Developing Workplace Critical Thinking: A Tesco Case Study Analysis

This report provides an in-depth analysis of critical thinking in the workplace, focusing on Tesco as a case study. It begins with an introduction to the modern workplace and the importance of critical thinking facilitated by management theories. The main body critically evaluates the system theory and its application within Tesco, highlighting its advantages in adapting to environmental changes and enhancing decision-making. The report then explores the bureaucratic theory of management, examining its characteristics and limitations in the context of Tesco's operations. The report also reflects on the development of critical thinking skills based on module learning. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and implications of the analysis, offering insights into how management theories can be effectively utilized to foster critical thinking and improve organizational performance within a leading company like Tesco. The report is supported by references to academic books and journals.

Developing workplace critical
thinking
1

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
A critical evaluation of a management theory and its modern-day workplace usefulness using
appropriate critical thinking models.......................................................................................4
Critically reflect of how your critical thinking skill has developed based on your learning on
the module..............................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
Books and Journals..........................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
Modern workplace is inclusive of different type of factors and these elements keeps on
changes according to the business environment. It is essential for an organisation to engage their
employees in critical thinking with the help of management models and theories in order to
facilitate idea generation in effective manner (Prat-Sala and Van Duuren, 2020). Management
theory facilitates organisation to identify errors and inconsistencies and further solve issues with
more awareness. Present report has been conducted on Tesco which is a leading British
multinational fancy and general Merchandise store headquartered in England the company was
established in the year 1999 and offer a wide range of services to customer. Being labour
intensive company Tesco undertakes advantage of different management theories in their
workplace structure in order to facilitate business operations with a critical thinking approach. In
this report formative discussion has been conducted on critical evaluation of management theory
along with its modern day workplace usefulness. In addition to this reflection is also being
involve in this report on the manner in which critical thinking skills develop self learning.
MAIN BODY
A critical evaluation of a management theory and its modern-day workplace usefulness using
appropriate critical thinking models.
Modern day business environment is inclusive of different type of factors and elements
that can have negative as well as positive impact on business functioning. System theory mainly
emerged as a scientific theory through which an organisation can manage as well as organize
complex system in a well define and effective manner. With the assistance of this approach
entity can evaluate problems and can synthesise solution in order to fulfil shared objectives.
Furthermore, according to the analysis it has been identified that system approach duly consider
a company as a interrelated and dynamic set of parts, in this each and every part duly
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demonstrate a sub-system or department in which every department has its own subsistence
(Ahmadi and Rezaei, 2020). It is believed that it is essential to have continuous interaction of
subsystems of organisation in order to accomplish objective or goals with higher efficiency. In
addition to this it has been underlined that it is essential for an organisation to continuously
response in a positive manner to external as well as internal environmental condition in order to
become a market leader or gain more competitive advancements. With the assistance of system
approach entity can integrate course of their each and every department and can accomplish them
will higher efficiency. System approach have synthesise knowledge of various fields such as
information technology, Biology, economics, psychology and more. It has been identified that an
organisation deals with different elements of society thus with the use of system approach entity
can effectively interact with these components and can further overcome them with higher
efficiency. It has been identified that with the help of system approach entity can develop policy
through which they can promote business social as well as business objectives in a well define
and effective manner (Cai, Zhao and Zhu, 2020). It has been identified that business
organisation perform their functioning in the social values and social system, believes, culture
and ethics that plays most important elements for operations of an organisation. It has been
identified that there are basically five components or interdependent part of an organisation
system that are the individual, the formal and informal organisation, role comprehension of the
individual, patterns of behaviour emerging from role demands of the organization and the
physical environment in which individuals perform their work. It is essential for an organise to
manage and organise all the different components of in a well define an effective manner as the
formative interaction between these processes with the help of a linking process,
communication, balance and decision-making allows to entity accomplish their shared objectives
in a well defined and effective manner.
It has been identified that communication mainly acts as a eliciting action and provides
coordination to link decision centre in each substance is being done (Ikram, Sroufe and Zhang,
2020). While it its is talked about balance is acts as an equilibrium among various part of the
system through which harmonious structure relationship can be maintained with each other.
While on the other hand, decision making it is defined as a linking process within systematic
approach. It is essential for an organisation of every system or subsystem to engage in the
process of decision making, as decision-making facilitate coordinator and cooperative culture
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within an organisation through which goals can be accomplished with growth, stability and
interaction (Klein, Solinger and Duflot, 2020). System approach is having significant importance
within an organisation as it applies in different fields or system of an organisation. In addition to
this it has been underlined that this approach mainly provides an efficient plan of action through
which an entity can accomplish its objective with the coordination. Furthermore with the help of
this system an entity can have good basis of control. In context with Tesco, it has been evaluated
that with the help of this approach management can undertake advantage of feedback control
regulation process and can fulfil organisational objectives with great efficiency (Urbanek, 2020).
In addition to this one of the most important advantage of system approach for Tesco it that it
maximizes company adaptability towards environment changes. Changes are most important part
of an organisation especially in this modern environment as it allows an entity to grow and
ensure long-term sustainability and profitability within marketplace. This approach facilitate an
organisation to adopt changes while having systematic decision making process while analysing
needs and demands of different functions. It is essential for an organisation to have a systematic
approach in order to adopt changes. Thus, system approach act as one of the most important and
effective form of management Theory especially in modern-day workplace as it not only
enhances critical thinking process of an organisation but also provide them a set of structure or
integrated activities through which objectives and goals can be fulfilled.
Evaluation of system theory
System approach provides an organisation with a systematic structure through which entity
can imprecise upon adaptive nature. It duly maximizes company ability to respond towards
environmental changes. It has been identified that a company is basically study as a whole not
who is part. Thus, system approach provides deep analysis of each and every sub system of an
organisation through which entity can identify the changes that are required. This theory
evaluates the system at different level and easily integrates as well as interrelates in a unified set
of direction. According to the analysis this theory, it has been identified that this theory
emphasise upon individual goals and emphasize upon overall objectives of organisation. In
addition to this it has been identified that this theory duly offers a framework for effective
integration of different parts of an entity in a specific arrangement to accomplish overall goals
with higher efficiency. In this modern business environment it is essential for an organisation to
effectively interact with internal and external environment changes. Thus, this theory allows an
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organisation to be adaptive and become a dynamic entity (Danczak, Thompson and Overton,
2020). It is essential for a leading organisation like Tesco have a adopted nature towards changes
as it not only ensure its long-term sustainability but also allows them to maintain its leading
positioning in marketplace. With the help of this approach Tesco can synthesise the behavioural
and classical theory into a broaden framework and can effectively solve managerial problems
with high efficiency.
Thus according to the above mentioned analysis it has been identified that, system
approach duly facilitate an organisation to study complex system and develops a formative
interrelation between different elements of organisations such as directing, planning, organising
and controlling. With the help of this approach entity and ensure more competitive
advancements. This approach provides benefit in decision making of in organisation as its study
complex system for the purpose of system design (Sannon and et. al., 2020). With the help of
this entity can improve value of proposed changes and can execute them in well defined and
effective manner. Mentioned below there are some certain form of critical thinking models
through which entity can accomplish its goals and objectives with more effectiveness:
Bureaucratic theory of management
According to the perception of Max Weber it has been identified that bureaucracies are
all around within an organisation that involve non-elected officials who implement rules and
regulations. In addition to this it has been evaluated that it is important for larger companies like
TESCO to undertaker advantage of this theory in order to have better and formative
understanding and analysis of the manner in which authorities as well as regulatory agencies are
having impact upon organisation operations. With the help of this theory leading entities can
accomplish higher productivity. With the help of this bureaucracy each and every individual
within an organisation and get fair treatment on equal basis and are allotted work according to
their responsibility as per their area of expertise. It has been identified that Tesco treat their
employees as one of the most important source of revenue generation. Thus, with the assistance
of this theory company can have a hierarchical management in which elements like layers of
management, communication and division of labour prevails. With the assistance of this theory
operations department of Tesco can effectively facilitate flow of work from top level to lower
management with clarity and formative relationship through which shared objective can be
accomplished with more effectiveness.
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Further it has been identified that, this theory is mainly having six basic characteristics of
bureaucracy that include task specialisation ( division of labour), Hierarchical management
structure, formal selection rules, efficient and uniform requirements, impersonal environment
and achievement based advancement. In context with task specialisation, Tesco can have
advantage of systematic division of labour in which there are a lot of roles and responsibilities
and task to individual according to their specialisation. With the help of this entity can assure
accomplishment of project with more effectiveness and efficiency. Managers and leaders of
Tesco can divide projects into categories according to individual area of expertise and
competency. It has been identified that Tesco have different departments with employees who
have different roles thus, with the help of this theory they provide responsibility to every
individual according to their field of expertise (Shaw and et. al., 2020). With the help of this
company expect higher efficiency through which long term sustainability can be assured. While
on the other according to Max Weber Hierarchical management structure provide an organisation
to have organised responsibility in which every management is required to provide supervision
to lower level. With the help of clear form of communication allocation of responsibilities are
secured.
With the help of this theory Tesco can have clear defined job roles and responsibility and
can further delegate them according to employee skills and ability. This allows leaders to have a
meticulous record of roles and responsibility in a formal structure through which organisation
can accomplish its objectives in defined time of period. However despite of having many
advantages this theory have some limitation that include strict principles and goal. Thus,
According to the analysis it has been identified that with the help of this theory entity can have
control over their business operation and can strike balance on their activities while keeping
record and maintaining hierarchy of authorities.
Critically reflect of how your critical thinking skill has developed based on your learning on the
module
Critical thinking skills play most important role through which an individual can
effectively understand themselves and further motivate them towards accomplishment of goals.
With the help of critical thinking individual can underline information that can be applied by
them in their life according to situation (Calma and Davies, 2020). Critical thinking facilitates
personal growth through which higher objectives can be attained. In addition to this it has been
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identified that employees those who are engaged in critical thinking are competent, reflective and
independent. With the help of this process they can connect with more innovative ideas, evaluate
argument and can find inconsistency and error in their work. With the help of this they can
engage in reflection and can solve complex problems in a well defined and effective manner. It is
important for not organisations that Tesco to facilitate the process of critical thinking in their
workplace structure. With the help of this they can developed an excuse solutions with higher
efficiency (Amir, Rehman and Khan, 2020). Critical thinking facilitates to evaluate concept
objectively and consider different perspective to reach to logical conclusion. With the help of
this process decision making capability can be enhanced. Further according to the analysis it has
been identified that it is essential for an individual to have a critical thinking approach and
facilitate creative solution through which personal as well as professional objectives can be
performed with higher innovation. Critical thinking skill provides power to have a positive
contribution in company objectives and goals. According to the analysis during this module
critical thinking skills has been developed by me, it is important for me to have a critical thinking
approach as to accomplish my future goals as well as objectives with more effectiveness.
In addition to this it has been evaluated that critical thinking facilitate a good judgement
process within an individual through which they can have a formative direction towards a
purpose and can meet objective with higher accuracy and standard. Bloom taxonomy was
developed by Benjamin in the year 1956, in this publication classification of learning outcomes
and objectives is defined. During this module critical thinking skills has been developed by me
that facilitate me to have a logical perception and behaviour. In addition to this with having
reasoning I can interfere and can jump up to a valid confusion. With the help of reasoning I can
analyse each and every percept the more effectiveness. Inductive reasoning skill has been
developed by me during this module through which I can analyse series of specific cases to a
general statement. According to the analysis of this module it has been identified by me that it is
essential for an organisation to guide their employees with the help of procedure, philosophy and
policy. With the help of this they can solve problems and can undertake decisions in more
effective manner. Reasoning skills has been effectively developed by me during this module
through which I can analyse situations with more effectiveness.
During this module learning I developed my thinking ability and gained opportunity to
perform my work with more efficiency. Further according to the analysis it has been identified
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by me that during this module I develop some certain form of critical thinking skills that are
observation and analysis, interpretation, reflection, evaluation explanation and problem solving
skills. With the help of these skills I can assure my personal as well as professional growth in a
well defines and an effective manner. During this module I observe application and
implementation of different models upon business operations and functioning and analyse its
negative and positive impact upon its operation. It has been evaluated by me that system
approach theory has number of benefits upon in organisations through which an entity can
undertake better decision making. While on the other hand with the help of reflection I can
identify the skills that have been developed by me during this module through which I can
identify my strength and weakness and further undertake advantage of measures through which
is weakness can be overcome by me with more effectiveness. As an individual I deeply value
commitment, integrity and enthusiasm for growth, during this module I effectively enhanced my
decision making style and have strongest thinking ability.
CONCLUSION
According to the above mentioned analysis it has been identified that management theory
plays an important role for an organisation through which entity can develop a workplace in a
well define and effective manner in order to overcome modern environment changes which is
prevailing in internal and external business environment. It is essential for an organisation to
have critical thinking approach within their workplace structure, with the help of this entity can
assure accomplishment of shared objectives with more effectiveness. In order to embrace and
implement changes an entity undertake advantage of different management theories and models
such as system theory, it is one of the most effective theory that integrate different departments
of organisation and accomplish objectives of organisation as whole. With the help of this theory
management can allot roles and responsibilities to every individual according to their expertise
with having a formative communication for top level to lower level management. Critical
thinking skills allow an individual to develop themselves in an effective manner and fulfil
objectives with higher efficiency. My values and beliefs have helped to perfectly align with
TESCO core philosophy that strives towards creating and maintaining a culture of warmth,
where every is encourage to act with courage to take up new challenges and is given full respect,
dignity and transparency in their work.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Prat-Sala, M. and Van Duuren, M., 2020. Critical Thinking Performance Increases in Psychology
Undergraduates Measured Using a Workplace-Recognized Test. Teaching of Psychology,
p.0098628320957981.
Shaw, A and et. al., 2020. Thinking critically about critical thinking: validating the Russian
HEIghten® critical thinking assessment. Studies in Higher Education, 45(9), pp.1933-
1948.
Danczak, S.M., Thompson, C.D. and Overton, T.L., 2020. Development and validation of an
instrument to measure undergraduate chemistry students’ critical thinking
skills. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 21(1), pp.62-78.
Calma, A. and Davies, M., 2020. Critical thinking in business education: current outlook and
future prospects. Studies in Higher Education, pp.1-17.
Calma, A. and Davies, M., 2020. Critical thinking in business education: current outlook and
future prospects. Studies in Higher Education, pp.1-17.
Petronio, S. and Child, J.T., 2020. Conceptualization and operationalization: utility of
communication privacy management theory. Current Opinion in Psychology, 31, pp.76-
82.
Sannon, S and et. al., 2020. “I just shared your responses” Extending Communication Privacy
Management Theory to Interactions with Conversational Agents. Proceedings of the
ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 4(GROUP), pp.1-18.
Vanaki, Z. and Rafiei, H., 2020. Application of Betty Neuman System Theory in Management of
Pressure Injury in Patients Following Stroke. Medsurg Nursing, 29(2).
Klein, H.J., Solinger, O.N. and Duflot, V., 2020. Commitment system theory: The evolving
structure of commitments to multiple targets. Academy of Management Review, (ja).
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Yousefi, A. and Hernandez, M.R., 2020. A novel methodology to measure safety level of a
process plant using a system theory based method (STAMP). Process Safety and
Environmental Protection, 136, pp.296-309.
Amir, M., Rehman, S.A. and Khan, M.I., 2020. Mediating role of environmental management
accounting and control system between top management commitment and environmental
performance: A legitimacy theory. Journal of Management and Research, 7(1), pp.132-
160.
Cai, W., Zhao, J. and Zhu, M., 2020. A real time methodology of cluster-system theory-based
reliability estimation using k-means clustering. Reliability Engineering & System Safety,
p.107045.
Yang, J., Jiang, B., Lv, Z. and Choo, K.K.R., 2020. A task scheduling algorithm considering
game theory designed for energy management in cloud computing. Future Generation
computer systems, 105, pp.985-992.
Ikram, M., Sroufe, R. and Zhang, Q., 2020. Prioritizing and overcoming barriers to integrated
management system (IMS) implementation using AHP and G-TOPSIS. Journal of
Cleaner Production, 254, p.120121.
Urbanek, P., 2020. Reform of the higher education system in Poland from the perspective of
agency theory. European Journal of Higher Education, 10(2), pp.130-146.
Ahmadi, S.E. and Rezaei, N., 2020. A new isolated renewable based multi microgrid optimal
energy management system considering uncertainty and demand response. International
Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems, 118, p.105760.
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