourcing is also
provide cost advantage to company and at the same time also consist greater labour force. All these are
beneficial for company to attain competitive success.
Risk of offshoring and outsourcing: While operating their business at global level company also
face issues related with offshoring and outsourcing which negatively impact on the production process
of company at global market. One of the main risk of offshore and outsourcing is cost reduction
expectations for company in which company may reduce their profitability at market place.
Ways by which Tesco can attain success at international market
It is important for every business organisation to operate their business at global level for
expanding their business. By this, company also improve their productivity level by serving best quality
of products and services. This is the reason that firm may accomplished their competitive image at
market. In this context, there are some significant ways used by company to attain higher success at
global market:
 Company needs to analyse market trends and customers behaviour before serving their services
3

at market place. This will aid in improving the chances of capturing larger market share from its
competitors.
 Firm should be implement different ways of communication channel to interact with customers
so that they can easily improve their performance at global market and keep customers base more
strong.
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):
How long this will
take:
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Gantt Chart
4

5

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 is play a crucial role in undertaking investigation as it support researcher to
gather accurate and authenticate information. Mainly, it includes various methods and techniques
through which investigation can draw a valid conclusion and at the same time also develop a successful
research project.
Qualitative research methodology: It is consider as an effective research that focus on gathering data
through open- ended and conversational communication. As it includes focus group, case study and
many more that help in gathering relevant data towards the research topic.
Quantitative research methodology: It is consider as a systematic research in which investigator
gather data in from of hard facts. For collecting this type of information, questionnaire will be used by
researcher as it help by providing valid information about the topic.
Research approach: In this, there are two type of approaches like inductive or deductive both are
used to collect relevant data and information. For undertaking this study, researcher will use inductive
approach as it help in providing accurate data about the research topic.
Research Philosophy: Interpretivisim and positivism are two type of philosophy that used by
investigator to collect valid information. In this, investigator will apply Interpretivisim research
philosophy that help in evaluating the actual results.
Data collection methods: There are two type of sources such as primary and secondary
method by which investigator collect data and information towards the research topic and area as well.
By using these methods, in-depth analysis can be easily evaluated. By using primary sources,
questionnaire will be prepared. On the other side, secondary sources includes various books, journals,
articles and many more. All these are directly contribute in gathering valid and relevant information.
Sampling method: It is a process of selecting right sample size from whole population. Mainly, it
6

is classified on the basis of two methods such as probabilistic and non-probabilistic. In this research ,
probabilistic sampling methods will be used by researcher as it is save time and cost of company. By
this, 40 respondents will be chosen for researcher to collect relevant data. In this selected respondents
are higher management of Tesco.
Types of sampling: There are different type of sampling techniques such as convenience sampling,
Simple random sampling and stratified sampling. In this convenience sampling is type of non
probabilistic method that includes sampling from the population that related to close to hand. Simple
random sampling is an effective technique that is subset of individual which selected from large number
of population and also get chancesto be selected. Furthermore, stratified sampling is also consider as a
method in which researcher devided the whole population into separate groups. For this research simple
random sampling will be used to select respondents.
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
7

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.
8

Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
To evaluate the benefits and risk of offshoring and outsourcing on business operations. A study on
Tesco.
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:
l Interviews Yes No
l Questionnaires Yes No
l Observations Yes No
l Use of personal records Yes No
l Data Analysis Yes No
l Action Research Yes No
l Focus Groups Yes No
l 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:
9

How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
By using random sampling methods participants will be recruited.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through social media, email, mobile application and many more.
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?
By using questionnaire, researcher get concent from participants in written form.
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)
10

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
During the research:
Investigator
Where will the data be stored?
Computer system
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 :
l Informed consent.
l Potentially vulnerable participants.
11

l Sensitive topics
l Risk to participants and /or researchers
l Confidentiality/anonymity
l Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
l Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
l Reporting
l 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 tutor and also attach to the Research Proposal when
submitting to Turnitin.
12