Employee Training and Development Practices

The assignment aims to understand the significance of employee training and development in improving performance and productivity. It covers different methods of training and development, including on-the-job and off-the-job training, formal education programs, and job rotation. The assignment also touches upon the impact of training and development on business outcomes, such as reducing employee turnover and enhancing productivity.

Applied Research Methods

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................2
FINDINGS......................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX 1................................................................................................................................15
APPENDIX 2................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Training is program that aids employees to learn particular skills or knowledge to
make improvement in performance. Development focuses on growth of employees and
their future performance than immediate job role (Anitha, 2014). Training and
development includes improving effectiveness of people and firms. Marks & Spencer is
a large size organisation and it deals in retail sector. It is multinational retailer and
specialises in selling home products, luxury food items and clothing. Marks & Spencer
provide training to its employees for enhance their knowledge and skills. Through this,
they can able to deal with customers in a better manner and also provide them better
experience.
Aim
“To determine significance of training and development and its impact on
employees performance.” A Study on Marks & Spencer.
Objectives:
 To examine concept of training and development
 To determine benefits of training and development on productivity of Marks &
Spencer.
 To identify impact of training and development on performance of employees.
Questions:
 What is training and development?
 What are benefits of training and development on productivity of Marks &
Spencer?
 What is impact of training and development on performance of employees?
1

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is theoretical and systematic analysis of methods which applied to area of
study (Das and Baruah, 2013). It is comprise with theoretical analysis of body which are
related with branch of knowledge. Under this, different layers of research onion mention
below:
Research Philosophy- It is belief about gathering, interpretation and analysis of
collected data. It is related to development of knowledge in specific area. There are
various kinds of research philosophies like interpretivism, pragmatism and positivism
(Cohen, 2017). Under this, pragmatism philosophy has been used because its focus on
determining solutions to issues and address research objectives.
Research Approaches- It is next layer of research onion and it is a plan that
includes wider assumptions to the detailed data collection methods, analysis and
interpretation. Inductive and deductive are two different kinds of research approaches.
In this, inductive research approach has been used because it is based on qualitative
method and provide detailed description about specific research area.
Strategies- It is related to how an investigator intend to carried out work. It
consists various approaches like action research, interviews, experimental research,
survey etc. Under this, researcher use survey questionnaire by selecting respondents
(Ford, 2014).
Choices- Qualitative research methods provides the theoretical description
about specific research area. In quantitative method, data and information is measured
in terms of numeric (Kooij And et. al,. 2013). The researcher used mixed methods by
consisting qualitative and quantitative research method.
Time horizons- It is a framework within which project is to be intended for
completion in a better manner (Mone and London, 2018). Under this, cross- sectional
approach for time horizon means that focus of investigation is one current situation.
Techniques and procedures- It is final layer in research onion and related to
procedures and techniques taken. In conducting this investigation, both primary and
secondary research methods are helpful in conducting investigation. The primary
research method has been used by developing questionnaire (Harrison, 2012).
Researcher use the sample size of 15 respondents by using random data sampling
2

method. This method is helpful in provide the equal chance to all respondents. The
selected respondents are employees of Marks & Spencer.
Ethical principles- It indicates that researcher should conduct the data in an
ethical way. There are some practices and ethics which an investigator has to take in to
consideration to make research accurate, valid and reliable. The data should be
collected by using the relevant sources (Noe and et. al., 2017). It is necessary that
principles related to research ethics should be confidential, and informed in order to
conducting the research activities in an effective manner.
3

FINDINGS
DATA SHEET
Q1) Are you aware about the training and development? Frequency
a) Yes 12
b) No 3
Q2) In what manner Training & Development impact on
performance of staff members in Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Positive 9
b) Negative 6
Q2) Does training and development develop positive impact on
performance of employees?
Frequency
a) Yes 11
b) No 4
Q4) What are the benefits of training to employees of Marks &
Spencer?
Frequency
a) High morale 5
b) Enhancing knowledge and skills 8
c) Develop confidence 2
Q5) Which method of Training Marks & Spencer can adopt in
increasing performance level of staff members?
Frequency
a) On the job method 10
b) Off the job method 5
Q6) What are the different Development methods Marks &
Spencer can use for overall grooming of employees?
Frequency
a) Formal education programmes 2
b) Enrich Job Experience 6
4

c) Job Rotation & Challenging Job Transfers 7
Q7) Does improved performance of employees helpful in
enhance productivity of Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Yes 9
b) No 6
Q8) What is the impact on Training & Development on business
of Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Reduce employee turnover 6
b) Employees retain for long time 4
c) Enhance productivity 5
THEME 1: Aware about the training and development
Q1) Are you aware about the training
and development?
Frequency
a) Yes 12
b) No 3
5
12
3
a) Yes
b) No

Interpretation: From the above discussion, it has been stated that training and
development is a wider concept and its main focus on improving the working abilities,
skills and knowledge of employees. There are 12 respondents and they said that they
have knowledge about the training and development. There are 3 respondents which do
not have the skills as well as knowledge about the training and development.
THEME 2: Manner Training & Development impact on performance of staff
members in Marks & Spencer
Q2) In what manner Training &
Development impact on performance of
staff members in Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Positive 9
b) Negative 6
Interpretation: Training & Development deals with acquisition of proper understanding,
practices and techniques,it is one of most imperative of human resource management
as it can make improvement in performance level of employees as well as organisation.
From the above discussion, it has been interpret that there are 9 respondents which
said that training & development is helpful in develop positive affect on performance of
employees in Marks & Spencer. There are 6 respondents and according to them
training & development is not only way to increase performance of employees.
6
9
6
a) Positive
b) Negative

Company need to identify some other ways or methods to enhance employee's
performance such as conduct employee engagement activities etc.
THEME 3: Training and development develop positive impact on performance of
employees
Q3) Does training and development
develop positive impact on
performance of employees?
Frequency
a) Yes 11
b) No 4
Interpretation: There are 11 respondents which said that training and development is
helpful in develop the positive impact on performance level of staff members. According
to them, training and development is helpful in enhance the skills and core
competencies of employees and through this they can able to perform in a better or
effective manner. It helps in develop the positive impact on productivity of Marks &
Spencer. On the other hand, there are 4 respondents which are not agree with this
given statement.
THEME 4: Benefits of training to employees of Marks & Spencer
Q4) What are the benefits of training to Frequency
7
11
4
a) Yes
b) No

employees of Marks & Spencer?
a) High morale 5
b) Enhancing knowledge and skills 8
c) Develop confidence 2
Interpretation: Training & Development have significant affect on performance of
employees along with organisation. There are 5 respondents which said that the main
benefit of training to employees of Marks & Spencer is to enhance their morale. Training
is helpful in increasing the morale of employees and also improving their performance.
There are 8 respondents and they said that through providing training, skills and
knowledge of respondents will be enhanced and they have the proper idea to
completing tasks in an effective or significant manner. According to 2 respondents that
training and development is helpful in build confidence in employees so that they can
work in a better way.
THEME 5: Method of Training Marks & Spencer can adopt in increasing
performance level
Q5) Which method of Training Marks &
Spencer can adopt in increasing
performance level of staff members?
Frequency
a) On the job method 10
8
5
8
2
a) High morale
b) Enhancing knowledge
and skills
c) Develop confidence

b) Off the job method 5
Interpretation: There are two different methods of training which help in increasing
knowledge and skills of employees and also improving performance of employees.
There are 10 respondents and they said that On the job method is effective in
enhancing the performance of employees. This method provides necessary skills and
knowledge to better performance of job and trainer provide training within organisation.
Under this, employees learn in environment where they will require to practice skills and
knowledge obtained at the time of training. There are 5 respondents which said that in
off the job method of training, employees learn about their job away from work floor.
THEME 6: Different Development methods Marks & Spencer can use
Q6) What are the different Development
methods Marks & Spencer can use for
overall grooming of employees?
Frequency
a) Formal education programmes 2
b) Enrich Job Experience 6
c) Job Rotation & Challenging Job
Transfers
7
9
10
5
a) On the job method
b) Off the job method

Interpretation: There are 2 respondents and they said that better development method
for overall grooming of employees is to provide the formal education programmed to
employees. Through this, they gain gain knowledge about specific area. 6 respondents
are agree with enrich the job experience. According to 7 respondents that job rotation
and challenging the job transfer is helpful in development of employees. In job rotation
they can deal with the new responsibility and in job transfers employees can know
about the other job roles and perform them in an effective manner.
THEME 7: Improved performance of employees helpful in enhance productivity
Q7) Does improved performance of
employees helpful in enhance
productivity of Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Yes 9
b) No 6
10
2
6
7 a) Formal education
programmes
b) Enrich Job Experience
c) Job Rotation & Challenging
Job Transfers

Interpretation: From the above analysis, it has been interpret that there are 9
respondents which said that if the performance of employees will be improved then it
will help in increase productivity of business because through this they can focus on
attaining set objectives. On the other hand, there are 6 respondents which are not agree
with this mention statement.
THEME 8: Impact on Training & Development on business of Marks & Spencer
Q8) What is the impact on Training &
Development on business of Marks &
Spencer?
Frequency
a) Reduce employee turnover 6
b) Employees retain for long time 4
c) Enhance productivity 5
11
9
6
a) Yes
b) No

Interpretation: Training and Development is one of most important concept in human
resource management and its main focus on motivate employees and also improve
their performance. There are 6 respondents which said that Training & Development is
helpful in reduce the employee turnover of Marks & Spencer. There are 4 respondents
and they said that if company will provide the training to employees then in this case
they will be motivated and sustain for long period of time at workplace. According to 5
respondents, the productivity of Marks & Spencer will be enhanced in an better or
effective way.
12
6
4
5
a) Reduce employee turnover
b) Employees retain for long
time
c) Enhance productivity

CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from above mention report that training and development
is consider as main part of human resource. It helps in enhancing knowledge as well as
skills of staff members so that they can perform in a better manner. On the basis of
above discussion, it has been concluded that training and development helps in
increasing the performance of employees so that they can focus on attain specific
objectives. Marks & Spencer used On the job training method to provide training to
employees so that they can learn new things and enhance their competencies. The
benefits which organisation gain by provide training to employees are reduce turnover,
increasing productivity etc.
In future context, this investigation helped in enhancing the data collection
abilities to gather accurate and relevant manner. Through this, learner can able to
perform the research activities and complete research in a right direction. It will help in
provide the positive outcomes.
13

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Anitha, J., 2014. Determinants of employee engagement and their impact on employee
performance. International journal of productivity and performance
management. 63(3). p.308.
Cohen, E., 2017. Employee training and development. In CSR for HR (pp. 153-162).
Routledge.
Das, B. L. and Baruah, M., 2013. Employee retention: A review of literature. Journal of
Business and Management. 14(2). pp.8-16.
Ford, J. K. ed., 2014. Improving training effectiveness in work organizations.
Psychology Press.
Harrison, R., 2012. Employee development. Universities Press.
Kooij, D. T. And et. al,. 2013. How the impact of HR practices on employee well‐being
and performance changes with age. Human Resource Management Journal.
23(1). pp.18-35.
Mone, E. M. and London, M., 2018. Employee engagement through effective
performance management: A practical guide for managers. Routledge.
Noe, R. A. and et. al., 2017. Human resource management: Gaining a competitive
advantage. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Phillips, J. J., 2012. Return on investment in training and performance improvement
programs. Routledge.
Sung, S. Y. and Choi, J. N., 2014. Do organizations spend wisely on employees?
Effects of training and development investments on learning and innovation in
organizations. Journal of organizational behavior. 35(3). pp.393-412.
Online
WHAT IS EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT?. 2019. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.allencomm.com/what-is-employee-training-
development/>.
14

APPENDIX 1
15

APPENDIX 2
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
Contact No.:
Q1) Are you aware about the training and development?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Does training and development develop positive impact on performance of
employees?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) In what manner Training & Development impact on performance of staff members in
Marks & Spencer?
a) Positive
b) Negative
Q4) What are the benefits of training to employees of Marks & Spencer?
a) High morale
b) Enhancing knowledge and skills
c) Develop confidence
Q5) Which method of Training Marks & Spencer can adopt in increasing performance
level of staff members?
a) On the job method
b) Off the job method
Q6) What are the different Development methods Marks & Spencer can use for overall
grooming of employees?
a) Formal education programmes
b) Enrich Job Experience
c) Job Rotation & Challenging Job Transfers
Q7) Does improved performance of employees helpful in enhance productivity of Marks
& Spencer?
16

a) Yes
b) No
Q8) What is the impact on Training & Development on business of Marks & Spencer?
a) Reduce employee turnover
b) Employees retain for long time
c) Enhance productivity
Q9) Recommend some ways through which Marks & Spencer can sustain employees
for long period of time.
17