Research Project: Examining Equality and Diversity in LIDL

This research project delves into the equality and diversity practices and policies implemented at LIDL, a global supermarket chain. The project examines the background of managing equality and diversity, the aim and objectives to evaluate diversity issues and effective management techniques. The research explores the challenges associated with diversity, the impact of gender equality on employee performance, and the importance of equality and diversity for organizational success. It also investigates strategies LIDL can adopt to manage equality and diversity effectively. The project includes a literature review, research methodology, data analysis, and reflection on research outcomes and communication strategies. The goal is to understand the current practices, identify areas for improvement, and provide recommendations for fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace within LIDL.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Research Project: Examine the equality and diversity practices and policies in LIDL. .................1
Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................................1
Research Topic: “Managing equality and diversity”. A research project on LIDL...............1
1.1. Background of the research ............................................................................................1
1.2. Aim and objectives .........................................................................................................2
1.3. Rationale for selection of research topic ........................................................................2
1.4. Research questions .........................................................................................................3
Chapter 2: Literature Review ..........................................................................................................3
Chapter 3: Research Methodology .................................................................................................7
Chapter 4: Data analysis and Interpretation ..................................................................................11
4.1) Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................11
4.2) Interpretation of data ....................................................................................................12
Chapter 5: Communication of research outcomes.........................................................................21
5.1) Research findings and Conclusion ..............................................................................21
5.2) Communication with stakeholder ................................................................................22
5.3) Recommendation ..........................................................................................................22
Chapter 6: Reflection ....................................................................................................................23
6.1) Reflection on the effectiveness of applied research methods.......................................23
6.2) Reflection on recommended actions for future improvement.......................................23
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................24
Appendix 1: Research ethical and proposal form ................................................................27
Appendix 2: Questionnaire............................................................................................................38

Research Project: Examine the equality and diversity practices and policies in
LIDL.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Research Topic: “Managing equality and diversity”. A research project on LIDL.
1.1. Background of the research
In today’s modern world, due to globalisation and enhanced integration at international
level along with enriched expansion of orgnisation the issues associated with management of
equality and diversity is become common for all companies (Syed and Ozbilgin, 2019). The
concept of equality is all about leading and maintaining a fair workplace environment that must
be free from all kind of discrimination and favouritism on the basis of sex, gender, culture,
background, race or any other personal aspect. On the other side, diversity is a phenomena that
aim at maintaining a bonding and inclusion between culturally diversified group or employees
belongs to different backgrounds and having varied physical or other competencies. With
enhanced growth and expansion of an orgnisation at diversified location it become vital and
essential for a company to hire employees who belongs to diversified culture and nature to attract
and cater customers from diversified culture (Knights and Omanović, 2016). Thus, it become
more vital and crucial for a company to come up with effective strategies and policies to
maintain a significant level of equality and diversity at workplace in order to maintain to growth
and performance level of employees and overall company.
The organisation that is selected for current investigation is LIDL that is global
supermarket chain with more than 10000 stores across Europe and parts of US. The main
headquarter of LIDL is situated at Neckarsulm, Germany and offer a range of diversified
products to its customers which consist of fresh fruit & vegetable, meat, fish, bakery, cleaning
and household products, health and beauty products, pet food, baby food, frozen food, baby
health care and many other items (Lidl opens its 700th store in the UK, 2018). LIDL is a
multinational retailer with more than 700 stores in UK and other parts of world thus, issues
related with managing equality and diversity among its employees is commonly seen in LIDL.
Therefore, many vital polices and practises are adopted by LIDL to effectively manage equality
and diversity at its workplace along with leading Gender equality to ensure higher performance
and betterment of organisation (Ravazzani, 2016). Thus, current investigation is conducted to
1

examine the equality and diversity practices and policies in LIDL along with evaluating about
the various diversity issues at workplace together with techniques for effective management of
equality.
1.2. Aim and objectives
Research aim
The aim set out for current investigation is, “To evaluate about the various diversity
issues at workplace together with techniques for effective management of equality.” An
investigation made on Lidl Rowan Road situated at 216 Rowan Rd, London SW16 5HX, United
Kingdom.
Research Objectives
The main objectives that are associated with current investigation on LIDL are provided
below:
 To develop better understanding about the issues associated with diversity at workplace.
 To evaluate about the impact of gender equality on the performance of employees of
LIDL.
 To identify the importance of equality and diversity in betterment and success of an
organisation.
 To determine all possible strategies and techniques that can be adopted by LIDL to
manage equality and diversity at its workplace.
1.3. Rationale for selection of research topic
The current investigation is based on topic of managing equality and diversity which is
rationale from professional aspects of researcher as providing enriched information about the
various issues associated with managing diversity along with leading knowledge about policies
and strategies to cope up with these challenge. This investigation is vital to lead and ensure better
management of equality and diversity at workplace along with effectiveness and benefits in
leading enhanced success and better performance of an orgnisation through enhancing its
creativity and innovation level. Apart from these professional reason the current research project
all meet personal aspects of researcher through ensuring development of better managerial,
communication and other interpersonal skills along with meeting academic perspective to have
better future and development.
2

1.4. Research questions
The questions and issues that are evaluated and analysed through current investigation on
LIDL are stated as below:
 What is meant by the issues associated with diversity at workplace?
 What impact is lead by gender equality on the performance of employees of LID?
 What importance is lead by equality and diversity in betterment and success of an
organisation?
 What are the possible strategies and techniques that can be adopted by LIDL to manage
equality and diversity at its workplace?
Chapter 2: Literature Review
It forms a vital part of a research project as it the chapter that consists of evaluation and
discussion of various literature that are reviewed and surveyed for leading a base and framework
for current investigation (Özbilgin and Slutskaya, 2017). The various online articles’ and journal
analysed for current investigation on the topic of equality and diversity are evaluated below:
To develop better understanding about the issues associated with diversity at workplace
According to the view point of Angela Hood, 2017. There are some of the most common
issues and challenges associated with managing and creating diversity at workplace are barriers
in communication and language, differences in culture, employees bullying, sexual harrasment
and so on. These are the barriers which are faced by companies while associating diversity at
workplace. When company faces these issues it affects the performance of an employee as it
reduces the efficiency and effectiveness and ultimately this all affect the performance of the
business. These all are the problems which create stress level among the employees and
miscommunication and misinterpretation also increase. When these issues happen employee
turnover increases which is the loss for company as they need to again invest in the process of
hiring employees. Some issues are explained under:
Ethnic and Cultural Differences- It is difficult for mangers and leaders to understand the
needs and expectations of employees who belongs to different ethic and culture. Beside this, a
level of prejudice and discrimination is also seen in employees with the individual’s that belongs
to different ethic and culture. Thus, eliminating those ethic and cultural difference among a
diverse workforce is the main issues encountered or associated with leading diversity at
workplace (Mahlangu, 2019). A challenge is faced by organisation in coordinating and setting a
3

mutual road or work style among theses culturally diversified people who are have different
needs and expectations as per their diversified background and culture that lead to conflict of
interest at workplace.
Language and Communication barriers- The another issues associated with diversity is
related with lack of effective communication and bonding among employees that is mainly due
to use of different language. It is difficult for an organisation to direct and guide a diversified
group of people and employees as they all are not habitual and comfortable with use of common
a language that hampers communication and lead to enhanced chances of chaos and clash at
workplace.
Sexual harassment and incidence of Bullying - With enhancing diversity at workplace the
issues associated with gender discrimination is also encountered that is mainly related with
discrimination regarding hiring, salary, opportunities, and promotions among employees on the
basis of the gender which hamper the performance and efficiency level of employees. Beside
this, a increased number of cases associated with sexual harassment and bullying is also seen due
to diversity at workplace that lead to creation of stress and depression among employees and
severely hamper performance and efficiency level of workforce (Dahanayake and et. al., 2018).
To evaluate about the impact of gender equality on the performance of employees of LIDL
As per the information provided by Sharon Hurley Hall, 2020, gender equality lead a
positive impact on performance of employees as it a factor that lead to reduction in cases of
sexual harassment or any other kind of Buying or discrimination on the basis of sex or gender of
an individual. It has been evaluated that gender equality is a vital concept that ensures same
treatment for males and females employees and leading equal considerations for different
behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men that must be valued and favoured equally
at the workplace of an orgnisation. The other benefits that are lead by creation of gender equality
on the performance of LIDL and overall organisation are stated below:
Improved productivity- It has been evaluated that one of the major benefit of gender
equality is that it lead to improved productivity through leading a more cohesive and efficient
workforces. Creation of gender equality brings more satisfaction level and enhanced mental
peace through eliminating stress and other negative impact thus, lead to improvement in
productivity and efficiency level of employees (Bouten, 2016).
4

Better quality of life- The another benefit of gender equality is that it ensures better quality
of life for employees through eliminating all kind of gender discrimination that consist of fair
recruitment and section process along with fair pay and promotion strategy that lead to fair
promotion and growth opportunity to both males and females. Thus, creation of gender equality
leads to continuing innovate, grow and be productive that leads to a better quality of life for
employees of all genders. Thus, motivates employees of all gender to work hard and have better
performance (Jozwiak, 2019).
Thus, with respect to above discussion it can be evaluated gender equality lead to
enhanced productivity through leading a fair and harassment free workplace that motivates
employees for better performance along with improving the quality of life employees through
eliminating all king of discrimination on the basis of gender which consists equal hiring
opportunity and fair pay. Thus, it can be evaluated that gender equality at workplace lead to a
positive and optimistic impact on performance of employees.
To identify the importance of equality and diversity in betterment and success of an
organisation
As per the information lead by Louise Petty, 2016, equality and diversity are vital and
important for betterment and success of an orgnisation as it plays a significant role in enhancing
overall creativity and competency level of orgnisation through leading hiring and recruitment of
employees from diversified location that lead to better pool of talent. The other crucial and
important role lead by equality and diversity in betterment and success of an organisation are
discussed and evaluated below:
Increase creativity and innovation level- The foremost importance of leading equality
and diversity at workplace consist of the fact that it improve the overall creativity and innovation
level of an organisation through leading a wider pool of talented candidates from diversified
culture and background (Riccucci, 2018). Further, equality leads to a more motivated workforce
that ensures higher creativity and innovation level in them through directing them for making
better efforts for success of an organisation.
Enhanced Growth opportunity- The another importance of leading equality and diversity
at workplace is associated with enhanced growth opportunity as a diversified workforce ensures
better awareness and understanding about the customers who belongs to different culture and
background (Zhang and et. al., 2016). Further, diversified workforce also overcome the issues of
5

communication with diversified customers through ensuring better knowledge about language
and norms of customers belongs to different culture or ethnic through employing candidates
from different nationalities to enhance growth opportunity at global level.
Better brand image and reputation- An organisation that provide equal opportunity to all
candidates and ensure effective management of equality and diversity gain better brand image
and reputation of orgnisation in eyes of customers and society as it is working towards
eliminating discrimination and unethical work practises. Thus, maintaining equality and diversity
also lead to better brand image and goodwill that improves overall performance and success level
of an organisation (De Anca and Vega, 2016).
Beside this it could be evaluated that a direct relationship between cultural diversity and
business performance is there as it has been evaluated that management of cultural diversity lead
to presence of diversified group of people at workplace that enhance the creativity and efficiency
level of an organisation. Beside this, enhanced growth opportunity and better brand image is also
lead by cultural diversity as it lead to a fair and effective recruitment and selection method that
give equal selection opportunity to all employees which enhance brand image of an orgnisation.
Along with this, cultural diversity also leads better awareness about the diversified needs and
expectations of larger number of customers from diversified group through enriching the skills
and competencies of an organisations lead by diverse workforce thus, it could be evaluated that a
positive impact is lead by cultural diversity on business performance of an organisation.
To determine all possible strategies and techniques that can be adopted by LIDL to manage
equality and diversity at its workplace
As per the view point of Angel Sharma, 2016, it has become vital for organisation to
come up with some enhanced and better strategies and techniques to ensure effective
management of equality and diversity at its workplace that ensures higher productivity and
enhanced creativity. Some of these possible strategies and efficient techniques that can be
adopted by LIDL in order to manage equality and diversity at its workplace consist of following
main points that are evaluated as below:
Fair HR practises- The foremost step that could be adopted y LIDL to create and
managed diversity at its workplace consists of leading and adopting an Unbiased and Fair HR
practises and strategies that consists of discrimination free recruitment and selection process that
ensures fair employment opportunity for all individuals belong to any culture or nation. Thus,
6

adoption of Fair HR practises ensures hiring of employees from diversified group thus, ensures
better management of diversity at workplace (Özbilgin and Chanlat, 2017).
Effective communication and Formal Complaint Process- The another step or strategy
that could be adopted by LIDL to ensure better management of equality and diversity consists of
ensuring effective communication at workplace that yield a fair chance to share and discuss their
views and opinion so that does not feel neglected or discriminated at any point while working for
the organisation (Thomas, 2019). Furner, leading a formal complaint Box is also an efficient
technique to reduce the chances of discrimination, sexual harassment or any kind of Bullying at
workplace through leading a platform for making compliant and leading solution for their
problem.
Cultural and diversity training- The another strategy and technique that lead to better
management of equality and diversity consist of providing regular training and leading
awareness about equality and diversity in order to motivate employees for the same. Further,
providing regular training and learning programmes by LIDL for its employees ensures better
understanding abut norms and culture of diversified employees that enhance feeling of
acceptance and respect in employees towards each other. Thus, cultural and diversity training is a
vital strategy to manage equality and diversity at the workplace of LIDL (de Freitas, 2017).
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
Research methodology form a vital part of a research work as it is a section that yield all required
information about the types of method and approaches used for conducting an investigation in
order to achieve and accomplish set objectives on time and in an efficient manner (Syed and
Ozbilgin, 2019). The various philosophies, approaches and methods that are used for current
investigation on LIDL are provided below along with leading a justifiable reason and verification
for their adoption:
Research philosophy- This section of research methodology yield information about the set
principles of conducting an investigation that are concerning research stance worldwide.
Research philosophy is mainly bifurcated into four main parts that consists of realism,
Posistivitism, Objectivitism and interpretivism among which implication of positivism research
approach is made for current investigation on LIDL. The verification and justification for
selection of Positivism Philosophy consist of the fact that it comes up with better set of
objectives that are easy to select and also lead better expansion and measuring of collected data
7

for effective testing of hypotheses in quantified or numeric manner (Knights and Omanović,
2016).
Research approach- The two main reasoning method or approaches consists of deductive
and inductive approach out of which former one is associated with quantitative data whereas
later one is associated with qualitative facts. Thus, in accordance with current topic based on
managing equality and diversity, adoption of deductive approach is more verified as it meet the
nature of current investigation and ensures better scan of set hypothesises in a scientific and
more practical way to based on numeric and quantitative terms to achieve set objectives in more
effective way (Ravazzani, 2016).
Research method- This section of research methodology mainly consists of three main
method i.e. quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods out of which one or communication of
two is adopted by a researcher on the basis of set objectives. With regard to current investigation
use of quantitative research method is more viable and verified as it a method that emphasis in
collection and analysis of data in numeric form that lead to a measurable results and better
conclusion and testing of set objectives to accomplish set objectives through numeric facts and
evaluation.
Research strategy and technique- There are many types of strategy used for conducting a
research that consists of experiment, Survey, case study, action research etc, out of which
implication of survey strategy or technique of research is adopted for current investigation as it
considered as one of the most cost and time effective strategy and technique that consist of use of
questionnaire for data collection (Özbilgin and Slutskaya, 2017).
Activities and timeline- In order to bring clarity and ensure systematic presentation of all
activities along with their associated timeline, use of following Gantt chart is made. It ensures
more clarity in investigation and also reduces chances of overlapping of work and activity in
order to timely accomplish the project (Mahlangu, 2019).
8

Sampling Method
It is basically of two types that is probability sampling and non probability method which
mainly indicates the process of selecting and choosing respondents for an investigation from a
9