Sainsbury's Workplace Transformation During the Covid-19 Pandemic

This report examines the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on workplace transformation at Sainsbury, a leading UK supermarket chain. It identifies the concept of workplace transformation, evaluates the pandemic's impact on accelerating this transformation, and explores how Sainsbury can implement digital technology to overcome Covid-19's challenges. The research employs a positivism philosophy and a deductive approach, utilizing a survey strategy with quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. Primary data is gathered through questionnaires from Sainsbury's employees, analyzed using pie charts and frequency tables, while secondary data is sourced from books, newspapers, and past research. The report covers the challenges faced by Sainsbury during the pandemic, including managing employee satisfaction, supply chain disruptions, and the need for increased digital adoption. It also recommends strategies for Sainsbury to leverage digital technologies like AI, cloud computing, and robotics to enhance online shopping experiences, improve employee performance, and ultimately transform their workplace for long-term growth and customer satisfaction. Desklib provides access to this and other solved assignments for students.

Business
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Business...........................................................................................................................................1
Title – Transformation in the workplace.........................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................4
Methodology....................................................................................................................................6
Data analysis..................................................................................................................................11
Interpretation of data............................................................................................................13
Conclusion and Recommendation.................................................................................................21
References......................................................................................................................................23
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Title – Transformation in the workplace
Introduction
The business environment is inclusive of number of internal and external factors that are
uncertain and can affect organization decision making and overall profitability. In this to assure
maximum competitiveness and manage business activities during the challenging time it is
essential to undertake use of digital technology (Meske and Junglas, 2021). This will help an
organization to manage performance of employees, supply chain network and consumer
satisfaction level. The present research is conducted on the impact of global pandemic covid-19
on workplace transformation. The study is conducted on Sainsbury which is operating as a
leading organization as the largest chain of supermarket in the provinces of the United Kingdom.
The company was founded in the year 1869 and operates in retail industry. The present research
include discussion on research and objectives with the help of literature review, appropriate
methodology, data analysis and certain recommended practices.
Aim:
To the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace
transformation. A study on Sainsbury, UK.
Research objectives
 To identify the concept of workplace transformation.
 To determine the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace
transformation.
 To evaluate the ways in which Sainsbury can implement digital technology to overcome
the impact of Covid-19 in order to accelerate workplace transformation.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of workplace transformation?
 What is the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace
transformation?
 What are the ways in which Sainsbury can implement digital technology to overcome the
impact of Covid-19 in order to accelerate workplace transformation?
Rationale
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The COVID-19 outbreak created number of challenges and issues in front of organization to
manage supply chain network, employees, consumers and business activities. The present
research topic is rational as it is conducted by researcher on the topic of transformation in the
workplace. With the help of this organization can identify the digital tools and technologies
through which they can overcome the challenges and can transform their workplace for
betterment and long term growth and sustainability, along with maximum satisfaction of
customers (Attaran, Attaran and Kirkland, 2019). This research is also rational as it develop the
investigator current level of understanding and knowledge associated to workplace
transformation concept and will further benefit to conduct future research appropriately.
Literature Review
Literature review is a systematic overview of previously conducted work on a particular topic. It
is an essential aspect of study which allow investigator to summarise and synthesize the
argument of existing knowledge in a particular research area.
Concept of workplace transformation
According to the viewpoint of Selimović, Pilav-Velić and Krndžija, (2021) it has been analysed
that workplace transformation is termed as rethinking of flexible workplace in order to undertake
use of different forms of technology and practices to make transformation in workplace culture.
It is a concept in which company requires to implement the use of digital transformation by
taking assistance of technology, in order to align business goals and objectives with employees
responsibilities and roles (Dery, Sebastian and van der Meulen, 2017). The main purpose behind
this is to make improvements in organizational workplace standard and further increase
competitiveness in industry. Workplace transformation is a concept of significantly making
improvement in employees, skills, knowledge, tools and abilities in order to keep up with
changes in business environment.
Impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating workplace transformation
According to the perception of Noor-Ilander, (2021) the outbreak of Covid-19 lead organisations
around the world to face many challenges and issues due to lockdown and strict measures by
government. During the time period of covid-19 employers faced the challenge associated to the
shortage of labour, as employees were subjected to do work from home. Furthermore, it has been
analysed that global pandemic Covid-19 not only affected small scale and medium scale
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organization but it also adversely affected companies on leading scale such as Sainsbury. The
respective organization faced challenges to conduct their business rules and responsibilities due
to shortage of labour (Thevannoor, 2020). Furthermore it has been analysed that after the
situation is getting normal there is increase in the trend of digital shopping along with digital
technologies to manage employees from remote areas. Sainsbury also faced challenges in terms
of increasing workers efficiency and interrupted supply chain network (Avis, 2016). Global
pandemic covid-19 significantly encouraged organization to accelerate workplace transformation
in order to undertake use of digital technologies to enhance consumer satisfaction.
Ways in which Sainsbury can implement digital technology to overcome the impact of Covid-
19 in order to accelerate workplace transformation
As per the viewpoint of Usher, (2018) Covid-19 created number of challenges and issues in front
of organization like Sainsbury to manage employees, provide services to customers, acquire raw
material etc. The outbreak of this pandemic created challenges and issues in front of Sainsbury to
manage the business operation in feasible and effective manner (Haddud and McAllen, 2018).
However in order to overcome the issues due to this pandemic Sainsbury implemented some
strategies. However, in order to enhance competitiveness after the situation is getting normal
Sainsbury can undertake use of digital tools and technologies to not only to overcome the impact
of Covid- 19 but also transform their workplace (Rangraz and Pareto, 2021). In this with the help
of taking use of artificial intelligence (AI), business analytics, cloud computing, virtual
communication tools etc. organization can manage performance of employees in effective
manner. Along with the help of undertaking use of robotics and another technologies company
can encourage the use of digital technology to enhance online shopping experience of customers.
This will help them too transform their workplace and further satisfy customers.
Methodology
Research methodology is one of the most important aspects of overall research that offers vital
information associated with the choice and selection of research methods (Guruprasad and
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Satyanarayana Murty, 2020). This section allow investigator to select effective and viable
methods to conduct research appropriately. In context with present research investigator with the
help of research onion model to analyse the appropriate methods to fulfil the present research
aims and objectives in an effective manner.
Figure 1: Research Onion, 2020.
Research Philosophy-
There are different types of research philosophies such as Positivism, interpretivism, Pragmatism
and Realism that investigator can undertake order to fulfil desired research objectives and
accomplish overall research goals (Kumar, 2018). In context with present research investigation
researcher has undertaken the use of positivism research philosophy fulfil to fulfil the research
aim on Sainsbury. The primary reason behind taking of this method is to conduct research in
more scientific and practical way.
Research approach-
There are various forms of research approaches such as inductive and deductive out of which
investigator has undertaken the use of deductive research approach (Flick, 2015). The primary
reason to take use of this method is to effectively coordinate with positivism research
philosophy. In addition to this with the help of this method investigator is aiming towards to
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have better testing and canning of numeric data and facts. This is important to fulfill overall
research objectives in effective manner.
Research strategy-
This is defined as an entire framework and design of research and is made based on the selection
of research strategy from observation, action research, experiments, survey, empirical research
and more (Pandey and Pandey, 2021). Out of these investigator has selected the use of survey
which seems to be the most appropriate method. According to the present research topic with the
help of this researcher is aiming towards to collect sufficient sample size of respondents and
accumulate data with the help of evaluating their viewpoint and perception to draw valid
conclusion.
Choices of method-
There are different form of choices of methods such as quantitative and qualitative which
benefits investigator to have an appropriate source to acquire data and information and further
conduct in depth evaluation of them. In context with present investigation researcher has taken
the use of quantitative nature of research method. The primary reason to take use of this method
is to undertake collection of data in statistical and numerical manner. In addition to this with the
help of this method investigated for the present collect information and data in attractive in
systematic way with the help of taking use of charts and tables.
Data collection and analysis-
There are different type of sources from which investigator can acquire data and information.
These are primary and secondary sources which allow investigator to have ability to collect data
and information and further accomplish overall research in an effective manner (Snyder, 2019).
In order to accomplish present research aims and objective investigator has selected both
methods. In context with primary investigator will collect authentic and first hand data set from
participants with the help of questionnaire and will further analyse them with the help of pie
chart and frequency table. While on other hand in context with secondary data collection method
investigator will undertake use of books, newspaper, government documents, past research and
further analyse them with the help of literature review.
Sampling-
Sampling is defined as a statistical process that helps investigator to collect sufficient size of
sample out of the whole population (Panneerselvam, 2014). In context with present research
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investigator has undertaken the use of random sampling method, in which a sample size of 30
respondents has been selected. These are employees of the selected company. The primary
reason to take use of this method is to provide unbiased and equal chances to all the participants.
In this investigator with the help of questionnaire will acquire viewpoint in perception of the
selected respondents.
Questionnaire
Q1) Are you aware with the concept of workplace transformation?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Neutral
Q2) According to your opinion do you think, modern workplace has positive impact on
company’s productivity?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Neutral
Q3) Do you think that, with the help digital technologies organisations can transform
workplace structure?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Neutral
Q4) According to your perception, does workplace transformation benefit Sainsbury to
maximise overall productivity?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Neutral
Q5) According to you, what is the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 on accelerating
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workplace transformation?
a) Increase in the use of digital technologies
b) Relay on virtual tools
c) Increase in digital adaption
d) Automation and cognitive technology
Q6) As per your perception, what kind of digital technologies will benefit Sainsbury to
transform its workplace?
a) Cloud computing
b) Augmented reality
c) API based integration
d) Big data and real-time analytics
Q7) In what way workplace transformation will benefit Sainsbury?
b) Empowered employees
c) Increase in organisation’s performance
c) Better collaboration and communication
d) Flexible work environment
Q8) What are the challenges faced by Sainsbury during covid-19 to manage workplace?
a) Managing satisfaction of employees
b) Increase in employee’s turnover
c) Complex work schedule
d) Increase in stress among employees
e) In-effective communication network
Q9) According to you, what are ways in which Sainsbury can implement digital
technology to overcome the impact of Covid-19 in order to accelerate workplace
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transformation?
a) Artificial Intelligence
b) Machine learning
c) AI-powered chatbots
d) Smart robots
Q10) What is the most appropriate benefit workplace transformation for employees in
Sainsbury?
a) Increase productivity
b) Better flexibility
c) Knowledge sharing and collaboration across departments
Q11) Provide some recommendation, to Sainsbury management to transform workplace
to enhance overall productivity and employee’s satisfaction in retail industry.
Ethics:
Ethics plays important role as it not only enhances viability of research but also allow
investigator to conduct research under proper ethical standards and practices. However during
research there are number of ethical issues that investigator can face which can affect overall
research in adverse manner. In this to maintain privacy and authenticity of collected data in
present research investigator has undertaken the advantage of BERA code of ethics. Along with
this researcher will comply with the act of data protection to maintain privacy and authenticity of
data. Along with this investigator will provide opportunity to all the respondence to withdraw at
anytime during the research, this has been undertaken to respect their decision and privacy.
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Data analysis
Use of following frequency table is made for systematic and clear analysis of collected raw data:
Q1) Are you aware with the concept of workplace transformation? Frequency
a) Yes 27
b) No 2
c) Neutral 1
Q2) According to your opinion do you think, modern workplace has
positive impact on company’s productivity?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 2
c) Neutral 3
Q3) Do you think that, with the help digital technologies organisations can
transform workplace structure?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 5
c) Neutral 1
Q4) According to your perception, does workplace transformation benefit
Sainsbury to maximise overall productivity?
Frequency
a) Yes 23
b) No 6
c) Neutral 1
Q5) According to you, what is the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19
on accelerating workplace transformation?
Frequency
a) Increase in the use of digital technologies 8
b) Relay on virtual tools 7
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c) Increase in digital adaption 4
d) Automation and cognitive technology 11
Q6) As per your perception, what kind of digital technologies will benefit
Sainsbury to transform its workplace?
Frequency
a) Cloud computing 11
b) Augmented reality 7
c) API based integration 4
d) Big data and real-time analytics 8
Q7) In what way workplace transformation will benefit Sainsbury? Frequency
a) Empowered employees 7
b) Increase in organisation’s performance 6
c) Better collaboration and communication 8
d) Flexible work environment 9
Q8) What are the challenges faced by Sainsbury during covid-19 to
manage workplace?
Frequency
a) Managing satisfaction of employees 6
b) Increase in employee’s turnover 7
c) Complex work schedule 9
d) Increase in stress among employees 4
e) In-effective communication network 4
Q9) According to you, what are ways in which Sainsbury can implement
digital technology to overcome the impact of Covid-19 in order to
accelerate workplace transformation?
Frequency
a) Artificial Intelligence 12
b) Machine learning 9
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