Zara Case Study: Managing Cultural Diversity for Employee Empowerment

This research proposal and ethics form examines the critical role of managing cultural diversity in the workplace to enhance employee performance. The study aims to analyze the need for cultural diversity management, explore the concept of cultural diversity, determine its necessity for businesses, and assess its impact on employee performance, using Zara as a case study. The research employs a quantitative method, using an inductive approach, and data will be collected through primary sources such as questionnaires. The proposal outlines the research methodology, including the use of a Gantt chart for project management, and addresses ethical considerations, including participant recruitment, consent procedures, and data handling. The research references key literature on cultural diversity and its impact on organizational dynamics, aiming to provide insights into fostering a diverse and productive work environment.

Research
Proposal

Research Proposal Form
Section One: Research title, aim, objectives, questions
Title: Managing cultural diversity in the workplace
Aim of research: “To analyse the need of managing cultural diversity for empowering
employees performance at work place. ” A case study on Zara
Research objectives:
 To explore understanding regarding the concept of cultural diversity.
 To determine the need for a business to managing cultural diversity at work place.
 To access the impact of cultural diversity over the performance of employees.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Topic of this research is “To analyse the need of managing cultural diversity for empowering
employees performance at work place. ” As cultural diversity have its wide scope which is the
main reason behind selecting this project. In addition to this, having diverse workforce in
business firm have positive impact on performance of employees as they feel motivated and
productivity of company also get enhance.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Concept of cultural diversity
According to the view point of (Roberson, 2019) Cultural diversity is differences within people
because of their ethnic or racial backgrounds, languages, tradition and dress. In simple term,
cultural diversity is form of appreciating the differences within particular person. Within this
differences are based on age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, social status and many more
( Gottardello, 2019).
Need for a business to managing cultural diversity at work place.
As per the view point of (Park, 2019) In organisation now a days workforce is made up of diverse
population of individual from every part at worldwide level. Having cultural diversity in
organisation result in creating dynamic multiracial as well as multicultural organisation. It is
important for company to have diverse culture staff because it will develop atmosphere where

different views as well as ideas came out brainstorming session and these will be welcomed.
Impact of cultural diversity over the performance of employees.
According to the view point of (Khan and et. al., 2019) Cultural diversity in company will
have positive impact on performance of employees because it result in improving staff
retention as well as ability for attracting and recruiting best candidates. Through such
practices creativity, problem solving as well as innovation within staff members will get
enhance. Apart from this there are some other benefits also which company will gain
through cultural diversity such as better public image, increasing productivity, job
satisfaction and also help in improving inter-staff relation.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Gantt Chart – It is an graphical tool which uses for showing activities which will performed
against time. Gantt Chart is also named as visual presentation of project in which task are broken
down as well as shown on chart which help in its easy understanding. Moreover, it will utilise in
research as project management tool and show activities along with their duration in which these
have to be completed. Gantt Chart uses for tacking project schedules.

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
Research methodology is specific process as well as technique which utilise for
identifying, select, analysing information related to specific topic. Within
research, respective section allows readers to critical evaluate study's overall
validity as well as reliability. In simple term it can be said that, research
methodology is important part of research because it help in identifying
approaches which will be suitable for conducting research.
Type of investigation – There are two type of investigation methods i.e.,
quantitative and qualitative research. Here, quantitative research is that in which
data produced is always in numerical form as well as it will analysed by using
statistical and mathematical methods. Apart from this, qualitative research is
that which don't include numerical data. It includes words, observation, pictures
and many more. For conducting this research, investigator will use quantitative
method through which they can gather data in numerical form.
Research approach – For conducting this research, investigator will implement
inductive approach because it will motivate them in understanding overall
concept related to cultural diversity in appropriate manner. Through respective
approach better suggestions will be provided to them which help in enriching
working atmosphere in proper way.
Data collection – There are mainly two type of data collection methods i.e.,
primary and secondary with the assistance of these method investigator will able
to gather information or data related to selected topic. In primary method of data
collection, gathered information will be first hand that has not been published in
any books or journal before. There are several sources of it such as interview,
observation, questionnaire and many more. Apart from this, by using secondary
source data collected always published in any book or journal. There are many
sources by using that secondary data will collected such as books, journals,
articles, news paper and so on. For conducting this research, investigator will use
primary method for collecting data and information.
Sampling – For conducting this research, investigator will use random sampling
method in which people will selected from large group for conducting research.
By using random sampling method research selected 30 respondents for
conducting research.

Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification
and is appropriate.
Agreed: (date)
Research Ethics Approval Form
Section 1: Basic Details
Project title: Managing cultural diversity in the workplace
Student name: ...................................................................................
Student ID number: ...................................................................................
Programme: ...................................................................................
College: ...................................................................................
Intended research start date: .............................................
Intended research end date: .............................................
Section 2: Project Summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
 Interviews:  Questionnaires:  Observations:  Use of Personal Records:

• Data Analysis:  Case Study:  Survey:  Narrative Enquiry: 
• Other (please specify): ....................................................................................................................................................................
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Adults: 15-21

How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
By using secondary sources i.e., formal mails all the manager are hired through
investigators.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
For communication purpose Email and phone will be use which help them in filling
questionnaire.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be
made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Email
Studies involving questionnaires / interviews: Will participants be given the option of
omitting questions they do not wish to answer?
Yes:  No: 
If No please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from
this.
Studies involving observation:
Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to be observed.
Yes:  No: 
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation
(i.e. give them a brief explanation of the study)?
Yes:  No: 
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?
(This could be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes:  No: 

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Roberson, Q. M., 2019. Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research
agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 6,
pp.69-88.
Park, J. S. Y., 2019. Translating culture in the global workplace: Language, communication, and
diversity management. Applied Linguistics.
Khan, N. and et. al., 2019. Diversity in the workplace: An overview of disability employment
disclosures among UK firms. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental
Management. 26(1), pp.170-185.
Gottardello, D., 2019. Diversity in the workplace: a review of theory and methodologies and
propositions for future research. Sociologia del lavoro.