Understanding Organisations and the Role of HR

Understanding Organisations
and the Role of HR

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Understand the purpose of an organisation and its operating environment.....................................3
Describe the purpose and goals of Waitrose..........................................................................3
Describe the products, services and customers of Waitrose...................................................3
Analyse how external factors impact on the business activities of Waitrose.........................4
Understand the structure, culture and functions of an organisation.................................................5
Different types of organisation...............................................................................................5
How the different functions work together to optimise performance....................................7
How the culture of an organisation affects its operations......................................................7
Understand how HR/L&D activities support an organisation.........................................................7
Evolution and purpose of the broad areas of HR...................................................................7
The role of HR in supporting line managers and staff...........................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................10
Appendix........................................................................................................................................11
KEY LEARNING - SUMMARY........................................................................................11

Introduction
Human resource department is one of the most significant departments of the
organisation which provide support to their workforce and hear to all disciplinarians and
grievances of individual. This report is associated with understanding role of HR within
Waitrose. Waitrose is a British supermarket chain which is associated with retailing of food,
groceries and other items. The company is having prominent HR department which is executing
their functions in effective manner.
Understand the purpose of an organisation and its operating environment
Describe the purpose and goals of Waitrose
Waitrose is one of the retailers who owes prominent share in the market in terms of
customers and profits. The company is highly dedicated towards their customers and
continuously trying to enhance their experiences by meeting needs and demands. The
organisation in current time is totally focused over providing wide range of products to their
customers so that to get their loyalty and retention (O'Brien and Cave, 2017). In terms of goal
the company is planning to expand their business in Canada and US by end of year 2021 so that
to explore new market edges and gain high customers portfolio as well. The company is willing
to bring new approach to food industry so that to receive distinct identity within market. On the
other hand the company is upholding high animal welfare standards so that to provide quality
food to their customers.
Describe the products, services and customers of Waitrose
Waitrose is associated with selling of food items, dairy products, organic products,
sausages, cheese, bacon, chicken, eggs and many more products. In recent time they have
launched various juices bars for their customers which can be consumed by them within the
store only. On the other hand the company is working on their prices so that to minimise the
same as in comparison of their competitors and in this way they are able to receive prominent
edge within competitive market (Wells-Burr, 2016). Waitrose promises regarding quality of
their food and in this manner the company says that they are maintaining high standards in their
chicken and up-keeping European chicken commitment as well. Besides this they are providing

organic eggs fresh milk cream as well which is good for environment and health of customer as
well. Waitrose is the single supermarket in UK which guarantees regarding fresh fruits and
vegetables to their customer along with maintaining environment standard as well.
The Waitrose is having 332 shops across UK and they have covered 5.1% market
therein within the industry of groceries. Waitrose is known for selling of organic products so in
this manner the company is having high range of such customers those are prone towards using
organic products. Besides this Waitrose is targeting over middle class customers who are
looking for high quality products within minimal prices.
Analyse how external factors impact on the business activities of Waitrose
External factors: PESTLE analysis
Political factors: These factors are related with fiscal policies and trade tariffs rules promoted
by government (Souza-Monteiro and Hooker, 2017). In this manner when government rules
fluctuates then Waitrose will also have to modify their policies in such manner that they can
supply their goods to other countries.
Economic factors: Economic factors are associated with inflation rate and economic growth, in
current time due to implications of COVID economic growth of the world has been tarnished
and in this way Waitrose is facing negative implication in order to deal with their business.
Social factors: Social factors are related with need and preferences of customers and these are
one of the most prominent factors those are providing implications to Waitrose as the company
is fully dependent over their customers.
Technological factors: These are the factor which relate with using of technological aspects
within business. Under this manner Waitrose is having appropriate technology in their business
which helps them to grab attention of their customers.
Legal factors: These factors are linked with maintaining legality within business so that to
avoid any legal problems. In this manner Waitrose is adopting various laws in their business so
that to upkeep interest of their customers and employees as well.