The Impact of Gender Equality in Leadership: A Sainsbury Case Study

This report investigates the impact of gender equality within leadership and management at Sainsbury, a major UK supermarket chain. The research aims to understand the concept of gender equality, evaluate its benefits, determine its impact on productivity and profitability, and recommend strategies for improvement. The study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing both primary and secondary data, with a sample of 20 Sainsbury employees. The report details the research methods, including data collection, sampling, and thematic analysis of the data, exploring themes such as employee tenure, awareness of gender equality, and experiences of gender inequality. The findings suggest that Sainsbury has a good employee retention strategy and a positive working environment, with most employees aware of gender equality. The analysis includes cost considerations, ethical issues, and accessibility challenges. The report concludes with reflections and recommendations for maintaining and improving gender equality within the workplace, emphasizing the importance of equality and diversity for the success and smooth operations of the company.

Unit – 11 Research
project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1 Research proposal..................................................................................................................1
P2 Research methods .................................................................................................................4
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................5
P3 Cost, ethical issues and access...............................................................................................5
P4 Data analyses.........................................................................................................................6
LO 3 ..............................................................................................................................................14
P5 Research outcome ...............................................................................................................14
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................14
P6 Reflection.............................................................................................................................14
P7 Alternative research methods...............................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
Appendix...................................................................................................................................18

Title- To investigate the impact of gender equality within the leadership and management
within workplace. A study on Sainsbury.
INTRODUCTION
Equality is referred to as an act of providing equal opportunities of growth and
development to all the employees within the company without discriminating on the different
factors. These different factors are like age, gender, pay, income, status and many other different
factors (Hideg and Ferris, 2016). On the other side diversity is the act of employing and
recruiting people coming from different cultural background. This creates a diversified
workforce within the company and this also increases the knowledge and productivity of the
company as well. Hence, this is important for organization in managing equality and diversity
within the workplace as this will increase the working ability of the company.
The present research is focusing on gender equality and this is defined as the removal of
discrimination which is done on the basis of the gender that is giving more preference to males
as compared to females. The present research is based on Sainsbury which is the second largest
chain of supermarket and is established in UK London and was founded by John James
Sainsbury in the year 1869. The present research will start by formulation of the aims of the
research and relating objectives and then reviewing the related literature. Furthermore the
research methods will be listed which will be used in completing the research and further the
analysis of the data will also take place. In the end conclusion and recommendation will be
drawn after the analysis of the data.
Aim:
The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of gender equality within leadership and
management within workplaces: A study on Sainsbury.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of gender equality in management and leadership.
 To evaluate the benefits of gender equality with regards to Sainsbury.
 To determine the impact of gender equality over the productivity and profitability of
Sainsbury.
 To recommend to Sainsbury relating to some strategies for improving gender equality at
workplace.
Research question:
1

 What is the concept of gender equality in leadership and management?
 What are the benefits of gender equality for Sainsbury?
 What is the major impact of gender equality on the productivity and profitability of the
company?
 What are the recommended strategies for maintaining gender equality at workplace?
Rationale
The maintenance of equality and diversity is very necessary for the success and smooth working
and operations of the company. Thus, the maintenance of the equality and diversity is the major
issue which the company faces in maintaining profitability of the company. Hence, this report
will help the company in identifying ways of combating with the problem of gender inequality
within the company. Also, personal and academic interest of the researcher is also another major
reason for the selection of this research topic and to gain knowledge of the techniques with
which the gender inequality can be removed from the company and equality can be spread.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of gender equality.
In the words of Pološki Vokić, Sinčić Ćorić and Obadić (2017) equality on basis of
gender is defined as treatment of all the employees on the same level irrespective of the fact that
whether they are male or females. The management of gender equality is very necessary for the
proper working and functioning of the company. The major reason underlying this fact is that if
equality will not be equality then the employees will not be happy and satisfied working in the
company. Hence, for getting success and increasing the productivity of the company it is very
essential for the company to promote equality on basis of gender. The management of gender
equality within the company is very essential for the success and proper functioning of the
company in direction of attaining the goals of the company in effective and efficient manner.
Benefit of maintaining gender equality within the company.
As per the views of Flynn, Haynes and Kilgour, eds., (2017) the major benefit of
managing gender equality is that this will increase and boost the morale of the employees. This is
pertaining to the fact that when there is equality at the workplace then the employees will be
happy working in the company and this will make them motivated and they will work with more
effectiveness and efficiency.
2

But in against of this Akobo and Metcalfe, (2019) argues that the main advantage of
using the gender equality is that this will enhance the market value and goodwill of the company
within the market. This is increased because of the fact that when the company promotes equality
than the consumer like buying goods and services from these companies. Hence, this increases
the goodwill in the market and other people also like to work with the company promoting
gender equality.
Influence of equality on basis of gender over the profitability and productivity of organizaton
Chang and Milkman (2020) articulate that the most important influence of maintenance
of gender equality is positive over the company. This is positive because of the fact that when
there are equal and same treatment for both male and female employees within the company then
the employees will work in more effective and good manner. Thus, this will result in rise in the
productivity and proficiency of the employees working in the company. Also, another major
impact over the productivity of company is that if there is equality in company then other people
will also be attracted towards joining the company and work for the company.
In contrast to this Wu and Cheng (2016) states that id there is not much gender equality
within the company and females are not treated in good and proper manner then this will have
negative impact. This is negative because the consumers will not like purchasing any product
from that company. Thus, this will reduce the profitability and productivity of business
organization. Also, this negative impact will result in decrease in the morale and motivation level
of the employees working in the company. The major reason underlying this is that when the
employees are not treated in fair and equitable manner then this will not be liked by the
employees. Hence, they will not work in effective and efficient manner.
RESEARCH METHODS
Research type- this is the method or way in which the whole research is carried on and
this can be of two types that is quantitative and qualitative. For the present study qualitative
research was used by the researcher as they wanted to develop the theories and existing practices
for their research question (Beins, 2017).
Research approach- this is the process which is being followed by the researcher in
carrying on with all the different data collection and then its analysis. Out of the two approaches
that are inductive and deductive the approach being used in the research is the inductive
3

approach. This is because of the reason that this method is not involving the use of making
hypothesis.
Philosophy of research- it is of two types that is interpretivism and positivism and is
referred to as the beliefs underlying the selection of the methods. For the present research,
researcher made use of interpretivism as this is more suitable with the qualitative type of
research.
Data collection- in the present study research has made use of combination of both the
source of data that is secondary and primary. This is majorly used because the primary source of
data provides for fresh data which is being used for the first time and secondary source of data
includes already used and published data (ten Ham-Baloyi and Jordan, 2016).
Sampling- for the completion of the present research company has taken a sample of 20
employees of Sainsbury. This is because the employees can tell more clearly about the gender
inequality taking place in the company or not.
Data analysis- for this research has used thematic analysis of the data and this is because
this is a method which helps the researcher in presenting the data with help of graphs, charts and
tables.
LO 2
P3 Cost, ethical issues and access
Cost: It is consider one of the most important element which is used to examine the cost
incurred while conducting a research. Further,iIn order to conduct the research, researcher used
£245 which includes transportation cost, internet cost etc.
Ethical consideration- this is the most essential part of the research because if ethical
points are not considered then the research will not be of good quality. The major consideration
which the research needs to focus is that they must get sign the consent form by the respondent
before gathering data from them (Sutrisna and Setiawan, 2016). Also, the researcher must ensure
that the data gathered must be stored proper place so that is cannot be misused. Also, if the
researcher is using some data form any of the website or books of others then the proper
permission must be taken from the authorities. Also, the research respondent must not be subject
to any harm in any of the way form the collection of data.
Accessibility: The accessibility is relies on the issues which a researcher faces by
conducting the research. Such that many times, researcher faces issue of access denied in many
4

sites and this somehow affect the research in opposite way. On the other side, due to lack of
financial cost, researcher also affected and did not collect the accurate results.
P4 Data analyses
Theme 1: Most of the workers working in the company for so long
More than 5 years 10
More than 3 years 3
More than 2 years 5
less than 1 year 2
Interpretation: from the above primary investigation, it can be stated that out of 20, 10
employees are occupied in Sainsbury from last 5 years, while 3 of them state that they are
occupied more than 3 years, only 2 state that they are working less than 1 year. Therefore, it is
clearly reflected that company have good retention strategy and provide positive working
5
10
3
5
2
More than 5 years
More than 3 years
More than 2 years
less than 1 year

environment that assist employees to stay connected with company for long term. In Sainsbury,
employees are working from last many years and therefore, it clearly identifies that company's
leaders have strong ability and competence that leads employees towards right direction and this
helps to maintain long term relationship as well.
Theme 2: Most of the respondent are attentive with the notion of gender equality
Yes 13
No 7
Interpretation: In accordance with the depicted survey, Majority of the respondents state
that they are attentive with an idea of gender equality. Therefore, from all 20 respondents, 13 are
completely agree with this while, 7 of them state that they did not aware. In order to support the
same , Kurachi (2018) stated that gender equality is all about the providing fair opportunity to
6
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
7

each and every employees so that it will assistance to grow the act of an employees. Also, as
most of the people are completely agree that they are aware with the concept and that is why, it
shows company follows the gender equality and also develop strategies in order to promote the
constructive occupied environment within their firm. Through this, quoted firm also manage the
overall system of the company and accomplish objectives as well.
Theme 3: Highest number of the sample size state that they did not face any issue related to
gender inequality
Yes 7
No 13
Interpretation: In accordance with the graph, it can be state that they did not face any gender
inequality within Sainsbury such that out of 20, 7 state yes while only 13 sample size did not
face any issue regarding this. Therefore, it is clearly identified that company is not distinguish
employees on the basis of femininity and leader and manager of the company also involve all the
employees while taking decision. Moreover, it is also clearly identified that Sainsbury has good
7
7
13
Yes
No

management system and also make sure that it comply with all laws and regulation related to
discrimination that helps to encourage the employees for their better growth and development.
Theme 4: Respondent state that gender equality creates positive impact upon performance
Yes 15
No 5
Interpretation: As per the survey results, it is interpreted that most of the sample are in favour
that the gender aid business and employee performance. Thus, 20 respondents, 15 are agree
while, 5 state that it did not affect the business performance. This is also supported by Horton
(2018) that if a company promotes the gender equality then it creates positive impact upon the
company and employees presentation. Further, company provide equal opportunity to all the
employees then it will assist to increases overall profitability with production level of a
company. Further, through gender equality, company also able gran attention of users and attract
new employees which in turn assist to generate the success path of the company.
Theme 5: Manager are highly agree that Sainsbury take fair decision
8
15
5
Yes
No

Strongly agree 12
Agree 3
Disagree 3
Strongly disagree 2
Interpretation: In accordance with the above graph and table, it can be stated that management
of Sainsbury took fair decision. Like, from the entire 20 respondents, 12 are completely satisfied
with this while, 3 of them are strongly disagree with this. Therefore, it is further supported by
Roos and Zanoni (2017) that when management took decision in fair manner that it leads to
promote the business towards success. Further, it also leads to increase the overall performance
of employees because employees ill be positive and this in turn also enhance their overall
productivity level. On the other side, if company make decision by considering gender inequality
because it leads to create negative behaviour among employees which affect business success.
9
12
3
3
2
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree

Theme 6: Selected respondents are completely satisfied with the company that it provide
best working environment to employees.
Strongly agree 12
Agree 3
Disagree 3
Strongly disagree 2
Interpretation: As present in the table and graph, it can be analysed that entire respondents are
in favour that Sainsbury provide positive working environment to the employees. Such that out
of 20, 12 are strongly agreed with the statement while, 3 of them are agreed and only 2
respondents disagree with the statement. Further, it is also supported by Lindsey and Najafizadeh
(2018) that company develop strategies in order to develop positive impact upon the company’s
environment because it will help to encourage their overall morale of the employee and increase
their productivity level as well. It is so because it promotes employees to generate the
opportunity which in turn assist to accomplish selected goals of a quoted firm and also, support
the team members in order to accomplish the define goal.
10
12
3
3
2
Strongly agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly disagree