Impact of Global Pandemic on Workplace Transformation in UK Retail Industry: A Study on Marks and Spencer

Research Project
(Impact of global pandemic in accelerating workplace
transformation within UK retail industry)

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Research Aim and Rationale............................................................................................3
Rationale................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Research Questions..........................................................................................................3
1.3 Research Objectives.........................................................................................................4
1.4 Significance of the Research............................................................................................4
Chapter Two: Literature Review.....................................................................................................5
To determine the need of workplace transformation during pandemic within UK retail
industry...................................................................................................................................5
To examine the benefits availed by Marks and Spencer while accelerating workplace
transformation at the time of COVID 19 within business...................................................5
To discern the challenges faced by Marks and Spencer while undergoing the workplace
transformation during pandemic..........................................................................................7
To identify the ways through which Marks and Spencer can overcome the issues faced
while undergoing the workplace transformation.................................................................8
2.3 Conclusion........................................................................................................................9
3.1 Research Approach.........................................................................................................11
3.2 Research Strategy/Methods............................................................................................11
3.3 Research Methodology...................................................................................................11
3.4 Sampling.........................................................................................................................11
3.5 Ethical Implications........................................................................................................12
Frequency data analysis........................................................................................................13
Data interpretation -.......................................................................................................................15
Chapter Six: Conclusion, Recommendations and Implications for Further Research...................23
Appendix........................................................................................................................................25
Frequency data analysis........................................................................................................25
References......................................................................................................................................28

Introduction
The term workplace transformation is one of the crucial factors for all the industries as it is
closely related to the level of productivity (Anderson and et.al., 2021). Due to pandemic, the
companies had to face adverse issues in relation to the workplace transformation such as the way
the company works and t6he ways to interact with the workforce. The research will outline the
effect of Covid-19 in context of the workplace transformation mainly in the retail industry. The
chosen company for the research is Marks and Spencer which is a British multinational retail
company which is headquartered in London. The research will also demonstrate the preventive
measures in order to deal with issues faced during the time of Covid about the workplace
transformation (Annapurna and Murty, 2019).
1.1 Research Aim and Rationale
Research Aim
To identify the impact of global pandemic in accelerating workplace transformation within UK
retail industry. A Study on Marks and Spencer.
Rationale
The objective of this study is to access the role of workplace transformation mainly in the retail
industry. The purpose for choosing this topic is to recognize the ways through which the chosen
company can overcome the issues faced while undergoing the workplace transformation. In this
study, I will be able to know about the various issues or benefits which are availed by Marks and
Spencer while managing the workplace transformation during Covid-19. The learning experience
from the research will add more value to the goals in my life as I will be able to have in depth
understanding of the topic that is the impact of universal pandemic in affecting the workplace
transformation within UK retail industry (Holland and Brewster,2021). Workplace
transformation is considered to be essential to bring more success and growth in the coming
years. One of the main issues in the companies is to adopt new changes in the operations and
technology.
1.2 Research Questions
 What is the need of workplace transformation during pandemic within UK retail
industry?

 What are the benefits availed by Marks and Spencer while accelerating workplace
transformation at the time of COVID 19 within business?
 What are the challenges faced by Marks and Spencer while undergoing the workplace
transformation during pandemic?
 What are the ways through which Marks and Spencer can overcome the issues faced
while undergoing the workplace transformation?
1.3 Research Objectives
 To determine the need of workplace transformation during pandemic within UK retail
industry
 To examine the benefits availed by Marks and Spencer while accelerating workplace
transformation at the time of COVID 19 within business
 To discern the challenges faced by Marks and Spencer while undergoing the workplace
transformation during pandemic
 To identify the ways through which Marks and Spencer can overcome the issues faced
while undergoing the workplace transformation
1.4 Significance of the Research
In the present research, it will examine the requirement of the workplace transformation during
pandemic within UK retail industry. The findings of the research will rebound to present the gaps
that took place during Covid-19 in the company. The research will be used by the learners,
students and the researchers to convey the role of workplace transformation in the retail industry
(Junglas and et.al., 2022).

Chapter Two: Literature Review
To determine the need of workplace transformation during pandemic within UK retail
industry
According to Selimović, Pilav-Velić, and Krndžija, (2021), the organisation can redesign the
opportunity via the use of numerous digital tools and procedures thanks to digital transformation.
It is the incorporation of digital technology throughout all business sectors. Because it
completely alters how the business runs and accomplishes its many functions. Businesses
nowadays must gather customer data and develop a system that will track client journeys,
operations, finances, and opportunities. When employees interact effectively with the various
departments of the organisation, the degree of efficiency in the business can also be increased.
The degree of transparency in work, in teams, and in functioning is another important benefit of
digital transformation in the workplace. Because of this, businesses must use digital platforms if
they want to prosper. One of the reasons the business is lagging is because they are unable to
effectively utilise digital transformation at work (Kalatian, 2019).
Figure 1:How Data Centers and the Retail Industry Affect Each Other
To examine the benefits availed by Marks and Spencer while accelerating workplace
transformation at the time of COVID 19 within business

According to Rossette-Crake and Buckwalter (2022), the concept of digital transformation is
well known to have a significant impact on business and the IT environment, opening up new
options (Kane and et.al., 2021). According to the current context, digital transformation has
increased company performance. The economy and the entire society have undergone a digital
transformation as a result, and as a result, business operations have altered as a result of change
and advancement in the digitalization process. In order to offer a thorough introduction of the
role and long-term impacts of digitalization on the performance of the business, material on the
issue of digitalization will be covered in this chapter. The challenges will then be projected in the
section that follows, along with an explanation of the various technologies that the organisation
uses. Productivity is also crucial to the expansion of the business. The negative effects of
ineffective management will be felt by the company, and the bigger the company, the greater the
effects on operations. The entire operational cost would be decreased when productivity is
managed effectively. Because of this, the business will be able to sell its goods for less money
than its rivals. As can be seen, a company that is succeeding in its industry will be able to make a
greater contribution to improvement (Kim and et.al., 2021).
Additionally, the efficiency level and the compatibility of the personalities and skills of the
employees will both be enhanced. Additionally, productivity in the workplace is regarded as
crucial and may be achieved through streamlining numerous procedures, investing in knowledge
and innovation, and getting staff members to commit to enhancing the quality of their work. The
business will expand and prosper on its own due to the ideal mix and a well-defined plan Pataki-
(Bittó, F., 2021).