Research Project: Diversity and Inclusion Strategies at Tesco

This report, focusing on Tesco, investigates initiatives and strategies for building a diverse and inclusive workforce. It begins with an executive summary highlighting the concepts of equality and diversity, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and the inclusion of diverse groups. The report explores the research question of what equality and diversity mean in the workplace, strategies used to build a diverse workforce, their impact, and recommendations for improvement. It includes a literature review examining the concepts of equality and diversity, strategies such as acknowledging differences, providing equal training, and educating managers, and the impact of these strategies on the workforce. The research methodology includes qualitative research, an inductive approach, and an interpretivism philosophy, with data collected through primary (surveys) and secondary sources. The report also covers the application of analytical tools and reflection on the effectiveness of research methods, culminating in conclusions and recommendations for Tesco to enhance equality and diversity within its organization.

Unit 11 - Research Project

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This study has summarized that, equality means fair and equal treatment to the employees
and protecting them against any sort of discrimination. Diversity means encouraging the diverse
group of people who belong to different culture, belief, religion and attitude. This study has
evaluated that, age, gender, race, religion and disability are considered to be major characteristics
of equality and diversity. This study has evaluated that cultural difference and language barrier
act as a major challenge towards building a diverse workforce. This study has evaluated that,
prevention of unconscious biasses, acknowledging the differences, avoiding stereotypes, etc.
helps in effectively promoting the cultural diversity within the workplace. This study has
critically examined that, educating and empowering managers helps in building diverse
workforce in organization.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................1
TOPIC: “To investigate the different types of initiatives and strategies to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce. A study on Tesco.”.........................................................................................1
LO1 .................................................................................................................................................1
P1 Produce a research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis,
supported by a literature review..................................................................................................1
P2 Research Methodology..........................................................................................................4
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................7
P.3 Conducting primary and secondary research with the help of appropriate methods............7
RESULTS/ FINDINGS.................................................................................................................10
P 4. Application of appropriate analytical tool.........................................................................10
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................17
P 5. Communicating research outcomes (COVERED IN PPT)...............................................17
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................17
P 6. Reflection on the effectiveness of research methods.........................................................17
CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATION................................................................................18
P 7. Considering alternative research methodology..................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................23

TOPIC: “To investigate the different types of initiatives and strategies to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce. A study on Tesco.”
LO1
P1 Produce a research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis, supported
by a literature review.
Aim
“To investigate the different types of initiatives and strategies to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce. A study on Tesco.”
Objectives
l To understand the concept of equality and diversity.
l To evaluate the various types of strategies used by the Tesco to build diverse
workforce in the organization.
l To understand the impact of these strategies on the workforce of Tesco.
l To recommend best way through which Tesco can improve equality and diversity within
the organization.
Research Question
l What does equality and diversity at workplace means?
l What are the various types of strategies which are used by the organization to build
diverse workforce in the organization?
l What impact does equality and diversity strategies used to bring on the workforce of
organization?
l What is the best way through which Tesco can improve equality and diversity within the
organization?
Research Background: Equality and diversity are the two concept which looks at treating all
the employee equally in the organization by offering them the equal opportunity to show their
talent and grow in the career. Equality refers to treating all the employee equally in the
organization and there is no sort of discrimination in the organization on the basis of gender,
disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. Diversity refers to appreciate the
differences between the difference in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual
orientation, education, and religion. Their are many different strategies which are used by the
1

organization to build the equality and diversity in the organization as it helps the company in
building good human resources and also help the company in getting good support from the
employee of the organization. This proposal highlights the concept of the equality and diversity
at the workplace. After that the report goes on to explain the different type of strategy which is
used by the organization and the impact of the strategy on the working of the organization. After
that the report explain the Different type of the research tool which are used to conduct the
research.
Rationale: In the era of globalization and increasing competition in the market it is getting
difficult for every organization to retain the employee in the organization. The biggest reason
behind it has been find that the employee feel discriminated at the work place. As it is getting
difficult for the organization to promote the equality and diversity in the organization. Tesco is
also performing the variety of the activity in the organization to build the equality and diversity
in the organization but organization is finding it difficult to find out the best strategy to improve
the equality and diversity in the organization. This report will put light on the same issue by
analysing the different aspect related to the equality and diversity at the workplace.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: “Concept of equality and diversity at workplace”
As per the view point of Gabrys, and et.al., (2019) equality and diversity at workplace is defined
as different activity which are performed in the organization with the sole motive of promoting
equal opportunity to all the employee in the organization. Providing all the employee equal
number of the resources and the opportunity to prove their metal in the organization. All the
opportunity which are provided to the employee are free from prejudice and discrimination.
Colgan, (2015) explain that equality and diversity are the two words and two different concept
but generally used together in the context of the organization. Diversity means that the
organization should respect and appreciate the differences between the difference in ethnicity,
gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, education, and religion. Where as
Equality means that organization need to ensure that all the employee or team member in the
organization are treated equally and there is no sort of the discrimination in the organization on
the name of gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age.
Weller and Hooley, (2016) explain that equality and diversity at workplace bring the variety of
the advantages for the organization as it help the organization in bringing the good flow of the
2

innovation idea in the organization. As all the employee in the organization are given the
freedom and equal chances to complete their work. As a result all the employee try to find out
the different way to complete the work within the organization by finding out innovative idea.
Tatli and et.al., (2015) has a opinion that Equality and the diversity help the organization in
building good working environment in the organization as all the employee are motivated
enough to work in the organization and also all the employee are ready to help each other as
there is good amount of the trust factor among them, which eventually help the company in
building good and efficient working environment.
Theme 2: “Various types of strategies which can be used to build diverse workforce in the
organization”
Sharma, (2016) highlights that it is very important for all the organization that they uses the
different strategies in the organization to promote the equality and diversity in the organization
as it offers the variety of the benefit to the organization. Toor, Suresh and Renukappa, (2017)
explained that the most common strategy which is used in organization is Acknowledge of the
differences, organization in the organization always try to promote the differences of the
employee by highlighting that all the employee in the organization are different from one
another. So all the employee should understand each other as we are a team.
Gabrys, and et.al., (2019) highlights that the another common strategy which is used by
organization globally is providing equal amount of the technique to all the employee, In this
technique organization has to make sure that all the employee in the organization get the equal
amount of the training. This will help the company in passing on the equal opportunity to all the
employee to grow their career and improve the skill set posses by them. For example: Tesco used
to give all the new employee a training of 15 day to grow their skill set and understand the job
role.
Colgan, (2015) highlights that organization also used to educate all the manager in the
organization to build such a environment that the employee in the organization feel short hearted
or discriminated. The reason of educating manger in the organization is that manager are the one
who are in real contact with all the employee in the organization. So manager of the organization
make sure that they do not promote any discriminated activity in the organization.
Weller and Hooley, (2016) highlights that all the organization also try to fix a good flow of the
communication in the organization so that with the help of the same clarity of the thought can be
3

promoted in the organization. So that employee feel less discriminated at the work place. For
example: Tesco used to organize different formal and informal meeting so that all the employee
of the organization used to communicate with different employee which help them feel
comfortable.
Theme 3: “To understand the impact of Equality and Diversity strategies on the workforce”
Tatli and et.al., (2015) highlights that promoting equality and Diversity in the organization
eventually help the company in improving the efficiency of the Human resources in the
organization. As all the employee used to get the equal amount of the training to develop their
skill set which eventually help the company in getting the efficient workforce in the
organization. Sharma, (2016) highlights that this strategy also impact the working environment
of the organization as the company which used to promote the equality and diversity at the
workplace used to get the good amount of the support from the employee of the organization. As
all the employee feel comfortable to work for the organization which eventually help the
organization in building good working environment in the organization.
Toor, Suresh and Renukappa, (2017) has a opinion that the strategy used by the organization
also can have a negative impact for the organization as it get difficult for the organization to
identify the issue of any particular employee in the organization. Also it get difficult for
organization to sustain extraordinary employee in the organization for longer period of time.
P2 Research Methodology
Research type: Research is the study which is conducted to find out the solution of the issue
which is faced by the organization. There are two common type of research type which are used
to conduct the research namely qualitative research and quantitative research. Scholar will be
using qualitative research as it will be difficult to express the result in the numerical form.
Research Approach: Research approach is the plan which shows the broad assumption related
to the method of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Inductive and deductive are the two
approaches which can be used by the scholar for finding out the solution of the issue. Scholar
will be using inductive research approach in this study as this approach provide a very crucial
hand to the type of the Research approach.
Research philosophy: Research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a
phenomenon should be gathered, analysed and used. There are two type of Research philosophy
which can be used by the scholar to find out the solution of the issue faced by the Tesco namely
4

Interpretivism and positivism. Scholar will be using Interpretivism philosophy as it will help the
scholar in studying the human interest also in the study.
Data collection: Data collection is the process of collecting the data from the different source for
the purpose of analysing same and finding out the solution of the issue. There are two type of
data collection tool namely primary and secondary data collection tool. Scholar will be taking the
help of both primary and secondary data collection tool to sourced the data. Primary data will be
collected with the help of the survey which will be conducted on the basis of questionnaire.
Questionnaire will be having both open ended and close ended question to get the best available
data. Secondary data will be collected with the help of different books and journal related to the
topic.
Sampling: Sampling is a process used in statistical analysis in which a predetermined number of
observations are taken from a larger population. There are two type of sampling method namely
probabilistic and non probabilistic. Scholar will be using simple random sampling in
probabilistic sampling method in the study. Selected sample size for the study is 20 employee of
Tesco on which the survey will be conducted.
Data Analysis: Scholar will be using thematic data analysis tool to analysis to analyse the data
which is collected with the help of the secondary and primary tool. In this study researcher will
be making different theme and graph to present the data and analysis them in more attractive
way.
Ethical consideration: High level of the confidentiality has been maintain throughout the
process of finding out the outcome of the study. Researcher will also be taking the consent of all
the respondent before taking their opinion on the survey.
Limitation: The biggest limitation was the time given to conduct the research as it was to
difficult to conduct the research in given time but with the help of the team member and
colleague scholar was able to conduct the research on the time.
Time Line
Activity 1th
Wee
k
2nd
Wee
k
3rd
Wee
k
4th
Wee
k
5th
Wee
k
6th
Wee
k
7th
Wee
k
8th
Wee
k
9th
Wee
k
10th
Wee
k
11th
Week
5

Research
topic is
selected
Concludes
Literature
Review
Tools used
to conduct
research
Methodolo
gy
Factors are
identified
After
factors are
determined
,
Questionna
ire is
prepared.
Collects
facts and
data of that
topic.
6

Analysed
them by
using
thematic
method.
Rechecked
the data
and
informatio
n before
submitting.
Submit the
final
report.
METHODOLOGY
P.3 Conducting primary and secondary research with the help of appropriate methods.
Research methodology
Research methodology is considered to be a strategic approach which helps in gaining in-
depth knowledge and insight on the subject matter (Kumar, 2019). This helps in outlining several
principles which in turn is useful in gaining broader insight and is also useful in solving research
problem.
Research methods: It is a broad terminology which helps in gasping valid and true
information on the particular subject matter. Research methods is broadly classified into
qualitative and quantitative methods (Mackey and Gass, 2015). Qualitative methods is based on
in- depth investigation on the subject matter with the help of logical and systematic reasoning.
Quantitative method helps in analysing the patterns and frequency by interpreting numerical and
statistical data.
7

The researcher of the study has opted for qualitative research methods as it helps in
investigating the different types of initiatives and strategies to build a diverse and inclusive
workforce.
Research philosophy: This is a belief which helps in determining the way according to
which a particular set of data should be selected. Research philosophy is broadly classified into
interpretivism and positivism approach (Bresler and Stake, R.E., 2017). Interpretivism approach
helps in underpinning the various variables of the research by in integrating human interest into
the study. Positivism approach helps researcher in gaining factual knowledge that helps in
revealing true nature of the research subject matter (Research Support: Research Methodology,
2019).
The researcher of the study has opted for Interpretivism approach which helps in
effectively understanding the concept of equality and diversity.
Research approach: This is considered to be a systematic plan which in turn helps in
resolving research problem and gain wider aspect on the subject matter. Research approach is
broadly classified into deductive and inductive approach (Flick, 2015). Deductive approach helps
in effectively testing the research process in order to gain wider perspective on research problem.
Inductive approach helps in collecting relevant data by reaching specific conclusion.
The researcher of the study has opted for inductive approach in order to effectively
evaluate the various types of strategies used by the Tesco to build diverse workforce in the
organization.
Research design: This is considered to be effective research methodology which is useful
in integrating various components and variables of the research topic. Research design is broadly
classified into exploratory and descriptive research design (Silverman, 2016). Exploratory design
helps in exploring and explaining the various aspects of the study in systematic and detailed
manner. Descriptive method is useful in solving research problem by in- depth analysis in on the
interest of the study.
The researcher of the study has opted for descriptive research design method in order to
effectively understand the impact of these strategies on the workforce of Tesco company.
Data collection: This is an effective source of collecting useful information which in turn
helps in gaining relevant answers to the research questions. Data collection is broadly classified
into primary and secondary source of data collection (Wiek and Lang, 2016). Primary data is a
8

set of new information which is collected for the very first time with the help of interviews,
observation, poll, experiment, questionnaire, investigation, etc. Secondary data is the information
which has been used before and can be further utilized for the particular research (Research
Support: Research Methodology, 2019). This can be done through books, journals, manuals,
newspaper, magazines, transcripts, etc.
The researcher of the study has opted for both primary and secondary source in order to
determine the challenges faced by the company to build diverse workforce and also to find
effective recommendation strategy which helps in improving equality and diversity within the
organization.
Sampling: This is referred to as statistical analysis which is useful in pre- determining the
sample which are selected from large number of population. Sampling is broadly classified into
probabilistic and non- probabilistic sampling method. Probabilistic method is useful because
every individual in the population has equal chance of getting selected. It is classified into
random, stratified, cluster and systematic sampling (Quinlan and et.al., 2019). Non- probabilistic
sampling method does not give all the individuals in the large population of getting selected in
sample. It is classified into purposive, judgemental and snowball sampling.
The researcher of the study has opted for random probabilistic sampling method where
20 employees of the Tesco company are selected to investigate the different types of initiatives
and strategies to build a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Data analysis: This is an effective process which helps to inspect, cleanse, transform and
modify the useful information which in turn helps in reaching conclusive decision. Data analysis
is broadly classified into SPSS tool and thematic analysis. Thematic analysis is useful in
identifying common themes in order to address research problem (Humphries, 2017). SPSS
analysis helps in data mining and is very useful in understanding patterns of the subject matter.
The researcher of the study has opted for thematic analysis in order to determine the
challenges faced by the company to build diverse workforce and also to find effective
recommendation strategy which helps in improving equality and diversity within the
organization.
Ethical consideration: The researcher of the study will carry out research in an ethical
and relevant manner by effectively complying with data protection act. Personal information of
the individuals participating in the research study are effectively protected (Kumar, 2019). Data
9