How COVID-19 Affected Spanish Society: Dissertation Analysis

This dissertation investigates the comprehensive impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Spanish society. The study begins with an introduction to the virus and its global spread, emphasizing the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, and its subsequent effects. The research aims to analyze the economic impacts on Spain, the challenges faced by Spanish organizations in managing their workforce, and the overall influence on Spanish society. The methodology includes a literature review exploring the outbreak, economic conditions, organizational challenges, and societal effects. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing thematic analysis to interpret data collected. The findings highlight the significant economic downturn in Spain, challenges in workforce management, and broad societal changes. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the key findings, providing insights into the long-term effects of the pandemic on Spanish society, and offering recommendations for future research and policy interventions.

Dissertation - How coronavirus
has affected on the Spanish
society

Table of Contents
TOPIC- How coronavirus has affected on the Spanish society.......................................................4
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Background of the research....................................................................................................4
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................5
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................5
Research Questions................................................................................................................5
Rationale of Research.............................................................................................................5
Problem Statement..................................................................................................................6
Significance of the study........................................................................................................6
Structure of the project...........................................................................................................6
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................8
Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus.............................................................................................8
Impact of Novel Coronavirus on Spanish economic conditions..........................................10
Challenges faced by Spanish organisations due to Novel Coronavirus in managing workforce
..............................................................................................................................................12
Influence of Novel Coronavirus on Spanish society............................................................14
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................16
Introduction..........................................................................................................................16
Research onion.....................................................................................................................16
Research philosophy.............................................................................................................16
Research approach................................................................................................................17
Research strategy..................................................................................................................17
Research design....................................................................................................................17
Data collection methods.......................................................................................................18
Data sampling.......................................................................................................................20
Research instrument.............................................................................................................20
Data analysis.........................................................................................................................20
Ethical consideration............................................................................................................21
DATA ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................22

Thematic analysis.................................................................................................................23
CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION...........................................................................................32
Conclusion............................................................................................................................32
Discussion.............................................................................................................................32
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................36

TOPIC- How coronavirus has affected on the Spanish society
INTRODUCTION
In medical science, the term “Coronavirus” is considered to be an acute infective
respiratory sickness (disease), which has affected the whole world due to newly discovered virus
named as SARS-CoV-2 or COVID 19. First human case that came in front reported in Wuhan
City, China, in the end of 2019. According to the study, it can be said that earliest known cases
linked with food market of the city named as Wuhan in China. It has been analysed initially most
of the Coronavirus patients were regular visitors of the market, employees working in market,
stall owners of the food market (Gupta, 2020). Including this, it can be said that outbreak started
from then only and on January 1st of 2020, the Food market was forced to be closed. On the other
hand, if it is talked about Spanish Society then spread of coronavirus has affected it in different
ways. Basically, the ignorance about the disease is having great impact on the country’s
economy and most of the activities. Many of the economists said that, Coronavirus raised much
more crucial concerns then for Spain then the financial crisis which took place in 2007.
Therefore, it can easily be said that continuous economic losses may be greater than those
already estimated, but the crisis has just started and there is no predictions can be done of the
time, that this disease will reach to an end because almost all the antibiotics which are utilised to
control Coronavirus are not showing positive results. The one and only solution to Pandemic
COVID-19 is to develop a vaccine, that will both boost the immune system and kill the virus.
Background of the research
Over the years, world is dealing with various deadly diseases like Ebola, Plague, and so
on but in the past there was no virus or bacteria has carried a huge impact on economic
conditions, society and other activities just like Novel Coronavirus did. Due to outbreak of
Coronavirus, basically international economy has started getting early effects like rise in
financial crisis due to order given by government of every single country (dealing with outbreak
of Corona Virus) to lock the market. The reason that came in front of lockdown was that, SARS-
CoV-2 is considered to be the disease which was continuously spreading in multiplications and
was contagious as well (Chakraborty and Maity, 2020). In present context, it can be said that
because of Pandemic COVID-19, Spain's economy got shrunk and it was record breaking with
the percentage of 5.2, in the first three months of 2020. Including this, if it is talked about its

impact on management of mostly all the organisations dealing within Spain then the decision
taken by Parliament of Spain has led them to give Work From Home to staff (whose work was
able to be performed from home), ask them to stay home without working and will be getting
paid as well and so on. This resulted into heavy losses and impacted negatively on financial
conditions of Spain.
Research Aim
The aim of this dissertation is “To analyse the impact of Novel Coronavirus on a society.
A case study on Spanish Society.”
Research Objectives
 To enhance the understanding regarding outbreak of Novel Coronavirus.
 To analyse the impact of Novel Coronavirus on Spanish economic conditions.
 To determine the challenges faced by Spanish organisations due to Novel Coronavirus in
managing workforce.
 To ascertain the influence of Novel Coronavirus on Spanish society.
Research Questions
 What do you understand by outbreak of Novel Coronavirus?
 What is the impact of Novel Coronavirus on Spanish economic conditions?
 What are the challenges faced by Spanish organisations due to Novel Coronavirus in
managing workforce?
 What is considered to be the influence of Novel Coronavirus on Spanish society?
Rationale of Research
The main reason behind conducting this investigation is to develop understanding on the
Coronavirus disease and its influence over the health as well as wealth of the people. The study
would also include information associated with the influence of the corona virus on the
businesses of Spanish. It has been determined that sudden entrance of COVID-19 has placed
major influence over the overall working practices across the world. Due to Covid - 19 many of
the businesses got affected a lot as they are not able to execute their business practices in the
normal routine life due to lock down in several areas which were initiated as the measure for
controlling corona virus and saving life of people (Sánchez-Álvarez and et. al., 2020). The study
would also display the main problems that have been faced by the businesses of Spanish for

maintaining their workforce at the time of Corona Virus. In addition to this, the respective study
would also contribute in acknowledging the overall impact of the Spanish society as lots of
people have lost their jobs due to COVID 19 which has not only affected their basic lifestyle but
at the same time it has made their life worst as they are having very limited number of options in
terms of finding out income sources with which their basic lifestyle can be managed in
appropriate manner.
Problem Statement
Corona virus has been acknowledged as one worst disease which has influenced basic
lifestyle of the people across the world. It has been analysed that this pandemic disease have
placed major effect on living life pattern of people in the society. With reference to the Spanish it
has been acknowledged that COVID 19 is such a disease that has affected their society in highly
negative manner (Kaba and Kitaw, 2020). This influence cannot be only seen in their normal
health condition but at the same time it is bringing negativity their routine life. In order to
develop understadning on the same especially emphaising on Spanish society so that
approproiate knowledge on the same can be developed efectively in the society.
Significance of the study
The core importance of this study is to find out major problems which is being faced by
Spanish people in their society due to Corona virus. Along with this, the study will also focus on
determining several ways through which this negative imapct can be tackled by the people so
that they can things could get managed effectively. Also, the study would be taken as the hope
for the people who are suffering a lot due to this (Rubio-San-Simon and et. al., 2020). Here, it
can be said that usage this study would also help them in managing their current situation and
improving their wealth so that their life can get sorted effectively with less number of issues.
Structure of the project
This section clearly depicts overall structure of the investigation that has been carried out by
investigator in order to conduct research in lucrative form. This investigation is mainly
consisting of the 5 main chapters which have been followed by the research for completing
investigation effectively (Valenzuela and et. al., 2020). It has been later seen that inclusion of
this section aware reader about the steps which have been followed by the investigator in an

effective manner. All five chapters of this investigation have been specified as below in detailed
manner.
Chapter 1: Introduction:- This is the first and foremost chapter of every investigation in
which researcher explains about the basic concept of research topic that is Coronavirus and its
influence over the Spanish society. In this chapter appropriate knowledge in given to the reader
about the research and core reason behind conducting this effectively (Rodríguez, 2020). The
main sub topics covered in this chapter are overview, background, research aim, objectives,
questions, rationale, problem statement and significance of the investigation.
Chapter 2: Literature review:- After completion of the introductory round, the second
chapter focuses on gathering information on the developed research questions in the first chapter
in order to find out detailed data from secondary sources. The main reason behind including
secondary sources is to include view point of different people on the same topic.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology:- This is the third chapter in every investigation which
includes several methods which would be considered by the researcher in order to complete the
research. In this chapter main focus is provided on the research onion which includes range of
methods in it. This method is mainly finalised by the investigator by simply analysing suitability
of the research with the research topic.
Chapter 4: Data Analysis:- In this, overall gathered information is represented by the
investigator in most simple and self understandable manner so that readers can easily understand
it effectively and determine the proposed outcome of the study in rightful manner. In the present
investigation, researcher would make use of thematic analysis in order to represent overall
findings of the study in most appropriate form (Pawłowski, 2020). Here, data analysis is mainly
done by using primary method of data analysis so that appropriate outcome of the same can be
attained effectively.
Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusion:- This is the last chapter of every investigation
where researcher focuses on finding out desired information on the proposed research topic by
simply analysing overall research topic. Here, researcher focuses on representing the discussion
on the core research so that valid conclusion towards the same could be specified effectively
without any sort of interruption. This chapter mainly covers discussion and conclusion.

LITERATURE REVIEW
This is the second chapter of every investigation in which researcher gathers information
from range of secondary sources. The main reason behind involving secondary sources is to help
the researcher in making appropriate decision on the project topic as they are involving several
perceptions and viewpoint into it. This chapter is also supportive for the readers as they are able
to develop their own understanding regarding the topic in this section only. Also, by reviewing
all views it becomes easier for the same person or the reader to take decision associated with the
outcome of the core research problem. For conducting this investigation, the respective
researcher effectively makes use several secondary sources such as books, online articles,
journals, news papers and other published sources from where researcher can easily grab
maximum information on the same topic. While carrying out this section, the main focus of
investigator is on making use of several reliable sources so that what so ever information they are
including in their study are treated as they trust worthy. In order to carry out this section in more
appropriate manner, manner researcher has initially divided the main topic into few easier
section so that detailed on the same so that can identified the project in appropriate manner. All
of these sub topics are specified as below in detailed manner:
Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus
On the basis of views expressed by Dogra, A., Goyal, B., Sharma and A.M. (2020) In the
December month of 2019, an epidemic was observed within the territory of Wuhan, Hubei
province of China. After the outbreak of this virus within China and the travel of people within
and from China continuing as usual, the virus quickly got spread in other parts of the world. As a
result of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the number of deaths has been constantly
increasing with each passing day. However, with the rise in death toll over the course of time
after the spread of this virus across the globe, governments of all the countries took measures to
have a control over the consequences associated with its outbreak in the world. Thus, the
government of each and every country decided to call down a situation of lockdown, while
placing restrictions on travelling and many other things (Vives and et. al., 2020). As a result of
these measures, the scale of the outbreak could be controlled to some extent. The novel
coronavirus possesses a transmission rate of 3 to 4 individuals from a just infected individual. In
this relation, it has been identified in accordance with the reports that the fatality rate accounts to

almost 3%. Even when the rate seems quite low, the situation is alarming, if the population of the
location whereby the outbreak of coronavirus took place is taken into due account (Gupta and et.
al., 2020). The incubation period associated with the novel coronavirus is identified to be ranging
from 2 to 14 days. Taking into account the premise that is a novel virus, it can be said that some
properties of this virus are still not known. This is what restrains the development process of a
vaccine for this in upcoming course of time. As per the recent reports, over 15 million infected
persons have been confirmed across the globe in approximately 190 nations and other territories.
The government of every nation is constantly carrying out planning and consequently taking
measures with the help of which the outbreak of this virus can be controlled. For this purpose,
many nations have even developed some specific separated quarantined areas whereby the
infected persons are made to stay. This helps the government to make sure that the contact of
these people with other residents and the outside world is totally cut off (Dadlani, 2020). Further,
the principle of social distancing is being promoted which can enable the residents from staying
far from each other. This is done with the intent of reducing the number of infected persons as
social distancing does not people come into contact with each other.
Now, if a deeper insight is gained into the actual inference by coronavirus, it can be stated the
virus got its name on the basis of the Latin word named “Corona” which implies crown. The
name of the virus was made coronavirus as it has crown like spikes that are present upon its
surface when studied with the help of a microscope. These spikes possess certain genetic
material. The most early encounter of this virus with human beings took place in the middle of
1960s. This virus is usually acknowledged to be found within the animals such as camel, bat, cat,
and so on (Pambuccian, 2020). Via the animals, this virus can quickly get transmitted to the
human beings. It is determined as an RNA virus that has the capacity of affecting animals as well
as humans.
There are lesser to most probable consequences of coming into contact with the novel
coronavirus. Such consequences can be divided in to mainly 2 categorised named the most
common and the least common symptom. In accordance with a study carried out over some
patients, it was inferred that some of the most common symptoms for this virus consist of cough,
short breath, high fever and lastly, bilateral pneumonia (Navarro, 2020). On the contrary, the
lesser common symptoms are acknowledged to be headache, sore throat, severe pain in the chest,
rhinorrhea, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and so on. It is well known that the novel coronavirus

has a substantial impact over the patients who have a history of being stricken by disease like
asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
Coronavirus is acknowledged to get transmitted via respiratory droplet, contact with any
of the infected persons, contact with any of the infected animals. Post leaving the body of an
infected person, it is known that the novel coronavirus can travel up to a distance of approx. 6
feet and thereby survive over the surface dependent upon the tolerance level. In contrast with
chickenpox and malaria, it is recognised that coronavirus can travel quite less. Presently, it is
assumed that an individual who has been newly infected can cause infection within 1-4 persons
that is quite higher than seasonal flu (Gupta, 2020). The crisis is exponentially growing in
accordance with the constant increase in number of infected persons across the globe. The death
toll across the globe is on a rise owing to which people have also become conscious and are now
showing their support towards the government by complying with the lockdown regulations.
Impact of Novel Coronavirus on Spanish economic conditions
According to viewpoint of Millet and et. al., (2020), it has been analysed that outbreak of
Novel coronavirus not only result in loss of millions of lives, but also result in great economic
loss. Providing work from home in possible conditions, giving out salaries to people over certain
period of lockdown when production or operations of companies are almost closed, supporting
public in meeting their domestic or basic needs etc. are some examples that shows requirement
of high funds and resources. In context with Spanish societies, it is considered as one of those
nations whose working population is highly depended on economic condition (Chakraborty and
Maity, 2020). This country is already struggling with high unemployment ratio and debt crisis,
therefore, it puts high pressure on its government decisions to overcome from issues of
coronavirus impact, bracing for the impact of the government's decision, in terms of impose ban
on work (Spain braces for impact of economic 'hibernation' to fight virus, 2020). Along with
this, as per Spanish bank, it has analysed that economic output of respective nation would be
dropped estimated by 4.0%. The coronavirus crisis highly affects all Spanish companies, where
ignorance about this virus is having great impact on its economy and most of economic
activities.
From perspective of Abodunrin, Oloye and Adesola, (2020), it has been analysed that
economic impact can be measured in terms of three main activities – shutdown of companies’

production that decreases GDP rate; disruption in market and supply chain activity; and financial
impact on market. Supply chain and market disruption. Many manufacturing firms of Spain rely
on imported intermediate inputs from developed countries like China and other nations that are
affected highly by this disease, for meeting its financial goals. But after restrictions of trade of
goods and services, production of Spanish companies is highly affected negatively. Therefore,
firms which rely mainly on intermediate goods from the affected regions, seem not to able to
easily switch the sourcing (Rodríguez-Rey, Garrido-Hernansaiz and Collado, 2020), . Along
with this, firms deal in small and medium-sized sector may have severe difficulty for getting
survival in business, due to market disruption. Businesses who are tied with travel and tourism
sectors are also facing issues after restrictions or fear among people for travelling, so such kind
of losses are likely not to be recoverable easily. Furthermore, temporary disruptions of
production might put stress upon some firms, especially those who are having inadequate
liquidity. In financial markets, exporters may or may not seem to be correctly anticipated about
firms that are in vulnerable situation. Consequence of this, rise risk in terms of undertaken
investment position by other global market players, which weakens the trust among companies
who are associated with same supply chain. A possible or likely low-probability event could be
considered as market disruption that significantly decline the production rate in equity markets as
well as corporate bond markets, just because of uncertainty arise due to pandemic.
According to perception of Lippi, Henry and Sanchis-Gomar, (2020), furthermore, it has
been estimated that economy of Spain like other affected nations will suffer a severe recession,
due to increase cases of coronavirus pandemic as well as associated confinement. Since, tourism
sector refers to a main key of its economy growth which especially grave concern in terms of a
major source of employment, therefore, certainty in this era to be increased in upcoming period
is almost negligible. This states that economy leads to shrink up to 10.0% in the current year i.e.
2020, which will be growing continuously in upcoming period.
The unemployment rate in 2019, has been decreased from 15.3% to near about 14.1%,
where IMF (International Monetary Funds) expects that this trend will be heavily affected in
upcoming period, due to negative economic impact of pandemic attack of Covid-19. In this
relation, the rate currently being estimated to be increased by 20.8% but with support of WHO
and Spanish Government, it might be decrease slightly to about 17.5% in 2021. Furthermore,
since another main issue facing by labour market of this nation is low level of active working

population as compared to potential ones due to fear of being infected, denotes that various
people have already been given up to do employment. Along with this, as per Spanish Statistical
Official report, this nation remains an area where strong inequalities have been seen, because
over 21.6% of total population are living within the poverty threshold. In addition to this, social
expenses in terms of public budget also seems to accounted roughly to near about 17% of total
GDP as compared with EU countries (Raj and Aithal, 2020),. So, all these factors also arise
issues for development of economy in desired manner. Therefore, it is essential for government
of this country to take immediate actions to overcome from all such issues, so that economic
situations can be improved.
https://www.nordeatrade.com/en/explore-new-market/spain/economical-context
Challenges faced by Spanish organisations due to Novel Coronavirus in managing workforce
From the viewpoint expressed by the author named as Sánchez-Álvarez and et. al., (2020), it
has been analysed there are lots of the Spanish organisation which are facing issues due to novel
Covid 19 while maintaining the working practices of their workforce within the entity which is
not at all affecting their working practices in any manner. Due to novel Covid 19 business
associations are not able to perform their organisational work in the same manner like they were
executing the same in the earlier time. Some of the main challenges that are being faced by
Spanish associations in managing workforce because of Covid 19 are financial risks, health risks,
lack of coordination during work from processes, operational activities related issues, technical
failures, non corporative behaviour from employees while work from home and many others.
The main among these challenges are specified as below in detailed manner:
Financial risks: This is the first and foremost issue which is mainly determined while
managing workforce in the mean time of Covid 19 in Spain. Here, it has been seen that due to
COVID 19, it became highly difficult for the businesses in Spain to handle all the business
activities and execute its associated correspondence work so that the common flow of the
working practices could get managed effectively (Kaba and Kitaw, 2020). It is also been seen
that the companies are also not able to maintain their revenues like earlier as work is not getting
accomplished on the timely manner due to limited facilities are being provided to the employees
in this novel Covid 19. This simply develops challenge associated with the finances within the
company. As a result, businesses are also not able to pay timely salaries to the employees.