Research Report: Globalisation's Impact on Business Success (M&S)

This research project investigates the influence of globalisation on business success, focusing on Marks and Spencer as a case study. The introduction provides an overview of globalisation, the research aims, objectives, questions, and rationale. The literature review explores the concept of globalisation, factors contributing to business growth, benefits for Marks and Spencer, and major drawbacks. The methodology outlines the research approach, while the data analysis and interpretations section presents the findings. The research outcomes are discussed, followed by reflections, recommendations, and a conclusion. The report emphasizes how globalisation has positively impacted Marks and Spencer by increasing its customer base, expanding market opportunities, and enhancing profitability. It also considers the external factors, business structure and management traits that contribute to business success in a globalized context. The research highlights the importance of understanding globalisation for business growth and expansion.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Title: How globalisation can drive business success.......................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Overview and Background of study.......................................................................................1
Research aims ........................................................................................................................1
Research Objective.................................................................................................................2
Research Questions................................................................................................................2
Rationale of study...................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Concept of Globalisation........................................................................................................3
Main factors which contributes in business growth...............................................................4
Benefits of globalisation for Marks and Spencer...................................................................5
Major drawbacks of globalisation..........................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS...........................................................................8
RESEARCH OUTCOME..............................................................................................................16
REFLECTION AND RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................17
Reflection ............................................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

Title: How globalisation can drive business success
INTRODUCTION
Overview and Background of study
Globalisation refers to integration of companies, people, government and economy of
two or more companies for the common purpose of mutual development. The concept have
increased number of opportunities for the companies who are executing their business activities
at international scale. These opportunities have ultimately raised profitability of the companies
by providing them chance to approach maximum number of customers (Noe and et. al., 2017).
Globalisation plays an essential role in the businesses growth of large scale companies who are
already operating their business at international market. The present research is based on Marks
and Spencer, a leading retail company of United Kingdom incorporated in 1884. This company
is mainly dealing in clothing sector. It is mainly popular among its customers for its high quality
product which are mainly manufactured and designed by targeting higher class people. The main
focus of this company is to always remain in priority of higher class people across the world.
Therefore, with this aim, the management team of Marks and Spencer is focusing on expanding
their presence in global market in effective manner. This can be done in effective manner by
operating business activities in well developed country in positive manner. In this regard, senior
management team of this company has planned to conduct an effective research on globalisation
which will help them in enhancing their command over the operational activities at international
market.
In this regard, aims and objective for this research are prepared by the researcher. These
will guide overall research team in conducting an effective research for Marks and Spencer in
right direction. Along with this, the research will also aware company about latest trends,
challenges, benefits and issues of globalisation which influences business growth of the company
as well as development in the economy of its country. With reference to this, aims and objective
for the research of Marks and Spencer on globalisation are defined as below:
Research aims
The aim for current research is on “To evaluate influence of globalisation on multinational
companies which leads to business success” A case study on Marks and Spencer.
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Research Objective
 To understand concept of globalisation.
 To identify various factors which contributes in business growth of Marks and Spencer.
 To evaluate benefits of globalisation for Marks and Spencer.
 To identify major drawbacks of globalisation which are faced by Marks and Spencer
while expanding their business at international scale.
Research Questions
 What is globalisation?
 What are the main factors which contributes in business growth of Marks and Spencer.
 What are the benefits of globalisation for Marks and Spencer.
 How drawbacks of globalisation affects business expansion of Marks and Spencer at
international scale?
Rationale of study
The main purpose of this research for Marks and Spencer is to increase their profitability by
improving their operational activities at international market with excessive knowledge on
globalisation and its influence over business. Another purpose of this company is to check that
how many people are aware about this company what are the actual perception of people towards
company. In academic concern this research will provide broad future study scope to learner as
they can develop their knowledge on the similar topic. Along with this, it will also develop
professional skill of academic learner which will allow them to identify future emerging
opportunities of this concept through which they can maximise their career growth. In context to
researcher, the main motive of investigator to enhance their knowledge about Marks and Spencer
and its operational activities at international scale. This will help researcher in working with the
similar company in future in their specific expertise zone. With reference to the personal level of
researcher, the research will help them in improving their own skills like communication,
negotiation skills etc. In addition to this, it has been analysed at professional level the research
will enhance number of growth opportunities for them as they are having more skills and
proficiency in the working activities by conducting research. In context of Marks and Spencer, it
can be said that this research will be helpful for company in understanding the concept of
globalisation for their company. As a result, it will improve their profitability by working at
international level. It has been analysed that if Marks and Spencer will grow then the researcher
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will also get opportunity for conducting similar kind of research for other companies which
ultimately improve their profits effectively.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of Globalisation
As per the thoughts presented by Saeidi, (2015), globalisation is seen as the collaboration
or integration of businesses, government, people and economies for the common purpose of
development. Concept of globalisation emerged with many thoughts like changing of demands
of customer on the basis of trend of other nations, expectation of companies of earning more
profits by approaching much wider area, changing technology, etc. On the other hand the
concept can be seen as the thought of analysing overall world as the single market in which
business organisation working with each other by being dependent for raw materials and needed
resources for business operational activities. In addition to this, it can be said that it is the merge
up of companies, society, technology, people, services, product, ideas, information and capital. It
can be said that stated concept is broad in size which includes many things for improving overall
lifestyle of people across the world (Kang, Alejandro and Groza, 2015). Along with this, it has
been observed that globalisation support companies in executing their business activities with the
preferred company which can improve their financial profitability and also develops many
business related opportunities for them. It also leads to business growth of the company in native
as well as international market.
Apart from this, it has been analysed that concept of globalisation has raised expectation
of customers as they are getting more number of options which can satisfy their needs and
expectation. It has also influenced companies like Marks and Spencer to bring more innovation
in the market in order to remain competitive among competitor and get customer support. As a
result, for grabbing attention of customers, the main efforts of companies to provide high quality
products to customers at low price. With the aim of this strategy maximum international scale
companies provides innovative product to customers. Along with this, these companies also
takes some initiative steps for influencing interest of customers and persuading them to remain
loyal with company for longer period of time (Bossle and et. al., 2016). This can be well
understood with an example of Marks and Spencer. The company owns good brand image at
international market but still management team of this company takes regular based feedback
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from its customers in order to check their rating under customer’s perception. As a result, this
evaluation provides opportunity to company to improve its brand image among customers in
case it is damaged or harmed due to some incident or past experiences.
Main factors which contributes in business growth
On the basis of viewpoints of Taylor, (2017), it has analysed that there are numerous of
factors which influences and contributes business growth of large scale companies. It can be said
that main motive of every organisation is to generate high range of profits so that they can lead
market place in effective manner. Along with this, their another motive is to improve their
sustainability at market place with the support of customers. It has been evaluated that ultimate
benefit of this to the company is increasing monetary profits to them that could consider as a part
of business growth (Dijkman and et. al., 2015). On the basis of overall analysis, it has been
evaluated that there are some basic factors which simply influences business growth of every
kind of organisation no matters they belongs to which level that means either large scale or small
scale. Main of these influential factors are defined as below:
Behaviour and Personal trait of company: It is the first and foremost factor of the
research which clearly focuses on behaviour and trait of company’s leader who is leading
company in effective manner. For example: Education and capabilities of top management team
of Marks and Spencer helps company in leading market. Along with this, it also guides leader in
utilising available resources in a effective manner so that its aims and objectives can be obtained
in quick manner (Salvioni and Gennari, 2017). As a result, all of them collaboratively works
together which leads to success of the company in effective manner.
External factors: It includes various factors which are out of control of company and its
management team. External factors for Marks and Spencer includes culture, economic and
political condition of countries in which the company is operating its business activities. It can be
said that if all of these factors are positive towards the company then it easier for them to work
effectively in preferred country which also helps them in leading to chosen market place in
effective manner. On the other hand, it has been analysed that changes which took place might
also affect negatively if they are not developed into the favourable condition of company the it
will definitely resist its business growth.
Structure of business and its management team: Business structure of Marks and
Spencer and its management team can be seen as an essential factor which leads to business
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growth. It can be said particular business format of company guides its management to work in a
specific direction (Surugiu and Surugiu, 2015). This structure also influences its decision making
process of company. Therefore, it can be said that if employee of this company follows its pre
settled business structure then it is easier for them in achieving their personal as well as
organisational goals and objective which leads to business growth of company.
As per the above specified different factors it can be said that all of these factors grows in
a positive direction then they contributes in quick achievement of goals and objectives and leads
to business success. In context of Marks and Spencer, it can be said that for this company
Globalisation has impacted positively as they are now eligible to approach more number of
business opportunity. At global level, the company can also enter into new sector for enhance
their product portfolio. As a result, chances of their growth in terms of profitability at global
level in much more high.
Benefits of globalisation for Marks and Spencer
According to the perception of Stenning, (2016) it has been analysed that concept of
globalisation has improved business functioning of large scale companies and developed
opportunities them will help them in becoming successful at market place. For example: A well
known retail company named as Marks and Spencer dealing in clothing and other sector of
United have gained numerous of benefits with the concept of globalisation. Some of the main
benefits for globalisation for Marks and Spencer are defined as below:
Increase in number of customers: The first and foremost benefit of globalisation for
Marks and Spencer can be seen in raise in number of customers. It can said that with the concept
of globalisation Marks and Spencer could approach to its desired customer zone in preferred
country. This will also allow them to use best feasible option to influence interest of maximum
number of customers so that they could remain loyal to the company for longer period of time.
Enhancement of business opportunities: Another method of globalisation for Marks
and Spencer and other large scale companies who are operating business opportunities at
international scale is quick raise of business opportunities in wider business zone. It can be said
that Marks and Spencer can operate its business related work in their own choice of country.
Along with this, they also gets chances to grab foreign culture which could give them additional
business ideas. Thus, it can be said that globalisation increases number of business opportunities
for Marks and Spencer.
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Brings best technology and talent to company: Globalisation have provided
opportunity to business organisation in the sense they can approach advance technology and
talented employees who could work effectively for company and leads to generate more profits
for the organisation (Hotho, 2015). Along with this, a talented employee work more effectively
and contributes in improving business functioning of company. As a result, company grows
more rapidly with the fresh talent and technology effectively.
All of the above stated benefits stated that impact of Globalisation is positive for Marks
and Spencer as they are able to approach more customers, latest technology, grab business
opportunities and many other things positively. By using all of this, company can easily improve
its sales performance and generate high revenue in international market.
Major drawbacks of globalisation
As per the point of view of Macchion, Danese and Vinelli, (2015) it has been analysed
that although globalisation offers a number of opportunities to companies while facilitating
expansion in new countries, it also has certain constraints which need to be kept in consideration
by organisations. In this regards, one of the biggest threats associated with this concept is
diversity in cultural backgrounds of the domestic and international markets. For instance: Marks
& Spencer is a multinational corporation based in UK and thus the core values as well as
majority of staff belongs to this nation and has the cultural values and norms pertaining to this
nation. While facilitating expansion into new emerging markets, it is necessary for this enterprise
to analyse the similarities and differences between domestic and host country and provide
training facilities to their employees so that they can be equipped with the necessary values,
practices, traditions and norms of this nation. Further, another big constraint while tapping the
advantage of opportunities associated with globalisation is linguistic barrier as the languages of
both the nations would be different (Stenning, 2016). Thus, it is necessary that while facilitating
expansion into new countries, an enterprise either recruits personnel from that nation only or
provide linguistic training to them if their native language is distinguished from that of the host
market.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
For the current study, research onion framework has been used by investigator which
includes numerous of layers. Some of the main layer for the study has been stated as below:
Research Philosophy
It refers to the belief of researcher which shows that the pattern in which information is
gathered, analysed and opted for the study. Types of research philosophy is divided into two type
such as positivism and interpretivism. For current study, interpretivism have been adopted by
investigator as it is helpful in finding out valuable information from the collected data with the
help of interpretation.
Time Horizon
It refers to the overall time which have been consumed for conducting this research
effectively. In context of present research, investigator have used cross sectional studies as in this
information is collected at once for answering formulated research questions
Ethical issues
It is essential for researcher to follow some core ethics of research in order to make their
researcher free from any obstacle. For conducting an effective research it is mandatory for
researcher to take permission from the respondent before using their information. Along with
this, researcher are required to collected data for research only they can not give this data to any
one else.
Primary Research: Primary research is a methodology by which investigators collect
data from the main source directly and they do not depend upon previous data or information. It
is important for solving the certain problems, which is necessary in depth analysis. In includes in
several methods in order to collect good data these are face to face interview, online surveys,
focus on groups and observations (Surugiu and Surugiu, 2015). These are most important
methods where data is collected from first hand and accurate so that it is easiest way for making
good report in a effective manner. Therefore, it is important for the researchers in order to make
good report.
Secondary Research: Secondary research is the methodology in which the researcher
uses the data or information that is already available. This data is collected and gathered for the
enhancement of overall productivity and effectiveness of the project. The secondary data is
collected from websites, magazines, library, data of surveys, etc. It is a cost effective data
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collection for making the use of available data (Grayson and Hodges, 2017). It is also involves
in some methods such as data availability on the internet, government and non government
agencies, public libraries and educational institution etc. Therefore, it is easy for identifying the
main topic of research and also determined good research sources in a effective manner.
In the following given research, the researcher has used secondary as well as primary
method for collection of data in order complete research on chosen topic in effective manner.
Quantitative Research: Quantitative research is the research which uses the statistical
and numerical data. The quantitative data collection can include various methods which results in
numerical values. Some common examples of quantitative data collection strategies include
experiments and clinical trials, surveys, interviews and questionnaire which collect data by using
close ended questions. The main advantage of using quantitative data is that numerical results in
data which is statistically analysed.
Qualitative Research: A qualitative research is the process of in-depth understanding of
the phenomena. This research method is the primarily exploratory research and it is used for
gaining the understanding of different opinions, reasons and motivations. This research is used
for uncovering trends in opinions or thoughts. There are some common methods for qualitative
research such as focus groups, individual interviews, and observations, etc.
In the current research, the investigator has used the quantitative research method and it
is adopted by the investigator for identifying the data correctly and correctly doing the data
analysis. The statistical analysis of data will help in getting more accurate results.
Sampling: In the present research, random sampling method has been chosen by
investigator for finalising respondents from the population size (Berger and et. al., 2015). For
this research for research 30 respondents has been selected who are stakeholder of Marks and
Spencer.
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Questionnaire
Q 1) Are you aware with the concept of Globalisation?
a) Yes
b) No
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Q 2) What are the main factors that have resulted to globalisation?
a) Variation in tax rate
b) Changes in technology
Q 3) What are the benefits of globalisation for Marks and Spencer?
a) Increases customer
b) Raises profitability
c) Enhances number of opportunities
Q 4) Do you think, products of Marks and Spencer are really expensive?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q 5) As per your perception, business expansion at global scale will increase profitability of
Marks and Spencer?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 6) What are the drawbacks of globalisation faced by Marks and Spencer while expanding its
business at international scale?
a) Cultural barrier
b) Language barrier
c) Hiring new staff
Q 7) Do you think, concept of globalisation is helpful for small scale companies?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q 8) In which manner globalisation influences operational activities of the company?
a) Positive
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