COVID-19 Effects on Management & Operations for Growth: Sainsbury Plc

This report investigates the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management and operations of Sainsbury Plc, a multinational retail organization in the UK. It covers the background, purpose, and scope of the research, defining key variables like management and operations. The report outlines the aims and objectives, including determining COVID-19's effects on organizational growth through a case study approach. A literature review explores the meaning of management and operations, how COVID-19 has affected them, and the advantages of effective management during the pandemic. A project management plan is included, followed by a discussion of methodology, data collection, analysis, and key findings related to how Sainsbury's adapted its operations and management strategies in response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, ensuring business continuity and growth.

Research
(Determination of COVID 19
effect upon management and
operations that helps in
overall growth of an
organization)
1

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Overview of the organisation.......................................................................................................1
Background of the report.............................................................................................................1
Purpose of the research................................................................................................................1
Scope of the research...................................................................................................................2
Definition variable.......................................................................................................................2
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.............................................................................................................3
Research Aim...............................................................................................................................3
Research objectives.....................................................................................................................3
Research Questions......................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
Meaning of management and operations.....................................................................................4
How COVID 19 has affected management and operations.........................................................4
Advantages of management and operations during COVID 19..................................................5
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN...............................................................................................6
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
INTRODUCTION
Overview of the organisation
Sainsbury Plc is a multinational retail organisation of UK that offers general
merchandise, groceries as well as clothing products. In various formats, it operates retail outlets
which also include convenience stores and supermarkets (J Sainsbury Plc: Overview, 2022). The
company also retail their products in different online channel. The stores of company offers meat
and fish, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy, pet food, juice, beer, ad many more. The company is
2

also provides different types of financial services which includes insurance, travel money, credit
cards, insurance as well as loans. The company is also involved in real estate and property
development businesses. The headquarters of the company is located in London, UK.
Background of the report
Management is refers to a process of planning, organising, decision making, motivation,
leading, organising as well as controlling the financial, human resources, physical as well as
information resources of an organisation in order to reach the goals of the company effectively
and efficiently (Pacheco and Heidrich, 2021). Whereas operations refers as everything that a
company does in their daily routine in order to keep running as well as making money. Covid 19
pandemic situation affects a business in many ways in order to operate their business in better
manner. In the following the research, selected organisation is Sainsbury Plc which is an
international retailing company of UK. The research covers aims and objectives of the research,
literature review, project management plan, methodology, data collection and analysis as well as
findings and discussions.
Purpose of the research
The purpose of conducting this research is to gain insight and knowledge about the
management and operations in order to operate a business in well manner. While conducting this
knowledge about the new and effective ways can gained which helps in managing and operating
the business in any pandemic situation (Lubbe and Potgieter, 2018). This will helps in
understanding the business environment of the company at the time of pandemic in order to
operate their business in more efficient manner. While conducting this research, the knowledge
about the new technology is also gain which helps company to operate their business in more
effective manner.
Scope of the research
The scope of following conducted research is to apply the knowledge and ways which
has been gained through research in order to improve the growth of their business in well
manner. This will also help company to operate their business in any future pandemic situation in
better manner (Netessine, 2021).
3

Definition variable
Management- It refers to a process of dealing or controlling the things or people.
Operations- It refers to all those activities that every business engages in on a daily basis.
4

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Research Aim
Determination of COVID 19 effects upon management and operations that helps in
overall growth of an organization. “A case study on Sainsbury plc”
Research objectives
 Information over management and operations
 To identify COVID 19 with effect on business operations.
 Identifying of advantage of management and operations during COVID 19
Research Questions
 What is meant by management and operations ?
 How COVID 19 has affected management and operations?
 Identifying of advantage of management and operations during COVID 19.
5

LITERATURE REVIEW
Meaning of management and operations
According the view of Griffin (2021), management is described as all those activities and
tasks which has been undertaken for achieving goals through continuous activities such as
organising, planning, leading and controlling. Management helps in the division of work as well
as prevents the employees from under-performing or getting overburden with their work. It
helps company in order to achieve their goals as it arranges production factors, organises and
assembles resources as well as integrates the resources which help company to operate their
business in effective manner.
In the opinion of Butner and Ho (2019), operations describes all those activities of
business in which they are engaging in on a daily basis in order to increase the value of the
business as well as earn a profit. It is important for generating sufficient revenues in order to
cover the expenses of the business as well as earning more profit. In operation of business
involves different functions which can be described as marketing, accounting, manufacturing,
etc. which are performed by the employees in order to achieve the goals of their business.
How COVID 19 has affected management and operations
As per the view of Micheli, Johnson and Godsell (2021), COVID 19 caused disruption on
the operations and management of the business. Every business faces many difficulties in order
to manage their business as well as different operation in well manner. The pandemic of COVID
19 situation create lockdown in most of the countries where people are not allowed to came out
from their house due which daily operations of the company was affected because many
employees were not came to the offices. This will also cause decrease the profit margin and
market growth of the company.
According the view point of Wu and Olson (2020), COVID 19 situation caused many
problems in order to operate their business in well manner. This will affect the management and
operations of the company. In these pandemic situations, people are not regular in their work
which affects the operations of the company. Management of the company faces many problems
in order to manage safety and health of their employees so, they come regularly in order to work
effectively in the organisation.
6

Advantages of management and operations during COVID 19
According to the view of Hitt, Holmes and Arregle (2021), management plays an
important role in managing the different operations of the organisation at the time of COVID 19.
Management makes the working environment of the company safe and protect by following all
the guidance of WHO in order to provide proper safety to their employees so, they perform their
task daily which helps in maintain the different operations of the company in well manner.
In the opinion of Vrontis and Haddad (2021), there are many advantages of management
and operations of the company which helps in operating their business at the time of COVID 19
pandemic. This makes company to allow their employees to perform their task from their home
which helps in managing their different function in well manner which results in increase the
growth of the company. The management of the company also helps in motivating their
employees by understanding their problems in order to make them to perform their task more
effectively.
7

PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
The project management plan of this conducted research has been made through Gantt
chart. Gantt chart basically a project management tool which helps in illustrating a project plan.
This involves two sections in which its left side outlines a list of tasks whereas its right side has a
timeline with schedule bars that helps in visualizing the work (MIQDAD, 2019). There are
mainly three reasons which make project managers to use it which includes building and
managing a comprehensive project, determining task dependencies and logistics as well as
monitoring progress of a project.
8

Methodology
The term "research method" is defined as "a set of strategies for evaluating and determining
information in respect to a topic." Because it helps readers to assess the information's overall
reliability. Furthermore, the methodology includes appropriate actions for analysing information
about a topic. It is regarded as a crucial component in a research endeavour since it assists the
researcher in establishing the data analysis procedure. Various collection methods, statistical
analysis, and general observations are all part of such methodologies. It will also assist in
addressing issues such as participant observations, statistical analysis, and data collection
methodologies, among others. The research methodology's ultimate goal is to explain the logic
behind the research. With the support of the original objectives and goals, one can be more
9

accountable and on track thanks to the research approach. It also includes a strong plan for
keeping the project under control, seamless, and efficient (Thornton, 2020.).
Research approach: This is the second step in the research process, and it is described as a plan
that includes the data gathering, analysis, and interpretation processes. Inductive and
deductive research approaches are also two sorts of research methods.
Research type: The word research type refers to the basis and foundation of a study, which is
further classified into qualitative and quantitative categories. In this study, qualitative factors
were considered.
Research design: It is described as the framework that the researcher selects, and it is separated
into two types: descriptive and exploratory. The descriptive research design is selected for
this project since it aids in the proper examination of data.
Research philosophy: It is a set of beliefs on how data is analysed and gathered. Positivism and
interpretivism are two aspects of research philosophy. In this research, positivism will be chosen
since it enables for the acquisition of information that is free of personal bias. It also aids in the
reduction of several research challenges. As a result, the researcher will receive support in
collecting and interpreting data while working independently (Mackay, 2021)
Data Collection and Analysis
Primary research and secondary research are two types of data acquisition. Primary and
secondary research are both taken in context of a research project since they help to ensure
greater accuracy and reliability by combining data from many original sources. Analysis:
refers to the methods used to deliver the study in various formats. Thematic analysis and
frequency distribution are the two aspects of the analysis. Thematic analysis and frequency
distribution are both taken into account in this project. Because it facilitates data projection
via graphical representations
Findings and discussion
Operations and management are two most important activities which takes place within an
organisation. Thee are the most crucial activities which assist an organisation to create the best
working surrounding for the employees which can help them to give the best working
performance in their specific work area. Both of these practices are modified as per the change in
the substances, enhancement of items and change in offering as it will help an organisation to
10

develop in their specific industry. The management department is one of the most important
entity present in an organisation because they are able to make the complete use of resources
present in their company. The main responsibilities of management is to implement most
appropriate strategies and plan of action in an organisation which can help the employees to
work properly in order to achieve set goals and aims of their company. In case of Sainsbury,
operations department are able to run their business enterprises effectively as it will allow them
to use their present resources such as staff, natural resources, equipment and technology in a very
effective and efficient way. Operations and management made sainsbury to acquire the
appropriate knowledge of their customers regarding the needs and demands. Both of these
department helps the company to handle several strategic problems by giving most appropriate
solution. Thus, they also try to make the complete use of manufacturing plant in order to make
the most valuable product and services that will completely satisfy their customers (Saunders and
Roughley, 2021).
Due to Covid-19 the global supply chain and production has been majorly impacted because the
transportation of goods and services between places are banned by the government of
various countries in order to prevent the spread of this dangerous disease. The government
of various countries has implemented various changed policies in their region as per the
requirement. In the time of Covid-19 the organisation are able to do trade only in their
region because of the lock down and social distancing which has badly affects their revenue
level. In case of sainsbury their management has faced various issues and problems in order
to run their business operations because online meeting was the only source in which all the
employees are not available at the same time period. The higher authorities of the companies
are not able to properly convey their message to their employees due to the lack of
knowledge and understanding. In this period both of the department has to face various
issues in which one of the most important problem is getting the knowledge of stocks
regarding the products because of the online delivery. It is very difficult for them to manage
their business operation such as managing warehouse, valuable products and online delivery
of products or services.
Covid-19 is one of the most dangerous situation arises in the whole world. It has highly effected
the business operation of various countries but it also provide various benefits to the company.
11

The management of company are able to make valuable amount of connection with people
across the world. The higher authorities of the companies are able to get the knowledge of
different culture by interacting with various new people through online sources. It will help the
management and operation department of the company to get the proper way in order to rebuild
their business if any pandemic arises in future. This allows the management of the company to
analyse the most appropriate customer base as the loyal customer are the only one who will
continue purchase goods and services from their company. This will allow the management of
the company to rapidly recover the revenue which can affected in future. The organisation has to
rebuild the operation system present in their company as it will allow them to enhance their
overall business productivity (Sairally and Woodhead, 2020. ).
Conclusions and Recommendation
From the above report it has been researched that a company is able to make a appropriate plan
which can impact the group of employees working inside an organisation. Later on, this will also
assist an organisation of selecting proper selection making method which can help an
organisation to run their business smoothly. It is very helpful for an employee to make its
emblem photo that is very useful in examine the funds and income. Later on the research
methodology is been discussed in this report . Qualitative research is been used in this report.
Data collection and analysis are been summarized in this report,. At last the impact of Covid 19
that can effect the management and operation of business organisation are been included in this
report.
Working remotely- The organisation are able to work remotely in their region. Due to this
commercial enterprises can conduct their work in both the ways such as online and offline.
Various organisation of different countries can implement new working model within their
company. By conducting online form organisation can capture new customer base across the
globe.
Change in communication:- The management of the company are able to make the effective
communication channel which can help them to convey the proper to their employees. Because,
the higher authorities have understand the appropriate tool of communication which is best
suited for their company.
12