What Does an Innovative Digital Workspace Look Like? Project Report

This project report investigates the need and importance of innovative digital workspaces within the UK retail industry, with a specific focus on Primark. The report begins with project planning, outlining the scope, milestones, and activities involved. It includes a Gantt chart for tracking tasks. The business case section presents a literature review exploring the concept of digital workspaces, their impact on the retail sector, and the benefits and challenges faced by companies like Primark during digital transformation. The methodology chapter details the research process, approach (deductive), and strategy (survey), along with the research tools employed. The project aims to determine the basic understanding of innovative digital workspaces, identify their importance within Primark, examine the benefits of adoption, and discern the issues faced during digital transformation. The literature review covers topics like the benefits of digital workspaces, including enhanced innovation, communication, and employee flexibility, as well as issues such as shortcomings in organizational culture, lack of IT resources, and budget constraints. The report concludes with a summary of findings and recommendations for Primark and the broader retail industry.

Unit Number and
Title
Unit 6 – Managing
Successful Business
Project Title
What does an
innovative digital
workspace look like?
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Table of Contents
Portfolio: What does an innovative digital workspace look like?
1 – Project planning p
2 – Business Case Project report p
2 – Project Logbook p
4 – Reflective Practice p
References p
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Portfolio: What does an innovative digital workspace look like?
Research Aim:
To investigate the need and importance of innovative digital workspace within UK
retail industry. A Study on Primark
Research Objectives:
 To determine the basic understanding of innovative digital workspace in context of
UK retail industry
 To identify the need and importance of innovative digital workspace within Primark
 To examine the benefits availed by Primark while adopting innovative digital
workspace
 To discern the issues faced by Primark while transforming their workspace digitally
Research Questions:
 What is the basic understanding of innovative digital workspace in context of UK
retail industry?
 What is the need and importance of innovative digital workspace within Primark?
 What are the benefits availed by Primark while adopting innovative digital
workspace?
 What are the issues faced by Primark while transforming their workspace digitally?
1 – Project planning
Scope: What activities and tasks as defined in the project must be done in
order to make the project a success?
First of all, it is must to clarify the goals of the projects and that can be done by
making a proper schedule. That is why there are various activities which will be considered in
the study (Ardalan and Iozzo, 2021). It can also support study to be successful and various
tasks comprises of introduction which states the aims and objectives of the research.
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Furthermore, the rationale and background will also be projected in this section. Likewise,
additional activity contains of the literature review which will assist in achieving the objects
of the research. It will also specify the writings of various writers with the aim of presenting
the information in an authentic manner. It can also be said that research methodology will
contain the process of data analysis and interpretation. Along with it, the conclusion
andrecommendations are such activities which will be used at the end for better findings and
results.
Milestones: Major events or phases in the project
In relation to the above study there are various events which will be focused in the
research that is literature review and research methodology (Chowdhury and Lamacchia,
2019). The term literature review is defined as the collection of various secondary sources
such as books and journals from the internet and articles. Whereas the term research
methodology is used to outline the process of data collection in the current research. That is
selecting the various terms such as the positivism philosophy and deductive approach along
with the quantitative choice and survey strategy in the form of questionnaire that comprises
of closed ended questions. Furthermore, it will also use both primary and secondary data
collection with cross sectional studies.
Initiation, planning and execution: Details of activities to be carried in the
project
Project comprises of various stages which are considered to be essential for the
project manager in relation to completion of full research in a proper manner. For instance,
the initiation stage of the project comprises of the process of analysis under which the
requirement of the project is to make it successful (Coetzee, 2019). On the other hand,
planning stage of the project comprises of the planning process of the entire project report. It
is also considered to provide direction for the research. The next stage is execution stage
which is considered as the final application of the project report along with the findings and
results. And initiation contains various activities of the data collection. That is why the
planning includes the actions of outlining of the project structure. On the other hand,
execution comprises of the actions of data analysis and interpretation with the decisions and
recommendations (Veldsman, Benade and Rossouw,2019).
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Gantt chart: Work break down structure using to track the activities to be
undertaken
The term Gantt Chart is explained a tool which is mainly used in the project
management tool that is known to support in the process of planning all the tasks (Guinan,
Parise and Langowitz, 2019). So that the tasks will be covered before the deadlines as well as
properly allocate the resources also.
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3 – Business Case Project Report
Chapter 1: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review
The term literature review can be defined as the information which allows the readers
to understand the specific topic. This also helps in getting more ideas and also to understand
the research better in the form of written report.
2.2 Main body with heading and sub-headings
To determine the basic understanding of innovative digital workspace in context of UK
retail industry
According to Ifenthaler (2018), the digital workplace is one of the beneficial elements
for the company under which the technology allows the company to work better. The
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innovative digital workspace in the retail industry has accelerated the whole process of
operations and functions. Instead of traditional ways the companies are making use of
innovative digital workspace as it helps the company to bring better innovation in the
company. Due to which the employees will be able to work from anywhere between the
home and company. Furthermore, the employees experience will also be improved when the
company makes use of digital workspace. The chosen company has also got the chance to
work better in a new way of working Grant and Russell, 2020). The business will able to
grow faster due to digitalisation and the level of productivity will also be enhanced. Along
with it, the skilled staff will be required who will be able to manage various tasks easily. It
can also be said that digital skills are said to be essential for the employees as well as the
company. In relation to the retail sector, the workforce feels more connected and involved
which allows them to coordinate with the company.
To identify the need and importance of innovative digital workspace within Primark
As stated by Selimović, Pilav-Velić and Krndžija, (2021), innovative digital workspace
plays an essential role in the chosen company. It can also be seen that digital workspace is
getting common and almost all the companies are getting benefit from it. Under this the
company will be able to merge all the tools which are complicated in nature at various
platforms. In the last few decades the workplace has changed drastically and it has led to help
the employees in order to be more comfortable while working. Furthermore, after the Covid-
19 the virtual desktops are considered to be the main in the digital workplace. It is known to
offer better flexibility with improved level of productivity among the company. That is why
in order to be more successful the company must take care of its employees by providing
them good services with various amenities. Likewise, the chosen company is also able to
resolve the various issues that is ongoing demands of cutting the costs and elevating the level
of productivity (Coetzee, 2019). Due to this the employees can collaborate and stay
connected with the company and management while working.
Benefits availed by Primark while adopting innovative digital workspace
As per the view of Frendiana and Soediantono (2022), there are several benefits of
adopting innovative digital workspace within an organisation because it helps in increasing
its overall growth and productivity in the business market. Enhanced innovation and
communication is the major benefit that company will gain with the adoption of digital
workplace so that employees work with high consistency and dedication. Employees are the
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most important element of the business that helps in achieving the sustained aim and
objectives so that they gain growth in their personal life too. By using the correct
technological methods and automating continuous tasks by the digital workspace which
ultimately leads to increased productivity (TOSHEVA, 2020). This help employees in brining
new ideas and innovativeness in the style of working so that they achieve the goals and
objectives of the business. Innovative digital workspace also helps employees to work
remotely so that they can work from anywhere at anytime and this results in increased
flexibility in their work. With the help of innovative digitalised workplace employees also
provides better customer experience which makes them engaged in their work so that they
deal with the high competition in the market in an appropriate way.
The issues faced by Primark while transforming their workspace digitally
As per the view of Heavin and Power (2018), the company faces many issues at the
time of transforming organisation into digital workplace and this results in decreased growth
and success in the competitive market. Shortcomings in the culture of organisation are one of
the main problem that business face at the time of transformation. Adopting new technologies
require more knowledge and skill among employees so that they deal with the working
conditions in a more effective and effective manner. Lack of IT resources and management is
also one of the issue that company at the digital transformation because every person working
within the company is not trained and qualified enough that they solve each problem related
to IT. Lack of budget is also a problem because implementing digital transformation within
the workplace is expensive as it requires new technology and software to be installed.
Managing the digital security is also a concern for many companies because it creates a risk
of leaking any important data in a proper manner (Pelletier and Cloutier, 2019). Evolving the
needs of customers is also a challenge that they face at the time of digital transformation so
that they deal within the business organisation so that high growth and success can be gained.
2.3 Conclusion of Literature Review
From the above information it can be understood that the digital workplace is
considered to be the main factor for the company. Under which the technology helps the
company to work better in the retail industry. It can also be evaluated that the innovative
digital workspace in the retail industry has fast-tracked its growth that is in the process of
operations and functions. That is why it is advised to the chosen company to make use of
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innovative digital workspace as it assists the company to bring better innovation in the
company.
Chapter 2: Methodology
3.1 Research Process
It is defined as a step by step process which the researcher follows for carrying out the
present investigation in an effective manner. There are mainly eight steps which are involved
in the research process and are defined as under:
Determining the problem of research
Designing the aim and objectives
Explaining literature review
Preparing design of research
Deciding sampling size
Gathering and analysing data
Writing the final report
3.2 Research Approach
Research approach is defined as a planned process which helps in testing the hypothesis and
theories in a more scientific manner. There are two types of research approaches which are
known as deductive and inductive (Pinos-Vélez and et. al., 2020). In the present carried on
study, the researcher has selected deductive approach. The main reason for selecting
deductive approach is that it helps the researcher in analysing the existing theories in order to
collect quantitative information in a more effective manner.
3.3 Research Strategy
Research strategy can also be defined as step wise plan that helps the investigator in
collecting information about the topic in a more effective manner. Survey, focus group,
literature review, questionnaire, case study, experimental research are defined as some of the
types of research strategies (Batallán, 2019). In the current investigation, survey research
strategy is selected by the investigator. The reason for selecting survey research strategy in
the present investigation is that it helps in gathering wide data from the large set of sample.
3.4 Research Methodology and Tools
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Research methodology can be defined as a process of identifying, analysing and
interpreting data as per the given research topic. This section helps the researcher in knowing
the type of data that is needed for using and which strategy, philosophy, data collection
method is use for collecting and evaluating information (Bruun and Evans, 2018). Research
methodology also helps the researcher in maintaining the quality and reliability of the data
collected on the given research topic in an effective manner.
Research philosophy
Research philosophy can be defined as the set of belief and principle which are used
by the researcher for gathering the type of information on the topic. There are two types of
research philosophies which are known as positivism and interpretivism (Lunde, Bakke and
Areskoug-Josefsson, 2020). In carrying out the present study in a proper manner, positivism
is selected by the researcher. The reason for selecting this type of philosophy is that it helps
in collecting objective information in an appropriate manner.
Research choice
Research choice can be classified in two different types which are defined as
qualitative and quantitative. In carrying out the present investigation in an effective and
proper manner, the investigator has selected quantitative research choice method. The reason
for selecting quantitative choice method is that it helps the investigator in gathering
numerical information that is facts and figures in a proper easy manner.
Time horizon
Time horizon is the most effective method that helps the investigator in gathering
information in a timely manner. There are two tools of time horizon methods which are
defined as cross-sectional and longitudinal (Elgort, 2018). In the following study, the
investigator has selected cross-sectional method. The reason for selecting cross-sectional
method is that it helps the investigator in gathering data in one time and in shorter time period
in order to attain research aim and objectives.
Data collection
Data can be collected by using two different of methods that are mainly defined as
primary and secondary. The researcher has selected primary and secondary data collection
methods in carrying out the present research in an effective manner (Saha and Paul, 2020).
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Both data collection methods are selected by the researcher because it helps in collecting and
interpreting data from different sources with questionnaire so that true and accurate data can
be gained.
Data analysis
Data analysis can be divided into different types which are known as frequency
distribution analysis, thematic analysis and so on. In carrying out the investigation in an
appropriate manner, the investigator has selected frequency distribution analysis (Savin,
Kolchunov and Korenkov, 2020). The reason for choosing this method is that it helps the
investigator in gathering raw and fair data on the given topic from different number of
respondents.
Sampling
Sampling can be classified into two forms that are mainly defined as probability and
non-probability techniques (Bisdas and et. al., 2019). In carrying out the present research, the
researcher has selected probability sampling technique under which random sampling
technique is also selected. The reason for selecting this technique is that it helps in collecting
fair and true value from the respondents. The researcher has selected 30 employees of
Primark.
Chapter 3: Findings and Discussion (Data Presentation &
Interpretation)
Q1) According to your viewpoint, do you have have basic knowledge regarding the
innovative digital workspace in context of UK retail industry?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) As per your opinion, does digital workspace transformation helps in improving the
performance and growth of Primark?
a) Yes
b) No
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c) Can't Say
Q3) What is the need and requirement of innovative digital workspace within Primark?
a) Improve effectiveness of communication
b) Increase revenue
c) Gaining competitive advantage
d) Improves employee experiences
e) Eliminates unnecessary distraction
Q4) What is the benefit availed by Primark while adopting innovative digital workspace?
a) Increase flexibility
b) Improves productivity and efficiency
c) Reduce operational cost
d) Improve employee satisfaction
e) Strengthened talent recruitment and retention
Q5) According to your perception, what is the digital workplace trend which shapes the
future of work?
a) Robotic process automation
b) Immersive and hybrid technology
c) Rise of cloud technology
d) Chatbots platforms
e) Shift to remote working
Q6) Do you think that digital workplace trends helps in enhancing the business efficiency
and performance of business?
a) Yes
b) No
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