Investigating Gender Equality in the Workplace: A Research Project

This research project examines the role of gender equality in leadership and management within the context of Marks and Spencer. The study investigates the concept of gender equality, its importance, the challenges faced by companies in promoting it, and potential recommendations for improvement. The research employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing questionnaires and thematic analysis to gather and interpret data. The report includes a comprehensive literature review, detailing existing research on gender equality. It also outlines the research methodology, including the research type, approach, philosophy, data collection methods (primary and secondary), sampling techniques, and ethical considerations. The findings from the questionnaire and thematic analysis are presented, leading to conclusions and recommendations for fostering gender equality in the workplace. The study also includes a reflective statement discussing the researcher's experience and learning throughout the project.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Topic- Managing cultural diversity in workplace............................................................................4
Introduction to the research.............................................................................................................4
Background.............................................................................................................................4
Research Questions................................................................................................................4
Research Aim and Objectives................................................................................................5
Limitation of the study...........................................................................................................5
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................5
Concept of gender equality in leadership and management...................................................5
Importance of gender equality in leadership and management..............................................6
Challenges faced by company in managing gender equality in management and leadership6
Recommendations which can help company in managing gender equality in leadership and
management............................................................................................................................7
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................7
Research type..........................................................................................................................7
Research approach..................................................................................................................8
Research philosophy...............................................................................................................8
Data collection........................................................................................................................8
Data Sampling........................................................................................................................8
Data analysis...........................................................................................................................9
Ethical Considerations............................................................................................................9
Data Analysis and Findings.............................................................................................................9
Questionnaire..........................................................................................................................9
Findings................................................................................................................................11
Thematic Analysis................................................................................................................13
Conclusion and Recommendations................................................................................................18
Conclusion............................................................................................................................18
RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................................................................................19
References......................................................................................................................................20
Appendixes....................................................................................................................................21

Reflective Statement.............................................................................................................21

Topic- Managing cultural diversity in workplace
Introduction to the research
In today's business environment, gender equality is something that has started playing an
important role for organisations (Cachat‐Rosset, Carillo and Klarsfeld, 2019). Companies that
are performing at both national and international level, it has become mandatory for them to take
into consideration of different rules and regulations that are focusing towards equality. In present
context, Equality Act, 2010 which is developed by parliament of United Kingdom has helped
reducing discrimination at workplace. On the other hand, it can also be said that gender equality
has given staff the different range of equal opportunities without any sort of discrimination (age,
race, colour, and so on) to get promoted on management and leadership position in the
organisation. Marks and Spencer, a multinational retail and fast fashion brand has also started
facing difficulties because of continuously rising conflicts that took place in top, middle and
lower level management and the main reason was discrimination (Gölgeci and et. al., 2019).
Background
Leadership along with administration (management) are the two major components for a
business company, because without these no organisation can work in an appropriate manner. On
the other hand, treating every single employee without any sort of discrimination (treating both
man and woman equally) is said to be something which has become vital for companies (Kang
and Kaplan, 2019). It has been analysed that, the famous multinational brand named as Marks
and Spencer dealing in clothing, food sector and home care based products industry has faced
ample number of problems. In present context, discrimination is considered to be the vital issue
which led women and men to get promoted at leadership and management positions. Mostly, it
has been analysed that number of females are less in Marks and Spencer at management position,
which can be taken as a negative aspect of the company and influenced society in a negative way
(Mackenzie and et. al., 2012).
Research Questions
Based on the objectives, research questions are formulated and these are presented underneath:
 What is the concept of gender equality in leadership and management?
 What is the importance of gender equality in leadership and management?

 What are the challenges faced by company in managing gender equality in management
and leadership?
 What are some recommendations which can help company in managing gender equality
in leadership and management?
Research Aim and Objectives
Aim:
“To investigate the role of gender equality in leadership and management with regards to
equality and diversity at workplace. A study of Marks and Spencer.”
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of gender equality in leadership and management.
 To analyse the importance of gender equality in leadership and management with regards
to Marks and Spencer.
 To identify the challenges faced by Marks and Spencer in promoting gender equality in
leadership and management.
 To recommend some strategies for promotion of gender equality in leadership and
management.
Limitation of the study
The primal limitation that came in front of the study is the time period, which was less in
conducting investigation on the topic which is “Role of gender equality in leadership and
management with regards to equality and diversity at workplace of Marks and Spencer.” as
equality and diversity is a detailed term and needs proper time for better understanding of it.
Another limitation that came in front was that in past, not much investigations done by
researchers which raised problems while conduction research in a rightful manner (Mackey and
Gass, 2015).
Literature Review
Concept of gender equality in leadership and management
According to McCusker and Gunaydin, (2015), gender equality is something that became
much more important for every single organisation to deliver in both leadership and management
positions at workplace. Based on an investigation, it has been analysed that in 2300 organisation,
women were assigned with management position was only around 18%. On the other hand,

approximately 82% is considered to be the leadership and management positions at upper level
are grabbed by males (Miller and et. al ., 2012). However, in order to reduce this gap many
organisations in all over the world has developed different strategies in order to boost the women
empowerment through assigning them jobs at higher position with management and leadership
roles. Also, it has been expected that equalizing this gap at higher positions would take
approximately 50 years from now.
Importance of gender equality in leadership and management
According to Quinlan and et. al., (2019), at workplace, gender equality is considered to
be something which is continuously helping every single individual to get equal opportunities
without any sort of discrimination. It's importance is that women whose numbers are less at
present on leadership and management level positions will become equal. As analysed, women at
management and leadership positions is specifically less and with the help of gender equality, it
can easily be said that in a company like Marks and Spencer these numbers (18% of woman staff
in 2300 organisation) may increase right on time. Also, it can be said that right individual would
grab the vacant position if the discrimination will reduce to minimal in different organisations.
Away with this, another importance that came in front of gender equality is that it would increase
the talent within a company like Marks and Spencer because right individual will be getting the
correct job position based on his or her talent (Riedl, Davis and Hevner, 2014).
Challenges faced by company in managing gender equality in management and leadership
As mentioned by Scotland, (2012), there are ample number of challenges that can be
faced by an organisation like Marks and Spencer in managing gender equality at different
positions within management along with leadership level. Some of these challenges are
presented underneath: Defining Gender Equality in Development: This is considered to be the primal challenge
that can be faced by a business organisation. Basically, there are high numbers of
employees and employers in all over the world who specifically do not have any
information about what exactly gender equality and how it can be developed.
 Resistance to change: Every single policy when it gets developed by an employer, it
consists with both positive and negative effects. In context to Gender Equality, it is may
be possible that male staff members may feel demotivated, which may also enhance the
chances of increasing high employee turnover ratio (Silverman, 2016).

Recommendations which can help company in managing gender equality in leadership and
management
Based on the information given by Tuohy and et. al., (2013), there are ample number of
recommendations that can be given in order to manage the gender equality in leadership and
management and these are presented underneath:
 Assigning vacant positions at higher management and leadership level to capable female
employees. This would not only bring gender equality at workplace, but it may also bring
innovations at workplace. Based on the investigations, women are much more creative
and innovative then men.
 Redevelopment of recruitment policy of the company, as it would enhance the job
opportunities for female job seekers. With the help of this, numbers of female staff
members at workplace will start increasing and it will also lead to reduce the gap as well.
 Minimising the gender pay gap at workplace would help employers to motivate staff
members (especially female staff members). Also, it will push discrimination away at
workplace and help companies like Marks and Spencer to push equality and diversity at
workplace in much effective and in efficient manner.
Research Methodology
This is considered to be the primal section, which plays an important role in every single
investigation. While conducting research on the topic “To investigate the role of gender equality
in leadership and management with regards to equality and diversity at workplace. A study of
Marks and Spencer.”, research onion has been taken into consideration.
Research type
Specifically, there are two different types of investigations that may takes place and these
are: quantitative and qualitative. In present investigation, qualitative research is performed and
the reason that came in front is that the topic that has been taken into consideration is role of
gender equality in leadership and management with regards to equality and diversity at
workplace. Including this, another reason that came in front of adopting this type of investigating
type is that it focuses on feelings, perceptions and hypothesis as well.

Research approach
Under this subsection, it has been found that there are deductive and inductive approach,
which are mostly adopted by researcher based on the chosen topic. In present investigating
report, investigator adopted inductive approach, which would lead the researcher to pull
favourable outcomes in a specific time frame. It is utilised because data will accumulated based
on participant's perceptions and feeling in relation to equality and diversity (Lombardo, 2017).
Research philosophy
Positivism along with Interpretivism are the two major philosophies that can be utilised
by investigator while conducting an investigation in rightful manner. For this investigation,
researcher adopted Interpretivism philosophy as it is directly linked with qualitative research and
supports it as well. Including this, it has also been analysed that it is pretty much needed for
investigator to perform Interpretivism research philosophy.
Data collection
There are different data collection methods like primary and secondary which can be
utilised. Both of them are described underneath:
Primary Data Collection Method: This is considered to be the method which majorly
pulls out most reliable data that also stays authentic as well. There are a range of methodologies
like self-administered surveys, interviews, questionnaires, field observation, and experiments
which can be adopted by research in order to pull out data from respondents. In relation to the
chosen topic, questionnaire is said to be the tool which is adopted by researcher (Dishman,
2018).
Secondary Data Collection Method: When an investigator take into consideration of
secondary data, it can be said that there are various sources that can be opted by researcher like
online articles, journals, books,and other sources as well. This type of data collection
methodology, will be utilised in Literature Review section.
Data Sampling
Probabilistic and Non-probabilistic are the two different types of data sampling
methodologies that are mostly utilised by an investigator. In present context, researcher will be
utilising Non-probabilistic sampling method where, random sampling method which is a part of
this method will be taken into considerations and 20 respondents are selected from public as

sample to deliver information and questionnaire will be presented to them and they will answer
on it (Clarke, 2020).
Data analysis
In present investigating report, where the topic that has been taken into consideration is
“To investigate the role of gender equality in leadership and management with regards to
equality and diversity at workplace. A study of Marks and Spencer.” where thematic analysis is
said to be the data analysis approach which will be utilised for interpreting data.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations can be addressed at individual and at societal levels. The way that
individuals are affected by the conduct of others merits ethical consideration. In present
investigation, it can be said that researcher will be utilising consent form in order to perform this
investigation and to collect the information from participants (Jarrett, 2018).
Data Analysis and Findings
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
Question 1: Are you aware of the concept of gender equality?
a) Yes
b) No
Question 2: Do you agree, if bringing gender equality at workplace can be beneficial for a
company?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q3: As per your thoughts, do you think if women can perform well in a company then
men at higher level management and leadership positions?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4: Is it important for a company to reduce gender pay gap at workplace for it's future
growth?
a) Yes

b) No
Q5: What are the challenges that can be faced by Marks and Spencer at the time of
implementing gender equality at workplace?
a) Resistance to change
b) Acceptance and respect
c) Unequal pay
d) Discrimination
Q6: What are the different strategies that can be adopted to reduce Gender equality in
Marks and Spencer?
a) Promoting equal opportunities
b) Empowering Women Staff
c) Training given to women and male staff
Q7: Which is consider to be the most important legislation that is available in United
Kingdom to promote equality and diversity at workplace?
a) Equality Act, 2010
b) Sex Discrimination Act, 1975
c) Race Relations Act, 1976
d) Disability Discrimination Act, 1995
Q8: What are the different types of discrimination observed in Marks and Spencer?
a) Direct discrimination
b) Indirect discrimination
c) Harassment
Q9: What are the main benefits of bringing gender equality in Marks and Spencer?
a) Equal opportunities to every single individual.
b) Women Empowerment
c) Reduction in demotivated staff
Q10: Any recommendations?

Findings
Frequency table:
Question 1: Are you aware of the concept of gender equality? Frequency
a) Yes 18
b) No 2
Question 2: Do you agree, if bringing gender equality at workplace can be
beneficial for a company?
Frequency
a) Agree 15
b) Disagree 5
Q3: As per your thoughts, do you think if women can perform well in a
company then men at higher level management and leadership positions?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 10
Q4: Is it important for a company to reduce gender pay gap at workplace for
it's future growth?
Frequency
a) Yes 18
b) No 2
Q5: What are the challenges that can be faced by Marks and Spencer at the
time of implementing gender equality at workplace?
Frequency
a) Resistance to change 5
b) Acceptance and respect 5
c) Unequal pay 5
d) Discrimination 5
Q6: What are the different strategies that can be adopted to reduce Gender
equality in Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
a) Promoting equal opportunities 10

b) Empowering Women Staff 5
c) Training given to women and male staff 5
Q7: Which is consider to be the most important legislation that is available in
United Kingdom to promote equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Equality Act, 2010 10
b) Sex Discrimination Act, 1975 4
c) Race Relations Act, 1976 3
d) Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 3
Q8: What are the different types of discrimination observed in Marks and
Spencer?
Frequency
a) Direct discrimination 15
b) Indirect discrimination 2
c) Harassment 3
Q9: What are the main benefits of bringing gender equality in Marks and
Spencer?
Frequency
a) Equal opportunities to every single individual. 8
b) Women Empowerment 8
c) Reduction in demotivated staff 4