Unit 11: Research Project - Equality and Diversity at Marks & Spencer

This report investigates the critical role of equality and diversity in mitigating workplace discrimination, using Marks & Spencer as a case study. The study explores the practices of equality and diversity, their impact on reducing discrimination, and the challenges faced in maintaining these practices. The report delves into the background of the investigation, the research methodology, and the data analysis, providing insights into the effectiveness of equality and diversity initiatives. It also examines the challenges such as ethnic and cultural differences, and acceptance and respect within the workplace. Furthermore, the report offers reflections, recommendations for alternative research methodologies, and concluding remarks on the importance of fostering inclusive and equitable work environments. The research includes a literature review, research methodology with both primary and secondary data analysis, and concludes with recommendations for Marks & Spencer to improve its practices and reduce workplace discrimination.

Unit 11 – Research
Project
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Contents
TOPIC: Role of equality and diversity in minimising workplace discrimination...........................3
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................3
Overview of the study..................................................................................................................3
Background of investigation........................................................................................................3
Aim..............................................................................................................................................3
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................4
Equality and diversity practices at workplace.............................................................................4
Influence of equality and diversity practices that results in reduction of workplace
discrimination for Marks & Spencer...........................................................................................5
Several challenges that Marks & Spencer may face while maintaining equality and diversity at
workplace.....................................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................6
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.....................................................9
CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH OUTCOME......................................................................................16
Equality and diversity practices at workplace...........................................................................17
The influence of equality and diversity practices that results in reduction of workplace
discrimination for Marks & Spencer.........................................................................................17
Several challenges which are faced by Marks & Spencer while maintaining equality and
diversity at workplace................................................................................................................17
CHAPTER 6: REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................19
CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION......................................................................................................19
CHAPTER 8: RECOMMENDATION..........................................................................................20
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REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
TOPIC: Role of equality and diversity in minimising workplace discrimination...........................3
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 600.............................................................................................3
Overview of the study......................................................................................................................3
Background of investigation........................................................................................................3
Aim..............................................................................................................................................3
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Reflection 4:
TOPIC: Role of equality and diversity in minimising workplace discrimination
I am very happy that I got this opportuinity for being a part of this project which not only
help in getting me aware about the several kind of bio tecghnology that are used within
agricultural industry for imrproving iots practices but also support me in getting my personal
development doen throughout this project. The experience throughopit this project was great and
I presented my learning and experience with the help of self reflection which is presented below:
Personal reflection
In order to execute this project a team was formnulated which work toward gathering the
infomrtaion and try to provide action that can be takern to overcome the challenges or ixssues
that agricyultural industry is already facing wit
So, to continue with this in future I made certain views abouit the things that I will perform in
ordre to approach a team work.
. Other than this I decide to give equal chance to each individual in team for keeping their view
point nad suggestions toward a particulat and I will value them so that more coordination in team
can be established whichj not only help in reducing the burden of worek but also allow in
perfoming it well.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Overview of the study
The equality and diversity are now considered as the core practices for the businesses that
operates their business practices at international level so that they can survive at marketplace for
longer. This is so because such practices help an organisation to maintain a workforce that holds
up knowledge of several different culture which support in approaching customer belongs to
different background and make them determine the trends that affect the consumer behaviour
easily (Bendl, and et. al., 2015). But despite of all this the major issue lies in managing the
employees belong to different culture or background is workplace discrimination as some people
with prejudice behaviour discriminate and try to exploit diversified employees which not let
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them perform effectively. So this study is conducted in order to determine how the appropriate
implementation of equality and diversity practices support an organisation to deal with eth issues
of workplace discrimination and retain employees for longer duration within an organisation
(Hatipoglu and Inelmen, 2018). For executing this study the Marks & Spencer which is a
multinational retailer that offer its services to different geographical locations or countries along
with maintain a diversified workforce.
Background of investigation
The equality and diversity practices are those which involve providing equal rights and
value to the people belong to different background such as culture, nationality, gender,
rationality etc. which support an organisation to avoid the issues of workplace discrimination. To
conduct this study Marks & Spencer is taken into consideration which is a larger British
multinational retailer operates its business in several different countries throughout the world. It
is specialised in selling clothing, food products and home related products (Wrench, 2015). It
maintains its supermarket stores ,or retail outlets in order to offer its products or services to the
customers in more convenient manner. Other than this it also maintains an e-commerce platform
in order to cater the customers belongs to several different countries.
Aim
“To determine the role of equality and diversity within an organisation in minimizing workplace
discrimination.” A study on Marks & Spencer
Research Objective
 To develop understanding regarding equality and diversity practices at workplace.
 To identify the influence of equality and diversity practices that results in reduction of
workplace discrimination for Marks & Spencer.
 To explore several challenges which are faced by Marks & Spencer while maintaining
equality and diversity at workplace.
Research Questions
 What do you understand by equality and diversity practices at workplace?
 What is the influence of equality and diversity practices that results in reduction of
workplace discrimination for Marks & Spencer?
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 What are several challenges that Marks & Spencer may face while maintaining equality
and diversity at workplace?
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Equality and diversity practices at workplace
According to Knights and Omanovic, 2015, equality and diversity at workplace brings up
lot of mean to an organisation which mainly includes about respecting as well as valuing the staff
members despite of tehri age, gender, racial, belief, skills, experiences, culture, career,
background etc. In today’s modern world people are getting more focused toward maintaining a
workforce that consider people that are different in their background attributes. This support
them in improving their organisational practices by integrating the varying knowledge, skills and
talent all together in order to make the plan get effected more appropriately and bring up positive
outcome. In addition to this it also supports in managing with the changing market dynamics
much effectively that leads to organisational success in term of achieving its goals as well as help
in achieving the competitive edge throughout the marketplace (Sanyal and et. al., 2015). This
become possible as diversified workforce help in developing a better understanding of customer
and their purchasing behaviour at global level so that they can be targeted with most appropriate
strategy. This also support an organisation to diversified its business by entering into new market
without getting a fear of being affected with the varying market trends, demand, dynamics,
competition etc.
Influence of equality and diversity practices that results in reduction of
workplace discrimination for Marks & Spencer
As per the view point of Moore and Tailby, 2015, equality and diversity practices plays a
significant role within an organization by ensuring coordination among employees despite of
their different background. It plays a significant role in improving the workplace environment
and at the same time support in improving the productivity of employees by integrating the
knowledge. But other than all these factors it supports in improving the workplace
discrimination. This is so because the equality and diversity is mainly implemented within the
organization with the help of forming up effective strategies and policies related with working
practices. Hence, by effective formation of policies and implementing it in the workplace the
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Marks & Spencer would be able to bring up an improvement within the culture by minimizing
the workplace discrimination by providing equal opportunity or equality of being treated at
workplace to employees. Other than this, these policies will further support in improving the
organizational culture by developing an environment where each employee are being value as
per their background and treated equally without any kind of discrimination.
Several challenges that Marks & Spencer may face while maintaining equality and diversity at
workplace
According to the perception of Angela Hood, 2019, diversity at workplace promote
respects, acceptance, teamwork etc., despite of being differentiating people as per the age,
gender, native, language, political barrier etc. There are number of benefit that a diversified
workforce get but in order to implement such practices and maintaining them there are number
of issues that Marks & Spencer may face, which includes,
 Ethnic and cultural differences: - There are number of individual within eth work place
who hold prejudice against people belong to different culture, religion and ethnic
background as a result of which they get discriminated and not get a chance to showcase
their talent to perform well. This in turn act as a major issue that restrict the
implementation o equality and diversity practices as such employees of marks and
Spencer may not accept these policies.
 Acceptance and respect: - The fundamental value which leads to the successful
implementation of diversified workforce is respect among the co workers and employees.
But when their remains a lack of acceptance for the diversified culture and belief among
employees then it results into conflicts and it may restrict the Marks & Spencer to
implement such practices effectively.
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design: - The design of an investigation plays a significant role in extracting out
the final result of study. It helps in forming up the overall presentation or structuring of an
investigation (Scotland, 2012). The research design is exploratory, experimental and descriptive
that are mainly used, but within the present investigation the descriptive research design will be
used within it as it helps in providing with the proper identification and better description of the
data presented to make it more understandable.
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Research philosophy- The Interpretivism and positivism are two main philosophies that
are mainly used within research. But in order to perform current study positivism philosophy will
be used as it aids in evaluating the quantitative information must effectively to represent the
valid outcome of the available data (Silverman, 2016). Hence it supports in presenting several
aspects of investigation with the help of which a study can become more effective.
Type of investigation: - In order to effectively execute an investigation, it's required by
the researcher that they must wisely choose the right kind of investigation method i.e. either
qualitative or quantitative (Tuohy and et.al., 2013). For commencing this investigation, the
quantitative method is used because it helps in presenting the gathered data in appropriate
manner along with high accuracy by providing the numerical facts and figures.
Research approach: For analysing the gathered data effectively the investigator needs
to use right kind of analysis approach in accordance with the type of researcher being conducted.
The inductive as well as deductive are the main approaches that are used with an investigation
(Walliman, 2017). But for performing this study deductive approach are used that facilitate in
analysing the numerical figures and data for converting it into meaningful information. It is so
because the current study is based on quantitative method of investigation so that the data
gathered from this investigation will be analysed with the help of deductive approach which
further support in evaluating the data as per present theories in order to improve the pre-
established understanding through primary investigation.
Data analysis: - It is all about the sources through which information can be gathered in
support of an investigation. The data analysis sources are of two type such as primary and
secondary. Among them both the methods will be used which help in presenting with wide range
of evidence to prove the research objectives (Wiek and Lang, 2016). The primary information
here will be gathered with the help of questionnaire that help in collecting fresh information,
while secondary information will be collected through sources where data is already get
published such as books, journal, articles etc.
Research strategy- For performing a study effectively, investigator must adopt a right
strategy that facilitate them in assembling data effectively. For executing the research effectively
there are various methods that can be primarily utilized by the researcher like survey, case
study, quetionnaire, interview, survey etc. But in order to perform present study effectively the
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investigator make use of questionnaire as a strategy to conduct investigation (Mackey and Gass,
2015). The questionnaire of current study is mentioned below:
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1 Are you aware about the importance of equality and diversity at workplaces?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2 Do you think that proper implementation of equality and diversity within organisation, Marks
& Spencer would be able to achieve competitive edge?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3 What are several benefits that Marks & Spencer get with the adoption of equality and
diversity at workplace?
a) Higher productivity
b) Employees satisfaction
c) Innovative practices
Q4 In what manner, equality and diversity help in reducing the workplace discrimination within
Marks & Spencer?
a) Providing equal opportunity
b) Value cultural differences
c) Inclusive workforce
Q5 According to you what are several factors that must be consider by an organisation while
implementing equality and diversity at workplace?
a) Organisational policies
b) Workplace culture
c) Adaptability
Q6 Among the following, which one is the factor that make equality and diversity practices as an
effective approach to deal with modern business world?
a) Integration of varying knowledge
b) Flow of creative ideas
c) Ease of adopting changes
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Q7 Do you think the adoption of equality and diversity practices at workplace support Marks and
spencer in managing its business worldwide?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8 As per your perception, what are several forces that attract an organisation to adopt equality
and diversity practices?
a) Better market understanding
b) Collaboration of different skills
c) Decoding consumer behaviour
Q9 What are the major challenges that Marks and spencer may face while implementing equality
and diversity at workplace?
a) Language and cultural barrier
b) Resist to change environment
c) Respecting and acceptance issue
Q10 Among the following, which one is more appropriate strategy that Marks & Spencer can
adopt to manage equality and diversity at workplace?
a) Inclusive training
b) Free flow of communication
c) Forming diversified team
Sampling- There are mainly two methods used for this investigation such as probabilistic
or non-probabilistic technique. For this study the probabilistic sampling will be used as it provide
equal chance to each individual out of population for being selected which further help in
eliminating the chances of bias behaviour while choosing respondents by providing and hence it
keep the gathered information more authentic and reliable. For this study the sample size
is selected as 50 staff of Marks & Spencer (Kumar, 2019).
Cost: -The cost if consider to be a significant part of an investigation as the researcher
required fund in order to arrange all the resources or getting access to information for performing
the study effectively. For this a budget is prepared regarding the set of activities to be performed
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and resources required such as internet connection, stationery, access to secondary material etc.
For this the estimated budget is £ 200.
Ethical issues: - While performing an investigation there are number of ethical issues that
may be faced by an investigator. So, in order to deal with these issues there are certain ethical
principles that are considered by eth investigator in this report. It includes informed consent
where respondents are being provided with true information behind the objective of the study so
that they can willingly provide their responses. Other than this confidentiality where the
information of the respondents will be kept secrete and not get disclosed among people.
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
It is considered to be most essential part of an investigation which focuses toward
analysing the gathered data to convert it into meaningful information that help in extracting out
the findings (Omland and Thapa, 2017). There are number of techniques used for performing
data analysis but for this project content analysis will be used that help in evaluating the data
gathered with the help of quantitative investigation (Taherdoost, 2016). For analysing it the
themes are being prepared that give an idea to reader about what is going to be explained further
so that information can be most explanatory to them.
Q1 Are you aware about the importance of equality and diversity at
workplaces?
Frequency
a) Yes 45
b) No 5
Q2 Do you think that proper implementation of equality and diversity
within organisation, Marks & Spencer would be able to achieve
competitive edge?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Q3 What are several benefits that Marks & Spencer get with the adoption
of equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Higher productivity 20
b) Employees satisfaction 15
c) Innovative practices 15
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Q4 In what manner, equality and diversity help in reducing the workplace
discrimination within Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Providing equal opportunity 10
b) Value cultural differences 30
c) Inclusive workforce 10
Q5 According to you what are several factors that must be consider by an
organisation while implementing equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Organisational policies 15
b) Workplace culture 20
c) Adaptability 15
Q6 Among the following, which one is the factor that make equality and
diversity practices as an effective approach to deal with modern business
world?
Frequency
a) Integration of varying knowledge 30
b) Flow of creative ideas 10
c) Ease of adopting changes 10
Q7 Do you think the adoption of equality and diversity practices at
workplace support Marks and spencer in managing its business worldwide?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Q8 As per your perception, what are several forces that attract an
organisation to adopt equality and diversity practices?
Frequency
a) Better market understanding 20
b) Collaboration of different skills 15
c) Decoding consumer behaviour 15
Q9 What are the major challenges that Marks and spencer may face while
implementing equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Language and cultural barrier 30
b) Resist to change environment 10
c) Respecting and acceptance issue 10
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Q10 Among the following, which one is more appropriate strategy that
Marks & Spencer can adopt to manage equality and diversity at
workplace?
Frequency
a) Inclusive training 30
b) Free flow of communication 10
c) Forming diversified team 10
Data interpretation
Theme 1: The importance of equality and diversity at workplaces
Q1 Are you aware about the importance of equality and diversity at
workplaces?
Frequency
a) Yes 45
b) No 5
Interpretation: - The equality and diversity is consider to be most essential part of an
investigation as it help in keeping the employees work co-ordinately toward the accomplishment
of organisational goal. In order to determine the awareness of people toward equality and
diversity investigation was performed and from this it has been identified that 45 out of 50
respondents have their awareness regarding the importance of equality and diversity within an
organisation but another 5 said no to this as they do not hold any idea regarding it.
Theme 2: Implementation of equality and diversity within organisation, Marks & Spencer
would be able to achieve competitive edge
Q2 Do you think that proper implementation of equality and diversity
within organisation, Marks & Spencer would be able to achieve
competitive edge?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
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Interpretation: - The equality and diversity support in maintaining a ahigh skilled and
competent workforce which support in improving eth performance but while further
investigating about that, it has been identified that 40 people said yes that it help in achieving
competitive edge, while another 10 said no to this. This is so because by managing equality and
diversity at workplace it become easier to manage larger number of skills and capabilities within
the organisation that can be effectively used to deal with challenges present outside the company.
Hence it helps in achieving competitive edge.
Theme 3: Benefits that Marks & Spencer get with the adoption of equality and diversity at
workplace
Q3 What are several benefits that Marks & Spencer get with the adoption
of equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Higher productivity 20
b) Employees satisfaction 15
c) Innovative practices 15
Interpretation: - There are number of benefits that management of equality and diversity
can provide to Marks & Spencer. By performing further investigation over this it has been
identified that around 20 people said that it will benefit with higher productivity. But on the other
side 15 respondents said that it helps in keeping the employees satisfied and 15 respondents said
that it brining innovative practices within the organisation. By evaluating the final outcome, it
has been identified that majority of employees said that higher productivity is the main benefit.
This is so because the equality and diversity help in forming up a team where people are having
different skills and capabilities that combinedly support in improving the quality of work and
hence productivity get enhanced.
Theme 4: Equality and diversity help in reducing the workplace discrimination within Marks
& Spencer
Q4 In what manner, equality and diversity help in reducing the workplace
discrimination within Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Providing equal opportunity 10
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b) Value cultural differences 30
c) Inclusive workforce 10
Interpretation: - It is being consider that by managing equality and diversity within
workplace the discrimination can be reduced. Over these 10 respondents said that it helps in
providing equal opportunity that reduces personal conflicts. But 30 respondents said that it helps
in creating value to different culture and 10 respondents said that inclusive workforce
management will help in dealing with workplace discrimination. From the evaluation of
presented data, it has been identified that majority of employees are in favour of value cultural
differences. This is so because when employees from different culture are being valued by the
management and hold a major importance in its policies then they get automatically valued by
other people and hence discrimination get reduced.
Theme 5: Several factors that must be consider by an organisation while implementing
equality and diversity at workplace
Q5 According to you what are several factors that must be consider by an
organisation while implementing equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Organisational policies 15
b) Workplace culture 20
c) Adaptability 15
Interpretation: - Before effective implementation of equality and diversity practices,
there are certain factors that must be consider by an organisation. Over this around 15 employees
said that organisational policies must be consider, but 20 people said that workplace culture is
the main factor that must be consider before it and 15 respondents said that adaptability to the
changes is the major factor that must be consider. From the analysis of gathered data it has been
interpreted that majority of employees are in favour of workplace culture as it is the only factor
that allow to implement the changes within the organisation when it is flexible otherwise it
remains quite difficult to manage with changes.
Theme 6: Factor that make equality and diversity practices as an effective approach to deal
with modern business world
Q6 Among the following, which one is the factor that make equality and Frequency
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diversity practices as an effective approach to deal with modern business
world?
a) Integration of varying knowledge 30
b) Flow of creative ideas 10
c) Ease of adopting changes 10
Interpretation: - From the investigation it has been found that around 30 employees said
that the integration of the varying knowledge is the main factor that make equality and diversity
practices effective. Other than these 10 respondents said that flow of creative idea is the main
factor, while 10 respondents said that ease of adopting change is the major factor that help in
dealing with the modern business world. From this it has been analysed that the larger number of
people are in favour of integration of varying need, as to deal with the challenges arise in this
modern world the knowledge of different area is significant as it supports in brining innovation
in business.
Theme 7: The adoption of equality and diversity practices at workplace support Marks and
spencer in managing its business worldwide
Q7 Do you think the adoption of equality and diversity practices at
workplace support Marks and spencer in managing its business worldwide?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Interpretation: - The adoption as well as management of equality and diversity at
workplace help in improving the business practices. By evaluation of gathered information it has
been identified that around 40 respondents out of 50 said yes it help in managing business
worldwide by proving the knowledge of several different culture so that customers can be
targeted accordingly. But on other side 10 people said no to this as the identification of culture is
not enough until and unless the other environment factor of particular market place remain
unknown.
Theme 8: Several forces that attract an organisation to adopt equality and diversity practices
Q8 As per your perception, what are several forces that attract an
organisation to adopt equality and diversity practices?
Frequency
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a) Better market understanding 20
b) Collaboration of different skills 15
c) Decoding consumer behaviour 15
Interpretation: - From the information gathered above it has been identified that there
are several forces which attract an organisation to adoption of equality and diversity at
workplace. From this it has been identified that around 20 respondents are agree that it provide a
better understanding of market, while 15 said it bring collaboration of different skills and 15 said
decoding of consumer behaviour. Through this it has been interpreted that major force that
attract an organisation is better market understanding as by maintaining workforce from different
cultural background it become easier to formulate strategies effectively by understanding culture
of customers.
Theme 9: The major challenges that Marks and spencer may face while implementing equality
and diversity at workplace
Q9 What are the major challenges that Marks and spencer may face while
implementing equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Language and cultural barrier 30
b) Resist to change environment 10
c) Respecting and acceptance issue 10
Interpretation: - There are number of challenges that Marks & Spencer may face while
implementation of equality and diversity practices such as 30 people said its language and
cultural barriers, 10 said resist to change environment and 10 said respecting and acceptance
issues. From this it has been identified that language and cultural barrier is major issue as it
restrict people to perform work effectively due to lack of understanding regarding a particular
culture or language.
Theme 10: More appropriate strategy that Marks & Spencer can adopt to manage equality and
diversity at workplace
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Q10 Among the following, which one is more appropriate strategy that
Marks & Spencer can adopt to manage equality and diversity at
workplace?
Frequency
a) Inclusive training 30
b) Free flow of communication 10
c) Forming diversified team 10
Interpretation: - From investigation it has been found that around 30 employees believe
that inclusive training is appropriate strategy for implementing equality and diversity, while 10
said that free flow of communication is better, while 10 said forming up diversified team will be
more effective. From this it has been identified that inclusive training will be best possible
strategy as it help in making employees learn to work co-ordinately and started valuing other
people as per their culture and other characteristics.
CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH OUTCOME
The current investigation is based on the “Role of equality and diversity in managing the
workplace discrimination”. In order to determine the current findings the primary investigated
data is being compared with the secondary information which is mentioned below:
Equality and diversity practices at workplace
As per the secondary information it has been identified that the equality and diversity practices
support in enhancing the organisational performance by integrating the skills, knowledge and
talents of employees all together so that work can be perform with high proficiency. It also helps
in managing the operations with the changes that get anticipated in the market so that
competitive edge can be achieved.
On the other hand as per the primary investigation it has been identified that the equality
and diversity practices not only help in improving the performance but also contribute toward
enhancing the productivity of individual employees, enhance workers satisfaction toward their
job and help in bring innovative practices when people from different background work co-
ordinately and share their talent.
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The influence of equality and diversity practices that results in reduction of
workplace discrimination for Marks & Spencer
From secondary study it has been identified that the equality and diversity is implemented
within the organisation by forming up effective strategies of policies so that it can be integrated
within its culture. This in turn promote values related with different background to which
employees belong and develop an environment of work coordination despite of different traits.
Hence, when each employee gets respect and value then the workplace discrimination can be
eliminated effectively.
On other hand, primary investigation state that equality and diversity practices when
imposed within the organisation with the help of formation of policies and strategies then it help
in providing equal opportunity to employees, create value for different culture that are belong to
employees and forming up inclusive workforce. These all help employees in accepting one
another’s culture and hence help in eliminating workplace discrimination.
Several challenges which are faced by Marks & Spencer while maintaining equality and
diversity at workplace
As per secondary investigation it has been determined that Marks & Spencer mainly faces
challenges such as ethical and cultural differences among the employees as well as acceptance
and respect of people belong to another culture. These both are the major challenge which make
it difficult for the company in maintaining equality and diversity practices at workplace and due
to which discrimination is being performed.
On other side, from primary investigation it has been identified that other than these
challenges language and cultural barrier, resist to change environment and respecting or
acceptance issues of different culture are some of the challenges which restrict an organisation to
fully implement equality and diversity within its workplace.
Stakeholders: Once the investigation get completed an investigator is required to discuss
the outcomes or findings to the stakeholder that can get affected with it and hold interest within
the affairs of Marks and Spencer such as manager, government, customer and employees.
Among these stakeholders’ employees are the one who supported in performing the investigator
for performing this study effectively by filling up the questionnaire as per their knowledge and
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experience as they are one who have greater understanding of importance of equality and
diversity.
Sources of communicating outcomes: There are number of sources if methods that can
be adopted by the researcher in order to communicating with the stakeholders regarding the
outcome of study which performed over the Marks & Spencer. This mainly includes online
reports, mails, written, presentation etc. these support investigators in representing the
information in more effective manner
Convincing arguments: The present study is all about the role if equality and diversity
within reducing the workplace discrimination. With the execution of this investigation it become
easier to determine the relation between and both variables which support other business to adopt
such strategies to reduce workplace discrimination and keep the employees with high skilled
retained for long.
CHAPTER 6: REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATION FOR
ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The experience that I get throughout this was quite good as I become able to develop my
understanding regarding several methods used to perform an investigation and also become able
to develop my researcher skills. From this I get an understanding the findings and final outcome
of the study is highly depends upon the methods used for performing investigation and sources
used to gather the information. In this study I make use of quantitative method so that I can
represent more concise and accurate information about the topic and to gather this information I
make use of both the sources such as primary and secondary. Here primary data is collected
using questionnaire and secondary study perform by gathering and critically reviewing the
already available information such as books, journals etc.
The methods used for investigation was good as it helps in performing study effectively
but in future when I again perform investigation then I prefer to use interview as an alternative
method. This is so because it allows the face to face interaction where situation can be mould to
gathered maximum evident for a particular phenomenon and chances of mistakes would be less.
Other than this, I have decided to use qualitative method in my future investigation as an
alternative over quantitative method as it helps in presenting the information in more detailed
manner by connected it through the theoretical framework it makes it more explanatory. These
both methods could be effective for this study as it helps in presenting more detailed information
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regarding the forces involve in equality and diversity practices that results into avoidance of
workplace discrimination. But in future I will ensure to use both of these methods to make my
investigation clearer and explanatory.
CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION
From the above performed investigation it has been summarised that equality and diversity
practices plays a significant role within managing the employees effectively at workplace. This is
so because it mainly [promote each individual must equal opportunity and the diversity of people
is also valued at workplace as it help in dealing with several kind of market issues by integrating
the knowledge and skills. This is the reason it supports in avoiding the major issues that make
employees dissatisfied from their job and organisation such as workplace discrimination. From
the investigation it has been identified that majority of people believes that there are certain
forces which attract an organisation toward adopting equality and diversity practices. It mainly
includes better market understanding by using the cultural knowledge of diversified workforces,
collaboration of different skills as people belong to different background so hold varying skills
and knowledge and this integration support in deciding the consumer behaviour effectively. By
performing further investigation it has been determined that there remains a number of strategies
that can be adopted by an organisation to implement equality and diversity practices within
organisation effectively. These are Inclusive training where employees belong to different
background are being trained in such a manner that they can adjust with one another effectively
and work with proper coordination. Other than this forming diversified team can also be better
strategy as it help in make diversified people to work all together and hence they learn how to
adjust with them and they started valuing them.
CHAPTER 8: RECOMMENDATION
By performing investigation, it has been identified that Marks & Spencer may face number
of issues while implementing equality and diversity practices at workplace such as language and
cultural barrier, resist to change environment, respecting and acceptance issue etc. To deal with
such issues following recommendation are provided such as,
 The best possible leadership approaches must be used in order to keep the employees
motivated and influence them to bring changes for the development of organisation and
themselves. This will support in making employees accept the changes within
organisation.
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 There must be a free flow of communication, so that cultural and language barrier can be
reduced by providing them a privilege to being discussed with their issues and ask for
guidance from managers.
 Inclusive training must be organised as it help in making employees learn to work and
coordinate with the people belongs to diversified background and value their culture
which create a positive working environment.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Bendl, R., and et. al., 2015. The Oxford handbook of diversity in organizations. Oxford
University Press.
Hatipoglu, B. and Inelmen, K., 2018. Demographic diversity in the workplace and its impact on
employee voice: The role of trust in the employer. The International Journal of Human
Resource Management, 29(5), pp.970-994.
Knights, D. and Omanovic, V., 2015. Rethinking diversity in organizations and society. The
Oxford handbook of diversity in organizations, pp.83-108.
Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage Publications
Limited.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Moore, S. and Tailby, S., 2015. The changing face of employment relations: equality and
diversity. Employee Relations, 37(6), pp.705-719.
Omland, H.O. and Thapa, D., 2017, May. Methodological approach for identifying mechanisms
in ICT4D: A critical realism perspective. In International Conference on Social
Implications of Computers in Developing Countries (pp. 182-193). Springer, Cham.
Sanyal, C., and et. al., 2015. Diversity and inclusion depend on effective engagement. Human
Resource Management International Digest.
Scotland, J., 2012. Exploring the philosophical underpinnings of research: Relating ontology and
epistemology to the methodology and methods of the scientific, interpretive, and critical
research paradigms. English language teaching. 5(9). pp.9-16.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Taherdoost, H., 2016. Sampling methods in research methodology; how to choose a sampling
technique for research. How to Choose a Sampling Technique for Research (April 10,
2016).
Tuohy, D. and et.al., 2013. An overview of interpretive phenomenology as a research
methodology. Nurse researcher. 20(6).
Walliman, N., 2017. Research methods: The basics. Routledge.
Wiek, A. and Lang, D. J., 2016. Transformational sustainability research methodology.
In Sustainability science (pp. 31-41). Springer, Dordrecht.
Wrench, J., 2015. Diversity management. Routledge International Handbook of Diversity
Studies. New York, 254, p.262.
Online
Hood. A., 2019. 7 Biggest Diversity Issues in The Workplace. [Online] available through:
<https://thiswayglobal.com/blog/2017/07/14/top-diversity-issues-in-the-workplace/>
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