John Lewis Business Project: Globalisation's Impact Analysis Report

This report analyzes the impact of globalisation on John Lewis, a UK-based department store chain, exploring its positive effects on various business functions. The research includes an introduction to globalisation, a background on John Lewis, and the positive impacts of economic, cultural, and ethical factors. The report outlines the aims and objectives of the research, along with a detailed research plan including cost estimations, scope, and timelines. A Gantt chart and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) are provided to illustrate project management aspects. The methodology section describes primary and secondary research methods, along with qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a questionnaire developed for data collection. The report interprets the findings and concludes with recommendations and the value of undertaking the research. References and appendices are also included.

MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Positive impact of various factors of globalisation on businesses in UK...............................3
Background of the research....................................................................................................4
Activity 1.........................................................................................................................................4
Aim and objectives.................................................................................................................4
Research Plan.........................................................................................................................5
Gantt chart..............................................................................................................................6
WBS.......................................................................................................................................7
Activity 2.........................................................................................................................................8
Research methodology...........................................................................................................8
Interpretation........................................................................................................................11
Activity 3.......................................................................................................................................19
Recommendation..................................................................................................................19
Value of undertaking the research........................................................................................20
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................23

INTRODUCTION
Globalisation refer to the term in which an organisation develops international influence
by expanding the operations of business at international level. Globalisation provides a vision to
the firms to survive in the competitive world for long run. In this process, different people,
processes, organisations integrate with each other in order to achieve their shared goals (Baylis,
Smith and Owens, 2017). John lewis, an UK based high end department stores operating at 51
locations is selected for this assessment. This project will cover the aims and objectives along
with the questions for conducting the research. Further this assessment will also cover the
various aspects of project management plan such as cost, resources, risks, communication etc.
Along with the different data collection methods and type of data. This report will also develop a
questionnaire for interpreting the results as well as for providing a valid and meaningful
conclusion. Recommendations will be given in the end.
Positive impact of various factors of globalisation on businesses in UK
While globalising the business, organisations faces various issues due to the influence of
different factors. These factors positively impact the business organisations of UK as discussed
below:
Economic: Due to the globalisation, competition in the market increases which also
impact the economy of a country in economic terms. This competition also provides the benefits
to the economy in terms of increased employment opportunities, increases tax revenue etc. which
can be utilised for the development of the people of that particular country.
Culture: In order to globalise the business, firms needs to determine the culture of the
people so that proper support can be acquired through them. This determination can be done by
taking the assistance of the local employees who are having suitable knowledge regarding the
culture of that place in order to satisfy the cultural requirements of the people for enhancing their
satisfaction from businesses (Bertels, Koen and Elsum, 2015).
Ethical: There are various norms, standard, values of the people which should be
respected by the businesses during the globalisation process. This is essential in enhancing the
brand image so that good customer base can be developed from the improved reputation.

Background of the research
John lewis, a departmental store chain having operations throughout the United
Kingdom. The parent company of the firm is John Lewis Partnership which was formed in the
year 1929. However the first store of the chain was opened in year 1864 at Oxford street,
London. The company is employing more than 38,100 employees throughout their stores in UK
(Fageha and Aibinu, 2013). The organization has decided to increase the business operations at
economic level to capture the market shares and to earn more profits. So for the success of this
expansion, company needs to focus on various factors which impacts globalisation in the
business operations so that proper modifications in strategies and policies can be done. This
impact is as follows:
Operation: This department is responsible for creating the synchronisation between the
different departments of John lewis in order to eliminate the chances of errors so that
organisational goals can be achieved effectively. Proper communication is required in order to
convey the essential information to other departments and employees.
Marketing: Marketing function is responsible for promoting the offerings and brand of an
organisation at global level. For this, the managers of the marketing needs to develop new
marketing strategies or needs to modify the existing strategies so that more customers can be
attracted towards the brand (Forsgren and Johanson, 2014).
Human resource: This department is responsible for hiring the candidates so that they
can handle the international clients effectively. The HR manager needs to ensure that they are
hiring the suitable candidates having proper information regarding the culture of local people and
also for communicating the customers in an effective manner.
Accounting: Accounting department is responsible for maintaining and recording the
transactions done in the company. The accounting manager needs to record the transactions of
the company which occurred in the globalisation process so that proper amount of funds can be
maintained or collected from different resources.
Activity 1
Aim and objectives
Aim

“To determine the positive economic, cultural and ethical impact of globalisation on
different business functions within an organisation”- A case study on John Lewis.
Objectives
 To interpret the process of globalisation
 To identify the influence of globalisation on various organisational function of John
Lewis.
 To evaluate the challenges faced by John lewis during the globalisation.
Research Plan
Research plan consist of various factors which should be considered by the firm and
researcher in order to ensure successful execution of the research. These factors are discussed
below:
Cost: This is the amount of money which will be utilised in conducting the research. John
Lewis has estimated an amount of 2,00,000 pounds. 50,000 pounds will be used for purchasing
the machinery, 50,000 for hiring the employees and remaining will be used for purchasing the
raw materials, building and marketing. Whereas researcher has estimated an amount of 15,000
for conducting the research which will be utilised for travelling purpose so that suitable
information can be gathered through the interviews of stakeholders.
Scope: the organisation has a wide scope for this project as it will satisfy the needs of
people in which the company is expanding the operations. The organisation can provide their
products to more number of customers through this expansion (Lundin and et. al., 2015). The
scope of project for the researcher is also high as it allows the firm to acquire appropriate
information regarding the market and customers so that the products can be provided
accordingly. This research will also provide the information associated with tools and methods
which can be used for driving the firm towards sustainability.
Time: John Lewis has estimated a time period of 6 months for executing the expansion
process whereas researcher has estimated a time frame of 1 months for conducting the research
as well as for gathering the information for concluding the research.
Quality: This is an essential aspect for the John lewis for achieving the desired objectives
and goals for the globalisation process. The company has decided to provide the quality based
products to the customers in order to stay ahead of the competitors. Company will also use the

updated machines and effective tools for ensuring the quality of products. Whereas researcher is
using the qualitative method so that valid and reliable data can be obtained for concluding a
meaningful and reliable conclusion.
Communication: It is also an essential aspect for the research as well as for the company.
John lewis has different department due to which company has decided to use suitable
communication channels for effective communication among the departments such as ERP
software, Slack etc. Whereas researcher has decided to use the calls, messages and video calls for
communicating with the different stakeholders of the company in order to gather the data.
Risks: There are various risks which can be faced by the John lewis in the expansion
process such as lack of funds, unskilled workers, out dated technology etc. which can impact the
firm during globalising the business (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). Several risks also faced by the
researcher in collecting the information such as lack of funds, lack of communication skills,
language or cultural barriers etc. which can impact the execution of the research.
Resources: Various resources are required by the John Lewis so that they can perform the
globalisation process effectively. These resources includes funds, machines, building, skilled
workers etc. for performing the operations of business. researcher will also require several
resources such as internet connection, funds for travelling etc. to operate research programmes in
proper way.
Gantt chart
It refers as graphic content of various pre determined activities of the research project are
mentioned in order to track the progress of the project. The time frame along with the outcomes
are also mentioned in the chart which enables the researcher in conducting the research properly
by tracking the execution of the activities (Polonsky and Waller, 2018). It is also useful for
researcher in managing the various activities so that valid and meaningful conclusion can be
drawn.

WBS
This is a project management tool which is used for segmenting the huge tasks into small
activities to execute them in a proper way. By this the analyst can focus on execution of small

activities so that big tasks can be executed effectively. The researcher can also perform the
activities in desired way through the use of this tool.
Activity 2
Research methodology
Primary research: this research method refers as the collection of data freshly through
questionnaire, personal interview, focused groups etc. the primary source of collecting data is the
most reliable sources of gathering the information. This method of collecting information
requires huge amount of capital and it is a time consuming process needs human resource to
execute the research. However this method is very effective in conducting the research if the
researcher has proper funds and time.

Secondary research: this research involves the collection of data from already existed
data such as books, magazines and articles published by authors on internet sites or newspapers.
Secondary research is conducted with the purpose to add more knowledge in the ongoing process
The information collected through this process is considered as unreliable and less accurate
because of the changing facts and figures with relative change in situation of economy. However,
this method consume less funds and time due to which researcher uses this method (Stromquist
and Monkman, 2014).
Qualitative research: This research method is used to analyse the characteristics,
behaviour, meaning, of other people. The reasons behind the action of humans can be determined
through this method. This approach is beneficial for the researcher in collecting the view of a
large number of population in less amount of money and time. The information in this method is
collected through reliable methods such as questionnaire, interviews, surveys, panel interviews
etc. which can enhance the truth and accuracy of information.
Quantitative research: In this method data is gathered in statistical and numeric
measurements through the use of several tools and methods such as books and articles, online
surveys etc. This method also consume less time and resources but needs strong knowledge for
interpreting the data in meaningful and proper manner.
For conducting the research, Questionnaire is selected as the researcher needs to gather
the views from different stakeholders of the company. Also this method is less time and cost
consuming due to which researcher can easily collect the required information without facing
any difficult or complex challenges. The sample respondents for this research is 50 respondents
whose views are collected by the researcher by distributing the questionnaire. The data for
development of the questionnaire is taken from the secondary data collection method such as
news paper, magazines, books and journals etc.as it is not that time consuming process of
collecting the data (Primary source and secondary source, 2018).
Questionnaire
Q1)do you aware about the term globalisation ?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you think the services provided from John Lewis will satisfy the needs of customers

of targetted market?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) which factor will most impact the business operations of John lewis through the
globalisation?
a) Cultural
b) Economical
c) Ethical
Q4) Which of the following can be considered as suitable entry mode for John lewis in order
to expand the business at global level?
a) Joint venture
b) Strategic alliance
c) Exporting
Q5) Which of the following will be the major benefit of globalisation for the John lewis?
a) Enhanced productivity
b) Products at low prices
c) Enhanced brand image
Q6) Which positive impact can be achieved by the John Lewis by the globalisation of
business?
a) Enhanced job opportunities for locals
b) Reduced inflation results
c) Enhanced income of the local people
Q7) Which challenge is majorly faced by John Lewis through the globalising of business?
a) New laws and regulations
b) Risk of theft of intellectual property rights
c) Different culture of the people
Q8) How the John lewis can overcome the challenges of globalisation?
a) By determining the trends in market
b) By providing training to the employees

c) By determining the trend among the customers
Q9) Do you think globalisation will enhance the brand image and reputation of the firm
among the global market and customers?
a) Agree
b) Neutral
c) Disagree
Q10) Recommend some ways through which John Lewis can achieve competitive advantages.
Interpretation
Q1)do you aware about the term globalisation ? Frequency
A) Yes 37
B) No 13
A) Yes B) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
37
13 Frequency
Interpretation: From above data, it is visible that 37 out of 50 people are aware of
Globalisation whereas remaining 13 respondents does not understand the term globalisation.

Q2) Do you think the services provided by John Lewis will satisfy the
needs of customers of targetted market?
Frequency
A) Yes 39
B) No 11
A) Yes B) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
39
11
Frequency
Interpretation: It is analysed from the above graph that 39 out of 50 respondents stated
that John lewis can satisfy the needs of their new customer through existing services whereas
remaining 11 respondents stated that firm can't satisfy the needs of their new customers through
existing products.
Q3) Which factor will mostly impact the business operations of John
lewis through the globalisation?
Frequency
A) Cultural 25
B) Economical 10
C) Ethical 15