Impact of Employee Satisfaction Tools on Employee Performance during Pandemic: A Study on Marks and Spencer

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................3
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES.............................................................................................................3
RATIONALE..................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................6
TIMELINE......................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................11

TITLE: To investigate the impact of using employee satisfaction tools upon employee
performance during pandemic situation within UK retail industry: A study on Marks and
Spencer.
BACKGROUND
In the current situation, the scope of retail industry is increasing rapidly and this sector
also contributes in the economic growth of the country. It is necessary for the company to
maintain healthy relationship with the employees during the time of Covid-19. In order to
balance the losses suffered by the organisation during pandemic it is very important to have
employees engagement in the working of the business. Furthermore, it can be analysed that there
are positive and negative impact of the crisis faced by Marks and Spencer. Due to the Lockdown,
various employees lost their job and work from home was adopted by several companies due to
various restrictions imposed by the government. The present study will be based on one of the
British multinational retail company i.e. Marks and Spencer of UK. This Research Proposal will
reflect on the impact of the tools that is related to employees satisfaction on the performance of
the employees.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Aim:
The aim of the present investigation is to investigate the impact of using employee
satisfaction tools on the performance of the employees during pandemic in context of the Marks
and Spencer.
Objective:
 To understand the concept of employee satisfaction
 To determine the strategies associated with the employee satisfaction within retail
industry.
 To critically evaluate the relationship between employee satisfaction strategies and
employee performance.
 To recommend strategies that can improve the employee engagement by minimising the
challenges
Research question
 What are employee satisfaction and its importance?

 What strategies are employed by Marks and Spencer to improve the performance of the
employees?
 What kind of challenges faced by the company during the pandemic regarding the
employee engagement?
RATIONALE
The reason for conducting the research is to analyse the strategies that can helps in
improving the performance of the employees so that they put their efforts for improving the
overall performance of the company after outbreak of the pandemic which has badly affected the
profitability of the company. During Covid-19, there were various issues that faced by the
employees which affected their livelihood. Furthermore, to improve the performance of the
employee it is mandatory for the company to implement various strategies which can helps in
resolving this issue. Thus, by using the thematic analysis, the researcher can easily determine the
effective ways to improve the performance of the employees.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme-1 Concept of employee satisfaction
As per the view of Lasisi, and et.al., (2020) employee satisfaction is considered very
important for the employees in order to stay happy and satisfied which will helps in delivering
the work in effective manner. It is observed that satisfied employees are extremely loyal towards
the company perform their work keeping the organisational goal at priority and put their
maximum efforts to achieve the goals .On the other hand Jigjiddorjand et.al., (2021)believes that
organisation should understand the preferences and requirements of the employees and support
for improving their performance which will act as motivator and can be reflected on their
performance. According to Mohammadand et.al., (2019) satisfied employees take initiative in
performing the task and effectively achieve it within the given time frame.
On the other hand Islami, Mulolli, and Mustafa, (2018) states that dissatisfied
employees find unnecessary ways to get rid of the job which can negatively impact the
company's overall performance. The Kawiana, and et.al., (2018) believes that the employees who
are satisfied and happy with their work can handle and manage the stress and pressure and
overcome the challenges easily. Moreover, they support other employees and communicate with
their co-workers effectively resulting in creating favourable environment in the organisation. On