Analysing Globalisation's Influence on M&S HR Functions

This report examines the positive economic, cultural, and ethical impacts of globalisation on the HR functions of Marks and Spencer (M&S). The project begins with an introduction to globalisation and its significance for businesses, followed by an analysis of M&S's global expansion strategy. Task 1 defines the project's aims and objectives, explores the concept of globalisation, and identifies the positive impacts on HR functions. A project management plan, including cost aspects, scope, time, quality, and risk management, is detailed in P2. P3 includes a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart for project execution. Task 2 focuses on research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a questionnaire used to gather data. Task 3 evaluates the research findings, employing appropriate tools and techniques to analyse the data and offers recommendations based on the analysis. Task 4 reflects on the undertakings to attain objectives. The report concludes with a summary of findings and recommendations.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1: Project aim and objectives....................................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan with cost aspects, scope, time, quality and communication risk..2
P3: Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart.......................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4: Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research....................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques ..................................8
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of data and research analysis..............................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P7 Reflection upon undertakings to attain objectives...............................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................15

Title- “Positive economic, cultural and ethical impacts of globalisation on different business
functions”
INTRODUCTION
Globalisation includes the process by which an organisation operates its business
activities at global level through exchanging goods and services with other countries. Thus, to
manage any business project more successfully it is important for the management to analyse the
external factors and accordingly formulate an aim and objectives so that their employees get
right direction to perform. The present assignment is based on Marks and Spencer (M&S) which
is engaged in providing multiple of products such as clothing, home products and luxury food
products. The project includes the aims and objectives, project management plan, breakdown
structure, Gantt chart, small scale research, methods and techniques to analyse data etc. The
project also explains the recommendation and reflection upon undertakings.
TASK 1
P1: Project aim and objectives
Globalisation refers to the process by which an organisation start to operate its business at
global level. It is an integration of companies, culture, government, people etc. through an
international trade with the help of using information technology. For this, it requires
management to make relevant and competitive changes in their existing policies and plans so as
to reach its business at global level. The impact of globalisation is extensive and pervasive. The
decision of expanding business at global level is made with a clear objective of capture huge
market share as well as high profitability.
Background of Project:
Every business firms tried to enlarge their business operations through expanding its
business at international level. Globalisation connect two countries in terms of sharing its
culture, heritage and caste by international trade. It requires maximum support from
technological advancements, ethnology, transportations etc. Marks and Spencer is UK based
organisation which is operated at international level. It has been operated its business in multiple
number of nations such as France, India etc. At the time of expansion of business to different
nations, the impact of globalisation on management and human resource is necessary. To sustain
1

in new market, the company should recruit skilled and knowledgeable employees, trained them
and make their staff more capable to support company in reaching its business in many countries.
Aim:
To identify the positive economic, cultural and ethical impact of globalisation on HR functions
of an organisation: A case study on Marks and Spencer.
Objective:
 To determine the concept of globalisation.
 To examine the positive economic, cultural and ethical influence of globalisation on HR
function of company. To determine the role of globalisation in improving levels of labour migration between
countries.
Research Questions:
 Define the concept of Globalisation?
 How to examine the positive economic, cultural and ethical influence of globalisation on
HR Functions of company?
 How Globalisation play a role in increasing levels of labour migration between nations?
 How globalisation and growth of HR functions interconnect with each other within
Marks and Spencer?
P2 Project management plan with cost aspects, scope, time, quality and communication risk
Project management plan is a preparation of execution of project activities in which all
plans and actions are written in advance with the purpose of giving right direction and guidance
to the employees without facing any future contingencies. It increases the chances of making
business project more successful through determining project activities, resources utilised,
manpower needed etc. in advance. Apart from this, scope, time, quality, risk etc. are included in
such project management plan which is further understood as under:
Scope: Marks and Spencer is UK based retail company which deals in providing wide
range of products such as food, clothing and home products. It is currently operated its business
at global level by having number of stores located at different nations such as France, India etc.
Therefore, the scope of sustain at global market with wide range of quality products are very
high (Basu, 2014).
2

Cost: It is another important concept which assist organisation to reach its business at
different nations without facing of lack of financial resources. For this, the management is held
liable to arrange and manage funds from different sources such as banks to utilise them in better
functioning at global level. It include the functions such as planning of funds cost budgeting,
controlling expenses etc. For example, recruiting skilled employees by HR manager required
funds to incur in conducting recruitment and training programs.
Risk: It always present in any project activities which can affect the aims and objectives
of an organisation as well. For this the management is held responsible to forecast the risk in
advance which can be related with shortage of funds, lack of support of employees, inadequate
resources etc. Operating business at global level involves huge risk which should be tackled by
the management of M&S through conducting research about such aspects that causes risk in
advance. It assists management to make effective strategies and plans in order to deal with future
complexities in more effective way (Davies and Hughes, 2014).
Communication: Mutual help gotten by employees can be conceivable only when the
management of M&S can build up a decent communication channel at work environment. The
employee’s feels motivated when they unmistakably comprehend the organization main
objective behind global expansion alongside their jobs and obligations thus it is more essential
for management to bring transparency in communication and give a stage to workers to speak
with best specialist specifically. This will make positive impact on the execution of project
activities of M&S.
Resources: It is essential necessity which motivates management of M&S to acquire
sufficient amount of resources which includes human resource, fund, technologies etc. while
expansion of business at global level. Having adequate measure of resources, for example,
capitals, reserves, talented employees and so forth urges organization to work on execution of
their innovation decisions. Hence, the management of M&S Should initially arranged resources
through taking help from various divisions and oversee them as needs be (Harish and Kumar,
2014).
P3: Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure: It is somewhat graph which demonstrates the connections
among the project activities executed in finishing of undertakings. The graphical idea of work
breakdown structure can encourage management of M&S to foresee results dependent on
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different situations which guides management to reconsider about their current arrangements and
choose whether to roll out a few improvements or not in order to accomplish beneficial results.
Gantt chart: It is a viable horizontal bar chart created as production control technique in
the year 1917 by Henry L. Gantt who is an American architect and social researcher. It help
project management of M&S to utilize Gantt chart as a huge representation of a calendar that
assistance in making suitable planning, coordinating and following particular tasks in an
undertaking. It is otherwise called visual project presentation where all project activities that
ought to be executed are shown and separated on a chart. It motivates workers to perform
allotted tasks inside given time frame to help organization in accomplishing its desired objectives
and goals (Heger and Rohrbeck, 2012).
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Previously mentioned tools are more valuable to adopt by M&S in order to accomplish its
aims and objectives inside given time span and achieve intensity among their opponents in more
powerful way.
TASK 2
P4: Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research
Research is essential need of every organisation in order to determine the effectiveness of
decisions made by the management for the betterment of an organisation. As M&S focuses on
further expansion of business at global level in order to capture huge market share and revenue
due to which it is important for management to conduct global market research in order to
analyse the interest and behaviour of their buyers as well as employees as the expansion of
business is very much depend on them. For this purpose, the management has hired a researcher
who conducts research for the company. The appointed researcher has two options to conduct
research such as qualitative and quantitative. It is explained as under:
Qualitative research: It is effective research method which assist researcher to collect data
in the form of symbol, name, number code or literature and so on. It is most preferred research
method by an organisation as it helps them in receiving accurate and reliable information about
the views and perceptions of their respondents. There are different frameworks which can be
utilized under this strategy in order to collect relevant information. For example, interviews,
questionnaire, poll etc. This will make easy for researcher to analyse the behaviour of customers
5

as well as employees regarding expansion of business at global level (Primary source and
secondary source, 2018)
Quantitative research: It is traditionally another important technique which also can be
adopted by the researcher with the purpose of collecting information into statistical data and
figures. It is mostly adopted by the researcher when they are having less time and money. M&S
may adopt such tool if want to get relevant information provided b y various authors and writers
about the success of further expansion at global market. Under this method, the information can
be collected through online sources, web, journals etc.
Both such types of research methods assist M&S to determine the result of expansion of
business at global level. Through analysing the outcomes received by the research, the
management is successfully able to forecast the impact of the positive economic, cultural and
ethical influence of globalisation on HR Functions function of a company on the sales figure of
company. In the present research, 40 respondents are selected whose views and opinions are
considered.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Contact No.-
Address:
Q1) Are you have any knowledge about the concept of globalisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Is government affects the decision of M&S to expand its business at global level?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) Which resources required most to operate business at global level?
a) Technical resource
b) Financial resources
c) Human resource
6

Q4) Mention the expected outcomes obtained by M&S after globalised its business?
a) Target new marketplace
b) Enhanced economies of scale
c) Free trade
d) Less culture diversity
Q5) Does interest and behaviour of human resource influences the decisions of M&S
regarding globalising business?
a) Yes
b) No
Q6) What consequences faced by M&S to reach its business at various countries?
a) Labour migration among countries
b) High rivalry competition
c) Enhance trade in world
Q7) What steps to be taken by M&S in order to operate business at global level?
a) Conduct training to staff
b) Recruiting skilled employees
c) Acquisition of latest technology
Q8) What hinders the M&S to globalise their business?
a) Environmental degradation
b) Reduce employment growth rate
c) Unfair working environment
Q9) How ethical as well as economic impact on globalise activities of M&S?
a) Technology
b) Culture
c) Politics
Q10) Recommend suitable suggestions to M&S for globalisation.
7

TASK 3
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
In the present research, the researcher of M&S has conducted qualitative research in which
primary source of data has been collected with an objective of collecting accurate and reliable
information about the topic of research. It consumes more time and money but instead it provides
genuine data which increases the effectiveness of decisions taken by the management which in
results achieving huge benefits in near future. Apart from this, there are different tools of
research as well which also can be adopted by the researcher such as research design, data
analysis, data collection, philosophy etc. Under the research, Questionnaire has been formed
which contains the list if relevant questions related with the topic of research which is further
asked from the 40 respondents that is taken as sample of population (Kowalkowski, Kindström
and Brehmer, 2011)
Theme 1: Concept of globalisation
Q1) Does you have any knowledge about the
concept of globalisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 15
8

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
25
15
Frequency
Interpretation: From the 40 respondents, there are 25 respondents who has specific
knowledge about the concept of globalisation whereas remaining 15 respondents doesn't know
clearly about such concept.
Theme 2: Impact of government on globalising activities of M&S
Q2) Is government affects the decision of
M&S to expand its business at global level?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
9

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30
10 Frequency
Interpretation:: From the 40 respondents, more respondents who thinks that influence of
government huge impact on the globalisation of business. Among 40 respondents, 30
respondents agree with the same statement whereas remaining 10 respondents opposed the
statement as they have clearly said that government took no interferences in their decision of
globalised business.
Theme 3: Requirement of resources in globalisation
Q3) Which resources required most to
operate business at global level?
Frequency
a) Technical resource 10
b) Financial resources 20
c) Human resource 10
10

a) Technical resource
b) Financial resources
c) Human resource
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
10
20
10
Frequency
Interpretation: Out of the 40 respondents, 20 respondents thinks that financial resources
is essential to execute project activities in smoothly manner whereas remaining 20 respondents
consider technical and human resources as most required resources respectively.
Theme 4: Outcomes received in future due to globalisation of business
Q4) Mention the expected outcomes
obtained by M&S after globalised its
business?
Frequency
a) Target new marketplace 15
b) Enhanced economies of scale 10
c) Free trade 10
d) Less culture diversity 5
11

a) Target new marketplace
c) Free trade
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
10 10
5 Frequency
Interpretation: From the 40 respondents, there are 15 respondents who thinks that it will
help M&S to target new market while globalising their business whereas other 20 respondents
have clearly said that globalising business enable company to enhance economies of scale and
free trade respectively. The other remaining 5 respondents have view of reducing culture
diversity.
Theme 5: Impact of human resource on globalising business
Q5) Does interest and behaviour of human
resource influences the decisions of M&S
regarding globalising business?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
12

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30
10 Frequency
Interpretation: Out of the 40 respondents, there are 30 respondents who thinks that
human resources play a major role in globalisation due to which hugely affect the business
operations whereas remaining 10 respondents doesn't agree with the same.
Theme 6: Consequences to reach business to different nations
Q6) What consequences faced by M&S to
reach its business at various countries?
Frequency
a) Labour migration among countries 10
b) High rivalry competition 20
c) Enhance trade in world 10
13

a) Labour migration among countries
b) High rivalry competition
c) Enhance trade in world
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
10
20
10
Frequency
Interpretation: Out of the 40 respondents, there are 10 respondents who thinks that
labour migration among nations is the major consequences faced by M&S while globalised
business whereas remaining 20 and 10 respondents determine high rivalry and enhancing trade in
the world respectively.
Theme 7: Various steps to operated business at international level
Q7) What steps to be taken by M&S in
order to operate business at global level?
Frequency
a) Conduct training to staff 15
b) Recruiting skilled employees 12
c) Acquisition of latest technology 13
14

a) Conduct training to staff
b) Recruiting skilled employees
c) Acquisition of latest technology
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
15
12
13
Frequency
Interpretation: Among 40 respondents, there are 15 respondents who thinks that M&S
should conduct training for its staff whereas 12 respondents directs company to recruit skilled
workers. The other remaining respondents 15 states that acquisition of latest technology.
Theme 8: Hindrances to globalise the business
Q8) What hinders the M&S to globalise
their business?
Frequency
a) Environmental degradation 10
b) Reduce employment growth rate 20
c) Unfair working environment 10
15

a) Environmental degradation
b) Reduce employment growth rate
c) Unfair working environment
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
10
20
10
Frequency
Interpretation: Among 40 respondents, there are 10 respondents who determines
environmental degradation as major problem faced by M&S while trading business in different
nations. The other 20 respondents thinks reducing employment growth rate is become major
problem whereas the remaining 10 respondents thinks unfair working environment will bring
major difficulties towards M&S while globalised their business.
Theme 9: ethical as well as economic impact on globalise activities of M&S
Q9) How ethical as well as economic impact
on globalise activities of M&S?
Frequency
a) Technology 18
b) Culture 12
c) Politics 10
16

a) Technology b) Culture c) Politics
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
18
12
10
Frequency
Interpretation: Among 40 respondents, there are 18 respondents who thinks that
technological factors impacts most on the globalise activities of M&S. The remaining 12 and 10
respondents thinks that culture and politics are the major factors which largely impact on the
globalise activities of M&S.
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of data and research analysis
From the data interpreted above, it has been recommended to Marks and Spencer that
globalisation makes huge impact both in negative as well as positive way on the business
operations. To cope up with the negative factors, the management must required to conduct
training programs for their workforce so as to make them more capable to contribute maximum
efforts in analysing new market situations before expansion of business at global market. It is
essential for an organisation to understand the culture, politics and buying behaviour of people
living in new market so that further actions can be taken accordingly. It brings motivation among
employees to perform its roles and responsibilities according to the new market trends due to
which no issues and problems can be faced while globalising business. In addition with this, HR
manager of Marks and Spencer should recruit skilled and knowledgeable employees who are
having specific knowledge about the international market so that the chances of achieving huge
sustainability in new market is more. The management also required to attained efficient skills so
17

as to arrange and manage resources such as financial, human and technical resources which are
more useful to utilised while globalised the business.
TASK 4
P7 Reflection upon undertakings to attain objectives
While carrying out research, as a researcher I have been observed so many things which
should be developed by me through engaging in various development programs. Here are the
skills which I need to be developed:
Competency How I have developed in this
area
Why I need to do to develop
further in the area
Analytical skills This is one of the skill which I
need to develop through
engaging in research activities
more and analyse the
relevancy of data with the help
of others researcher having
lots of experience in research
fields.
I used to improve analytical
skills as to build my career in
research field.
Report writing In this field, I joined some
workshops, meet up and also
took writing class for further
development of myself.
While writing important
content and information, my
skills should be good. So my
development is required in
order to write well.
Communication Skill If I need to enhance my
communication skills and
work, I will use ways like
Scroll down, body language
and hand gestures.
I need good communication
skills in order to interact others
having different cultures and
backgrounds so that collection
of data would be easy for me
while carrying out research for
company.
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CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above project report that globalisation plays an important
for retail companies in terms of increasing their sales figures and revenue at global market. It
requires an effective management who are more capable to make decisions regarding expansion
of business at global level which assist organisation to achieve further growth and success
globally. In the present research, M&S has analysed the impact of globalisation on their business
operations in which it has been find out that the management must required to make suitable
changes in their existing policies and adopts plans such as recruitment, training programs etc. to
increase their capabilities to expand business at global level.
19

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Adzic, G., 2011. Specification by example: how successful teams deliver the right software.
Manning Publications Co.
Basu, R., 2014. Managing quality in projects: An empirical study. International journal of
project management. 32(1). pp.178-187.
Davies, M.B. and Hughes, N., 2014. Doing a successful research project: Using qualitative or
quantitative methods. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Harish, V. S. K. V. and Kumar, A., 2014. Demand side management in India: action plan,
policies and regulations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 33. pp.613-624.
Heger, T. and Rohrbeck, R., 2012. Strategic foresight for collaborative exploration of new
business fields. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 79(5). pp.819-831.
Kowalkowski, C., Kindström, D. and Brehmer, P. O., 2011. Managing industrial service
offerings in global business markets. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing. 26(3).
pp.181-192.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.
Porwal, A. and Hewage, K. N., 2013. Building Information Modeling (BIM) partnering
framework for public construction projects. Automation in Construction. 31. pp.204-
214.
Pryke, S. and Smyth, H., 2012. The management of complex projects: A relationship approach.
John Wiley & Sons.S
Spender, J.C., 2014. Business strategy: Managing uncertainty, opportunity, and enterprise.
Oxford University Press.
Verzuh, E., 2015. The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Online
Primary source and secondary source, 2018. [online] Available through;
<https://businesscasestudies.co.uk/food-standards-agency/market-research-and-
consumer-protection/primary-and-secondary-research.html>.
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APPENDIX
Project Logbook
Name:
Project title:
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved.
I have completed research on the Impact of new product development to support organisation in
expanding business at global level.
Yes, I on track and able to complete project on time.
I don't need any changes in project management plan.
Any risks and/or issues identified?
Yes I have issue in performing research. Uninterested respondents is one of the biggest issue.
Problems encountered
Personal problems among team mates is also issues which arise at work place. I conduct various
entertainment activities so harmony can be achieved among them.
New ideas and change of project direction
What have I learnt about myself this week?
I complete my all task within specified limit/. This help me to perform research project in
appropriate manner. I plan research activities for next week.
Tasks planned for next week
I am able to complete my operations in effective and signifiant manner.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
my project was on time.
Supervisor comments to address
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Performance Review
What was the project supposed to accomplish?
Research project is done for Impact of new product development to support organisation in
expanding business at global level.
Did the project succeed in its aims? How do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes I am able to achieve aims and objectives of research.
What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project (e.g. initial
inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range of perspectives.
Team sprite and group working are the best things which gives positive results.
What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there timely
identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
Time mismanagement and conflict among team works are issues which arise while performing
research.
What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I am able to enhance my knowledge related to launching a new product into new market and
able to know importance for an organisation.
How would you rate your performance as project manager?
I rate my performance 9 out of 10.
What strengths and weaknesses of your performance did you identify?
My strength was futuristic approach for solving problem and weakness is lack of confidence.
How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
Continuous professional development is helpful in achieving targets and this is helpful in future
activities also.
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