Research Report: Gender Equality in Leadership and Management at ASDA

This research report explores the benefits of gender equality in leadership and management, using ASDA as a case study. The introduction establishes the importance of gender equality as a human right and its impact on organizational performance. The literature review examines the concept of gender equality, leadership theories, and the significance of gender equality in the workplace. The research methodology outlines the positivist philosophy, quantitative approach, and the use of primary and secondary sources, including questionnaires. The report analyzes data, presents research outcomes, and offers recommendations for enhancing gender equality practices within ASDA. The study aims to identify how gender equality enhances management operations and leadership practices, addressing gender inequality issues and providing insights into beneficial practices for companies like ASDA. The report utilizes both primary and secondary sources, including questionnaires distributed to ASDA staff, to gather data and evaluate the impact of gender equality on various aspects of the business.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Title .................................................................................................................................................3
1) INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................3
2) LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................5
3) RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ...............................................................................................7
4) DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS....................................................................10
5) RESEARCH OUTCOMES......................................................................................................19
6) REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................20
6) CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................21
7) RECOMMENDATION ............................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
Books and Journals...................................................................................................................22

Title
‘The benefits of gender equality in leadership and management’ (A study of Asda
Milton Keynes)
1) INTRODUCTION
The research involves an in depth study and analyses of the perks and benefits associated with
the gender neutral environment in leadership and management of an organisation. Gender
equality is considered as a human right of individuals all across the globe. It is the right of
individuals to be treated equally in the society irrespective of their gender. It is very essential for
organisation to practice the same at their workplace in order to enhance the performance of the
specific organisation and to retain talented workforce in the same (Utoft, 2020).
The company selected for the research project is ASDA. It was established in 1949 and is
currently one of the leading names in retail business all around the world. The project details
about the practice of gender equality in ASDA and the ways in which it encourages and
enhances leadership and management in the workplace (van Bijsterveldt, 2020).
Research Aim
To ‘explore the benefits of gender equality in leadership and management’ looking at
Asda as case study organisation.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of gender equality and leadership and management (use
theories to explain)
 To explain the importance of gender equality in leadership and management
 To evaluate the benefits of gender equality in leadership and management to Asda To make appropriate recommendations based on the research findings
Research Questions
 What is the concept of gender equality in leadership and management ?
 Why is gender equality crucial and necessary for the business organisation ?
 What are the advantages related to gender equality in leadership and management of
ASDA ? Identify the ways in which gender equality practices can be enhanced in an
organisation ?

Rationale of the research
The major factor behind conducting this research project is to identify and examine the
role of gender equality and the impact of the same in order to enhance the management
operations and leadership practices of ASDA. Gender inequality is one of the leading issues
prevailing in the society wherein women are not considered equal to the men and their voices
and opinions has been suppressed and underappreciated from a long period of time. The project
provides an insight about the ways in which gender equality practices has been beneficial for the
company (Zabaniotou, 2020).

2) LITERATURE REVIEW
This is a systematised cognitive procedure that assists research worker to assemble
complete and secondary data regarding the topic of research. Various sources are needed by the
research worker for assembling and getting secondary and complete learning about the topic.
They might be thesis, books, papers, articles, journals, publications, etc. The mentioned
resources are significant and assists research worker to collect comprehensive facts and figures
regarding the study. Along with the assistance of literature review, research worker will very
well label each and every objectives of the research.
Understanding regarding the concept of gender equality and leadership and management.
According to view points of Adebayo, Oseji and Kalejaiye, 2020, Gender Equality aims
to prioritise both the genders, men and women and treat every individual in organisation at an
equal level. Any capable employee regardless of their gender has to be given appropriate and
deserving position without bias. The style of leading and managing women are considered
participatory and conceptual whereas that of men are command and control. Trait theory of
leadership aims to focus on the human personality and every gender has their varied traits which
affects their skills to deal and lead their subordinates. Female traits can be expressiveness,
emotional, kind, passive, understanding and much more. Male traits can be decisive,
authoritarian and others. Scientific management theory focuses on enhancing the efficiency of
employees especially the labour forces. In an organisation where both the genders are treated
without discrimination, it tends to procure effective and efficient results to the organisation.
Explanation in regards to importance of gender equality in leadership and management
As per the ideas of Chang and Milkman, 2020, Gender Equality is an essential element
of an organisation which assists a fair and even environment in a workplace. When both genders
are given equal opportunities, it enables the organisation to gain more profits and conduct their
operations with less efforts and cost. No organisation can work without employing both the
genders and giving them equal opportunity. It becomes the sole responsibility of manager and
leader to frame such policies which enables equality between the genders. For the sustainable
growth and to stimulate economic environment it becomes a necessity for managing and leading
authorities to create an environment which is non bias and open. Both genders develop their
own ideas, which at times can help in taking better solutions for any of the complexities faced.

As leaders need to be take strong and commandant decisions, along with cooperation and
empathy and other nature traits, the ratio of both genders in a team should be appropriate.
Evaluating the benefits of gender equality in leadership and management to Asda
No workplace can go without females or males and it is essential to have gender equality
in organisation to create a brand name in market. With this situation, the employee turnover of
Asda also reduced giving a stable workforce to organisation as they feel comfortable in their
work place because of non partiality and equality. So is the case of Asda, they proudly had
shown results in market that results in equal pay and unbiased treatment to both genders, male or
female. The trait of gender equality is widely focused in Asda and emphasised by giving equal
focus on it while making rules and compliances. This has good results in view of productivity,
growth, innovation, targeting customers and others. According to ,views are even diversified
which enhanced mental and physical health of working staffs.
Appropriate recommendations based on the research findings.
Many organisations are serving their employees with equality but they are lacking in
some areas, which are needed to be focused for a better working environment and growth to
organisation. At time female employees face discrimination in low pay, authority given in terms
of job positions. When organisation promotes gender equality as a priority, the company touches
heights and sets an example in industry. Several rules should be framed relating to social
protection, sexual health rights, considering every gender's genuine needs. The right to equalise
everyone in providing promotion in respect to their performance and capabilities. Training
should be given to both employers and employees to enhance equality in terms of gender. So that
fair treatment is provided to everyone.

3) RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology is characterized by the utilization of specific tools and techniques
so as to select, determine and analyse essential information regarding the topic or subject
selected for the research. It helps to identify the credibility and reliability of the information
included in the research project.
Some of the important elements required in order to collect the necessary information related to
the benefits of the gender equality in the leadership enhancement and management operation of
Asda are listed below :-
Research philosophy : In order to execute the respective research, positivist philosophy
of research has been utilised as this philosophy is dependent on the interest areas of the
researcher and is more suited to this kind of research study.
Research approach : This element of the research study incorporates the collection and
identification and assessment of the essential information and data relating to the research topic.
Quantitative approach has been adopted in order to enhance the time efficiency of the
researcher. In order to do the same, deductive approach is utilised as it is most relatable and
suitable for the current field of study (Dashper, 2020).
Evaluation of qualitative and quantitative research : It is very crucial to evaluate the
type of research that will be adopted in order to carry forward the study. Quantitative type has
been considered in order to realise the desired results of the research study. It is more cost
effective and time effective in comparison to the qualitative research as the latter requires more
time, effort and resources.
Use of primary and secondary sources : The researcher has utilised both the sources for
the collection of important data i.e. Primary as well as secondary in order to gather relevant
information regarding the benefits of gender equality in relation to the leadership and
management of the business organisation. Questionnaire has been selected in order to collect the
primary data directly from the respondents as it is more reliable. Secondary sources such as
articles, newspapers, magazines, journals, books etc. has also been utilised in order to gain more
essential data related to the specific selected topic (Dokka and Studsrød, 2020)
Sampling techniques : There are two types of sampling options available i.e.
probabilistic and non probabilistic. In order to carry out the research 50 staff members currently

working in ASDA are chosen through probabilistic sampling method. This method was selected
in comparison to the non probabilistic method as it more time efficient (Feeney, 2020).
Data instrument : Numerous instruments are available in order to collect the adequate
informational data in relation with the specific topic selected for the research project.
Observational method, interviews ( telephonic, in -person ), questionnaires, surveys, discussions
etc. In relation with the specific research, questionnaire has been selected so as to assemble the
essential information from the target respondents in the business organisation (Hideg and Krstic,
2020).
Questionnaire
Q1)Do you understand the concept of gender equality ?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you feel that men and women are treated equally in ASDA ?
a) Yes
b) No
c) May be
Q3) Is it necessary to promote gender equality in the company ?
a) Highly agree
b)Agree
c)Neutral
d)Disagree
e)Highly disagree
Q4) Have you ever faced gender inequality relation to leadership and management in the
organisation ?
a) Yes
b) No
Q5)How is gender equality helping ASDA in enhancing its leadership and management ?
a) Enhance the productivity
b) Talent acquisition and retention
c) Good reputation of organisation
d) Economic stability and prosperity

Q6) What are the characteristics of a good leader that can help ASDA to increase its
productivity?
a) Informative and Skilled
b) Flexible
c) Disciplined
Q7) Do you feel that contribution of women is essential in order to carry out effective
leadership and management practices in ASDA ?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8) Are equal opportunities given to both men and women in relation to the promotion and
compensation of the employees working in ASDA ?
a) Yes
b) No
Q9) Do you feel that ASDA is able to effectively carry out gender equality practices in its
management functions and business operations ?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q10) What steps can be taken by ASDA in order to enhance its gender equality policies and
procedures in the the future run ?
a) Fair and equal pay
b) Specific numbers of seats reserved for women in the higher level management of ASDA
c) Safe environment
Time horizon : This is one of the prominent parts of research process as it facilitates in
determination of the duration of time to conduct the research. In order to state and determine the
same Gantt chart can be capitalised so as to finish the study effectively within the limited time.
Cost, Access and Ethical concerns : Cost can be termed as one of the most essentials variables
in order to conduct the research study as it facilitates in gathering and assembling of data from

various resources available to the researcher. In this research, the data was accessed through 50
staff members who were comfortable in sharing their opinions and views in relation to the
benefits of gender equality in ASDA. It is very essential to follow the predetermined guidelines
of ethics and values and to incorporate the same while conducting the research. Numerous
principal and ethical concerns needs to be taken care of in order to carry out an effective,
credible, systematic and reliable research.
4) DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS
It refers to the analyses and examination of gathered information so as to formulate a frequency
table which can be further converted into graphs in order to interpret the results of the same. An
insight to the same is mentioned below :
Frequency Table
Q1)Do you understand the concept of gender equality ? Frequency
a) Yes 32
b) No 18
Q2) Do you feel that men and women are treated equally in ASDA ? Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 15
c) May be 5
Q3) Is it necessary to promote gender equality in the company ? Frequency
a) Highly agree 25
b)Agree 15
c)Neutral 5
d)Disagree 3
e)Highly disagree 2
Q4) Have you ever faced gender inequality relation to leadership and
management in the organisation ?
Frequency
a) Yes 35

b) No 15
Q5)How is gender equality helping ASDA in enhancing its leadership and
management ?
Frequency
a) Enhance the productivity 20
b) Talent acquisition and retention 15
c) Good reputation of organisation 5
d) Economic stability and prosperity 10
Q6) What are the characteristics of a good leader that can help ASDA to
increase its productivity?
Frequency
a) Informative and Skilled 32
b) Flexible 10
c) Disciplined 8
Q7) Do you feel that contribution of women is essential in order to carry out
effective leadership and management practices in ASDA ?
Frequency
a) Yes 43
b) No 7
Q8) Are equal opportunities given to both men and women in relation to the
promotion and compensation of the employees working in ASDA ?
Frequency
a) Yes 41
b) No 9
Q9) Do you feel that ASDA is able to effectively carry out gender equality
practices in its management functions and business operations ?
Frequency
a) Agree 27
b) Disagree 23
Q10) What steps can be taken by ASDA in order to enhance its gender equality Frequency

policies and procedures in the the future run ?
a) Fair and equal pay 20
b) Specific numbers of seats reserved for women in the higher level
management of ASDA
10
c) Safe environment 20