Research Proposal: Cultural Diversity Management at Marks and Spencer

This document comprises a research proposal and an ethical approval form focused on analyzing the ways to manage cultural diversity in the workplace and its impact on organizational performance, using Marks and Spencer as a case study. The proposal outlines the research objectives, which include understanding the concept of cultural diversity, identifying management strategies, and examining their impact on performance. It details the research methodology, including an inductive research approach, interpretivism philosophy, and the use of questionnaires for primary data collection from 30 respondents. The proposal also includes a literature review, milestones, and a Gantt chart. The ethical form addresses participant recruitment, consent procedures, data storage, and security measures, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. The student confirms adherence to the institution's research and ethics policy, having discussed the ethical considerations with their unit tutor.

Research
Proposal and
ethical form

Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project
Title: “To analyse the ways to manage cultural diversity at workplace and its impact on
performance of an organisation. A case study on Marks and Spencer.”
1.1 Purpose of research
Main purpose of this research is “To analyse the ways to manage cultural diversity at
workplace and its impact on performance of an organisation. A case study on Marks and
Spencer”.
1.2 Research Objectives:
◦ To understand the concept of cultural diversity.
◦ To identify the ways through which an organisation can manage cultural diversity
at workplace.
◦ To examine the impact of managing cultural diversity at workplace on performance
of an organisation.
1.3 Research Questions:
What is the concept of cultural diversity?
◦ What are the ways through which an organisation can manage cultural diversity at
workplace?
◦ How management of cultural diversity at workplace impacts on performance of an
organisation?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
2.1:The reasons why I have chosen this project are as follows:
The main reason behind choosing Managing cultural diversity in the workplace as a research
topic is to determine various ways through which an organisation can maintain cultural
diversity at workplace. Apart from this, it also helps in determining the impact of maintaining
cultural diversity on performance of organisation. By researching on this topic, the researcher
will get deep insights not only on topic, but in other areas also. This research is also helpful
for academic purpose as it provides the basis to scholars to perform further research on topic.
Section Three: Literature sources searched

3.1 Concept of cultural diversity
https://www.diversityresources.com/cultural-diversity-workplace/
3.2 Different ways to manage cultural diversity at workplace
http://www.internships.com.au/career-advice/how-to-manage-cultural-
differences-in-the-workplace
3.3 Influence of managing cultural diversity at workplace on
performance of an organisation
https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/handle/10413/14745
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Milestone one: ____Research Proposal ____________
Target date (set by tutor): _____29 Days _______________
Milestone two: ___Research Project ____________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____45 Days _________________
4.2 Gantt Chart:

Section Four: Research approach and methodologies
Research methodology is termed as the process which is applied through researcher to gather
reliable information on project or topic. In this research, Inductive research approach will
utilize by investigator as it assist by rendering accurate information to researcher regarding the
topic. Apart from this, Interpretivisim philosophy will be utilise through researcher to gather
relevant or appropriate data. Primary data will be gathered through questionnaire and for
filling those, 30 respondents will select by using random sampling method.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be
submitted for another qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their
research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your
unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to
commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
The chosen title for this research project is, “To analyse the ways to manage cultural
diversity at workplace and its impact on performance of an organisation”. A case
study on Marks and Spencer
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews No
 Questionnaires Yes
 Observations Yes
 Use of personal records No
 Data Analysis Yes
 Action Research No
 Focus Groups No
 Others (Please specify) : n/a
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: No Young people aged: 17-18 No Adults: Yes
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Employees of Marks and Spencer will be recruited as participants.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:

notice boards and e-mails will be used
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to participants
that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Consent will be obtain from employees of Marks and Spencer and other participants in writing with the help
of signing a consent form.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not wish
to answer?
Yes
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to be
observed.
Yes
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the study)?
Yes
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary of
your findings in general)
Yes
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998)
Yes
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Only Researcher and tutors
During the research:
Reseacher/Supervisor
Where will the data be stored?
Stored in DOC document with the use of USB and Laptop
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research: the data will be safely disposed
Where will the data be stored?: USB/Laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Three to five months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please
outline how you will deal with these: N/A
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following :
 Informed consent. Yes

 Potentially vulnerable participants. n/a
 Sensitive topics n/a
 Risk to participants and /or researchers: n/a
 Confidentiality/anonymity: Yes
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality: Yes
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection). Yes
 Reporting: Yes
 Dissemination and use of your findings: Yes
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that may arise in the
course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your tutor and also attach to the Research Proposal when
submitting to Turnitin.