Benefits Of Conducting A Small Scale Research

LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes

P1 Devise project aims and objectives

River Island is a multinational organization with its headquarters in the UK; however, River Island operates in a number of countries. In some countries, River Island operates in various regions and cities that clearly hint towards difference in cultural and social background. However, it should also be taken into consideration that the environmental, economic and social influence of River Island may exhibit a positive or negative impact or both on the host country. Thus, the main aim of the project is to assess the impact of River Island on the business environment of the chosen host country (Bolman and Deal, 2017). The report is based on River Island organisation which operate and regulate world wide market place where they serve serving best products and services to their customers.

Hence, as per the stated point of view presented, following are the aims, objectives, and scope that can be obtained through the help of stated project:

Aim: To evaluate and analyse the impact created by River Island on the business environment of the host country.

Objectives:

• To evaluate the extent of the impact created on employees while establishing a business process in China.
• To gauge the impact created by the business of River Island on the population of the host country.
• To measure resources, outcome, and risks that can be experienced while managing a business in China.
• To provide appropriate recommendations that can work on streamlining business process and ensure sustainability is maintained.
• To analyse the impact on environment due to the introduction of a new business venture
• To analyse the impact of another country on business culture and environment.
• To identify the contribution of River island upon economic growth of China.

Scope:

Hence, the project works to pinpoint some problems associated with cultural competencies during the execution of a project. Hence, as influenced by Liu et al. (2016) project managers often face problems in communication due to the language barrier. Alternatively, it can also be stated change in working patterns may act as a barrier among the newly recruited employees from the host countries. Thus, the scope provided by the current project is related to an attempt made to examine cultural issues that can be further treated in order to manage conflict.

However, it should also be considered the scope of the current project can extend beyond the understanding of cultural competence (Brannan, 2017). The company try to expand business operations and its functions in order to reach with desired goals and target in better manner. Hence, with regards to River Island, the current project can provide an idea to enhance business operations.

P2 Produce a project management plan

Table 1: Project management plan

(Source: Created my researcher)

Cost – It is that method which can be used for managing and controlling additional cost or value which occurs in production procedures. It will assist in saving amount and it increasing profitability that could be used in different units. An organisation develop strategies and policies which can be helpful in acquiring effective cost by serving variety of products and services to their customers (Caro and Martínez-de-Albéniz, 2015).

Scope – The area covers all the elements which mainly included in whole project. Respective company requires to manage and maintain all business operations which help them in reaching with desired goals and targets in proper manner. All the essential aspects are described in this assignment which are helpful for modernisation of business and it improves the performance and effectively of business operations.

Risk – This is one of the most important concepts in this report as it will assist in identifying different risk factors which directly impact on business operations and its functions. It is required for management is to manage risk and reduces its impact on business operations effectively (Dabija and Grant, 2016). The firm use technologies which help them in recognise such elements and take corrective actions in better manner.

Time – It is another important activity which is considered at the time of conducting survey and examination. There are various activities which help in setting goals and objectives of specific project, manage planning, conuct primary and secondary research in order to collect accurate data. This is required for company is to manage time for completing all such activities and functions effectively.

Resources – It is another factor in which there are several resources and it is necessary for respective company (Rizwan, Hassan and Kalsoom, 2017). For firm, various resources required such as employees, funds, technologies in order to used in this procedures. This is essential to fully use all such resources while completing the activities in order to gather and collect accurate data in better manner.

P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a timeline

Work breakdown structure:

Table 2: Work Breakdown Structure

(Source: Created my researcher)

Figure 1: Timeline

(Source: Created by researcher)

LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection

P4 Carry out small-scale research for meeting project aims and objectives

Introduction

The current section aims to carry out a small research based on the cultural gap observed in the host country (China). The research tries to find out the ways that may affect cultural difference at the workplace.

Research method

The research uses both qualitative and quantitative method has been implemented to collect primary data. The primary research participants are 4 managers that have dealt with the cultural gap whose opinions are to be dealt qualitatively (Dion and Borraz, 2017). Whereas, 150 research participants who selected respondents in order to analyse their views and reviews regarding company products and services. The respondents are those population who are give their views and opinions regarding company products and services. This includes adults, youngsters and experts who are giving their reviews about their preferences and choice as per this company develop such type of goods. An organisation also surveyed whose opinions are quantitatively analysed and represented through the use of charts and graphs. Finally the research proceeds with a deductive approach that aims to form a new idea linked to the work environment and cultural competencies.

Justification

Both quantitative and qualitative research method have been chosen for the research is mainly due to quantitative methodology is the best possible solution available to solve a research problem. The quantitative method helps the researcher to build up a connection between two variables namely dependent and independent. The data so collected can be used suitably for cause and effect relationship and thereby to make reasonable prediction (Giorgi, Bartunek and King, 2017).

The justification for selection of the managers is that they will be heading the business establishment in China and thus will have to assess and conduct proper market research of thebusiness environment and feasibility in China. The selection of consumers as respondents reflects the aim of the research study to understand their perspective of working in different cultural background and the impact of collaboration within work front and its impact on business is studied.

Purposive sampling method is selected due to the fact that employees who are working in different culture need to be surveyed to understand the impact and real-life experience.

On the other hand, qualitative research method is used to get a transparency regarding the finding and analysis. Qualitative research methodology is used to interpret previous theories and conceptual theories that are built around similar topic. It is essential to have transparency in research to interpret qualitative research method used for research in business environment.

The justification for using Deductive approach is to described the conclusion from the assumptions taken. Often deductive approach is tested against the observations. The reason for choosing 150 respondents and 4 mangers is to get an adequate observation regarding the research conducted.

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Finding and analysis

Quantitative:

Table 3: Data collected through survey

(Source: Created by the researcher)

Qualitative:

Table 4: Primary Qualitative findings from interview

(Source: Created my researcher)

LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations

P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools

Quantitative analysis

Hence, based on the above findings it can be easily stated employees tend to resign from organizations that provide limited or no respect for their culture. Hence, as influenced by Bolman and Deal (2017), managers often exhibit a lack of knowledge while it comes to the handling of employees from different cultural backgrounds thereby leading to cultural conflicts and impairment of profit margins. Secondly, 80 research individuals expressed distress about lack of cultural competency in business organizations that made them switch their jobs. Thus, as per Brannan (2017), it can be clearly stated cultural competence is gaining immense importance in the workplaces. Moreover, employees tend to feel empowered in the environment of business that operates with a strong culture and diversity.

Figure 2: Fit in organizational culture

(Source: Created by researcher)

The collaborative working culture that stresses the importance of teamwork has emerged in this current research work. However, as per the cultural differences, it can be analysed that in the UK the culture of individualism prevails. As stated by de Leeuw et al. (2016), English people are often encouraged to develop self-confidence at work or to even express their opinions in the workplace. However, the opposite is seen among Chinese culture, preferring collectivism. Chinese employees often seem to be modest and keep silent. Hence, the difference in culture leads to a difference in personalities among the Chinese and English employees. Questions in regards to chances of learning have been asked that produced with shocking results stating that there exists limited scope of learning (Huang and Rundle-Thiele, 2014). The disparity in learning can be observed due to language barrier. Hence, employees were also asked whether they are willing to learn at the compromise of their pre-disposed culture. The answer revealed that employees are not willing to compromise their culture and may switch jobs if culture is not abided by.

There are around 90 of the respondents agreed to the fact that introduction of business ventures will lead in job creation and mitigate employment issues. It will upgrade the living standards of people of the host community. The social condition will improve as the assets can be shared and the availability of resources will improve. 70 of the respondents agreed strongly to employment creation fact and 45 of them agreed that social life will be affected.

Figure 3: Respect towards own culture

(Source: Created by researcher)

Qualitative analysis

Similarly, on the basis of qualitative analysis it can be easily observed that managers were aware of the need of embracing cultural diversity. However, most managers exhibited limited idea about the ways cultural diversity can create social and financial impact on their organization. For managers a sustainable working environment with enhanced profit margin for company is what makes employees happy and feel empowered. However, as influenced by the perspective of Jayawickrama et al. (2016), happiness among employee is not just limited to high-profit margins; employees tend to exhibit enhanced confidence over their work when provided with empowerment. Hence, ensuring diversity is main objective in an organization; diversity pertaining to culture can be created through awareness that can work on helping people to understand the benefits of working in an organization that embraces diversity.

The managers agree that creation of business and development of corporate sector will improve the employment opportunities of host nation (Jani, Osteen and Shipe 2016). In addition to this, the managers also said that business must embark on the path of sustainable development to develop the business so that it does not impact the environment of the host community in a negative manner.

Alternatively, it can also be stated managers are working hard to ensure collaborative working environment. However, as stated by Jani et al. (2016), collaborative working in an organization may fail to lead to suitable outcomes if managers are not aware of the ways to implement proper interventions to answer problems arising due to cultural differences. Additionally, it can also be stated managers have noticed some good points in different cultures which they want to adopt. However, easier said than done, accepting cultural difference is increasingly difficult provided the management is not flexible. Additionally, the managers were asked about the strategic advantage of opening a new branch in a different company. The managers were all concerned about the advantage that the company would obtain if a new branch was opened in a different company (Jayawickrama, Liu and Smith, 2016). However, the managers failed to put a thought regarding the issues that might arise due to cultural in competencies. The company face various environmental issues and problems which occurs in the large market place. Environmental issues must be overcome by firm manager which assist in dealing with operating and regulating business operations and regulations. The main barrier which are face by an organisation is diversity that are create major conflicts and disputes among employees who work together for reaching with desired goals and targets.

P6 Provide meaningful recommendations and draw an appropriate conclusion

Recommendations

Cultural shock may act as a major setback for River Island. Hence, following recommendations can work in favour of River Island to get over cultural shock due to establishment of business in foreign country:

It can be recommended that River Island is the multinational organization with its headquarters in the UK; however, River Island operates in a number of countries. It is required for firm is to extend their impact which are developed and created employee at the time of establishing business operations and functions in effective manner. They can reach with china market where they are promoting their effective products and services among customers in better manner. It is directly affected by business operations which are host by country. This is measure and evaluate the required risks, that are experienced at the time of managing and operating business operations and functions in better manner.

It can be recommanded that the company must do evaluation and analysis of impact of other country on their business culture, process and environment so that they can make plans and strategies according to that and in better way. Through it they can analysis their competitors and their strategies which help them in developing and designing new and unique strategies for their business culture, process and environment. They can also identify the contribution of River island on the growth of China Economic, it can be done by enhancing business in different countries and attracting new customers according to that which help respective company to enhance their business in international market and increase in productivity and economic.

Conclusion

The exploration of cultural domains in workplace is gathering more attention these days. It is for the same reason big multinational companies have emerged out as the organization that makes use of cultural diversity and readily accepting cultural shock. Hence, it can be concluded River Island can work on training and understanding employee perceptions. Alternatively, it can be concluded that is is absolutely natural and normal reaction to behave awkward to strange surroundings in host country. However, with a bit of guidance and training from managers can get better over the period of time. Companies are spending their time and resources that they can work on absorbing cultural shock and ensuring cultural diversity.

LO4 Reflect on the value gained and its usefulness to support sustainable performance.

P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet own learning objectives

The current research project aims on providing enhanced scope of skills that can help me in near future. As per my own perspective I feel that ability to evaluate ideas along with their advantages and shortcomings provided me with skill of critical thinking. However, it should also be taken into consideration ability to solve issues using evidence has also be gained through proper analysis. Hence, I think, following are the skills that I have gained while conducting research studies:

Table 5: Reflection of skills gained

(Source: Created my researcher)

CONCLUSION

The work not only provided with the importance of cultural competence within an organization, it worked on reflecting personal views. Hence, it can be concluded that cultural diversity is a two-way endeavour that can act as a benefit for both the employees and River Island. Thus, it can also be concluded multinational companies are making strenuous efforts to ensure establishment of sustainable harmony through cultural competence.

Reference

• Ahern, K.R., Daminelli, D. and Fracassi, C., 2015. Lost in translation? The effect of cultural values on mergers around the world. Journal of Financial Economics, 117(1), pp.165-189.
• Alhejji, H., Garavan, T., Carbery, R., O'Brien, F. and McGuire, D., 2016. Diversity training programme outcomes: A systematic review. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 27(1), pp.95-149.
• Bolman, L.G. and Deal, T.E., 2017. Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. John Wiley & Sons.
• Brannan, M.J., 2017. Power, corruption and lies: Mis-selling and the production of culture in financial services. Human Relations, 70(6), pp.641-667.
• Caro, F. and Martínez-de-Albéniz, V., 2015. Fast fashion: business model overview and research opportunities. In Retail supply chain management(pp. 237-264). Springer, Boston, MA.

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