ASDA Case Study: Global Pandemic and Digital Workplace Transformation

This report investigates the impact of the global pandemic on accelerating digital workplace transformation, focusing on ASDA as a case study. It explores the major dimensions of digital workplace transformation, including human resources, employee engagement, project management, and information access. The study identifies advantages such as improved productivity, reduced operational costs, increased flexibility, and enhanced communication. It also addresses the challenges faced by ASDA, such as employee resistance and data security concerns. The research further examines the digital strategies adopted by ASDA, including remote working and the implementation of online applications and software, to maintain business functions during the pandemic. The research employs a positivism philosophy and a deductive approach, utilizing quantitative research methods to analyze data gathered through questionnaires. Ultimately, the report aims to provide a detailed understanding of how the pandemic necessitated and shaped digital workplace transformation strategies at ASDA, contributing to both personal and professional insights for the researcher.

Research Project
(Impact of the global pandemic on
accelerating digital workplace
transformation)
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................4
Overview of the topic and organisation.......................................................................................4
Research aim and objective.........................................................................................................4
Research question........................................................................................................................5
Research rational.........................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW..................................................................................6
Introduction to literature review..................................................................................................6
What are the major dimensions of digital workplace transformation?........................................6
Identify the advantages of using digital workplace transformation during global pandemic
COVID-19?..................................................................................................................................7
Discuss the challenges of digital workplace transformation faced by ASDA during executing
business functions at the time of pandemic COVID-19?............................................................7
Explain the digital strategy that is adopted by ASDA in undertaking business functions at the
time of global pandemic COVID-19?..........................................................................................8
Conclusion of literature review...................................................................................................8
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................9
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA FINDING AND ANALYSING.........................................................11
Data presentation and interpretation..........................................................................................11
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION..............................................17
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................17
ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY......................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
APPENDIX 1.................................................................................................................................20
Research proposal and ethical form...........................................................................................20
APPENDIX 2.................................................................................................................................34
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................34
APPENDIX 3.................................................................................................................................36
Completed questionnaire...........................................................................................................36
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Overview of the topic and organisation
Digital workplace transformation is the concept of acquiring various technology and
network within the workplace to create a flexible working environment for the organisation. It is
the process of aligning technology with worker and work in order to improve the organisational
performance. At the time of global pandemic it becomes necessary for the organisation to
implement the strategy of digital workplace transformation in edict to recover the overall
performance of the organisation. Many organisations are shifting their focus on adopting the
business strategy of digital workplace transformation in order to operate their business function
in proper manner during Covid 19 pandemic (Selimović, Pilav-Velić and Krndžija, 2021). The
global crisis forces the organisation to rethink a workplace were all work are being aligned with
the digital technology and networks so that remote working can become possible and employee
can work in productive manner. millions of the company at that time transformed their working
space into digitalisation. This helps them to gain advantage and reduce the stress among the
employee. It also helps the organisation in increasing their agility towards their work and job
(Gabryelczyk, 2020).
For conducting the investigation, the chosen company is Asda. Asda is one of the biggest
British supermarket store. The founder of the brand is Peter and Fred Asquith and Sir Noel
Stockdale and they founded the store in 1949. Headquarter of Asda is located in Leeds, United
Kingdom. The product in which they deal are Grocery, General Merchandise, Financial service
and the service they provide are Asda mobile, Asda money, George and Asda living.
Research aim and objective
Aim:
To analyse the impact of global pandemic on stimulation of digital workplace transformation. A
study on ASDA
Objectives:
 To examine the major dimensions of digital workplace transformation.
 To discern the advantages of using digital workplace transformation during global
pandemic COVID-19.
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 To inspect the challenges of digital workplace transformation faced by ASDA during
executing business functions at the time of pandemic COVID-19.
 To investigate how digital strategies supported ASDA in undertaking business functions
at the time of global pandemic COVID-19.
Research question
 What are the major dimensions of digital workplace transformation?
 Identify the advantages of using digital workplace transformation during global pandemic
COVID-19?
 Discuss the challenges of digital workplace transformation faced by ASDA during
executing business functions at the time of pandemic COVID-19?
 Explain the digital strategy that is adopted by ASDA in undertaking business functions at
the time of global pandemic COVID-19?
Research rational
The major rational behind conducting the above investigation is to gain detailed
understanding on the topic digital workplace transformation. This research helps in increasing
knowledge related to various dimension of workplace transformation and the advantage gain by
using digital workplace in their organisation. The current research will highlight the challenges
company faces due to absence of digital workplace with their business and also highlight the
various digital workplace transformation strategies used in improving the business function
(McCarthy, Sammon, and Alhassan, 2021). The present research has great interest for me as it
assists in achieving dual perspective which are personal and professional. In respect to the
professional objective, the current research would build various skills in me such as
communication skill, research skill, data analytics skill, problem solving skill and many more.
Theses all skill will aid in completing the investigation in scientific manner. As well as I would
also learn various tool and method which is used in research so that it can be done in systematic
manner. On the other hand, with respect to professional skill, the research will help in identifying
various job available in organisation so that I can develop my professional career. The workplace
transformations strategies will also help me in using these methods when I will be working as a
manger and improve the business function (Rinker and et. al, 2021).
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CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction to literature review
It is the second chapter in the investigation which act as an important part in the
dissertation. In this section previous data about the topic is used in order to gain detailed
understanding on the topic. Researcher use this part to address their research question and attain
their objective in sound proof manner. The past published data is obtained by numerous
secondary sources such as files, journal, article, online site and many more. This section also aids
the researcher to identify the gap between research.
What are the major dimensions of digital workplace transformation?
In the view of Mancl and Fraser (2020), digital workplace transformation is the business
strategy which change the working space of the organisation by adopting various technology and
network. There are various dimensions of workplace transformation which are discussed below:
Human resource: The first dimension of workplace transformation is human resource.
Workplace transformation helps the human resource department to manage their human assets by
aligning them with technology and network so that they can operate maintain them in effective
and efficient manner.
Employee: Another key drive of digital workplace transformation is combining the work
of employee with technology so that they can work in productive manner. with digital
transformation employee can perform their work remotely which helps then to manage their
personal and professional life in effective manner (Pan and Zhang, 2020).
Project management: Another significant dimension of workplace transformation is
project management. With the help of digital technology and network wider project can be
managed in successful manner. They also help in dividing the project into various task so that
duplication of work can be removed as well as project can be completed in effective manner.
Relevant information: With the help of technology and network company can extract
useful and relevant information whenever they want which aid them to make accurate decision at
the time of urgency.
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Identify the advantages of using digital workplace transformation during global pandemic
COVID-19?
According to the opinion of Trenerry and et. al (2021), digital workplace transformation
has provided various benefit to the company at the time of global pandemic. At the time of
pandemic it becomes necessary for the organisation to rethink the working space which is
digitalised. Some of the advantage that is acquired during pandemic are as follow:
Improve productivity and efficiency: With the aid of digital workplace transformation it
helps the organisation in improving the Organisational productivity and efficiency. Through this
work has becoming easier and also help in collaborating various job with one another, which
helps the employee to perform their work in real time. It also increased the productivity level as
they work are align with technology which make easier for them to do their function.
Reduce operational cost: Another advantage that is acquired by workplace transformation
is reducing the operational cost of the company. At the time of pandemic company has adopted
the virtual meeting mode which helps them to reduce their traveling cost. Interview are also
conducted using online application which also save their unnecessary expenses which were
incurred at the time of traditional mode (Phillips, 2020).
Some another benefit that is gained by the organisation with digital workplace transformation are
increased flexibility, enhanced communication system, improved employee satisfaction,
reducing human errors and many more.
Discuss the challenges of digital workplace transformation faced by ASDA during executing
business functions at the time of pandemic COVID-19?
As per the view of Fletcher and Griffiths (2020), Challenges are the part of the company
and organisation need to face them but all these impact the business function at some point of
time. During the time of Covid 19 Asda also faces challenges while implementing the strategy of
digital workplace transformation within their space. The foremost issue that Asda face is
resistance by the employee, as workers are so calm by the old-style way of working that they do
not want to acquire modern way. This resistance by employee is the major problem that they
face. Another challenges are securing the data and application. As all the work are aligning with
the technology the main fear of Asda is of protection. Data security is the major problem and
challenge they face (Gavrila and Ancill, 2021).
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Explain the digital strategy that is adopted by ASDA in undertaking business functions at the
time of global pandemic COVID-19?
According to the view of Grimm (2021), Asda has adopted various digital strategies at the
time of Covid 19 pandemic in order to operate their business function in smooth manner. some
of the measure that they used are:
Remote working: The first strategy that they used is providing remote working to their
employee so that they can minimise the risk of fear among them as well as operate their function
while sitting home. This strategy helps them to continue their work and increase productivity
(Rospigliosi, 2020).
Online application and software: Another strategy that is used by Asda is adopting
online software and application so that they can track the performance of their employee as well
as can operate their business at the time of pandemic. The use of application and software also
improve their communication which also aid in making proper decision for the company (Marx
and Padmanabhan, 2020).
Conclusion of literature review
From the above literature review it is being conclude that at the time of Covid 19 it become
very necessary for the companies to adopt the strategy of digital workplace transformation. This
helped them to gain competitive advantage and also help to operate their business function in
smooth manner. With the adopting of technology and software company manage their operation
by aligning work and workers with the technology.
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CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is the third chapter in the discretion which extract valuable
information in order to attain aim and objectives in valid manner. It refers as the systematic
procedure to recognise, examine and infer information (Sileyew, 2019). Research methodology
helps in accumulating accurate data as per the chosen topic so that rationality and consistency
can be maintained. Research methodology is additional separated into various parts which is
explained below:
Research philosophy: Positivism and interpretivism are the two research philosophy.
Positivism philosophy understand the society with objective information and interpretivism
philosophy understand with subjective data. In the current investigation, researcher has selected
positivism philosophy. The main advantage is it will gather and analyse quantitative information
which in other hand used to distinguish the existing trend and pattern in the social world.
Research approach: Research approach can be referred as the plan to test the hypothesis
and theories to attain objective. Deductive and inductive are the two research approach. In the
current investigation, deductive approach is used. Using this approach help in testing the existing
hypothesis so that decision can be made whether the hypothesis should be rejected or accepted
(Ratnam, 2019).
Research choice: There are two types of research choices which are quantitative and
qualitative. In existing research, researcher has used quantitative research method. The main
motive for this is it helps in gathering and analysing mathematical information. Collecting this
information requires less time as well as one of the cost effective method.
Research strategy: Some of the strategy which is used to gathered data about the thought
and idea of the investigator are survey, experimental research, case study, action research and
many more. As per the study, survey research strategy is selected to gather large volume of
quantitative information. Using survey mass population can be covered in cost effective manner.
Time horizon: It is the time framework which tells about the point of time to gather and
analysing information. Time horizon are divided into two parts which are cross sectional and
longitudinal. As per the chosen topic, cross sectional time horizon is chosen to gather data in
short span of time. It will also collect data in just one go so that accurate data can be gathered
(Fidahic and et. al, 2020).
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Data collection: Data collection method are primary and secondary data collection. In the
current investigation, both primary and secondary data us collected. Primary data gathers fresh
information whereas secondary data collect second hand information. The instrument to obtained
prime data is questionnaire and for secondary data it is books, online site and many more.
Data analysis: Two types of data analysis method are there which are Frequency
distribution and thematic. As per the chosen topic, frequency distribution method to review and
calculate quantitative information. This method helps in obtained result in the form of table,
charts and graphs (VanKooten, 2019).
Sampling: Sampling is the method of taking sample from the society/. There are two
sampling method which are probability and non-probability sampling. In the present
investigation, probability sampling has chosen and in that random sampling method is used to
take out participants in equal and fair manner. This technique will help in providing equal
chance to the respondent to get selected. The sample size is 30 employees from the company
ASDA.
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CHAPTER FOUR: DATA FINDING AND ANALYSING
Data presentation and interpretation
Q1) As per your opinion, is digital workplace transformation is an
important part for the organisation in current era?
FREQUENCY
a) Yes 26
b) No 4
Interpretation: Frome the above table and graph it is analysed that out of 30 employees 20
answer yes that digital workplace transformation is an important part in current era were
competition is high and to gain advantage various it is necessary to go digitalise. Rest 4 is of the
view that it is not at all important in the current era to adopt digitalisation as it change the whole
business functioning.
Q2) As per your perspective, digital workplace transformation
facilitates employees to work in more flexible and smooth manner?
FREQUENCY
a) Yes 25
b) No 4
c) Maybe 1
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Interpretation: From the above gathered data it is being interpreted that majority of respondent
ha answer that yes digital workplace transformation helps the employee to execute their work in
flexible and smooth manner. Through digital technology the jobs of the workers are aligned with
the technology so that their workload can be reduced. 4 is of the view that digital workplace
transformation does not help the employee as it creates more pressure to learn more
technological skill among them. Rest 1 say maybe it impact the employee work.
Q3) As per your knowledge, does digital workplace transformation aid
the Asda in performing their business operation during the time of
Covid 19?
FREQUENCY
d) Yes 24
e) No 4
f) Maybe 2
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Interpretation: From the above data it is being discussed that approx. 80 percent of the employee
says that Asda gets an advantage while implementing the strategy of digital workplace
transformation in their working place at the time of Covid 19. 13 percent employee answer that
thy did not get an advantage in performing business operation and the remaining 7 percent
answer maybe.
Q4) What is the major dimension of workplace transformation which
helps in performing business activity in flexible manner?
FREQUENCY
a) Human resource 6
b) Project management 4
c) Collaboration and connection 11
d) Relevant information 9
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