Equality and diversity at workplace. A case study on Marks and Spencer

This report aims to analyze the importance of managing diverse workplace and its relation with organizational productivity. It discusses the significance of maintaining diverse workplace, the link between diverse workplace and productivity, challenges faced in managing diverse workplace, and different ways to manage diverse workplace. The case study focuses on Marks and Spencer.

Research Proposal

Contents
Title: “Equality and diversity at workplace. A case study on Marks and Spencer”........................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of study...............................................................................................................1
Research aim..........................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................1
Research questions.................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
Significance for organisation of maintaining diverse workplace...........................................2
Link between diverse workplace and productivity of organisation........................................2
Challenges that administration of organisation faces in managing diverse workplace..........2
Different ways to manage diverse workplace in an organisation...........................................3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................3
Research philosophy...............................................................................................................3
Research approach..................................................................................................................3
Research choice......................................................................................................................3
Research strategy....................................................................................................................4
Data collection........................................................................................................................4
Sampling.................................................................................................................................4
Ethical considerations.............................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................6
Questionnaire..........................................................................................................................6

Title: “Equality and diversity at workplace. A case study on Marks and Spencer”
INTRODUCTION
Background of study
The concept of equality and diversity in the organisation is a very significant concept as
this assist in growth and success of organisation. Proper management of both can help the
company in developing a healthy workplace culture where all the employees work productively
and attain pre-set objectives of company (Alexander, Havercome, and Mujtaba, 2015). Marks
and Spencer is a well-known company which is known for its food and home products along
with clothing. The company requires to maintain equality and diversity in workplace so as to
attain competitive advantage in market. This report aims to analyse the importance of managing
diverse workplace and its relation with organisational productivity.
Research aim
The aim of the study is “To analyse the significance of maintaining diverse workplace
and its link with organizational productivity. A case study on Marks and Spencer”
Research Objectives
The objectives in context of this study are listed as follows:
 To understand the significance for organisation of maintaining diverse workplace.
 To analyse the link between diverse workplace and productivity of organisation.
 To identify challenges that administration of organisation faces in managing diverse
workplace.
 To determine different ways to manage diverse workplace in an organisation
Research questions
The questions associated with this study are as follows:
 What is the significance for organisation of maintaining diverse workplace?
 What is the link between diverse workplace and productivity of organisation?
 Which are the challenges that administration of organisation faces in managing diverse
workplace?
 What are the different ways to manage diverse workplace in an organisation?
1

LITERATURE REVIEW
Significance for organisation of maintaining diverse workplace
According to the opinion of Braja Deepon Roy, 2020, it is very important for a business
entity to maintain diversity as it assist in developing diverse workplace where all the employees
work creatively to accomplish organisational goals. It ensures in developing better collaboration
among employees and make them able to work collectively in an effective way. It helps in
improving creativity and innovation in work place and also improve brand repetition at global
level. With the help of diverse workplace, organisation is able to compete effectively in the
market and attain long-term sustainability. Apart from this, managing diversity leads to improve
creativity which brings new ideas and innovations in the organisation and leads the company
towards high growth and success.
Link between diverse workplace and productivity of organisation
As per the view point of Meir Shemla, 2018, Diverse workplace and productivity has close
link as if the workplace have diverse skills and competencies then it leads the organisation
towards high productivity. Diverse workplace promotes creativity and innovation within the
organisation which in turn leads to high productivity. Apart from this, effective diversity
management ensures fair treatment with workforce which eliminate discrimination and improve
efficiency of workplace. This motivates employees and make them able to work productively
towards accomplishment of goals and objectives of company. In addition to this, diverse skills
and capabilities helps in developing innovative products and services apps to improve the
productivity of organisation. So, it can be said that diversity and productivity in workplace are
highly linked with each other (Mackey, and Gass, 2015).
Challenges that administration of organisation faces in managing diverse workplace
As per the views presented by Angela Hood, 2020, there are several challenges that the
management of company face while managing diverse workplace. One of the challenge which is
faced by management is language and communication barrier. At the time of managing diversity,
there are several communication barriers as the employees belonging to different cultural
backgrounds have different communication accent and language which creates challenge in front
of management. Apart from this, the another challenges generation gaps which may be face by
management in managing cultural diversity. In an organisation, some of the employees
2

belonging to young generation and some are seniors and more experienced due to which the
perceptions and viewpoints are not matched and thus, management face difficulties because of it.
Different ways to manage diverse workplace in an organisation
According to the opinion of Fernando Ortiz, 2020, there are some ways through which
diverse workplace can be maintained by the management of organisation. One of the way
includes ensuring effective communication in the workplace as the supports in communicating
all the information appropriately and make the employees aware about policies and processes of
the organisation so that they can work accordingly and diverse workplace can be maintained
effectively. The another way to maintain diverse workplace is developing effective policies
regarding diversity and ensure that these are strictly followed in the organisation. This assist in
effectively managing diversity in workplace.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research philosophy
Research philosophy can be stated as the set of beliefs about reality nature that is being
investigated. Positivism, interpretivism are the philosophies which mainly used in research.
Interpretivism supports and interpreting the way individual see actions of others and own self
and positivism philosophy is associated with ascertaining the explanation by utilising knowledge
which is accepted generally. This research considers interpretivism philosophy it helps in
understanding people's culture along with their social participation (Chuang, 2019).
Research approach
Approaches of research includes inductive and deductive which are mainly used by
investigators. Inductive allowed the investigator to formulate theory rather than accepting pre-
existing one and deductive is associated with developing hypothesis on the basis of theory which
is exist previously. This research considers inductive approach as it has no particular framework
or model that inform data collection so the emphasis of research be formed after acquired the
data.
Research choice
Two choices of research are mainly used including qualitative and quantitative research.
The method which is associated with collection of non-numerical data is termed as qualitative
3

research and the method through which numerical data is gather is termed as quantitative
research. Apart from these, mixed method is also there in which both types of data are collected.
This research makes use of mixed method as it assists in developing precise data set (Ferdman,
2014).
Research strategy
Action research, survey, case study, systematic literature review, interview, experimental
research etc. Are the strategies which can be used by investigator for collecting data. Survey
strategy is the most appropriate strategy for performing this research effectively. The main
reason behind selecting survey strategy is that it is economical strategy which support in
gathering accurate and reliable data.
Data collection
Two ways of collecting data includes primary and secondary data collection. In the
research onion, primary data collection method is related to collection of fresh data and
secondary data gathering method is related to collection of detailed data which is not fresh. This
research involves both type of data collection methods where questionnaire tool is used to collect
primary data and articles, journals and books are used to collect secondary data (Hamidullah,
2015).
Sampling
Probability and nonprobability are methods that can be used for selecting sample size.
Simple random probability sampling is considered for this research as this supports in
eliminating biasness and collecting the sample effectively. The sample size considered for this
research is 40 respondents who are employees of Marks and Spencer.
Ethical considerations
There are some ethical considerations which must be considered by researcher while
performing investigation. The researcher required to maintain privacy and confidentiality of
personal data of respondents and make sure that the information is not shared to third person.
Apart from this, it is also essential to make sure that informed consent is taken from respondents
before their participation into the research (Khatri, and Dixit, 2016).
4

REFERENCES
Books and journal
Alexander, V., Havercome, C. and Mujtaba, B.G., 2015. Effectively managing employees to get
results in a diverse workplace such as American Express. Journal of Business Studies
Quarterly, 7(1), p.13.
Chuang, S., 2019. Exploring women-only training program for gender equality and women’s
continuous professional development in the workplace. Higher Education, Skills and
Work-Based Learning.
Ferdman, B.M., 2014. The practice of inclusion in diverse organizations: Toward a systemic and
inclusive framework.
Hamidullah, M.F., 2015. Managing the next generation of public workers: A public solutions
handbook. Routledge.
Khatri, K. and Dixit, N., 2016. Managing Aspiration of Generation" Y" and Generation" Z" at
Work Place. KHOJ: Journal of Indian Management Research and Practices, pp.65-69.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Online
Braja Deepon Roy, 2020. 7 Key Advantages of Diversity in the Workplace and Why it Matters.
[Online] Available Through:< https://blog.vantagecircle.com/diversity-in-the-workplace-
and-why-it-matters/>.
Angela Hood, 2020. 7 Biggest Diversity Issues in The Workplace. [Online] Available Through:
<https://thiswayglobal.com/blog/2017/07/14/top-diversity-issues-in-the-workplace/>
Meir Shemla, 2018.Why Workplace Diversity Is So Important, And Why It's So Hard To Achieve.
[Online] Available Through:< https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaklich/2020/06/01/how-
to-gather-with-friends-and-family-at-weddings-and-events/#5a96c52139e2 >.
Fernando Ortiz, 2020.Managing Diversity In The Workplace – How To Successfully Go About It.
[Online] Available Through: <https://bluecollarpeople.com/managing-diversity-
workplace-successfully-go/ >
5

APPENDIX
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Address:
E-mail:
Q 1) Do you have any knowledge and understanding about diverse workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 2) As per your opinion, to what extent managing diverse workplace is effective in
improving productivity of Marks & Spencer?
a) Highly effective
b) Effective
c) Neutral
d) Ineffective
e) Highly ineffective
Q 3) What is the importance of maintaining diverse workplace for Marks & Spencer?
a) Improve business reputation
b) Increase exposure to distinct types of people
c) Economic empowerment of marginalized workers
d) Foster mutual respect among workforce
e) Employee development and job promotion
Q 4) According to you, what is the relationship between maintaining diverse workplace and
productivity of Marks & Spencer?
a) Positive relation
b) Negative relation
c) No relation
Q 5) Which is the major challenge that administration of Marks & Spencer face in
6

managing diverse workplace?
a) Differences in communication and language
b) Generational gap and age differences
c) Ethnic and cultural differences
d) Resistance to change
e) Accommodation of Beliefs
Q 6) Which is the key advantage that Marks & Spencer would gain if it effectively
maintains diversified workforce in workplace?
a) Flexible adaptation of changes
b) Promotes creativity
c) Stimulates innovation
d) Larger pool of experiences and ideas
e) Competitive advantage over rivals
Q 7) What is the influence of treating employees unequally on performance and
productivity of Marks & Spencer?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
Q 8) Which is the most suitable strategy that Marks & Spencer could employ to manage
diverse workplace in company?
a) Facilitate effective communication
b) Encourage team working
c) Provide diversity training
d) Align leadership with goals
e) Enforce diversity policies in workplace
Q 9) As per your opinion, what is the impact of executing strategy for managing diverse
workplace in Marks & Spencer?
a) Improved motivation of employees
b) Maximise employee productivity
c) Healthy workplace culture
7

d) less employee turnover
e) Increased competitive advantage
Q 10) Provide appropriate suggestions for Marks & Spencer to manage equality and
diversity in workplace
------------------------------------------------
8