Management Report: Analyzing Challenges at Sports Direct International

This report analyzes the management challenges faced by Sports Direct International, focusing on issues related to work culture and its impact on organizational performance. The report begins with an introduction outlining the role of managers and leaders in enhancing productivity, followed by an analysis of the problems faced by the company, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the negative effects of poor work culture, including low wages, long working hours, and resulting stress on employees. The report then reviews management theories, such as bureaucratic management theory, to provide a framework for resolving these issues. It proposes solutions like establishing training programs, adopting effective management techniques, and implementing timely appraisals to improve employee morale and productivity. A three-point plan is presented to address the issues, including understanding the problem, generating feasible ideas, and selecting the best solutions. The report concludes with a reflection on the findings and recommendations.

Introduction to
Management

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
Analysis of problem...............................................................................................................3
Resolving the issue.................................................................................................................4
Review of management theory...............................................................................................5
Plan to resolve a given problem.............................................................................................7
Reflection statement...............................................................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

Introduction
Managers and leaders of a business organisation plays a vital role in enhancing better
productivity of a given firm by extraction of maximum output with investment of minimum input
of valuable business resources. However, due to increasing complexities and uncertainties which
makes it difficult for concerned authorities of the firm to govern efficiency of operations being
produced in respective workforce. In the presented report case study of “Sports Direct
International” is being taken into consideration. The respective group is owned by Mike Ashely
and offers clothing, accessories, equipments and footwear in its several retail outlets. The
presented report will highlight various issues or challenges faced by the firm at current pandemic
times i.e. COVID-19. In addition to this, respective report is also supported with use of
management theory to regulate effective operations being produced in the organisation and also
provides best possible solutions to a given problem. Further, in the report includes plans to
implement strategies in the given company is also being stated with considering various aspects
of business cycle including influence of internal and external factors (Coleman and et. al., 2021).
Main Body
Analysis of problem
As in effect of globalisation since 1914, which enabled operations of a said organisation
to work independently across the international boundaries. This policy also enabled employment
generation and working of various cultured individuals at specific place. In given organisation
i.e. Sports Direct International, being a retail firm managers of the firm already have to face high
challenges in regards to presence of high competition in given operational environment of the
business firm. Amongst various issues or challenges faced by the respective firm, problem of
indefinite work culture needs to be reviewed by managers of the firm at the priority basis. The
sales of respective company are increasing, however operational department of the firm is
experiencing difficulties in reducing its production costs. This has its direct impact on less profit
margins for the company which ultimately adds pressure to company in dividend distribution
process (Despoudi and et. al., 2021).
Due to poor work culture is given company, respective staffs working in the firm were
being paid low i.e. below their minimum wages and also were forced to follow additional work
during COVID-19. In addition, to this staff working in the organisation were forced to work long

working hours. This all aspects of poor work culture also contributed to building up of stress and
frustration in staffs all together that impacted on decreasing overall performance of given
organisational firm. This all at its worst contributes towards decreasing moral of staffs working
in the business firm which not only have its impact on an individual's working performance but
in light to the fact overall performing ability of an organisational firm also tends to decrease with
effect of it. As an evaluation a hostile working culture in a company can corrupt its culture and
spread negative thought which are against the operational working of the business firm (Gough
and et. al., 2018). Concerned departments in the given business firm in this case have to step
forwards to implement specific strategy for arranging best possible work culture in an
organisational firm.
Resolving the issue
According to an article published in SHRM, 2021, a good work culture in an organisation
governs successful implementation of respective plans and strategies of the business firm.
Further, it is believed that an organisational goals and objectives could be accomplished by
undertaking various principles for adopting better work culture in respective organisational
workforce. In respect to chosen company which is facing issues in regards to poor work culture
that impacts directly on overall performance of respective workforce. For tracking good
organisational profits managers of the firm have to implement relevant management techniques
which would govern effective working in the working structure of the organisational firm
(Understanding and Developing Organizational Culture, 2021).
By adoption of proper management techniques, managers of company can overcome the
present issue faced by firm in terms of managing proper work culture. In addition to this,
providing appraisals to the most dedicated staff would provide a good boost to once ability
which would contribute towards pulling maximum productivity of given workforce. Further,
respective managers of the firm are guided to follow certain points which will be aimed at
improving better productivity of the firm through decreasing operational costs in production
process of the business firm (Johannessen, 2021). These steps are an inclusion of undertaking
several other issues or challenges which constitutes of internal and external factors faced by a
retail firm in regards to its operational working in the given marketplace.
Establishment of training and development program: By establishing effective training
and development programs managers of the given firm can contribute towards increased

performance of overall firm though boosting of individual's performance. This will help
company to contribute towards increase in professionalisation and will also avoid wastages of
resources while conducting several operational activities of the workforce. In addition to this,
working environment and customer relations of a business firm can be improved. This will
initiate better goodwill of company and would increase given market presence of respective
company throughout its possible operational region.
Adoption of effective management theory: Through adoption of effective management
techniques in an organisational firm, managers of respective firm can initiate better productivity
in a workforce. This involves performing up of several activities in an organisational firm at best
efficiency. As recognised issue in company due to poor work culture which have resulted in
causing dissatisfaction in employees working and also have reduced overall performance of the
specific organisation. In the given case application of a suitable management theory would
enhance better productivity of the workforce and will provide a healthy working environment in
respective company.
Timely appraisals: It refers to providing addition benefits to a hard working or dedicated
employee working in an organisational firm. This initiates motivation to an individual working in
the business firm and ultimately leads to increase in productivity of given company. This will
initiate better working conditions which will have its mere impact on improving work culture
within operational working of an organisation. It will motivate employee to participate more in
decision-making process of the firm and will give rise to positive working environment of the
business firm (Lanyon, 2018).
Review of management theory
Bureaucratic management theory was given by Max Weber. The respective management
theory was based on two core elements which had their relevance with proper structuring up of
organisation into hierarchy as well as governing operations in an organisation through pre
defined and set rules. In relation to chosen company i.e. Sport Direct, managers of the firm by
application of this theory can somehow overcome the challenge which is faced by the company
in terms of managing its effective work culture. This will enable organisation to perform with its
best abilities and would also enhance better coordinative work being produced in the business
firm. The respective theory is based on the following elements which is based on covering major

aspects of operational firm and is truly dedicated towards providing a better work culture which
will definitely boost overall performance in respective workforce (Miller and et. al., 2021).
Proper division of labour: As per this element in a corporate structure which constitute of
several working department, HR management department of the firm should undergo several
researches on personal abilities of an individual through which their core strengths could be
analysed and put to best possible use in regulating operational working of an organisational firm.
Moreover, in regards to chosen company managers present at the production floor can pull best
use of resources, as professionalism of work is being promoted through adoption of this strategy.
In addition to this, given organisation can also avoid wastages of resources during production
course of the company which would provide its ultimate impact on lowering down the
operational costs in an organisational firm.
Chain of command: In an organisational structure a proper chain of command should be
followed. This will initiate better utilisation of resources and will also extract best possible
output from production process of the business firm. This would ultimately boost up
organisational productivity and ultimately will lower down operational costs and increase
possible profit margins. In respect to chosen firm i.e. Direct Sports, managers of the firm can
promote better productivity though following this element of management techniques. As by
following this technique, managers of the firm can establish better coordination strategies which
will save up to time resources and will also avoid duplication of efforts produced by an
individual working in an organisational firm (Mizuno, 2020).
Separation of personal and official property: This element of Bureaucratic management
theory, dedicates its understanding towards separation of owner's assets from official working of
an organisational firm. This will enable fair policy to regulate operational affairs in an
organisational firm and will boost moral of respective staff working in the workforce to produce
given task with best of its abilities.
Application of consistent and complete rules: This component of management theory
enables organisational firm to keep moral of employees boosted and reduces risk of uncertainties
as well as dynamic working culture of the workforce. As per this element, management
department of the firm develop fixed standards of working and also stresses on preparing
strategies that are stable for a given marketplace in which organisation governs it activities. This

would contribute towards motivated staff in an organisation and will also promote productivity at
its best for a given company (Moni and et. al., 2017).
Selection and promotion based on qualification: This element of theory suggest that
appreciation or promotion in a given organisation should be given as per once abilities rather
being a discriminate. This section of management theory promotes good work culture and also
keep moral of staffs working in the firm boosted. This have its important contribution towards
avoiding any sort of disputes in an organisational firm which contributes towards positive
working culture and also promotes effectiveness of operations being produced in the given
operational firm.
Plan to resolve a given problem
In the given company which is facing challenges in regards to poor work culture, its
management department have to take proper strategic tools into consideration. This is regarded
as the serious concern for a given organisation as ignoring this issue would decrease productivity
of the organisation. Therefore, managers need to take into consideration a proper planning
technique for resolving the issue to the soonest. In context to chosen firm, as firm being a retail
industry which offers fashionable items, clothing and other accessories to its valuable customers.
Respective firm being a retail firm have to go through several challenges relating to competition
in given marketplace along with risk of uncertainties in its given marketplace. Therefore, no
chance to waste valuable resources of the company should be given and this could be happen
through implementation of 3 point plan policy. This policy are as follows;
Understanding the problem: In this element of planning stage which suggest conduction
of deep researches of the given problem. This stage is an inclusion of performing researches on
given issue to deeply understand the core aspects of the problem. Therefore, in this stage an
individual manager of the company through performing up of several researches on given
problem can formulate effective plans for approaching to solve a given problem. Picturing a
clear image of issue faced by an organisation enables managers of the firm to perform or develop
the best possible strategy to solve a given issue. In addition to this, managers of the firm are also
benefited with establishing a clear image of operational work which is to be performed in a said
business firm.
Generating and selecting the most feasible ideas: In the next step in planning to resolve a
given issue. After researching on several facts and information in previous stage, an individual

manager is ready to formulate an effective plan or strategy to solve the given issue or problem. In
this planning stage strategies and plans to resolve a said issue or challenge is been recorded
theoretically. This is a preparation for implementing several strategies to resolve a problem
through evaluating several risk factors and also taking into consideration respective internal as
well as external factors in respective organisation.
Problem-solving model and implementation: In the last element of planning stage,
implementation of various strategies and plans formulated after deep understandings of related
facts are being initiated. Several models and frameworks are being taken into consideration to
convert theoretical build strategies into practical business operations. This stage is an inclusion
of undertaking respective theories and principles of management, leadership and other
motivational theories.
Reflection statement
I am glad that I was provided with the opportunity to Re-Sit the project. In my previous
project I made some mistakes which was well pointed out by our instructor. For the modification
task I read all the material facts written previously by me and than re-wrote it as by addressing
the comments specified. As in the process I came to know I was lacking in using MS-word
software to its fullest. My instructor pointed out some mistakes which were related to using up of
headings and sub heading related to the topic. Throughout the project I carried my work to the
fullest of my abilities and by performing specified modification as per instructed in the project
work. This enabled me to develop my core skills related to understanding of the subject matter
and by performing required task in the correct manner. This ultimately enhanced my decision-
making capabilities of a given firm which contributes towards promoting positive work culture
also boosting performance of once organisational structure in regards to its operational working.
Moreover, I have amended the present report which have short paragraphs under suitable
headings as well as sub-headings. Also I stressed on providing a clear and distinguish
presentation of information collected through several sources which are presented at the end of
the report using Harvard referencing style. Lastly, the current file is supported with correct
citation, where needed i.e. by presenting any or information by any author or article on internet.

Conclusion
From the analysis of above report paper it can be concluded that, advancing through a
better work culture in an organisational firm is beneficiary for the firm in terms of improving its
overall productivity. Managers of respective firm undergo several techniques and strategy to
improve poor work culture of respective organisation which has been disrupted due to complex
code of conduct being followed in the workforce. Through adoption of proper management
technique operational costs for a given organisation could be lowered down which would
enhance better productivity through increased profit margins. Therefore, to enhance better
productivity in a given firm operating in respective field nature of work culture plays a vital role
in completion of desired goals and objectives of the workforce.

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