Employee Motivation and Job Performance

This assignment investigates employee motivation strategies used by Asda and their influence on job performance. It requires analysis of provided literature and a questionnaire to understand employee perceptions. The analysis should consider factors like monetary rewards, leadership styles, and working environments, ultimately leading to recommendations for enhancing employee performance within Asda.

IMPACT OF EMPLOYEE
MOTIVATION ON JOB
PERFORMANCE: A STUDY
ON ASDA PLC UK

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1 UNDERSTANDING HOW TO FORMULATE A RESEARCH SPECIFICATION......3
1.1 Formulating and recording possible research project outline ..............................................3
1.2 Determining the factors that contributed to the process of research project selection.........4
1.3 Critical reviewing the key references...................................................................................5
1.4 Producing research project specification .............................................................................6
1.5 Appropriate plan for agreed research specification..............................................................7
TASK 2 IMPLEMENT THE RESEARCH PROJECT WITH AGREED PROCEDURES...........8
2.1 Matching resources to the research questions.......................................................................8
2.2 Undertaking proposed research investigation.......................................................................9
2.3 Recording and collecting relevant data.................................................................................9
TASK 3 BE ABLE TO EVALUATE RESEARCH OUTCOMES ..............................................11
3.1 Adopting appropriate research evaluation techniques........................................................11
3.2 Interpreting and analysing the results.................................................................................15
3.3 Making recommendations...................................................................................................15
TASK 4:PRESENTING THE RESEARCH OUTCOMES ..........................................................16
4.1 Use appropriate media to present research outcomes.........................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX ..................................................................................................................................19

TASK 1 UNDERSTANDING HOW TO FORMULATE A RESEARCH
SPECIFICATION
1.1 Formulating and recording possible research project outline
Introduction
Employee motivation is a form of human cognition which supports an individual to
improve their functioning in the business operations assigned to them. It gives them an
opportunity of stating the future and assessing the possible results of working systematically and
appropriately. Research is a kind of activities which is performed by an individual or a group of
persons which is working in an organisation with an aim to develop better strategies to overcome
the desired results (Wong, 2013). This helps them in addressing the sources and areas for
attaining knowledge and information about the market and business that eventually supports
them in determining the appropriate form of actions. It is crucial for an organisation to develop
effective ways and methods to enhance the level of motivation among the employees so that they
will be productive and profitable to the firm.
In that context, it is essential for firms like Asda Plc to assess the significance and
importance of employee motivation for gaining better performance from them in the assigned
business projects. For this, they will assess the theories, concepts and strategies to build up
effective sources of motivating and encouraging employee to give higher job performance in the
allotted work operations (Dörnyei and Ushioda, 2013). It is necessary that they should analyse
the situation and accordingly place proper set of actions for promoting the level of motivation
among the individuals. Moreover, motivation helps the individuals in innovating and advancing
the human nature and behaviour for working in the organisation. The main purpose of
motivating the employees is to increase their work performance and functioning in order to gain
better output.
Background of the study
The main purpose of conducting this study will be “To analyse/identify the impact of
employee motivation on job performance” in context of Asda. This involves the activities of
addressing the ways through which the motivation level among the employees will be
improvised (Creswell, 2014). The reason of addressing the factors and ways of motivation is to
create a base for employees working in Asda Plc to ascertain the possible chances of attaining

profits in the future which will improve their lifestyle and ability to fulfil the personal needs. In
addition to this, companies like Asda Plc creates customer loyalty by investing funds on
marketing and branding rather than getting help of employee motivational factors (Ford, 2014).
However, motivation levels affects both characteristics working environment and customer
satisfaction which will eventually assist the organisation in gaining values, cognition and
attachment from the employees and management.
Research Aim:
To identify the impact of employee motivation on job performance: A study on Asda plc
UK
Research Objectives:
 To understand the significance of employee motivation within workplace
 To identify the ways of enhancing employee motivation within Asda
 To understand link between employee motivation and job performance To recommend the effective ways through which Asda can enhance its employee
motivation
Research questions:
 What is the importance of employee motivation within workplace?
 What are the ways of enhancing employee motivation within Asda?
 What is the link between employee motivation and job performance?
1.2 Determining the factors that contributed to the process of research project selection
There are various factors that will help in conducting this research project and on the
basis of them the information will be generated. The current sector of marketplace will help in
allocating this factors that are highly responsible in impacting the level of motivation among the
employees. It will be crucial for the organisation to coordinate the work by the team of
workforces in order to gain high form of profitability and productivity (Bouckenooghe, Zafar
and Raja, 2015). It will include the set of factors that are extremely linked with the process of
encouraging the employees which are like reward system, training and development,
motivational theories, etc. In addition to this, the information of the research defines the methods
of creating and maintaining link between employee's motivational level and their performance
over the job.

1.3 Critical reviewing the key references
Significance of employee motivation within the workplace
As per the perspective of Yidong and Xinxin, (2013), a motivated employee is beneficial
for the organisation in attaining better achievements and business success. Motivation shows a
way to the individual to perform the assigned task by defining a target and an intention to
overcome for achieving the benefits. It is clear that the organisation influences each individual in
making choices about their actions as per the stated structure. The main aim of promoting the
level of skills, abilities and efficiencies of the employees is to make them able to overcome the
challenges faced by them while executing the allotted business project. On the contrary, the
motivation was not the only factor that improves the performance of the employees as stated by
Peterson and et.al., (2012). The process of motivation has many parts and is highly complex for
an individual. Accordingly, each activity of behaviour or performance required by the worker
mostly involve motivating factors which needs to be effectively placed by them.
Ways of boasting employee motivation
According to the viewpoint of Menges and et.al., (2016) which contributed that there are
various ways for boasting up the level of motivation and criteria of working among the
organisational individuals. It is necessary that the managerial aspects should assess the business
situation and accordingly, ascertain the methods that are helpful for them to enhance the level of
motivation among the workforces. It includes the strategical techniques like training and
development, engagement, leadership, reward system, promotion, etc. which gives
encouragement and recognition to the employees in order to advance their proficiency and
efficiencies. The results gained by the organisation after implementing the ways of improving or
enhancing the employee's mental ability and initial power to perform well in the organisation.
However, Spell, Eby and Vandenberg (2014) argued that an individual in the
organisation can be only motivated by the help of monetary support and values awarded to them.
Their study specified that an employee mostly works within an organisation to attain high returns
for the efforts given by them to complete the business operations assigned to them. Thus, the
major focus of the organisation will be on rewarding the employees in form of salary, incentives,
bonuses, appraisals, etc. for motivating them to execute the functions systematically and
effectively.
Impact of employee motivation on job performance

As per the opinion of Misirli and et.al., (2015), motivation impacts the job performance
of an employee that generally influences their ability to access high form of objectives from the
business operations. The ability of the worker to perform on the job helps the business in
leading up the marketplace and concerned sector. It helps them in ascertaining higher values that
needs to be overcome by the workforces with a motive to gain higher forms of outcomes from
the business operations and overall functions. The impact can be in negative and positive manner
that will support the organisation in creating and gaining better opportunities from the aimed
marketplace. Moreover, this was contradicted by Kunze, Boehm and Bruch (2013) which
evidenced that the impact of motivation is quite little and thus, need not to be concerned much
from the managerial aspects of the organisation. They should rather direct their efforts on
addressing the ways and impacts of engaging the employees and encouraging them to participate
in the operational activities of business.
1.4 Producing research project specification
Research design
The stated research which will be carried out is descriptive in nature where the main
emphasis is on specifying, assessing and examining information the range of ideas, processes,
methods and approaches which is highly beneficial for the research (Bauer, 2014). The main
purpose for selecting this design will be to systematically assess the possible factors that are
helpful in determining the impact of employee motivation on job performance.
Research approach
Inductive approach will be considered engaged in the specified research project where
the structure and results of the study goes from specific to general (Billig and Waterman, 2014).
The major reason of selecting the inductive approach will be to assess the specific information
about the impacts of employee's motivation level over their job performance in context of Asda
PLC and then describing it in general aspect (Inductive Approach, 2014).
Data collection
Two sources of data collection are present namely primary and secondary. In the present
research primary data will be collected with the help of questionnaire and secondary source
where the information will be gathered from various books, journals and online articles related
with the topic.
Sampling

It is linked with the selection of respondents from whom data is being collected. In the
present research sample size of 5 managers working in Asda will be undertaken where technique
of purposive sampling will be undertaken and this will assist in conducting the entire research in
proper manner
Data analysis
In the stated research, the information about the topic will be analysed and examine on
the basis of qualitative technique where various themes will be framed and implemented which
will highlight the main response being provided by the respondents associated with the study
(Cammarota and Fine, 2010). However, the adaptation of quantitative analysis and its techniques
were not placed for attaining data
Ethical issues
The main ethical issue which will be faced for the given study of research is the data
privacy which needs to be maintained as information will be collected from existing managers of
Asda and thus sharing their personal information is against stated ethical issue (Flick, 2015).
Hence, it is crucial to deal with the specified challenge of data security.
Limitations of the study
The main limitations related with the study of the research will be cost and time. In prior
stage, the research worker will collect data from managers of Asda and approaching them
personally requires lot of time. Other than this, these activities will enhance the overall cost of
the study which is again a major limitation.
1.5 Appropriate plan for agreed research specification
Key Activities
Week
1
Week
2 & 3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8 & 9
Wee
k 10
Week
11
Preparation for
Introduction
Literature Review
Assembling
secondary
information

Analysing
collected Data
Implementing
Research Design
Developing
Research
Methodology
Obtaining Primary
Data
Analysis of
primary and
secondary data
Conclusions and
Recommendations
Completion of
remaining work
Revise and draft
Final Submission
TASK 2 IMPLEMENT THE RESEARCH PROJECT WITH AGREED
PROCEDURES
2.1 Matching resources to the research questions
The main purpose of the research project is to determine the impact of employee
motivation on the job performance by assessing the factors and ways that are highly responsible
for influencing the present level of motivation among the organisational workforces. In that
context, it is crucial for the researcher to determine the availability of resources and match them
with the research questions which needs to be answered by the information given. The major
resources present with the research workers are the time and funds for completing the
examination of investigation. It is vital for them to allocate ways to optimum utilise the available

resources which needs to be effectively used in order to gain better and appropriate sources of
information.
Moreover, they should define set of strategies which are helpful for them for employing
the available resource in a systematic and effective manner. The techniques of defining time-
scale and scheduling the period of interviewing is assistive in saving time. In case of finance,
dividing funds at each and every step of research project will be highly fruitful for the
researcher.
2.2 Undertaking proposed research investigation
It is vital that the investigation of the research needs to be effectively placed in order to
gain proper set of objectives and results. For this, the researcher has to make sure that the
direction of the research is going in specific and right path. This will support them in
ascertaining the aims and objectives of the research. In that context, the research should adopt a
suitable and applicable method for maintaining the flow of the research which is observation. It
assists the researcher in assuring that the research is going in the right direction. At every step of
research the investigator should examine their approaches of conducting the overall work.
Furthermore, research investigation is the key element in the study as it helps in ensuring the
assessment for proper set of information which needs to be assessed by them and required to be
determined in the presented investigation. On the other side, monitoring and evaluation
techniques instantly leads to achievements of desired objectives related to the study mostly leads
to possible outcomes.
2.3 Recording and collecting relevant data
The significant information related with the research study has been transcribed in
written format which has been shown as below:
Age Number of
respondents
25 to 35 years 2
35 to 45 years 1
45 to 55 years 2

For how long you are working with Asda? Number of respondents
2 years 1
2 to 4 years 3
4 years above 1
What are the key methods employed for
boosting employee motivation?
Number of respondents
Monetary reward 1
Share in decision making 2
Involvement in policy development 1
All the above 1
Do you think use of motivation tactics have
positive impact on job performance of
employees?
Number of respondents
Yes 3
No 2
Employee motivation is linked with success of
organization?
Number of respondents
Strongly agree 2
Agree 1
Neutral 1
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 0

What are the key factors affecting job
performance?
Number of respondents
Motivation 3
Working environment 1
Leadership style 1
All the above 0
Do you think motivation is the only way of
boosting employee performance?
Number of respondents
Yes 4
No 1
TASK 3 BE ABLE TO EVALUATE RESEARCH OUTCOMES
3.1 Adopting appropriate research evaluation techniques
As discussed above in the above research, which specified the evaluation of study was
conducted on the basis of various themes that have been formed and are as follows:
Theme 1: Majority of the respondents lies under age group of 25-35 years and 45-55 years
25- 35 years 35- 45 years 45- 55 years
0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2
Age

Interpretation: From the information collected by the research, it has been examined that
majority of the Managers are more in the age groups of 25-35 years and 45-55 years. Also, they
are highly satisfied and motivated with the efforts and services provided by Asda PLC.
Theme 2: Majority of experienced gained by working in Asda is between 2 to 4 years
Interpretation: From the above assessment, it is ascertained that the majority of the employees
work for 2 to 4 years within the cited organisation. The research defines the ability of Asda to
maintain the retention level among their workforces.
Theme 3: Majority of the respondents adopts the sharing of decision making process for
motivating the employees of Asda

Interpretation: From the data collected it has been identified that majority of the managers
prefer the option and method of giving the opportunity to their employees in decision making
process. This is highly used by most of the managers of Asda.
Theme 4: Majority of respondents agreed that use of motivation tactics has positive impact on
employee's job performance
Interpretation: From the information gathered in this part of the research, it has been found that
motivation is considered as the most influencing factors which impact the level and form of job
performance given by the employees in the organisation.

Theme 5: High number of respondents agreed that employee motivation is linked with the
success of organisation
Interpretation: As the results of the research-approaches, it is clear that most of the managers
agreed on the statement which depicts the link between employee motivation and organisational
achievements.
Theme 6: Motivation is the key element that affect the job performance of an employee
Interpretation: From the research it has been found that the employee performance is the main
factor that generally affects their job performance and overall functioning in the organisation.

Asda's manager mostly agreed on the option of motivation rather than selecting the other two
available options.
Theme 7: Majority of the respondents agreed that motivation is the only technique that boost
up the employee performance
Interpretation: As per the investigation made by the researcher which specifically clears that
most of the managers in Asda select motivation for enhancing the level of motivation among
their employees.
3.2 Interpreting and analysing the results
Considering the entire information gained from the research and their approaches, it is
clearly evidenced that motivation is the main key element which supports the organisation in
creating a link between motivation and job performance of their employees. The experienced
managers of Asda Plc is employed within the organisation for more than 3 years, which defines
that they are suitable and appropriate for the research and helpful in achieving better results.
They generally select the option of giving the opportunity to employees for giving their views in
decision making process which increases their motivation level. Moreover, they agreed on the
statement that employee motivation has a positive impact on the job performance of employees.
They also agreed on the argument that employee can be motivation is the only factor that
improves the job performance of an employee.

3.3 Making recommendations
Considering the research over the impact of motivation on the employee performance
which clears that an employee can be easily encouraged for giving better functioning in the
business operations assigned to them. Motivation is the key element that supports the higher
level management to enhance the level of encouragement among the employees which
eventually helps them in ascertaining and accomplishing better set of results from the entire
business functions and operations placed by the organisation. However, it is recommended that
the management should analyse the other factors as well that are highly responsible and helping
them in increasing the present level of motivation. This would help them in motivating the
employees in higher extent and encourage them to perform well in their jobs.
TASK 4:PRESENTING THE RESEARCH OUTCOMES
4.1 Use appropriate media to present research outcomes
For presenting the outcomes of the study power point presentation has been prepared
where findings have been shown.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bauer, G. R., 2014. Incorporating intersectionality theory into population health research
methodology: Challenges and the potential to advance health equity. Social Science &
Medicine, 110, pp.10-17.
Billig, S. H. and Waterman, A. S. eds., 2014. Studying service-learning: Innovations in
education research methodology. Routledge.
Bouckenooghe, D., Zafar, A. and Raja, U., 2015. How ethical leadership shapes employees’ Job
Performance: The mediating roles of goal congruence and psychological capital. Journal
of Business Ethics. 129(2). pp.251-264.
Cammarota, J. and Fine, M., 2010. Revolutionizing education: Youth participatory action
research in motion. Routledge.
Creswell, J. W., 2014. A concise introduction to mixed methods research. Sage Publications.
Dörnyei, Z. and Ushioda, E., 2013. Teaching and researching: Motivation. Routledge.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Ford, J. K., 2014. Improving training effectiveness in work organizations. Psychology Press.
Kunze, F., Boehm, S. and Bruch, H., 2013. Age, resistance to change, and job performance.
Journal of Managerial Psychology. 28(7/8). pp.741-760.
Menges, J. I., and et.al., 2016. When Job Performance is All Relative: How Family Motivation
Energizes Effort and Compensates for Intrinsic Motivation. Academy of Management
Journal, pp.amj-2014.
Misirli, A. T., and et.al., 2015. Factors Affecting Team Motivation: A Survey of Finnish
Software Engineers. International Journal of Information System Modeling and Design
(IJISMD). 6(3). pp.1-26.
Peterson, S. J., and et.al., 2012. RETRACTED: The relationship between authentic leadership
and follower job performance: The mediating role of follower positivity in extreme
contexts. The Leadership Quarterly. 23(3). pp.502-516.
Spell, H. B., Eby, L. T. and Vandenberg, R. J., 2014. Developmental climate: A cross-level
analysis of voluntary turnover and job performance. Journal of vocational behavior. 84(3).

pp.283-292Wong, P. T. ed., 2013. The human quest for meaning: Theories, research, and
applications. Routledge.
Yidong, T. and Xinxin, L., 2013. How ethical leadership influence employees’ innovative work
behavior: A perspective of intrinsic motivation. Journal of Business Ethics. 116(2).
pp.441-455.
Online
Inductive Approach, 2014. [Online]. Available through: <
http://research-methodology.net/research-methodology/research-approach/inductive-
approach-2/>. [Accessed on 10th August 2016].

APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Name:
2. Age:
 25- 35 years
 35- 45 years
 45- 55 years
3. For how long you are working with Asda?
 2 years
 2 to 4 years
 4 years above
4. What are the key methods employed for boosting employee motivation?
 Monetary reward
 Share in decision making
 Involvement in policy development
 All of the above
5. Do you think use of motivation tactics have positive impact on job performance of
employees?
 Yes
 No
6. Employee motivation is linked with success of organization?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
7. What are the key factors affecting job performance?
 Motivation
 Working environment
 Leadership style
 All of the above
8. Do you think motivation is the only way of boosting employee performance?
 Yes
 No
9. Recommend some of the effective ways through which employee performance within Asda
can be improved easily
____________________________________________________________________________