COVID-19 Impact: Workplace Transformation in UK Retail & Performance

This research project investigates the influence of workplace transformation in the UK retail industry on company performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on ASDA. The study aims to understand the concepts and components of workplace transformation, identify its role in revamping company performance, and evaluate various strategies implemented as a consequence of the pandemic. The research employs a positivism philosophy and a deductive approach, utilizing a survey strategy with quantitative methods for data collection and frequency distribution analysis. Primary and secondary data sources were used, with a sample of 30 ASDA employees surveyed. The findings highlight the importance of workplace transformation in achieving success during the pandemic, focusing on components like systems, technology, people, policies, and the working environment. Strategies such as remote work and online recruitment are also explored as key elements in upgrading company performance.

RESEARCH PROJECT
(To investigate the influence of workplace
transformation of the UK retail industry in
improving the performance of company during
Covid-19)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Research Background: ...........................................................................................................3
Research aim, objectives and questions.................................................................................3
Research Rationale:................................................................................................................4
Research Significance: ..........................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
Concepts and components which are related to the workplace transformation in relation to
boosting the performance of the company during the Pandemic...........................................5
Role of workplace transformation in the process of revamping the performance of the
company within Asda because of Covid-19...........................................................................5
Various strategies as a consequence of Pandemic which can be used while implementing the
workplace transformation to upgrade company’s performance.............................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS ...........................................................................................9
Frequency distribution table...................................................................................................9
Data interpretation................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.............................................................................17
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................20
Questionnaire........................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Workplace transformation is one of the chief factor for the companies in order to shape
their work and operations (Bressler and Valentino, 2020). Nowadays, the technology is getting
advanced due to which the companies in retail sector has to be aware about the taste of
customers, market trends, various features of the industry in relation to rival company. Present
research is based on the topic of workplace transformation during the time of Pandemic in
context to improve the work performance in the company. The company considered for the study
is Asda which is one of the popular retail company and it has a wide range of products and
services for its customers. It is also famous for its best marketing campaigns which has the
power to attract and persuade more customers.
Research Background:
The research background will be related to the workplace transformation as it can be seen
that the Pandemic has carried the major changes in the company and market (Gorski and
et.al.,2022). The process of taking decisions and operations has changed after the impact of
Covid-19. Due to which the companies which are operating in the retail sector has to consider
the factors and plans to make the workplace an innovative and creative place.Moreover, there
are numerous ways which can be used by the Asda with the aim of implementing the workplace
transformation strategies in order to upgrade performance of the company. That is why the
chosen company must adopt digital technologies with the target of supporting the level of work
which will strengthen the work performance of the company. That is why the chosen company
will be able to attract the customers and to boost the level of customer experience.
Research aim, objectives and questions
Research Aim
To investigate the influence of workplace transformation of the UK retail industry in improving
the performance of company during Covid-19. A study on Asda.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concepts and components which are related to the workplace
transformation in relation to boosting the performance of the company during the
Pandemic.
 To identify the role of workplace transformation in the process of revamping the

performance of the company within Asda because of Covid-19.
To evaluate the various strategies as a consequence of Pandemic which can be used while
implementing the workplace transformation to upgrade company’s performance
Research questions
 What is the concepts and components which are related to the workplace transformation
in relation to boosting the performance of the company during the Pandemic?
 What is the role of workplace transformation in the process of revamping the
performance of the company within Asda because of Covid-19?
 Highlight various strategies as a consequence of Pandemic which can be used while
implementing the workplace transformation to upgrade company’s performance?
Research Rationale:
The fundamental reason for this proposal is to understand about the role of the workplace
transformation in context of improving the workplace transformation. Along with it, more study
is needed to support the potential uses to resolve the issues which will elevate the level of
performance and productivity in the company. Furthermore, the main concern in selecting the
current topic and the research is to improve my knowledge about the workplace transformation.
That is why this research will aid me in boosting my knowledge for the strategies used by the
chosen company in order to manage the level of performance at the company (Souza, 2020).
Research Significance:
The finding of the study will rebound to the part of the workplace transformation as it is one of
the crucial element in the company and its growth. That is why the company will be able to
implement it and make use of it for further improvements in their performance.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Concepts and components which are related to the workplace transformation in relation to
boosting the performance of the company during the Pandemic.
As per the view of Noor-Ilander (2021), workplace transformation plays a very important
role within an organisation pandemic because it helps in transforming the workplace into a better
place for working. During the time of pandemic, businesses need to shift to remote working so
that they make use of technologies for bringing new ideas and innovativeness within an
organisation in order to maintain business operations. A digital workplace can be defined as a
flexible, modern version of the traditional working and is defined by the collaborative
workplaces and consumerisation of IT. The company can also provide flexible working hours so
that the level of productivity can be improved and better innovations can be made in the
business. It can also be said that by making sue of new technology, the companies can transform
their workplace into a better and productive place. That is why the functions and operations of
the company will be improved if proper technology and devices will be utilized at the workplace
(Aroles and et. al., 2021). There are several components of workplace transformation that helps
the company in improving their business operations such as mobile apps, data security, flexible
working environment, cloud based software and many more. These components help in
increasing the working efficiency and effectiveness of employees so that they achieve success in
the time of COVID-19 pandemic.
Role of workplace transformation in the process of revamping the performance of the company
within Asda because of Covid-19.
As per the view of Manucci (2021), the process of implementing new changes within an
organisation is known as workplace transformation. The workplace with the help of technology
in order to improve performance of the company. It helps in permanently shifting to remote work
for the employees so that they work in an effective and productive manner towards achieving the
predetermined objectives of the business. Communicating effectively with employees with the
help of collaboration tools that help in improving the processes of the business to give employees
with the facility of taking and attending meetings with the online software. Such creativity and
innovation will elevate the level of performance in the retail company (De Clercq and Pereira,
2021). It can also be said that workplace transformation is known to play an essential role in

uplifting the performance of the company because of Covid-19 (Meske, 2019). Workplace
transformation also helps in understanding the use of new and advanced technologies which
results in increasing the business's overall effectiveness and production during the COVID-19
epidemic. This also helps in creating supportive and flexible working arrangements so that
employees feel motivated and satisfied to perform the working tasks of the company during the
time of pandemic situation.
Various strategies as a consequence of Pandemic which can be used while implementing the
workplace transformation to upgrade company’s performance.
As per the view of Selimović, Pilav-Velić and Krndžija (2021), there are different
strategies of workplace transformation which helps in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic
situation in an effective manner such as remote work, online recruiting and hiring, online classes
and training sessions. In the situation of COVID-19 the role of digitalisation trends has
accelerated because the choice of people has changed and altered after Pandemic. Remote work
is the most important strategy that helps in developing employees of the company to work in a
more effective and better way so that they gain high productivity (Kane and et. al., 2021). Online
recruitment is also an effective strategy related to workplace transformation which helps in
employing talented employees so that they work in achieving high growth and success in the
competitive market.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is an important section It aids the researcher in effectively
gathering and analysing data related to the issue (Mohajan, 2018). It is a systematic plan that
helps in resolving the research problem that results in ensuring reliability and validity of the
gathered information.
Research philosophy
It is useful to split research philosophy into two distinct categories, usually known as
positivism and interpretivism. In conducting the following study, the researcher has selected
positivism philosophy (Pandey and Pandey, 2021). The main benefit of selecting positivism
philosophy is that it facilitates more efficient collection of quantitative data about the subject at
hand and understandable manner.
Research approach
Research approach is of two kinds such as deductive and inductive approaches The
researcher chose the deductive method and conducted the research appropriately in the present
(Dwigo and Dwigo-Barosz, 2018). Deductive reasoning is preferred mostly because it makes it
easier to test theories in a useful manner.
Research strategy
Research strategy is of many types which are defined as survey, systematic literature
review, focus group, questionnaire, and many more (Zangirolami-Raimundo, Echeimberg and
Leone, 2018). Survey method is selected by the researcher in carrying out the current research in
an effective way. The reason for selecting survey method is to get detailed and fair information
from the respondents on the selected topic.
Research choice
Research choice is of two types which are defined as qualitative and quantitative
methods. In carrying out the current investigation, the investigator has selected quantitative
method (Säfsten and Gustavsson, 2020). Because it enables more precise interpretation of
numerical data and figures, quantitative methods are preferred.
Data collection
Data collection can be classified into there are two categories: primary and secondary
(Bairagi and Munot, eds., 2019). In conducting the current study, the researcher has used both

primary and secondary data. The selection of primary and secondary sources aids in gathering
information on the chosen topic from many sources.
Data analysis
Data analyses can be divided into different types such as thematic analysis, frequency
distribution analysis and many more (Al-Ababneh, 2020). In the present investigation, frequency
distribution analysis is selected by the investigator. The reason for selecting frequency
distribution analysis is that it helps in evaluating the entire data in a convenient manner.
Time horizon
Two temporal horizon techniques are longitudinal and cross sectional. Cross-sectional
methodology was used by the researcher in the currently ongoing investigation (Ngozwana,
2018). Cross-sectional methodology was used for the current study because it facilitates timely
and adequate completion of the research.
Sampling
There are two different sorts of sampling techniques: probability and non-probability.
The researcher uses a probability sampling technique to conduct the current study (Dodds and
Hess, 2). The reason for selecting probability sampling technique is that it helps in gathering fair
and true value from the respondents, the researcher has selected 30 employees of ASDA.

DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
Frequency distribution table
Q1) Do you think, workplace transformation plays an important role in
achieving success in an organisation during COVID-19 pandemic?
Frequency
a) Yes 23
b) No 5
c) May be 2
Q2) As per your perception, what is the role of workplace transformation in
improving the performance in an organisation in the time of COVID-19
pandemic?
Frequency
a) Helps in reducing employee turnover 8
b) Increased growth 7
c) High revenue and profitability 6
d) Providing work from facility 5
e) Improving the performance of employees 4
Q3) As per your perspective, what are different types of components of
workplace transformation that help ASDA in gaining success during COVID-19
pandemic?
Frequency
a) System and technology 7
b) People and teams 6
c) Procedures and policies 8
d) Business alignment 4
e) Working environment and culture 5
Q4) Do you think that these components help in improving the performance and
productivity of ASDA in an effective manner during COVID-19?
Frequency

a) Strongly agree 9
b) Agree 7
c) Neutral 6
d) Disagree 5
e) Strongly disagree 3
Q5) As per your opinion, what are the strategies that business use in the time of
pandemic for implementing workplace transformation?
Frequency
a) Flexible working hours 6
b) Remote work to employees 5
c) Positive working environment 7
d) Providing training to employees 9
e) Use of digital technologies 3
Q6) Do you think that these strategies related to workplace transformation are
important for the business and helps in gaining growth and success in the time
of COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 3
c) Can't say 3

Data interpretation
Table 1: Workplace transformation plays an important role in achieving success in an
organisation during COVID-19 pandemic
Q1) Do you think, workplace transformation plays an important role in
achieving success in an organisation during COVID-19 pandemic?
Frequency
a) Yes 23
b) No 5
c) May be 2
a) Yes b) No c) May be
0
5
10
15
20
25 23
5
2
Interpretation: As per the above gathered data from the graph, it is interpreted that workplace
transformation plays an important role in improving the performance of the business in the time
of pandemic. Out of the total of 30 respondents, 23 respondents have said yes and agree that
transforming the workplace is essential for improving working efficiency of employees.

Table 2: What is the role of workplace transformation in improving the performance in an
organisation in the time of COVID-19 pandemic
Q2) As per your perception, what is the role of workplace transformation in
improving the performance in an organisation in the time of COVID-19
pandemic?
Frequency
a) Helps in reducing employee turnover 8
b) Increased growth 7
c) High revenue and profitability 6
d) Providing work from facility 5
e) Improving the performance of employees 4
a) Helps in reducing employee turnover
c) High revenue and profitability
e) Improving the performance of employees
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
7
6
5
4