The Positive Influence of Globalization on Shell's Business Operations

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MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECT
Ascertaining the positive economic, ethical and cultural influences of the globalisation on
functions of business with reference to Shell- a global oil company

ABSTRACT
The purpose of the research project is to ascertain the positive economic, ethical and cultural
influences of globalization on the different functions such as human resources, operations,
marketing and account of business within the organization such as Shell. Both qualitative, as
well as quantitative research methodology, was used. A questionnaire survey of focus group
including 50 employees of Shell Oil Company was conducted in the research. The findings of
the research identified the positive economic, ethical and cultural influence of globalisation on
the business functions of Shell Oil Company. At last, recommendations were given to Shell Oil
Company to focus on the economic, cultural and ethical factors of the global business
environment and response accordingly to not only remain sustainable but also thrive in the
international market.

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 4
BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY................................................................................................. 5
ACTIVITY 1- RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN.................................................................6
LO1.................................................................................................................................................6
P1................................................................................................................................................... 6
Project Title................................................................................................................................6
Project Statement......................................................................................................................6
Project Aim and Objectives........................................................................................................6
Literature Review.......................................................................................................................8
P2 and M1......................................................................................................................................9
Cost Objectives.......................................................................................................................... 9
Project Scope............................................................................................................................. 9
Included Scope...........................................................................................................................9
Excluded Scope........................................................................................................................ 10
Timeframe and time management..........................................................................................10
Quality Control.........................................................................................................................10
Communication Plan................................................................................................................11
Documentation........................................................................................................................ 11
Risk Management.................................................................................................................... 11
Resource Requirements...........................................................................................................12
P3 and M1....................................................................................................................................12

Gantt chart (Time Schedule)....................................................................................................12
Work Breakdown Structure..................................................................................................... 12
ACTIVITY 2 – PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND LOG BOOK.........................................................14
LO2............................................................................................................................................... 14
P4 and M2 Small-Scale Research and accuracy and reliability of different research methods
applied..................................................................................................................................... 14
ACTIVITY 3 - RESEARCH ANALYSIS AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW................................................17
LO3 and LO4................................................................................................................................ 17
P5 and M3 Data Analysis and Interpretation with appropriate tools and techniques
Interpretation and Discussion..................................................................................................17
P6 Recommendations and meaningful conclusion..................................................................22
P7 and M4 Reflection...............................................................................................................23
REFERENCES.................................................................................................................................25
APPENDICES................................................................................................................................. 27
APPENDIX 1: Project Logbook Template..................................................................................27
APPENDIX 2: Performance Review Template...........................................................................31
Appendix 3: Questionnaire...................................................................................................... 32

INTRODUCTION
The business organization engages in any economic or commercial activities with the aim to
survive, make a profit and grow in its operating environment. Earlier, the company used to
operate in only one country which resulted in stagnation in the market leading to saturation.
The advent of globalisation made it easier for the organization to grow and develop in other
countries and serve the people (Philip, 2011). New ways and methods were introduced to
connect, carry out, collaborate business as well as build association among people.
Globalisation presence in the business environment exposed the business organization with
different society and community and also has affected the ways of doing business and also the
core of business functions. It eliminated the trade barriers and allowed the business
organizations to exchange the goods, labours, services, technology and capital (Foss et al.,
2013). There are different factors of the macro environment such as political, social economic,
cultural technological, ethical and environmental that affects the organization and its different
business functions.
The globalisation affects these macro environment factors which in turn affects the business
organization. New ways and methods are adopted by business organizations to respond to
global trends. Globalisation impacts the economic environment and provides the opportunity
to the organization to exchange good, services, capital and even labour all over the world
(Moncada-Paternò-Castello et al., 2011). Globalisation also affects the ethical environment
thereby providing an opportunity to the organisation to raise awareness about the rights and
responsibilities related to humanity and the environment and also express their ethical
concern.
Also, globalisation allowed cultural exposure so as to be aware of the various cultures of the
community or society all over the world. The globalisation resulted enhances the strengths of
the business organization through the creation of synergies. This business project is conducted
to ascertain the positive economic, ethical and cultural influences of the globalisation of
different functions of business with reference to Shell- a global oil company.

BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY
Shell was incorporated in 1912 and is an international energy company that is expert in
exploration, refining, production and marketing of oil, natural gas and also chemicals. Its parent
company is Royal Dutch Shell which is incorporated in England and Wales. The purpose of Shell
is to collaboratively progress power with more as well as clean energy solutions (Shell, 2019).
The company operates in more than 70 countries with an average of 82,000 employees. It has
sold around 71 million tonnes of LNG during the year and produces about 3.7 million barrels of
oil per day. The revenue of the company is $388.4 billion in 2018 and has invested about $986
million in research and development (Shell, 2019).

ACTIVITY 1- RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
LO1
P1
Project Title
“Ascertaining the positive economic, ethical and cultural influences of the globalisation on
functions of business with reference to Shell- a global oil company”
Project Statement
Different factors such as political, social, economic, cultural and environmental aspects of the
globalisation affect the activities and operations of Shell. These influences can be positive or
negative or mutual. The organization must look for the positive influences so as to strengthen
the operations and activities of the business and also look for the negative influences so as to
prevent itself and grow in global business environments (Koonmee et al., 2010). Small-Scale
research is carried out to ascertain the positive economic, ethical and cultural influences of
globalisation on different functions such as human resources, operations, marketing and
account of business within the organization such as Shell.
Project Aim and Objectives
The aim of this business project is to ascertain the positive economic, ethical and cultural
influences of the globalisation on functions of business with reference to Shell- a global oil
company. The research objectives are:
1. To identify the relationship between different functions of Shell and influencing aspects
of globalisation
2. To ascertain the positive economic, ethical and cultural influences of the globalisation
on functions of business within Shell

3. To provide suggestions to consider the positive economic, ethical and cultural influences
of the globalisation for effectively utilise for sustainable operation and expansion of
Shell.

Literature Review
Globalisation is a ubiquitous term which is commonly used in this global business world. This
has resulted in numbers of opportunities for the business to work outside their home country
and expand in this highly competitive business world. Though there are both positive and
negative effects of globalisation, the company can focus on the positive and negative effects so
as to maximise the positive effects and minimise negative effects.
A study by Philip (2011) determines the factors of the business that affects the success of the
business. This study helped in minimizing the risk of failure and maximizes the chances of
success for the small and medium-sized businesses. It provides a useful insight for the
lawmakers and entrepreneurs in an underdeveloped country like Bangladesh. It was revealed
that the products and services, management know-how, the way of doing business and
external environment are some of the factors that affect the success of SMEs in Bangladesh.
In another study by Koonmee et al (2010), the relationship between ethics institutionalization,
job-related outcomes of employee and quality of work-life is investigated. Human resources
managers of about 514 Thai companies were involved to identify that the implicit ethics
institutionalization form is positively related with both lower-order as well as higher-order
aspects of quality work life. Also it the three job- the related outcome of the employee such as
job satisfaction, team spirit and organizational commitment were positively impacted by
implicit ethics institutionalization form and both the aspects of quality work life.
Due to the expansion of the companies in the international market, there is an increase in their
responsibilities that is not only based on the economic motive of profitability but also other
social as well as environmental factors. This study was conducted to identify the influences of
national culture and geographic environment on the corporate social performance of the
company. An empirical test was conducted on the global corporate social performance of the
businesses from 49 countries and revealed that the corporate social performance is significantly
associated with the cultural dimensions of Hofstede (Ho et al., 2012). Also, the European
companies were observed to outperform other regions and countries in corporate social
performance.

P2 and M1
Cost Objectives
Cost of the research project is referred to the expenses incurred by the researcher while
undertaking the research. It includes the comparison of the actual and predicted expenses that
were incurred for the project through earned value management technique.
Particulars Predicted costs (in £) Actual costs (in £)
Support staff salaries £100 £112
Refreshment for support
staff
£50 £55
Travel and maintenance £60 £55
Stationery materials and
tools
£80 £83
General research materials £20 £21
IT networks, peripherals and
software
£150 £154
Other administrative costs £50 £45
Coupons to participants £30 £60
Total £540 £585
Project Scope
Project scope comprises of both included and excluded scope. It determines the process and
activities of the research.
Included Scope
This research project aims to ascertain the positive economic, ethical and cultural influences of
globalisation on different functions such as human resources, operations, marketing and
account of business within Shell. The quantitative and qualitative research method is included
along with both primary and secondary pieces of research to conduct the research in an

unbiased and analytical manner (Zheng et al., 2010). A questionnaire survey will be conducted
on the focused group that is the employees of Shell through email.
Excluded Scope
This research does not cover all the impacts of organization excluding economic, ethical and
cultural. It is not bound by any geographical location. It does not ascertain the impact of
globalisation on business functions except human resources, operations, marketing and
account function of Shell. This research excludes the negative economic, ethical and cultural
influences of the globalisation on above-mentioned functions of Shell. The reliability and
accuracy of the research project are excluded due to continuous changes in the external
business environment (Boons et al., 2013). Also, the continuous change in human perception
and views of the participants makes it less reliable for the research.
Timeframe and time management
Timeframe or time management is referred to as the time allotted to complete whole research
and its activities. The timeframe determined for completion of the project is 8 weeks with the
start date on 17th January 2019 and end date on 20th March 2019. The timely completion of the
research project was ensured by preparing the Gantt chart, project logbook and work
breakdown structure in order to manage and control the time for a research project (Koonmee
et al., 2010).
Quality Control
Quality management is referred to as specific deliverables to meet the project objectives as
well as performance standards. There are several factors that affect the quality and outcome of
the research project. The research project is to be carried out in an unbiased and lawful manner
by considering the ethical considerations (Ho et al., 2012). In case of any issues or concern
occurred during any of the activities, the project supervisors will be consulted for their advice
and guidance, this will helps in controlling the quality of the research and at the same time
ensure correct direction or progress of the research. There are certain factors that cannot be
controlled such as volatility of perceptions and views of the participants and consistent changes

in the global business environment. Primary and secondary researches will be carried out using
quantitative research to meet the aims and objectives of the research.
Communication Plan
Communication in the project involves communication planning, performance reporting, and
information distribution. Regular communication is maintained to gather guidance and advice
from the project supervisor for the successful completion of the research aims and objectives
(Hirst and Thompson, 2011). The details of the research are interacted to the participants using
email so as to enhance their willingness in taking part in a questionnaire survey. Research
experts and IT professionals regularly interacted so as to successfully perform primary research.
Documentation
Documentation is referred to effectively collecting and gathering the information for the
research project (Noe et al., 2017). The research project was recorded in Ms-word. Also, the
data collected for the research were gathered and analysed using tables and charts from Ms-
excel. It is a formal digital report that includes a project logbook, performance review template
in the appendix section.
Risk Management
Risks in the project are those contingencies that can hinder the successful completion of the
research. The major concern for this research is the unwillingness of employees in the focused
group to participate. The participants were offered coupons to increase the willingness of the
participants. Another risk is exceeding the project budget, cost-effective tools such as
questionnaire survey, email and Ms-excel is used to avoid surpassing budget (Aggarwal, 2011).
Time management is another crucial factor which is to be managed effectively. Work
breakdown structure, Gantt chart and project logbook will be used effectively to manage time
and avoid any delay. Also, any unrelated or unfamiliar tools or methodology of the research is
not used as it may enhance risk and negative influence the whole research.