Global Business Environment: Marks and Spencer Case Study Analysis

This report analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of the global business environment, using Marks and Spencer (M&S) as a case study. It explores the impact of globalization on businesses, the factors driving increased global competition, and strategies for mitigating negative impacts. The report begins with an introduction to globalization and its effects on the world economy, followed by a background on the importance of global trade for business sustainability. It presents aims, objectives, research questions, and the rationale and significance of the study. A literature review examines the impact of the global business environment, highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, such as increased competition and the potential for reduced product quality. The report then delves into the factors contributing to heightened global competition, including technological advancements, economies of scale, government policies, and supply chain logistics. Finally, it outlines the research methodology, including the research philosophy, approach, type, data collection methods (primary and secondary), and sampling techniques used to conduct the study.

Unit 11 – Research
Project

Table of Contents
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................1
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods..............................1
P4 Apply appropriate tools and analyse research findings and data...........................................7
LO 3...............................................................................................................................................17
P5 Communicate research outcomes for intended audience.....................................................17
Covered in PPT..........................................................................................................................17
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................17
P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied....................................................17
P7 Consider alternative research methodologies.......................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

Title - The benefits and drawbacks of a global business environment. A case study on
Marks and Spencer
LO 2
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research by using appropriate methods
Introduction
The evolution of globalisation has transformed world economy and business
environment. It has provided a platform for companies to engage in global trade. Furthermore, it
has allowed them to integrate with each other and do business in different markets and offering
more variety of goods and services to people (Schroeder, 2016). They are able to identify needs
of people and enter in that market accordingly. By using technology enterprises are working in
common way. They have applied a single approach of doing trade globally. Also, globalisation
has eased the flow of business trade. By providing goods at large level, there is high rise in
revenues and profits. Alongside it, people are now getting variety of products to choose from.
So, due to this their taste and preference is changing with new products. In addition to it,
globalisation has impacted on organisations growth both in positive and negative manner.
Background
In present times, it is very essential for businesses to trade globally in order to sustain for
long time. Also, with this they collect information which is analysed to determine needs of
different people. There are been high rise in global competition due to use of technology. The
retail sector is emphasising on internet to offer goods and services to people. besides this,
organisations are acquiring with small companies to enter into market (Patra and Krishna, 2015).
This has enabled them to analyse market condition so that they can successfully operate there.
However, huge investments are been made to expand and advertise products at large level. It is
done to attract more people and compete with other. However, many organisations bring change
in market trends. So, this attracts other firms as well to operate in that specific market. It then
results in rise in competition.
Aims and objectives
Aim – To analyse the benefits and drawbacks of a global business environment. A case study on
Marks and Spencer
Objective-
 To evaluate impact of global business environment on Marks and Spencer.
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 To analyse factors that lead to rise in global competition
 To recommend strategies to minimise impact on growth
Research question
 What is the positive and negative impact of globalisation?
 What are the factors that leads to rise in competition at global level?
 How firms can mitigate negative impact in global trade?
Rationale of study
The aim of doing this research is to identify both benefits and drawbacks of globalisation
on Marks and Spencer. In addition to it, study will help in finding out how different countries are
benefited due to rise in global trade and what is its impact on economic growth.
Significance of research
The outcomes of this study can be used by other retail companies to analyse whether they
have been benefited due to globalisation or not. Also, it will be easy for other firms to develop
strategies that how they can expand in different markets.
Literature review
Impact of global business environment
As said by Deresky, 2017, in present times, companies are emerging in different
markets. It has resulted in rise in competition in the markets. Also, due to globalisation economic
growth of developing countries has improved. LPG is a concept which has revolutionised the
way of doing business. The overall operations and function of companies are modified.
Consequently, people are now able to get variety of products. There has been change in trends
and their needs. According to Lee and Gereffi, 2015, it has been difficult to identify whether
global business environment is been beneficial for companies or not. This is because some
businesses have grown rapidly whereas others growth has declined. There is rather a thriving
doubt that this concept may be good for some countries but not for others. The impact can not be
measured or evaluated. But it has been analysed large companies are dominating global
environment.
As elucidated by Najam, Runnalls and Halle, 2016, globalisation is a concept that has
transformed economies. It has opened gates for companies to increase their range of trading. It
has resulted in their growth and development. They are able to target and attract large number of
people worldwide. It has led to increase in sales and customer base.
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On contrary Andersson and et.al., 2017, due to rise in competition many small
businesses are not able to survive. Besides this, the quality of products is degraded as firms are
focusing on generating more revenue.
Benefits of globalisation
Mudambi and et.al., 2017, said that there are various benefits which firm has gained in
global environment. First is it has removed barriers of trade such as tax, tariffs, etc. Another is it
has boosted economic growth of poor nations by offering them goods at low prices. Also,
information is now exchanged more easily which has benefited in developing products and
transfer of technology. In addition, globalisation has created an open and free environment for
trade. Organisations are able to gather data and information and then produce products. Another
benefit is operations are carried out at large scale. This has resulted in reducing cost and
enhancing quality. Companies is able to hire more qualified and skilled workforce which has
enabled in developing a diversified culture. There are many international organisations formed
such as WTO, NAFTA, etc. which has allowed enterprises in free trading. By outsourcing goods
there is reduction in cost of production. Firms are getting more return on investment.
Drawbacks of globalisation
But on contrary Alon and et.al., 2016, argued that there are many drawbacks of
globalisation. It has impacted on growth of enterprises in negative way. Due to expansion of
firms, competition within market has increased, this is major drawback in business environment.
Due to it, there is high downfall in sales and profits. Thus, many firms are not able to survive for
long time. Moreover, products provided are of low quality as compared with other markets.
Many MNC are highly damaging and exploiting natural resources of nation.
Factors leading to rise in global competition
In the view of Bocken, Rana and Short, 2015, globalisation has been a boon to
businesses as well as consumers. It has influenced western economy as a whole. Many
companies have taken advantage of it to grab opportunities. The major impact of global business
is rise in competition. It has enforced firms to develop new strategies and plans to compete in the
market. There are some factors as well which has led to rise in global competition (Factors
contributed in globalization. 2018). They are described below :-
Use of technology – In era of technological advancement, businesses are using technology in
automating their operations. By using this they have expanded in different countries. This is the
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major factor due to which global competition has raised. It has enforced organisation to compete
with one another by improving quality of product (Andersson and et.al., 2017). Alongside it,
transfer or exchange of technology has enabled them to work with other companies. Therefore, it
has resulted in increase in global competition. Furthermore, they are able to communicate in
effective manner. Hence, data and information is gathered and market condition is analysed.
Economies of scale – The developing and emerging economies of countries has generated vast
opportunities for business to operate there. It has allowed country to transform their domestic
market into international one. Moreover, firms are able to find develop trade relation with local
companies. It has benefited them in analysing needs of people and offering products. Besides
this, MNC’s is focusing on economies that are struggling. Therefore, they have started operating
there.
Role of government – Another driver is role of government in global trade. The emerging
countries government has allowed foreign direct investment (FDI). It has enabled organisation to
enter through it. Also, policies related to trade tariff are been modified and formulated which has
ease way of trading with other countries (Mudambi and et.al., 2017). Furthermore, import export
licensing and foreign exchanges controls are gradually been made easier. So, it has opened
borders for companies to trade easily. Also, for social and economic welfare and growth
government is opening border for companies to enter into market.
Supply chain and logistics – This driver is playing significant role in increase in global
competition. Now, each country is highly and effectively connected with one another. So, it is
allowing companies to outsource their products easily. It has resulted in decrease in cost of
production. So, import and export of raw materials is done in effective way.
In the opinion of Aguilera and Crespi-Cladera, 2016, rise in global business environment
have empowered way of trade. It has removed tariffs and barriers between countries. In addition
to it, WTO has provided a framework through which global trade is done. There are several
guidelines and regulations which is followed by organisations. It has supported them in entering
into countries in a legal manner. However, if there occurs any issue between nation and company
it can be solved easily. So, WTO may be considered as another factor due to which global
competition has risen. It has eased the flow and structure of trade globally.
Research methodology
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Research philosophy – It contains a framework on which overall research is based. It describes
the way in about overall purpose of research. The scholar can use different philosophies like
realism, pragmatism, interpretivism, etc. (Katsirikou and Lin, 2017) In pragmatism study is
based on relevant concepts. Realism is based on scientific approach through which knowledge is
developed. Whereas interpretivism is applied to analyse quantitative data to access reality about
topic. In context to present study, scholar will use positivism research philosophy. It will help in
testing hypothesis related to benefit and drawback of globalisation.
Research approach – It refers to plan or procedure which states how data will be collected and
analysed. This is useful in conducting study in systematic manner and interpreting data as well.
Generally, deductive, inductive and abductive are common approaches used. In deductive
hypothesis is developed on basis of research questions. In inductive theories are concluded which
is based on observations. Abductive is not used commonly in study as it is based on empirical
phenomena. In present study, deductive approach will be used. it will help in testing whether
globalisation has benefited company or not.
Research type- It is the base of study which is related to collection of data. The information
gathered by scholar is useful in producing relevant results. Research type gives description about
which type of data will be collected. Basically, qualitative and quantitative are two research
types. Qualitative is entirely based on theoretical concept as no numerical. whereas in
quantitative statistical data is produced.
The present study will be based on qualitative type.
Data collection- It is a way or process of collecting data. It is most important element in
methodology because overall results are based on this (Rix and et.al., 2019). The data needs to be
gathered from authentic and reliable sources and then analysed. Primary and secondary are two
data collection techniques. In primary new data is gathered from survey, interview, etc. while in
secondary information is gathered from previous study, articles, etc. Here, researcher will collect
data through both primary and secondary methods. The primary will be gathered through
questionnaire and secondary from sources like journals, articles, etc. it will be easy to identify
impact on M&S by gathering fresh data.
Sampling – In order to collect data, scholar needs to select participants by dividing population
into categories. This process is known is sampling. For this there are different data sampling
techniques available which helps in doing so. Usually, probability and non probability are
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common techniques. They are further divided into many like random, stratified, cluster, etc. In
current research, the researcher will use random sampling method and sample size will be 20
employees. Random method is taken because it helps in easy selection and requires less time.
Data analysis- It refers to interpreting data into relevant information so that aims and objectives
are attained. The data must be analysed in proper manner so that results generated are accurate
and precise (Lourie and Rata, 2017). Also, researcher should know about various tools and
which will be appropriate in interpretation. For present research, data analysis will be done by
using thematic analysis method.
Ethics – The researcher must follow certain ethics while conducting study. They should not be
neglected. In this, first of all dignity of participants will be maintained. Also, confidentiality and
privacy of data will be ensured, it will not be shared with third party or person. Moreover,
consent of respondents will be taken prior so that open and transparent communication takes
place. At last they will be asked to leave any question if they wish not to answer that.
Cost – For conducting study, capital is required. It is necessary that researcher gives estimation
of funds that is required. For present research total cost required is approx. $1250.
Access – In this researcher must have the access for collecting and analysing data. For present
study researcher will follow a systematic way for this. It will help in getting specific and precise
results.
Time- It is also a factor that can affect the research. The researcher must develop timescale so
that activities are completed on time (Reilly and Jones 2017). If there is any delay in conducting
research it will result in increase in time as well as cost.
Activity 1 to 2
Week
3. to
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5 to
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Identify
research topic
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Review of
Literature
Drafting
Methodologies
Complete
Proposal
Designing
questionnaire
Collection of
data
Analysing data
and
interpretation
Discussion and
Conclusion
Submission
P4 Apply appropriate tools and analyse research findings and data
Questionnaire
Name:
Contact number:
Email:
1) Do you think that globalisation has benefited in growth of M&S?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
2) What strategies has been implemented in expansion of company in other countries?
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 Market expansion
 Diversification
 Acquisition
3) Do you think technology has helped in growth of M&S at global level?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
4) Has globalisation negatively impacted on competitive advantage of M&S in different
countries?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
5) Does there is decline sales and profits of M&S due to global business environment?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
6) Is M&S able to compete with other big brands in retail sector?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
7) Does data and information collected benefited in identifying needs of customers and
producing new products?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
8) What are the drivers that has led to rise in global competition?
 Technological advancement
 Economies of scale
 Growth in MNC’s
9) Is M&S able to attract and gain more customers due to rise in global business?
 Yes
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 No
 Not sure
Theme 1 Globalisation benefited in growth of M&S
Q-1 Do you think that globalisation has benefited in growth of M&S? Frequency
Yes 15
No 3
Not sure 2
Total 20
Interpretation – The researcher conducted study at M&S to analyse benefit and drawbacks of
global business environment. For this questionnaire method was used and data of 20 employees
were collected. By interpreting data, it was identified that 15 said globalisation has benefited in
growth of company, 3 said no and 2 was not sure about it. Thus, it can be stated that M&S is
trading at global level. They are able to generate more sales and profits.
Theme 2 Strategies implemented in expansion of company in other countries
Q- 2 What strategies has been implemented in expansion of company
in other countries?? Frequency
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Market expansion 8
Diversification 7
Acquisition 5
Total 20
Interpretation – In order to answer research questions, study was conducted in M&S. The topic
was to examine benefit and drawback of global business environment. The data was collected
through questionnaire method and 20 employees were selected. By interpreting data, it was
evaluated that 8 employees said M&S implemented market expansion strategy, 7 said
diversification was applied and 5 said acquisition was used. Therefore, it can be analysed that
different strategies are been implemented according to market condition.
Theme 3 Technology helpful in growth of organisation at global level
Q-3 Do you think technology is helpful in growth of organisation at
global level? Frequency
Yes 12
No 4
Not sure 4
Total 20
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