The Impact of Globalization on Corporate Structures: Marks and Spencer

This research report investigates the effects of globalization on the corporate structures of large multinational companies, with a specific focus on Marks and Spencer. The report begins with an introduction outlining the aims, objectives, and research questions, followed by a discussion of the reasons for choosing the topic and its importance. A comprehensive literature review explores the concept of globalization, the challenges faced by M&S in a global environment, the relationship between corporate structure and globalization, and the best corporate structures for maintaining competitiveness. The research employs a qualitative research approach, detailing its advantages and limitations, alongside a brief comparison with quantitative methods. The report concludes with a discussion of the research methodology, including the research type and its rationale, offering insights into the methodologies used to analyze the impact of globalization and provide recommendations for corporate structure within a global market.

Research project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Aims and objectives ..............................................................................................................2
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
Reason for choosing the topic ...............................................................................................2
Importance of the topic...........................................................................................................2
Literature sources searched and Literature review.................................................................3
Research approach and methodologies..................................................................................5
Activities and time scale.........................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

TITLE: The impact of globalization on the corporate structures of large multinational
companies and the major challenges they face.
INTRODUCTION
Corporate structure can be referred to as way of organizing firm in systematic manner. It
also involves categorizing the large department into small functional units. Corporate structure
also defines the way information will flow between different level of management in an
enterprise. It is a system which is utilized to define hierarchy within an enterprise. Corporate
structure helps employees in determining their roles as well as responsibilities. During the last
few decades, corporate hierarchies as well as structure has been highly influenced by multi
forces one of them is globalization. Increase in intensity of competition, advancement in
technology and continuous changes in business environment has encouraged many of the
multinational organization to adopt flat corporate structure (Castellani, Narula and Walker,
2018. ). Due to increase in number of challenges or issues due to globalization, the plant
managers are provided with responsibilities to make some of important business decisions. The
example of multinational corporation which has ben chosen for performing investigation is
Marks and Spencer.
The research will have focus on identifying the effect of globalization on the corporate
structure of multinational corporations. The methodology used for conducting the investigation
will be highlighted in the research report. Suggestion related to the corporate structure which can
be used by organization for maintaining its competitiveness in internation market will be
included.
Overview of organisation
M&S is basically a British multinational corporation operating business in retail sector.
An enterprise has its business operations in number of countries. Marks and Spencer is Well
known brand for selling high quality of clothes. Company also sells home as well as food
products. An enterprise presently has approx. 959 stores across United Kingdom. Marks and
Spencer consists of approx. 8087 team of highly skilled, experienced and competent workers.
During the year 2019, total revenue earned by firm is being estimated as £ 10,377.3 million.
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Aims and objectives
Aim : To analyse the effect of globalization on corporate structure of large multinational
organization and identifying the major challenges faced by organization – A case study of
Marks and Spencer.
Objectives:
 To develop the understanding about concept of globalization.
 To identify the issues faced by Marks and Spencer. In global environment.
 To analyse the relationship between corporate structure and globalization.
 To identify the best corporate structure Marks and Spencer can use for maintaining their
competitiveness in internation market.
Research questions
 What is globalization ?
 What are the issues which is faced by M&S in global environment?
 What is the relationship between corporate structure and globalization ?
 Which is the best corporate structure that can be utilized by marks and Spencer for
maintaining competitiveness in international market ?
Reason for choosing the topic
One of the most important reason to select to perform investigation on particular topic is
to create the understanding about concept of globalization. The other rationale for choosing
particular subtest is which researcher has interest in gaining the knowledge about the way
globalization have effect on the corporate structure of multi-national corporations. In addition to
this, investigator by performing research on particular topic wish to identify the challenges faced
by multinational companies in international environment. In addition to this, researcher by
performing study intends to find out the solution for the various problems faced by multinational
firm. Investigator want to help manager of marks and Spencer in addressing the best corporate
structure which they can adopt in order to remain competitive in international market.
Importance of the topic
The topic chosen for the research has great importance as it will assist management in
addressing an appropriate structure for company. In addition to this, it will also help manager in
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addressing the solutions which can be applied for eliminating or dealing with challenges faced by
company in relation to the operating business at global level.
Literature sources searched and Literature review
Literature review is a Guide which is includes current and important knowledge like
essential findings and theoretical concepts as well as contribution to a particular topic. It is
totally based on the alternate sources and it is not primary experimental work. This will help to
researcher in order to better understanding topic. In order to analysis the topic which is analysis
the effect of globalization on corporate structure of large multinational organization and
identifying the major challenges faced by organization in global business environment. This will
be prefect for research and study on topic.
Sources of literature searched by online resources like google, article which is based on
globalization, published material which is in books, journals, newspaper etc. those are help to
researcher in order to collect information and knowledge related to topic which is globalization.
Theme 1: The understanding about concept of globalization
According to the Wright, (2016), Globalization is process of interaction between
individual, companies and government worldwide. Globalization is dispersed of products,
investment as well as technology crosswise national borders or culture. It is describes an
interdependence of nation around globe fostered with trade free. Potrafke, (2015), In addition to
this it helps to rise and improve standard of living in poor and low developed countries by
offering job opportunity, improve access to goods or services and modernization. In contradict
Hanson and et.al., (2016), stated that the globalization can be destroyed the job opportunity in
highly develop and also in high wages country as per production of goods and services are
moves across the borders.
Theme 2: Identify the issues faced by Marks and Spencer in global environment.
Environmental issues are harmful for business when enter in global market and also give
negative impact on human activity. In the global market, Marks and Spencer faced different
problems. As per the view of Hopper, Lassou and Soobaroyen (2017), communication
difficulties as well as culture differences is a biggest issues which is face by Marks and Spencer
in global market. Communicating in different culture is real challenge. In order to develop,
communication skills a core focus inside and outside of work and also learn different language.
Other hand Hirst and Thompson, (2019), said that the understanding foreign laws and
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regulations, governing in target market is key issue which is faced by company in global market.
Every country have different rules and regulations for running a business like tax payment,
trading laws etc. In order to resolve this issue company manager can fill the form with tax
implications through the trading laws this help the business to become a successful international
business.
Theme 3: Relationship between corporate structure and globalization.
Corporate structure means to organization of various sections and business sections
within the company. This structure totally depends on a goals and objectives of company which
it operates in global market. Globalization and corporate structure both are related to each other
as per different aspects. According to the Sarti, (2016), corporate structure and globalization are
interrelated because of planning strategy. Strategy planning is the main part of company when it
enter in global market. Most of the companies plan a strategy for go in global market with their
products then made their company structure by following global rules and regulations. Through,
that globalization is not influence to business planning and structure. In contradict Rosenau,
(2017), said that both are related as per leadership strategy aspects. Leadership strategy is very
important aspects in order to improve productivity and work performance of employees.
Leadership strategy is help to motivate people towards work.
Theme 4: Identify the best corporate structure Marks and Spencer can use for maintaining
their competitiveness in internation market.
An organizational structure is the visual diagram of a company that is describes report
employees work, decisions, design and different business units like markets, products, processes,
human resource, finance, research & development department, operations and production etc. as
per the view of Psimmenos, (2018), hierarchical structure is the most effective and best
organizational chart type. In this structure, employee in a group and each employee have one
clear supervisor. The group is depends on the business units such as function, geographic and
product. In function department, employees are sorted as per to the function which they provide
like human resource management, finance, production and operation teams. Geography,
employees grouped based on the region and the last products, company is provide the different
types of product and services so in these employees are divided based on products. Other hand
Georgiadis and Mehl, (2016), said that the matrix organizational structure is best for company. In
this, each department have their one supervisor and all team members report to their department
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head but if employee do work of other department then employee also report to head of that
particular project department. So, the best organizational structure for Marks and Spencer is
hierarchical organizational structure.
Research approach and methodologies.
Research methodology is basically procedure conducted for accomplishing desired aims
and objectives. The information about the research methodology used for conducting the
investigation enables user to ensure relatability as well as validity of data or results. Research
methodology are also be defined the techniques which is applied for solving the specific
problem.
Research type:
It can be referred to as nature or form of investigation which is required to be performed
by researcher on specific topic. There are 2 form of research types such as quantitative and
qualitative. Qualitative research will be performed by researcher in present study in order to
gather, analyse and interpret the information on topic analysing the effect of globalization on
corporate structure of large multinational organization. Investigator has chosen to perform the
qualitative research because it is type of investigation which enables researcher to get the number
of options for collecting facts which are related to the subject. Additionally, other rationale in
order to select the particular type of study is that it provide investigator in analysing the
information that is very important in order to reach meaningful conclusion. Qualitative research
also assist researcher in developing the understanding about the problem that is essential in order
to make good decision.
Advantages of qualitative research :
One of the largest advantages of qualitative research is to enable participants to provide
more detail response and help researcher for creating in depth understanding about the subject
(Flick, 2018.). The qualitative research is suitable for those situations when there is requirement
to develop the detail understanding about the subject.
Limitation of the Qualitative research
The largest limitation of the qualitative research is that high volume of information
gathered by researcher during investigation procedure make data analysis more time-consuming.
In addition to this, presence of the investigator during information gathering is unavoidable as it
could have significant influence on responses provided by participants (Razzaghi and Afshar,
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2018). Other biggest limitation of the qualitative research is that the accuracy, validity and
reliability of data can not be tested. In addition to this, other biggest limitation of the qualitative
research is that findings drawn from the information gathered during investigation procedure can
not be generalized. Conclusion is required to be hedged.
Advantages of Quantitative research :
The largest advantage of qualitative research is that there is large sample sizes which
makes conclusions from quantitative research more generalize (Clarke, 2018.). Other advantage
of quantitative research is that it assist researcher in ensuring high reliability as well as validity
of the data gathered during investigation procedure.
Limitation of quantitative research :
Improper presentation is considered to be as one of the biggest limitation of quantitative
research. In addition to this, limited results are produced through quantitative research because of
which decision-making by researcher become quite difficult tasks. Analysis the information in
quantitative research require depth knowledge about the use of statistical as well as mathematical
tools or techniques (Quinlan., Carr and Griffin, 2019.). As due to lack of knowledge about the
utilization of statistical as well as mathematical tools might give rise to risk of error in outcome.
Research approach :
Research approach refers proper procedure and plan which is consisted path of board
presume to detailed methods. There are 2 types of approach these are inductive and deductive
research approach. In the present topic researcher will choice inductive research approach to
analysis the effect of globalization on corporate structure of large multinational organization and
identifying the major challenges faced by organization (Quinlan and et.al., 2019). Researcher
chose this approach because it contributes to emergence of new theories and generalization. This
is best and easy to use approach for understand the topic.
Research design:
Research design is give the direction about how to conduct research using a particular
methodology. It is an important element of research design which is included research methods
as well as strategies which related to collection and analysis of data in proper manner. Research
design is formed in two parts exploratory as well as conclusive. In the existing research topic
researcher will be select the exploratory research design because this provides clear data. This
design is help to analysis the effect of globalization is on structure of large multinational
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organization and identifying the major challenges faced by organization. This will in the proper
format and also used in qualitative research design in effective manner. This will be effective and
valuable for the growth of research.
Research philosophy :
This is the vast topic and it is not discussing in the topic with great and higher details.
Generally research philosophy have three types like positivism, realism and interpretivism. In the
present topic, researcher will select the interpretivism research philosophy in order to analysis
the effect of globalization on legal structure of large multinational organization and also
identifying the major challenges faced by organization in global environment (McConville,
2017). This is effective and valuable for analysing research topic. In these investigations is based
on proper data collection.
Data collection :
Data collection is an effective process of data and information collection from the
relevant sources in order to analysis answers to problem which are faced in research and also test
to hypothesis or evaluate the results of work. Data collection system are separate into two parts
which are secondary and primary data collection method. For the present topic researcher will
select the secondary and primary data collection method. Primary data collection method will
includes questionnaire in this researcher asked questions form 10 employees which are related to
topic. The primary data collection method formed in two part such as qualitative and quantitative
research. In order to analysis topic qualitative research will follow. Other hand, secondary data
collection method which is published in books, magazines, journals, newspaper and online
sources. Both methods will help to researcher in order to complete their study on particular topic.
Data analysis:
Data analysis is the process of systematic process which is applied by statistical as well
as logical method in order to describe and evaluate data. There are differences between
qualitative and quantitative data analysis method. In the present study, researcher will select the
thematic data analysis in order to analysis the effect of globalization on legal structure of large
multinational organization and identifying the major challenges faced by organization in global
environment (Knudsen and Stage, 2015). This will be effective and valuable for analysis and
study of particular topic.
Ethical issues:
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Determining the ethics or standards which are required to be maintained while
performing the investigation is very much essential in order to reduce ethical issues. Some
ethical issues that might arise in performing the study on topic analysing the effect of
globalization might be related to informed consent, plagiarism, storage and maintenance of the
information provided by participants, confidentiality of information etc. There are number of
measures taken by researcher in represent study to eliminate the chances of ethical issues. Some
strategies which is applied by researcher in order to avoid ethical issues are participants are
informed about the purpose of study (Razzaghi and Afshar, 2018. ). Additionally, researcher has
got the written consent form which is signed by participants before starting to collect data. All
the participants are provided with assurance that the information provided by them will be
kipped confidential. In addition to this, participants has been provided with options to omit the
questions which they do not want to answer.
Activities and time scale
In relation to p[resent study, Gantt chart has been utilized for scheduling the different
activities. Gantt chart is basically a graph which consist of detail information about the time
when different activities or tasks will be performed during the investigation procedure. Activity
plan is prepared by investigator so that they can get ease in tracking the tasks as well as
managing the research project in systematic manner. In context of the existing study on topic
analysing the effect of globalization on the corporate structure of multinational corporations, the
different activities which will be performed are :
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Activities Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8
Identifyin
g the
issues
Determini
ng
Forming
aim and
objectives
Writing
Literature
review
Collectin
g of data
related to
the topic
Analysis
of
informati
on
Drawing
conclusio
n
Making
changes
in
research
project as
per the
suggestio
ns or
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