Project Management and Globalization: A Case Study of Marks & Spencer

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments. This project analyzes globalization's impact on Marks & Spencer.

Managing a Successful Business Project
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Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
LO1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario................................................4
P2. Produce a project management plan...............................................................................5
P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and
stages for completion.............................................................................................................7
M1: Produce a comprehensive milestone schedule...............................................................8
LO 2...........................................................................................................................................9
P4. Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
methods..................................................................................................................................9
M2. Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of different research methods applied...............12
D1. Critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research
methodologies applied.........................................................................................................13
LO3..........................................................................................................................................14
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques................................14
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to
draw valid and meaningful conclusions...............................................................................24
M3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity
to support and justify recommendations..............................................................................25
LO4..........................................................................................................................................26
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own
learning and performance.....................................................................................................26
M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to
meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance.....................................27
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decision-making process
and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support justification
of recommendations and learning during the project...........................................................28
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Conclusion................................................................................................................................29
References................................................................................................................................30
Appendices...............................................................................................................................31
Project Log Book:................................................................................................................31
Performance Review............................................................................................................32
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Introduction
The business organization is always under the influence of the factors related to the market
and business environment. Globalization is one of those factors that affect the internal as well
as external operations of an organization. In this report, the positive cultural, economic, and
ethical impacts of globalization on the business tasks of Marks and Spencer are discussed
thoroughly. Research is being conducted on the same for which qualitative and quantitative
methods are brought into use. The operations that get affected by globalization are HR,
operations, and accounting. The following report discusses the project management plan,
timelines of conducting research, and the data collection methodology along with the data
analysis part. In addition to this, a small reflection of the overall learning from the report is
given.
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LO1
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario.
The main aim of carrying out this research is to determine the positive cultural, economic,
and ethical impacts of globalization on HR and marketing operations of Marks and Spencer.
The objective of the projects are:-
 To determine the influence of globalization in the business world in general
 To carry out primary research to understand the stakeholders perspective on the
impacts of globalization on business entity
 To recommend certain suggestions to Marks and Spencer in carrying out HR and
Marketing operations in the global market.
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P2. Produce a project management plan
It is important to understand the project management in order to develop a well-efficient plan.
It is characterized by the application of methods, processes, skills, knowledge, and experience
in order to accomplish the project goals and objectives. The project management plan
comprises defining the need for carrying out the project (Glavina, 2015). In addition to this, it
is all about estimating project requirement, budget, resources, and timescales. Another
purpose of carrying out this project is determining and managing risks associated with the
project.
Project scope
Looking into the objectives of the project, the scope of this project is to determine the impact
of the phenomenon called globalization on the HR and marketing operations of Marks and
Spencer. The main functions of HR that will be covered in the project are employee
satisfaction, employee efficiency, employee-manager relationship, ethical considerations, etc.
In addition to this, the marketing aspects of the Marks and Spencer are profitability,
investment channel in the global market (Giddens, 2018). For this purpose, the qualitative
and quantitative research methods will be employed. The research will make use of primary
data collection method like survey and questionnaire to collect primary data of the
stakeholders. Once the data is collected, the same will be analyzed by making use of data
analysis tools, such as MS Excel.
Project cost
There are many tasks that might require external assistance and needs some amount of funds.
The project cost allocation is required in order to carry out things that might consume more
resources and funds.
Project Aspects Cost
R&D Operations $1400
Data collection and analysis $400
Procurement of Resources $1500
Miscellaneous $100
Project Time
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The project is needed to be completed well on time otherwise, it will consume more resources
and funds of the organization. The project time is from December 2, 2018, to February 20,
2019. All the activities associated with the team needs to be done between these two dates
mentioned above.
Project Communication
The well-established communication channel is an important aspect for carrying out a
successful project. Since different teams are associated with this project, the manager at
Marks and Spencer should take care of the communication plan that clearly mentions the
concerning authority and the contact number and other information (Noble and Smith, 2015).
In addition to this, it should clearly mention the meeting schedule, date, the topic of
discussion, and outcomes.
Project Risk
The risk associated with this research project is:-
 The exceeding cost due to price escalation making the project hard to carry out.
 Changing the scope of the project with time due to natural and man-made factors.
 The poor performance of employees in carrying out primary research
 Data biases are other risks.
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P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and
stages for completion.
The complete project is carried out in small parts and that too phase-wise. These phases are
clearly enlisted in the Work Breakdown Structure as shown below:-
Figure 1: Work Breakdown Structure
Source: By Author, 2019
Gantt chart
The purpose of formulating the research Gantt chart is to understand the activities’ order and
the time consumed by them. A Gantt chart is shown below:-
Activities 2-6 Dec 7-14 Dec 15-28 Dec 29 Dec-4 Jan 5-11 Jan 12-18 Jan 19-24 Jan 25 Jan-1 Feb 2-8 Feb 9-15 Feb 16-19 Feb 20-Feb
Idea Generation
Deciding Aim and Objectives and project plan
Research Designing and Methodology
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Data Correction
Inferences and Recommendations
Final Documentation and Review
Project Closure
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Work Break
Down Structure
Initiation
Generation of
Ideas
Planning
Market
Analysis
Marketing
Strategies
Employee
Analysis
Execution
Policy
Launching
Post-Launch
Strategy
Monitoring &
Controlling
Employee
feedback
Analysis
Closures
Documentation

M1: Produce a comprehensive milestone schedule
The project milestone is provided to make sure that all the activities associated with the
project are on the right track and are getting completed within the stipulated time. In addition
to this, this would help in monitoring the project (Tavakol and Sandars, 2014).
Figure 3: Milestone Scheduling of the Project
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LO 2
P4. Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
methods.
For this project, the qualitative and quantitative methods are used. The reason for which is
that the project requires both qualitative and quantitative data. For instance, marketing data
will be quantitative. In addition to this, HR-related data is more or less qualitative. The plan
of action of Marks and Spencer uses the best and proper measurable strategy (which is
reasonable for the company) for leading the project. The qualitative technique for research is
discovered to be the best and productive strategy for HR operation and impact of
globalization on them as in light of the fact that it portrays about the "profound bits of
knowledge" of the business plan of the company. Both the strategies for research are between
related &inter-connected. For the effective completion of the project, the plan of action of
Marks and Spencer is directed by making use of the questionnaire. The quantitative strategy
for research incorporates the perception of the employees and consumers of the company.
The correct method of survey is being exhibited before all the potential members and the
potential clients. This is the widely utilized technique for gathering the fitting information
and data.
Under the technique for observation, a legitimate perception is being completed by the
business association, in understanding the frame of mind and conduct of the potential
individuals. With the assistance of straightforward perceptions, quantitative information and
viable data can be accumulated. The meeting strategy incorporates the productive verbal
correspondence among every one of the members and compelling surveyors. The business
organization can either go for the organized type of meeting or the unstructured structure, as
indicated by its reasonableness. The records technique for research empowers the
organization to gather the factual and likewise the numerical type of information either from
the auxiliary wellsprings of with the assistance of essential sources, that is, the records of the
business association from the web sources.
A questionnaire is provided below for primary data collection for this research. This would
help in determining the positive impacts of globalization on HR and marketing operations of
the company.
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Questionnaire
1. Do you think globalization can affect the culture of Marks and Spencer?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t Know
2. What could be the primary characteristics of the culture of an organization?
 Flexibility
 Customer Orientation
 Employee satisfaction
3. Can globalization impact the ethical environment within an organization?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t Know
4. Can globalization impact the working relationship between managers and staff?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t Know
5. What do you think globalization do to an organization?
 It increases profitability
 It decreases profitability
 It has no effect on profitability
6. Do you think globalization impact upon the policies and regulations within an
organization?
 Yes
 No
 Don’t Know
7. Do you think globalization has impacted the decision-making of Marks and Spencer?
 Yes
 No
 No Idea
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8. Globalization impacts the team-work within an organization. Is it True or False?
9. In what way globalization has affected Marks and Spencer?
 It has increased efficiency
 It has increased innovation
 It has decreased efficiency
 It has decreased innovation
10. What is the best way for the company to invest in the global market?
 Online
 Offline
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