Race Discrimination's Impact on Employee Productivity at Amazon

This research project investigates the impact of race discrimination on employee productivity, focusing on a case study of Amazon. The report begins with an introduction outlining the aims, objectives, research questions, background, rationale, and significance of the study. Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive literature review, examining the aspects of race discrimination, its impact on employee performance and productivity, and strategies to mitigate it. Chapter 3 details the research methodologies employed, including the research philosophy, approach, type, design, data collection, and ethical considerations. Chapters 4 and 5 present the data analysis, results, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The project explores various forms of discrimination, their effects on employee motivation, job satisfaction, and turnover, and suggests organizational strategies such as policy changes, employee education, and effective complaint responses to foster a more equitable and productive work environment. The report concludes with a discussion of the findings and recommendations for future research and organizational practices.

Research Project

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 ...................................................................................................................................1
Title..............................................................................................................................................1
Aims and Objectives....................................................................................................................1
Research Questions......................................................................................................................1
Background..................................................................................................................................1
Rationale......................................................................................................................................2
Significance..................................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................3
Aspects on Which Race Discrimination is Based........................................................................3
Impact of Racial Discrimination on Employee Performance and Productivity...........................4
Strategies and Processes to Reduce Work...................................................................................5
CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES...........................................................................6
Research Philosophy....................................................................................................................6
Research Approach......................................................................................................................6
Research Type..............................................................................................................................6
Time Horizon...............................................................................................................................6
Research Design...........................................................................................................................7
Data collection.............................................................................................................................7
Data analyses...............................................................................................................................7
Sampling......................................................................................................................................8
Ethical consideration....................................................................................................................8
Research Limitations...................................................................................................................8
Reliability and Validity................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS.................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 5 RESULTS AND FINDINGS...................................................................................18
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................18
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................20

CHAPTER 1
Title
The title for this dissertation is “The impact of race discrimination on employees
productivity in an organisation.” A case on Amazon
Aims and Objectives
Aims
The aim of dissertation is-
 To determine the impact of race discrimination on employees productivity within an
organisation. A case on Amazon.
Objectives
As per the aim of dissertation some of objectives are considered to meet requirements.
The main objectives of dissertation are-
 To determine areas on that race discrimination is based in an organisation.
 To determine the impact of race discrimination over employees productivity in Amazon
 To ascertain the ways that Amazon use for reducing the issue of race discrimination.
Research Questions
The Research question that are considered for the dissertation are-
1. What are the aspects on which Race Discrimination is based?
2. How Race Discrimination can affect the performance and productivity of employees in
Amazon?
3. What process and strategy organization can use to reduce Race Discrimination with in the
work place?
Background
Race discrimination can be considered as any discrimination against an individual person
that is related to their racial or skin colour and ethnic. Discrimination is major problem in
organization which are consists of high diversity and work force with large number.
Discrimination is also major problem for the organization because it can affect the personal value
and satisfaction level of employees In this case this is difficult for the organization to manage
and reduce discrimination to provide better work condition and environment to the employees.
1

Rationale
Diversity and Equality is one of the most important things in organization. As Amazon is
a global organization and actions performed by them are of vast level. It is their basic
requirement to keep their work force highly diverse in order to maintain performance standard
high. For this objective they have to address issues like race discrimination to provide better
work environment to maintain higher motivation level of employees. There are different benefits
of this research for organization and people who wants to learn more about issues that are faced
by employees within work place which are related to race discrimination. The data and
information collected in the research project can provide effective knowledge to the organization
in order to improve the performance of organization on national and international level.
Significance
This research project that is performed related to race discrimination can help various
people to get better information about the topic. There are different benefits of this research for
organization and people who wants to learn more about issues that are faced by employees
within work place which are related to race discrimination. The data and information collected in
the research project can provide effective knowledge to the organization in order to improve the
performance of organization on national and international level. The data collected in the
research project can be used by the students, researchers and business organization to develop
knowledge related to work place diversity and equality. This research work also can be used to
implement some practices in organization that can help management to reduce the discrimination
on the basis of race.
2

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
Aspects on Which Race Discrimination is Based
Discrimination is considered as one of main crucial that can affect the performance of the
organization form inside and outside. This is an unethical and illegal practice for work place of
company. According to law there are different type of racial discrimination is possible on the
work place. These types of racial discrimination are- Direct Discrimination, Indirect
Discrimination, Harassment and Victimisation. For each type of racial discrimination basic
situation and condition are completely different. According to Cohn, (2019) direct discrimination
is considered as a particular racial and ethnic group of people in organization is targeted and
provided with less favourable conditions compared to other people of organization. This can
cause major issues to organization. If the particular group is targeted in organization then it can
affect their moral and motivation level. Which is not good for their performance within different
tasks. This type of racial discrimination can affect performance of company in the target market.
This can also affect the work place environment of the company that can cause various issues
like performance falling, conflict between employees and management and communicational
barriers in work operations. This is how this type of direct racial discrimination can reduce the
productivity of company.
As per Lauren, (2018) indirect racial discrimination is also a major issue for organization.
Indirect racial discrimination is considered as – the policies, provisions and practices which are
made by the human resource department and management are applied on each employee of
organization but the impact of those policies, practices and provision is negative for specific
individual employees or group of people. Most of time these policies of organization are not
justifiable for various situations and business conditions. This can affect the performance of
organization in global market and these type of business provisions, practices and policies can
cause negative impact of long term goal of company. There are some negative impact of indirect
racial discrimination on organization (Sugden and Marquis, 2017). Indirect discrimination is
major problem for organization cause ant it can affect the internal structure of organization.
Performance failure is major issue with this kind of discrimination. It can cause departmental
clashes and communicational barriers
In opinion of Krosch, Tyler and Amodio, (2017) there are two other type of racial
discrimination can also be found on work place of an organization. These two types of racial
3

discrimination are known as victimisation and harassment. This type of discrimination performed
by senior level manager of leader to ground level employee of group. There are some other
things are also considered in indirect racial discrimination. For example particular employees of
organization are engaged in activities that can be considered as unwanted conduct. The actions
that are affecting and violating dignity and reputation of people are also considered in indirect
type of racial discrimination. For example intimidation, degrading, hostile, humiliation and
offensive environment for employees can be considered as indirect racial discrimination
(Graham and Echols, 2018). The victimisation in the organization can be explained as process
where someone among workforce is isolated for the other group for complaining about their
legal rights including the complaints regarding discrimination and other improper practices.
Impact of Racial Discrimination on Employee Performance and Productivity
As per opinion of Agan and Starr, (2018) there are various challenges are faced by
employees with in organization. These challenges and issues are related to the performance and
quality of work that is performed by individual person or particular racial or ethnic group.
Discrimination can affect various aspects of employees with in organization. The factors which
are related to the performance of individual person can cause negative impact on over all
performance of the organization. There are some areas which are majorly affected by racial
discrimination on work place are – employee motivation, job satisfaction, commitment,
employee loyalty, employee turnover, company reputation and liability of company.
Discrimination can reduce the motivation level of employees which is not good for their
performance. It can reduce their work quality (Stepanikova, Bateman and Oates, 2017). Job
satisfaction is most important for the performance of employee cause it is directly related to the
motivation level of employees. Discrimination also can affect the commitment and loyalty of
employee to the company. If employees of organization face any trouble related to discriminate
then it can affect their loyalty and commitment towards the company. This can reduce the
liability of company. Discrimination can increase employee turnover of organization and affect
the reputation of company in market place. This increased turnover can increase work load on
other employees which can reduce the over all performance of the employee in company. This is
how discrimination can affect performance of employees in organization.
4

Strategies and Processes to Reduce Work
In opinion of Sugden and Marquis, (2017) Work place discrimination is major issue for
organization and its management. All the cases related to the discrimination are considered by
organization strictly cause it can severely affect their performance inside and outside
organization. There are various processes and methods are used by the organization to reduce the
issues that are related to work place discrimination. By making specific changes in organization
policy related to work force can be implemented with various changes and innovations, this can
help them to improve work place environment by providing equal and similar opportunities to all
employees. Equality practices on the work floor can allow the organization to reduce the
discrimination with in the work force. There are some other process also can be used by
organization to reduce the challenges related to discrimination. For example employee education,
employee motivation practices, effective response to the complaints of employees that are related
to race discrimination. Various training and development process also can be used by human
resource management of the company. The supervisors and management of the organization can
be trained to handle work force effectively in order to reduce the issues that are related to the
race discrimination
5

CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
To complete this dissertation there are various processes and methods are used. The
involvement of this specific approaches and process can improve the liability and relevancy of
data and information. There are some consideration has been made to conduct research work.
Research Philosophy
The research philosophy can be considered as the thought process that is used by the
research er in order to perform the research work. The approach that is used in this research work
is interpretivism. This approach is preferred by the researcher in order to evaluate the different
type of information for the specific objective of the research work (Almalki, 2016). This
philosophical approach can help the researcher to meet the requirement which are related to the
research.
Research Approach
The research approach can be explained as specific plan or process that is used by the
research to complete the research work with considering all factors that can improve the
relevance of research work. The research approach that is used in dissertation is inductive
approach. In this approach depth analysis of available data is performed to form an valuation.
Research Type
Research type is considered as the nature of research which is related to the type and
nature of available information. There are mainly two research types are used for research which
are- qualitative and quantitative (Queirós, Faria and Almeida, 2017). For these research work
qualitative research approach because information which is need to be collected in research
process is in form of feedbacks and individual opinions. So qualitative research will be best
suitable research type for this dissertation.
Time Horizon
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7
Topic Selection
Aim and Objective
Literature Review
Research Methodology
6

Data Collection
Data Analysis
Result and Findings
Final Submission
Research Design
Research Design can be explained as the frame work that is going to be followed in the
research process to meet the goals of the research work. The research design that is used in the
research process is descriptive research design. Selection of this research design is performed in
order to make effective explanation to the collected data and information in order to develop
better understanding related to work place condition of the Amazon company.
Data collection
It is the method which is used by scholar to gather data to develop interesting about
subject. This technique enhances ability of researcher to answer research question in effective
manner. It is essential to ensure that right sources are used to gather necessary information
otherwise it may create confusion in final results. There are generally two kinds of tools which re
applied by researchers to collect information (Bell, Bryman and Harley, 2018). Primary data
collection is the tool that considers the fresh information and gather all the relevant fact from
human being. The reason of involving human being is that they represent the actual scenario and
give current and fresh detail about topic. On other hand secondary source of data collection is the
tool that involves books, journals etc. which is work of other authors and this is used many times
in other studies. In the current investigation on impact of discrimination on employee
productivity scholar has taken assistance of both these sources, as most of the data is collected
from online sites, books, articles etc. and questionnaire is used to collect detail about how
employee’s productivity get affected if company promotes discrimination at workplace.
Data analyses
It is the systematic process of transforming details in a manner so that useful information
can be discovered. Researcher has to ensure using the correct method to analyses details so that
expected results can be generated. Statistical analyses method applies statistical tools such as
mean, mode, T-test etc. to generate the output. Descriptive analyses is another method that use %
7

and frequency to find out the results. Thematic analyses technique prepares theme and through
graphs scholar has to represent the information. In the current investigation on impact of
discrimination on employee productivity scholar has used thematic analyses tool. This method
has helped in understanding the information in effective manner and graphical representation
helped in showing the results in proper manner.
Sampling
This is a process that can be explained as concept in which the number of people are
included in the research process who will be representing a large set of population. This is not
possible for the researcher to consider all population to collect data and information. It can take
too much time and resources to conduct research for specific topic. Sampling process allows the
researcher to get a generalised perception of the people related to the research topic. In this
research project 50 people are selected for the interview process through the random sampling
process. These selected people are employee of Amazon (Baran, 2016). The random sampling
process is used in the report to avoid bias information and data. The purpose of this approach is
to make data more relevant and reliable.
Ethical consideration
Researcher is responsible for taking care of ethics to generate the valid results. Honesty is
the main ethics that must be maintained by scholar. In the current investigation scholar has
ensured that honesty is marinated with participants hence all the details are shared with. No
misleading is done by researcher that is the reason that participants have given their support to
investigator. Scholar has given respect to intellectual property hence all the unpublished data
have been used just to enhance understanding about subject matter and all these details are
rephrased in proper manner. No Plagiarism is done by investigator. Researcher has taken care for
human protection as during the questionnaire session no object was there that can harm the
respondents. Even participants were asked before getting involved. Researcher has use
acceptable language and have given respect to all members. Data protection act 1998 is strictly
followed as no details have been shared with others. Participants have been participated on
voluntary bases as they were having rights to share their views and withdraw from the
investigation whenever they want.
8

Research Limitations
In research process there are some limitation can be faced during the research process.
These limitations are related to the time limits in with the research work need to be done. Some
of main limitation that are faced in organization are related to the data collection process because
the employee of Amazon can be accessed only for short time period. This time related limitation
can affect other activities that are important in research work.
Reliability and Validity
This is important to follow some standards in order to keep research work reliable and
efficient for people who will be using this project in future for various purposes (Choi, Cheng
and Zhao, 2016). The issues which are related to the reliability and validity are resolved through
standardization of processes which are involved in research work.
There are various approaches are used in the research work to make it more relevant and
effective for reader and business organization in order to make positive changes in their company
to reduce the issues that are related to racial Discrimination on workplace.
9

CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS
Theme 1 Racial Discrimination on Work place
Question. Have you ever faced discrimination that is based on race or
ethnicity on the workplace ?
Frequency
1. Yes 8
2. No 40
3. Neutral 2
Interpretation- The response that were recorded for the question which was about
discrimination condition on work place are mostly positive for organization. There are 40 people
have said that they have not faced any kind of discrimination on the work place. There are 8
people have admitted that they have faced minor issues that can be considered as racial
discrimination. 2 people out of 50 were not sure about the answer. According to the response of
respondents work place of Amazon is consists of effective practices which are effective to reduce
10
8
40
2
Yes
No
Neutral

the activities that can lead to racial discrimination. Over all conditions can be consider good but
still there some improvement need to implement in order to gain high performance standard.
Theme 2. Racial Discrimination can affect the performance of employees.
Question. Do you think Racial Discrimination can affect the performance of
employees.
Frequency
1. Agreed 5
2. Strongly Agreed 35
3. Disagreed 5
4. Strongly Disagreed 3
5. Not Sure 2
Interpretation- For this statement most of the responses which are record in the research project
are considering that any kind of discrimination can affect performance of employee with in
11
5
35
5
3
2
Agreed
Strongly Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly Disagreed
Not Sure

organization. Among 50 respondents 40 people are agreed to the statement. 35 respondents form
40 are strongly agreed to the statement and 5 were supporting this statement. There are 8 people
out of 50 were not agreed with the statement. 3 of employees among these 8 were strongly
disagreed to the statement.
Theme 3. Employee Satisfaction with workplace practices.
Question. Are you satisfied with the policies that are followed by
organization?
Frequency
1. Yes 42
2. No 6
3. Neutral 2
Interpretation- As per the answers that were recorded in the research process 42 respondents
out of 50 are favouring the organization by supporting the practices that are performed by the
12
42
6
2
Yes
No
Neutral

organization. 6 respondents were not satisfied with the policies that are used by the organization
within work place. 2 employees were not sure about the proper answer. The majority of people
are considering that policies that are followed by Amazon are effective to provide better
satisfaction to the employees. There are some updates still need to made in the organization
policy and implementation of these policies in order to provide higher satisfaction to the
employees.
Theme 4. Effectiveness of solution that is provided by management.
Question. The management of company provide better solution to
issues that are related to racial Discrimination.
Frequency
1. Agreed 5
2. Strongly Agreed 40
3. Disagreed 3
4. Strongly Disagreed 2
5. Not Sure 0
13
5
40
3
2
Agreed
Strongly Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly Disagreed
Not Sure

Interpretation- Form the group of 50 respondents 42 have answered that the policies which are
used by Amazon are highly effective and providing accurate solution to the employees. Among
these 42 people 40 were strongly agreed to the statement 2 of them were just agreed. 5
respondents have shown negative response. 3 of them were disagreed to statement and 2
respondents have shown strong disagreement. As per the responses of people it can be interpret
that solutions that are made by the organization management is highly effective and good for
employees.
Theme 5. Employee Engagement in forming policies which are related to work place equality.
Question. Employees are involved in policy making process for work place
equality.
Frequency
1. Agreed 20
2. Strongly Agreed 10
3. Disagreed 5
4. Strongly Disagreed 5
5. Not Sure 10
14
20
10 5
5
10
Agreed
Strongly Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly Disagreed
Not Sure

Interpretation- For the question related to the involvement of employees in policy making
process response of respondents was not sure. 20 respondents out of 50 has said that employees
are involved in the policy making process. 10 respondents were strongly supporting the
organization. 10 employees out of 50 had negative response to the statement and there were also
10 people who were not sure about their answer. As per the answers recorded from questionnaire
it can be interpret that Amazon have to make some changes in the policy making process to
improve the involvement of employees. This involvement can help organization to develop
effective anti discrimination policy.
Theme 6. Monitoring used by organization to track work place environment.
Question. Management of company frequently take Feedback of employee
in order to evaluate the workplace condition.
Frequency
1. Agreed 30
2. Strongly Agreed 15
3. Disagreed 2
4. Strongly Disagreed 1
5. Not Sure 2
15

Interpretation- As per the above responses 30 people out of 50 were agreed that management
perform regular inspections to analyse the work place condition in order to track any kind of
discrimination. 15 respondents had provided strongly agreement with the statement. Three
people have provided negative response and 2 respondents among these 50 were not sure about
their answer. As per above data it can be interpret that the approach of management is strong to
track discrimination to take relevant action.
Theme 7. Effectiveness of actions that are taken by management of company.
Question. Management of company take strong actions against any kind of
discrimination with in the work place.
Frequency
1. Agreed 40
2. Strongly Agreed 5
3. Disagreed 3
4. Strongly Disagreed 2
5. Not Sure 0
16
30
15
2
12
Agreed
Strongly Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly Disagreed
Not Sure

Interpretation - As per responses that were recorded from respondents 40 people were
supporting organization for their actions. 5 people were strongly in favour of company. 5
respondents have shown negative response. As per above data it can be interpret that the actions
that are taken by organization are highly reliable for employees solve various issues of
discrimination from the work place.
Theme 8. Employee review for equality policy of company.
Question. Do you feel treated differently with in work place? Frequency
1. Yes 2
2. no 40
3. Neutral 8
17
40
5
3
2
Agreed
Strongly Agreed
Disagreed
Strongly Disagreed
Not Sure

Interpretation- from the group of 50 respondents 40 employees have said that they do not feel
treated differently with in the work place. 8 people have shown neutral response for question and
2 respondents have admitted that they were treated differently by management of organization.
As per the data it can be interpret that Amazon have strong equality policy which is highly
efficient to solve various issues that are related to discrimination. Some minor changes in
equality policy can help the organization to improve work place condition by providing zero
level discrimination on work place.
18
2
40
8
Yes
no
Neutral

CHAPTER 5 RESULTS AND FINDINGS
Conclusion
This report is concluding information about various impact of racial discrimination on the
performance and productivity of the employees. The racial discrimination has been studied in
detailed manner to in order to evaluate its impact on performance of organization. As per
information collected form other sources it has been evaluated that there are four type of racial
discrimination faced by people with in the workplace. In this research project direct racial
discrimination, indirect racial discrimination, harassment and victimisation has been analysed in
detailed way to understand various kind of racial discrimination that is possible with in an
organization. According the type of racial discrimination its detailed impact on other employees
has been analysed on the performance and productivity of the employees. All negative impact of
discrimination on employees has been studied in the report. The report is providing detailed
information about how discrimination is one of the most crucial factor that can reduce the
performance and productivity of employees with in the workplace. There are various processes
and strategy has been studied in the report to improve work place condition by provide equal
treatment to employees an preventing discrimination with in the organization.
Recommendation
The issues which are related to racial discrimination can be reduced by implementing
various changes with in the organization and its business policies. For example effective
monitoring techniques and tools can be used to track any kind of discrimination with in the
workplace. By making innovative changes in company policies to get better response form the
employees. The human resource Department also can conduct different gaming and
communicating sessions between the employees to improve their team bonding and relationship.
This is how various changes can be made in organization and its policy to get better result with
equality and diversity.
19

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Agan, A. and Starr, S., 2018. Ban the box, criminal records, and racial discrimination: A field
experiment. The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 133(1). pp.191-235.
Almalki, S., 2016. Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data in Mixed Methods Research--
Challenges and Benefits. Journal of education and learning. 5(3). pp.288-296.
Baran, M.L. ed., 2016. Mixed methods research for improved scientific study. IGI Global.
Bell, E., Bryman, A. and Harley, B., 2018. Business research methods. Oxford university press.
Choi, T.M., Cheng, T.C.E. and Zhao, X., 2016. Multi‐methodological research in operations
management. Production and Operations Management.25(3). pp.379-389.
Cohn, S., 2019. Race, gender, and discrimination at work. Routledge.
Graham, S. and Echols, L., 2018. Race and ethnicity in peer relations research.
Krosch, A.R., Tyler, T.R. and Amodio, D.M., 2017. Race and recession: Effects of economic
scarcity on racial discrimination. Journal of personality and social psychology. 113(6).
p.892.
Lauren, P.G., 2018. Power and prejudice: The politics and diplomacy of racial discrimination.
Routledge.
Queirós, A., Faria, D. and Almeida, F., 2017. Strengths and limitations of qualitative and
quantitative research methods. European Journal of Education Studies.
Stepanikova, I., Bateman, L.B. and Oates, G.R., 2017. Systemic inflammation in midlife: race,
socioeconomic status, and perceived discrimination. American journal of preventive
medicine. 52(1). pp.S63-S76.
Sugden, N.A. and Marquis, A.R., 2017. Meta-analytic review of the development of face
discrimination in infancy: Face race, face gender, infant age, and methodology
moderate face discrimination. Psychological Bulletin. 143(11). p.1201.
Sugden, N.A. and Marquis, A.R., 2017. Meta-analytic review of the development of face
discrimination in infancy: Face race, face gender, infant age, and methodology
moderate face discrimination. Psychological Bulletin. 143(11). p.1201.
20

APPENDICES
Question. Have you ever faced discrimination that is based on race or ethnicity on the workplace ?
 Yes
 No
 Neutral
Question. Do you think Racial Discrimination can affect the performance of employees.
 Agree
 Strongly Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly Disagreed
 Not Sure
Question. Are you satisfied with the policies that are followed by organization?
 Yes
 No
Question. The management of company provide better solution to issues that are related to racial
Discrimination.
 Agree
 Strongly Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly Disagreed
 Not Sure
Question. Employees are involved in policy making process for work place equality.
 Agree
 Strongly Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly Disagreed
 Not Sure
21

Question. Management of company frequently take Feedback of employee in order to evaluate the
workplace condition.
 Agree
 Strongly Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly Disagreed
 Not Sure
Question. Effectiveness of actions that are taken by management of company. the work place.
 Agree
 Strongly Agreed
 Disagreed
 Strongly Disagreed
 Not Sure
Question. Do you feel treated differently with in work place?
 Yes
 No
22