A Study on COVID-19's Impact on Accelerating Workplace Transformation

This research proposal aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on accelerating workplace transformation, focusing on Tesco as a case study. The project identifies the importance of workplace transformation, the challenges faced by Tesco due to these transformations, and the strategies adopted by the company to address related issues. The research will employ a positivism philosophy, a deductive approach, and a survey strategy, utilizing quantitative research methods to collect and analyze data from a sample of Tesco employees. The study also addresses ethical considerations and data security measures to ensure responsible research practices. This proposal outlines the activities, timescales, and methodologies to be used in the project, providing a structured framework for investigating the impact of the pandemic on workplace dynamics within a major organization.

Research Proposal Form
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
“To analyse the impact of COVID-19 on accelerating workplace transformation”. A study
on Tesco
Research objectives (e.g. what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to learn how to
do? What do you want to find out?):
 To identify the importance of workplace transformation.
 To analyse the challenges faced by Tesco due to workplace transformation.
 To recommend the strategies adopted by Tesco in dealing with the issues arise due
to workplace transformation.
Research Questions:
 What is the importance of workplace transformation?
 What are the challenges faced by Tesco due to workplace transformation?
 What are strategies adopted by Tesco in dealing with the issues arise due to
workplace transformation?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest, future
plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
One of the main reason of conducting this study is to gain knowledge about the impact of
COVID-19 on accelerating workplace transformation. In addition to this, it allow researcher to
gain insight about importance of workplace transformation and the challenges faced by an
Student Name
Student ID
Centre Name
Tutor
Unit No
Proposed Title Impact of COVID-19 on accelerating workplace transformation

organisation because of workplace transformation. It will also help investigator to gain insight
about strategies adopted by companies for dealing with the issue associated to workplace
transformation. Moreover, it will help in improving and learning skills such as time management,
data analysis, data collection and many more. Furthermore, it will help investigator to conduct
future studies in more appropriate and effective manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Importance of workplace transformation
As per the view point of emullen (2021), Workplace transformation is basically the method of
enhancing skills, abilities, tools and technology to keep up with the trend and constant change
take place within an organisation. It is analysed that workplace transformation is important in
order to remain competitive, improve productivity and performance and also help to cope with
the changes (What is a workplace transformation and why is it important, 2021). It is important
for a company to transform towards new and creative technology and process as it help to meet
with the requirements of both employees and customer that further reach organisation towards
growth.
Challenges faced by Tesco due to workplace transformation
According to Quaint, (2021) it is analysed that there are various issues faced by an organisation
due to workplace transformation and has impact on the productivity of company. One of the
challenge is non-acceptance of new process by employees as there are many employees who are
comfortable to work with old methods and deny to adopt changes (Obstacles Facing with Your
Workplace Transformation, 2021). Another challenge is high cost that directly decline the
profitability and revenue level of company. There are also other challenges that is lack of skills
and capabilities, ineffective execution of activities and so on.
Strategies adopted by Tesco in dealing with the issues arise due to workplace transformation
As per the view point of Johnson, (2022), there are various strategies adopted by an organisation
for dealing with the issue of workplace transformation. One of the strategy is providing training
and development session to staff members as it help in improving skills and capabilities of staff
members to implement the change in an effective manner (How Can an Organization Overcome
to Change, 2022). Along with this, motivating and rewarding staff members for adopting change

is another strategy as it help to encourage employees to work with new processes. Apart from
this, there are also other strategies such as effective communication, provide flexibility to
employees and many more.
REFERENCES
Online
What is a workplace transformation and why is it important, 2021 [Online] Available through; <
https://www.red-thread.com/blog/workplace-transformation/>
Obstacles Facing with Your Workplace Transformation, 2021 [Online] Available through;<
https://fmsystems.com/blog/4-obstacles-youre-facing-with-your-workplace-
transformation/>
How Can an Organization Overcome to Change, 2022 [Online] Available through;<
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/steps-manage-transition-old-organization-
structure-new-one-981.html>
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g. research, development and
analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of
final outcome, evaluation, writing the report): How
long this
will
take:

Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): _________________
Milestone two: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): __________________
Gantt Chart
It is also known as bar chart which illustrates each and every activity of research associated
with the time period. Along with this, it assist to know the initial and ending time of
activities that further help in completion of project on time period. The Gantt chart of
present study is given below:
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What your areas of
research will cover:
Research methodology is one of the important and significant part of researcher as it help in
collecting, analysing and evaluating data in an effective and appropriate manner. In the present
study, research onion framework is taken into consideration that include various layers and is
given below:
Research philosophy: It is the process that will be used by researcher to gather as well as
evaluate data on the specific topic. It is categorised into two forms that is positivism and
interpretivism. According to the research topic, positivism philosophy is valuable and effective
as it is based on subjective approaches instead of feelings and emotions. Along with this, it help
researcher to attain positive and valid results in less time period.
Research approach: It is defined as process that will be following by researcher to evaluate data
by deductive and inductive approach (Alavi and et. al., 2018). In context to the present study,

deductive approach is effective as it help in testing numeric data and also assist to give better
explanation of casual relationship which is between concepts and variables.
Research strategy: There are different form of research strategies that is case study, action
research, survey, experiment and so on. As per the topic, survey as a research strategy is
appropriate as it will assist in collecting information which assist to gain valid and reliable
outcome.
Research choice: It is significant part of research methodology that is divided into two choices
such as qualitative and quantitative (De Jong and Schout, 2018). Both forms of research choice is
effective but according to the topic of investigation, quantitative research choice is useful. The
main reason to select this is it help in gathering numeric information that is based on facts and is
reliable to develop conclusion.
Data collection: There are two forms of data collection that is primary and secondary but as per
the topic primary method is useful. It will help investigator to collect data directly from source
that leads to development of valid results.
Sampling: It is the process that is used to select sample from the whole population through
probability and non-probability method. Random sampling which is a part of probability
sampling is chosen as it assist to select large sample size. Moreover, 20 employees of Tesco is
selected as participants.
Research instrument: There are different research instruments which is used by researcher to
collect data that is questionnaire, observation, interview and so on (Halaweh, 2018). For the
present study, questionnaire is valuable and effective instrument as it help to gain viewpoint of
different people and consume less time of researcher.
REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Alavi and et. al., 2018. Aligning theory and methodology in mixed methods research: Before

design theoretical placement. International Journal of Social Research
Methodology, 21(5), pp.527-540.
De Jong, G. and Schout, G., 2018. Evaluating family group conferencing: Towards a meaningful
research methodology. Child abuse & neglect, 85, pp.164-171.
Halaweh, M., 2018. Integrating social media and grounded theory in a research methodology: a
possible road map. Business Information Review, 35(4), pp.157-164.
Lê and et. al., 2019. Why research methodology in strategy and management remains as
important as ever. In Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Maithya, P.M., Mukolwe, N.A. and Waka, M., 2019. Research methodology: concepts,
procedures and practices.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification
and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

ANNEXURE “B”:
Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected
form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please
answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit
tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
To analyse the impact of COVID-19 on accelerating workplace transformation”. A study
on Tesco
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary

Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Probability sampling
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
The participants will be inform through oral and written form.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to
participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
The consent from participants is obtained In written form.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not
wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this

Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to
be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the
study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary of
your findings in general)
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
For 6 months
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used

Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please
outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following:
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that may arise in the

course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your supervisor and also attach to the Research Proposal when
submitting to Turnitin.