Retail sales have increased significantly in recent years, posing a major challenge for merchants in maintaining a consistent consumer experience across several channels. Changing consumer behaviors have had a big impact on this shift in buying patterns. Customers and retailers are also contending with the complications of adapting to these developments, which have been compounded by the global COVID-19 outbreak. The Internet retail sector, in particular, has seen significant development, which has surprised many. As a result of the digital revolution, online customers' preferences are changing, as they seek fulfillment amid a variety of available possibilities. The changing environment of customer behavior has been a key focus, formed in part by the distinct patterns that have emerged in reaction to COVID-19. This study seeks to shed light on how the retail phenomenon of COVID-19 has impacted customer purchasing behaviors, with the goal of discovering and validating unique insights that may affect decision-making, particularly among millennials in Sweden and China. In the beginning stages of this investigation, a comprehensive approach integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches was used to attain this goal. The study used a sequential exploratory design with two data gathering gathering periods. Our conclusions were guided by empirical data gathered through focus group meetings and replies to a web-based survey. Two key discoveries have given rise to a novel hypothesis, showing that customers in both Sweden and China enjoyed large benefits from online purchasing. Furthermore, the research has shown previously unknown and unanticipated ways in which COVID-19 continues to influence client purchasing behavior. This exploratory and constructive research seeks to enhance our understanding of these transitions, ultimately providing useful insights into the emerging retail scene in a post-pandemic world.

This qualitative study examined the decision-making processes among principals of parish-based Catholic elementary schools in low-income communities within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, against the backdrop of a decentralized governance structure and increased financial pressures intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was grounded in a conceptual framework derived from contingency theories of leadership and decision-making research and investigated three areas: (1) the principals’ decision-making processes, (2) the situational factors influencing these processes, and (3) the pandemic’s impact on their decision-making processes. The findings revealed dynamic integration of cognitive, social, and procedural processes, rooted in faith and community collaboration. The principal participants demonstrated a keen awareness of their schools’ financial limitations and a strong dedication to their communities’ needs. The study also highlighted the dual nature of decentralization and subsidiarity, presenting both the challenges in principal-pastor relationships and support through relationships with diocesan teams.

The COVID-19 pandemic will significantly transform workplace dynamics, resulting in a notable surge in remote work environments. This qualitative grounded theory study aims to investigate the impact of distributed work arrangements on employee engagement within the evolving work landscape. To accomplish this, the study will employ semi-structured interviews, a demographic survey, as well as research tools such as Zoom and NVivo. The research will be conducted within the United States, with a sample comprising human resources managers and employees representing diverse industries. The primary objective of this study will be to gain an in-depth understanding of how distributed work arrangements influence employee engagement, considering the unique circumstances and challenges that will arise in the evolving work landscape. By employing a qualitative grounded theory approach, the research aims to generate theories and conceptual frameworks that can inform organizational practices and policies related to remote work.The study will employ purposive sampling techniques to recruit a diverse sample of HR managers and employees from various industries within the United States. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to gather rich and nuanced data, enabling participants to share their experiences, perceptions, and challenges related to distributed work arrangements. Furthermore, a demographic survey will supplement the interview data, offering additional insights into the background characteristics of the participants. Zoom will serve as the primary platform for conducting semi-structured interviews, facilitating participation from individuals across the country and enabling them to engage effectively, regardless of geographical constraints. NVivo, a qualitative data analysis software, will organize, code, and analyze the interview transcripts and survey data. This study will identify emerging themes, patterns, and relationships, contributing to developing a grounded theory. The findings of this study are expected to shed light on the factors that will shape employee engagement and distributed work arrangements, including communication, collaboration, autonomy, work-life balance, and organizational support. These insights will inform organizations about strategies to enhance employee engagement in the future work environment, resulting in improved productivity, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. The study described in this research proposal seeks to make a substantial contribution to the body of knowledge on remote work by thoroughly examining the impact of distributed work arrangements on employee engagement. The findings are expected to empower organizations to make well-informed decisions regarding their remote work policies and practices in the future. Dissemination of these findings will be accomplished through scholarly papers and presentations, ensuring that the insights reach a wide and relevant audience. / Business Administration/Human Resource Management