Determining How Globalisation Drives Business Success: M&S Case Study

This research project explores the impact of globalisation on business success, with a specific focus on Marks and Spencer (M&S) as a case study. The introduction provides an overview of globalisation, its benefits, and the rationale for studying its effects on M&S. The literature review delves into the concept of globalisation, its benefits in the context of M&S, the effects of globalisation on the company's success, and the challenges it faces. The research methodology outlines the type of investigation, research philosophy, approach, data collection methods, sampling, and timeline. The report further includes data analysis and interpretation, research outcomes (conclusion and recommendations), and a reflection on alternative research methodologies. The study aims to identify the importance of globalisation and its role in driving business success, addressing research questions related to globalisation's concept, benefits, effects, and challenges for M&S.

Research Project

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Overview of research........................................................................................................1
1.2 Background of the Research.............................................................................................1
1.3 Rationale of the project....................................................................................................2
1.4 Research Aim...................................................................................................................2
1.5 Research Objectives.........................................................................................................2
1.6 Research Questions..........................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................4
2.1 Concept of globalisation...................................................................................................4
2.2 Benefits of globalisation in context with Marks and Spencer.........................................4
2.3 Affects of globalisation on success of Marks and Spencer..............................................5
2.4 Challenges that can be faced by Marks and Spencer while globalising their business...6
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................8
3.1 Type of Investigation........................................................................................................8
3.2 Research Philosophy........................................................................................................8
3.3 Research Approach...........................................................................................................9
3.4 Data collection..................................................................................................................9
3.5 Sampling.........................................................................................................................10
3.6 Timeline..........................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION....................................................12
CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH OUTCOMES....................................................................................25
5.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................25
5.2 Recommendation............................................................................................................25
CHAPTER 6: REFLECTION & RECOMMENDATION FOR ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................................26

6.1 Reflection.......................................................................................................................26
6.2 Alternative Research Methodology................................................................................26
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................27
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................28
APPENDIX ...................................................................................................................................30
Research Proposal Form.......................................................................................................30
Research Ethics approval form.............................................................................................33

Topic: “How globalisation drive business towards success”
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
TITLE: To determine how globalisation can drive business towards success. A Case Study on
Marks and Spencer.
1.1 Overview of research
Globalisation is not a new concept because every individual knows about how it is
providing benefits to an organisation. Globalisation has provided a platform where company can
come together and interact with each other so as to gain competitive advancement. Therefore, it
can be said that globalisation has provided numerous opportunities to firms in order to operate its
business in an effective manner (Alejandra Gonzalez-Perez, 2013). It is because of globalisation
that company has increased the level of competition. Major benefits that has been gained by
companies because of globalisation is that it has given opportunities of expanding its
geographical dispersion because of which company has increased its customer's base.
Globalisation is not confined with only economic aspects it has included other elements as well
such as cultural awareness, exchange of tools and technologies, etc., therefore, because of this,
company can now include employees who are skilful enough in performing their activities in an
effective manner. Therefore, this report will help researcher in evaluating the how globalisation
takes business towards success. What all are the factors that must be consider by company so
that better outcomes can be gained. For this aims and objectives will be formulated on which
entire research will be based. Along with this, different methodology will be undertaken such as
primary and secondary so that research can be made effective in nature. As a result, this will aid
in evaluating a valid conclusion for making research more reliable in nature (Apăvăloaie, 2014).
1.2 Background of the Research
Globalisation is considered to be a very wide concept as it includes different kinds of
elements that can further assist company in delivering effective services and facilities. Marks and
Spencer, is a multinational company that deals in the sector of retail industry that it is providing
excellent services and facilities to its customers. It is a biggest retailer and has almost 150 stores
in around 30 countries consisting 130 franchise operating in all over world. The overseas
branches of this business firm are franchised locally. This research will be effective in
determining places where firm can gain maximum benefits (Appel, Franz and Hassler, 2014).
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The main reason of Marks & Spencer behind making the business globalise is to target the newt
market and also enhance its market share in an effective manner. In business, globalisation is
change from firm that is related with single country to one that operate its business in many other
countries in an effective manner. In addition to this, economic globalisation is global integration
of an economies by investment flows as well as trade in context to increase international
competitiveness. On the other hand, globalisation had driven through financial liberalisation and
technological change through appreciation between policy makers (Axelrod and VanDeveer,
2014).
1.3 Rationale of the project
Globalisation is a crucial component which is providing advantage to companies, it is
enabling company in operating its business across international borders. Thus, this research will
help in understanding how globalisation can help company in gaining success and competitive
advancement. Along with this, it will aid firm in operating business properly considering the
factors that can hamper their business operations (Kasemsap, 2015). Apart from this, conducting
this research will help researcher in evaluating limitations as well.
1.4 Research Aim
Aim of this research is to “To identify the importance of globalisation and its role of
taking business towards success. A Case Study on Marks and Spencer.
1.5 Research Objectives
 To determine the concept of globalisation.
 To identify the benefits of globalisation in context with Marks and Spencer.
 To evaluate the affects of globalisation on success of Marks and Spencer.
 To identify challenges that can be faced by Marks and Spencer while globalising their
business.
1.6 Research Questions
 What do you understand by the concept of globalisation?
 What kind of benefits Marks and Spencer can gain because of globalisation?
 How globalisation can put an affect on success of Marks and Spencer?
 What are the challenges that can be faced by Marks and Spencer while globalising their
business?
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review refers to review of the ongoing as well as completed investigation that
has been conducted to determine the current methodologies in an effective manner. It is mainly
summarize and determine the findings which are related with specific research area. In order to
collect the data, researcher uses the secondary sources for an instance books, journals, articles
and many others.
2.1 Concept of globalisation
In the present world of economy which we think it totally based on globalization. Today's
world growing rapidly therefore, globalization is also a part of market with independent things
such as consuming similar goods, and responds to the same as other market. It is growth rate of
world as a proportion output. This concept focuses on their foreign direct investment (FDI) in
developing countries, and it resulted become so high which crosses the foreign exchange market
of world. According to Williamson (2019), Globalization is the process of interaction among
people, companies & government worldwide. It considered by form of capitalist expansion
which is the integration of local and national economies in a global time. This concept increased
interaction for the future growth of International Trade, ideas, and culture, also focusing on
social and culture aspects. Therefore, their conflicts are also large part of the globalization &
modern globalization. Another aspect that globalization had been used in its economic sense at
least as early as 1981, this concept has inspired by some definitions and interpretations. Now it
has become more useful usage through social and economies from cross country flow of
information, technologies, ideas, capital, finance and people. Globalization also determined three
channels that is Trade in goods and services, Movement of capital and flow of finance.
2.2 Benefits of globalisation in context with Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer is a well established organisation of UK which deals with the
exporting of products like food, clothes, household accessories. On the basis of opinion of
Rossum (2017), it has been stated that Globalisation is exporting and importing of products
between different countries. M&S is a retail company that is into exporting of its products to
other countries. M&S has experienced profits in expanding their business in foreign countries. It
is an example for other companies. The performance of M&S shows that trading globally is risky
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but if company handles difficulties it will succeed. There are some benefits of globalisation to
business of Marks and Spencer mention below:
 Trading globally helps the company to contribute in country's economy by increasing the
profit in foreign businesses. Globalisation helps the company to expand its market and
sell products to new customers. While exporting products to foreign people company gets
to learn about the customer requirements of that area and how to deal with problems of
foreign customers.
 It helps to know trends and traits of other countries. Financial growth is most important
benefit of trading globally. M&S is retail organisation that supplies food items, clothes
and luxury accessories to other countries it help to build reputation of brand in front of
people of other countries.
 With the help of globalisation, company can target new market and also can enhance its
market share in a better manner.
2.3 Affects of globalisation on success of Marks and Spencer
On the basis of opinion of Elkins (2018) it has been stated that Globalisation is force that
shape contemporary world, affecting the business, society and environment. It is an ongoing
procedure that is connecting people, regions, countries closely together. In addition to this,
globalisation has a trends towards enhancing global economic integration and it is one of largest
force that impacting economies of world. The impact of globalisation on success of Marks and
Spencer can be positive and negative.
Positive impact of globalisation on Marks and Spencer
Competition- Under this, globalisation leads to enhanced competition in business. It can
be concerned to cost of services or product, technological adaption, target market etc. When
company produces products at minimum cost then it can enhance its market share.
Rise in technology- In this present time period, globalisation has allowed significant rise
in technology. The Marks and Spencer adopts and uses new technology in order to gain new
business opportunities. In addition to this, technology is main competition tool and quality of
services. Under this, globalisation has maximise technological transfer speed along with make
improvement in technological quality.
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Employment- It is a main benefit that people get from the globalisation. Due to the
globalisation, people from the different countries are given with jobs. In addition to this, it also
developed outsourcing concept.
Negative impact of globalisation on Marks and Spencer
Fluctuation in costs- Under this, globalisation has led to the fluctuation in cost across
globe in different areas. Due to enhanced competition, Marks and Spencer is forced to reduce
cost of its products or services. It develops negative impact on business as well as minimize
ability for sustain the social welfare.
Job Insecurity in Business- In United Kingdom, job security risk is enhancing. The
globalisation has lead the companies to outsourcing jobs in the other countries. In order to this,
outsourcing occurs because company want to produce its service or product at minimum rate. On
the other hand, globalisation has led to labour exploitation. The safety standards are to be
ignored in order to manufacture the cheap products.
Outsourcing work- On the basis sf Elkins (2018), it has been stated that Foreign
workforce provide the cheap labour for several service- related positions but control of service
quality, time delays and shipping expenses can develop hidden costs. On the other hand,
outsourcing work that is internal function many assess to reduce expenses of firm. So, quality of
work can be suffer and develop more expenses due to language barriers.
2.4 Challenges that can be faced by Marks and Spencer while globalising their business
As per opinion of Miller (2019), it has been stated that managing global business has
more difficult. Firms are gapping with the constant modification from rise of an economic
nationalism, enhancing regulation, strengthening the economic activity in an emerging markets
etc. There are some challenges given below which are faced through Marks and Spencer at the
time of making its business globalise:
Lack of financial control- It is a main challenge that Marks and Spencer mostly face in
maintaining the financial control over its business operations, mainly entering in emerging
markets. Organisations do not have proper standardised procedures in order to assure the
compliance across locations. For conducting business or operations in another countries, firm
need and manage more money.
Human Resources and Talent Management- There is a need to Marks and Spencer to
focus on hiring right people in right place at the time of implementing global strategy. For
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performing business activities in other country, there is a requirement to human resource
department of Marks & Spencer to hire well qualifies and capable employee that can able to
perform business operations in an effective manner. For provide training to employees, there is a
more costs included and it will be expenses for firm.
Culture- The culture plays a necessary role in globalisation. Under this, culture of every
country is different from the each other. When Marks and Spencer company is going to make its
business globalise then it face the culture related issues. This company do not have knowledge
about the working culture, rules, policies, communication style etc. of other country. So, before
conducting business an another country, it is necessary to conduct an investigation to know about
the culture and working environment. With the help of this, it can not face any kind of issue in
making business globalise.
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CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is regarded as key aspect of research work as it is helpful for a researcher to providing
an appropriate direction for execution of activities in an effective manner. Under this, research
methodology is theoretical and systematic evaluation of methods which require to be applied in
chosen research area (Bailey and et al., 2018). In addition to this, it comprises as theoretical
analysis of body of different principles as well as methods which are related with knowledge
branch. It is helpful in performing all research activities in an effective manner and provide
positive outcomes.
3.1 Type of Investigation
Investigation is a systematic process of collecting or gathering information or data from
various sources to discover or prove the facts (Ferraro and Briody, 2017). It encompasses various
fields law, science, communication etc. Research should be valid, reliable, accurate and submit it
on given time. Investigation is classified into two types which are follows:
Qualitative Research: It is a method of observing and gathering the data from various
resources in non-numerical data. This method answers the participants “what”they think and
“why” they think in particular way. It can be concluded on the basis of respondents responses or
by doing random sampling. It involves open ended questions (Baud and Durand, 2012).
Quantitative Research: Quantitative research is a systematic approach of collecting and
analysing the data from surveys, questionnaire in numerical form. There is a slight difference in
both the researchers i.e. qualitative data describes whereas quantitative data defines. It collects
objective and unbiased approach. It contains close ended questions (Epifanova and et. al., 2015).
For this project researcher use Qualitative research to collect the data because it provides
the theoretical framework which explore the knowledge by getting varies of opinion and views.
3.2 Research Philosophy
It is a most necessary part of the research project that is helpful in carried out work in a
proper direction. It is belief about way under which data and information regarding phenomenon
should be collected, analysed and also used. The research philosophy deals with nature,
development and source (Belás and et. al., 2014). There are two different kinds of research
philosophies given below as above:
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Positivism- It consists use of the exiting theory for develop the hypothesis to be tested at
the time of research process. This philosophy is based on the idea that science is only way to
learn about truth. It is based on the quantitative research method and also provides the statistical
information (Crane and Matten, 2016).
Interpretivism- It is known as interpretivist that includes to interpret components of
study. Under this investigators presume that access to the reality is by social constructions. In
addition to this, it emphasized the qualitative analysis as comparison to quantitative analysis.
Among both given philosophies, researcher use interpretivism as it is helpful in giving
the qualitative report through which investigator can able to evaluate data at various levels (Belás
and et. al., 2015).
3.3 Research Approach
It is procedure and plan that included steps of wider assumption to the detailed data
collection method. There are two different kinds of research approaches mention below:
Inductive- The main aim of this research approach is exploring the new phenomenon or
look towards previous research phenomenon from various perspectives. It is related with
generation of the new theory that emerging from data or information.
Deductive- The deductive research approach is emphasise on causality and also related
with the quantitative investigation (Colen, Maertens and Swinnen, 2012).
This research is based on inductive research because it provides detailed information
about specific research area.
3.4 Data collection
Data collection is a systematic method of gathering data from different sources in order to
get a accurate data, relevant answer to make prediction for future probabilities. Data collection is
broadly classified into two categories:
Primary Data: Primary data refers researcher collect the data for first time from any
respondents. It reduces the duplicate of information and provides accurate data at first hand.
There are some ways of collect data i.e. questionnaire, face to face interview, telephonic
interview, schedule ( Beynon-Davies, 2013).
Secondary data: Secondary data defines that investigator gather information from
another source i.e. not at the first hand. Researcher collect reviews from existing data i.e. which
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