Analyzing Global Migration's Impact on Retail Employment (Tesco)

This report investigates the impact of global migration on employment within the retail sector, using Tesco in the UK as a case study. The research begins with an introduction outlining the importance of migration in the modern economy, particularly in the UK retail sector, and sets the research aims and objectives, which include analyzing the impact of Brexit, identifying benefits and limitations, and evaluating opportunities. A literature review follows, examining existing research on migration's effects on labor markets, including the increasing numbers of migrants in the workforce, the flexibility it offers, and the contributions to human capital development. The review also acknowledges the negative impacts, such as escalating costs and unfair working conditions, especially after Brexit. The methodology section details the research approach, techniques (primary and secondary data collection, sampling), and limitations, including time, information, and cost constraints. The analytical techniques include qualitative data analysis using thematic analysis. The report concludes with a timeline and references, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic.

How the Employment in Retail Sector
was affected by Global Migration?

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH..............................................................1
Title of research project...............................................................................................................1
Research aim and objectives........................................................................................................1
Rationale behind selection of topic..............................................................................................1
2. LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................2
3. METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................................4
Research approach.......................................................................................................................4
Research techniques.....................................................................................................................4
Limitations of study.....................................................................................................................5
Analytical techniques...................................................................................................................5
4. TIMELINE..................................................................................................................................5
5. REFERENCES............................................................................................................................7

1. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND OF RESEARCH
In many nations, migration has become one of the hot topics to discuss as it is generating
significant economic benefits to the nation. It has been seen by the nations that if there will be
more effective integration of immigrants, this could lead economy and industries operating there
to increase those benefits. In retail sector of UK, boost in the employment level has been seen
like in Tesco itself, there are number of non-UK nationals working and enjoying the benefits of
immigration (Clark and Wójcik, 2018). However, it can be said that impact of global migration
depends on the skills of people migrating to other nation, proficiencies of existing workers in
organisation as well as the traits of host economy.
In the retail sector of UK, global migration is playing a vital role especially after Brexit
as independent Britain is improving the economies and societies along with benefitting the
immigrants by making flexible policies on migration of labour. Since a long time, people have
been migrating from one nation to another but over the past decades, there is tremendous rise in
the migration flows which is still expected to grow in the future each year (Hall, King and
Finlay, 2017). Thus, it can be said that the present based on “how the employment in retail sector
was affected by global migration” with respect to Tesco will help companies to recognize its
benefits as well as limitations for the business.
Title of research project
How the employment in retail sector was affected by global migration?
Research aim and objectives
Aim – To identify the way global migration has impacted employment in retail sector – a case
study on Tesco, UK.
Objectives
 To analyse the impact of Brexit on employment in retail sector of UK.
 To identify the benefits and limitations of global migration on employment in retail
sector.
 To evaluate the opportunities for retail sector through rise in global migration.
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Rationale behind selection of topic
The main purpose behind selecting this topic of study is that in present era, immigration
is increasing at a high pace and making the world and all its industries interconnected with each
other. Thus, firms are having a lot of advantages through global migration, especially in the level
of employment. This study is important to be conducted because global migration is particularly
important for the retail sector as this industry is employing approximately 1.5 million non-UK
nationals (Villares-Varela, Ram and Jones, 2018). After Brexit, a rapid increase in the number of
EU migrants has been seen i.e. 1 in every 10 employees from the British economy. Thus, the
present study will help firms operating in retail sector of UK like Tesco in assessing the impact
of global migration on their employment level and so, they can make strategies accordingly to
sustain business. Further, the research will be helpful for Ph.D. scholars, professors and lecturers
to conduct their study on similar topic and to teach students on the same subject.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
Migration is one of the significant features of social as well as economic condition in
many nations, especially in Europe. However, the profile of migrant population is not same due
to presence of variety of sources available. However, before Brexit, there was free movement of
migrants and thus, they were enjoying their extensive rights which was leading to increase in
employment in many sector like health, hospitality, wholesale and retail in large.
According to Cowburn, (2018) over the past ten years, the number of migrants in labour
markets have increased by 70% in the Europe leading to increase in workforce in industries like
retail and so, as in organisation like Tesco. Companies are getting benefitted with young
migrants as they are better educated in comparison to those who are very near to retirement.
Further, it can be said that global migration is significantly leading to flexibility in labour market
and thus, generating employment at a high rate (Impacts of Brexit on the Retail Industry, 2017).
These migrants have the most positive impact on societies where firms are operating in which
they work as their skills are highly contributing to human capital development which is helping
firm like Tesco to earn high profits which is ultimately resulting in benefitting the economy of
UK.
However, it can be critically assessed in the words of Woetzel and et.al., (2016) that after
Brexit, a lot of issues are generated which are impacting the performance of firms operating in
retail sector like Tesco. Major issue among them is escalating costs due to which employee cost
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of companies has increased which is leading to reduce the employment level for immigrants
there. Also, there is rise in the prices of fuel and commodities because of which company is
already facing issue of high cost and so, not recruiting the immigrants. There is escalating
pension costs and deficits as well which is leading firms to reduce employee cost (Clark and
Wójcik, 2018). Thus, overall it can be said that Brexit did not have a very good impact on the
employment in retail sector of UK. However, on the other hand, it cannot be ignored that there
are plenty of opportunities as well which migrants can avail regarding employment like logistics
and supply chain are highly dependent on the global migration only.
As per Ruhs and Wadsworth, (2017) there is high increase in the employment
opportunities through global migration as firms of retail sector of UK like Tesco, Sainsbury and
Marks and Spencer are having their operations and stores in different nations which is helping
people to get employment who have migrated from one country to another in search of jobs.
Global migration is leading to provide better jobs to people. Also, it is helping nations like UK in
having increase in free trade with enhancement in the quality of goods and services. But, on the
other hand, according to Villares-Varela, Ram and Jones, (2018) it is having some limitations as
well in which the most common is unfair working conditions. Companies operating in retail
sector are making discrimination on the basis of diversity of workforce and doing injustice with
those who are from other nation by exploiting labour to cut the costs. The immigrants are
provided with unhealthy working conditions which is resulting in harm to their health and well-
being (Impacts of Brexit on the Retail Industry, 2017).
It can also be critically in the words of Hall, King and Finlay, (2017) that growth rate in
employment has decreased because of global migration in retail sector as with increased skills
and potential to work on advanced techniques, requirement of labour is reduced. With less efforts
of few employees only, firms like Tesco are gaining the advantage of higher productivity and
profits which is reducing the number of workers in firm (Hamilton and Webster, 2018). Thus, it
can be said that global migration is having advantages and limitations both in the retail sector of
UK and so, it is important for organisations to frame their strategies for recruitment and selection
accordingly.
According to Cooke and Jiang, (2017) with rise in global migration, plenty of
opportunities are there that firms operating in retail sector of UK can grab. One of the most
common among them is that immigration is always for the benefit of country as when migrants
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from other nation come to host country, they bring complementary skills and knowledge along
with them with respect to processes and ideas required at the workplace. Thus, firms like Tesco
gain the opportunity to take benefit of their skills and use to the same to have increased
productivity and profits. Further, companies can also enjoy the opportunity of expansion through
global migration which will help in getting strongly connected with new international markets
with maintaining a healthy relationship with clients as well as suppliers. One more opportunity is
there which is of bringing innovation in processes and securing the same for employers.
Therefore, with global outlook, industry can identify and grab prevailing opportunities as well as
new openings.
3. METHODOLOGY
Research approach
 Qualitative – When plenty of information is available in secondary sources and the topic
of study is theoretical that does not require any calculation, qualitative approach of
research is used as in the present case. To identify the way global migration has impacted
employment in retail sector, various meanings, concepts, characteristics and description
of things are to be given related to subject which will be done with the help of qualitative
approach of research (Ledford and Gast, 2018).
 Quantitative – It is a systematic and structured way through which research is conducted
with the help of statistical and mathematical tools and techniques. This kind of research
provides fundamental connection of quantitative relationships and generally used for
subjects which require empirical observation and mathematical expression (Bresler and
Stake, 2017).
Research techniques
 Primary – For gathering primary information on how the employment in retail sector
was affected by global migration, survey method will be used for which questionnaire
will be prepared consisting of close and open ended questions based on the subject of
study.
 Secondary – Secondary data will be collected through different books, journals, online
articles and published material on the way global migration has impacted employment in
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retail sector. Also, studies done in the past on similar subject will be referred by the
researcher (Humphries, 2017).
 Sampling – Random sampling technique will be used for selecting the sample size of 20
employees of Tesco in which each person from the research population i.e. staff of
company will have equal probability to get selected.
Limitations of study
 Time – Major limitation that researcher would face while conducting study is that of time
as there is plenty of data available based on the topic of research i.e. “how the
employment in retail sector was affected by global migration” and so, within stipulated
period of time, it is not possible to include all details, facts and figures. Thus, some data
will be left to complete the study on time and whatever collected, analysis will be done
on same.
 Information – As a lot of information based on topic of study is available, thus, while
gathering data, risk of skipping some important information is there as it is impossible to
include all details existing in the sources referred (Quinlan and et.al., 2018). Therefore,
researcher will require to use only that information which is easily accessible and
obtainable as well as that can be rephrased easily in his own language.
 Cost – While gathering data on the topic of study, one more limitation is there that
researcher will have to face i.e. regarding cost. There are many websites, access of which
is given only after making specific payment for same and so, these sites may be left by
the researcher due to which some important information might get skipped (Fletcher,
2017).
Analytical techniques
 Qualitative data analysis – The collected data from primary and secondary sources will
be analysed through qualitative method with the help of thematic analysis tool as per
which different themes on the basis of gathered information through receiving responses
on questions will be framed and then interpreted to gain accurate findings for the study
based on which conclusion and recommendations will be given (Simonsohn, Nelson and
Simmons, 2017).
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 Quantitative data analysis – In this method, collected information through different
sources is analysed with the help of statistical tools like SPSS which requires authentic
mathematical calculation which is not needed in the present study
4. TIMELINE
Gantt chart is basically a schedule that is given in graphical presentation that shows all
activities which are to be conducted for completing the study with their specified duration that
helps researcher to plan, coordinate and keep track on all tasks which will be done in the project.
It serves as one of the most common and useful ways by which activities of a study are shown
against their specified time limit (Ledford and Gast, 2018). Left column of the chart consists of
activities that are to be completed by scholar with having the time scale on the top in which
duration to finish the same is mentioned. Thus, in this chart, start and finish date of the activity
with their duration is specified which help the researcher to get the work completed within
stipulation time limit.
Activities/Week 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
Identifying aim
and objectives
Determining
rationale of study
Reviewing the
literature
available in
secondary
sources
Collecting data
from primary
sources
Analysing the
collected data
Interpretation
and findings
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Conclusion and
recommendations
Final submission
and feedback
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5. REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bresler, L. and Stake, R.E., 2017. Qualitative research methodology in music education.
In Critical Essays in Music Education (pp. 113-128). Routledge.
Clark, G.L. and Wójcik, D. eds., 2018. The New Oxford Handbook of Economic Geography.
Oxford University Press.
Cooke, F.L. and Jiang, Y., 2017. The growth of non‐standard employment in Japan and South
Korea: the role of institutional actors and impact on workers and the labour market. Asia
Pacific Journal of Human Resources. 55(2). pp.155-176.
Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 20(2). pp.181-194.
Hall, S., King, J. and Finlay, R., 2017. Migrant infrastructure: Transaction economies in
Birmingham and Leicester, UK. Urban Studies. 54(6). pp.1311-1327.
Hamilton, L. and Webster, P., 2018. The international business environment. Oxford University
Press.
Humphries, B., 2017. Re-thinking social research: anti-discriminatory approaches in research
methodology. Routledge.
Ledford, J.R. and Gast, D.L., 2018. Single case research methodology: Applications in special
education and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Quinlan, C. and et.al., 2018. Business research methods. South Western Cengage.
Ruhs, M. and Wadsworth, J., 2017. The impact of acquiring unrestricted work authorization on
A2 migrants' labor market outcomes and use of welfare benefits in the UK.
Simonsohn, U., Nelson, L. and Simmons, J., 2017. Research Methodology, Design and
Analysis. Annual Review of Psychology. 1(69).
Villares-Varela, M., Ram, M. and Jones, T., 2018. Bricolage as Survival, Growth and
Transformation: The Role of Patch-working in the Social Agency of Migrant
Entrepreneurs. Work, Employment and Society. p.0950017018768203.
Online
Cowburn, A., 2018. Immigration ‘particularly important’ to some sectors of UK economy, says
ONS report. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/immigration-uk-economy-important-
sectors-retail-hospitality-health-brexit-labour-market-leave-eu-a7680506.html>.
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Impacts of Brexit on the Retail Industry. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.fticonsulting-emea.com/~/media/Files/emea--files/insights/articles/
impacts-brexit-retail-industry.pdf>.
Woetzel, J. and et.al., 2016. Global migration’s impact and opportunity. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/employment-and-growth/global-
migrations-impact-and-opportunity>.
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