Workplace Transformation in Digital Age: Marks & Spencer Research

This research proposal investigates the impact of digital technology on workplace transformation, specifically within Marks and Spencer. The study aims to analyze the rising use of digital technology and evaluate its effect on workplace dynamics, particularly in the context of the global pandemic. The research objectives include reviewing digital technology's concept, determining its impact on workplace transformation at Marks and Spencer, identifying key challenges, and suggesting strategies for improvement. The methodology involves a positivism philosophy, a deductive approach, and a survey strategy using questionnaires. Data will be collected from both primary and secondary sources, with quantitative data analysis employing statistical tools. The proposal also addresses ethical considerations, including participant consent and data security. The project timeline outlines activities from topic selection to final submission, including literature reviews, data collection, analysis, and tutor consultations. The research seeks to provide insights into how digital technology can enhance workplace efficiency, employee morale, and overall productivity within Marks and Spencer, addressing challenges such as organizational resistance to change and ensuring data security.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name
Student ID
Centre Name
Tutor
Unit No
Proposed Title Workplace transformation in the digital age
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
The impact of digital technology on the workplace transformation
Aim
The aim of the current project is,” To analysis the concept of the rising use of
digital technology along with evaluating its impact on the workplace
transformation.” A research work on Marks and Spencer.
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 review the concept of digital technology along with its rising use and
importance during the current times of global pandemic.
 To determine the impact of the digital technology on leading workplace
transformation within Marks and Spencer.
 To determine the key challenges that are being faced by the Marks and
spencer while embarking workplace transformation.
 To investigate right strategy and initiatives that would support better
workplace transformation in Marks and Spencer.

Research questions
 What is meant by the concept of digital technology along with its
rising use and importance during the current times of global
pandemic?
 What possible impact of the digital technology is being tend to be
seen on leading workplace transformation within Marks and
Spencer?
 Which can be key challenges that are being faced by the Marks
and spencer while embarking workplace transformation?
 What set of right strategy and initiatives could be suggested to
support better workplace transformation in Marks and Spencer
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying,
personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the
topic is important):
The selection of the current research topic is rational and significant as
it based on workplace transformation that is required and needed within
all forms to effectively empower its employees along with boosting the
overall morale and productivity level. Along with this, the selection of
current project is also rational as it determines and reflect about the
ways that supports flexible working based on use of efficient technology
in order to ensure higher satisfaction and leading better utilization of
talent (Junglas and et. al., 2022). Further, the underrating of current
study is also significant from personal view-point and supports improved
future plans based on leading improvement within the communication
and other managerial skills based on effective and systematic
undertaking of a study.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or

hypothesis:
With respects to the view point of the Govender and Adegbite, 2022, it has been
seen that the concept of digital technology is related with the making use of the
electronics tools, computer systems and other digital devices and resources such
as internet to effectively generate, store, process and transform the data in
improved manner. It has been also observed that a rising use and importance of
the digital technology is being seen during the current times of global pandemic
as every organisation become reliable on digital channels and technology for
sharing of data along with setting better workplace coordination (Lakkoju, 2022).
The pandemic of covid-19 has led to sudden lockdown and strict social distancing
norms thus at that time flexible working and use of digital technology is the online
and most suitable way to carry out and implicate the business activities. Further,
it has been also seen that a positive impact of the digital technology is being lead
on workplace transformation within Marks and Spencer as it supports flexible
working (Karaboğa and et. al., 2022). Along with this, the key challenges that are
being faced by the Marks and spencer while embarking workplace transformation
consists of Organizational resistance to change, Migrating from legacy
applications, Data and application security, Lack of centralized notifications and
Issues with productivity. Along with this, having effective leadership as well as
focusing on regular training and skill development of employees tend to supports
the right strategy and initiatives that would support better workplace
transformation in Marks and Spencer (Goulart, Liboni and Cezarino, 2022).
List of sources (References):
Edwards-Dashti, N., 2022. Mindset: Innovation and Transformation. In FinTech Women Walk
the Talk (pp. 27-34). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Goulart, V.G., Liboni, L.B. and Cezarino, L.O., 2022. Balancing skills in the digital
transformation era: The future of jobs and the role of higher education. Industry and
Higher Education, 36(2), pp.118-127.
Govender, C.M. and Adegbite, W.M., 2022. EVOLVING ROLE OF LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS IN THE 21st CENTURY FOURTH INDUSTRIAL
REVOLUTION WORKPLACE. International Journal of Entrepreneurship, 26, pp.1-
16.

Junglas, I. and et. al., 2022. On the benefits of consumer IT in the workplace—An IT
empowerment perspective. International Journal of Information Management, 64,
p.102478.
Karaboğa, T. and et. al., 2022. Digital Transformation Journey of HR: The Effect of Big Data
and Artificial Intelligence in HR Strategies and Roles. In Management Strategies for
Sustainability, New Knowledge Innovation, and Personalized Products and
Services (pp. 94-115). IGI Global.
Lakkoju, S., 2022. Does Changing Workplace Culture Accelerate Work-Family
Conflicts?!. Available at SSRN 4085905.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g. research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical
analysis, tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the
report):
Activities 1st
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Selection of
research
topic
Developing
aims and
objectives
along with
framing
research
questions
with regard
to topic
Drafting
research
proposal.
Ho
w
lon
g
this
will
tak
e:

Performing
literature
review with
the
development
of themes.
Assessment
along with
selection of
research
methodology
Forming
questionnaire
consisting of
both close
ended and
open-ended
questions.
Collection of
data through
questionnaire
.
Analysing
the collected
data
Drawing
conclusion.
Recommendi
ng various

strategies for
resolving
issue
regarding
demotivation
.
Arranging
report in a
structured
manner.
Consultation
with tutor.
Performing
modification
if any.
Final
submission.
Milestone one: _LO1 – setting aim and objective ________________
Target date (set by tutor): _________________
Milestone two: ____LO 3- Communicate the outcomes of a research
project to identified stakeholders _____________
Target date (set by tutor): __________________
Gantt Chart

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and
why? What your areas of research will cover:
This forms out a vital part of every investigation as it provides
information about the research method and strategy that are being
applied to undertake a study in systematic manner.
Figure 1: Research onion, 2021
Research philosophy- Making use of the positivism philosophy is seemed
appropriate and suitable for current project as it supports better and a
practical ay of investigation that is more systematic in nature.
Research approach- Application of the deductive approach is being
proposed for current study as it is effectively in line with positivistic
philosophy and also lead to better way of testing and scanning the facts
(Edwards-Dashti, 2022).
Research strategy- Making use of the survey form of research strategy is
being proposed for current project as it leads to a most cost and time
efficient way of collecting and analysing the data by the way of making
use of questionnaire.
Choice of method- Out of the two commonly used research method i.e.
qualitative and quantitative making use of the quantitative is being

proposed for current study as it supports easy collection of data in
numeric form. Further, use of quantitative nature of method also lead to
better presentation and analysis of facts through making use of the
statistical charts and tables.
Data collection- Gathering of data would be made from both primary as
well as the secondary source of data as primary supports first-hand
information while secondary set a base and framework for knowledge
creation. Collection of primary data would be made within the help of
questionnaire and secondary data would be analysed through use of
online books, article, journals and other set of online data. The
questionnaire would be mailed to the selected participants for the
gathering of the primary set of data.
Data analysis- the analysis of the data would be made with the help of
quantitative method of data analysis that comprises of the use of the pie
charts, frequency table and other statistical graphs to evaluate and
interpret the collected data.
Sampling- Selection of a sample size of 40 respondents would be made
from the employees of Marks and Spencer with the help of the random
method of sampling.
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 ______________
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
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: To analysis the concept of the rising use of digital
technology along with evaluating its impact on the workplace
transformation.” A research work 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 Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 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?
Yes
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)?
Through making use of random sampling method.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
Use of online platform would be made
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?
Through use of emails
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 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?
Researcher and tutor
During the research:
Researcher and tutor
Where will the data be stored?
In a password locked computer
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used

Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In a password locked computer
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
2-3 months
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.