Analysing Workplace Transformation's Impact on Waitrose Efficiency

This research project investigates the importance of workplace transformation in enhancing organizational and employee efficiency, focusing on a case study of Waitrose. It identifies the concept and significance of workplace transformation, examines specific initiatives implemented by Waitrose to improve efficiency, and explores the challenges encountered during the implementation process. The study employs a positivism research philosophy and a deductive approach, utilizing quantitative data collected through primary research methods, specifically questionnaires administered to 30 Waitrose staff members. Data analysis is conducted using frequency distribution to assess the impact of workplace transformation initiatives and the challenges faced. The project also includes a Gantt chart outlining the research activities and timelines, along with ethical considerations and data storage protocols.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name
Student ID
Centre Name
Tutor
Unit No
Proposed Title
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
“To analyse the importance of workplace transformation in improving organisational and employee
efficiency to remain competitive”. A study on Waitrose
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?):
 To identify the concept and importance of workplace transformation in improving organisational
and employee efficiency to remain competitive.
 To determine the workplace transformation initiatives taken by Waitrose for improving
organisational and employee efficiency.
 To examine the challenges faced by Waitrose in implementing workplace transformation
initiatives for improving organisational and employee efficiency.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept and importance of workplace transformation in improving organisational
and employee efficiency to remain competitive?
 What are the workplace transformation initiatives taken by Waitrose for improving

organisational and employee efficiency?
 What are the challenges faced by Waitrose in implementing workplace transformation initiatives
for improving organisational and employee efficiency?
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 reason to conduct this study is to gain importance of workplace transformation in improving
organisational and employee efficiency to remain competitive. Along with this, it helps to know about
the initiatives taken by company in order to improve employee efficiency and to remain competitive as
well. The present study assists various stakeholders such as organisation, researcher and so on. In
relation to Waitrose, it help to analyse the challenges due to which effective strategies can be developed
and execution of workplace transformation initiatives is properly implemented. In context to researcher,
it assist to conduct future studies in more systematic manner and to learn various skills that is data
analysis, data interpretation, communication and many more.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Concept and importance of workplace transformation in improving organisational and employee
efficiency to remain competitive
As per the view point of Hin (2019) Workplace transformation is the procedure or method of enhancing
skills, capabilities as well as tools with the objective to keep up with the change and maintain
performance at marketplace. In addition to this, workplace transformation is significant as it assist in
enhancing efficiency of both company and employees as well (Organizational transformation, 2019). It
is analyse that there are various advantages gained by an organisation due to workplace transformation
such as increase in productivity and performance of employees, achievement of competitive edge,
improvement in brand image and many more.
Workplace transformation initiatives taken by Waitrose for improving organisational and employee
efficiency
According to Munich, (2019) It is analysed that there are different workplace initiatives taken by a
company for enhancing efficiency of organisation and employee. One of the initiative is sifting digitally
as it help company to deal with the present situation of global pandemic and remain in touch with

remote employees (Workforce Transformation the Key to Business Success, 2019). Another strategy is
providing training and development on continuous basis as it help to clarify new process, technology
and activities which has positive impact on the performance of company. Apart from this, there are also
other initiatives such as maintain transparency, using of digital instrument and so on.
Challenges faced by Waitrose in implementing workplace transformation initiatives for improving
organisational and employee efficiency
As per the view point of Michel (2021), it is analysed that there are many issues faced by company
while executing workplace transformation initiatives. One of the major issue is high cost that affect
negatively on the revenue and profitability of company (Obstacles in workplace transformation, 2021).
Another issue is non-acceptance of change by staff members which makes difficult for company to
implement it. Apart from this, there are also other issues that is ineffective communication, lack of
clarity of goals associated to change and many more.
REFERENCES
Online
Organizational transformation, 2019 [Online] Available through;<
https://www.redhat.com/en/topics/organizational-transformation>
Workforce Transformation the Key to Business Success, 2019 [Online] Available through;
https://www.fujitsu.com/be/about/resources/news/press-releases/2019/emeai-20191105-
workforce-transformation-the-key-to-business.html
Obstacles in workplace transformation, 2021 [Online] Available through;<
https://fmsystems.com/blog/4-obstacles-youre-facing-with-your-workplace-transformation/>
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
It is a project management tool which describes the project schedule in a proper manner. Along with
this, it includes research activities associated to starting and ending time which further help in
completion of project timely.
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 philosophy: It is one of the important part of research methodology which help researcher to
collect, evaluate and analyse data. It is mainly of two forms that is positivism and interpretivism but
accordance to the topic, positivism philosophy is effective as it assist to collect numerical information
within a cost effective as well as timely manner(Baron and McNeal, 2019).
Research approach: It is referred as the approach that will be followed to collect data and is of two
types that is deductive & inductive. If it is talking about present study, deductive approach will be
useful as it help to collect quantitative data which is based on facts and leads to development of valid
conclusion.

Research choice: It is the step-by-step process that is used by investigator to use and analyse
information by means of qualitative and quantitative data (Hawley and Hostetler, 2021). For the present
study, quantitative method is useful as it consist of numeric information that is easy to understand and
include high reliability.
Data collection: It is mainly of two forms such as primary as well as secondary. With reference to
present study, primary method is appropriate and useful as it help in gaining in-depth knowledge
directly from the source and also help to develop positive outcome.
Sampling: It is basically the process used to choose sample size out of the whole population for
conducting the study. It is of two forms that is probability and non-probability method. In relation to
present study, random sampling that is a part of probability sampling is taken into consideration
(Höhne, 2019). Moreover, 30 staff members of Waitrose is chosen as participants and the reason to
select employees is it help researcher to gain valid and appropriate data.
Data analysis: There are two forms of data analysis method that is frequency distribution and thematic
analysis. As per the data collected, frequency distribution analysis is appropriate as it help in analysing
primary as well as quantitative information in an effective manner (Hallam, 2021).
REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Baron, A. and McNeal, K. eds., 2019. Case study methodology in higher education. IGI Global.
Hawley, T.S. and Hostetler, A.L., 2021. Self-study as an emergent methodology in career and technical
education, adult education and technology: An invitation to inquiry. In Research Anthology on
Adult Education and the Development of Lifelong Learners (pp. 622-633). IGI Global.
Höhne, J.K., 2019. Eye-tracking methodology: exploring the processing of question formats in web
surveys. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(2), pp.199-206.
Hallam, K.F., 2021. Moving on from trials and errors: a discussion on the use of a forum as an online
focus group in qualitative research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology,
pp.1-11.

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

ANNEXURE “B”:
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.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: To analyse the importance of workplace transformation in improving organisational
and employee efficiency to remain competitive”. A study on Waitrose
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:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 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:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
By the help of probability sampling method
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
The processes that will be use to inform participants is Questionnaire
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?
E-mail and 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)
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:
Where will the data be stored?
Laptop

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?
Laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
For 6 months
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:
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 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 supervisor and also attach to the Research Proposal when
submitting to Turnitin.