Analyzing the Benefits and Risks of Offshoring and Outsourcing: M&S

This report presents an in-depth analysis of the benefits and risks associated with offshoring and outsourcing in the context of global business operations, using Marks & Spencer as a case study. The research begins with an introduction to offshoring and outsourcing, defining these concepts and highlighting their influence on global supply chains. It explores the reasons for choosing the research topic, including knowledge expansion and addressing previous research gaps. The report outlines the research aim, objectives, and questions, focusing on the impact of offshoring and outsourcing on Marks & Spencer's global operations. A comprehensive literature review is included, discussing the theoretical underpinnings of offshoring and outsourcing, and how Marks & Spencer implements these strategies. The research methodology is detailed, including qualitative research tools, descriptive research design, and inductive research approaches, along with primary and secondary data collection methods. The report also includes the research proposal form and ethics approval form, demonstrating the structured approach and ethical considerations of the study.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
TITLE .............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1
Overview of the Research .........................................................................................................1
Reason for choosing the Research .............................................................................................1
Research Aim .............................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives ...................................................................................................................1
Research Questions ....................................................................................................................2
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................2
Time Scale.......................................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology ...................................................................................................................4
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................5
Research Ethics approval form........................................................................................................8
.......................................................................................................................................................10

TITLE:
“The benefits and the risk of off Shoring and Outsourcing”.
Introduction
Overview of the Research
In today's modern business environment, the major motive of each small as well as large
business enterprises is to explore their business operations at global level in respect to attain
higher growth and profitability at market place. Offshoring and outsourcing are considered as the
most essential aspect which has a huge influence on global supply chain. Offshoring is refers as
the process of relocation of an organisation from one country to another. It also defined as the
practices of basing some of the organisation's processes or services overseas, in respect to take
advantages of lower costs. Like wise outsourcing is determined as an agreement in which an
organisation hires another organisation to be responsible for an existing internal activity. Marks
and Spencer is the chosen organisation for this particular report, it is a British multinational retail
company which is widely focused on executing their offshoring and outsourcing operations in
appropriate manner in respect to developing their globalised operations.
Reason for choosing the Research
The major reason for conducting the research is to exploring the knowledge base of
learner in the specified area of study. Another reason for conducting a research is to addressing
the issue of previous research by accumulating valid and reliable information in regards to the
research issue.
Research Aim
This is the primary concern on a research work, as it is the prior responsibility of the
investigator to select a research issue on which the whole activity of the research is based. This
can also be considered as a predetermined statement in which the research issue is mentioned.
The potential aim of the research is
"To analyse the benefits and risk of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global
operations of an organisation". A case study on Marks and Spencer”.
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Research Objectives
The essential research objectives of this particular exploration work are described as
below:
 To understand the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business.
 To determine the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer.
 To evaluate the risk factors that are faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of
offshoring and outsourcing business operations.
 To identify the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations
of Marks and Spencer.
Research Questions
The potential questions of the research are determined as under:
 What is the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business?
 What are the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer?
 Which kind of risks factors are faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of
offshoring and outsourcing business operations?
 What is the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations of
Marks and Spencer.
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Literature Review
This is the most essential part of an investigation work as in this a theoretical part is
prepared on for discussing the research issue in appropriate manner with the proper support of
authors and writers. The present research work is based on the benefits and risk of off Shoring
and Outsourcing on the global operations of an organisation. Offshoring and outsourcing are two
distinctive element that has a huge influence on the internal as well as external operation of an
organisation at global level. Proper execution of offshoring activities and outsourcing aspects are
beneficial for an organisation to operate their business operations at global level. the potential
motive of each large as well as small business enterprises is to enhance their global operations in
respect to attaining higher growth and profitability. Marks and Spencer is a large British
multinational retail company, which operates at global level and widely concern on satisfying the
needs and wants of people at global level through increasing its offerings. The company is also
focused on implementing its offshoring and outsourcing elements in appropriate manner so that
growth can be attained in appropriate manner.
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Time Scale
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Research Methodology
The present research project is based on the study of the benefits and risk of off Shoring
and Outsourcing on the global operations of an organisation. In this qualitative research tool is
effective in accumulating valid and reliable data for the purpose of reaching at the final outcome
and results. In this descriptive research design has been applied by the researcher as to providing
support to the qualitative investigation. Inductive research approach is effective for directing the
investigation in right manner with proper data and information. Along with this Primary and
secondary data collection tools are most suitable techniques for conducting research in right
direction with reliable data and information.
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Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: The benefits and the risk of off Shoring and
Outsourcing.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective
or hypothesis)
"To analyse the benefits and risk of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global operations of
an organisation". A case study on Marks and Spencer.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer? What do you
want to learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
The essential research objectives of this particular exploration work are described as below:
 To understand the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business.
 To determine the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer.
 To evaluate the risk that faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of offshoring
and outsourcing business operations. To identify the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations
of Marks and Spencer.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business?
 What are the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer?
 Which kind of risks are faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of offshoring
and outsourcing business operations?
 What is the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations of
Marks and Spencer.
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Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying,
personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the
topic is important):
The major reason for conducting the research is to exploring the knowledge base of learner in
the area of the benefits and risk of offshoring and Outsourcing in the business.
Another reason for conducting a research is to addressing the issue of previous research by
accumulating valid and reliable information in regards to the research issue.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or
hypothesis:
In the existing investigation report data has been collected by secondary sources like books,
journals, newspapers, online sites etc. thus in this previous research project related with similar
area of study plays effective role in completion of the research work with appropriate outcomes
and findings.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g
research, development and analysis of ideas, writing, data
collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of
final outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
There are various activities are going to involve in this project which need
to identify appropriately so that better results lead to get drawn. Various
activities which will going to include for the project are:
 Determine the topic
 Creation of aim and objectives with questions
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Questionnaires preparation
 Data Collection
 Data analysis
 Conclusion and recommendation
How long this will
take:
3 Months
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Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and
why?
Qualitative and quantitative methods are used by researcher as to accumulate the relevant
information as it gives all the required data on the research subject.
What your areas of research will cover:
The research will cover the benefits of risk of offshoring and outsourcing
on the global operations of an organisation. The specified study will cover
the influence of offshoring and outsourcing on the business activities of
organisations that are operates at global level.
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
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