Leading Change: Sainsbury's Strategy, Operations, and Leadership

This report provides an in-depth analysis of change management within Sainsbury's, a UK-based retailer, focusing on the impact of internal and external changes on its strategy and operations. It compares Sainsbury's approach to change with that of ASDA, examining drivers for change, such as technological advancements and evolving customer expectations. The report evaluates how these drivers affect leadership, team dynamics, and individual behaviors, using tools like SWOT and PEST analyses to assess organizational responses. Measures to minimize negative impacts of change are discussed, along with barriers to change and their influence on leadership decision-making. Force field analysis is employed to understand driving and resisting forces, and different leadership approaches are applied to various organizational contexts. The report concludes by evaluating the effectiveness of leadership approaches in delivering organizational change efficiently, highlighting the importance of adapting to the dynamic business environment for sustained growth and success. Desklib offers similar solved assignments and study tools for students.

Understanding and
Leading changes

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
P1 Compare different organisational examples where there has been an impact of change on
an organisation's strategy and operations. ..................................................................................1
M1 Assess the different drivers for change in each of the given examples and the types of
organisational change they have affected. .................................................................................3
P2 Evaluate the ways in which internal and external drivers of change affect leadership, team
and individual behaviours within an organisation......................................................................4
P3 Evaluate measures that can be taken to minimise negative impacts of change on
organisational behaviour.............................................................................................................6
M2 Apply appropriate theories and models to critically evaluate organisational responses to
change.........................................................................................................................................7
P4 Explain different barriers to change and determine how they influence leadership decision-
making in a given organisational context....................................................................................7
M3 Use force field analysis to analyse the driving and resisting forces and show how they
influence decision making...........................................................................................................8
P5 Apply different leadership approaches to dealing with change in a range of organizational
contexts.......................................................................................................................................9
M4 Evaluate the extent to which leadership approaches can deliver organisational change
efficiency applying appropriate models and frameworks. .......................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Organisational strategy is a framework which determines the manner in which the
resources are distributed that results in achievement of organisation goals and objectives.
Business organisation has to deal with lot of changes that are taking place in the environment. In
order to survive and grow in the marketplace, it is essential to adopt all thee changes by
adopting a flexible organisational structure and functioning (Ding, 2022). This report is based on
Sainsbury, is a UK based organisation, which has started its operation as a retailer of fresh food
and then expand it to packaged groceries such as tea and sugar. The organisation was established
as a partnership in 1869. The company is known for delicious, great quality food at competitive
prices and inspiring a lot of consumers with their services. This report will include the
importance of organisational strategy and operations to implement internal and external changes
that are taking place in the business environment. It also discusses the different barriers for
change and their impact on leadership decision making and different approaches which are used
by them to implement those changes in the organisation to attain growth and success.
MAIN BODY
P1 Compare different organisational examples where there has been an impact of change on an
organisation's strategy and operations.
Changes are a consistent factor that exist in every business organisation. They can be
external factors and internal factors can impact the productivity and efficiency of an organisation
if not properly assessed and implemented. It brings a shift in organisation culture and character,
it includes innovation, develop skills, develop staff and leads to more business opportunities and
overall morale of employees. In context to Sainsbury, the organisation is improving customer
satisfaction by enabling faster supply chains to speed up the production of its products. The
organisation is improving self service checkouts which is reducing queuing time, coupon at till
technology that enables to target coupons on the products customers what to buy. This helps the
organisation to gain a great market share (D’Allura, 2019).
In order to understand the implication of changes on organisation and its functioning, an
analyses is done in context to different organisation, that will enable an organisation to
understand the different strategies and plans that is being used by the organisation to adopt those
changes that improves the overall productivity and profitability of business.
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Basis Sainsbury ASDA
About organisation It was started as a partnership
by John James Sainsbury and
his wife Mary Ann in Covent
Garden, London. The company
had started its operation as a
retailer of fresh foods and then
expand it to different packaged
groceries and tea and sugar
(Hoang, 2018). The company
focus offering its customer
high quality and standard of
goods at lower prices. The
company have its various
hypermarkets and
supermarkets, which have
variety of products and
services to offer and hold a
brand value in the competitive
marketplace.
The company was founded in
1949 and has its headquarter in
Leeds, England. It has its
various supermarkets chain in
and is the second largest chain
in UK between 2003 to 2014.
It has core competencies in the
marketplace. The organisation
expanded its market share by
merging with Associated
Diaries company of Yorkshire.
The organisation holds a
forefront in offering food
discounting to e-commerce
experience. The company
focus on the personalised
expectation of consumers.
Technological advancements
and Innovations
Sainsbury is launching a new
in store digital innovation with
contactless, checkout free
ways to shop to their
customers (Sharma and et.al,
2022). The company have
faster up their supply chain to
meet the demand requirements
of customers. The company
have both online and physical
The organisation uses different
technological upgradation in
their systems that enable the
organisation to reduce their
overall cost of production,
increase more opportunities for
customers and undertake
innovation in organisational
structure and functions that
enables the organisation to
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stores that provide
convenience to customers. The
introduction of technology
within organisation enables the
organisation to improve
customer experience as well as
make brand values in the
marketplace (Ahmed and
Huma, 2021).
quickly respond to all the
changes that are existing in the
marketplace.
Strategies and plans Sainsbury focus on
determining the needs and
expectation of customers,
providing goods at fair and
reasonable prices. The
company uses ethical practices
to trade in their operations.
The company is accelerating
the growth of complementary
non food and services and
offerings good discounts. The
organisation focus on
providing food to every
individual in order to hold
competitive advantage.
The organisation focuses on
marketing its brand value by
using different social platforms
and different marketing tools.
The company uses different
automatic gadgets to maintain
cleanliness and arrangement in
the supermarkets. In addition it
also uses different offers and
additional benefits to their
customers to attain a good
market share.
M1 Assess the different drivers for change in each of the given examples and the types of
organisational change they have affected.
Business environment is always unpredictable and uncertain. It is a constantly changing
factor that can impact the business and operations in negative as well as positive ways. To
remain competitive and to survive in the marketplace it is essential to have a flexible
organisation structure that is able to adapt all the changes adequately and effectively (Miria,
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Kiele and Joel, 2022). Adoption of these changes require innovation in the system, bringing
technological upgradation in their organisation structure and modifying their plans and strategies
as per the changes that are prevailing , which will help an organisation to remain updated with
the trends and tactics that are taking place in the industry. In addition, its helps the organisation
to satisfy the needs and expectations of their customers and took a competitive edge from the
others (Subedi and et.al, 2021).
P2 Evaluate the ways in which internal and external drivers of change affect leadership, team
and individual behaviours within an organisation.
The changes can take place due to external factors such as technological development,
globalisation, new competitors and internal changes results because of change in the directions
and objectives of organisation. Changes brings a alteration in organisation values, beliefs and
assumptions which determines organisation strategy and operations. Hence it is essential to
evaluate these factors to make suitable changes.
Swot analysis
It is a strategic planning tool and technique which is used by a business to identify their
strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. It is used to analyse the factors that should be
consider by an organisation in their operations and functioning to gain competitive advantage. In
context to Sainsbury, it helps the organisation in decision making process and to form different
business strategies.
Strength Listed company: The organisation has
listed itself with constituents of London
Stock Exchange. It makes it easier for
the potential investor to get access to
different information of organisation
which help them to easily trade in their
shares.
 Great customer feedbacks: The
company maintain high quality
standards which enables the company
to attract more and more customers.
Weaknesses
 Fewer margins: With the rising
competition it is not possible for an
organisation to maintain higher margins
in their product and services as it would
lead an organisation to loose its
customers , hence the company is
providing its product at lower prices
leading to a decrease in organisation
profitability (Campisi, Canale and
Tesoriere, 2018).
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With quality goods it get good
feedbacks from its customers which
motivate the company to perform better
and attain a brand value in the
marketplace (Reißmann, Thrän and
Bezama, 2018).
 Expensive for some customers: The
products and services of the company
are little expensive and not every kind
of customers are able to invest in their
products which takes it lot to convince
the customers.
Opportunities 24*7 Service: Adoption of self
checkout automated technology
enables the organisation to provide it
services to their customers all long day
and night. It increase thee overall sales
and revenue of the organisation and
makes their process more efficient and
effective.
 Latest trends: The organisation holds a
good share in the marketplace. It has
diversified range in their products and
services to earn extra profits and sales.
The company is now looking forward
to expand its market share to other
countries as well to get more
opportunities to attain growth and
success.
Threats
 Globalisation: Due to globalisation
there is rise in competition as many
other brands are expanding their
operations to other countries in order to
attain more customers and develop
brand value globally.
 Competitors: The growing competitors
in the market are tough competitors to
organisation in context to technological
development which can prove to be
threat to organisation and lead them to
loose their market share.
PEST analysis
This analysis is used to evaluate the external factors of business organisation that can
impact on the profitability of the organisation (Praveen and Emmanuel, 2021). There proper
evaluation helps the organisation to make suitable strategies and set of plans that will help an
organisation to achieve growth and success. In context to Sainsbury, The evaluation of factors
are as follows:
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 Political Factors: Sainsbury has to face the Brexit effect, which separates the European
union from the UK union, it leads to have serious conscious on the supermarkets chains
of company that are existing in England (Zhou and et.al, 2019). It becomes difficult for
the organisation to afford the imported goods, as it would have increased the cost of
production and leads to low profit margins.
 Economical Factors: In context to Sainsbury, economic factors have a significant
impact. The rising fuel costs in UK have made the transportation of goods and services
costly, which makes it difficult for the organisation to provide its services across the
globe. This have resulted in higher price tags and low profit margins for the organisation.
Another economic factor is rising competition in the marketplace as there are other big
supermarkets chain which provides the same quality of goods and services which can lead
Sainsbury to loose its market share if constant innovation are not being done.
 Social Factors: The social factors which are affecting Sainsbury are growing trend of
peoples towards healthy lifestyle. In order to remain competitive they should adapt to the
consumer demands and gain long term success.
 Technological factors: This factors implies the technological aspects of an organisation.
In context to Sainsbury there is rising need to indulge analytics that will enable the
organisation to measure their operations and mange the internal functioning of an
organisation. It would improve the overall productivity and profitability of organisation.
P3 Evaluate measures that can be taken to minimise negative impacts of change on
organisational behaviour.
It is very important for the business organisation to implement the changes in an effective
and efficient manner. There are various factors which need to be focused by the company in
order to function in an appropriate manner. The various measures which need to be considered in
order to minimise the negative impact of the changes which can take place within the
environment (Yam and et.al, 2021). The change in organisation behaviour need to be adopted so
that the company can have an competitive advantage. The various measures are mentioned
below;
 Involvement of employees- The employees are consider as the most effective and asset
of the company. It is very important for the organisation to engage their employees in
decision making which helps in increasing the morale of employees in order o perform in
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an effective and efficient manner. This also helps in improving the performance of the
employees and as well of the company.
 Enhancing the knowledge of employees- In order to implement the change in an
effective manner (Mishra, Singh and Koles, 2021). It is very important for the
organisation to provide with adequate training and development which helps in
improving their skills and knowledge. This will help help in enhancing the productivity
of employees and the company will able to achieve the competitive advantage.
 Flexibility- it is very important for the company to have an flexible environment in order
to adopt to the changes for the employees. This can help the organisation to increase the
performance of the employees and as well as of the business organisation.
 Leadership- it is very essential for the business enterprise to have an appropriate
leadership style so that the employees are motivated. This will help the company to have
an appropriate and effective working of the various task. This helps the company to
achieve target effectively.
M2 Apply appropriate theories and models to critically evaluate organisational responses to
change.
It is identified that the implementation of the changes are very essential for an business
Enterprise in order to hold a competitive advantage within the marketplace. It is very important
for the organisation to manage various internal and external factors in order to avoid any kind of
negative impact on the business operational activities. It is very essential for the company to
adopt to changes where the company need to analyse the response of employees. There are
various strategies which need to be considered by the leaders so that employees can adopt the
change and gain competitive advantage. It is essential to have an effective workforce to achieve
the goals and objectives of the business enterprise (Kearney and et.al, 2019).
P4 Explain different barriers to change and determine how they influence leadership decision-
making in a given organisational context.
It is identified that the growth of the business organisation depends on the efficiency of
the business organisation in order to adopt to the frequent changes which are taking place in the
business environment. The changes which are adopted by the company can impact the different
areas which can have the total impact on the productivity and profitability of the business
enterprise. It is very important for the leaders and managers that they should be component
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enough in order to implement the changes. This can help the company to gain completive
advantage.
Structure of change- it is very essential for the business enterprise to have an flexible working
environment and structure which helps in adopting to the changes in a smooths and effective
way (Latham and Zhang, 2022). The structure of the company determine the competencies and
the competitiveness of the workforce and their ability to adopt to the changes. In context of
Sainsbury it is very essential that company is adopting flexible structure which help the
employees in order to be effective and efficient.
No follow up- it is very essential for the company to follow the various policies of the company
which will help in to achieve the goals and objectives effectively an deficiently. This will also
help the company to maintain their brand image in the market.
Lack of adequate knowledge and skills- it is very essential for the managers of the company to
provide with adequate training and development to its employees. As this can impact in the
performance of employees to achieve goals and objectives in an effective and efficient manner.
In context of Sainsbury a consistent training will help the employees to improve over their skills
and knowledge to perform task effectively.
M3 Use force field analysis to analyse the driving and resisting forces and show how they
influence decision making.
There are various forces which drives the various forces and this impact in the decision
making processes. The force filed analysis is adopted which has a important aspect in the change
management process of the business enterprise. In context of the Sainsbury, this is the analysis
which w,ll help the company to evaluate positive and negative impact of the carnages within the
environment which can affect the performance of the company which are mentioned below;
 Defining the problem- It concerns with the determination of forces that can negatively
impact the operation of the organisation (Li and et..al, 2019). It helps the business to
make different strategies and plans to deal with the changes.
 Change of objectives: It involves alternation of objectives and goals as per the changes
that are existing in the business environment by competent leaders and top executives.
 Identification of driving forces: The driving forces are positive, reasonable , logical and
economic. It is important to assess and evaluate changes and trends that are existing in
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the marketplace like technological changes , demand of customers and more (McCarroll,
2021).
 Restraining forces: These forces have negative impact on organisation operation and
performance. They make the organisation ineffective to achieve their goals and tasks.
 Evaluation of forces: It involves evaluation of different changes that took place in
business environment and then make a list them in the order, identifying their impact on
organisation operations and functions. It enables the organisation to implement changes
which have higher impact on entity that helps to eliminate the negative factors and attain
success.
 Creating an action plan: It is the process of making an action plan for all the restraining
forces and negative changes that would maximise company strength and help them
overcome their threats that may arise in organisation. In context to Sainsbury, it enables
the organisation to attain market position by brining innovation and upgradation in their
operations.
P5 Apply different leadership approaches to dealing with change in a range of organizational
contexts.
For the success of the organization and to maintain its constant growth, leadership is an
important element. By this leaders of an organization are able to influence their subordinates to
work in more efficient and effective manner. Therefore the leaders are handled with the
responsibility for the conversion of the plans into actions that makes the organization to work
towards the performance of the task and the achievement of the objectives. There exist wider
variety of approaches and styles of the leadership which is suggested to be used by top
executives in order to deal with the changes appropriately.
 Delegated Leadership- This provides the power in hands of an individual by the top
level executives with the aim of conduct of smooth operations. It is observed that when
authority is delegated, then it results in two benefits such as the improving of morale of
employees and also the the overall performance level (Parish, 2021). By this delegation,
the stress gets reduced from the minds of leader with respect to the management of
activities of operations
 Democratic Approach- This is also referred to as participative leadership which
promotes the equality in the opportunities to each and every subordinates in the process
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of decision making. And also this helps the subordinates to remain competitive in each
and every business situations .
 Situational Approach- As per this approach the top executives adapts all the changes
that it feels is important to make the subordinates to adapt the changes efficiently. This is
required in order to perform the task irrespective of the business situation (Samier and
Milley, 2020). It offers a way to the bottom level so that it can given its best, have
flexibility in the operations and encourage the participation of the employees.
 Behavioral Approach- The foundation of this approach is the scientific methods which
is the combination of the observations, testing, so that proper evaluation can be done of
the performance and behavior of the subordinates.
 Effect of the leadership approach- the functioning of the organization is influenced by
the type of leadership approach used. This helps in enhancing the morale of employee,
productivity and also the chances of making better decision which in return improves the
overall productivity level. The leader becomes good if equipped with the quality of not
only analyzing the problems that the management is facing but also finding the various
alternatives that assist in achievement of the task effectively and efficiently.
 Change management model- in order to adapt the change accurately, it is very
important that the concepts and methodologies used should be implemented in
appropriate way. For attaining the heights of success, it is very important to implement
the changes successfully which will also benefit the organization to gain a competitive
advantage.
 Effect of change management model- This model provides the ensures that changes are
to be implemented in the coordinated manner. It increases the communicative value of
both the subordinates and the superior and also adequately maintains their relations. It
direct the efficient achievement of goals and objectives and also employees are motivated
to work in the coordinated manner (Kendall and et.al, 2018).
M4 Evaluate the extent to which leadership approaches can deliver organisational change
efficiency applying appropriate models and frameworks.
Leaders are the core competencies of an organisation, they are responsible for
organisation performance and efficiency. It is the responsibility of the leaders to regulate and
direct the workforce and allocation of resources that would lead in achievement of organisation
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