Impact of Supply Chain Management on Business Operations at Unilever

This report examines the impact of Supply Chain Management (SCM) on the business operations of Unilever PLC. The research problem focuses on evaluating how SCM influences competitiveness and customer satisfaction. The report explores various research methods, including interviews and surveys, both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It analyzes key readings to understand the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of SCM, highlighting its role in cost reduction and operational efficiency. The methodology section details the use of surveys and qualitative research to gather data from customers and suppliers. The report also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The conclusion summarizes the findings regarding the significance of SCM in enhancing business performance, improving financial standing, and providing tools for problem diagnosis and solution implementation. The report also covers research dissemination, including relevance and audience, and communication of research findings.

Business Research

Table of Contents
1 Research problem and methodologies .........................................................................................1
1.1 Research problem..................................................................................................................1
1.2 Analysis of key readings.......................................................................................................1
1.3 Research methods..................................................................................................................2
2 Instrument and conclusion............................................................................................................6
2.1 Instruments............................................................................................................................6
2.2 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................7
2.3 Bibliography..........................................................................................................................8
3 Research Dissemination................................................................................................................9
3.1 Relevance and audience........................................................................................................9
3.2 Communication of research................................................................................................10
Reflective statement based on feedback...................................................................................10
Appendix........................................................................................................................................11
.......................................................................................................................................................12

1 Research problem and methodologies
1.1 Research problem
Supply chain management has become an integral part of business organization to attain
success at market place. This research is focus on evaluating the impact of supply chain
management in the business operation of the company. Mainly, SCM is one of the important
aspect for company as it help in increasing competitiveness and customers satisfaction (Beske,
Land and Seuring, 2014). In addition of this, if supply chains are effectively run within the
organization than they easily deliver quality services the end customers at low cost. With the
assistance of this, company can easily maximize their profitability level and also capture larger
market share from its rivals. Furthermore, the problem of the research is justifiable because it
help in evaluating the actual impact of supply chain management for business operation. In this
context, the main research problem is framed as:
To evaluate the impact of supply chain management on the business operations of
an organization. A study on Unilever plc.
1.2 Analysis of key readings
According to (Ingram, 2019), SCM is consider as a organized formulation which used to
negotiate the distribution of goods and services to end users. As it directly affect the entire
business operation of the company because it includes accessibility of inputs that required for
manufacture process, costs and profitability of produced services, overall infrastructure of
company, ways in which business organization communicate with their customers and suppliers
as well. In addition of this, SCM play a significant role in managing as well as organizing
demand and supply within the business organization. It also includes the primary roles and
responsibilities of business functions that includes in the business market through which
organization can easily expand their activities in another market place and at the same time also
enhance their productivity level at global market.
SCM is consider as a continuous activity which used to generate a cost reduction but also
mission to create greater operational ratio within the business organization. Now a days, SCM
has become an integral part of firm which help in serving unique services to customers in order
to attain their satisfaction level. The main advantages of SCM is to boost customers services and
at the same time also reduce the operating cost. It contribute in improving the financial standing
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the company at market place. In addition of this, supply chain management includes three levels
of decisions such as strategic, tactical and operational. All these levels are directly contribute
reducing the wastages and at the same time also help in maximizing overall profitability level. In
context of Unilever plc, strategic decisions are based in long term decision that is relate with the
production, location, inventory and transportation. Along with this, tactical decision involve
medium- term decision that includes demand forecasts, distribution and transportation planning,
materials requirement planning. At last operational decisions are related with the day- to- day
decisions that are directly related with the typical managerial duties. Thus, it is evaluated that the
main goal of supply chain management is to reduce the inventory to keep costs low at the time of
ensuring products are available when it is needed.
Apart from this, use of supply chain management in business operation provides various
benefits to the organization which may directly contribute in establishing competitive image at
market place. As effective supply chain will dramatically reduce the wastage within the
operations activities through which company easily deliver quality services to the end customers
at low cost (Chen, Preston and Swink, 2015). This will enhance the chances of attaining higher
profitability by satisfying customers. Mainly, SCM offers various tools and techniques that
support organisation to diagnose the problem and at the same time also provide better solution.
As it also play a significant role in moving goods more quickly to the end customers. This will
directly contribute in inviting large number of customers and make strong strong financial
standing of the company.
1.3 Research methods
For gathering information there are two type of research methodologies such as
interviews and surveys. Both methods are appropriate for investigator to analysis the information
about the research topic. In this research, researcher have studied about the impact of supply
chain management in business operations within the organization. For this, the choose these two
research method such as interview and survey. In this regards, it is important for researcher to
develop an effective method and technique to undertake the study of supply chain management
in order to evaluate the main purpose and process. It is also help in determining the issues and its
answer that helped in improving the chances of attaining positive outcomes towards the supply
chain management and its impact on business organization (Christopher and Ryals, 2014). By
this type research application and method investigator can easily take a right decision and at the
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same time also draw a valid conclusion. For attaining the same, researcher is also responsible for
selecting an appropriate method so that they can easily complete the research work. For making
research to be successful, researcher play a significant role in undertaking in-depth analysis of
collected data to gather relevant information. With the assistance of this, researcher improve the
chances of attaining positive outcomes. For attaining the same, investigator use both qualitative
and quantitative methods by which investigator is able to summarize the valid and reliable
conclusion that may improve the efficiency level of the research.
In addition of this, survey questionnaire is considered as a method which defined for
targeting a sample size which is customers and suppliers of the company. In this, customers and
its followers who are consume company products are being selected for the sampling size. In
context of survey method, researcher select sample size on the basis of their supply chain
management which may help them in collecting valid and reliable information of the SCM and
its impact on the operations of the business. With the assistance of this investigator easily draw a
valid conclusion by addressing the issue in most effective manner. This type of investigator aid
in developing the economic and also improve the performance level of the company at market
place. Mainly, it is beneficial for researcher because this type of research save time and fund,
The main reason behind this is that the data is already published and collected from another
person. In this regards, researcher does not need to spend money because they gather published
data and information within their research activities. With the assistance of this, investigator
easily draw a conclusion and also increase efficiency of the whole research activities.
According to Dubey and et. al., (2017), Qualitative research is a method that focused on
gathering data and information through open- ended and conversational communication with
different respondents. By using this method, investigator gather information towards the impact
of supply chain management in business operation because this method not only about what
people think but also determine that why they think so. Furthermore, qualitative research method
allow the researcher in gathering in-depth information about the topic i.e. impact of supply chain
management on business operations wherein researcher analyse response of respondents to
gather appropriate decisions. Mainly, Quantitative research approach is based on the method in
which researcher focus on the issues in order to resolve the problem. Mainly, this research
includes he new phenomenon and structure that contribute in analysing the actual data and
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information. In this context, there are some advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research
method are as follows:
According to Gaille, (2018), the main advantage of using qualitative research is that all
the subject materials can be evaluated with in-depth detail. In this, the main goal of this type of
method is to create measurable outcomes that researcher easily evaluate the reliability of the
information in an appropriate way. Along with this, qualitative research is also based on the
human experience and observations in which investigator analysis their views and opinion
towards the research topic in order to take right decision. Furthermore, qualitative research is
consider as an open ended process that support to get underneath response of different participant
to draw a valid conclusion. One of the main advantage of this type research method is that it save
time and cost because it includes smaller sample size as it also provide more content for creatives
teams. It become possible to understand attitudes of participant towards the research and its
activities as well.
On the other side, qualitative research process does not give any statistical representation.
As it only provide data from the perspective of respondents only. This is the main reason it
become difficult to be measured and comparison are possible. Under this type of method, it can
be difficult to replicate the results in the research based on the impact of supply chain
management on business operations. The main reason behind this is that it is based on the
individual perspective so that it is impossible to duplicate the result that are found.
According to Dubey, Gunasekaran and Ali, (2015), quantitative research is an effective
aspect which help investigator to systematically investigation of phenomenon which help in
gathering information and data in statistical and mathematical form. Mainly, this type of research
method collect information from the possible customers, online survey and questionnaire as well.
By using this, research maker undertake a survey in order to understand participant views and
opinion about the concept of SCM. In this investigator ask question from the consumers and
provider of the organization to collect the data related with specified topic and area. Qualitative
research approach is related with the method which focus on analysing as well evaluating the
particular questions that asked from the respondents towards the research topic and area. Along
with this, secondary method of data collection is also an effective method by which researcher
gather data from various sources that are already published in different materials. The research
that is done by this is most commonly reported in the form of statistical tables and graphs. This
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research method is tends to be informative and numerical information has to be analysed so as to
complete the research. In addition of this, quantitative method focus on numbers, logic, and
objective stance which direction on numeric and unchanging data and in order to gather valid
information in relation to impact of the SCM in business operation of organization. In this data is
help in using structured research instruments which is based on the larger sample sized that are
representative on the whole population which aid in collecting high reliability within the
research. This will contribute in evaluating the effectiveness of the information. For attaining the
same, research maker uses tools like questionnaire or questionnaire of computer services in order
to gather numerical data which leads in analysing the accurate information.
On the other side, according to Ellram and Cooper, (2014), survey is also used by the
investigator with the aim of undertaking research activities in systematic way. In this, sample
size is also selected with the of the gathering information about the topic of supply chain
management. As this type of method is quite complex because it conducted with large sample
size to completed the project activities in systematic manner. In this context, large sample size
may includes disadvantages as it cost behind the carry out the study. Furthermore large sample is
required more complex method as it may create complexities at gathering information about the
research topic of how Supply chain management impact on the business operations.
Undertaking survey is refer to the activities that help in approaching the suppliers and
customers who are the impacted by the supply chain management within the business operations.
As the development of survey is considering by distributing the sample on the basis of age,
gender, income and educational level. By this they easily analysis the actual response of
participants about the supply chain management and its impact on the operational activities of
the company. It help investigator to take positive results in order to increase the chances of
attaining valid and reliable results. It is also benefited to the research as it help in reducing the
chances of any kind of errors and misrepresentation of information.
In addition of this, undertaking interview method is also effective for researcher in which
they ask questions from the respondents who has knowledge about specified with research topic
and area. As the data is obtain by the interview is analysed by which descriptive technique and
the interview leads in revealing the accurate details in relation to impact of supply chain
management within the operations of organization.
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2 Instrument and conclusion
2.1 Instruments
To evaluate the impact of supply chain management on business operation of
organization research is carried out by the investigator which help in analysing views and
opinion of different respondents. This section includes uses of quantitative survey questionnaire
method which help in understanding the participants response towards the particular topic and
area. Along with this, this research is also based on the effectiveness of the SCM within the
manufacturing activities of the company which directly contribute in maximizing the
profitability level and at the same time also capture customers attention towards its products and
services (Gunasekaran and et. al., 2017). In context of this, the proposed instrument is to gather
relevant data and information for this research by carry out the survey questionnaire method.
Mainly, the survey questionnaire method is help investigator to collecting adequate and accurate
data from the different respondents from the suitable sample size. The main reason behind this
research instrument is that the method of survey aid in obtaining the statistical data findings
through the large number of research public. In addition of this, current research is focused on
analysing the impact of supply chain management on business operation within the organization.
In this, customers and suppliers of the company is included for obtaining fact based data and
information that provide support to investigator in improving the chances of attaining positive
outcomes within the study. This can be attaining by the undertaking survey method which may
aid in analysing as well as evaluating the response of the respondents that selected through the
sample size.
As per my point of view, survey gap is also considered which associated with the survey
questionnaire. In this research, I a enable in identifying the sample size from the population for
carry out the survey method. With the assistance of this, I can easily gather information from the
participants towards the topic i.e. impact of supply chain management on business operations. In
addition of this, large sample size includes the complex and difficult sample selection technique
as the it is difficult to manage the large number of sample size. The main reason behind this is
that it increase cost and provide large amount of data to the investigator. Furthermore, it is also
includes issues related with the distribution of the sample population into distinct groups which
may enhance the chances of increasing cost and time at the time of gathering information from
the method of survey questionnaire. For resolving this type of issue, I have decided to undertake
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survey with the limited number of customers and suppliers as well. In this, I have select the
sample size of 100 who is the customers and its suppliers that get affected from the supply chain
management of the company and its products also.
Furthermore, I also learnt that the sampling technique is also important for researcher to
reduce the biasses an also help in providing equal opportunities to the participants within the
research in order to understand their opinion and views towards the particular research topic and
area. In this random sampling is play a significant role in categorisations of probability of
sampling. With the assistance of this, I can easily gather the data and information about the
impact of supply chain management on business operation.
2.2 Conclusion
As per discussed report, it is analysed that survey data collection is an effective and
appropriate instrument that help in delivering as well as offering suitable and valid answers
towards the research questions which aid in evaluating the impact of supply chain management
on operations of organization. As the applied instrument is also valuable that help in offering
valuable and specific information gathered from the participants that help in generating a fact
based aspect in which research is undertake. Along with this, the instrument is also effective and
valuable for the upcoming research activities because it help in providing numeric and statistical
information to the researcher which may directly contribute in attaining accurate and valid
information towards the main affect of demand on operations in company. By this, research
maker can analysis the chances of achieving set results. As supply chain is an crucial activity for
organization to maximize the profitability level by satisfying customers needs and wants. This
will lend in creating competitive image of the company. In this research, investigator create a
survey questionnaire method together relaxant data and information from different respondents
to make an successful study.
Along with this, as per my point of view I have learnt about the method of survey is the
most effective and appropriate way to gather relevant data towards the supply chain management
and its impact on business operation. In this, the method of interview can not be applied for
collecting information by analysing response of large number of customers and supply about the
effectiveness of supply chain management. Along with this, I also improve my skills related with
sampling technique that help in eliminating the chances of arising any kind of issues. Under this
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study, I have evaluated that the random sampling method is one of the effective way to gather
information from the participants.
2.3 Bibliography
Beske, P., Land, A. and Seuring, S., 2014. Sustainable supply chain management practices and
dynamic capabilities in the food industry: A critical analysis of the
literature. International Journal of Production Economics. 152. pp.131-143.
Chen, D. Q., Preston, D. S. and Swink, M., 2015. How the use of big data analytics affects value
creation in supply chain management. Journal of Management Information Systems.
32(4). pp.4-39.
Christopher, M. and Ryals, L. J., 2014. The supply chain becomes the demand chain. Journal of
Business Logistics. 35(1). pp.29-35.
Dubey, R. and et. al., 2017. Sustainable supply chain management: framework and further
research directions. Journal of Cleaner Production. 142. pp.1119-1130.
Dubey, R., Gunasekaran, A. and Ali, S. S., 2015. Exploring the relationship between leadership,
operational practices, institutional pressures and environmental performance: A
framework for green supply chain. International Journal of Production Economics. 160.
pp.120-132.
Ellram, L. M. and Cooper, M. C., 2014. Supply chain management: It's all about the journey, not
the destination. Journal of Supply Chain Management. 50(1). pp.8-20.
Gunasekaran, A. and et. al., 2017. Big data and predictive analytics for supply chain and
organizational performance. Journal of Business Research. 70. pp.308-317.
Hazen, B. T. and et. al., 2014. Data quality for data science, predictive analytics, and big data in
supply chain management: An introduction to the problem and suggestions for research
and applications. International Journal of Production Economics. 154. pp.72-80.
Li, Y. and et. al., 2014. Governance of sustainable supply chains in the fast fashion
industry. European Management Journal. 32(5). pp.823-836.
Qrunfleh, S. and Tarafdar, M., 2014. Supply chain information systems strategy: Impacts on
supply chain performance and firm performance. International Journal of Production
Economics. 147. pp.340-350.
Turker, D. and Altuntas, C., 2014. Sustainable supply chain management in the fast fashion
industry: An analysis of corporate reports. European Management Journal. 32(5).
pp.837-849.
Wang, G. and et. al., 2016. Big data analytics in logistics and supply chain management: Certain
investigations for research and applications. International Journal of Production
Economics. 176. pp.98-110.
Wolf, J., 2014. The relationship between sustainable supply chain management, stakeholder
pressure and corporate sustainability performance. Journal of business ethics. 119(3).
pp.317-328.
Yusuf, Y. Y. and et. al., 2014. A relational study of supply chain agility, competitiveness and
business performance in the oil and gas industry. International Journal of Production
Economics. 147. pp.531-543.
Online
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Ingram, D., 2019. How Does Supply Chain Management Affect. [Online]. Available
through:<https://smallbusiness.chron.com/supply-chain-management-affect-
manufacturing-companies-75841.html>.
Gaille, B., 2018. Advantages and Disadvantages of Qualitative Research. [Online]. Available
through:<https://brandongaille.com/25-advantages-disadvantages-qualitative-research/
>.
3 Research Dissemination
3.1 Relevance and audience
In research, it is important for researcher is responsible for identified the right audiences
so that they can easily make an authentic report. In addition of this, the audience chosen need to
clear and simple through which investigator gather reliable information towards the research
topic. The audience that is to be chosen for this study is the supplier and the manufacturer who
will make the research project useful. This is the type of project that will enable the reader to
know the pros of implementing SCM in the organisation in better way. The audience are the
industry who are deals in retail market are the best audience as they are the one who needs to
study the report carefully so that they are able to improve their supply chain management (Hazen
and et. al., 2014). This will help them to make their way of working better and would help them
handle their products supply globally. Along with this, the important purpose of investigator is to
carry out the research in Unilever plc which is transnational consumer goods company in
London. The reason for selecting this type of company is that, firm is Europe's seventh most
valuable company and its products are available in approx 190 countries. Company focus on
customers satisfaction by delivering them quality services. In addition of this, organization
includes products like food and beverages, cleaning agents, beauty products and personal care
products provide large number of customers. With the help of carry out this research,
investigator can easily understand how supply chain management help in increasing revenue.
Furthermore, this study is analysed by including interviews and survey questionnaire which help
in addressing the investigation question in effective manner.
3.2 Communication of research
In context of connection of the inquiry, the main focus of this study on evaluating the
impact of supply chain management on business operation within the organization. Mainly, it
help in producing quality and unique products which may aid attaining customers attentions
towards the company. This will lend in accomplishing larger profitability level. In this context,
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the design of this report would be academic and formal which help in making overall
presentation of the research is more effective (Li and et. al., 2014). This will aid in determining
the findings towards the research topic in systematic and effective manner. As the research that is
done in public organisation reflects the quality of data and also provides the data that is very
effective. If the public organisation is chose for the research it will enable researcher in getting
the research to wider space as public organisation has ability to reach wider population.
Reflective statement based on feedback
As per my previous work and feedback, I have evaluate that various changes are there
that make my skill strong towards the specified topic of the research. For improving my skills
and knowledge, I undertake research to gather relevant data and information that helped me in
reducing the chances of arising issues in my upcoming project. In addition of this, I have to
ensured that all the collected that is accurate and reliable or not through which I can easily make
my project authentic and successful as well. In this, I also tries to includes evidence based
information which help in enhancing the relevancy of the project and its activities as well. For
attaining the same, I includes different authors views and opinion associated with the particular
topic and area. With the assistance of this, I improve my skills and make project in well
structured way. On the other side, due to inappropriate structure of my last project I failed in
attaining the set criteria of the project. Thus, I decide to worked on it in order to make whole
project in structured manner that help in providing the clear information about the research topic
and area as well. Apart from this, my sentence formation is also not good that create issues at the
time understanding the data. For this, I make sure that all the sentence formation is effectively
done in the research so that all the information is easy to read. With the help of this, I have easily
met the criteria of the project. Apart from this, I also tries to make the project in my own
language which aid in reducing the chances of plagiarism. By this, I can attain the set criteria and
make successful project.
Apart from this, I gather data from the different authentic sources as per the feedback
need which helped me in improving the chances of met the set criteria. While gathering data I
also ensured about the topic and its variables that assist me in presenting the data in systematic
manner. In my feedback lack of reliability is also there that negatively impact on the end result of
the project. For overcoming from this issue used various sources that provided by the authors
who has proper knowledge and experience in the particular topic. By using this, I also increase
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