The Impact of Globalisation on Marks and Spencer (M&S) UK

This project undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the effects of globalisation on Marks & Spencer (M&S), a prominent player in the UK food industry. The research begins by defining globalisation and exploring the factors that influence it, such as technological advancements, economies of scale, and political considerations. The study then delves into the positive impacts of globalisation on M&S, including market expansion and cross-cultural management, while also examining the negative effects, such as job insecurity and price fluctuations. The methodology section outlines a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques, with data collection primarily through primary sources, including surveys of M&S employees. The project's aim is to identify the positive and negative impacts of globalisation on the UK food industry, specifically focusing on M&S, and to recommend ways to mitigate any negative effects. The research utilizes literature reviews, research questions, and clear objectives to guide the analysis and offer valuable insights into the impact of globalisation on a leading UK retailer.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Research aim..........................................................................................................................2
Research objectives................................................................................................................2
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
Rationale of the research........................................................................................................2
Literature review........................................................................................................................3
Concept of globalisation.........................................................................................................3
Factors affecting globalisation...............................................................................................4
Positive and negative effects of globalisation in UK food industry.......................................5
Methodology..............................................................................................................................7
Research approach..................................................................................................................7
Research techniques...............................................................................................................7
Data collection procedures.....................................................................................................8
Timeline.....................................................................................................................................8
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
Research aim
The aim of the research is to identify the positive and negative impact that
globalisation may have on the food industry in the United Kingdom. The focus is on Marks
and Spencer, one of the most reputed companies in the United Kingdom and in the
international stage.
Research objectives
The objectives that can be associated with the completion of the research include:
 To understand the concept of globalisation
 To identify the factors that may help Marks and Spencer to gain a competitive
 To identify the positive and negative effects of globalisation
 To recommend ways by which negative effects of globalisation can be mitigated
Research questions
The questions that can be associated with the completion of the research include:
 What is the concept of globalisation?
 What are the factors that may help Marks and Spencer to gain a competitive?
 What are the positive and negative effects of globalisation?
 What recommendations can be made to mitigate the negative effects of globalisation?
Rationale of the research
The rationale behind the selection of the topic is that in the modern world
globalisation plays an important role for the development of an organisation. The effects of
globalisation can be considered as helpful for the developed countries. This is mainly because

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the effects of globalisation can have a positive as well as a negative impact on the
development of an organisation. Therefore, it is necessary that in the modern world, the
effects of globalisation be taken into consideration so that proper development of
organisational functions can take place.
The reason behind the investigation on the issue can be considered as one of the most
important factors for the set of organisations. It has been seen that positive effects of
globalisation can be considered as a direct entry or venture of organisational development for
the growth of economies. At the same time, the negative effects of globalisation is that it can
bring about a sense of division in the labour costs and the manner in which every organisation
need to abide by the rules of the country. In this regard, it can be said that the reason for the
investigation of the issue is that it can provide an idea of understanding the global impact that
organisations can have with the rise of globalisation in the market.
The reason for globalisation to be associated with Marks and Spencer is the fact that
top organisations tend to promote and expand its products by using globalisation as a means
for advanced innovation. At the same time for a huge organisation like Marks and Spencer,
the impact of globalisation can be considered as mostly positive. Hence, it is important to
consider factors that may have a positive as well as a negative impact on the development of
business in the country. Therefore, it can be said that the reason for conducting the analysis
on the effectiveness of globalisation can be considered as important for the development of a
business like Mark and Spencer in a successful manner.

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Literature review
Concept of globalisation
Globalisation is considered as the process that helps in the interaction and integration
among people, companies as well as government in a worldwide basis. According to Cramer
(2017), globalisation is considered as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. The term
globalisation is considered in certain type of capitalist expansion that can entail the
integration of local as well as national level economies that exists in a global, unregulated
market economy.
Hirst and Thompson (2019) stated that the growth of globalisation can be attributed to
the advances made in the transportation as well as communication technology. With an
increased global interaction, the rise of international trade, ideas and culture can also be
characterised as globalisation. Thus, as identified by Krugman (2017) globalisation can
primarily be considered as an economic process that combines interaction and integration that
can be associated with social as well as cultural aspects. However, as stated by Wunderlich
(2016) conflicts along with diplomacy can be considered as large part of history related to
globalisation and modern globalisation.
Factors affecting globalisation
Globalisation is influenced by a variety of factors that are needed to be analysed in
order to understand the proper concept and its impact on the world. These factors can be
considered as mutually exclusive to one another and helps in the development of strategies,
which can help in the development of the world. The factors that can be associated with
globalisation include:
Technological change: The technological changes that need to be taken into
consideration include the development of high-tech advancement in the scientific field.

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According to Potrafke (2015), the rapid changes along with the sustainable technological
practises have provided organisations with an opportunity for success in business. Therefore,
in the words of Robertson (2017) it is necessary to consider the advancement in the
technological departments so that cost related to transmission as well as communication of
information can be maintained. Knowledge behind the use of products can be gained from the
proper use of technologies in the market.
Economies of scale: With an increase in the minimum efficient scale, domestic
market is considered to have grown in a large manner. Therefore, as stated by Hopper,
Lassou and Soobaroyen (2017) selling the needs of the employees needs to be considered and
thus, globalisation can be affected with the transactional corporations that may exist in the
market. In this regard, it can be said that the changes in the economies of scale can account
for the greater good of globalisation and its impact in the world.
Political factors: The political factors of a country can have an impact on the
globalisation channel as per the political bosses. In the words of Wright (2016), the regional
trade understandings as well as agreements can help in the determination of the scope that is
associated with globalisation. For example, in the modern world, it has been seen that
conducting trade practises in the European Union can have special agreements in most of the
countries. Therefore, Gygli et al. (2019) stated that the political factors associated with every
country can be considered as change agents, which can have a positive as well as negative
effect on the development of economies of a country.
Positive and negative effects of globalisation in UK food industry
The effects of globalisation on the food industry of UK can be both positive as well as
negative. The positive and negative effects that can be associated with globalisation include:
Positive effects

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Expansion in global market: It has been seen that the successful developed countries
and the organisations are a result of privately owned industries. In the UK, the expansion into
the global market is usually done by the effective way, which includes the analysis of the
external environment required for the development of an organisation.
Cross-cultural management: Globalisation is considered as the realm that bridges
two or more cultures. According to Krugman (2017), most people undergo fashion of other
countries due to the presence of globalisation. In the UK, the culture practised in Asia or the
America is considered as symbols of grace, affluence and power. Therefore, as stated by
Hopper, Lassou and Soobaroyen (2017) efforts are made for highlighting the
interrelationships that exist between the cultures and consider the impact of globalisation.
The UK is seen to have a powerful impact on the global economy because of its accuracy and
technological advancement.
Negative effects
Job insecurity: In most countries, people are insecure about the job that they have.
With the advent of globalisation, local people can be exposed to losing jobs and thus, the rate
of unemployment in a country, may also increase. Thus, in the words of Sarti (2016),
outsourcing of talents may be considered as advantageous to some countries, but overall, it
exposes the weakness that exists in other countries and thus negates the economies of scale.
Thus, exploitation of labour can be considered as part of the globalisation process.
Fluctuation in prices: Globalisation has led to the fluctuation in price mainly due to
the increase in competition. According to Hanson et al. (2016), developed countries such as
the UK are forced to lower down the prices of the product so that the demand of the common
people can be met. The customer base of these developed countries can be maintained by the

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reduction of prices and at the same time, it can help in the development of a balance between
the lifestyle of every type of people in a society.
Methodology
Research approach
The research approach for conducting the analysis can be done by using both
qualitative and quantitative technique. As observed by Mertens (2014) during the application
of the qualitative data analysis technique, the focus of the researcher remains on the data
quality. On the other hand, during the application of the quantitative data analysis technique
the emphasis of the researcher is on the quantity of the data. The data that has been collected
during the use of the quantitative data need to be analysed by adopting appropriate data
analysis techniques. For this research, the application of quantitative data analysis technique
will be taken into consideration so that the data obtained after the survey of the employees of
Marks and Spencer can be analysed using bars, charts and graphs.
Research techniques
The research techniques that are usually considered while conducting a research
includes the application of either case study method, interview method or questionnaire
method. The case study method helps in referring to already existing types of literature.
According to Neuman and Robson (2014), the applicaton of the case study research technique
is used widely, since it provides an opportunity for the researcher to refer to the secondary
data and information. In the case of interview research technique, the researcher can be able
to communicate with every respondent in a direct manner and understand the viewpoints and
perspectives with relation to the research aim and objectives. As stated by Noble and Smith
(2015) the application of the survey research technique can provide an opportunity for the
gathering of data on a large scale, which leads to the reducing in the chances of error and

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biasness. In the research, the application of survey questionnaire will be used. The
respondents will be 20 employees working at Marks and Spencer providing their view on the
effects of globalisation.
Data collection procedures
The data collection procedures for the collection can be either primary or secondary
sources. For the primary collection of data, analysis is made from the direct responses
provided by the target sample. At the same time, for the secondary collection of data, results
are gathered from books, journals, websites as well as magazines. For the analysis of this
research, the data that is collected will be done using primary sources. The primary source of
data will help in analysing the responses of the employees of Marks and Spencer in a direct
manner.
However, the difficulty of the analysis will be attributed to the fact that it proper
response of the people may not be received. Most of the respondents may feel reluctant to
provide positive response to the questions. At the same time, the questions may not reach the
sample population in a proper manner. The cost for the development of the questions may be
considered as high, which may have a negative impact on the survey. Analytical tools that
will be used for the survey includes excel sheet and graphs. For the survey, 10 questions will
be provided to the sample population.
Timeline
TASKS Wee
k 1-2
Week
3-4
Wee
k 5-6
Week
7-8
Week
9-10
Wee
k 11-
12
Week
13-14
Wee
k 15-
16
Week
17-18
Week
19-20
Formulating
project aim and

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objectives
Formulating
strategies and
plans to set up the
project
Maintaining a
budget and time
schedule
Designing the
questionnaire and
conducting a
survey
Developing the
sample and filling
up the consent
form
Sending the survey
questions to the
employees of
Marks and
Spencer
Analysing the
results obtained
Discussing the
results obtained
Developing
conclusions of the
research

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Preparation of the
final report
Table: Timeline
(Source: Created by author)

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Bibliography
Cramer, J., 2017. Corporate Social Responsibility and Globalisation: an action plan for
business. Routledge.
Gygli, S., Haelg, F., Potrafke, N. and Sturm, J.E., 2019. The KOF globalisation index–
revisited. The Review of International Organizations, pp.1-32.
Hanson, D., Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D. and Hoskisson, R.E., 2016. Strategic management:
Competitiveness and globalisation. Cengage AU.
Hirst, P. and Thompson, G., 2019. The future of globalisation. In The Handbook of
Globalisation, Third Edition. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Hopper, T., Lassou, P. and Soobaroyen, T., 2017. Globalisation, accounting and developing
countries. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 43, pp.125-148.
Krugman, P., 2017. Crises: The price of globalisation?. In Economics of Globalisation (pp.
31-50). Routledge.
Marksandspencer.com. 2019. Welcome to Marks & Spencer. [online] Available at:
https://www.marksandspencer.com/ [Accessed 31 Jul. 2019].
Mertens, D.M., 2014. Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating
Nardi, P.M., 2018. Doing survey research: A guide to quantitative methods. Routledge.
Neuman, W.L. and Robson, K., 2014. Basics of social research. Pearson Canada.
Neuman, W.L., 2013. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Pearson education.