Impact of COVID-19: Accelerating Workplace Transformation at Waitrose

This research proposal aims to analyze the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation practices, focusing on Waitrose as a case study. The research objectives include examining various workplace transformation practices adopted by Waitrose for managing business functions during the pandemic, investigating the impact of COVID-19 in accelerating the adoption of these practices, and determining the challenges faced during implementation. The proposal outlines the reasons for choosing the research topic, highlighting personal and professional interests in developing analytical and research skills. Key literature sources are used to support the research questions, which explore the specific workplace transformation practices adopted by Waitrose, the impact of the pandemic on their adoption, and the challenges encountered during implementation. The proposal details the activities and timescales for the research project, including literature review, methodology development, data collection, data analysis, and conclusion writing, with specific milestones and target dates. The research approach and methodologies section describes the use of positivism research philosophy, a deductive approach, quantitative research choice, and probability sampling. Ethical considerations are addressed through an ethics approval form, ensuring compliance with data protection laws and addressing potential ethical concerns related to human participants and data security. The proposal includes a timeline for research activities and data analysis methods.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name
Student ID
Centre Name
Tutor
Unit No
Proposed Title The impact of the global pandemic on accelerating workplace
transformation
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
To analyse the impact of global pandemic COVID-19 in accelerating the adoption of workplace
transformation practices. A study on Waitrose.
Research objectives (e.g. what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to
learn how to do? What do you want to find out?):
 To examine various workplace transformation practices adopted by Waitrose for
managing business functions during COVID-19.
 To investigate the impact of global pandemic COVID-19 in accelerating the adoption
of workplace transformation practices by Waitrose.
 To determine various challenges faced by Waitrose during implementing practices of
workplace transformation.
Research questions
 What are the various workplace transformation practices adopted by Waitrose for
managing business functions during COVID-19.
 What is the impact of global pandemic COVID-19 in accelerating the adoption of
workplace transformation practices by Waitrose.
 What are the various challenges faced by Waitrose during implementing practices of
workplace transformation.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project

Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal
interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
The major reason of selecting the current research topic was related with personal inclination of
researcher as researcher is going to gain knowledge regarding workplace transformation and its
need and significance within the organisation. The researcher is having dual perspective in
selection of the research topic such as personal and professional. For personal perspective the
researcher will have edge in developing various skills such as analytical skill, research skills,
communication skills and many more. On the other hand, in terms of professional perspective
using information from this report the researcher may execute future researches in more
appropriate manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
What are the various workplace transformation practices adopted by Waitrose for
managing business functions during COVID-19?
According to the viewpoint of this can be said that there are various workplace transformation
practices which are being adopted by the organisation and these are helping the business to
execute their business functions. These are the practices which were initiated at the time of
COVID so that to accelerate existing working and to upgrade their business as well. In this
manner the major practice is related with digital workplace transformation, in the time of
COVID-19 the organisation developed their online presence so that to acquire customer edge
and to attain sustainability into the market. With the help of digital practices several situations
within the organisation can be managed at pandemic situation as well. On the other hand, the
organisation is adopting strategic integration within the organisation so that successful modern
workplace can be created.
What is the impact of global pandemic COVID-19 in accelerating the adoption of
workplace transformation practices by Waitrose.
According to the perception of the the global pandemic has impacted the working culture of the
organisation as organisation of current time is required to manage their functions in different
manner which means that adoption of change was required. Due to the spread of COVID-19 the
organisation has adopted workplace transformation so that to stabilise their business operations.
The major impact of workplace transformation is related with providing ease to the business in
order to manage business operations. This is analysed that when appropriate transformation is
adopted within the organisation then this may lead the organisational employees to execute
their roles and responsibilities in appropriate manner.

What are the various challenges faced by Waitrose during implementing practices of
workplace transformation?
According to there are various challenges which are being faced by the organisation at the time
of implementing practices of workplace transformation within their organisation. This is stated
that the major problem is related with change management as employees are rigid in order to
adopt such practices or workplace transformation. On the other hand, another issue is related
with inexperienced employees as in order to develop digital workplace transformation trainings
are required to be provided to employees which require high efforts and resources. Similarly
other challenge is related with technical issues as in the context of digital workplace
transformation various technicalities are needed and these may create issues for the
organisation in implementing workplace transformation.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g.
research, development and analysis of ideas, writing, data
collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of final
outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
Research aim and Objectives
Literature review
Research methodology
Data collection
Data analysis
Conclusion and Recommendations
How long this
will take:
7
9
10
10
9
19
3
Milestone one: ___Literature Review ______________
Target date (set by tutor): ___26/01/2022______________
Milestone two: ____Research Methodology _____________
Target date (set by tutor): ___04-02-2022_______________
Gantt Chart

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What
your areas of research will cover:

What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What
your areas of research will cover:
Research Philosophy: This is regarded as the process of of accumulating information related
with research topic so that to manage the research. There are two types of research philosophies
such as positivism and interpretivism. In the current research positivism research philosophy
will be used so that to proceed the research in quantitative manner.
Research Approach: This is the process which is associated with planning of various steps
within the research so that overall research can be executed in effective manner. There are two
types of research approaches such as inductive and deductive. In the current research, deductive
approach will be used so that in appropriate manner research can be aligned.
Research choice: There are two types of research choice such as quantitative and qualitative.
In the present research quantitative research choice will be used so that researcher may collect
the data in statistical manner.
Sampling Method: There are two types of sampling methods such as probability and non-
probability. In the current research, probability sampling will be used so that to manage the
research and to select appropriate number of samples and to draw conclusion as well.
Sampling size: In the present research 40 respondents will be selected which are employees of
Waitrose.
Data analysis: Using frequency distribution table quantitative information will be analysed
within research so that analytical aspects can be added to the research.
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.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.

Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

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 analyse the impact of global pandemic COVID-19 in accelerating the
adoption of workplace transformation practices. A study on Waitrose.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date: 17/01/2022
Intended research end date: 15/04/2022
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) : Secondary research
Section 3: Participants
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: 18>

How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Email, Text
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through the use of questionnaire, all information about the research will be provided 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?
By providing accurate information to the participants, researcher can easily consent
from the participants.
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
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation
of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief
summary of your findings in general) Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data
Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research: Researcher
Where will the data be stored?
In mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research: Researcher
Where will the data be stored?
In mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
May be 6 months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No

Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If
so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because
of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may
include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer,
sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that
may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to your supervisor
only