Investigating Globalisation's Impact on John Lewis & Partners: Report

This research report investigates the impact of globalisation on the corporate structure of John Lewis & Partners, a large multinational company. The study explores the importance of globalisation on the company's structure, identifies the challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners in business expansion, and recommends ways to overcome these issues. The report includes a literature review discussing globalisation's effects, a research methodology outlining the approach used, and a data analysis and interpretation section that examines various themes related to the research questions. The findings highlight the influence of globalisation on the company's departments and management, the challenges related to trade barriers and competition, and ways to improve company structure. The report also includes recommendations for alternative research methodologies and a conclusion summarizing the key findings.

RESEARCH
PROJECT

Table of Contents
TITLE .............................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Overview of the research............................................................................................................3
Research aim ..............................................................................................................................4
Research question .......................................................................................................................4
Rationale of the study..................................................................................................................5
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
Importance of globalisation on corporate structures of Lewis & Partners..................................5
Challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners for business expansion within the organisation’s
structure.......................................................................................................................................6
Ways for overcoming issues of globalisation over business activities of an organisation
associated with the structure.......................................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................7
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION (2000)...............................................................11
Data Interpretation ........................................................................................................................13
Theme 1: The importance of globalisation on corporate structures of lewis & partners..........21
Theme 2: The challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners for business expansion within the
organisation’s structure.............................................................................................................22
Theme 3: The ways for overcoming issues of globalisation over business activities of an
organisation associated with the structure.................................................................................22
RESEARCH OUTCOMES ...........................................................................................................23
Covered in PPT.........................................................................................................................23
REFLECTION AND RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE RESERACH
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................23
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................24
.......................................................................................................................................................24

TITLE
To investigate the impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of large
multinational companies and the major challenges they face. A study on John Lewis & Partners
(The Harlequin Centre, High St, Watford WD17 2TW, United Kingdom).
INTRODUCTION
Overview of the research
Globalisation refers as the connection of various parts of the globe resulting in the
enlargement of international political, economic and cultural activities. In addition to this,
globalisation is the movement and also integration of people and goods among number of
nations. Along with this, corporate structure of an organisation is consist of different departments
that plays an essential role towards achievement of company's overall goals and mission. There
are some common departments within an organisation such as marketing, finance, human
resource, information technology and operation (Rowley, 2017). Along with this, CFOs, vice
presidents and presidents of the company also consider main part of corporate structure. For this
research report, John Lewis & Partners is a chosen organisation. It is a chain of high-end
department stores that operates its business throughout the Great Britain. It is a multinational
organisation that was founded in 1864 by John Lewis and headquartered in London, United
Kingdom. There are number of departments in this company that have an effective and important
role in accomplishment of long term goals and objectives of company.
Globalisation leads to maximised competition for an organisation. This competition can
be related to cost and price of product and service, technological adaptation, target market, quick
production, quick response by companies etc. When an organisation produce with less amount of
cost and sells cheaper, it is much more able to maximise its market share and profitability.
Globalisation have direct impact on corporate structure of John Lewis & Partners. Globalisation
have significant impact on human resource department and management when an organisation
expands its operations into international market (Choudhary and et. al., 2018). In this, companies
require to consider a different range of practical adjustments to be more able to recruit, train,
retain and help a workforce that is often spread throughout some nations, which also have
varying cultural identities. Apart from this, global market threats and opportunities are main
effects of globalisation on marketing department of John Lewis & Partners. As it will help an
organisation in promotion and marketing of its product and services to the customers and in the

marketplace. It turn to support company by increasing its sales and maximising number of
customers easily. Thus, globalisation have direct impact over corporate structure of company.
Apart from this, there are some challenges of globalisation that going to be faced by John Lewis
& Partners while enter into international market. These challenges mainly related to trade
barriers, costs of transportation, competition, political, economical and social risks (McDonald
and Thorpe, 2016). These are major challenges that negatively impact on different functions
within an organisation.
Research aim
“To investigate the impact of globalisation on the corporate structures of large
multinational companies and the major challenges they face.” A study on John Lewis & Partners.
Research question
Q1) Exploring the impact of globalisation on the corporate structure John Lewis?
1. What are the importance of globalisation on corporate structures of Lewis & Partners?
2. What are the challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners for business expansion within
the organisation’s structure?
3. What are the ways for overcoming issues of globalisation over business activities of an
organisation associated with the structure?
Research objectives
 To identify the importance of globalisation on corporate structures of Lewis & Partners.
 To analyse challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners for business expansion within the
organisation’s structure.
 To Recommend ways for overcoming issues of globalisation over business activities of
an organisation associated with the structure.

Rationale of the study
Main reason for doing this research project is to exploring impact of globalisation on
corporate structure of company. Globalisation have to influenced on different functions within an
organisation (North and Kumta, 2018). Along with this, for analysing impact of globalisation
over corporate structure of John Lewis & Partners, this research will be conducted in the
Harlequin Centre, High St, Watford WD17 2TW, United Kingdom. Main rationale behind
selecting this place is, John Lewis & Partners have its operations in different nations but in
United Kingdom, company have number of outlets. It is significant for researcher to analysis
opinion of employees about the globalisation and its impact on corporate structure of John Lewis
& Partners.
This research is important for an individual and academic level. In personal level, with
the help of this investigation, an individual can easily improve their understanding about the
globalisation process and its impact on different functions of company. If this research is
published into market, it is beneficial in academic level because it support students and many
other organisation by providing actual information regarding the impact of globalisation on
corporate structure of companies.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Importance of globalisation on corporate structures of Lewis & Partners
According to the viewpoint of Sutcliffe, and Glyn, (2019), globalisation has changed the
way in which business is done. For meeting the need of globalisation, top level managers have
to design organisation structure that is adaptive with the changing environment. There are
basically three types of structural organisation among the global organisations such as divisional
structure, functional structure and global matrix structure. Functional structure groups
individuals into functional departments such as marketing, operations, R&D, finance, etc.
divisional structure is defined as dividing into sub types such as global product division structure
and global geographic division structure. The product division within the Lewis & Partners is
responsible for global operations in particular product area in global product structure. The
division manager of this company is responsible for various organisational functions like
organising, planning and controlling different functions for producing and distributing products
for any market in the world. Global product structure is grateful for managing different activities

of the company. The changing managerial role within global organisation is present. While
working at global level, the different roles that organisation has to play include allowing people
to specialise and perform their roles effectively.
Challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners for business expansion within the organisation’s
structure
According to the viewpoint of Shastri, Shastri and Pareek (2019), there are various
challenges faced by Lewis & Partners for business expansion within the organisation's structure.
The main problem faced by this company was political hindrance and economic problems. It was
ensured by the management of this company that this company only invests in those markets
where political stability is present. Also this company emphasises on doing well in business by
analysing all the economic factors of the country before investing in it's market. Unfamiliar
culture is also an issue that arises while doing business in different countries. It is essential for
this company to overcome these challenges in order to accomplish organisational objectives and
goals.
Management of this company undergoes various researches before starting business in
new market. There is also opportunity for this company to establish it's position within global
market. There are various countries that have some kind of tariff or fee for companies that are
bringing goods and products from different countries (Pereira, Malik and Froese, 2017).
Company has to pay different type of fees depending upon the amount of tariff that company is
paying.
Ways for overcoming issues of globalisation over business activities of an organisation
associated with the structure
From the views of Cinquanta (2019), Globalisation is a term which describe how various
countries, people and businesses across the global are connected to each other in various ways
such as technology, transportation, good and services in the atmosphere. Their are different
structure format in the organisation which have some difficulty in conducting the activities at all
the levels of the organisation. Their are various problem in the architecture of the organisation
structure which needs to be taken care in the companies like solving the communication across
the business activity. Sometimes less developed nation faces problem with the new technologies
which are coming up in the market and having different organisation structure which are to be
taken care on time and decrease the side effect of globalisation and improve the performance of

the overall organisation by providing clear transpiration in the conducting market survey in the
target audience in the marketplace. Here manger take care about the problems which are present
in the structure of the organisation and seek to improve such problem in the long run and
increase the productivity of the overall perform in better ways in the market. Here company
structure are to be reformed to provide clear picture of what organisation should do in order to
increase the productivity of the organisation in the long run. Improving the structure of the
company is very important for the organisations it helps in increasing the performance of the
firm at the global levels.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is a systematic process that helps researcher in collection of
information about the specific area of study. Main purpose of research methodology is to collect
reliable and valid data regarding the specific area of investigation (Parker, Francis, and
Finlayson, 2019). Under this part of research report, different methods or techniques have been
included which will be determined as below:
Research approach: It is a method of conducting research in the market by using different
technique and tool to evaluate accurate facts and figure about the reach. Research methodologies
have different layers which give detailed description how research is conducted in the market.
This type of research provide relevant data as research is performed under different functions in
the market.
Research philosophy: This is a upper layer of research onion which provide background
for all research work done in the market. Here researcher develop various beliefs about the how
to conduct the research and what information to be taken into consideration (Ruprecht, 2019).
Following are the main research philosophies:
Pragmatism: under this research,various methods and designs are available for
conducting research in the marketplace. Here is no particular method under this
research ,researcher choice any method and approach to exercise the research.
Interpretivism: under this research, detailed investigation is conducted into the market. In
this approach small samples are chosen then detailed study is done on such samples (Hennink,
Hutter, and Bailey, 2020). under this method, only quantitative set of data is involved no
numerical investigation is conducted under such research.

Positivism: under this research, there are large samples on which research is conducted in
structured ways. Their are collection and measurement are the two quantitative form of data and
qualitative data can also be used according to needs of the organisation.
Realism: under this methods, there is no specification about the quantitative and
qualitative method, researcher can choose any requirement needs to conduct the research. It is
different from pragmatisms& interpretivism methods.
Qualitative method: under this method, data is gathered by conducting face to face
interview and collecting data that are not in the form of numerical form of data. This approach
helps an investigator to collect reliable and accurate form of data. Such data can be used
according to the feasibility and availability of time.
Quantitative method: this method is used when research is dealing with the numerical
form of data , here data is collected using different methods such as questionnaire, survey and
interview. Researcher can use any method depending on the needs of the organisation.
Primary data: under this method, data is collected for the first time by conducting
interview various respondents, conducting survey in the market (Tracy, 2019). This data are
collected by researcher for the first time and are more reliable about the information. This
method have a lot of advantages as data can be modified and changes according to needs and
wants of the researcher. Some it required lot of time for conducting such research in the market
and taking control over such information for longer period of times.
The present research is done using quantitative method. Both secondary as well as primary data
collection methods are used for collecting data for analysing data for this research.
Sampling technique: It is process used in statistical analysis where observations are taken
from the larger population (Anderson, Fontinha, and Robson, 2019). This include random
sampling, block sampling and systemic sampling. Organisation uses such sampling to know what
are the needs and wants of the target market. Segment are divide into small segment upon which
survey will be conducted in the marketplace. The number of respondents considered in this
research are 50.
Research techniques, instruments and procedures: There are various research techniques
present in the market such as experiments,surveys,questionnaires, interview and case studies for
selecting the important information for the data. Research instruments are a tool used to

collect ,measure and analyse data related to subjects of information . There are various ways to
produces to collect in formation in the market.
Research ethics: under this , researcher have to follow a set rules and regulations for
conducting the survey in the market. Researcher make sure that information collected should not
be leaded in the market place. Researcher should follow the polices while conducting the survey
in the marketplace (Liamputtong, ed., 2019). Researcher should follow the all rules while
performing the survey in the marketplace.
Research Limitation: under this area, research have some of the limitation like depends
on size of the sample, method they use should be accurate and research is collected some of the
beliefs not all the opinion are induced in the method. This show that limitation one can faces the
while conducting the research.
Research reliability and validity: Under this method, research which are conducted under
primary research are less reliable in the market as there are collected for the first time can have a
inaccurate facts and figure in the data .secondary research have more reliability and have good
validity over the long period of time. Under this research follow the numerical data are more
reliable in the market as there are based on figure of the markers.
Questionnaire
Q1) Are you have knowledge about the impact of globalisation within an organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) According to you, in what manner globalisation have to impacted on corporate structure of
John Lewis & Partners?
a) Positive Manner
b) Negative Manner
Q3) From the Following, which functional unit of John Lewis & Partners is more impacted
through global expansion?
a) Marketing
b) Operational
c) Human resource
d) Other
Q4) What are the importance of globalisation on corporate structures of John Lewis & Partners?

a) Expanded market
b) Free Flow of Labour
c) Improved Infrastructure
Q5) What are the benefits that get by John Lewis & Partners while expanding its business
functions or activities globally?
a) Higher growth and success
b) Increment in customer base
c) Increased sales and profitability
Q6) Does globalisation supported John Lewis & Partners in attainment of competitive benefits
at international level?
a) Yes
b) No
Q7) What is the main strategy used by John Lewis & Partners to enter into new marketplace?
a) Joint venture
b) Licensing
c) Franchising
d) Direct Investment
Q8) What are the challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners for business expansion within the
organisation’s structure?
a) Cultural barriers
b) Government's rules and regulation
c) Higher Competition
Q9) What are the ways for overcoming issues of globalisation over business activities of an
organisation associated with the structure?
a) Development of inclusive and cultural training
b) Proper study about government's rules and regulation
c) Production of quality in business service and product at affordable price
Q10) Provide any recommendations to John Lewis & Partners in enhancement of its business
activities or functions at international level.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION (2000)
Data analysis refers to the essential method in which information is gathered and
organised so that an individual can easily derive necessary and useful information about the
specific field of study. There are certain methods or techniques of quantitative data analysis such
as content analysis, Regression analysis etc. These are effective techniques of data analysis but
according to the current topic or research content analysis will be going to used by investigator.
Main reason behind selecting content analysis technique as it support researcher in analysation of
quantitative data.
Q1) Are you have knowledge about the impact of globalisation within an
organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Q2) According to you, in what manner globalisation have to impacted on
corporate structure of John Lewis & Partners?
Frequency
a) Positive Manner 35
b) Negative Manner 15
Q3) From the Following, which functional unit of John Lewis & Partners is
more impacted through global expansion?
Frequency
a) Marketing 15
b) Operational 10
c) Human resource 18
d) Other 7
Q4) What are the importance of globalisation on corporate structures of John
Lewis & Partners?
Frequency
a) Expanded market 16
b) Free Flow of Labour 20
c) Improved Infrastructure 14

Q5) What are the benefits that get by John Lewis & Partners while expanding
its business functions or activities globally?
Frequency
a) Higher growth and success 14
b) Increment in customer base 20
c) Increased sales and profitability 16
Q6) Does globalisation supported John Lewis & Partners in attainment of
competitive benefits at international level?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Q7) What is the main strategy used by John Lewis & Partners to enter into new
marketplace?
Frequency
a) Joint venture 20
b) Licensing 7
c) Franchising 8
d) Direct Investment 15
Q8) What are the challenges faced by John Lewis & Partners for business
expansion within the organisation’s structure?
Frequency
a) Cultural barriers 20
b) Government's rules and regulation 16
c) Higher Competition 14
Q9) What are the ways for overcoming issues of globalisation over business
activities of an organisation associated with the structure?
Frequency
a) Development of inclusive and cultural training 20
b) Proper study about government's rules and regulation 16
c) Production of quality in business service and product at affordable price 14