Role of Business Manager in Managing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

This research project focuses on identifying the role of a business manager in managing cultural diversity within the workplace. It explores effective strategies for promoting diversity, the benefits it brings to organizations, and its impact on business performance. The study is conducted on Marks & Spencer, a British multinational organization in the retail industry.

Unit 11 - Research Project
(Equality and Diversity in the
workplace)

Executive summary
Main purpose of this research project is to identify the role of business manager in
management of cultural diversity within the workplace. This is a main purpose and for achieving
this, different tasks has been completed. Literature review is a main tasks that was done by using
books, magazines, journals, publication research and many other secondary sources relevant to
the topic. Research methodology is another chapter that was completed by using positivist
philosophy, deductive approach, questionnaire etc. Data analysis done by using frequency
distribution analysis. Conclusion and recommendations were completed by describing entire
information about the tasks in short manner. This helped in attainment of research aim and
objectives successfully.

Table of Contents
Executive summary..........................................................................................................................2
PART-2............................................................................................................................................4
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................4
Rationale of the study......................................................................................................................5
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................6
Methodology and Data Collection ..................................................................................................8
Data analysis and interpretations...................................................................................................10
PART-3..........................................................................................................................................12
Research Outcomes........................................................................................................................20
Covered in PPT.....................................................................................................................20
Conclusion and Recommendations ...............................................................................................21
PART-4..........................................................................................................................................22
Reflection & Recommendation of alternative research methodology ..........................................22
Appendix 1.....................................................................................................................................24
Questionnaire........................................................................................................................24

PART-2
Introduction
Overview of the title
In current business environment it is essential for organisation to manage functions and
achieving business objectives by managing diversity at work place. Equality and diversity an
work place can be define as that concept which is linked to management of employees from
different background, culture and difference. This also includes managing employees in direction
to providing equal opportunities by reducing discrimination of any kind. In present business
scenario, business organisation are changing rapidly where concept of globalisation is also
increasing. This impacting to workplace diversity as organisation has to recruit employees from
international platforms for performing various function in effective manger. This leads to
recruiting of employees from different backgrounds and leads to achieving business objectives.
Concept of equality and diversity includes Equality and diversity policies in the workplace,
Practical benefits to the business by promoting equality and diversity, Equal Opportunities to
both male and females and many more. So it is essential for organisation to manage this concept
for achieving its business objectives.
Background of the company
Marks & Spencer is British multinational organisation which is operting in reltail
industry. It is headquartered in London, England, which sales clothing, home products and
food products, mostly of its own label. Organisation is also registered under FTSE 250 Index,
having previously been in the FTSE 100 Index from its creation until 2019. This was by Michael
Marks and Thomas Spencer ion 1884. In current time, it is operating 959 stores across the U.K.
And also include 615 that are selling food products, and through its television advertising,
asserts the exclusive nature and luxury of its food and beverages.
Research aim:
“To identify the role of business manager in management of cultural diversity within the
workplace”. A study on Marks & Spencer
Research Objectives:
 To identify the ways for managing cultural diversity in the workplace of Marks &
Spencer.
 To determine the role of manager in management of diverse workforce at workplace.

 To critically evaluate the positive and negative impact of cultural diversity on business
performance.
Research questions: How to manage cultural diversity within the workplace of M&S?
 What are the effective roles that would be play by business manager for managing
diverse workforce at workplace?
 What are the relationship between cultural diversity and business performance of M&S?
Rationale of the study
The main rational behind conducting this research is that it is helpful in impacting the
concept of equality and diversity at workplace. This will bring equality in employees and reduces
discrimination. This will also impact on productivity of firm by bringing sable working
environment where each and every individual can perform there function in effective manner.
This will also help ion managing functions of employees by clearing these role in firm and
assignment of responsibilities in appropriate way. Concept of equality and diversity will improve
functions and manage all these function in effective way to achieve business objectives.

Literature Review
How to manage cultural diversity within the workplace of M&S?
According to the view point of (Natha, 2020), cultural diversity includes various aspects
such as teamwork, communication, awareness,etc. and for managing all these at workplace
manager need to treat each employee as an individual. According to author it can be carried out
by avoiding the assumption devising about employee's background instead of it manger need to
look each employees as an individual and judge success and failure on the basis of individual
merits rather than conception to their background. It can be mange by building a diverse
workplace because it is important to recruit and hire talented candidates from variety of
background. It needs leadership quality and others in order to plan hiring decision and overcome
the partiality in interviewing and assessing talented organisation if they do this then it will
become easy for company to hire most appropriate and talented individuals.
According to (Fine-Davis and Faas, 2018) point of view, culture diversity can be
managed through team building. It can be done by making effective cross culture team in order
to get potential advantage of culture diversity at workplace. Some time it become problematic as
team are made of mix cultures people.
According to the opinion of (Natha, 2020), commination in between all team members
need to be properly and accurately for managing the culture diversity. It is primarily important in
M&S organisation when a project is anxious and needs intimidate correction. As well as the
business of company could be affected by timing of different culture. Different perception of
time will lead to great misunderstanding and mishap at workplace, especially with scheduling
and deadline.
What are the effective roles that would be play by business manager for managing diverse
workforce at workplace?
According to the viewpoint of (Altman, 2018),the role of M&S business manger for
managing diverse workforce at workplace is to provide flexible work schedule and on sites
daycare facilities that make company more attractive to workers with assorted interests and
needs. Another role of business manger is to conduct diversity training. It is a good opinion of
author to offer training and development in order to achieve and maintain diverse workplace. In
this business manger can provides several types of training like awareness training which
explains the importance and benefits of diversity at workplace. Along with this role business

manger need to remember the retention of employees for managing diversity at workplace. In
order to identify how workplace diversity affects the employees turnover. In diversity , peoples
are hiring from different culture and if they leaves company then it will be the mark that
employees are not felling involved at all. As per the opinion of (Milner, 2017),business manger
need to create a diverse culture or corporate for maintaining workforce diversity. It involves
building of organisation from different culture that assist and support diversity at workplace.
Another role of manger is to keep work environment positive through which employees of M&S
feel more happier and will be more engaged towards their task.
What are the relationship between cultural diversity and business performance of M&S?
Conferring to the resource based view(Beaman, 2017),cultural diversity could be the
source of sustaining competitive advantage as it included people of different societies who have
different religious beliefs and behavior. As diversity believed to make competitive advantage by
establishing a better firm image, improving connection and business performance. However as
asserted by (Phipps, 2020), increasing cultural diversity is not only lead to positive or higher
growth of business performance. But mangers need to positively values the employee in order to
get true benefits of diversity to increasing business performance. For increasing organizational
performance, business manger need to conduct diversity training and development sessions for
employees so that they can improve their skill and knowledge.
According to the viewpoint of (Attfield and Attfield, 2018)., having a good workforce
with the variety of skills and experiences which includes different culture and understanding
assist company to provides products to consumer from all over the glob and that helps business
performance in increasing productivity and profitability of organization.

Methodology and Data Collection
Research methodology can be define as function which is related to achieving objectives
of research by using accurate and similar data in context to research topic. In relation to current
topic of equity and diversity, these is use of various methods which are determined below:
Research philosophy: It include brief summary of all information which is use by
researcher in present research to identify the topic and perform conclusive research report
(Sharma, 2016). In context of current research, interpretivisim and positivism are the factor
which are used in this report. Under interpretivisim, this helps researcher in identification of
information related to evaluation of data. Where positivism is not effective in this report to
conclude the summary of data.
Research choice: In relation to current research, this can be define as choices of
researcher in performing this research (Köllen, 2020). These are divided in parts which are
quantitative,qualitative and mixed method. quantitative method can be define as method which
is use by researcher to identify data in quantity. Qualitative data collection method is that which
include collection of data in quality manner. In relation to present report, there is use of both
kind of data to achieve the objectives of this research in positive manner.
Research approach: This function research is related those method and approach in
achieving the objectives of research. In current project, inductive and deductive approaches of
research are followed by researcher. In inductive approach there is use of questionnaire to
perform the research in effective way by achieving the prime objectives of research. In the other
side, deductive approach is also used to identify the function and using these function in form of
articles, books and journals (Özbilgin and Slutskaya, 2017).
Primary and secondary method of data collection:In context of this project there is also
use primary and secondary sources of data collection. These are essential in achieving the
objectives of project and managing function in effective manner. Under primary method of data
collection, there is use of questionnaire to collect data from various sources. In the other side,in
secondary data collection method there is use of books and journals to collect the data. This is
useful to researcher in achieving objectives of this research and manage function in firm by
performing with adequate data (Thompson, 2018).
Research strategy: In respect of this section in research methodologies, it includes
observation forms, questionnaire, survey, interview schedule, case study etc. which are use to

identify different factors and process. In this research, there is use of questionnaire which helps
researcher in performing this research in effective and valid manner and achiving positive
outcomes in end.
Sampling: It can be define as that process which is linked to electing a sample form a
particular population and using this function to achieve business objectives. In this report these is
use of random sampling, stratified sampling and cluster sampling as methods for sampling. In
this research there is use of 30 employees in relation to M&S.
Research limitation: There are various kind of issues and limitation which has to be
faced by researcher while performing any kind of research. Under this research, these is also one
limitation which has to face by researcher at the time of performing this project. This is lack of
time. This is because, the current research topic is vast in nature and requires huge time to
perform the research in effective manager (Klein, 2016)). In addition to this , researcher is also
facing some other limitation which are small in nature. These are inaccurate amount of fund,
insufficient time, selection of sample size, improper behaviour of respondents and so on. All
these issues are deal by researcher in ethical and supportive manner which support achieving
goals and objectives related to topic of equality and diversity.
Research ethics: In this report these is use of some principles which has to be follow by
researcher. These are Honesty and integrity, objectivity, carefulness, openness, respect for
intellectual property, confidentiality, responsible publication, informed consent etc. these are
considered as an main factor which directly influence decision related to functions of firm.
Research reliability and validity: In relation to this report all information collected are
from valid and reliable sources to achieve business objectives and managing function in directed
way./ this helps in increasing validity of research and suing it to achieve objectives.

Data analysis and interpretations
Frequency distribution analysis
Q1) Are you familiar with the concept of cultural diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 26
b) No 4
Q2) According to you, what are the effective roles of business manager
within an organisation?
Frequency
a) Managing diversity 12
b) Promoting equality 10
c) Reducing any type of discrimination 8
Q3) What are the ways by which M&S can manage diverse workforce
at workplace?
Frequency
a) Create inclusive policies and practices 10
b) Provide diversity training 10
c) Facilitate effective communication 10
Q4) According to you, what are the essential strategies for promoting
cultural diversity in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Encourage Personal Evaluation 8
b) Provide Mentors 10
c) Creating a workplace where various perspectives are valued and
embraced
12
Q5)What are the effective roles that would be play by business
manager for managing diverse workforce at workplace?
Frequency
a) Teamwork 12
b) Increasing cultural awareness 10
c) Providing training 8

Q6) What are the benefits of managing cultural diversity at workplace
of M&S?
Frequency
a) Increased productivity 17
b) Increased profit 7
c) Improved employee engagement 10
Q7)What are the relationship between cultural diversity and business
performance of M&S?
Frequency
a) Positive 28
b) Negative 2
Q8) What are the major challenges that may be face by M&S while
managing cultural diversity in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Communication issue 10
b) Diversity implementation challenges 10
c) Retain bad talent 10
Q9) What are the significant ways that would be require to use by
M&S for managing cultural diversity in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Proper communication 12
b) Development of inclusive working environment 8
c) Providing of equal rights to the male and female employees 10

PART-3
Question 1: Familiar with the concept of cultural diversity
Q1) Are you familiar with the concept of cultural diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 26
b) No 4
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30 26
4
Frequency
Interpretation: This graph determined that most of the research participants are familiar
with the concept of cultural diversity. They said as it is the existence of a variety of cultural or
ethnic groups within a society. Remaining 4 respondents are not familiar about the same concept.
Question 2: Roles of business manager
Q2) According to you, what are the effective roles of business manager
within an organisation?
Frequency
a) Managing diversity 12
b) Promoting equality 10
c) Reducing any type of discrimination 8

a) Managing diversity
b) Promoting equality
c) Reducing any type of discrimination
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
12
10
8
Frequency
Interpretation: Business manager played different roles within the workplace. 12 out of
30 respondents said as managing diversity in the workplace is main role. 10 respondents said as
promoting equality is a major role and remaining 8 had idea as reducing discrimination is the
major role of business manager in the workplace.
Question 3: Ways for managing diverse workforce at workplace
Q3) What are the ways by which M&S can manage diverse workforce
at workplace?
Frequency
a) Create inclusive policies and practices 10
b) Provide diversity training 10
c) Facilitate effective communication 10

a) Create inclusive policies and practices
c) Facilitate effective communication
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10 10 10
Frequency
Interpretation: There are number of ways that are essential and beneficial for business
manager in managing of diverse workforce in the working place. For this respondents had
different options which are creation of inclusive policies and procedures, providence of diversity
training and facilitating effective communication are essential ways.
Question 4: Strategies for promoting cultural diversity in the workplace
Q4) According to you, what are the essential strategies for promoting
cultural diversity in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Encourage Personal Evaluation 8
b) Provide Mentors 10
c) Creating a workplace where various perspectives are valued and
embraced
12

a) Encourage Personal Evaluation
c) Creating a workplace where various perspectives are valued and embraced
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
8
10
12
Frequency
Interpretation: There are various strategies for promoting cultural diversity in the
workplace. 8 respondents had knowledge as encouraging personal evaluation is an essential
strategy because it helps in increment of confidence among employees. 10 participants had view
as providing mentors to each employees is best and remaining 12 had knowledge as developing a
workplace where various perspectives are valued and embraced is a main way.
Question 5: Roles of manager for managing diverse workforce at workplace
Q5)What are the effective roles that would be play by business
manager for managing diverse workforce at workplace?
Frequency
a) Teamwork 12
b) Increasing cultural awareness 10
c) Providing training 8

a) Teamwork
b) Increasing cultural awareness
c) Providing training
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
12
10
8
Frequency
Interpretation: There are certain roles played by business manager for managing cultural
diversity in the workplace. 12 participants had view as teamwork is a main role, 10 had opinion
as increasing cultural awareness is an important role and remaining 8 had idea as providing
training to the diverse workforce is a main role played by business manager.
Question 6: Benefits of managing cultural diversity
Q6) What are the benefits of managing cultural diversity at workplace
of M&S?
Frequency
a) Increased productivity 17
b) Increased profit 7
c) Improved employee engagement 10

a) Increased productivity
b) Increased profit
c) Improved employee engagement
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 17
7
10
Frequency
Interpretation: There are number of benefits gained by company if they manager
cultural diversity in the workplace. 17 out of 30 respondents said as it helps them by increasing
productivity. 7 had idea as it assist them by increasing profit and remaining 10 had knowledge as
improving employee engagement is a main advantage of managing cultural diversity.
Question 7: Relationship between cultural diversity and business performance
Q7)What are the relationship between cultural diversity and business
performance of M&S?
Frequency
a) Positive 28
b) Negative 2

a) Positive b) Negative
0
5
10
15
20
25
30 28
2
Frequency
Interpretation: From the above mentioned information, it has been described that
managing cultural diversity at workplace has positive relation with business because it support
them by improving its business performance. For this statement 28 out of 30 respondents are
favour within positive relationship and remaining are said as it has negative relation.
Question 8: Challenges of managing cultural diversity in the workplace?
Q8) What are the major challenges that may be face by M&S while
managing cultural diversity in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Communication issue 10
b) Diversity implementation challenges 10
c) Retain bad talent 10

a) Communication issue
b) Diversity implementation challenges
c) Retain bad talent
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10 10 10
Frequency
Interpretation: There are number of challenges faced by company while managing cultural
diversity in the workplace. These challenges are communication issues, diversity implementation
challenge and retain bad talent. These are biggest challenges that directly and negative impact on
business performance of M&S.
Question 9: Ways for managing cultural diversity in the workplace
Q9) What are the significant ways that would be require to use by
M&S for managing cultural diversity in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Proper communication 12
b) Development of inclusive working environment 8
c) Providing of equal rights to the male and female employees 10

a) Proper communication
c) Providing of equal rights to the male and female employees
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
12
8
10
Frequency
Interpretation: It is important for business manager to overcome challenges associated with the
cultural diversity. 12 participants had knowledge as proper communication about all information
is an effective way for reducing communication issue. 8 respondents had opinion as development
of inclusive working environment is an important way for overcoming the diversity
implementation challenges. Remaining 10 respondents had view as providing of equal rights to
the male and female employees is essential way for retaining talented or diverse workforce at
workplace for longer time period.
In context of the current research is identified that there are various research tool which can
be used to identify the data as well as perform the function in an appropriate manner. In context
of this there can be use of survey, interviews and various other tools which will help in collecting
the data and performing the research in effective way.
Research Outcomes
Covered in PPT

Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion
From the above mentioned information, it has been concluded that, managing cultural
diversity at workplace helps an organization in improvement of its productivity, retaining
employees etc. It has been determined from data analysis as there are different ways for
managing and promoting cultural diversity in the workplaces. These are create inclusive policies
and practices, provide diversity training, facilitate effective communication, encourage personal
evaluation, provide mentors creating a workplace where various perspectives are valued and
embraced etc. Along with this, questionnaire used by investigator for attaining research
objectives successfully and timely.
Recommendations
There are cert in recommendations that have been formulated for Marks and Spencer in order to
enhance smooth functioning of organisation as mentioned below:
1. M&S must adhere to all regulations & provisions that are part of Equality Act 2010 to
ensure that there is development of a environment that is discrimination free, harassment
free and there is no victimisation or bullying.
2. Organisation must focus on equality and diversity practises with whole organisation by
use of diversity awards and participation in network groups.
3. All employees have to be treated fairly in daily activities and work related decisions.
There has to be no discriminatory language that may lead to perception of inequality or
employees may feel vulnerable.
4. While planning of different functions like recruitment, training, promotion of employees
there has to be a clear & objective criteria that can help in decision making based on
merit criteria only.
5. Management of M&S have to focus on reduction of any type of unconscious biases.

PART-4
Reflection & Recommendation of alternative research methodology
I am happy that I get an opportunity for conducting research over an interesting topic
“To identify the role of business manager in management of cultural diversity within the
workplace”. A study on Marks & Spencer. This is a aim and for achieving this, questionnaire
used that was more effective and useful for me. This instrument of data collection helped me by
providing valid and reliable information about the topic. While doing this investigation, I
improved my research skills such as data collection, time management, data analysis, literature
review etc. These skills helped me in completion of full project timely. Apart from this, I also
faced certain challenges which are lack of resources, insufficient amount of capital etc. These
challenges impacted over my performance when I needed in completion of full project
successful. There is an option of alternative research methodology which is interview. If
researcher get another chance for conducting present investigation, there is suggestion of
alternative methodology which is interview. This method will helps them in collecting of
qualitative information easily. In context of the research method it is identified that there is use
of both qualitative and quantitative methods as well as there is also use of primary and secondary
data in order to conduct the research. These are helpful in improving the functions as well as
performing the function in an appropriate we will stop and that this is also identified that the help
in meeting the requirements as well as fulfilling the objectives according to the research am.
Researcher also get inside about different types of data which can be utilized in order to analyses
the functions and perform the requirements according to it..

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Klein, U., 2016, January. Gender equality and diversity politics in higher education: Conflicts,
challenges and requirements for collaboration. In Women's Studies International
Forum (Vol. 54, pp. 147-156). Pergamon.
Thompson, N., 2016. Anti-discriminatory practice: Equality, diversity and social justice.
Macmillan International Higher Education.
Özbilgin, M. and Slutskaya, N., 2017. Consequences of neo-liberal politics on equality and
diversity at work in Britain: Is resistance futile?. In Management and Diversity.
Emerald Publishing Limited.
Köllen, T., 2020. Worshipping equality as organizational idolatry? A Nietzschean view of the
normative foundations of the diversity management paradigm. Scandinavian Journal of
Management, 36(2), p.101108.
Sharma, A., 2016. Managing diversity and equality in the workplace. Cogent Business &
Management, 3(1), p.1212682.
Attfield, R. and Attfield, K., 2019. Principles of Equality: Managing Equality and Diversity in a
Steiner School. Intech Open.
Phipps, C., 2020. “We Already Do Enough Around Equality and Diversity”: Action Taken by
Student Union Officers to Promote LGBT+ Inclusion in University Sport. Sociology of
Sport Journal, 1(aop), pp.1-9.
Beaman, L.G., 2017. Deep equality in an era of religious diversity. Oxford University Press.
Milner, S., 2017. Trade unions, equality and diversity: an inconsistent record of transformative
action.
Altman, J., 2018. Beyond closing the gap: Valuing diversity in Indigenous Australia. Canberra,
ACT: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR), The Australian
National University.
Fine-Davis, M. and Faas, D., 2018. Equality and diversity in vocational education: a cross-
cultural comparison of trainers’ and trainees’ attitudes in six European
countries. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education.
Natha, S., 2020. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY MAINSTREAMING.

Appendix 1
Questionnaire
Q1) Are you familiar with the concept of cultural diversity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) According to you, what are the effective roles of business manager within an organisation?
a) Managing diversity
b) Promoting equality
c) Reducing any type of discrimination
Q3) What are the ways by which M&S can manage diverse workforce at workplace?
a) Create inclusive policies and practices
b) Provide diversity training
c) Facilitate effective communication
Q4) According to you, what are the essential strategies for promoting cultural diversity in the
workplace?
a) Encourage Personal Evaluation
b) Provide Mentors
c) Creating a workplace where various perspectives are valued and embraced
Q5)What are the effective roles that would be play by business manager for managing diverse
workforce at workplace?
a) Teamwork
b) Increasing cultural awareness
c) Providing training
Q6) What are the benefits of managing cultural diversity at workplace of M&S?
a) Increased productivity
b) Increased profit
c) Improved employee engagement
Q7)What are the relationship between cultural diversity and business performance of M&S?
a) Positive
b) Negative

Q8) What are the major challenges that may be face by M&S while managing cultural diversity
in the workplace?
a) Communication issue
b) Diversity implementation challenges
c) Retain bad talent
Q9) What are the significant ways that would be require to use by M&S for managing cultural
diversity in the workplace?
a) Proper communication
b) Development of inclusive working environment
c) Providing of equal rights to the male and female employees
Q10) Provide any recognitions to the M&S in retaining of diverse workforce at workplace.