Equality and Diversity Challenges at Rowlinson Knitwear: Case Study

This report is a comprehensive case study analyzing the challenges of managing equality and diversity in the workplace, specifically focusing on Rowlinson Knitwear Ltd. The study investigates gender pay gaps and other issues related to diversity. The report outlines project aims and objectives, including an overview of the company and its operations. A detailed project management plan is presented, encompassing cost, quality, scope, risk, resources, and time considerations. The report includes a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure to systematically organize project activities. The research methodology section explains both primary and secondary data collection methods, including qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The report also discusses sampling techniques and provides a detailed analysis of the findings, leading to recommendations for improving equality and diversity practices within the organization. The reflection section discusses the investigator's experience during the project.

Managing a Successful
Business Project
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TOPIC
“To study the problems that company face to manage equality and diversity at workplace. A
case study on Rowlinson Knitwear Ltd.
INTRODUCTION
Diverseness indicates to the aggregation of diverse civilisation, religion, belief,
languages, ethics, race, class, and others on the basis of equality, where all workers are treated
equally regardless of their culture, values, ethics and languages etc. Moreover, these two
methods are advised as internal factors in the company as it directly connect with achieving
maximised level of profit and productiveness in more appropriate manner. In context of this
assignment, Rowlinson Knitwear Ltd has been considered which operate its business in Apparel
and Textile industry. This firm has incorporated in 1972 and headquartered in England, UK.
Under this report, a discussion is made about the concept of diversity and equality, with gender
pay gap issues. For this purpose, project goals, objectives and project management plan are
framed for determining the needs in an adequate and appropriate way. Furthermore, explaining
different research mythologies for gathering information regarding particular area of study and
devising interpretation of the data with the use and implication of diverse tools and method.
Finally, providing effective suggestion for developing the quality of project and performance of
the firm. Moreover, reflection will also explain which is supported on investigator experience
during the time of processing entire projection activities.
TASK 1
P1. Explanation of project aims and objectives
Overview of the company
Rowlinson Knitwear Ltd is an organisation which operate its business in Apparel and
Textile industry. This firm was incorporated 1972 and operate its business with the help of its 67
employees. This organisation headquarters in Tuncroft lane Stockport, UK. The research select
this topic to analyse the issues which are arisen at workplace due to diversity and equality.
Research Aim
The purpose of this research document is “ To identify the gender pay gap issues due to
inequality at workplace.”
Research objectives
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 To examine the basic concept of gender pay gap issues due to inequality at workplace.
 To determine the influence of gender pay gap on the performance of employees as well
as organisation.
 To monitor the plans and strategies to implement by Rowlinson Knitwear Ltd to deal
with the issues of gender pay gap.
Research questions
 What do you understand by the concept of gender pay gap issues in term of equality and
diversity at workplace?
 What is the influence of gender pay gap on the performance of employees as well as
organisation?
 What are the plans and plan of actions that use by Rowlinson Knitwear Ltd to deal with
gender pay gap issues?
P2.Production of project management plan
Project management plan
It is a formal and authorised report which explains how a task is performed, determined
and dominated. Basically, it is brief concise about the project which contains baselines,
subsidiary administration plans and other planning reports (Chapman, 2019). In context of this
research project, the plan comprises of cost, quality, scope, risk, resource and time etc. that assist
an individual to address set objectives based on gender pay gap and strategies to resolve the
same, in an efficacious way within granted time duration. Regarding this task, investigator take
an initiative in analysing various factors which is needed for gaining effective results and it is
explained as below:
Cost- This element is a crucial factor for conducting a specific report as it assists in
acquiring required equipment and sources in appropriate way. In case of this investigation report,
researcher required cost and fund to gather information for the completion of this research so that
effective outcomes can gain by it. So the overall cost which is needed to accomplish the task is
around £500.
Quality- It consist as an effective phase because it instantly related with task productivity
and sustainability between several spheres and group (Englund and Graham, 2019). The
research to monitor the current market that makes and attempt direct them to collect all relevant
and correct information affiliated to topic which assist other investigators to organise their
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investigation study in effective way. To adminsitrate the quality of the projection report, the
investigator can use different tools and techniques in form of different methods like qualitative
and quantitative methods of investigation. It will help in maintaining reliableness and
authenticity of the information and the quality of investigation.
Time- It refers to the duration which is required to complete a task and work in an
improved way. This required to perform the research activities and actions which are perform by
research and team members. Thus, the surveyor has determined that this project needs 6 months
of time to develop reliable and accurate project.
Scope-In context of this research, it has wide and large scope because this project is
based on a common issue of diverseness and sameness in workplace in context of gender pay
gap. It is highlighted that it is one of the major challenge in a firm and with the help of it,
investigator find out the effective solution for gender pay gap that can also be efficacious for
various other learners and researchers.
Communication- Effective communication networks are required to make sure that data
and information is providing to team members in effective manner by using formal as well as
informal methods of communication channels in context of behaviour investigation action or
activity.
Risk- It is concerned with those aspect which each investigator come across while
performing their study or report in a proper manner. Therefore, researcher has taken an initiative
in empowering the work according to the potency of each person that aid them to minimise the
problems and conflict in effective way(Myers, 2019).
Resources- This factor is affiliated with different elements like land labour, machinery,
fund, human resource and others. In context of this project, investigator monitors the
requirements for organising the investigation and on the basis of that they make effort to
distribute resources appropriately. The research required laptop, internet, equipments, finance,
human resource and other resources. The surveyor make plan in context of requirements of
human resources so that goals and aims of the research task or work can be accomplish in crucial
way.
P3 Develop a Gantt Chart and Work Breakdown structure.
To develop the project in systematic way it is required to use tools and techniques to
systematically assign the works and activities. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear by using the
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Gantt Chart and work break down structure they can set different activities for completion of
project and assignment each in proper time-frame also as mentioned below
Gantt chart:
Gantt chart is a
horizontal bar chart that adopted by project manager for divide the whole project in kinds of
activities for gaining competitive advantage (Fewings and Henjewele, 2019). In addition to this,
it is most often times used tool in PMP as it supply the visual communication representation of
the schedules that direct towards the plan, by delegating the responsibilities to gain desirable
outcomes. With the help of this the investigator can determine the time limit for each and every
activity so that they project can be completed on time. Also the sequence of the activities can be
determined so that they can be allocated to the team members as per their skills.
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Work break down structure:
WBS is significant tool used by organisation and the researcher that helps to divide the
complex works and activities into chunks that provide suitability in executing the work in proper
manner (Fleming, 2019). By using the WBS administration can be able to conduct the research
in order to gain desirable goals and objectives by eradicating the situation of chaos.
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Diversity and
Equality
Introduction LO1
Aim
Objectives
Project
Management Plan
LO2
Conduct Small
Scale Research
LO3
Findings and
Analysis
Conclusion and
Recommendations LO4
Reflective
Statement
References
Books
Journal Articles
Appendix

TASK 2
P4 By carry out small kind of research by using the various methods and tools for gaining
desirable outcomes.
Research methodology is one of most important chain of activities that used to evaluate,
opt and process the data on a specified subject matter. It is most important phase for collecting
the information in regards of particular area. Majorly two kinds of methods used to accumulate
information that is qualitative and quantitative techniques. Here are methods of conducting the
research are as follows:
Primary method:
In primary method of research the data is collected directly from the source which can be
the customers, employees or the one which come under the research. The information and the
data so gathered is first hand data due to which it is authentic and reliable. There are various
ways and methods to collect primary information such as questionnaire, observation, survey and
experiments (Harmon, 2019). This method of gathering the data is time consuming and costly as
the investigator has to collect it with the use of various methods of collecting data. For example:
In organising survey a lot of funds and time is required.
Here are the benefits and disadvantage of the tools that used during the research are as follows:
The advantage of primary method is that it provides relevant and up to date information
to the researcher on the basis of which they can provide solutions or recommend the ways to deal
with the issue for which the research is being conducted.
The disadvantage of primary method of collecting the information is that, it is time
consuming process and also it can lead to biasses as the responses of the questionnaire are
interpreted by the investigator himself.
Secondary method:
In secondary method of research the data is gathered by the investigators from the
secondary sources which are already published. In it, researcher collect information from the
books, journals and government websites and magazines that is done by some other scholars
(Kerzner, 2019). In context of respective research project the researcher and his team collect
knowledge and information by using the articles, books and journals to convey the best possible
outcome.
Benefits and drawbacks of the respective techniques are as follows:
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The major benefit of respective tool that it is economical in nature as it saves efforts and
expenses. It helps to make primary data and information more specific since by using the
secondary data, researcher can be able to make out gaps and deficiencies.
The major disadvantage of using this method of gathering information is that the
information need to be adjusted by the researcher and this can affect the reliability of the data.
Qualitative research:
Qualitative research also known as exploratory research, enables the researcher in
collecting the information and the data through knowledge and information on a specified
subject matter. This tool includes the observation of various non-numerical data in which the
description of various things is taken into consideration.
The major advantage of using this tool of research is that it helps to understand the
attitude of the respondents as the questions are open ended.
On other hand its disadvantages is it does not take into consideration the statistical figures
due to which the interpretation may get affected.
Quantitative research:
In Quantitative tool of research, data and information are gathered with the use of graphs,
charts and other tools. In comparison to the qualitative research, it uses the large no. of
respondents that deliver more accurate knowledge and information (Kidd, 2020). The important
ways that come under this research tool is questionnaire, observation and survey. In respective
research, researcher use both primary and secondary source of collecting information. The major
advantage of respective tool of research that it require the careful experimental design that
provides the ability to verify the results. The major disadvantage that it can be limited in pursuit
of statical data and information that lead towards the overlooking broader themes and
relationships.
Sampling:
Sampling tool helps in selecting or opting the sample from the great no. of population. It
helps to enhance the accuracy of collecting knowledge and information by using the probability
and non-probability sampling tools (Mukherjee, 2019). For undertaking this research the random
sampling method is being used by the investigator with the sample size of 30.
Questionnaire:
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Questionnaire is one of most crucial investigation device where a no. of questions are
framed as per objectives, to feedback of chosen respondents -
Questionnaire
Q1) Are you know about equality and diversity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you think it is important for the organisation to consider the equality and diversity
at the workplace ?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q3) According to you, what are the benefits of resolving the issues of gender pay gap at
the workplace ?
a) Enhance motivation of employees
b) Improve productivity
c) improve retention rate
Q4) Does the organisation follows any strategy for equality and diversity at the
workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
c) May be
Q5) What strategies can be adopted by the organisation to ensure the equality among the
employees in context of pay ?
a) Implementation of the law governing the issue
b) On the basis of the performance
c) Both
Q6) What are the components needed to consider while solving the issue of gender pay
gap?
a) Pay audit
b) Underlying disparities
c) Salary history
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Q7) What are the major hurdles faced by manager while resolving the issue of gender pay
gap?
a) financial burden
b) conflicts
c) Rigidity
Q8) Recommend the ways with which the equality and diversity at the workplace can be
managed effectively.....
TASK 3
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
Data interpretation:
Theme 1: Equality and diversity
Q1) Are you know about equality and diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
20
10
Column B
Interpretation:
E&D plays crucial role in organisational development as it enhances the psychological
feature of worker in giving their potential capabilities. Equivalence is about guarantee that
people not be behaved in different manner in regards of race, gender, disability, religion that
enhance the productivity of employees. In that regards 20 respondents states that they have
knowledge about E&D.
Theme 2: Standing of E&D in the organisation
Q2) Do you think it is important for the Frequency
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organisation to consider the equality and
diversity at the workplace ?
a) Agree 25
b) Disagree 5
a) Agree b) Disagree
0%
50%
100%
25 5 Column B
Interpretation:
E&D plays significant role in organisation to balance the motive of employees. Equal
behaviour with people helps in elimination of discrimination in a specified subject matter.
Blustery, annoyance come under the equality and diversity issues. In that regards 25 respondents
states that E&D enables to organisation in gaining desirable outcomes.
Theme 3: Major benefits of elimination of Gender pay gap
Q3) According to you, what are the benefits
of resolving the issues of gender pay gap at
the workplace ?
Frequency
a) Enhance motivation of employees 10
b) Improve productivity 10
c) Improve retention rate 10
10
10
10
a) Enhance motivation of
employees
b) Improve productivity
c) improve retention rate
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