Business and Management: Dissertation

Programme title: Business Management
Degree (QA)
Module name: Business and
Management
Dissertation
Coursework title: Business and
Management
Dissertation Proposal
Word Count: 3071

Business and Management Dissertation Part I
Exploring how a manager’s performance appraisal
role influences employee expectations in the retail
sector
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Table of contents
ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................. 4
CHAPTER 1: Introduction........................................................................................ 6
Aim of the report................................................................................................ 6
Importance of the problem................................................................................. 6
Objectives .......................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2: Literature review..................................................................................8
Chapter 3: Research Methodology.......................................................................16
Research design............................................................................................... 16
Research methodology..................................................................................... 16
Research approach........................................................................................... 18
Access to data and research ethics..................................................................18
Limitations........................................................................................................ 19
Sampling .......................................................................................................... 19
CHAPTER 4: Results and Findings .......................................................................22
Chapter 7:Recommendations.............................................................................. 47
References .......................................................................................................... 49
REFERENCES........................................................................................................ 50

ABSTRACT
Main purpose of this report is to Exploring how a manager’s performance
appraisal role influences employee expectations in the retail sector. For this purpose,
literature review, research methodology and data analysis and interpretation have
been done. Under literature review, opinion of different authors about the research
objectives or questions have been identified. Under research methodology, primary
and secondary methods were used for accumulating accurate and reliable
information about the study. Under primary research, questionnaire for managers
and employees have been prepared for identifying their opinion about the
performance appraisal system. Along with this, data analysis and interpretation also
completed with the help of questionnaire.
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CHAPTER 1: Introduction
The performance appraisal process is one of the management tools used to
assess employee’s job performance and behaviour and aims to ensure that
employee’s performance meet the required standards and plays a part in achieving
business goals and objectives (CIPD, 2018). The effects of this process on
employees job satisfaction has been debated in previous researches, though none of
them outlines a relationship between the performance appraisal system and high
rates of employee turnover (Mathieu and et al., 2016). Considered as a code of
professional conduct the way managers address unsatisfactory performance could
have an impact upon employee job satisfaction thus having implications in retaining
them for longer period (Collins, 2018). Therefore, this study focuses on exploring the
relationship between employees job activity assessment performed by managers
and employee’s expectations in two companies such as Topshop and Wagamama.
The main objective of this dissertation proposal is to identify and review what the
performance evaluation procedures in the two companies are, how they are
implemented and how they influence employee development and attitude towards
their workplace.The methodology will consist of different practises and techniques
used to gather and examine the information. These will be obtained through both
qualitative and quantitative methods based on observations, questionnaires and
face-to-face meetings with managers and literature review.
Aim of the report
This research paper explores how a manager’s performance appraisal role
influences employee expectations in the Topshop and Wagamama . The aim of this
study is to make an in-depth incursion in the managerial process of assessing
employee’s performance and behavior through performance appraisal system, which
in turn reveal employees job satisfaction.
Importance of the problem
This study help in determining the ways through which Topshop and
Wagamama can easily motivate their workers and retain them for longer period.
Wagamama is a British restaurant chain which was founded in 1992 by Alan Yau.
Topshop is a British multinational fashion retailer of shoes, accessories, make-up
and clothing. It was founded in 1964 by the predecessor Peter Robinson. Along with

this, Wagamama is a part of hospitality industry whereas Topshop is a part of retail
industry. In both sector manager’s performance appraisal role influences employee
expectations in effective and systematic manner. In this report compression between
retailer and hospitality will be completed. Studying this issue is important for
organizations that are concerned about employee welfare and satisfaction. Sources
in literature claim that performance and its assessment is closely linked to the
management system, and managers should contribute to building performance
before evaluating it (Lebas, M. J., 1995).
Managers who perform appraisals will be more informed about employee’s
perceptions, expectations and job satisfaction thus streamlining and facilitating the
whole process while avoid high staff turnover rates. In addition, appropriate
managerial behaviour, which includes positive working environment, better
motivation, and equal treatment, should facilitate the Appraisal Performance System
(Bourne, M. et al., 2000). All these will be explored within this study as directly
contribute in making workers more productive towards the business activities and
retain them for long term. Along with this, present dissertation will be useful for
academic point of views as it help to provide a great deal of data for future
researches.
Objectives
This section play a significant role in identifying the issue of the research. With
the assistance of this, the researcher can easily address all the problems and get
better solution. Mainly research objectives and questions are highly based on the
research aim through which researcher can draw a valid conclusion and at the same
time enhance overall effectiveness of the research.
The objective of this study is to find answers for the following proposed research
questions:
 How Performance Appraisal Systems are implemented in the organisations?
 What are the expectations from an employee?
 Does the company’s performance appraisal policy and procedures include
training and development and consider retention strategies?
 How managers and staff are trained in performs appraisal procedures?
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 What are manager’s perception of how performs appraisal supports employee
development and retention?
 What is the employee experience of attending performing appraisal
interviews?
 What are employee perceptions of how their performance is evaluated and to
what extent does it meet expectations?
 What support employees receive in carrying out the expectations required of
them with the performance management systems?
Research methodology
Research methodology defines the way in which research is undertaken
and the methods and techniques used to achieve its objectives (Mackenzie, N.,
Knipe, S., 2006)
This study will be carried out as a comparison of performance appraisal policies
and procedures between two different clothes retailers. Findings will be based on
empirical research, using both primary and secondary data.
In this regard, qualitative and quantitative methods will be used easily analyse as
well as implement accurate data within the study to attain positive outcomes.
Qualitative research: This type of research is based on the scientific methods of
observations in order to gather as well as collect non-numerical data. Mainly, it
includes meaning, concepts, characteristics, metaphors, symbols and description of
things. All these are aid in gathering data in theoretical way. By this investigator can
easily take right decision and draw a valid conclusion. Qualitative research as it help
in gathering theoretical framework towards the research topic (Anitha, 2014). It also
may contribute in enhancing knowledge of researcher maker about the specific
research area
Asking Qualitative questions:
Define who everyone is in question and within the hierarchy structure of the
company.
Managerial behaviour in relation to staff leaving:
 What organisational policies encompass employee job satisfaction?
 Do managers and employees receive performance appraisal training?

 How do managers evaluate/assess employee job satisfaction? (is there a
performance appraisal scheme)
 What is employee’s perception of the extent that management influence their
job satisfaction?
Quantitative research: This type of study consider as a structured way of
gathering as well as analysing data that obtained by the various sources (Saunders,
M. et al., 2016). Mainly, this type of method is related with the positivist paradigm,
which used by researcher helps in gathering objective data and prevents him from
interposing personal opinions with research goals (Denzin, N. K. and Lincoln Y. S.,
2005). It help investigator at the time of taking right decision with the research
activities.
In this regard, two sets of questionnaires will be created – one for the
manager and one for the employees. Each participant in the interview process of this
research will be issued with an ethical form. These questionnaires could ask what
you could improve and they could suggest few options or what managerial courses
are offered in the company. Example of offering flexible hours, crash for kids etc. for
employee retention. In addition observation of the phenomenon within the two
companies will be done. The purpose is to find out about what types of appraisal
systems that exists in the two companies, how they are implemented and what is
their impact upon employees and overall companies’ activity.
If the case of limited access to primary data, then generally research for
policies in place for retail sector and will be turned in secondary data.
Research approach
Research approach is consider as a plan and procedures that includes steps of
broad assumption to detailed methods of collection of data, analysis and
interpretation of information. Along with this, it is highly based on the nature of the
research issues that being address by the researcher in order to draw a valid
conclusion. Mainly, it provide right direction to the investigator for carry out the
research activities in effective manner. It includes two type of research approach like
inductive and deductive (Bailey and et. al., 2017). Both are consider as an effective
way of conducting research activities with the aim of gathering valid information.
For carry out this research, researcher will use both inductive and deductive
research approach. Inductive approach helps in providing right pathway to undertake
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