Digital Technology's Impact on HR at John Lewis Partnership

The study delves into the transformative role of digital technology within Human Resource (HR) processes at John Lewis Partnership. It aims to assess how these technological advancements contribute to enhanced operational efficiencies, such as streamlined recruitment, training, and performance management systems. Furthermore, it evaluates the accompanying challenges, including data security concerns, resistance to change among employees, and the need for continuous upskilling. The research proposes a comprehensive analysis of case studies, interviews with HR professionals, and surveys to provide insights into effective strategies for integrating digital tools in HR practices at John Lewis Partnership.

BUSINESS RESEARCH
PROJECT

Table of Contents
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1 Research proposal.............................................................................................................1
P2 Appropriate research methods to conduct primary and secondary research ....................5
M1 Research onion in the evaluation of different approaches...............................................6
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................7
P3 Cost, access and ethical consideration..............................................................................7
P4 Appropriate analytical tools to analysis research findings and data.................................9
M2 Justifications of design of methods and techniques of data collection..........................11
D1.........................................................................................................................................12
LO 3...............................................................................................................................................12
P5 Communicate research outcomes in appropriate manner for intended audience............12
M3 Research outcomes from objectives...............................................................................18
D2 Critically analysis research outcomes to make valid and justified recommendation.....18
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................18
P6 Effectiveness of research methods applied for meeting objectives of the business research
project...................................................................................................................................18
P7 Alternative research methodologies to view appropriate outcomes................................18
M4 Critical reflective...........................................................................................................20
D3 Personal reflective assessment........................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

Title: To analysis the impact of digital technology on Human Resource process: A study on
John Lewis Partnership.
LO 1
P1 Research proposal
Research project description
Background
Digital technology in human resource process consist more profits and revenue that
assists to develop creativity. In order to make changes in the technology and positive impact
helps to create positive results in the enterprise. In each department of the human resource
benefits are considered that make changes in HRM (Clark, Van Noordwijk and McNie, 2016).
Further, in this consideration digital technology also prior to the technology recruitment which
hit and miss process that are most costly. Employee training are also considered main element in
the management process which helps to improve workers capabilities on the job. In respect to
implement technology training, efficiency also increasing to develop creativity. Another
importance of the digital technology in human resource management considered data
management which helps to reduce paperwork and stored data easily.
Rationale
In the John Lewis partnership, human resource is the keen to measure performance of
employees. Therefore, positive performance considered in overall organisational success with
collective information on the employees' performance (Oldham and Da Silva, 2015). Nowadays,
employer branding is the concept which currently embraced by the enterprise with good reasons.
With advance technology, in John Lewis, outsourcing and telecommuting considered in the
operational system. Outsourcing works also proves that efficient in term also increasing labour
and infrastructure cost.
Research aim and objectives
Aim: To analysis the influence of digital technology on Human Resource process: Research on
John Lewis Partnership.
Objectives:
 To understand the idea of digital technology in human resource process.
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 To identify reasons for implementing digital technology in human resource process in
John Lewis.
 To determines the relationship between digital technology and human resource process in
John Lewis. To recommends methods by which digital technology can be applied in the John Lewis
Research questions
 What do you understand the concept of digital technology in human resource process?
 What are the reasons for implementing digital technology in human resource process in
John Lewis?
 How will you determine the relationship between digital technology and human resource
process in John Lewis?
 What are the ways will you recommend implement to apply digital technology at chosen
business environment?
Reasons for choosing the project
In respect to conduct the present research, following are certain factors exist that create
positive impact on the business analysis:
 Societal factors: In order to considered changes in the society, societal factors play
important function in the business. In this consideration, new things and trends emerged
that needed to consider proper attention. Hence, the present topic selected which highly
influence to the society (Luthans, Luthans and Luthans, 2015).
 Researcher values: Further, researcher values, interest, values, etc. also play important
role to investigate new topic in the business. It also helps to often identify outcomes with
experience as well. It is related with the social class, etc. elements in the environment.
 Researcher interest: Further, researcher has wide interest in digital technology and
human resource management as well. Therefore, it is important to increase knowledge
and interest towards the present topic of the research.
 Scope: In respect to implement the digital technology in human resource process, there is
wide scope in the business environment. In this consideration, in John Lewis it will
develop through concentrate on the creative aspects.
LITERATURE REVIEW
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Digital technology in the present research considered positive impact because it helps to
increase integrated results in the John Lewis. Technology changes HR department contact, store
files and analysis performance of the employees. With the help of the advance technology, HR
practices considered more efficiency to maximise the benefits and minimise the problems. There
are different authors considered their view towards the business results and outcomes (Nelson
and Staggers,2016).
Literature review
Concept of digital technology in human resource process
As per the view of Kavanagh and Johnson, (2017), human resource process consist
important HR technology which defines as attract, hire, retain and maintain resources as well. In
this consideration, it helps to support the HR and optimise resources as well. Digital technology
system also applied in the human resource information system in which various stakeholders,
managers, employees, etc. take part in John Lewis Partnership. Technology can also access in
different ways. On the other hand, Laudon and Laudon, (2016) stated that there easy way
develop with the help of technology. In other words, digital technology make easier and faster to
gather and considered effective research in the business. Hence, it helps to deliver relevant
information at workplace. It is potential that reduce administrative burden in the HR department
to focus on the meaningful HR practices. HR related decisions also manages which create
significant advantages as well.
In contradicting, Arts, van der Wal and Adams, (2015) explored their ideas and views
that all companies considered greatest and latest technology to implement information that are
needed at workplace of John Lewis Partnership. In the large business, there are more than 3000
employees needed where information could be placed. In the John Lewis digital technology
helps to reduce paper based systems which make significant results in department. Furthermore,
Stone and Deadrick, (2015) ascertain that electronic database system also began with the
emergence of the relations with database technology. It means that piece of data could be stored
in more than one file which contain several types of data together.
Reasons for implementing digital technology in human resource process in John Lewis
According to the point of Chelladurai and Kerwin, (2017) technology offers several
potential jobs to candidates which assists to increase effectiveness in John Lewis Partnership. In
this aspect, it is possible that participation of the online assessment included that helps to
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checking and considered competencies through reading company blog. Digital technology
implemented in the human resource process to lead with careful information process. Use of the
social media increasing recruitment purposes to support the activities in systematic manner. On
the other hand, Gan, Menkhoff and Smith, (2015) argued that there are several tools applied in
the human resource process which implement e-selection process such as electronic job analysis,
electronic interview, electronic job application and initial screening, etc. It increases competency
to become more personalised and increases effectiveness in John Lewis.
Beside this, Robinson, Cotten and Stern, (2015) generated their views and concept that
employee assessment is really important to considered in the John Lewis Partnership. With the
help of the social communities, performance appraisal activities increasing continuously that
make effective collaboration of goal creation and using social tools as well. In addition to this,
Sparrow, Brewster and Chung, (2016) stated that advance technology also considered with
telephone, internet and wireless services that make several changes from home to workplace.
New kind of global economy attached routine worko such as commerce, business, etc.
Nowadays, digital technology in human resource process considered recruitment and selection
which led transformation of the recruitment and selection process that make several changes in
respect to collect and disseminating the in the business will effective information about the
applicants and employees.
Relationship between digital technology and human resource process in John Lewis
According to the point of Kane, Palmer and Buckley, (2015) digital technology
considered positive relationship with human resource process in John Lewis. In this aspect,
several innovations and creativity will be implemented that assists to considered human
behaviour which influence to the technology. It also builds the new customer experience that
assists to concentrate on technological advancement. Technology make changes in the HR
department which assists to analysis the employees performances as well. On the other hand,
Karimi and Walter, (2015) explored their ideas and views to manage the company human
resources. Good HR practices maximise the benefits and minimise the issues that are take place
in the business environment. HR process considered several aspects such as recruitment,
selection, etc. Therefore, it will assist to connect several people with email, internet, etc. In the
21st century companies posting their information through online methods so it would be
beneficial to deal with time and personal work.
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Furthermore, Matt, Hess and Benlian, (2015) ascertain their views that digital technology
helps to make ease of communication that make easier work to stay touch with rest of the
companies people as well. If manager of John Lewis Partnership wants to share their schedule, it
is essential to implement information which delivered into the group. Hence, each person could
easily ask about the questions and hear answer as well. In contradicting, Oldham and Da Silva,
(2015) considered their ideas and views that into the HR process and digital technology there are
data analysis element make relationship which depends on the personal assessment and standards
as well. Hence, it will assist to work in positive way and increase effectiveness as well.
Ways through digital technology can be applied in the chosen business
As per the point of Stone, Deadrick and Johnson, (2015), digital technology implement in
John Lewis through make faster and more comprehensive communication. It also makes
improvements in the communication that is associated with internet and other devices such as
laptops, smart phones, etc. When John Lewis organised their tactics and strategies with
communication, faster work will be completed at workplace. High technical communication
possibilities increases resources. However, Baller, Dutta and Lanvin, (2016) argued that resource
management is important consideration in which technologies changing and radically
restructured to work. Single operator also deploy in the different resources in all over the global
market. Most Significant emerging technology helps to make changes where people work to gain
automation and automated learning as well. In the production plant, there are several workers
develop their consideration that communicate directly with one another.
In respect to considered the views and ideas of Sabherwal and Jeyaraj, (2015) safety
advantages are more remarkable consideration that increases safety of worker during work. It is
more risky in the automobile racing. In the today's time, technological innovations also drove
down to the safer point which assists to increases the advantages in systematic manner.
Activities and time scale
In order to accomplish desire results in research, present activities and time scale helps to
considered time on each element to perform several functions and operations.
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Activities Week 1 Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week 7 Week
8
Week
9
Week
10
Week
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Analysing
research
proposal
Understandi
ng the
significance
of the study
Review of
the
literature
Making of
aims and
objectives
Implemetin
g aims and
objectives
Devising
the
questionnai
re
Collecting
the data
and
information
6

Examining
the data
Finding
Recommen
dation and
further
areas to be
consider
Final
Submission
P2 Appropriate research methods to conduct primary and secondary research
Methodologies
In addition to research approach, there are several other tools exist that can be used by
researcher to find useful information at workplace. In this aspect, aims ans objectives will be
develop through these elements:
 Research philosophy: Research philosophies play vital role to collect information that
are relevant and useful for the present research analysis. In this aspect, data gathered and
collected from four kinds of research philosophies such as pragmatism, interpretivism,
positivism, realism (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). In order to conduct the present
research, interpretivism research philosophy has been selected. This is because, it
employed to find indepth and advance results towards the aims and objectives.
 Research approach: Research approach is the important consideration that assists to
analysis whole program with implement different methods. In this way, hypothesis
implemented that is based on the approaches. In order to considered the present research,
there are three options undertaken by researcher such as inductive, deductive and
abductive. From the above tools, researcher select deductive which helps to find
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subjective measurement at workplace of John Lewis. It helps to considered additional
investigation through specific aims and objectives in the process (Clark, Van Noordwijk
and McNie, 2016).
 Research design: Further, research design also considered important part in the
investigation. In this aspect, relevant information could be ascertained at workplace with
effective research program (Bratton and Gold, 2017). In this way, various aspects of it
involves descriptive, semi-experimental, correlation, etc. In order to select the research
design, present research considered descriptive aspect which helps to find qualitative
measures through experts views.
 Data collection: There are several ways through data and information collected towards
the research. In this aspect, primary and secondary two types of data generally collected
which helps to ascertain effective information (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). In order to
collect primary data researcher implement questionnaire which asked from employees of
John Lewis. In addition to this secondary information also collected which adopted from
the several sources such as books, journals, magazines, online resources, articles etc.
 Sampling: In order to find useful information, there are several methods exist that can be
used by researcher to find and analysis creative results at workplace. In this
consideration, researcher select simple random sampling method that helps to find
effective results towards the aims and objectives at workplace of John Lewis. Further,
selected sample size is 20 employees of the chosen business (Lazar, Feng and
Hochheiser, 2017).
 Data analysis:Data analysis is most useful and effective method that consist to develop
better findings towards the aims and objectives. In the present research, thematic analysis
considered which helps to create better results and meet with aims and objectives in the
business environment. Furthermore, survey also conducted with frame questionnaire
design in proper manner. It helps to analysis quantitative research at workplace
(McCusker and Gunaydin, 2015).
M1 Research onion in the evaluation of different approaches
In order to accomplish aim and objectives, researcher used descriptive research design
that assists to develop appropriate system to gain in-depth information towards aim.
Furthermore, interpretivism research philosophy has been selected that assists to gain more
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desired level results at workplace. With the help of qualitative data analysis, conclusion and
findings successfully develop in the present research which would be beneficial to attain
significant advantages.
LO 2
P3 Cost, access and ethical consideration
In order to attain desired results and outcomes, present research considered proper
analysis and identify useful information at workplace.
 Cost: In this aspect, total cost requires £650 which distributed in different activities and
tasks. In addition to this researcher has responsibility to considered rules and regulations
which implemented by government of the country (Clark, Van Noordwijk and McNie,
2016). From the secondary research, it can be stated that proper and useful information
can be made which would be helpful to attain more desired level efficiency.
 Access: In order to conduct present research, researcher need to take consent from John
Lewis to conduct study. Therefore, manager of John Lewis can also focus to create
innovation in human resource process and undertake this research program. With this
regard, researcher will easily promote their functioning to attain appropriate working.
 Ethical consideration: In addition to this researcher also consider findings that never
harm to any person and personal information never disclosed in front of people. As
results, proper security will be maintained at workplace easily.
P4 Appropriate analytical tools to analysis research findings and data
In order to conduct the proper findings and analysis, in the present research survey
ascertained from questionnaire. It is the important and useful technique that implemented to
collect and examine information towards the whole program (Luthans, Luthans and Luthans,
2015). In this way, primary information will be gathered which helps to find aims and objectives
in systematic manner. Therefore, following questionnaire has been implemented at workplace of
the chosen business:
Questionnaire
Name:____________
Age:______________
Occupation:________
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Q1. Do you think that digital technology would be useful for carrying out various process of
Human resource management?
A. Agree
B. Disagree
C. Highly Agree
D. Highly Disagree
E. Neutral
Q2. Will digital technology be used in recruitment of personal within John Lewis?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Cannot say
Q3. Do you think that digital technology would be assisting HR in taking attendance of staff?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Cannot say
Q4. Do you think that digital tools like that of job searching sites or apps be useful for John
Lewis selecting personal?
A. Agree
B. Disagree
C. Highly Agree
D. Highly Disagree
E. Neutral
Q5. To what extent company is employing digital technology within Human resource process of
John Lewis?
A. Not using at all
B. Using but to some extent
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