Leadership's Role in Workplace Equality: B&Q Limited Case Study

This research project investigates the critical role of leadership in managing equality issues within the workplace, focusing on a case study of B&Q Limited. The report begins with an introduction outlining the background, aims, objectives, and rationale for the study, including research questions focused on identifying common inequalities, assessing challenges for management, and determining effective leadership approaches. A comprehensive literature review explores existing research on inequalities, the impact of equality issues, and the role of leadership in addressing these challenges. The methodology section details the use of both primary and secondary research, as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods. The report then presents data analysis and interpretation, followed by a discussion of research findings and communication strategies with stakeholders. The project concludes with recommendations for B&Q Limited and a reflection on the effectiveness of research methods used.

Research project

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Background to the study.........................................................................................................1
Aim and objectives of research..............................................................................................1
Rationale for selection of topic...............................................................................................1
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................2
Chapter 3: Research methodology...................................................................................................5
Chapter 4: Data analysis and interpretation.....................................................................................7
Analysis of data......................................................................................................................7
Interpretation of data..............................................................................................................9
Chapter 5: Communication of research outcome...........................................................................17
Research findings.................................................................................................................17
Communication with stakeholders.......................................................................................18
Chapter 6: Conclusion and recommendation.................................................................................18
Conclusion............................................................................................................................18
Recommendation..................................................................................................................19
Chapter 7: Reflection on the effectiveness of research methods and alternative research
methodologies................................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

Chapter 1: Introduction
Background to the study
Business organisation is conducting different roles and responsibilities with an aim to
serve large base of customers, in this employees are playing most important source of company
revenue generation. This makes organisation to manage workforce with and workplace in an
effective manner (Bendl, Hainzl and Mensi-Klarbach, 2019). In this organisation is required to
ensure that they undertake effective leadership roles as well as approaches through which
equality get managed in an effective manner. With the help of this company can encourage
employees towards higher objectives and can further ensure long-term sustainability. Present
report is being conducted on leadership role in order to maintain equality in workplace. In this
report literature review is being conducted in addition to this report also include research
methodology data analysis research findings and recommendations.
Aim and objectives of research
Aim of current research
The main associated with current research project is, “To understand the role of
leadership in handling the issues related to equality at workplace”. A case study on B&Q Limited
Research objectives
 To determine the common inequalities that arise equality issues at workplace.
 To identify the extent at which equality issues arise challenges for management of B&Q
ltd.
 To determine the role of leadership approach in managing equality issues at workplace.
 To recommend the best leadership approaches that management of B&Q Ltd. can adopt
to manage equality issues
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection of current research topic is rationale as it lead to better understanding about
the concept of equality and diversity that is essential and vital for a form for enhancing and
improving its performance. Apart from this, an analysis of the role lead by leadership approach
in addressing the issues and challenges associated with equality is also provided to support and
provided a more sportive workplace for employees. Beside this, selection of current research
topic is also viable and suitable as it meet the personal interest of researcher along meeting the
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educational and academic purpose which also facilitates improvement in managerial skills thus,
current research project is rationale and justifiable.
Research questions
The list of set research questions that are to be evaluated and analysed through current
investigation are listed and provided as below:
 What are the common set of inequalities that leads to arise equality issues at the
workplace?
 Till what extent and level the equality issues arises challenges for management of B&Q
ltd?
 What role is played and lead out by the leadership approach in leading effective
management equality issues at workplace?
 Which one could be the best leadership approaches that management of B&Q Ltd. can
adopt to manage equality issues?
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Literature review are defined as a survey of scholarly resources like journal, article, books
and more through which specific topic or research question get answer. Mentioned below
literature review of above-mentioned objectives is being conducted:
Common inequalities that arise equality issues at workplace
According to the viewpoint of Gordon, 2018 there are different forms of inequalities that
can arise issues within an organisational workplace structure. It has been identified that if an
individual get discriminated on the basis of gender, race, caste, culture, colour and other aspects
then it will lead towards creating equality issue. In addition to this it has been underlined that
equality issues also get arises if an organisation practices unequal pay scale for men and women.
It is the major issues that arises equality issue within workplace structure. It has been underlined
that if women and men are working on same job role but women get paid comparatively lesser
than men then in this situation equality issue arises. This issue will not only lower down
profitability of employees within the organisation but also lead towards affecting brand value
and core objective of an entity. Furthermore, it has been determined that equality issue will lead
entity to face decrease in its profitability and overall productivity levels that can also have impact
upon long-term sustainability of organisation in respective industrial sector. Furthermore
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according to the evaluation this has been determined that poor medical care, lack of legal
protection, lack of religious freedom, uneven access to opportunities, wage gap, violence against
women, uneven work life balance bullying and harassment are some of the major any qualities
that will lead to work creating equality issues in an entity workplace structure. All these issues
are required to be effectively considered by an organisation and management of entity and
required to make sure that these practices does not prevail within workplace as it can further
affect their sustainability and profitability for longer period of time.
Extent at which equality issues arise challenges
According to the viewpoint of Brennan, 2017, it has been underlined that equality issues
can affect organisation at great extent and can further affect its profitability and long-term
sustainability in respective industrial sector. Equality issues involve number of elements or
unequal practices in context with gender inequality, discrimination practices, unethical measures
and other factors. Furthermore it has been underlined that presence of equality issue with an
organisational structure will also lower down overall productivity level of employees and can
also affect the job satisfaction and loyalty towards organisation. This will lead entity to face
major reduction in their overall sales as well as profitability and as if employees are dissatisfied
from the work environment or atmosphere then it will have severe impact on company overall
profitability. In addition to this it has been evaluated that equality issues will also enhance stress
and depression among employees and can also create issues like harassment and bullying that
can affect employees and organisation at maximum extent. Furthermore, according to the
analysis it has been identified that equality issues have critical or vulnerable impact upon mental
as well as physical health of employees can lead entity to encounter many losses in terms of
finance and goodwill. Thus, it is essential for an organisation to make sure that within workplace
there are no unethical practices being prevailed and employees to not get discriminated on any
basis. Negligence of this may lead entity towards increase in equality issues that can further may
not be controllable by organisation and can affect the business operations at large scale.
Role of Leadership approaches in managing equality issues
As per the view of Klein, 2016, equality issues do not only affect organisation brand value
but also have negative impact upon long-term sustainability within the marketplace. In addition
to this, it also affects employee job moral and satisfaction. Thus, it is essential for an
organisation to effectively engage in the practices of managing equality issues in order to
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identify the causes at first stage and implement effective strategies in order to overcome these
issues in effective time period. In this leadership approach play important role in which it is
essential for leaders within organisation to effectively display their value towards diversity and
encourage equality at workplace organisation through their action and behaviour. Furthermore, it
has been identified that by supporting multiculturalism leaders can implement a culture in which
individuals from different backgrounds get appreciated in an equal manner. In addition to this
leaders are also responsible to effectively embrace values and culture and further motivate
employees towards organisational goals and objectives in a well defined and effective manner.
Leadership approaches have tendency to encourage and motivate employees by offering them a
positive workplace culture. Leadership approach play most important role in which leaders are
having significant tendency to persuade, inspire and encourage individuals or group to
accomplish targets with the help taking advantage of different leadership style such as coaching,
democratic or autocratic and more according to the situation. With the help of this equality issues
can be managed in a well defined and effective manner. Along with this, with the help of these
practices entity can not only strengthen their workplace culture efficiency but can also enhance
employee’s performance and productivity towards higher objectives.
Best leadership approaches that management of B&Q Ltd. can adopt to manage equality issues
According to the view point of Kulkarni, Boehm and Basu, 2016, equality issues are
required to be managed in an effective manner within an organisational structure as it can affect
profitability and other activities of company on simultaneous basis. It is essential for leaders with
an entity to create a framework to effectively assure that employees do not get discriminated on
any basis. In addition to this by having performance appraisal approach leaders can manage
equality issues, in this leaders are required to appraise employees according to their performance
level without discriminating them this will enhance performance and job satisfaction of
employees in a well defined and effective manner. Along with its leaders can also undertake
advantage of performance rating practices in which they rate performance of employees in fair
manner. With the help of this positive competition can be created and entity can accomplish
higher objectives in more effective manner. Leaders can also manage equality issues by engaging
employees in the process of decision making; this will enhance employee’s morale and
satisfaction towards organisation in effective manner. Having strong leadership structure can not
only enhance performance of employees but can also create a workplace culture in which
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employees feel motivated to perform their work. Furthermore, it has been identified that proper
communication is also required to be undertaken in these leaders of B&Q ltd are required to
make sure that there is two way communication prevail within workplace it is one of the most
effective measure through which equality can be measured.
Chapter 3: Research methodology
This part defines the most imperative part of research that provides significant way to
researchers, to choose appropriate tools for collecting, arranging, analysing and interpreting
information. It includes sources for primary and secondary research, where external sources are
used in present research, that gives support to conduct deep analysis and meet objectives more
efficiently. It also helps in developing a theoretical framework by taking information from
books, articles, journals and so on, to draw valid and reliable results.
Primary research-
Primary research is defined as a data Collection method in which information are get
collected on first hand. It is also known as raw source of data generation as in this research or
individual acquire data or information from sources like Interview, online survey, observations
and more. According to the analysis it has been identified that in order to acquire information
from primary data collection method an individual have to invest more time as well as cost.
Secondary research-
In this data collection method information get me gathered from already existing sources
namely article, published report, journals, internet, books and more. In addition to their it has
been on the underlined that this research collection method takes comparatively less time as cost
to acquire information.
In order to conduct present research objective research will undertake use of primary and
secondary source of data collection method in order to acquire different information and data in
an accurate manner. Through this research can be accomplished with higher effectiveness along
with this with the help of both of these data collection method researcher can automatically
enhance effectiveness of research in a well defined and effective manner.
Quantitative research- In this research methodology, information or data represented in a
numerical or statistical manner. In this there are various methods being involved that can be
undertaken by researcher namely interviews, observations or surveys.
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Qualitative research- In this research methodology data get evaluated and collected in
basically non-numerical form. Main purpose behind this is to acquire effective understanding of
opinion, experienced and concept (Dumay and Cai, 2015). Qualitative research will facilitate
researcher to have insight of the inside the usual methods like research of you open ended
questions and more.
According to the analysis it has been identified that researchers will take advantage of
qualitative methodology and conduct research. With the help of this method researcher aim
towards identified attitude and responses of respondent for customers in more effective manner.
Questionnaire :
It’s basically process different type of question that has been underlined in order to
identify perspective and opinion of respondents. In this respondents are being given with certain
choices of answer which information can be collected by research to conduct research with more
accurate information’s in order to conduct present research 30 respondents have been selected.
Questionnaire
Q1) Does any kind of awareness and understanding is held on by you on the concept of
equality and diversity at place of work of a company?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Neutral implication
Q2) What are the common set of inequalities that leads to arise equality issues at the
workplace?
a) Gender inequalities
b) Cultural discrimination
c) Unequal pay
d) All of the above
Q3) As per your view point, Till what extent and level the presence of equality issues arises
challenges for management of B&Q ltd?
a) High level
b) Moderate extent
c) Low Level
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Q4) Why management of equality along with implication of diversity has become so vital
and crucial for an organisation?
a) Boost morale of employees
b) create positive working relationship
c) Greater productivity
d) Attract more talented employees
Q5) Are you agreed with the fact that enhanced brad reputation and improvement in
performance is also lead by management of equality and diversity at workplace of B&Q
ltd?
a) Strongly agreed
b) Agreed
c) Disagreed
d) Strongly disagreed
e) Neither agreed nor disagreed
Q6) As per your understanding, what overall role is lead out by leadership approaches in
managing and addressing equality issues at place of work of B&Q ltd?
a) Positive role
b) Negative role
c) No role
Q7) How the leaders of B&Q ltd played a vital role in addressing inequality issues to
ensure better management of equality and diversity at its workplace?
a) Leading better direction for employees
b) Ensuring proper communication
c) Providing regular understanding and awareness
d) Creating a healthy and positive workplace
Q8) What could be the possible challenges which can be encountered by the leaders of
B&Q ltd during managing equality and diversity at its workplace?
a) Lack of effective communication
b) Conflicts of interest among diverse workforce
c) Cultural barrier
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Q9) Which one could be taken as the best leadership approaches that the management of
B&Q Ltd could adopt in order to effectively manage equality issues at its workplace?
a) Participative management approach
b) Strategy of providing regular training
c) Leading effective communication
d) Adoption of inclusive and fair leadership approach
Q10) Any Further recommendation for B&Q ltd to have better management of equality
issues at its workplace?
Chapter 4: Data analysis and interpretation
Analysis of data
Use of following frequency table is made for analysis and systematic presentation of raw
data collected from 30 participants selected from the upper management of all departments of
B&Q.
Q1) Does any kind of awareness and understanding is held on by
you on the concept of equality and diversity at place of work of a
company?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 3
c) Neutral implication 2
Q2) What are the common set of inequalities that leads to arise
equality issues at the workplace?
Frequency
a) Gender inequalities 7
b) Cultural discrimination 8
c) Unequal pay 9
d) All of the above 6
Q3) As per your view point, Till what extent and level the presence
of equality issues arises challenges for management of B&Q ltd?
Frequency
a) High level 10
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b) Moderate extent 11
c) Low Level 9
Q4) Why management of equality along with implication of
diversity has become so vital and crucial for an organisation?
Frequency
a) Boost morale of employees 5
b) create positive working relationship 10
c) Greater productivity 8
d) Attract more talented employees 7
Q5) Are you agreed with the fact that enhanced brand reputation
and improvement in performance is also lead by management of
equality and diversity at workplace of B&Q ltd?
Frequency
a) Strongly agreed 5
b) Agreed 7
c) Disagreed 6
d) Strongly disagreed 8
e) Neither agreed nor disagreed 4
Q6) As per your understanding, what overall role is lead out by
leadership approaches in managing and addressing equality issues
at place of work of B&Q ltd?
Frequency
a) Positive role 22
b) Negative role 5
c) No role 3
Q7) How the leaders of B&Q ltd played a vital role in addressing
inequality issues to ensure better management of equality and
diversity at its workplace?
Frequency
a) Leading better direction for employees 6
b) Ensuring proper communication 7
c) Providing regular understanding and awareness 8
d) Creating a healthy and positive workplace 9
Q8) What could be the possible challenges which can be
encountered by the leaders of B&Q ltd during managing equality
Frequency
9