Research proposal: A Case Study of ASDA's Response to COVID-19 Sample

Research proposal: A Case Study of ASDA's Response to COVID-19

The purpose of this study proposal is to examine how ASDA handled the epidemic of COVID-19. This study aims to provide light on ASDA's response to the unprecedented crisis and contribute to our understanding of organizational resilience in the face of global calamities by analyzing their strategy, actions, and results. A British grocery chain with a long history that spans several decades is called ASDA. A group of dairy farmers got together to create the associated dairies and farm stores Ltd. In Leeds, England formed the business in 1949. At first, ASDA concentrated on offering dairy foods of the highest caliber at competitive costs. In the 1960s, ASDA started a plan for growth, establishing bigger stores and broadening its selection of goods beyond dairy. The company's expansion rushed in the 1970s as a result of the introduction of self-service supermarkets and the use of a cheap business strategy to compete with new rivals. When the American retail behemoth Walmart bought ASDA in 1987, it invested heavily in the business and gained expertise in international retail. Asda continued to grow its network of stores, increase the effectiveness of its supply chain, and boost customer service when it was owned by Walmart.

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Research objectives

• Analyze ASDA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and assess the success of the business resilience and recovery mechanisms put in place.
• To identify the crucial elements that contributed to ASDA's crisis-affected resilience and effective recovery.
• To investigate how innovation, e-commerce and technology are used in ASDA's recovery efforts.
• Literature review

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ASDA put in place a number of measures to promote resilience and commercial recovery. These tactics included guaranteeing unbroken supply lines, implementing strict safety regulations to safeguard both consumers and staff and modifying operations to reflect shifting consumer preferences. ASDA increased its e-commerce capabilities by utilizingits current web infrastructure, enabling contactless deliveries and click-and-collect options (Martin, 2022).

The crucial elements that contributed to ASDA's crisis

The excellent recovery and resiliency of ASDA during the COVID-19 crisis were affected by a number of important aspects. First off, the organization was able to swiftly react to the shifting environment and put the appropriate safeguards in place thanks to proactive and fast decision-making. Because of ASDA's dedication to employee welfare and engagement, the company has a highly motivated team that can provide great customer service (Montanyà, 2023). These elements worked together to help ASDA survive the storm and emerge as a strong competitor in the retail sector.

To investigate how innovation, e-commerce, and technology are used in ASDA's recovery efforts.

During the pandemic, technology, e-commerce, and innovation were crucial to ASDA’s recovery efforts. As demand for contactless purchasing expanded, ASDA was able to grow up its online operations thanks to investments in e-commerce infrastructure (Li, et.al, 2023). Delivery method innovation, such as the addition of quick delivery choices and collaboration with show economy platforms, increased client convenience even further. Utilizing technology-driven solutions, such as automation and data analytics, assisted in streamlining processes and boosting productivity. The adoption of technology and innovation by ASDA was essential to their recovery and adjustment to the changing retail environment (Lotfi, 2022). The adoption of technology and innovation by ASDA was essential to their recovery and adjustment to the changing retail environment.

Business recovery strategies during COVID-19

Businesses all across the world are facing unprecedented difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Various sectors have been adversely hit by lockdowns, supply chain delays, decreased consumer spending, and operating limitations.

Adaptation and agility

Businesses must adjust to the pandemic’s impact on the market dynamics. This includes changing strategies, looking into potential new revenue sources, and embracing digital change. Businesses should use technology to improve online sales channels, enable remote work, and provide contactless delivery choices. Staying resilient in these worrying times requires flexibility in operations, agility in decision-making, and a customer-centric mindset.

Supply chain resilience

The epidemic revealed weaknesses in international supply chains. Companies should access and diversify their supply chain sources to maintain company continuity while developing collaboration and relationships with regional suppliers. Proactive monitoring and disruption response may be made possible by putting in place real-time tracking systems and using data analytics.

Financial planning and risk management:

For a firm to recover, maintaining financial stability is essential. Companies should do a thorough analysis of their financial position, again projecting their budgets and cash flow forecasts. Short-term relief may be attained by applying for government grants, loans, or other relief programs.

Employee well-being and engagement

Employee satisfaction and well-being are crucial for business recovery. Employers should put a high priority on their employees’ health and safety by setting strict health rules, delivering the resources needed for remote work, and providing mental health assistance. Employee morale may be kept up during trying times with the use of open and efficient communication lines, frequent check-ins, and virtual team-building activities.

Methodology

Research design

In order to examine ASDA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its plans for business recovery and resilience, this study uses a case study methodology. An in-depth investigation of the particular organization is made possible by the case study design, which offers thorough insights into its experiences, decisions, and results throughout the crisis (Ellis, 2022). The research may dive into the distinctive contextual elements and techniques used by the firm by concentrating on ASDA as a case study.

Justification for selecting ASDA as the case study company:

There are a number of reasons why ASDA is a good case study company. First off, ASDA has a sizable client base and tremendous market impact as one of the top retail businesses in the United Kingdom. For the larger retail business, analyzing their response to the COVID-19 outbreak might yield insightful information (Mrozek, 2022). Furthermore, ASDA's partnership with Walmart provides access to extra resources, knowledge, and viewpoints from throughout the world that may have affected their recovery tactics.

Data collection methods

The secondary data-gathering techniques will be used to compile thorough data for the case study.

Document analysis: Internal communication as well as corporate reports, financial statements, press releases, and other relevant documents will be examined (Ahmad, 2022). With regard to ASDA’s reaction to the pandemic, this study will give more contextual information, including the sequence of activities, strategic efforts, and communication tactics used.

External data sources: This research will gather information from other sources including news stories, government papers, and industry reports (Ralph, 2022). These resources can offer more comprehensive industry viewpoints, benchmarking data, and perceptions of the retail environment throughout the pandemic.

Data recurring

The gathered data will go through qualitative analysis procedures. To find common themes and patterns regarding corporate recovery methods, variables affecting resilience, and the function of technology and innovation, document analysis and external data sources’ answers will be transcribed and coded (Zheng, et.al, 2022). To identify essential plans, difficulties, and outcomes described in corporate reports and other pertinent documents, the document analysis will comprise content analysis.

Ethical Consideration and data analysis procedure

Ethical consideration:

Ethical principles will be followed throughout this study to safeguard the anonymity, confidentiality, and informed consent of all participants. All participants, including ASDA workers and customers, will be provided with information about the study's goals, the voluntary nature of participation, and withdrawal choices using secondary research methodologies. Individuals can rest assured that their private information will be maintained safely and treated with the highest secrecy.

Data analysis procedures:

Thematic analysis will be used to examine the qualitative data gathered through document analysis. To detect recurrent themes, patterns, and important results on corporate recovery methods, variables impacting resilience, and the function of technology and innovation, documents will be coded and categorized (Ellis et.al 2022). An iterative approach of data immersion, coding, and theme development will be used in the study to ensure a thorough understanding of ASDA's reaction to the COVID-19 epidemic.

Recovery and Resilience strategies

• ASDA implemented safety precautions, increased online functionality, and improved supply chain resilience as part of their recovery strategy both during and after the epidemic.
• Financial performance, customer happiness, and operational stability will be used to gauge how well these techniques operate in establishing company resilience.
• The significance of proactive communication, and employee wellbeing for crisis management and long-term resilience are just a few of the few lessons gained.
• During the COVID-19 epidemic, ASDA encountered difficulties with the supply chain, and maintaining employee and customer safety (Pautz, 2022).

Recommendation

In order to adapt to changing consumer tastes and maintain commercial development, ASDA needs keep investing in online capabilities and e-commerce infrastructure. Regular assessment and improvement of recovery plans will help ASDA increase company resilience and successfully handle upcoming crises. To overcome obstacles and promote resilience, businesses should put employee well-being, clear lines of communication, and proactive crisis management first. Collaboration with local vendors and supply chain diversity can assist to reduce future disruptions and improve operational stability.

Conclusion

The effect of COVID-19 has been significantly reduced because to ASDA's recovery initiatives both during and after the pandemic, including safety precautions, online expansion, and supply chain resilience. The financial performance, customer happiness, and operational stability of ASDA all reflect the methods' success in establishing company resilience. The relevance of proactive communication, employee wellbeing, and technology adoption for crisis management and long-term resilience are highlighted in key lessons gained. Proactive steps have successfully addressed issues that ASDA experienced during the pandemic, including as supply chain interruptions and staff safety.

References

Ahmad, N., Haque, S. and Islam, M.A., 2022. COVID-19 and global clothing retailers' responsibility to vulnerable workers: NGO counter-rhetoric. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 35(1), pp.216-228.

Ellis, A., Wilson, M., McCabe, A. and Macmillan, R., 2022. One pandemic, many responses

Li, X., Xu, M., Zeng, W., Tse, Y.K. and Chan, H.K., 2023. Exploring customer concerns on service quality under the COVID-19 crisis: A social media analytics study from the retail industry. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 70, p.103157.

Lotfi, M. and Larmour, A., 2022. Supply chain resilience in the face of uncertainty: how horizontal and vertical collaboration can help?. Continuity & Resilience Review, 4(1), pp.37-53.

Martin, G., 2022. Resisting Rules, Challenging Cops: Dilemmas of Pandemic Policing in a State of Emergency. In COVID-19: Cultural Change and Institutional Adaptations (pp. 175-193). Routledge.

Montanyà, O. and Amat, O., 2023. The resilience factors of the agri-food supply chain: An integrative review of the literature in the context of the covid-19 pandemic. Intangible Capital, 19(3), pp.379-392.

Mrozek, M., 2022. Walmart Inc. in light of COVID-19 pandemic: the financial assessment. Catallaxy, 7(1), pp.23-32.

Pautz, H. and Dempsey, D., 2022. Covid-19 and the crisis of food insecurity in the UK. Contemporary Social Science, pp.1-16.

Ralph, L., Jones, M., Rowe, M. and Millie, A., 2022. Maintaining police-citizen relations on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policing and Society, 32(6), pp.764-777.

Zheng, Y., Liu, L., Shi, V., Huang, W. and Liao, J., 2022. A Resilience Analysis of a Medical Mask Supply Chain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Simulation Modeling Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(13), p.8045.