Research Proposal: Cultural Diversity Impact on Unilever Employees

This research proposal investigates the influence of managing cultural diversity on employee performance, focusing on Unilever Plc. The study aims to identify how cultural diversity impacts employee performance, explore methods for promoting diversity to improve workforce performance, and address challenges in managing diversity. The research questions focus on the impact of cultural diversity, methods for promoting it, and challenges faced by Unilever. The rationale highlights the importance of cultural diversity in a globalized workforce, emphasizing its impact on productivity, innovation, and employee motivation. Literature sources explore the impact of cultural diversity, methods for promoting it, and challenges faced by organizations like Unilever. The research draws on various sources to understand the benefits of diversity, including improved communication, employee morale, and organizational adaptability, providing insights into managing cultural diversity effectively.

Research Proposal

Contents
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................3
Research Ethics approval form......................................................................................................13

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project
Project Title- The influence of managing cultural diversity on performance of the employees.
Research aim- “To identify the ways by which an organisation can manage cultural diversity at
workplace”. A study on Unilever Plc.
Research objectives: Objectives of the particular research are mentions as below:
 To determine the impact of cultural diversity over employee’s work performance.
 To identify the ways through which Unilever can promote culture diversity at workplace
for improving workforce performance.
 To identify the challenges faced by Unilever while managing culture diversity at
workplace that impact on employee performance.
Research question- Questions that will be answered in the research includes:
 What can be the impact of culture diversity on the performance of the employee?
 Which methods can be adopted for promoting cultural diversity at workplace to improve
employee performance?
 What challenges are faced by Unilever while managing cultural diversity that can impact
performance of employees?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Rational of the research- The research report is based on all managing cultural diversity in the
organisation that relates with each and every employee that is engaged in organisation. With help

of performing work in managing work in an organisation for understanding of task according to
influencing objective that influence more number of individuals to adopt similar culture. In this
researcher also consider that task is completed to manage work in productive manner. This also
refers researcher is able to understand various strategies related with culture. This results all
information which is implemented for managing project action of the research in a proper
manner that formulates better and meaningful conclusion from research.
This research project relates with organisation that is based on culture and it work with each and
every employee that engage among organisation for completion of organisational project
according to similar organisational culture and values. The first reason to complete this project
relates with organisational work and its policy because large number of employees belongs to
different culture and managing culture diversity is also used in future. This refers most of the
organisation are working at global level so diverse workforce engaged in organisational work.
Another reason is used in making to work with managing areas that also enhance possibilities for
working areas. On the other side, if manager perform all work according to opportunity it also
relates in managing task that increase area to complete all task to grow market by increasing
employee productivity that is boosting through motivating individuals in proper manner. It also
leads to complete work in proper manner by understanding areas of culture to work as all aspect
that implemented analyse of area to work with proper strategies.
Concept of managing culture diversity in the workplace.
According to the Berk edge, 2018 culture diversity work as an enormous issue for all business so
it is essential for investigator to understand culture and its types. Employees are the most
important asset of an organisation that leads management to improve organisational
performance. But due to diverse workforce there are various challenges faced by management so
by implementing culture diversity it is easy for management to improve productivity of overall
employees by offering similar opportunity. It helps individuals to complete work in proper
manner properly in the upcoming future that leads to make effective strategies and enhance all
areas to gain effective results that gather information about different culture that are followed by
business or organisation. For researcher it is used in making right and effective results that
selects better support to complete project according to cohesive organisation. This also enhance
in understanding areas that generates flexible results and information for managing culture
because if researcher is able to understand work culture in organisation. This is also used for

managing, its further action that is leads to manage professional career at peak level through
complete work that manage all culture efforts and boost beliefs of individuals to work with
similar culture. Moreover, by managing culture diversity better values is developed for managing
considerable amount of efforts that encourage active participants to perform research in an
effective manner.
Impact of culture diversity on workplace for improving work performance of employees.
Workplace diversity presents strengths as well as offer demanding situations to the researcher.
Cultural variety is significant. Equality performs an essential role that is providing similar
platform to all individual for performing their work or job role in an appropriate manner. Thus,
by managing culture diversity it is easy for management to accomplish better results by
encouraging individuals to work with more efficiency. It allows individuals or employees to
study from every other, to understand each different’s variances. Cultural variety impacts the
corporations in many ways along with the group of workers recruitment/retention, management
patterns and choice-making strategies, and relationships with proper research. Cultural diversity
regularly increases and develops place of job by using supporting as studying experiences for
employers as well as employees. When a researcher include range and recognise its blessings, it
can be successful and compete more successfully to generate better outcomes from the research.
When it actively examine the dealing with of place of business range problems, expand and put
into effect variety plans, it could growth its adaptability. Different employees carry individual
talents and reports and endorse suggesting flexible thoughts in adapting ever changing markets.
An enterprise can globally offer carrier with a numerous collection of abilities and experiences.
From the point of researcher it is used by individuals to make better organisations that inspire
place of job diversity in encourage all of their personnel to carry out to their maximum ability.
So all culture aspects are understand by manner in managing research task properly.
Skills and knowledge- By studying the report it is used in managing work to work with right
areas and skills. This research helps for understanding areas that result in increasing possibilities
to increase as per areas which boost communication and management skills to work with more
efficiency. This also ensure for making aspect that is leading organisation to complete all task as
per right time period. The topic is related with study and it is used analysing all areas which is
boosting all aspects to gain better results from that is used in enhancing knowledge and skills
appropriately related with employees to know employees knowledge.

Another reason that is relates with methods of understanding all areas or geographical location.
In context of organisation it is used in managing work that leads for completion of all task and
objectives by managing all culture with areas. In context of managing areas as per culture
understanding that leads in improving area which is introduce better areas to complete all work
in understanding personal interest. With this researcher is able in managing area that boost to
generate future plans by understanding of all culture.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
The impact of culture diversity on the performance of the employee
According to Dr. Richard, 2020 with the analyses of this research it is used in making areas as
per areas in enhancing those areas that makes management in understanding areas. By
understanding in making areas to understand all work aspect that is implemented in working
culture. By analysing all work areas in considering workforce that is used in making domestic
workforce for work with globalisation and cultural aspect. Culture diversity is used in making as
per globalized economy that boost innovation and flexibility in major changes that belief system
that is leading organisation for completion of work in proper manner it also leads in managing
areas by completing work proper manner. In this research investigator also consider to complete
research project properly. The first example that is related with demonstrating all charges in
selecting right candidates that makes benefits for investigator to understand aspect that engage
behaviour of participants to support similar culture in the organisation. With understand of areas
it is used in making areas through managing all aspect that work for making work aspect as per
training and development to make work as per understand of understanding areas that is boosting
areas for completion of work in proper manner. In this it is also used for making areas and
complete task as per research areas. In this it also consider that culture competence in
understanding all types of culture. It also helps to complete work with understand for work as per
analyse of managing task and completing by understanding aspect that impact on operations due
to work culture.
Methods can be adopted for promoting cultural diversity at workplace to improve employee
performance
According to Jessamae Bronola, it is important for the organisation to understand the changing
workforce so that the diversity and differences among them can be efficiently managed by
management and the adverse impact can be minimised while the positive impact can be

maximized. There are different forces exists in an organisational performance which helps to
promote equality and diversity workplace. It refers leaders and manager play an important role to
establish better policy within organisation. With diversity in the organisation they can take
competitive advantage as they will have skillful workforce with different backgrounds and
different culture which make them capable enough of understanding the challenges of the
environment. The diverse working culture is beneficial for the organisation in various terms such
as it will enhances the productivity and efficiency, the people of the organisation will feel valued
as important part to the organisation. In this culture the employees will be allowed work with
each other freely and to share their skills and opinion. This will make the people understand the
importance of diversity within the organisation and it will ultimately positively affect the
behaviour of the employees which then leads to improved morale of the employees that will
encourage their positivity and productivity. With culturally diverse workers brainstorm the
organisation can come up with various solutions that can enable them to meet the requirements
of the clients efficiently. In addition to this when people from different backgrounds and cultures
are allowed to work together than they get the opportunity to understand the viewpoints and
perspectives of others. This leads to open interaction among individuals regarding various
problems which facilities the organisation with best possible solution. It is crucial for the
business to understand the impact of cultural diversity on different factors that has the capacity to
affect business operations. It has a major impact on communication. With better communication,
the organisation can build better relations with suppliers and other business partners. Also
communication facilities understanding among employees with which they can achieve the
overall organisational goal efficiently.
Challenges are faced by Unilever while managing cultural diversity that can impact performance
of employees
According to Lynette Pathy, cultural diversity within the workplace has an important role as with
this an organisation can improve their overall productivity and performance by improving the
morale of the employee. With the help of effective cultural diversity the employees of the
organisation can be encourage to contribute to the organisation such a manner that they can take
competitive advantage over others. It facilitates to develop an understanding among the
employees with which they determine best possible solution for the organisation. To facilitate
this various ways of cultural diversity must be considered by the organisation include

strengthening the team, it implies that an organisation needs to focus upon building and fostering
a diverse team that can share their breadth of experience and perspective as this encourages
shared cultural environment within the workplace. Another way includes power creativity and
innovation which implies that with diversity an organisation can efficiently adopt Innovation and
creativity. Managing cultural diversity ensures open interaction among the people so that they
can speak up and share their innovative ideas, thoughts, suggestions etc. upon which feedback
from others will be taken and common creative solution will be identified. It also facilitates
global thinking at local level because a diversified workforce represents the mindset of different
people from different areas on the basis of which the relevance of the product and services in a
particular market can be analysed. In Unilever, a large number of people are employed from
different nationalities and this enables them to understand complex consumer behaviour
efficiently in the reasonable manner. Another way of managing cultural diversity within the
workplace is efficient training and recruitment of the employees from different backgrounds so
that they can offer global experience to the organisation which will facilitate them in strategy
formulation. Also by enhancing the performances of the employee inclusive environment can be
created that facilitates organisation to take advantage and accomplish their goals efficiently.
What challenges are faced by management while implementing culture diversity to improve
workforce performance?
According to Litosseliti, an organisation has to face various challenges while managing diversity
in the workplace. It has difficulties from organisational and managerial perspective as due to deal
with various challenges that has direct influence on the productivity and the performance of the
organisation. Various challenges that are faced by the organisation includes communication
barrier, resistance to change, too many opinions, hostile behaviour etc. Due to the
communication issues the management of the teams became difficult as this leads to delay in the
decision-making and completion of the processes. Also it leads to lack of understanding among
the employees due to which their individual performance also declines which has direct impact
on the overall performance of the organisation. When people allowed take part in the decision
making and other processes of the organisation, diverse people provides different approaches as
per their understanding and background. Due to this it becomes difficult for the organisation to
determine which option to get through so that employees morale does not go down.
Implementation of diversity policies easy on paper but when they are to be implemented

organisations has to face various challenges such as resistance from the employees which leads
to conflicts among them. The diversity has impact on the norms of the organisation as it requires
flexibility within the broader culture of the organisation but it may not be possible for the
organisation to accept interference of the employees on a greater extent. This leads to resistance
from the employees which have to be efficiently managed by your organisation so that their
overall performance does not compromise.
Impact of cultural diversity within the workplace, 2018. [online] Available through: <
https://medium.c.om/the-looking-glass/the-impact-of-cultural-diversity-in-the-workplace-
930ceb44585f >
5 Ways Diversity is Good For Business, 2015.[online] Available through:
<https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions/blog/2015/09/unilever-shares-5-ways-diversity-
is-good-for-business>
Section Four: Activities and timescales
The research has to be allocated a time frame within which it has to be
completed and to support this it is crucial to define the timeframe to
different activities within which they have to be completed. For this
Gantt chart and WBS will be prepared by the investigator so that they
can determine the sequence of the activities as well as can identify the
time limit for each and every activity. According to this activity it is used
to work with time scale aspect that complete research for completion of
work in proper manner. This results research is completed according to
provided time. For this research all task are completed with a period of
seven weeks.
How long this will
take:
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Gantt Chart

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
Research methodology work as an effective technique and method that help to complete research
in performing area that are selected. It is used in facilitating for collecting, ascertaining and
assembling all tasks that are used for making better findings according to data. In this section
research skill is required for conducting personal interest. With this aspect management also
consider as per areas that conduct approach in proper manner.
Research methods - Various methods is used by management to complete all work according to
qualitative and quantitative results that results for adopting areas that enhance investigator. It
also depends on nature for research and the interest to select the topic of managing culture
diversity relates with teams. This refers individuals perform all task through identifying areas
that follow different culture and work for a similar research. The quantitative research method
considers numerical data that can be collected through surveys and questionnaire while the
qualitative research method considers interpretation of the data that facilitate detailed
understanding of the research topic and in this the data can be gathered through case study
analysis, focus groups and many more. To conduct this research the investigator will be focusing
upon quantitative data which will be gathered through questionnaire.
Research approach: It is considered to be a part of assumptions that are to be taken into
consideration while undertaking the research project. The research approach is classified into
two parts- inductive research approach and deductive research approach. Deductive research

approach is the one which is based on the formation of hypothesis to analyse the validity of
various specified theories while the inductive research approach is based upon the reasoning of
the findings at the end with the help of which various theories are developed. For conducting this
research the investigator will be using an inductive research approach as with this they can
determine new theories that can facilitate the organisation to manage cultural diversity.
Research philosophy: The research philosophy is a phenomenon that facilitates to collect the
data and information as well as its interpretation. There are two types of research philosophy
positivism and interpretivism. Interpretivism philosophy is the one which is related to
understanding various factors and variables related to the topic of the research by involving
human participants while the positivism approach is based upon exact and factual information
which is collected by the investigator by observing various variables and elements related to the
research. For this research interpretivism research philosophy will be taken into consideration by
involving employees of the organisation.
Data collection: The data and information are collected by the investigator to support the
research and to analyse the extent of the issue so that strategies can be recommended to the
company to resolve the issue faced by them. The data is collected from two sources that is
primary sources of data collection and secondary sources of Data Collection. From the primary
source primary data is collected which is collected for the first time directly from the population
that falls under the research. From the secondary source of data, secondary data is collected
which has already been collected for some other research. The primary data can be gathered from
questionnaires and surveys while secondary data can be gathered from journals, books, articles,
blogs etc. To conduct this research the investigator will be using both the sources for collecting
various information and data related to the research topic.
Data analysis: The data gathered by the researcher has to be analysed so that necessary
recommendations and solutions can be provided to the organisation on the basis of findings of
the research. For analysing the data technique of content analysis, SPSS analysis, thematic
analysis etc. are taken into consideration by the researcher but for this research thematic analysis
will be taken into consideration in which the data will be analysed with the help of themes and
graphs. On the basis of such graphs and themes conclusions will be drawn regarding the
findings.
Sampling: While collecting the data from a large population it is important to divide the entire

population into small samples. Sampling is considered to be the method with which samples are
selected from the population data will be collected. It can be done by way of probability
sampling and non-probability sampling. Probability sampling is the one in which each and every
item of the population has an equal chance of being selected and it can be done by cluster
sampling, random sampling and many more while in non-probability sampling the items are
selected randomly from the population with the help of purposive sampling, quota sampling etc.
For this research 40 employees will be selected on the basis of random probability sampling.
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: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date