Analysing Waitrose: HR's Role in Organisational Development Report

This report provides a detailed analysis of the Human Resources (HR) department within Waitrose, a British supermarket chain. It begins by outlining the purpose and goals of Waitrose, its products, services, and target customers, followed by an examination of how external factors, such as political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental (PESTLE) influences impact the business. The report then delves into the organizational structure, culture, and various functions within Waitrose, including different types of organizations, and how these functions work together to optimize performance. Furthermore, it explores the evolution and purpose of HR, the role of HR in supporting line managers and staff, and the impact of organizational culture on operations. The report concludes by summarizing key learning points and providing references.

Understanding Organisations
and the Role of HR

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Understand the purpose of an organisation and its operating environment.....................................3
Describe the purpose and goals of Waitrose..........................................................................3
Describe the products, services and customers of Waitrose...................................................3
Analyse how external factors impact on the business activities of Waitrose.........................4
Understand the structure, culture and functions of an organisation.................................................5
Different types of organisation...............................................................................................5
How the different functions work together to optimise performance....................................7
How the culture of an organisation affects its operations......................................................7
Understand how HR/L&D activities support an organisation.........................................................7
Evolution and purpose of the broad areas of HR...................................................................7
The role of HR in supporting line managers and staff...........................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................10
Appendix........................................................................................................................................11
KEY LEARNING - SUMMARY........................................................................................11

Introduction
Human resource department is one of the most significant departments of the
organisation which provide support to their workforce and hear to all disciplinarians and
grievances of individual. This report is associated with understanding role of HR within
Waitrose. Waitrose is a British supermarket chain which is associated with retailing of food,
groceries and other items. The company is having prominent HR department which is executing
their functions in effective manner.
Understand the purpose of an organisation and its operating environment
Describe the purpose and goals of Waitrose
Waitrose is one of the retailers who owes prominent share in the market in terms of
customers and profits. The company is highly dedicated towards their customers and
continuously trying to enhance their experiences by meeting needs and demands. The
organisation in current time is totally focused over providing wide range of products to their
customers so that to get their loyalty and retention (O'Brien and Cave, 2017). In terms of goal
the company is planning to expand their business in Canada and US by end of year 2021 so that
to explore new market edges and gain high customers portfolio as well. The company is willing
to bring new approach to food industry so that to receive distinct identity within market. On the
other hand the company is upholding high animal welfare standards so that to provide quality
food to their customers.
Describe the products, services and customers of Waitrose
Waitrose is associated with selling of food items, dairy products, organic products,
sausages, cheese, bacon, chicken, eggs and many more products. In recent time they have
launched various juices bars for their customers which can be consumed by them within the
store only. On the other hand the company is working on their prices so that to minimise the
same as in comparison of their competitors and in this way they are able to receive prominent
edge within competitive market (Wells-Burr, 2016). Waitrose promises regarding quality of
their food and in this manner the company says that they are maintaining high standards in their
chicken and up-keeping European chicken commitment as well. Besides this they are providing

organic eggs fresh milk cream as well which is good for environment and health of customer as
well. Waitrose is the single supermarket in UK which guarantees regarding fresh fruits and
vegetables to their customer along with maintaining environment standard as well.
The Waitrose is having 332 shops across UK and they have covered 5.1% market
therein within the industry of groceries. Waitrose is known for selling of organic products so in
this manner the company is having high range of such customers those are prone towards using
organic products. Besides this Waitrose is targeting over middle class customers who are
looking for high quality products within minimal prices.
Analyse how external factors impact on the business activities of Waitrose
External factors: PESTLE analysis
Political factors: These factors are related with fiscal policies and trade tariffs rules promoted
by government (Souza-Monteiro and Hooker, 2017). In this manner when government rules
fluctuates then Waitrose will also have to modify their policies in such manner that they can
supply their goods to other countries.
Economic factors: Economic factors are associated with inflation rate and economic growth, in
current time due to implications of COVID economic growth of the world has been tarnished
and in this way Waitrose is facing negative implication in order to deal with their business.
Social factors: Social factors are related with need and preferences of customers and these are
one of the most prominent factors those are providing implications to Waitrose as the company
is fully dependent over their customers.
Technological factors: These are the factor which relate with using of technological aspects
within business. Under this manner Waitrose is having appropriate technology in their business
which helps them to grab attention of their customers.
Legal factors: These factors are linked with maintaining legality within business so that to
avoid any legal problems. In this manner Waitrose is adopting various laws in their business so
that to upkeep interest of their customers and employees as well.

Environmental factors: These factors are linked with environment up-keeping and for this
Waitrose is highly dedicated as they are providing organic products to their customer those are
not giving any kind of harm to environment.
Understand the structure, culture and functions of an organisation
Different types of organisation
There are different types of organisation existed and all of these are working for their own
motive and aim. Some of them are elaborated as under:
Global organisation: These are the type of organisation which is having operations in more
than one country and they are successful managing these functions (Taucean, Tamasila and
Negru-Strauti, 2016). These are the organisations those have alliance in different nations and
they promote global initiatives in order to render equality of trade. For example Waitrose and
Tesco are international organisation those are having operations in UK and many other
countries as well.
Large organisation: Large organisation are defined where more than 250 employees are
employed. In this manner these organisations are trying to enhance their market image and
market capture as well so that to develop their market prominence. For example HSBC is a
large organisation headquartered in UK.
Small and medium organisation: These are the organisations which are working in
independent manner and employ less than 50 employees. These are may be some start-ups or
new company those are willing to enter into market with their new idea of trading. For example
Checkout.com is a SME providing payment services to their customers.
Internal factors: SWOT analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
 Waitrose is having a royal warrant to
supply grocery and wine to Prince of
Wales which helps the company to
maintain its market image.
 Waitrose is having substantial share in
market as in compared to their
competitors which minimises their
market prominence.

 The company is having more than 300
stores in UK which helps them to
acquire higher customers.
 The company is facing fierce
competition with bargain hunters such
as ALDI and LIDL.
Opportunities Threat
 Waitrose is planning to unleash
markets of Canada and US by the end
of 2021 which gives them higher
opportunities to gain larger market
share.
 Waitrose is facing fierce competition
with Tesco as Tesco is having higher
markets share as in comparison of
Waitrose.
Organisational structure of Waitrose
The company is following hierarchical organisational structure in which they have various
department and for every department a head person is being appointed so that to manage the
functions within departments. With the help of this structure Waitrose is able to manage their
organisational functions in most effective manner and lead the opportunities for succession. In
this manner using such organisational structure clear line of command can be given to

associated parties and clear understanding of responsibilities to individual can be rendered as
well. Besides this the major disadvantage of this structure is related with centralised command
authority which may create delays in decision making for Waitrose. Waitrose is having several
organisational functions and these are being managed in a very smooth manner using
hierarchical structure.
How the different functions work together to optimise performance
In Waitrose various departments are interlinked such as marketing, production, research
& development and many more in order to execute organisational functions in most effective
manner. Production department works within marketing department in such a manner that
marketing department analyse demands of customers and in order to satisfy those demands
production department produce goods in that manner and quantity. On the other hand research
and development department analyses the needs of customers and examine inclination of
customers for Waitrose and these results are undertaken by marketing department of Waitrose
so that to place their products in the minds of customers. When different functions are worked
together within Waitrose this will be helpful for overall organisation to attain business
objectives using prominent organisational strategy.
How the culture of an organisation affects its operations
Organisational culture plays significant role for the business in order to get high
employee engagement and to attain business objectives in smooth manner. The culture within
Waitrose plays significant role in creating such internal environment within organisation that
could lead in moulding long term plans of organisation towards the direction of its vision.
Culture within Waitrose is helpful in dictating such policies and principles within organisation
which enables the employees to get assistance over their path of executing their roles and
responsibilities. Sometimes in the presence of inappropriate culture working performance and
quality of employees are not being valued and this may impact employee satisfaction and
employee contribution in negative manner. These implications can lead Waitrose to face
tarnished financial and operational performance in a very short span of time.
Understand how HR/L&D activities support an organisation
Evolution and purpose of the broad areas of HR
Human resource management is also known as personnel management. The concept
of HRM has evolved through various stages of Industrial revolution, trade union, scientific
management, Behavioural science and human relations. There are various stages in evolution of
HRM such as labour welfare, personnel management and HRM stage. In current time functions

of HRM has gone digital and in this manner using technological shifts these functions are
executed by them. HRM is helpful for Waitrose to manage their employees in such a way that
skills of employees can be used as attaining of business objectives in prominent manner. In this
digital age HRM is wholly executing labour based welfare and working to provide significant
edge to their employees (Johnson, Lukaszewski and Stone, 2016). HRM, being a part of
management discipline, has followed the pattern of development of management because of the
interrelationship of the problems of both the fields. Human resource approach is involving to
create relationship with employees so that they can be retained for longer period of time and
may provide their efficacy to the business for leading in the market. After evolution of HR in
current time HRM is working in various dimensions of the business and trying to bring
proficiency to overall business by using various resources as development tool.
The role of HR in supporting line managers and staff
HR is executing various roles in order to manage and support their line managers and
staffs in such a manner that overall development of the business can be rendered. These roles
are helping the business to grow and attain significant edge in the market so that market image
and prominence can be enhanced. Some of these roles are elaborated as under:
Informing and influencing people: This is one of the major roles executed by HR which helps
in providing information to people and to influence them over certain policies so that to bring
unity within organisation. This role helps in accumulating views of line managers at one
opinion which enhances overall harmony in the business and leads to render positivity within
execution of business operations.
Channels of communication: HR department is also having role to develop such channels of
communication in business organisation so that right and duties can easily be understood by
people and can be executed in same way as well (Evans, 2017). For instance by developing
employee handbook rights and duties can easily be communicated to each party which helps to
avoid any sort of confusion in executing roles.
Job analysis: Job analysis is another role executed by HR in order to support their line
managers and staffs. By analyzing job requirement this will be easier for HR to organise such
training sessions which are helpful in providing proficiency in skills to each employee.

Conclusion
From the above report this can be analysed that HR is one of the most significant
department of the business which helps the business to bridge the gap between employees and
managerial team. Using HR functions overall development of the business can be rendered and
this helps the organisation to attain its objectives and targets in early manner.

References
Books and journals
Evans, S., 2017. HRM and front line managers: The influence of role stress. The International
Journal of Human Resource Management, 28(22), pp.3128-3148.
Johnson, R.D., Lukaszewski, K.M. and Stone, D.L., 2016. The evolution of the field of human
resource information systems: Co-evolution of technology and HR
processes. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 38(1), p.28.
O'Brien, J. and Cave, A., 2017. The Power of Purpose: Inspire teams, engage customers,
transform business. Pearson UK.
Souza-Monteiro, D. and Hooker, N., 2017. Comparing UK food retailers corporate social
responsibility strategies. British Food Journal.
Taucean, I.M., Tamasila, M. and Negru-Strauti, G., 2016. Study on management styles and
managerial power types for a large organization. Procedia-Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 221, pp.66-75.
Wells-Burr, E.V., 2016. The Sweet Smell of Success: An Ethnography of the Waitrose
Customer Experience. Journal of Promotional Communications, 4(1).

Appendix
KEY LEARNING - SUMMARY
The study is based on analysing human resource management and its role within overall
development of the organisation. In this I have learnt regarding business key department HR
department and its role in developing the overall business. During this assignment I have come
through several issues such as I faced problems in gathering reliable and related information
due to which alignment of information and assignment objectives mis-managed. On the other
hand I knew significant impact of HR over the business before initiating the assignment and
this helped me to reinforce assignment in effective manner. I am required to think over my
analytical skills so that I can perform in better way in future researches. This assignment could
be helpful in my future job as I know regarding the implications of HR and its function over the
workplace. In the context of recommendation with the help of development I can work on the
areas which are needed so that to get assistance over future job role.