Global Pandemic's Impact on Amazon's Workplace Transformation

This report investigates the impact of the global pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation within Amazon. It explores the concept of workplace transformation, examines the challenges faced by Amazon managers, and analyzes the strategies used to retain skilled employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research covers the shift towards remote working, the adoption of new technologies like AI and machine learning, and the digitalization of customer interactions and internal operations. The findings discuss the benefits and limitations of the approaches to data collection and analysis, concluding with recommendations for future research and a reflection on alternative methodologies. This document provides a comprehensive overview of how Amazon adapted its workplace strategies in response to the global crisis.

Research Project
Transformation in the
workplace in Amazon
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Table of Contents
Topic : The impact of the global pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation..................4
Chapter 1 : Introduction ..................................................................................................................4
Research aim :........................................................................................................................4
Objectives :.............................................................................................................................4
Rationale.................................................................................................................................5
Significance of the Research..................................................................................................5
Research Questions................................................................................................................5
Chapter 2: Literature review............................................................................................................7
Introduction............................................................................................................................7
Body.......................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion............................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3: Methodology................................................................................................................12
Research Methods and techniques........................................................................................12
Research Instruments............................................................................................................12
Gantt chart............................................................................................................................12
Sampling...............................................................................................................................13
Ethical Issues........................................................................................................................13
Cost of the project................................................................................................................14
Data Analysis and Interpretation..........................................................................................14
Chapter 4: Findings and Discussion..............................................................................................15
Research findings and Results..............................................................................................15
Discuss merits, limitations and pitfalls of approaches to data collection and analysis........30
Chapter 5: Conclusion, Recommendation and Reflection.............................................................31
Conclusion............................................................................................................................31
Reflection.............................................................................................................................31
Alternative research methodologies ....................................................................................31
Recommendation..................................................................................................................31
Implication of further research.............................................................................................32
References .....................................................................................................................................33
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Books and journals ..............................................................................................................33
Appendices.....................................................................................................................................35
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Topic : The impact of the global pandemic on accelerating workplace
transformation
Chapter 1 : Introduction
Work place transformation is the process of rethinking of flexible workspaces to accept
various types of work and technology. It is important for organisation to meet evolving working
strategies in order to stay in a market peacefully. The work which is assigned today are highly
collaborative, complex and unstructured. So, it is important to develop a flexible working
environment that could support employees in completing their work assignment effectively.
Further, a global pandemic of Covid 19 has impacted a lot of organisation. Many of the
companies are faced loss due to this global pandemic (Barnawi, 2021). Due to this, many of the
other organisations has started transforming their working strategies that relates with providing
remote working environment to the employees, hiring of experienced and skilled workers so that
they could innovate something new and involves them in decision making process. There is a use
of artificial intelligence and machine learning now a day, which helps employees in leaning
something new and developing effectiveness among them. Further, this results in enhancing
employees’ productivity and engagement with employers. Many of the companies are going
digitalisation for their customer and also doing supply chain interaction of their internal
operations. The organisation chosen within report is Amazon, it is one of the American
multinational technology company which is focusing on E- commerce, digital streaming, cloud
computing and artificial intelligence. This report includes research aim and objectives, literature
review and research methodology. Further, it includes research findings and data analysis. At
last, it includes recommendations and reflection of a given report.
Research aim :
“To determine the impact of global pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation”.
A study on Amazon.
Objectives :
 To understand a concept of Workplace transformation within an organisation.
 To determine the impact of global pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation of
Amazon.
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 To analyse the challenges faced by Amazon mangers while having workplace
transformation.
 To examine the strategies used by managers to retain skilled employees within
organisational culture and structure at a time of covid 19 pandemic.
Rationale
The rationale of choosing behind this topic is that workplace transformation is the most
necessary in every organisation. It helps in changing the processes and workplace strategies. It
helps in developing employees productivity and potential. Further, it helps in rethinking of
flexible workspaces to accept new types of changes and technologies (Bharwani, and Mathews,
2021). Now a days, after global pandemic of covid 19, many of the companies are shifting
towards remote working,. This helps the organisation in developing employees and their
productivity. In relation with Amazon, there managers who are working remotely after this
global pandemic. It is important to discuss about this topic in this project because, it provides
details of workplace strategies and techniques which are needed at a time of workplace
transformation in order to enhance organisational and workers productivity.
Significance of the Research
The major significance of conducting this research to organisation is that it helps in
making changes in business process, techniques and tools used previously. In Amazon, it helps
in knowing about various tools which are to used to enhance employees productivity and to
retain them for long time within working environment. On the other hand, it helps researcher in
getting details about workplace transformation in amazon. It aid them in deepen various skills
and knowledge (BLANCO and CUERVO, 2021). These skills consider time management skills,
communication skills etc. this can be enhanced through conducting this researcher in collecting
data through questionnaire survey. Further, this topic helps in academics as well by gaining
knowledge about a transformation at workplace after global pandemic. Students will be able to
get details about how it welfare the organisation and how it is developing their effectiveness.
Research Questions
 What is a concept of Workplace transformation within an organisation?
 What is the impact of global pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation of
Amazon?
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 What are the challenges faced by Amazon mangers while having workplace
transformation?
 What are the strategies used by managers to retain skilled employees within
organisational culture and structure at a time of covid 19 pandemic?
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Chapter 2: Literature review
Introduction
A literature review refers to the overview of the existing published data which works on
specific topic. This helps in refers to full scholarly paper or sections of a scholarly work like
articles and books. This brings in-depth knowledge about a particular topic through analysing
different books and newspapers (Chaudhuri, 2021). Within current research, researcher is finding
out details about workplace transformation and analysing the impact of global pandemic on
accelerating workplace transformation. There is a information of assorted objectives which are to
be discussed below :
Body
What is a concept of Workplace transformation within an organisation?
According to Elali, (2021) In today working environment, it is important to support
employees and provide facilities to customers. Workplace transformation is a very hot topic. It is
the new normal which is to accept new strategies and techniques within working environment.
Successful transformation results in engagement of senior executives and managers of an
organisation. Transformation is very hard to made and it affects many of the people working in
an organisation. If any organisation wants to succeed in the market, then they have to do some
adventure in their techniques and services and accept the change and manage risk accordingly.
Further, in context with Amazon, there managers are fully accepted workplace transformation.
This helps them at enhancing organisational and employees performance. Employees are
working remotely and company has become digitalised while providing digital streaming.
Workplace transformation is meeting of the evolving workplace strategies and techniques. It is
rethinking of flexible working environment and accepting different types of technologies, tools
and workers in order to meet organisational objectives and goals. It is said that today's working
environment is so complex and it is process oriented. It is very complex and unorganized, so it
needs a flexible working environment to complete it and achieve it successfully. Further, flexible
working environment resulting in creating an effective team and develops collaboration (Hailu,
2021). For this company needs to hire experienced workers which helps them in achieving their
organisational goals and objectives.
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Amazon is developing various modern technologies in their working environment like
use of search engines optimisation, artificial intelligence and machine learning which helps in
attracting customers and employees towards the working environmental and a brand. In addition,
there are certain benefits which are being get through workplace transformation, that helps in
increasing productivity of the business and enhancing employee relations as well. Many of the
organisations are fulfilling employee needs and demands in order to motivate them towards work
done. They are providing efficient training and development method in order to meet employees
demands. This helps in being friendly with modern technologies which are coming in the modern
market. Workplace transformation develops innovations and flexibility within working
environment and devising increased of mobile technologies (Haldane, and Morgan, 2021). In
retailing sectors and e- commerce sector like Amazon, organisation is working towards being
digitally and this resulting in providing various facilities to customers and developing their
productivity as well. In modern days, flexible remote working is the most effective change which
is develops through workplace transformation. This provides clear benefits to employees by
having work from home at different locations other than a centralized office. In addition,
workplace transformation is resulting in empowering employee performance and increasing their
morale and productivity. Further, it develops better collaboration and communication among
employees and managers. Also, it helps in recruiting top candidates to work flexible within
working environment.
What is the impact of global pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation of
Amazon?
From the views of Horgan, Collier, and Shepherd, (2021) Workplace transformation is
done at a time of global pandemic of covid 19. It brings new ways of doing business and making
changing into their business operations and functions. Covid 19 pandemic has enhanced many of
the business and provides them a way to develop their effectiveness and helps them in increasing
profitability. Also, there are many of the challenges which are faced after pandemic and provide
a power to companies to overcome from those challenges. In relation with Amazon, they have
also get affected from covid 19 pandemic, it is impacted their business positively. As many of
the customer starts purchasing from their store online and helps them in increasing their sales
and revenue. Further, they have provided employees flexible working hours. They have given
remote work to the employees so that they can work from home and works as per their flexibility
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(Killion, 2021). By this customer is having benefits of flexibility and they can shop at any time
within 24/7 hours. Further, global pandemic has created negative impacts and this results in
reduction of organisational profits for many of the firms.
Further, Covid 19 has accelerating transformation is e- commerce organisation. It
includes some of the barriers like workforce stability, innovation barriers and slow progress etc.
Amazon is focusing towards achievement of organisational goals and objectives and it helps
their employees in getting knowledge about new and modern technologies (Kizilcec, Makridis,
and Sadowski, 2021). This pandemic has accelerated automation with the technologies and
making use of artificial intelligence and machine learnings etc. 25% of the workers have
previously estimated that they are potentially with any other occupation. This pandemic has
pushed many of the customers and companies to adopt new behaviour. It is seen that there is a
discontinuity among labour markets after the covid pandemic. Further, Amazon is doing digital
streaming to attract customers towards the brand. Further, this helps in creating profitability and
enhancing their productivity as well. Company is providing various facilities to the customer by
converting it into 24/7 hours. They are developing arena in which a customer can share their
views and feedbacks at anytime with their executives. Company has taken use of various
machines like artificial intelligence and machine learning in order to sale their products in most
effective manner after global pandemic. Company is providing various activities digitally like
taking sensitive feedback, brainstorming sessions, on boarding new employees and critical
business decisions (Lee, and Han, 2021). These are provided to the employees through remotely
and resulting in enhancing organisational performance.
What are the challenges faced by Amazon mangers while having workplace
transformation?
According to Magazzino, Mele, and Morelli, (2021) Workplace transformation is well
necessary for the organisation and is important for development of employee productivity,
improving employees experience and providing remote working. It helps in accepting new
normal. On the other hand, there are certain challenges which are coming in the organisations in
order to adopt workplace transformational. One of the challenge which is being faced by
Amazon is enabling employees productivity- it is one of the biggest challenge which is faced at a
time of workplace transformation and at a time of work from home and other employees who are
coming in the office. Before the pandemic, many of the employees achieve higher productivity at
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home by having certain reasons. For the present era, many of the employees are getting new
interface and applications that creates an issue for the employees (McClellan, Rajkumar, and
Smith, 2021). Productivity on the period will be resulting in how to provide training to the
employees so that they could better understand the programmes and new platforms. It becomes
difficult for many of the employees in getting understand about the new terms and techniques
used in the work environment.
Amazon employees feel this issues and this reduces their productivity and motivation at
home. Further, the other challenge which is being faced by managers is data and security issues,
by establishment of digital workplace, many companies are doing business online. Amazon is the
E- commerce company which is dealing in several products and services through digitally. This
has become a challenges for organisation to keep safe all the customers data and information.
Because while doing online business, customers details regarding address, payments, delivery
code etc. will be needed and if this data is leaked, then this may resulting in decreasing
reputation of the company (Morais, and Kakabadse, 2021). So, this becomes challenges for
company to keep safe all data and security information. The other challenge faced by managers
of Amazon are increasing protocols and decreasing predictability, this pandemic has involves
various protocols such as social distancing, hand sanitization etc. These considerations are
developing new policies for space management and health and wellness. These challenges are
much complex in order to maintain social distancing. For that company is providing remote
working to the employees.
What are the strategies used by managers to retain skilled employees within organisational
culture and structure at a time of covid 19 pandemic?
According to Nair, (2021) There are certain strategies used by managers in Amazon
working environment are training and development method, rewards and recognition and
performance management etc. these strategies helps organisation in enhancing their
organisational culture and their employees performance within working environment at a time of
covid 19 pandemic. The first strategy used by managers of Amazon are training and on boarding
programmes at a time of workplace transformations, as most of the employees are working
remotely at a time of covid 19 pandemic, so this makes difficult for them to use those digital
technologies. For that employees needs proper training and development methods in order to
make effective use of technologies and process of organisation. If employees get proper training,
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then they get motivated with the work performed and resulting in retaining in the company for
long time. The other strategy used by company is performance management programmes, in this
managers conducts performance management programmes through different methods such as
360 degree feedback, performance appraisal etc. which could helps them in recognizing
employees performance digitally and helps them at a time of rewards and recognition
distribution of employees get proper rewards and recognition (Pérez, and Vázquez, 2021). Then
this may considers in enhancing employees motivation and retaining of employees for longer
duration. The other strategies used by Amazon is providing flexible working hours, due to covid
19 pandemic, managers are given flexible working environment to the the employees in order to
make them comfortable. This pandemic has provided remote work to the employees and this
provides flexibility in their timings and working environment. So, it helps in development of the
organisational productivity and employees productivity as well. It also motivates employees and
helps in retaining them for long time in company. Also, managers of Amazon are providing
employees engagement and maintaining positive working environment, so this helps in
development of the organisational culture and their structure and engaging employees towards
achievement of organisational goals and objectives (Ristic, Damnjanovic, and Jankovic, 2021).
One of the framework which is used by managers of Amazon to retain their employees at
a time of global pandemic is Herzberg's motivation hygiene theory which is given by Frederick
herzberg. As it says it ask the employees what satisfy them and what not. This motivation they
includes two factors these are hygiene and motivators factor. Hygiene factor include policy of
company and working condition which is current remote working environment and flexible
working environment, supervision through online and safety and security of job at global
pandemic. The other motivator is intrinsic which includes recognition at a time of covid 19
pandemic, achievement and growth opportunities. By this employees motivates at a time of
workplace transformation.
Conclusion
From the above literature review, it is concluded that workplace transformation is most
necessary to the organisation. It is important to have transformation within workplace which
helps in development of organisation and resulting in enhancing of organisational effectiveness.
Further, global pandemic brings remote working and flexible environment to the employees.
This helps in developing employee productivity and retaining them for longer duration.
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Chapter 3: Methodology
Research Methods and techniques
Research method consisting of two method. These are qualitative and quantitative
method. Quantitative method is helpful in collecting numerical data and information and
developing their true and reliable information about a particular topic. Further, qualitative
information is helpful in collecting theoretical information about a topic. Within this research,
qualitative method is used to collect numerical data (Rodin, Dare, and Rosberger, 2021). This
includes survey such questionnaire survey which helps in collecting data and information.
Research philosophies : This is a method in which informational and data is analysed
and evaluates. It includes two philosophies. These are positivism and interpretivism philosophy.
Within this research, researcher is using positivism philosophy because it helps in analysing
numericals and valuable data and information.
Research approach : Research approach consisting of two types. These are deductive
and inductive approach. Within this research, researcher is developing the use of deductive
approach because it helps in getting true information about a particular topic and getting
numerical data and information. This helps in completing research in lesser time period.
Research Instruments
It is a tool which helps in collecting, analysing and measure all the data and information.
There are certain instruments such as Sampling, survey, observation and action research etc. In
current research, questionnaire survey and literature review is used in order to collect and
analyse data and information (Sneader, and Singhal, 2021). Questionnaire survey includes close
and open ended questions which helps in collecting true and reliable information. On the other
hand, literature review is presented through analysing different books and journals. It brings in
depth knowledge about a particular topic of a given report.
Gantt chart
It is a process of organising overall activities in such as a manner in which research plan
is made. It will helps in listing of the activities and divided according to the weeks and time
period. It helps in analysing different situations as well.
Task Week
1
01.10-
Week
2
08.10-
Week
3
15.10-
Week
4/ 5/ 6
22.10-
Week
7
12.11-
Week
8
19.11-
Week
9
26.11-
Week
10
17.12-
Week
9
24.12-
Week 10
31.12-21
06.01.2022
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