Sainsbury's: A Research Proposal on Technology, Innovation & Culture

This research proposal investigates the impact of new technology and innovation on Sainsbury's organisational work culture. It aims to discuss the concepts of workplace innovation and digitalisation, identify the challenges associated with implementing new technologies, and suggest strategies to ov...Read More

Innovation and
implementation of new
technologies at
SAINSBURY
Research Proposal
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background of topic:...................................................................................................................3
Aim and Objectives:....................................................................................................................3
Research questions:.....................................................................................................................4
Rationale:.....................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
Gap analyses:...............................................................................................................................5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................6
Research type:..............................................................................................................................6
Research approach:......................................................................................................................6
Research philosophy:...................................................................................................................6
Data collection:............................................................................................................................6
Data analysis:...............................................................................................................................7
Ethical consideration:..................................................................................................................7
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS......................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION
Digitalisation is the incorporation of digital technologies into business process.
Workplace innovation and implementation of new technologies at workplace can make retailers
beneficial to the great extent. Some advantages that retailers can take by bringing innovation and
implementing technologies include becoming the market leader, taking competitive advantages,
improving image, and increasing staff as well as customers’ retention rate. Both can improve
overall organisational culture and structure by improving performance and productivity of
employees. Workplace innovation can be defined as evidence based organisational practices that
make employees able at every level to use as well as fully develop their experience and
knowledge (Wipulanusat, Panuwatwanich and Stewart, 2018).
Nowadays, it is not possible for businesses to operate their business without using
technologies. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart cards, 3D visualisation and
others make employees able in performing their functions in a timely as well as in an effective
manner. It improves their productivity, leads smooth functioning, and reduce errors as well.
Implementation of advanced technology and making workplace innovative is not an easy task as
employers must face some problems regarding this such as resistance of employees, increased
cost, and others. There are number of ways and strategies by which all problems that are
associated with implementation of advanced technologies can be decreased.
Advanced technology refers developing IT innovation that promises significant value.
This present study is based on Sainsbury’s, the second largest chain of supermarkets in the UK,
with share of 16% of supermarket share. This present study is going to discuss the main concept
of digitalisation and innovative workplace (Haddud and McAllen, 2018). Further, it will discuss
some benefits that retailers can take by implementing new technologies and by bringing
innovation within business such as: taking competitive advantages, increasing sales, customers’
retention, and productivity. Further, it will discuss some benefits that retailers can take by
implementing new technologies and by bringing innovation within business such as: taking
competitive advantages, increasing sales, customers’ retention, and productivity
This research study will discuss some problems that retailers face while making their
workplace innovative and implementing advanced technologies. Research methodology also
plays a vital role, and this study will discuss all elements of research methodology. Data
collection as well as analysis also plays a vital role, and it enables researchers in improving
decision making process and accomplishing the main aim.
Background of topic:
Implementation of creative ideas of performing functions and improving process is known as
innovation. This study is based on Sainsbury’s that is the second largest chain of supermarkets.
This study is going to discuss impact of digital technologies and workplace innovation on
organisational culture. It will further discuss some strategies by which retailers can make their
workplace innovative in a successful manner. It will then discuss effectiveness of qualitative
research type and primary data collection in accomplishing goals and improving decision. Data
analysis also helps researcher in improving decision making process and meeting research aim.
Aim and Objectives:
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Aim: A research study of the impact of new technology and innovation on organisational work
culture of Sainsbury.
Objectives:
 To discuss the concept of workplace innovation and digitalisation.
 To discuss impacts of workplace innovation and new technologies on work culture.
 To identify challenges, associated with implementation of new technology and workplace
innovation within organisations.
 To suggest strategies to solve problems, associated with implementation of new
technologies at workplace.
Research questions:
 What is the concept of workplace innovation and digitalisation?
 How can Sainsbury’s make itself beneficial by implementing new technologies and making
workplace innovative?
 Which problems might occur while implementation of technologies and bringing innovation
within organisations?
 What should Sainsbury’s do for removing barriers that are associated with implementation
of new technologies at workplace.
Rationale:
Reason behind conducting this study is to understand importance of new technology and
innovation in workplace culture and to get clear understanding about impact of technology on
culture of the company. Major reason behind conducting this study is analysing how Sainsbury
manage their workplace with the help of technology. Innovation and examining its impact on key
area of business organization. Another reason for conducting this study is to get insight about
technological advancement and to gain enough knowledge about company and its process to
manage employee with the help of technology.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Oeij, Dhondt, Pot and Totterdill, (2018) stated that workplace innovation is organisational
improved practices by which employees can increase their skills and knowledge and can perform
their functions in a unique as well as in an effective way. Workplace innovation and new
technologies at workplace play a vital role as it improves overall productivity of companies.
Theme 1: Concept of digitalisation and workplace innovation
According to the Martinez, (2019) digital workplace is all about a virtualised form of in person
office and traditional environment where number of elements of productivity are performed via
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some combination of digital and technology applications. Digitalisation and innovation are
associated and interrelated with each other as digital workplace facilitates innovation by making
employees’ work easier and effective.
Theme 2: Meaning of workplace innovation and digitalisation
Kim and et.al., (2022) stated that innovation and creativity are interrelated with each other as
innovation is all about using creativity for increasing performance of process and organisation.
Whereas creativity is a process or creating something new or unique. When employees develop
new idea then it leads innovation at workplace.
Antikainen, Uusitalo and Kivikytö-Reponen, (2018) stated regarding new technology and
digitalisation that using technologies at workplace to change business model and performing
functions can be known as digital workplace.
Theme 3: Impacts of workplace innovation and advanced technology on organisational work
culture
Regarding impact Purcărea, (2018) stated that by making workplace innovative and using
advanced technologies, employers can increase customers’ experience. When employees
perform their functions with creative ideas then it improves their performance, and they are more
likely to provide unique features of products. Hence, it increases customers’ satisfaction.
Loske and Klumpp, (2020) argued that workplace innovation and digitalisation can improve
organisational structure and culture. This improved culture can increase employees’ retention
rate. When employees work at innovative workplace then it decreases their errors, and they are
less likely to leave organisation.
Theme 4: Challenges that are associated with implementation of technology at workplace
According to the Pettigrew, Fritschi, and Norman, (2018) failing to win staff over new
technologies and innovation is one of the main challenges. In addition, it is stated that for making
aware about new technology to employees, employers need to give them training that can
increase cost and sometimes employees resist to adapt such changes. It is the main challenge that
can affect performance.
Ifenthaler, (2018) contradicted and said that employees prefer to work with new technologies and
one of the main challenges that retailers including Sainsbury’s face include: managing big data
and data security.
Managing big data and protecting them safely and securely is challenge for companies.
Gap analyses:
This study has analyzed gap, from previous research it has been examined that research have
only shown importance, value and impact on technology and innovation on company. They do
not have included that how company can use latest and fastest technology to manage their
workplace, they forget to ensure who technology is beneficial in terms of employee management
previous studies have left gap that can easily be noticed in this study. There are many other gaps
that have been filled in this research including gap of effective management of software that
allow company to effectively manage their employee with the help of technology.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research type:
As per the form of data collection, research type is being categorised into 2 parts such as:
qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research type is the one in which scholars collect
research topic related information in feelings and theoretical form. Quantitative is the one in
which data are being collected in statistical as well as in numbers form. Whereas, in quantitative
research type, data relevant to research topic is being collected in numbers form. For this
research study, researcher will collect data in the form of non-numerical or feelings form (Aspers
and Corte, 2019). The reason behind selecting this research type is to understand research
problem by understanding feelings of people. Other main reason of selecting this research type is
to complete research study in a timely manner. As compared to quantitative research type,
researcher finds easier in conducting data as per the qualitative research. It can help them out in
improving decision and accomplishing goals by understanding behaviour and opinion of target
people. Researchers can take better decision by collecting data in non-numerical form and it is
the reason as for this study, scholar will conduct qualitative research. Scholars can identify the
main research problem and can obtain specific information with qualitative research.
Research approach:
A procedure with some steps with detailed methods of data collection and interpretation is
known as research approach. Inductive and deductive are 2 research approaches. As per the
inductive approach, scholars need to generate brand new theory and as per the deductive
approach, they just need to develop an existing theory. Whereas deductive research approach
refers a plan in which scholars develop an existing theory rather generating the brand new. For
this research study or for knowing impact of workplace transformation and new technology on
organisational culture, scholar will conduct inductive research approach (Walter and Ophir,
2019). For this research study, scholar will conduct inductive research approach and will
generate brand new theory. The reason of selecting this approach is to collect reliable
information and increasing knowledge rather depending on an existing theory or hypothesis.
Research philosophy:
There are 2 types of philosophies of beliefs that people have regarding ways of collecting and
interpreting data such as: interpretivism and positivism. Interpretivism is an effective philosophy
that believes that researcher plays a vital role in observing social world. Researchers need to
focus on individuals for knowing societies behaviour because as per this, individuals shape
societies behaviour. As per the positivism, societies play a vital role in shaping individuals’
behaviour. For this study, interpretivism will be selected because by this, scholar understand
social phenomena by observing individuals only.
Data collection:
Data collection is a process that is being followed by researcher to gather relevant information.
primary and secondary are 2 types of data collection. In primary data collection, researcher
collects first hand data that is never being used before. In secondary data collection, researcher
collects second hand data by accessing sources like articles and database. When researcher
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collects data from existing research that is published on internet, are known as secondary data
collection. For this study, scholar will collect primary data because of preventing themselves
from plagiarism as well as collecting reliable information.
Data analysis:
Data analysis is a process of making collected data reliable by transforming and modelling
collected data. Qualitative and quantitative are 2 types of data analysis. In qualitative type of data
analysis, researcher analyse non0numerical data so, on this basis, it can be said that it is being
used when researcher has conducted qualitative study. Whereas, in quantitative data analysis,
numerical data are being analysed. As it is qualitative research study so, researcher will use
thematic data analysis tool under qualitative data analysis. It will help researcher in making data
accurate and reliable.
Ethical consideration:
Moral principles that enable researchers in identifying bad conduct and right conduct is known
as ethics. Some ethics that will be considered in this study include:
To treat samples in a fair manner by providing equal opportunity to share views.
To maintain confidentiality by protecting data safe and secure.
To provide reliable and accurate information to stakeholders.
To make employees sure as their information will not be shared with anyone else.
To protect personal and professional information safely and securely.
By considering all these ethics, researchers can complete this study in an effective manner and
can accomplish the main aim of knowing impact of new technology and workplace innovation
on organisational culture.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data collection method: As it is discussed that researcher will collect primary or first-hand data
for making research study reliable. For secondary data, researcher can use online library, articles,
access PubMed, Database, and others. As it is primary data and qualitative research, so
researcher will conduct questionnaire and by asking questions from 30 employees of
Sainsbury’s, reliable information will be gathered.
Sampling: Sample refers target people and researcher needs to target some people when he
wants to collect first hand or primary information. A process that they follow for targeting
people, is known as sampling that is being divided into 2 types such as random and non-random.
Random sampling is the one in which participants are being selected without any selection
criteria. In non-random, scholar set specific selection criteria and target people. For making
participants feel valued, researcher will follow random sampling and 30 employees of
Sainsbury’s will be selected as sample.
Data collection process: As it is discussed above that for this study and collecting information
about impact on workplace transformation on organisational culture, researcher will collect
primary data. There are number of sources as well as ways of collecting primary information
such as observation, focus group, interview, survey, and questionnaire. For this study, researcher
will conduct questionnaire and will ask some questions related to workplace transformation.
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Project outcome: From conducting this research, outcome have been conclude and it is very
clear that new technology can impact workplace culture and smoot performance of the company.
Outcome of this study is very clear where research have analyzed that technology need to be
implemented in such a way that company get competitive advantage.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarised from the above presentation that innovation at workplace and making
workplace digital is vital nowadays as it improve workplace culture. It has shown different
strategies by which retailers can decrease all challenges that occur while implementation of new
technologies and making workplace innovative. Rewarding employees, team working are some
strategies that can be useful. This presentation has shown effectiveness of qualitative research
type and ways in which non-numerical data enable researchers in improving decision making
process. Different data analysis and data collection processes have also been discussed in above
presentation such as: conducting questionnaire for primary data collection. Qualitative and
thematic data analysis also helps researcher in accomplishing aim of research study and
completing research study in a successful manner.
REFERENCES
Books and journals
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Antikainen, M., Uusitalo, T. and Kivikytö-Reponen, P., 2018. Digitalisation as an enabler of
circular economy. Procedia Cirp. 73. pp.45-49.
Belotto, M.J., 2018. Data analysis methods for qualitative research: Managing the challenges of
coding, interrater reliability, and thematic analysis. Qualitative Report. 23(11).
Ifenthaler, D. ed., 2018. Digital workplace learning: Bridging formal and informal learning with
digital technologies. Springer.
Jacob, O.N., 2021. Data Collection and Distribution in Nigerian Higher Institutions: Problems
and Way Forward. Middle European Scientific Bulletin. 11.
Kim, M. and et.al., 2022. Workplace Innovation with Baby Boomers: The Role of Job Crafting
for Performance and Well-Being. In Strategic Innovation (pp. 7-19). Springer, Cham.
Loske, D. and Klumpp, M., 2020. Verifying the effects of digitalisation in retail logistics: an
efficiency-centred approach. International Journal of Logistics Research and
Applications. pp.1-25.
Oktaviani, A. and Yulfi, Y., 2018. The Used of Inductive Approach to Improve Students Speaking
in Professional Context at the Second Semester Students of STKIP PGRI
Lubuklinggau. Linguistic, English Education and Art (LEEA) Journal. 1(2). pp.143-153.
Pettigrew, S., Fritschi, L. and Norman, R., 2018. The potential implications of autonomous
vehicles in and around the workplace. International journal of environmental research and
public health. 15(9). p.1876.
Purcărea, T., 2018. The future of retail impacted by the smart Phygital era. Erişim TArihi. 11.
p.2021.
Tatto, M.T. and et.al., 2020. Design and Development of International Sampling Procedures for
Comparative International Research in Mathematics Education: Challenges and
Solutions. In The First Five Years of Teaching Mathematics (FIRSTMATH) (pp. 21-32).
Springer, Cham.
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