Unit 6: Managing Successful Business Project: Apple's Diversity Study

This report investigates the impact of equality and diversity practices on the gender pay gap within Apple Inc. It begins with an introduction to the concepts of equality and diversity and their importance in fostering innovation and productivity. The project aims and objectives are defined, focusing on identifying strategies to minimize the gender pay gap. A detailed project management plan outlines costs, scope, time, quality, communication, resources, and potential risks. The report includes a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure to illustrate the project's timeline and task organization. Small-scale research is conducted using a qualitative approach, involving questionnaires to gather primary data from Apple employees. Data analysis is performed using frequency analysis to interpret the collected information. The findings reveal that while awareness of equality and diversity is high, there are issues related to the gender pay gap. The report concludes with recommendations for Apple Inc. to manage equality and diversity effectively, aiming to improve employee retention and create a more inclusive workplace. The reflection section discusses the experience of undertaking the project, highlighting key learnings and challenges faced during the research process.

Unit 6: MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

Table of Contents
TITLE:- Equality and Diversity on business...................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1. Project aims and objectives...................................................................................................1
P2. Project management plan......................................................................................................2
P3. Formulate Gantt Chart and Work Break Down Structure....................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4 Conducting Small Scale Research ........................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P5 Evaluation of Research and Data Using Appropriate Tools and Techniques........................7
P6 Appropriate recommendations as result of research and data analysis................................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P7. Reflection Upon Undertakings to Attain Objectives..........................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

TITLE:- Equality and Diversity on business
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity is refers to set of activities which are being performed within an
organisation to promote a culture of equal opportunity within an organisation. This support in
ensuring a regular flow of innovational practices by getting regular involvement of employees
that help in achieving higher productivity and profitability (Ackermann and Winston, 2019). For
performing this investigation Apple Incorporation is consider which is a American Multinational
technological company which offer hardware and software related product or services. This
report includes a detail description regarding project aim & Objectives, project management
plan, Gantt chart and WBS. Along with this it also explains about several research methods, data
analysis and reflection over the experience.
P1. Project aims and objectives
The Apple Incorporation is a larger multinational organisation which offers a variety of
product or services such as consumer electronics, computer software and several online services.
It consider among the big four tech companies which offers high quality products by targetting
the premium customer group (Aiyer, Panigrahi and Das, 2018). It provide several opportunity to
employees for developing a better career but n the other side the major issues found in Apple is
gender pay gap. This is because it has been found that it employ less women then male
employees as over high level only 29% of the highest paid staff are female. The rest of the
women in organisation are being paid with low salary as a result of which dissatisfaction is
increasing which make it difficult to retain employees for longer.
Aim
To identify the influence of equality and diversity practice in minimizing gender pay gap at
Apple Inc.
Objectives
 To understand the concept of equality and diversity in the terms of an organisation.
 To analyse different strategies for managing equality and diversity within organisation
 To identify the influence of equality and diversity over reducing the gender pay gap in
Apple Inc.
Questions
1

 What is concept of equality and diversity in term of organisation?
 What are different strategies for managing equality and diversity within Apple Inc. ?
 What is the influence of equality and diversity over reducing the gender pay gap in Apple
Inc. ?
P2. Project management plan
Project management plan is a written document which consist of basic information
required by a researcher in order to perform the project in effective manner. It contains
information regarding several factors such as time, cost, quality, scope etc. which allows the
researcher to complete its project in provided tenure. These factors are explained below:
Cost:- This is the most crucial factor as it depict about the actual amount that researcher
required in order to perform its activities in effective manner. In this the researcher of Apple Inc.
has make a estimation over the cost it required to perform the investigation so that it become
easier to perform operations effectively (Bell and Harrison, 2018). The estimated amount
required by the researcher for this project will be £1500.
Scope: The scope of this report is that it will allow researcher to determine and present
the importance of equality and diversity within the organisation. Despite of this it allow Apple
Inc. in determining the major issue that has been created among the employees due to gender pay
gap and way to over come this which support in overcoming the issues and keeping employees
retained. The scope of study fro researcher is also very wide as it will get an opportunity to
enhance the knowledge in this regard and understanding regarding several tools & techniques for
performing investigation.
Time: It is consider as most crucial factor as it allow researcher to delegate time for each
activity in effective manner so that project get accomplished on provided deadline. The time
required for performing research activities will be 48 days.
Quality: The quality of an investigation is based on the data relevancy and accuracy as it
help in concluding the findings. In order to ensure the quality of project the researcher will
gather the information from authenticated and already published sources so that true information
can be presented (Bryson, 2017). Despite of this for ensuring the reliability current information
will be gathered and evaluated.
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Communication: It refers to the channels that are used by the research in order to
interact and communicate information regarding the investigation to its team mates. For
performing the investigation in effective manner the researcher will make use of sources like,
power point presentations, video calls, video conferencing, emails etc.
Resources: This contains a list of resources that are required to perform investigation in
effective manner. The resources which are required by the researcher to complete the project in
effective manner such as internet connection, personal computer, research stationery, financial
resources, human resources etc.
Risk: This section describe about the risks that may be found by the investigator while
performing the research related activities (Haddud, McAllen and DeSouza, 2018). The main
issues which researcher may face are limited time period, lack of respondents interest in
reverting over questionnaire, data loss etc. which may directly affect the result of investigation.
P3. Formulate Gantt Chart and Work Break Down Structure
Gantt chart:- It is defined as a pictorial representation of set of activities that are going
to be conducted within an investigation in order to accomplish the research outcome. Gantt chart
is a tool which support in directing the researcher by systematically arranging the task and
scheduling the time taken by each activity so that investigation can be performed effectively.
According to this project there are two milestones that are data collection and data analysis.
3

Work breakdown structure:- It is a concept which break down a task into smaller
activities and assign activities for performing the tasks in effective manner. Work down structure
will support researcher in performing the activities in effective manner by dividing the task
among team members (Hebl and Avery, 2012).
4

TASK 2
P4 Conducting Small Scale Research
In order to perform an investigation effective it is crucial for a researcher to make a right
choice of tools and techniques for gathering and investigation the information. There are
basically two type of method which are used to performs n investigation in effective manner
such as qualitative and quantitative methods.
Qualitative method:- It refers to an investigation approach which focuses toward
gathering and evaluating the information in detailed manner by considering the theories and
concept. It put more emphases over gathering the understanding regarding human and social
science in order to investigate over the view point of people regarding a particular aspect.
Quantitative methods:- Under this method the data is basically gathered in the form of
numerical facts and figures which assure the accuracy of particular act or information.
Quantitative method provide the accuracy of the data to the research as it easier for them to
understand by making use of diagram, pie chart etc.
In order to perform this investigation in effective manner qualitative mean of
investigation will be used as it allow the investigator to make use of theoretical framework for
explaining the information which it has gathered (Henry, and et. al., 2014). This provide an in
depth understanding about topic which make it easier for the reader to understand information
effectively.
Despite of this in order to make the investigation successful and ensure that better
information are being provided to compliment the aim and objective of study it is crucial to
select appropriate sources for gathering information. The source of information are of two type:
 Primary sources:- It refers to the sources which are used to gather fresh and new
information that are not yet been used by any other person before. The primary
information is collected using questionnaire, survey, focus group etc.
 Secondary sources:- It is basically the medium through information is gathered second
hand information i.e. which is already being investigated by another person previously
that are related with current topic of researcher. It is mainly collected from the sources
like books, journals, articles etc.
In order to perform this investigation primary sources are used to gather information as it
help in presenting the fresh and relevant information that aid up in accomplishment of research
5

objectives (Hewins-Maroney and Williams, 2013). For performing primary investigation
questionnaire will be used where information will be gathered from employees that will be
selected using sampling method. In this employees will be selected by random sampling method
under non-probabilistic approach which avoid any sort of bias behaviour. The sample size would
be 50 respondents.
Questionnaire
Q1. Are you aware about the concept of equality and diversity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. What are the major benefit that Apple Inc. get by encouraging equality and diversity at
workplace?
a) Enhance employees productivity
b) Retaining staff members
c) Coordination among employees
Q3. What issues Apple Inc. may face with the increase in gender pay gap?
a) Increasing Turnover
b) Dissatisfaction among employees
c) Performance inefficiency
Q4. As per your view point does equality and diversity at work place support Apple Inc. in
retaining its employees for longer duration?
a) Yes
b) No
Q5. According to you which one is most fruitful strategy that Apple Inc. should adopt for
managing equality and diversity?
a) Proper communication
b) Exit interviews
c) Performance evaluation
Q6. Recommend the ways through which equality and diversity can be managed for retaining
employees in Apple Inc.
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TASK 3
P5 Evaluation of Research and Data Using Appropriate Tools and Techniques
The data analysis is the process of interpreting the information which is gathered from
several sources in order to conclude the findings toward the accomplishment of research goals
and objectives. The data analysis for the investigation performed over equality and diversity is
mentioned below:
Theme 1: The concept of equality and diversity
Q1. Are you aware about the concept of equality and diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
7
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
40
10
Frequency

Interpretation:- From above mentioned information it has been found that 40 out of 50
said yes that they are aware about equality and diversity but 10 said that no they have no idea
about it. Therefore, it can be said that equality and diversity is a basic concept and majority of
people are aware about it.
Theme 2: The major benefit that Apple Inc. get by encouraging equality and diversity at
workplace
Q2. What are the major benefit that Apple Inc. get by
encouraging equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Enhance employees productivity 10
b) Retaining staff members 30
c) Coordination among employees 10
8
a) Enhance employees productivity
b) Retaining staff members
c) Coordination among employees
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
10
30
10 Frequency

Interpretation :- From above mentioned information it has been found that 10 out of 50
people said that enhancement of employees productivity is major benefit. But 30 people said that
retaining employees is benefit but 10 people said that Apple will be able to achieve coordination
among employees. Hence it has been found that by promoting equality and diversity Apple Inc.
become able to retain its employees for longer duration by providing positive environment.
Theme 3: Issues Apple Inc. may face with the increase in gender pay gap
Q3. What issues Apple Inc. may face with the increase in
gender pay gap?
Frequency
a) Increasing Turnover 10
b) Dissatisfaction among employees 10
c) Performance inefficiency 30
9

Interpretation:- From the investigation it has been found that 10 out of 40 said that
gender pay gap results into increasing turnover, 10 respondents said that dissatisfaction among
employees get created but 30 respondents said that performance inefficiency will be the issue. It
has been found that with the increase in gender pay gap the employees will get demotivated and
performance inefficiency can be faced by Apple Inc. which may affect its market performance.
Theme 4: Equality and diversity at work place support Apple Inc. in retaining its
employees for longer duration
Q4. As per your view point does equality and diversity at work
place support Apple Inc. in retaining its employees for longer
duration?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
10
a) Increasing Turnover
b) Dissatisfaction among employees
c) Performance inefficiency
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
10 10
30
Frequency

Interpretation:- As per above mentioned information it has been found that 40 out of 50
respondents said yes that equality and diversity results into employees retention but 10
respondents said no. Hence it has been found that by managing equality and diversity at
workplace it become easier for the Apple Inc. to keep its employee happy and retain them for
longer duration.
Theme 5: Most fruitful strategy that Apple Inc. should adopt for managing equality and
diversity
Q5. According to you which one is most fruitful strategy that
Apple Inc. should adopt for managing equality and diversity?
Frequency
a) Proper communication 30
b) Exit interviews 10
c) Performance evaluation 10
11
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
40
10
Frequency

Interpretation:- From above mentioned information it has been found that 30
respondents said proper communication will help in managing equality and diversity while 10
said exit interview and 10 said regular performance evaluation. Hence it has been identified that
proper communication among employees as well managers will allow Apple Inc. in effectively
managing the equality and diversity at workplace.
P6 Appropriate recommendations as result of research and data analysis
From the above performed investigation it has been found that there are number of
challenges or issues, Apple Incorporation is facing due to gender pay gap which are required to
be rectified in order to enhance the productivity of the organisation. For this following
recommendations are provided to Apple Inc.
 The managers of Apple Inc. must focuses toward regular evaluating the performance of
employees and try to identify reason behind gap by taking feedback from employees so
that corrective actions can be taken to reduce turnover and absenteeism.
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a) Proper communication
b) Exit interviews
c) Performance evaluation
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30
10 10 Frequency

 The managers of Apple Inc. must try to provide equal opportunity to its employees at
workplace so that equality among employees can be managed properly which also
contribute toward retaining employees for longer duration.
TASK 4
P7. Reflection Upon Undertakings to Attain Objectives
I am glad that I got this opportunity to perform investigation over the equality and
diversity at workplace which is consider to be most prominent concern of people now a days
within organisations. By performing investigation over this I become able to enhance my
understanding regarding several issues that may created within organisation due to improper
management of equality and diversity. This in turn support several other organisation after
reading this information to determine the reason behind several issues so that corrective
measures can be taken into consideration for retaining the employees in order to achieve
sustainable organisational performance. Despite of this, conduction of this investigation will
al;so support me in enhancing my researcher skills by developing an understanding regarding
several tools and techniques which can be used in order to gather, evaluate, present and
concludes the findings in effective manner. This will support me in performing my future project
in effective manner. Apart from that for performing investigation effectively I make use of
project management plan which supported me in directing my investigation in right manner by
considering all the essential factors or attribute along with the resources available for performing
investigation in order to perform the research in effective manner.
While performing this investigation I came through several issues like time was limited
and respondents are not ready to revert over questionnaire as they think their identity get
revealed and they would face trouble. Then I try to make people convenience about the ethical
policies that are related with confidentiality as their information will not be presented in research
in any manner. This support me in gathering the information in effective manner. In addition to
this for performing this investigation I have used questionnaire as time was limited but in future
when I again get a chance to perform investigation then I will use interview as an alternative
method which help me in having face to face interaction. This will support in gathering most
detailed information in effective manner.
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CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned information it can be summarised that equality and diversity
within an organisation plays a crucial role in keeping the employees motivated and retained for
longer period of time as it ensure equal opportunity to employees. This in turn help in getting
better involvement of employees in organisational practices which help in increasing the
profitability, productivity, coordination among employees and employee retention within the
workplace.
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REFERENCES
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Roulstone, A. and Williams, J., 2014. Being disabled, being a manager:‘glass partitions’ and
conditional identities in the contemporary workplace. Disability & Society. 29(1). pp.16-
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Sang, K. and Powell, A., 2013. Equality, diversity, inclusion and work–life balance in
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