Research Proposal: Workplace Diversity and Employee Productivity Study

This research proposal examines the impact of cultural diversity on employee productivity and efficiency within a workplace setting, using River Island as a case study. The study aims to analyze the concept of cultural diversity, ascertain its effectiveness in an organizational context, and determine its ...Read More

Research
Proposal

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
“To investigate the cultural diversity of a workplace and its impact on employee’s productivity
and efficiency: a study case of River Island”
Research objectives (e.g. what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to
learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
 To analyse the concept of culture diversity at workplace.
 To ascertain the effectiveness of culture diversity in an organisational context.
 To determine the impact of culture diversity upon employee’s productivity and
efficiency.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
There are several reasons behind choosing this research project: -
 Investigator is having interest in topic i.e., Cultural diversity at workplace.
 By conducting research knowledge as well as skills of researcher will get enhance which
will provide them assistance in conducting further studies within more effective manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Concept of culture diversity at workplace.
As per the views of (Park, 2019) it has been identified that cultural diversity refers to the
differences in people due to several reasons such as tradition, dress, racial background and
many more. In addition to this, it is form of appreciating the difference in specific person.
Mainly differences are created on the basis of several factors such as age, sex, gender, social
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status and several more. Cultural diversity refers to employees of different culture and
background working together with the motivate of achieving desired goals of company. It has
been determined that cultural diversity will lead to have major impact on overall performance of
company as well as its productivity. In order to enhance cultural diversity at workplace,
company needs to attract employees from different regions along with this open hiring for
different sorts of background. Cultural diversity is based on gender, religion, race, colour and so
on. Cultural diversity at workplace can be describe as they way in which employees of various
background are performing business task. It is essential for company to manage diversity
culture with in organisations as this will help in improving the overall performance of company
as well as developing strong image in market area. It has been identified that cultural diversity
will lead to have significant impact of performance and productivity of business.
Effectiveness of culture diversity in an organisational context.
According to the views of (Khan and et. al., 2019) it has been acknowledging that within a
business firm workforce is of diverse population from several part of globe. Moreover, have
diverse culture in company create dynamic multiracial and multicultural business firm. For an
organisation it is essential to have employees from diverse culture because it will help in
developing different ideas and views. It has been determined that implementation of cultural
diversity will be very effective for company. It will lead to provide various benefits to company
as well as managing different organisational issues. Cultural diversity will lead to inspire
innovation as well as creativity in organisation. Employees with different regions and
background will lead to bring new or different techniques to perform business task as well as
support in achievement of desired objectives. Cultural diversity is considered to be effective
increase the knowledge of local market as well as gaining proper insight about the different
local companies that is performing business activities in same market area. This will support in
gaining competitive edge over other competitors organisation as well as help in performing task
in better manner. This will directly lead enhance the overall quality of product and services that
is offered by company. Cultural diversity will lead to increase the opportunity for growth and
development of business.
Impact of culture diversity upon employee’s productivity and efficiency
After going through views of (Gottardello, 2019) it has been identified that diverse culture in
company results in developing positive atmosphere which have good impact on performance of
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staff members. Along with this, it also results in increasing staff retention and ability for
retention and attracting candidates. Apart from this, several other advantages also which
company gain through cultural diversity like enhanced productivity, job satisfaction, better
image in business environment and many more. So it has been analysed that culture diversity
will lead to have major impact on whole performance of employees. Cultural diversity will lead
to direct influence over the staff member that is working in organisation. It has been determined
that culture diversity will not only have influence on professional growth of employees but it
will lead to development in the personal capabilities. Culture diversity will lead to introduction
as well as implementation of new technology in business process. So, because of this employees
will be able to enhance their skills and capabilities in order to use new and advance technology.
This will aid in improving knowledge and information of employees. Cultural diversity will
lead to bring new and different job opportunity in business that will assist in increasing
productivity and performance of employees. This will help in developing strong relationship in
organisation which is very supportive in increasinB07790g productivity as well as performance
of staff member. It is very important for company which is dealing in highly competitive
environment to adopt cultural diversity in organisation.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Gantt Chart
Gantt chart can be describing as effective methods for scheduling time frame
for research activities. This approach is established by an American
mechanical engineer, Henry Gantt. The motive of developing Gantt chart is
to help investigator as well as monitor task and resources of research project.
This includes horizontal bar that represent the timeline of project that consist
of start and end date. This will assist in direction activities of research in
better and effective manner so that objectives could be timely achieved. This
is commonly used method that will help researcher to identify all activities
that needs to be conducted during research. Gantt chat can be describing as a
graphical representation which shows tasks or events as well as time that is
required to conduct business activities in effective and efficient manner. In
this time line activities various task is represented with respect to the time
How long this
will take:
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frame that will be required by researcher to complete the task and event.
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Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
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There are various methods through which researcher can collect data for performing research
activities. It is essential for researcher to use appropriate as well as accurate data as this will
lead to have impact over research activities. There are two major methods such as primary and
secondary data that will help research to collect data and information. Both of these two
methods are mention below in detail.
Primary method – There are different sources of primary method though which
researcher to could collect data. Primary data is considered as the method of collect first-hand
information and researcher who collect primary data is known as the owner of data. Various
sources of data collection include surveys, interview, observation, experiment and many more.
It is essential that investigator have appropriate knowledge for gathering primary data. This
source of data collection is comparative expensive as well as time consuming process. Primary
method of data collection will help in gathering original information which has been never used
before by any researcher. This source of data collection is considered as more expensive method
as it is essential that researcher have complete knowledge about the research topic. Through
this method investigator will be able to collect customized data that will help company to
analyse as well as evaluate data in effective and efficient manner. It has been analysed that
researcher who is gathering primary data have full control over information as well as able to
make appropriate decision for respective company.
Secondary method - This includes all those data and information that has been
collected in primary research. Secondary methods of data collection include books, magazines,
newspaper, online information etc. It refers to the data as well as information that has been used
before by any other researcher. There are various sources of data collection that could be used
for collecting data and these sources are easily used by investigator. Researcher could collect
information thorough business paper or government documents as this will help in assembling
useful information for business activities. The major drawback of this sources is that secondary
data does not provide authentic as well as appropriate information about the topic. It has been
determined that researcher could not be completely reliable on the information that is collected
through secondary sources. It includes high chances that secondary methods of data collection
will not be able to provide suitable or required information about the research project.
Advantage of secondary method is that it is very easy for researcher to collect data. Information
could be collected fast and it does not include cost.
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Quantitative research method- This types of research method can be referring as a way
through which investigator can analyse as well as evaluate data. Quantitative research method
aid in representing the data in the form of number or statistics. There are various sources though
which researcher could collect and analyse data. It includes surveys, observation, focus group,
questionnaire, experimental research, content analysis and so on. It is very important for
researcher to collect and analyse data through quantitative research methods. This will help in
resolving issues as well as problems by gathering numerical data. All those information and
useful data that is collected through quantitative research method can be converted into statistics
or numerical form.
Qualitative research method- Qualitative research can be describing as method of interpreting
data and information in order to take better decision for the research projects. This research
method cannot be represented in the form of numbers or expressed in form of words.
Qualitative research method is very useful in collecting as well as understand thoughts,
concepts or experiences. This research method is very helpful in assembling in depth detail
about the topic as well as gaining proper insights of the topic. There are several ways though
which researcher could assemble information such interview, case studies, discourse analysis,
focus groups and many more Though this method researcher is able to convert behaviour,
opinion, attitude, ideas about the topic. This method provide aid to support researcher as well as
draw general conclusion from conducting research.
Interpretivism philosophy- In Interpretivism philosophy, the researcher takes into account the
opinions and viewpoints of his target audience and then makes necessary conclusion. The
research done here is qualitative and includes only theoretical work. This research focuses on
carrying a empathic feeling and then understand the world wide view.
Positivism philosophy- In this type of philosophy, the researcher takes true and authentic
statistical data, facts and figures into consideration and then draws the necessary conclusions.
Here, the researcher uses the qualitative method for his purpose. This method adopts the basic
and disciplined means to monitor research. This can be performing by selection of clear
research theme, formulation of suitable theory and selection of appropriate research method. In
research, the positivist researchers maintain some distance with participants and avoid to get
engage with them. They do this because they believe that it is essential to be emotionally
uninvolved to make explicit difference between feeling and logic. Also identification of right
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arithmetic and numerical method is a paramount importance. Positivist researchers seeks focus
at providing generalizations which are independent of situation and duration. Most importantly,
this approach supports large samples of quantitative data which can get analysed with the
statistical testing of hypothesis. Such approach helps in testing theory, confirm or revise a
theory by analysing the data available.
Realism philosophy- This approach is quite similar to positivism philosophy. In this the
researcher does not get influences from the past data or information available about the topic.
He does his own experiments and tests, then draws the conclusions and theories. Realism
philosophy categories into 2 groups; direct realism and critical realism. In direct realism, it is
believed that accurate conclusion is obtained from the experiences provided by the senses. On
the other hand, in critical realism it is believed that everything experienced through senses is
later on processed by the subjectivity of mind.
Pragmatism philosophy- In this researchers seeks focus in the ability of finding of research so
that practical consequences can be generated. They believe that there are multiple research
problems at needs to get consider as entire picture cannot get obtained from a single point of
view. Means, the pragmatist researcher may not practice different analytical procedure of
different techniques of collecting the data.
Constructivism Philosophy- Constructivism philosophy is the recognition that everything in
this world is a product of human intelligence which interacts with his experience. Here, the
reality perceived to be subjective because it accepts that everything is construct of human mind.
Objectivism philosophy- Objectivism philosophy denies the society structures and system
made by humans. In this philosophy, the idea of human values and knowledge are objective.
In present investigation, Interpretivism research philosophy will be used because it in
this the view points of the target group are being collected and then relative theories and
conclusion are made. It considers what people do and think, what kind of problems they
confronted with, how they make deal with them and the like. It gives better and clear
understanding to researcher and also helps in predicting the weakness.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another
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qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date
Research Ethics approval form
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: “To investigate the cultural diversity of a workplace and its impact on
employee’s productivity and efficiency: A study case of River Island”
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 Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
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 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
By investigator participants will recruited through using secondary sources which is formal
mails.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Email and phone
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?
Email
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions
that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
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
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consent to be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation
of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief
summary of your findings in general)
Yes No
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 No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
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Where will the data be stored?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes 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:
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.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer,
sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes No
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 supervisor and also attach to the Research
Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Park, J. S. Y., 2019. Translating culture in the global workplace: Language, communication, and
diversity management. Applied Linguistics.
Khan, N. and et. al., 2019. Diversity in the workplace: An overview of disability employment
disclosures among UK firms. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental
Management. 26(1), pp.170-185.
Gottardello, D., 2019. Diversity in the workplace: a review of theory and methodologies and
propositions for future research. Sociologia del lavoro.
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