Workplace Transformation: Impact of Global Pandemic on M&S

This research report investigates the impact of the global pandemic on accelerating workplace transformation at Marks & Spencer (M&S). It begins by defining workplace transformation as activities performed by businesses to make necessary organizational changes to address specific issues and achieve desired objectives. The report explores the influence of the pandemic on M&S, including challenges faced by employees, such as safety concerns and adapting to new technologies. The research employs both primary (questionnaires) and secondary research methods to gather data, addressing cost, access, and ethical considerations. The findings highlight the importance of workplace transformation for M&S to improve business performance and employee capabilities, suggesting initiatives like changes in leadership, fostering a culture of trust, and enhancing social well-being to deal with transformational challenges.

Unit 11: Research Project

Table of Contents
Title - Transformation in the workplace..........................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
P1.................................................................................................................................................1
P2.................................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P3.................................................................................................................................................4
P4.................................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P5...............................................................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P6...............................................................................................................................................11
P7...............................................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

Title - Transformation in the workplace
INTRODUCTION
It is essential for an organisation to consider workplace transformation practices in order to
successfully and effectively conducting organisational task. Transformation in the workplace can
be describe as the activities performed by business in order to make required changes in
organisation with the motive of dealing with specific issues and attaining desired objectives
(Brand and et.al., 2021). This report is based on Marks and Spencer company. This is well
established company which is providing its products and services to large market area. Marks
and Spencer company was developed in year 1884 and founder of this organisation is Michael
Marks and Thomas Spencer. Head office of this company is located in London, England, UK.
This report includes information about the transformation in workplace. This research reports is
focusing on determining the impact of the global pandemic on accelerating workplace
transformation.
MAIN BODY
P1
Research Aims –
To investigate the impact of the global pandemic on accelerating workplace
transformation. Case study of Marks and Spencer.
Research objectives –
 To determine the concept of workplace transformation.
 To analyse the influence of global pandemic situation on transformation of Marks and
Spencer workplace.
 To evaluate the challenges that is faced by employees due to global pandemic that lead to
workplace transformation initiatives.
1

Research question –
 What is the concept of workplace transformation.
 What are the influence of global pandemic situation on transformation of Marks and
Spencer workplace.
 What are the challenges that is faced by employees due to global pandemic that lead to
workplace transformation initiatives.
Literature review
 To determine the concept of workplace transformation.
As per the views of author (2021), it has been analysed that workplace transformation is
one of the essential part of business that will lead to significantly affect business
performance and productivity. Workplace transformation can be describe about the
rethinking of flexible workspaces in order to accommodate different kinds of works,
technology as well as employees (Salonia and et.al., 2021). This will lead to conduct
several changes with in organisation that will lead to affect overall performance and
productivity of business. Trough the support of workplace transformation Marks and
Spencer company will be able to carry out organisational activities in more accurate and
appropriate manner. It has been determined that there are several benefits that could be
accomplish by company through enhancing workplace transformation activities.
 To analyse the influence of global pandemic situation on transformation of Marks and
Spencer workplace.
According to the views of .. (2021), it has been identified that global pandemic situation will
lead to have major influence over transformation of workplace. It is essential that respective
company is analyse and evaluating the impact of global pandemic situation in transformation of
business that will lead to affect overall performance and productivity level of Marks and Spencer
company. It has been analysed that during the global pandemic situation employees of respective
company is not able to use their skills and capabilities in effective and accurate manner. This will
lead to have major impact over potential of employees to perform organisational practices.
Global pandemic situation will lead to have major influence over sales and profitability of
business.
2

 To evaluate the challenges that is faced by employees due to global pandemic that lead to
workplace transformation initiatives.
As per the views of ... (2021), it has been identified that there are different challenges and
issues that is faced by employees of Marks and Spencer company to due to global pandemic
and this lead to workplace transformation initiatives. Employees safety is one of the major or
crucial issues that will lead to affect the way respective company is performing its business.
global pandemic situation lead to conduct workplace transformation initiatives that will lead
to improve overall performance of employees by considering their safety. It has been
analysed that employees face challenge in dealing with new and innovative technology. This
will lead to significantly affect capability of employees. employees has face issues in coping
with the technology during global pandemic situation.
P2
There are different methods and approaches that could be consider by researcher in order to
successfully and effectively conduct research activities (Maeda and et.al., 2021). primary and
secondary research are very crucial in order to gather accurate and correct information about the
topic. research methods and approaches to primary or secondary research is mention below –
 Primary research – This can be describe as the research which includes only first hand
information that is not used by any other researcher. Primary research consist of data that
is never used and this will assist in collecting appropriate or accurate data regarding
research topic. There are different ways that could be used by researcher to conduct
primary research such as survey, in depth interview, observation and so on.
 Secondary research – Secondary research consist of the information that has been
collected in primary research. There are different approaches or methods for secondary
research such as books, online information, business paper, articles, journals and many
more. All of these are significant way in order to collect required information about the
research topic.
3

TASK 2
P3
In this research, investigator is considering both primary and secondary research that is
significant for gathering and assembling required set of information as well as taking right
decision. Cost, access as well as ethical issues associated with this research is mention below -
 Cost – This can describe as the amount that is needed by research in order to perform and
conduct research practices in effective manner (Goldberg and Warburton, 2021). It is
essential that investigator has appropriate cost for successfully performing research. Total
cost that is needed is £ 250 for successfully and correctly performing research practices.
 Access - The access of data and information that is collected in this research is to only
researcher. It has been analysed that only investigator has access to the gathered
information of researcher in order to keep data safe and secure.
 Ethical issues – There are different ethical issues that is associated with this research
such as leaking of important data and information (van Beinum and et.al., 2021). It is
essential that investigator is considering all ethical practices while performing activities
of the research and this will lead to have major impact on research.
Questionnaire
Name –
Age –
Contact number –
1. Do you have understanding regarding the concept of workplace transformation
 Yes
 No
2. As per your views, what are the major the influence of global pandemic situation on
transformation of Marks and Spencer workplace
 Performance of business
 Skills and capability of employees
 Sales and profitability
 All of the above
3. According to you what are the challenges faced by their employees due to global
4

pandemic when embarking on workplace transformation initiatives?
 Employee safety
 Advance technology
 Coping with the changes
 All of the above
4. Do you think it is important for Mars and Spencer company to deal with the challenges in
order to improve business performance and capabilities
 Yes
 No
5. As per your views what are the initiatives that could be consider by Marks and Spencer
company in order to deal with the workplace transformational challenges?
 Change in leadership and management competences
 Develop a culture of trust and openness
 Enhance social wellbeing
 All of the above
6. Do you feel that workplace transformation initiatives will assist respective company to
enhance its performance level in market area?
 Agree
 Disagree
7. According to your views what are the different benefits and advantages that could be
gathered by Marks and Spencer company in order to enhance workplace transformation?
 Effective communication
 Fostering employees performance
 Innovative technology
 All of the above
8. Do you have any suggestion for Marks and Spencer company in order to enhance
workplace transformation practices.
5

P4
Theme 1 – The concept of workplace transformation
9. Do you have understanding regarding
the concept of workplace
transformation.
Frequency
 Yes 25
 No 5
Interpretation – From the above shown data it has been analysed that out of 30 respondents 25
have information and understanding about the concept of workplace transformation. Where as
only 5 respondents has no information about the workplace transformation. Through this it has
been analysed that most of the respondents have understanding about the workplace
transformation.
Theme 2 – The major the influence of global pandemic situation on transformation of Marks and
Spencer workplace
10. As per your views, what are the major
the influence of global pandemic
situation on transformation of Marks
and Spencer workplace
Frequency
 Performance of business 5
 Skills and capability of
employees
5
 Sales and profitability 5
 All of the above 15
Interpretation – Through this above mention data it has been analysed that global pandemic
situation will lead to have major influence over transformation of Marks and Spencer workplace.
Out of 30 respondents 5, 5 and 5 respondents feel that performance of business, sills and
capabilities of employees and sales or profitability of business has been highly influenced
6

respectively. where as other 15 respondents feel that all of these are crucial factors that affect
Marks and Spencer workplace transformation.
Theme 3 – The challenges faced by their employees due to global pandemic when embarking on
workplace transformation initiatives
11. According to you what are the
challenges faced by their employees
due to global pandemic when
embarking on workplace
transformation initiatives?
Frequency
 Employee safety 5
 Advance technology 8
 Coping with the changes 5
 All of the above 12
Interpretation – as per the above shown graphical representation it has been analysed that there
are different challenges that could be faced by employees because of global pandemic.
According to collected data 5, 8 and 5 respondents feel that employee safety, advance technology
and coping with the changes is the major challenges. Where as other 12 respondents out of 30
feels that all of the above mention factors are the major challenges that is faced by company.
Theme 4 – Important for Marks and Spencer company to deal with the challenges in order to
improve business performance and capabilities
12. Do you think it is important for Marks
and Spencer company to deal with the
challenges in order to improve business
performance and capabilities
Frequency
 Yes 26
 No 4
7

Interpretation – Through the above shown information it has been analysed that most of the
respondents feel that it is important for Marks and Spencer company to deal with the challenges
in order to improve business performance and capabilities. Out of 30 respondents 26 has
responded with yes that they feel organisation needs to overcome with the challenges for
enhancing business performance. Where as only 4 responded has answered with no.
Theme 5 – The initiatives that could be consider by Marks and Spencer company in order to deal
with the workplace transformational challenges
13. As per your views what are the
initiatives that could be consider by
Marks and Spencer company in order
to deal with the workplace
transformational challenges?
Frequency
 Change in leadership and
management competences
5
 Develop a culture of trust and
openness
7
 Enhance social wellbeing 5
 All of the above 13
Interpretation – through the collected information in the survey it has been analysed that there
are different initiatives that could be consider by organisation in order to successfully deal with
the workplace transformational challenges. Out of 30 respondents 5, 7 and 5 respondents feel
that Change in leadership and management competences, Develop a culture of trust and openness
and Enhance social wellbeing is very important initiatives that needs to be consider by
organisation. where as other 13 respondents feel that all of the above are crucial factors which
needs to be consider by respective organisation for successfully dealing with transformational
challenges.
Theme 6 – Workplace transformation initiatives will assist respective company to enhance its
performance level in market area
8

14. Do you feel that workplace
transformation initiatives will assist
respective company to enhance its
performance level in market area?
Frequency
 Agree 24
 Disagree 6
Interpretation – from the above mention data it has been analysed that most of the respondents
that is 24 agrees that workplace transformation initiative will lead to assist organisation to
increase and enhance its performance level. where as only 6 respondents disagrees with the
statement.
Theme 7 – The different benefits and advantages that could be gathered by Marks and Spencer
company in order to enhance workplace transformation
15. According to your views what are the
different benefits and advantages that
could be gathered by Marks and
Spencer company in order to enhance
workplace transformation?
Frequency
 Effective communication 5
 Fostering employees
performance
5
 Innovative technology 5
 All of the above 15
Interpretation – There are several benefits and advantages that could be gathered by marks and
Spencer company while considering workplace transformation activities. it has been identified
that out of 30 respondents 5, 5 and 5 feels that effective communication, fostering employees
performance as well as innovative technology will help in enhancing and improving business
practices.
9

Theme 8 - Suggestion for Marks and Spencer company in order to enhance workplace
transformation practices.
1. Do you have any suggestion for Marks and Spencer company in order to enhance
workplace transformation practices.
Interpretation – Yes, it is important for Marks and Spencer company to consider advance
and digital technology with the motive of enhancing workplace transformation practices.
It has been identified that there are different tools of advance and innovative technology
which will lead to increase business performance as well as lead to improve overall
productivity of business. This will help in conducting organisational practices in accurate
manner as well as accomplishing desired objectives.
TASK 3
P5
The research outcome is that Marks and Spencer company needs to perform and conduct
different set of activities in order to improve business performance. It has been analysed that
workplace transformation activities play very important role for increasing overall performance
and productivity level of organisation (Guo and et.al., 2021). Transformation of workplace is
very important as this will assist in significantly dealing with the issues of global pandemic
problem as well as enhance business capability. There are various challenges faced by employees
of Marks and Spencer company such as employee safety, advance technology and so on that will
lead to affect performance and functioning of business. it has been analysed that there are
different advantages that could be gather by company by improving workplace transformation
activities as well as accomplishment of desired goals.
TASK 4
P6
In order to successfully and effectively conduct this research, I have used primary research
method. This is very effective and useful method that will assist me in gaining right and accurate
information about the topic. I have analysed that primary research methods will help me in
10

gather appropriate data which is relevant to the research topic as well as significantly meet with
the requirement of the research topic (Erdinç and Bülbül, 2021). Through collection of primary
data I am the owner of gathered data and information. I have identified that there are several
approaches and ways of gathering primary data such as survey, interview, observation and many
more. All of these are effective and will assist in gaining required set of information in order to
meet with the goals. I have identified that through the questionnaire survey I will be able to
collect and gather appropriate information which will assist me in reaching to desired outcomes
as well as meeting with set objectives.
P7
There are different research methodologies that could be consider by researcher in order to
meet with desired outcomes. I have analysed that the alternative research methodology of
questionnaire survey will be interview method. This is also effective approach that will assist in
gaining required set of information as well as gathering appropriate data (Sidiq, Jalil and
Achmad, 2021). I have analyse that through interview method researcher will be able to gather
in depth information about the research topic. In this research methodology researcher will be
able to communicate with the respondents in order to find right and accurate information about
the topic. Interview research methods are very effective for gaining trust of the respondents
during the interview process and this will support in accomplishing desired objective of the
research practices.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that workplace transformation is very crucial
and critical part of organisation and this will lead to have major impact on overall business
practices. it has been identified that the global pandemic will lead to have major impact on
accelerating workplace transformation. it has been determined that there are different challenges
and issues that is faced by employees of company to due to global pandemic and this lead to
workplace transformation initiatives. There are different research methods that are majorly
classified into primary and secondary research. This will assist in gathering right and accurate
information about the topic as well as meeting with desired objective. primary research methods
11

will help me in gather appropriate data which is relevant to the research topic as well as
significantly meet with the requirement of the research topic.
12

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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specific Internet‐use disorders. Addiction Biology, p.e13087.
Salonia, A., and et.al., 2021. SARS‐CoV‐2, Testosterone and frailty in males (PROTEGGIMI):
A multidimensional research project. Andrology, 9(1), pp.19-22.
Maeda, H., and et.al., 2021. Self-assemblies of anionic-unit-introduced anion-responsive π-
electronic molecules. Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry, 19(34), pp.7369-7373.
Goldberg, E.M. and Warburton, R.W., 2021. Ends and Means in Social Work: the development
and outcome of a case review system for social workers. Routledge.
Guo, Z., and et.al., 2021. Graph embedding‐based intelligent industrial decision for complex
sewage treatment processes. International Journal of Intelligent Systems.
Erdinç, G. and Bülbül, M., 2021. Effect of mastication simulation on the phase transformation of
posterior 3-unit monolithic zirconia fixed dental prostheses. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
van Beinum, A., and et.al., 2021. Family experiences with non-therapeutic research on dying
patients in the intensive care unit. Journal of Medical Ethics.
Sidiq, R.S.S., Jalil, A. and Achmad, R.W.W., 2021. Virtual World Solidarity: How Social
Solidarity is Built on the Crowdfunding Platform Kitabisa. com. Webology, 18(1), pp.192-202.
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