KCB HND Research Project: Policies Supporting Equality and Diversity

This research project, conducted by a student, investigates the policies supporting equality and diversity within Unilever. The project begins with a research proposal outlining the aim to determine various policies that support equality and diversity in the workplace, along with research objectives, questions, and the rationale for selecting this topic, emphasizing the importance of fair treatment and equal opportunities for employees. A comprehensive literature review is conducted to understand the concept of equality and diversity, existing policies at Unilever, the significance of such policies, and potential new policies. The research methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative approaches, utilizing primary data collected through questionnaires and secondary data from various sources. The project includes a detailed work breakdown structure, Gantt chart, and ethical considerations. The research aims to analyze the current policies, identify gaps, and provide recommendations for enhancing equality and diversity within the organization, ultimately creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace. The project also includes a reflection on the research methods used and potential alternative methodologies.

Assignment - Research
Student Name/ID
Number
Unit Number and
Title
Research
Academic Year
Unit Tutor
Assignment Title Research project
Issue Date
Submission Date
IV Name & Date
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RESEARCH
PROJECT
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Table of Content
Table of Content..............................................................................................................................2
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................3
Research Ethics approval form......................................................................................................10
LO2................................................................................................................................................14
P3: Primary as well as secondary research applying suitable methods ....................................14
P4. Analytical technique to analyse research findings as well as data......................................17
LO3................................................................................................................................................22
P5: Research outcomes or results in an suitable way................................................................22
LO4................................................................................................................................................22
P6 Reflect on the use of research methods ...............................................................................22
P7. Alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes................23
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................24
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Research Proposal Form
Student Name:
Proposed Title: Policies which support equality and diversity in the workplace. A case
study on Unilever.
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Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project
Aim of the Research: “To determine various policies that support equality
and diversity in the workplace”. A case study on Unilever.
Research objectives:
a) To identify the concept of Equality and diversity in the workplace.
b) To analyse various existing policies that has been adopted by the Unilever for
managing equality and diversity.
c) To determine the significance of policies that can supports equality and diversity.
d) To identify the new policies that can support the concept of equality and diversity in
Unilever.
Research Question:
a) What does the concept of equality and diversity means?
b) What are the existing policies that have been adopted by the Unilever for managing
equality and diversity?
c) What is the significance of policies that can support equality and diversity?
d) What can be the new policies that can support the concept of equality and diversity in
Unilever?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
The reason of selecting this topic is that it is important for the large organisation to manage
the employees. For this they must ensure that their employees are treated equal and fair which
can be done with effective policies within the organisation. This research is undertaken for
Unilever company which multinational retailer is offering a wide variety of products and
services. As the company has a large number of people due to this it are important for them to
understand the concept of equality and diversity so that they can ensure equal and fair
treatment with all.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Literature review facilitates the investigators to consider the pervious researches on the
similar topic as with this they can develop an understanding of various analyses so made by
the investigator. It can be done from books, journals, articles etc. For this research the
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literature review is done for the research objectives which is given below:
Concept of Equality and diversity in the workplace
According to Ruth Mayhew, equality and diversity within the workplace can be defined as
equal opportunity for all the employees through diversity so that the individuals can achieve
their potential. The author believed that the equality of completely dependent upon
acceptance of diversity as it has various benefits for the organisation and even for the
employees. The importance of such diversity must be explained to the employees so that they
can adopt it within the organisational culture. With the help of diversity communication can
be made effective, better understanding and mutual sharing can be established as different
people with different capabilities can easily facilitate in resolving the issues.
Existing policies that have been adopted by the Unilever for managing equality and
diversity
According to Weiler, adoption of various policies for equality and diversity is crucial for the
organisation as with the help of this they can maintain the organisational culture, resolves
various issues such as labour shortages, greater innovation as people will have understanding.
Various policies are adopted by the large organisation such as Unilever on the basis of
suggestions so made by the employees within the organisation by way of questionnaire so
provided to them. The policies so adopted by them includes the comprehensive equality and
diversity policies with the help of which they make their employees to understand each other
which will reduce the impact of diversity. Along with this single initiatives are taken with the
help of which the specific need and wants of the employees are taken into consideration so
that they enable them in effective communication.
Significance of policies that can supports equality and diversity
According to Louise Petty, equality and diversity is so very crucial for the organisation as it
ensures that each and every employees gets the equal and fair opportunity. For this various
policies must be formulated by the organisation as they are just the formal documents but
they ensures that their does not exist any discrimination among the employees. This will lead
to safe and inclusive environment with the workplace that motivates the employees to
perform better and the organisation to achieve their objectives.
New policies that can support the concept of equality and diversity in Unilever
According to George Griffiths, comprehensive policies must be followed by the organisation
as with the help of such policies they can incorporate the concept within each and every phase
and activity so that the employees can become serious about everything. It is important for the
organisation to lay emphasis upon general principles such as share the ideas that the
organisation believes in as this will create vision among them. Also various other policies
must be taken into consideration that includes actively promoting the equality and diversity,
reflecting the people whom the company is serving etc. as with the help of this the employees
mindset and understanding can be enhanced.
Articles
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Equality & Diversity in the Workplace, 2017.[Online] Available through:<
https://bizfluent.com/info-8270685-equality-diversity-workplace.html>
Companies and workers benefit from diversity policies, 2019. [Online] Available through:<
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/article/2006/companies-and-workers-benefit-
from-diversity-policies>
How equality and diversity improves workplace, 2016. [Online] Available through:<
https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/equality-diversity-benefits-workplace/>
Improving equality and diversity in your organisation, 2016. [Online] Available through:<
https://www.ucheck.co.uk/improving-equality-and-diversity-in-your-organisation/>
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project
:
Selection of Topic
Aims and Objectives
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Data collection
Data analysis
Conclusion and recommendation
Submission of final project
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20
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Milestone one: Research Proposal
Target date (set by tutor):
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Milestone two: Research Project
Target date (set by tutor):
The activities and timescale to be performed while undertaking the
research are identified with the help of work breakdown structure and
Gantt charts. Work breakdown structure facilitates a researcher in
dividing all the activities into small manageable tasks so that they can be
undertaken efficiently. With this the activities can be classified into
hierarchical structure which defines the sequence of the activities in
which they have to be performed by the investigator.
Gantt Chart: Gantt Chart is a techniques with the help of which the time
is allocated to different activities to be done while undertaking the
research. With this the starting and ending dates for the activities are
defined so that research can be completed within the time so allocated.
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Section Four: Research approach and methodologies
Research Approach: For this research the two approaches that will be taken into
consideration by the researcher will be qualitative and quantitative approach. Apart from this
the data analysis approach will be considered which has two methods inductive and
deductive. In this report deductive approach will be used for analysing results of quantitative
approach.
Research Methodology: The data for undertaking the research are collected from two
sources which are primary and secondary sources. Primary data will be collected with the
help of questionnaire as with this accurate information can be gathered directly from the
employees. While the secondary data will be gathered with the help of various books, journals
and articles. Along with this the website of the company various information about the
company was gathered. The other aspects that were considered by them includes:
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Sampling: This is the methodology with the help of which the samples for selected for the
research from the total population. For this research 40 employees selected randomly from the
organisation.
Data Analysis: With the help of this the data so gathered will be analysed and various
interpretation will be made so that recommendations can be made to the company. For this
various charts, tables will be used.
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.
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Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants
or the use of data collected form human participants are required to gain
ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed
research fully with your unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time
before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
“To determine various policies that support equality and diversity in the
workplace”. A case study on Unilever.
Student name: Student ID number:
College Name: Programme: Project.
Intended research start date: 28/01/2020
Intended research end date: 01/04/2020
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your
project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
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Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants? Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
With the help of probability sampling, 40 participants out of total
population will be selected.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you
are doing:
For Informing the participants various sources will be sued such as the website, social
media platform, mobile applications and many more as the investigator finds these
sources as best source for providing information to the participants.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How
will it be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to
participate at any time?
Through questionnaire a researcher will gather information from participants which will
in writing.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of
omitting questions that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this
Studies involving observation:
Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to be
observed.
Yes No
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