The Impact of Globalisation on Corporate Structures: A Study

This research project investigates the impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of large multinational companies, with a specific focus on the challenges they face. The report begins with a literature review establishing the context of globalisation and its influence on business operations, using Mark & Spencer as a case study. It outlines the research aims, objectives, and questions, including the importance of corporate structure for smooth business functioning and the potential impacts of global expansion. The methodology section details both qualitative and quantitative research approaches, highlighting the use of primary and secondary data collection methods. Primary data will be gathered through questionnaires, while secondary data will be sourced from books, journals, and published articles. The report also discusses the sampling strategy, data collection methods, and analytical tools to be employed, aiming to provide insights into the research outcomes and reflect on the effectiveness of the applied research methods. The ultimate goal is to analyze how globalisation affects corporate structures and identify the main challenges faced by multinational companies, offering recommendations and a reflective statement on the research process.

Research Project
(The impact of globalisation on the corporate
structures of large multinational companies and
the major challenges they face. )

Table of Contents
RESEARCH PROJECT PLAN ......................................................................................................1
Formative assessment..................................................................................................................1
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................7
TITLE: ..........................................................................................................................................10
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
P3) Primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business research project
that consider costs, access and ethical issues. ..........................................................................10
P4) Appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data.......................................10
P5:Communicate research outcomes in a appropriate manner for the intended audience........12
P6) Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the
business research project...........................................................................................................21
P7- Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes,as
this has not been completed......................................................................................................21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................22
REFLECTIVE STATEMENT.......................................................................................................22

RESEARCH PROJECT PLAN
Formative assessment
Topic The impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of large multinational
companies and the major challenges they face.
RATIONALE/
BACKGROUND
This report is based on the impact of globalisation over corporate structure of a
multinational company and major challenges faced by them. For performing this
investigation Mark & Spencer has been selected to determine several challenges it
has faced while globalising its business operation. Globalisation is very broader
term which refers to the process of integration and interaction among people,
businesses and government worldwide. This help an organisation to improve its
business practices as well as profitability by enhancing the market base (Bazilian
and Onyeji, 2012). But an organisation get only become successful at globalisation
of operations when it adopt an effective corporate structure as the overall
performance and management is controlled as per the structure of a company.
Corporate structure is generally defined as the organisation of different
departments and business units among which operations are being divided in a
manner that contribute toward accomplishment of organisational objectives. Mark
& Spencer is a British multinational retailer which deals in several product
categories such as clothing, luxury food and home product. It is headquartered in
London and maintain its business operations throughout the world. M&S has faced
several issues while expanding its business at global level which affected its
profitability and business operations up-to a great extend (Chen, Chiang and Storey,
2012). This can be better understood with the help of critically evaluating the
several published article over the globalisation of M&S and then presenting the
information with the help of literature review.
The considered project is based on the impact of globalisation over the corporate
structure of a large multinational company and the key challenges faces by them. It
is a wide area of academic research which provides a clear direction to the
researcher to addressing the chosen issue in appropriate manner. The major purpose
of the research is to exploring the idea and knowledge base of learner and
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researcher regarding the similar area of work by the execution of in-depth analysis.
This is an effective area which also plays vital role in developing the personal and
professional skills of people who are having their personal interest towards the area.
The major reason for conducting the research is the personal interest of researcher
as the investigator wants to explore the area of globalisation with the guidance of
suitable use of methodologies.
INTRODUCTIO
N
Globalisation is considered as the process of interaction and integration among
people, companies, and governments worldwide basis, thus in another words it also
refers as to the integration of markets in the global economy that leads to the
accrued interconnectedness of national economies. Globalisation is a wide area
which plays effective role developing performance and operations of an
organisation at large level (Barakat and et. al., 2015). In this present investigation
work Marks and Spencer is the chosen organisation, it is a large British
Multinational retailer company, with its headquarter is in Westminster, London.
The potential motive of the firm is to expand its operations at global level in respect
to attaining higher growth and success within the commercial centre. This project
contains the study about globalisation and its influence over the operations of
business. In this current exloration work, aims and objectives are created on which
the overall work is depend or provide support to the research and literature review
as to creating an appropriative theoritical framework (Lee, Shin and Park, 2012).
However, research methodology will help in rendering a systematic evaluation to
implement investigation activities in right manner and data analysis will take place
through conducting survey with the help of filling questionnaire.
Aim of the
research
To analyse the impact of globalisation over the corporate structure of large
multinational company and major challenges faced by them. A case study on
Marks and Spencer.
Objective of the
research
The significant objectives of this particular research are described as below:
● To study the concept of globalisation in the context of multinational
corporation.
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● To identify the importance of corporate structure in smooth functioning of
Marks and Spencer.
● To ascertain the potential impact of global expansion over the corporate
structure of Marks and Spencer.
● To determine the major challenges faced by Marks and Spencer during
globalisation of business.
Research
Questions
The major research questions that support the literature of this particular
investigation are described as under:
● What is the concept of globalisation in the context of multinational
corporation?
● What are the importance of corporate structure in smooth functioning of
Marks and Spencer?
● What is the potential impact of global expansion over the corporate structure
of Marks and Spencer
● What major challenges are faced by Marks and Spencer during globalisation
of business?
Research strategy Research methodology provides a design for investigator to follow, allowing them
to conduct their own investigation while using several method to arrive at similar
conclusion. It help the investigator to get feedback for the service provided by them
to their customer (Grayson and Hodges, 2017). Primary method and secondary
method are the two methods of collecting the data.
Type of Investigation : There are generally two type of investigation
mentioned below :
 Quantitative research : It involves collecting of information in numerical
form for statistical calculation so that proper calculation can be drawn. It
includes paper survey, mobile survey etc.
 Qualitative research : It refers to scientific method of data collection which
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deals with description of things , symbols, concept and meaning. It does not
include numerical facts. It includes interviews and group discussion.
In order to conduct this research both qualitative and quantitative tools are
applied by the researcher because the combination of methodologies are effective
for the research in drawing valid and reliable outcome. The mixture method is
effective in providing proper details by the help of accumulation of numeric and
non-numeric information. Qualitative investigation is effective in developing a
specific theoretical framework in which proper details are provides as to overcome
with the research issue. Quantitative investigation is appropriate in providing tactful
information by the accumulation of data in the form of figures.
Primary/
secondary
research
Data collection is considered as the most essential aspect of research thus an
investigation is based on the data and information accumulated by the researcher. In
an investigation work data and informations are accumulated through different
sources i.e. Primary and secondary method are the two methods used for collecting
the data, these source are descried as under:
 Primary method : This type of information is collected for the first time
and is totally fresh and more reliable (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson, 2012).
Several methods of collecting the data are interviews, telephonic method
and questionnaire.
 Secondary method : This type of information is collected by someone else
for other purpose. This information is not collected for first time. Sources of
secondary method includes books, trade journals and magazines etc.
In the present study on understanding consumer behaviour and identifying
factors that influence their buying behaviour researcher will take support of primary
source. Individual will collect fresh data related to buying pattern of customers and
will analyses these details. These fresh details will aid in answering research
questions in most effective manner.
Sources of data In order to conduct this research both primary as well as secondary method is used
by the researcher as both the tools are reliable in accumulation of data in respect to
justifying the issue in effective manner. Primary source is used for conducting
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survey as in this Questionnaire is considered as a appropriate tool for gathering
information from analysing the perspective of people who are having knowledge
and interest regrading the chosen area of work. On the contrary basis secondary tool
of data collection is effective in execution of literature review by accumulation of
information from relevant sources like books, journals, published research articles
etc.
Population and
sampling
This tool is used to collect information from subset of population. Probabilistic and
non probabilistic tool is used for data sampling. Sampling mainly replicates from
the original population as in this particular range of individuals are select for the
purpose of accumulation of information and data.
In order to conduct this research non probabilistic tool is used as it is both
time and cost effective and sample size taken here. The sample size of 30 is
selected for the accumulation of information as in the employees are the
respondents as they are more effective and appropriate in providing reliable and
accurate information for the intention of drawing a valid and reliable outcome.
Data Collection
method
The primary consideration of an investigation work is to make appropriate selection
of resources in respect to accumulation of data and information from the different
sources, thus data collection can be done through two major aspects i.e. primary
and secondary source of data collection. Primary source is effective in
accumulation of data which is new and accumulated for the very first time, however
in this information is mainly gathered through survey, questionnaire, interview and
observation. On the other side secondary tool is effective in developing a theoretical
framework which helps in drawing a valid and reliable outcome. In this
informations are gathered from books, journals, published research articles etc.
In the present investigation work the analysis is conducted over the impact of
globalisation on the corporate structures of large multinational companies and the
major challenges they face. In this both primary as well as secondary source of data
collection are applied by the researcher as these two are effective in accumulation
of reliable information for the purpose of reaching at the valid and accurate
outcome. Primary source is applicable in gathering information through the
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perspective of respondents and the people who are having wide area of knowledge
regarding the same as in this questionnaire is papered to accumulate data from the
different perspective of people and on the other side secondary sources are effective
in developing literature review. Thus views of authors and writers are discussed in
the manner of drawing effective outcome.
Time plan and
resources required
Research plan
Activities Wee
k 1
Week
2
Wee
k 3
Wee
k 4
Wee
k 5
Wee
k 6
Wee
k 7
Week
8
Topic selection
Framing aim
and objective
Literature
review
Selection of
research
methods
Analyses of data
Discussion
Conclusion and
recommendatio
n
Edition as per
feedback
Final
submission
Resource requirement
 For the purpose of completion of the investigation work, investigator needs
some key resources that are effective in carry out the work in right manner.
 Investigator requires human participants as respondents to provide reliable
information for the similar area of work. As human participants are essential
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in conducting survey to gather fact full information.
 Investigator would also require technical resources, as graphs, charts will be
prepared and for that excel will be required. This will help in preparing the
research work in most presentable way.
References Books and Journals
Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D. and Hoskisson, R. E., 2012. Strategic management
cases: competitiveness and globalization. Cengage Learning.
Javadian, G. and Singh, R. P., 2012. Examining successful Iranian women
entrepreneurs: an exploratory study. Gender in Management: An
International Journal. 27(3). pp.148-164.
Lee, Y., Shin, J. and Park, Y., 2012. The changing pattern of SME's innovativeness
through business model globalization. Technological Forecasting and
Social Change. 79(5). pp.832-842.
Lepoutre, J. and et. al., 2013. Designing a global standardized methodology for
measuring social entrepreneurship activity: the Global Entrepreneurship
Monitor social entrepreneurship study. Small Business Economics. 40(3).
pp.693-714.
Mahmood, R. and Hanafi, N., 2013. Entrepreneurial orientation and business
performance of women-owned small and medium enterprises in Malaysia:
Competitive advantage as a mediator. International Journal of Business
and Social Science (IJBSS). 4(1). pp.82-90.
Mathews, G. and Yang, Y., 2012. How Africans pursue low-end globalization in
Hong Kong and mainland China. Journal of Current Chinese Affairs.
41(2). pp.95-120.
Mura, L., 2012. Performance of human resource management in an internationally
operating company. Serbian Journal of Management. 7(1). pp.115-129.
Rahimnia, F. and Hassanzadeh, J. F., 2013. The impact of website content
dimension and e-trust on e-marketing effectiveness: The case of Iranian
commercial saffron corporations. Information & Management. 50(5).
pp.240-247.
Savrul, M., Incekara, A. and Sener, S., 2014. The potential of e-commerce for
SMEs in a globalizing business environment. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences. 150. pp.35-45.
Shenkar, O., Luo, Y. and Chi, T., 2014. International business. Routledge.
Tiwari, R. and Herstatt, C., 2012. Assessing India's lead market potential for cost-
effective innovations. Journal of Indian Business Research. 4(2). pp.97-
115.
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Literature Review
The concept of globalisation in the context of multinational corporation.
According to Jeffrey A Hart, 2015 globalisation can be defined as the integration of
markets within the world economy which therefore increases the interconnectedness of national
economies. Globalisation has melted the border between the nation and enhanced the free trade
that helps in economic integration A multinational corporation is an enterprise that engages in
foreign direct investment and owns activities in more than one country. The investment required
by this corporation out side the country is known as foreign direct investment (Crane and Matten,
2016). The global financial flow between countries represent the interconnectedness and thus
globalisation is a world economy which accelerate the rate of business by the use of new
technology and helps in steady growth of an overall organisation. Multinational corporation may
also outsource their manufacturing process to less developed nation at low cost. Economies
between the country must be interconnected for smooth import and export of goods (Lepoutre
and et. al., 2013). Flow of information also plays a important role in connecting the economies as
effective communication is one of the reason behind the success of multinational corporation.
Marks and Spencer is a British retailer private limited company, which is widely concern
over enhancing its global reach by the help of globalisation, thus the company use the path way
of globalisation and promote their brand at wider level. In the modern business environment
competition within retail sector is high and organisations are widely concern on exploring
business operations at global level for the purpose of attaining higher growth and success. The
key purpose of Marks and Spencer is to restructuring the business: to bolster margins in a
competitive globalised economy; and to improve profitability to satisfy shareholders. The
outcome of the restructuring is also largely the same, with redundancies in France, the rest of
Europe and the global level. Danone is sorting 800 jobs in France as well as 2,500 in the rest of
Europe, involving Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Hungary. The key plan of Marks &
Spencer's is more drastic, with 1,700 redundancies in France and a total of 4,400 worldwide. The
only real categorisation among the actions of the two companies based over the global context.
Danone is undertaking restructuring in advance and has promised an exemplary "social plan" to
accompany the redundancies. Marks & Spencer, on the other hand, is seeking to restructure its
way out of a crisis situation and is widely perceived as giving little thought to those losing their
jobs.
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The importance of corporate structure in smooth functioning of Marks and Spencer.
As per the view expressed by Brian Hill, 2019 Corporate structure is the foundation for
the development of any corporate. Without any proper structure its not possible for any
organisation to grow and earn profit. Structure should be designed in such a manner so that we
have right skills to accomplish company's goal. These goals can be properly achieved by division
of work according to activities performed in an organisation. By adopting organisation structure
Marks and Spencer is able to improve its management effectiveness as it clearly defines the
authority as it facilitates the better understanding of objectives and policy and also improves
communication channel and relationship with its employees which help them to complete their
task efficiently and overall helps in the growth and diversification of the activities of the
company (Firnkorn and Müller, 2012). Implementing of policies and achievement of goals
become easier by organisational structure as it help in dividing the operations and task among
units so that each tasks can be performed effectively. This further support in providing a
direction over which workforce can work to accomplish organisational goals (Mahmood and
Hanafi, 2013).
(Source: Organisational Structure, 2019)
Marks and Spencer is a large fashion multinational retail firm which has its global
business operations and the key concern of the firm is to attaining growth and success within
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Illustration 1: Organisational structure

global market through execution of their business operations in systematic manner. The company
mainly operates through its retail stores or outlets, so flat organisational structure is the most
suitable way to implement business operations in effective manner. The description of the above
mentioned graph it has been represents that the given structure is effective for Marks and
Spencer in attaining growth through smooth execution of organisational operations by the
support of expertise knowledge. Flat organisational structure is mainly used by Mark & Spencer
as its branches are spread all over the world and it is difficult to maintain the operations all
together. Therefore flat organisational structure is used where there is limited layers of authority
that make it easier for staff member to perform their operations effectively by taking decisions
much quickly.
The potential impact of global expansion over the corporate structure of Marks and Spencer.
According to George N.Root III, 2019 Global expansion of an organisational structure
refers to expansion of a company's business activities into countries throughout the world. It not
only mean making investment out of the country rather maintaining an actual business in those
country. The impact of global expansion has helped Marks and Spencer to grow and expand to
other geographical region with the use of advanced technology and industry ecosystem which
will help the company to develop new market place of its product which overall will increase its
profitability. It also will have a immense effect on the brand value of the company as brand
creates trust among people. The global expansion has also helped the company to gain a
competitive edge over their opponents. Another benefit which company got is the opportunity to
access new talent pools which in term increase the productivity, advanced language skills and
educational background (Mathews and Yang, 2012). Marks and Spencer got an additional
investment opportunities that market can offer this help the company to develop new resources
and forge important connections by operating in global market.
The major challenges faced by Marks and Spencer during globalisation of business.
As per the views expressed by Neil Kokemuller, 2018 globalisation describes how
countries , people and business around the world are connecting with each other in terms of
technology, transportation and media. It allow the small business to gain access to market place
but despite of this it has certain challenges which company has to face during the expansion.
Some of the challenges faced by Marks and Spencer which are as follows :
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