Identifying Gender Equality Importance in Leadership: Farmfoods Study

This research report investigates the significance of gender equality in leadership and management within the context of Farmfoods. The study begins with an introduction outlining the research rationale, aims, objectives, and research questions. A comprehensive literature review examines the importance of gender equality in organizations, its influence on management and leadership, and ways to promote it. The research methodology utilizes Saunder's Onion method. The report includes data analysis and interpretation from questionnaires and interviews, presenting key research outcomes. It concludes with reflections, recommendations for alternative research methodologies, and actionable recommendations to promote gender equality at Farmfoods. The report covers various aspects of gender equality including challenges faced by women, the impact on brand position, and worker performance.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Research Topic:...............................................................................................................................1
“To identify the importance of gender equality in leadership and management of an organisation.
A study of Farmfoods.”....................................................................................................................1
A) Introduction.................................................................................................................................1
A.1) Background of project....................................................................................................1
A.2) Research rationale..........................................................................................................1
A.3) Research aims and objective..........................................................................................1
A.4) Research questions.........................................................................................................2
A.5) Cost, access and ethical considerations..........................................................................2
B) Literature Review........................................................................................................................2
C) Research Methodology...............................................................................................................5
D) Data analysis and interpretation................................................................................................10
D.1) Interpretation of questionnaire.....................................................................................10
D.2) Interpretation of Interview questions...........................................................................18
E) Research Outcomes...................................................................................................................19
Covered in PPT.....................................................................................................................19
F) Reflection & recommendation for alternative research methodology......................................28
F.1) Reflection......................................................................................................................28
F.2) Recommendation for alternative research methodology..............................................29
G) Conclusion................................................................................................................................29
H) Recommendations.....................................................................................................................29
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................30

Research Topic:
“To identify the importance of gender equality in leadership and
management of an organisation. A study of Farmfoods.”
A) Introduction
A.1) Background of project
Management of equality is crucial and essential for all organisation as it improve work
culture and motivates employees to perform more efficiently and effectively through enhancing
their loyalty and commitment level. Farmfoods Ltd is a well known British frozen Food
supermarket chain having its headquarter in Scotland, UK. It is basically dealing in frozen food
and other grocery items and having its branch across many locations of UK thus, many
challenges associated with management of diversity and equality is faced by this organisation
that is hampering its efficiency (Madsen and Scribner, 2017). Therefore it becomes essential for
Farmfoods organisation to effectively manage equality at its workplace to identify the
importance and benefits of gender equality in leadership and management of an organisation to
obtain better results.
A.2) Research rationale
The main reason and purpose behind selecting this research topic is that it facilitates better
understanding about the importance of gender equality in leadership and management of an
organisation which yield a better way to for a company to enhance its performance and
competencies. Beside this, the field of study and education of researcher is also supporting the
selection of this research topic that ensures fulfilment of academic purpose and also enhance
investigator’s understanding, knowledge and skills thus, selection of current research topic is
suitable and justifiable.
A.3) Research aims and objective
The aim of this research project is, “ To identify the importance of gender equality in
leadership and management of an organisation tighter with the ascertainment of ways that would
be used to promote equality at workplace.”
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Research objectives
The main objectives and desired targets set for current research work conducted on
Farmfoods are as follows:
 To analysis significance of gender equality in context of an organisation.
 To determine the influence of gender equality in management and leadership of
Farmfoods.
 To ascertain several ways that would be used by Farmfoods for promoting gender equality
at workplace.
A.4) Research questions
 How is gender equality in an organisation important?
 How does gender equality affect the management and leadership styles of Farmfoods?
 What are the ways that can help Farmfoods in promoting gender equality at workplace?
A.5) Cost, access and ethical considerations
Research ethical consideration comprises of different code of conducts and guidelines
which required being consider by researcher while conducting research project. It is significant
as research must be conducted in an ethical manner without hurting someone sentiments (Haile,
Emmanuel and Dzathor, 2016). Before starting research, it is mandatory to take approval from
all participants in written consent in order to preserve value and ethics in research. Research
ethics emphasise on specific moral principles that must be undertaken within respective area of
research. It is useful for researcher as it enables them to gain trust and confidence of respondents
but also able to gather relevant data.
B) Literature Review
This field of research report, literature review implies of survey associated with published
or scholarly sources which are related to certain topic. It encompasses brief or short discussion
related to specific topic on which research is conducted. It provide a basic idea to end readers
which enables them to gain full understanding of topic in context of following business
enterprise (Nicolson, 2015). It act as narrative review article that involve current knowledge of
findings along with theoretical as well as methodological contributions to given topic. Literature
review give support to research report in authentic and authorised way with purpose of
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accomplishing objectives with help of scholarly books, journals, articles and other resources
connected to research.
Significance of gender equality in context of Organisation
According to view point of Raina Shafaa, 2020, in present scenario Gender Equality is
taking essential place in every organisation and other non-business areas also. This is take place
because every women deserve to get equal rights in doing or performing things as compare to
men. Women must get equal opportunity in every field such as Education, Occupation, and in
various fields of working. Gender Equality foster strong and powerful community of women
which empowers and motivates them to do something bigger and unique for themselves and
society (Bush, Bell and Middlewood, 2019). Gender Equality enables society to provide secure
and protected environment free from violence against women in order to make communities
more safer and healthier for them. It is their human right and also it helps in creating better
economy. Every organisat management required to cultivate such organisation culture where
women employees get equal opportunities to explore their career paths and achieve their
personal growth targets. At workplace women required to be consider and recognised in equal
basis as same as men. Company can provide equal remuneration packages along with roles and
responsibilities associated with job position as men employees’ receive. This equality fosters
positive and motivated environment at workplace which in turn increases organisation’s
productivity and profitability (Burton, 2015). Gender equality within organisation will enables
firm to attain its competitive edge and maintain its success as well as long term survival within
industry. This enhance goodwill and reputation of firm and it enables management to attract and
retain skilful as well as talented workforce.
Influence of gender equality in management and leadership of Farmfoods 4
As per view point of Rozita Dadras, 2019, gender equality is beneficial for leadership as
well as management in order to regulate business effectively and efficiently. According to
survey, only 18 percent superior leadership position are hold by women in various largest
organisation across world and almost 82% powerful and influential job roles are occupied by
men. This survey predicting negative picture towards potential and talented women who are
working. But now companies are taking initiative and making changes in their organisational
structure as it enables them to attain various objectives such as profitability, revenue growth
outcomes, innovation in products, employee satisfaction and so on. These organisations act as
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first mover as this gender inclusiveness result in enhanced organisational performance as well as
success (Palmieri, 2018). Women associated with leadership positions will get chance to
equitable redistribution of scarce resources and get higher share to support various areas related
to health, education, social welfare and so on. Optimal gender equality at Farmfoods will
influence its management in positive manner as it enables firm to bring efficiency in its
operations. It helps company to promote and enhance employee engagement in different
activities. It bring favourable impact over leadership and management practices which enhance
reputation and brand image of organisation. Moreover, it enables firm to provide equal
opportunities to their female staff as same as male employees (Bullough and de Luque, 2015).
This initiative fosters employee satisfaction and motivate its female workforce effectively. Along
with this, company can receive innovative and unique idea to perform various processes and
develop products/services. Company can attain its mission objective with more efficacy and
attain fruitful results for future success and long term survival.
Several ways that would be used by Farmfoods for promoting gender equality at workplace
According to view point of Arvind Rongala, 2020, in present scenario there is dynamic
and competitive business environment where attaining gender equality in every organisation is
concern as important element for attaining competitive edge and survival growth for longer
period. To be get successful in such dynamic economy, company must make sure that everyone
should got equal opportunity to perform and succeed in same. Gender inequality and
discrimination is not good for any organisation. There are various ways to promote gender
equality at workplace such as modifying recruitment practices in order to increase diversity and
offer equal chance to everyone (Madsen and Scribner, 2017). Companies required to consider
and provide effective leadership roles for both male and female staff in order to foster positive
work environment. Farmfoods can promote gender equality at workplace by providing equal pay
in form of remuneration packages to female workforce on basis of their job post, skills and
qualification as same as male staff receive. Company can establish effective policies and rules
against violence and harassment with female employees so that it create secured and protected
environment. In addition to this, company can cultivate open minded atmosphere so that female
staff can express their ideas and complaints without any hesitation. These can be consider more
effective way which are beneficial for growth expansion and survival of company.
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Challenges faced by women due to gender inequality in company
As per view point of Julie Wilson, 2020, women are treating as less than from others at
workplace despite if they do lots of things to fulfil various demands such as raising children,
offering financial stability, preparing healthy cooked meals for everyone and so on. There are
various challenges which are still facing by women at different level of business. Such as
unequal pay for same job position, sexual harassment from seniors at workplace, issue of racism
and discrimination, receiving less support from top management, difficulty in work-life balance,
more pressure and stress for women as compare to men (Klein, 2016).
Effect of gender equality on brand position of company
According to Kalsey Raley, 2020, gender equality or diversity policies within company
operations brings positive impact over company reputation and brand image. It enhance
company’s board decisions and management and also improvise economic standings within
industry. moreover, company can able to achieve benefit of equality and increase
competitiveness of its operations and strategy. Also, it enables firm to improvise its customer
base and sustain competitive advantage (Oplatka and Arar, 2017).
Influence of gender equality on performance of workers
As per view point of Paula Clapon, 2018, gender equality is beneficial for business
organisation as female and male staff get equal opportunities to perform tasks. It enables firm to
enhance its business performance, reduce cost of turnover etc. although it is brings positive
impact over performance of workers as it improvise their productivity level, professional
development of workforce. It brings confidence in personality of female workers as it enhances
their working capabilities. It fosters coordination and cooperation between workers so that they
put unified efforts to attain organisational goals and improve overall productivity of company.
Research Findings
As in this whole literature review process the research findings that in the organisation
there employee facing challenges in terms of discrimination as in appraisals, work appreciations
and credits where the women also have to go through with the same issues as they are challenge
in mentally and physically to overcame with that problem as at workplace, by this type of
gender discrimination that women are not potential enough where men are fully prepared in the
corporate matter to handle but it is not true everyone are equal in the perspective of equality and
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diversity at workplace and every organisation should follow with strict compliances and
implement for every workforce equality and diversity to making encourage the performances.
C) Research Methodology
Research methodology comprises of different process and methods which are used to
identify, examine and analyse relevant information on specific topic. These are systematic and
theoretical investigation of various techniques which are implemented to study or conduct
research. It provide brief explanation regarding tools and techniques which are undertaken by
researcher in their study. This provide direction to collect and select relevant information
associated with given topic. For conducting this research Saunder’s Onion method is selected
which indicates various stages to develop research work (Carnahan and Greenwood, 2018).
Research Philosophy: this technique is comprises of different set of beliefs, norms and value that
are connected with reality of subject matter that is being examine or study by researcher.
Research philosophy is classified into two in order to complete research project that is
interpretivism and positivism. Interpretivism refers to study of human interest and focuses on
qualitative analysis. Positivism enables researcher to get scientific detailed information and
assume details through observing results of research. In order to conduct this research, positivism
is used as it enable to gather relevant data associated with qualitative and quantitative while
Interpretivism will not be suitable as it would only provide the subjective data. (Bush, Bell and
Middlewood, 2019).
Research Approach: this method justify effective plan and appropriate outcomes which involve
predictions associated to data collection. There are two types of approaches inductive and
deductive. In order to conduct this research project descriptive research report is being utilised.
This enables researcher to collect or gather quantitative data that can be measured effectively
while inductive will generates only the outsourced logical process of data information which will
not be suitable for this research.
Research strategy: this method explain systematic overview in order to completing and
meeting out criteria and attaining overall objectives of research. Although, it refers as master
plan that is created by researcher so that they can effectively complete their research and involve
data collection for purpose of getting answers of different research questions. It includes various
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kind of strategies with purpose of completing research. To conduct this research questionnaire is
used to gather quantitative information efficiently.
Research choice: this technique includes two kinds of research investigation choices
which are qualitative and quantitative. In order to complete this research, researcher can make
use of quantitative approach as its collects more effective, authentic as well as feasible
information for end-users. Quantitative approach represents information in numerical figures,
chats, pie diagrams so that it can be easily understandable by readers as the other qualitative
research method is only provides the detailed knowledge about the research where it is not
required for this research.
Data collection: this method justify various methods of collecting data on subject matter.
Main sources of data collection are Primary and secondary. Primary sources are those which are
collected for the first time with help of questionnaire, personal interviews, feedback survey etc.
secondary data is that in which data is collected through existing resource such as print media,
articles, magazines, books and so on. For this research report, researcher is making use of
primary data through questionnaire as it is more reliable and authentic. Also, in some cases
researcher has used secondary source to support findings (Konrad, Yang and Maurer, 2016).
Time frame activities
Gantt chart is created in order to provide relevant information within short period of time
and it also make sure that each activity is conducting in fine effective manner.
The cost effective and access as it presumes little bit expensive where to scrutinize the
previous data from organisation to complete research formalities or objectives and issues where
creates at the time of information collecting from women workers as they are were not comfort
to discuss their issues as they are facing in the organisation.
Gantt Chart
This chart is a graphical representation which include horizontal bar graph that is associated
with different number of tasks for conducting research. This chart is used to bring
coordination and transparency in various activities so that research results will authentic and
reliable in nature. It reflects overview of various time intervals associated with beginning
and ending of tasks. This enables researcher to eliminate those factors that are creating no
value to activities (Rosche, 2016).
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Sampling: refers to process in order to conduct statistical analysis which include number of
respondents which are taken from larger population. There are two type of sampling methods,
probability and non-probability. For this study, researcher has make use of probability sampling
in which each respondent get equal chance to be get selected. For this research, 20 managers are
selected as sample in order to evaluate their thinking and perception over given topic.
Questionnaire: refers to tool or technique which is used for collecting data associated with
quantitative research technique in order to gather information by taking face to face feedback
from respondents on given set of questions.
Questionnaire
Q1) Is gender equality is an important and significant concept in context of success or
failure of organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are the significant implications and advantages of gender equality in leadership
and management that has enhanced its importance and role in success of an organisation?
a) Improve operational efficiency
b) Enhance employees engagement
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