Different Human Resource Practices in UK Retail Sector: A Study on Next Plc

This research paper explores the different human resource practices used by Next Plc to improve employee performance and productivity in the UK retail sector. It includes a literature review, conceptual framework, methodology, and expected research outcomes. The research questions, aims, and objectives are also clearly defined.

Research Portfolio
( Different Human Resource practices
used in an organisation for improving
the performance and productivity of
employees within the UK retail sector)

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background or context of the research.......................................................................................1
Research Questions......................................................................................................................1
Research Aims and objectives.....................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................2
Key Papers...................................................................................................................................2
Conceptual framework.................................................................................................................3
..........................................................................................................................................................3
METHODOLOGY .........................................................................................................................4
Research Approach......................................................................................................................4
Research Strategy.........................................................................................................................4
Methodology and Tools...............................................................................................................4
Sampling Approach.....................................................................................................................5
Ethical Consideration...................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
Limitations of Proposed Approach..............................................................................................6
Expected Research Outcomes......................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
Appendix..........................................................................................................................................8
Research Ethics Checklist – Undergraduate Students.....................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Background or context of the research
Human resource management is described the activity of hiring, recruiting, managing and
deploying workers in a business organisation (Adla, Gallego-Roquelaure and Calamel, 2019).
The productive and highly performed employees are most important assets for an organisation as
it helps in gaining the goals and objectives of their business in effective manner. There are some
human resource practices that assists company to modify the performance and productivity of
their workers. In the following research selected organisation is Next Plc, a multinational home
products, clothing and footwear retailing organisation of UK.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of human resource management within retail industry of UK?
 What are the Human resource practices used by the Next Plc for improving the
performance and productivity of their employees?
 What are the benefits gain by the Next Plc while improving their employees' performance
and productivity?
Research Aims and objectives
Research Aim
To identify the different Human Resource practices used in an organisation for improving
the performance and productivity of employees within the UK retail sector. “A study on Next
Plc”.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of human resource management within retail industry of UK.
 To identify Human resource practices used by the Next Plc for improving the
performance and productivity of their employees.
 To determine the benefits gain by the Next Plc while improving their employees'
performance and productivity.
1

LITERATURE REVIEW
Key Papers
Concept of human resource management within retail industry of UK
According to the view of Heathfield (2021), human resource management is describe the
activity of an organisation that helps in managing all the issues and challenges related to the
people within an organisation. It performs different functions such as recruitment and hiring,
compensation, managing performance, wellness, safety, organisation development, employee
motivation, training and policy administration in order to manage the human resource of an
organisation in better manner.
As per the view of Chai and Sutner (2022), human resource management refers to the
practice of deploying, hiring, recruiting an managing the workers of a business organisation. The
HR department of an organisation is mainly responsible for putting, creating into effect as well
as overseeing policies governing workers along with the relationship of the organisation with
their employees.
Human resource practices used by the Next Plc for improving the performance and
productivity of their employees
In the opinion of Vulpen (2022), human resources are continuously developing from the
last many years. Human resource practices helping HR managers in order to manage their ever
changing employees properly. There are some best human resource practices which is used by
the many companies in order to improve their employees performance and productivity more
effectively. It involves providing security to employees, hiring right people for the right job, fair
and performance based compensation, decentralised decision making, sharing key information,
training in relevant skills and creating positive working environment. These practices helps in
motivating employees so, they perform their task in effective manner (Barpanda and Bontis,
2021). The HR managers of the company need to develop open communication environment in
their workplace so, the employees can freely communicate their issue, opinion and queries with
their managers. This will also helps in improving the performance of employees.
Benefits gain by the Next Plc while improving their employees' performance and productivity
2

According the the perspective of Abdellatif (2021), there are some benefits that an
organisation gain while improving the performance and productivity of employees in effective
manner. It involves better customer service, greater fulfilment, greater revenue generation,
improved engagement and building a positive culture. This makes important for the company to
use best practices that helps in improving their employees performance and productivity.
In the view of Bhattacharya, Nand and Castka, 2019), it is important for every
organisation to improve the performance of their employees so, they perform their task in better
manner as well as help company to gain many benefits. The employees who are highly
productive and performed their task with their full efforts helps company to achieve their goals
in time, provide better service to their customers, increase their sales and productive as well as
gain more competitive advantages.
Conceptual framework
3

METHODOLOGY
Research Approach
A research approach is described the procedure which is select by the researcher in order
to collect, analyse as well as interpret data (Debbarma and Choi, 2022). There are mainly two
forms of research approach that are characterized as inductive and deductive. The investigator
selects deductive research approach for the research as it permits investigator to use their good
sense for confirm work related decisions. This research approach provides the expectation in
order to inform causal relation in between concepts and variables.
Research Strategy
A research strategy described the systematic process related to how a research is
conducted in order to solve an inquiry problem (Liu, Yang and Jiang, 2020). The research
strategy in research methodology is divided in many forms that covers survey, systematic
literature review, observation, interview, etc. The investigator selects survey research strategy as
it provides an ability in order to collect large amounts of valid information for the research. This
research strategy is cost effective that helps in conducting the whole research in low cost.
Methodology and Tools
Research choice- The research choice is classified in two form that are quantitative and
qualitative. The investigator chooses quantitative research choice because it assists in gathering
the numerical data related to the research topic (Compagno, 2018). It also helps in making the
whole research valid and accurate.
Data collection method- Primary and secondary are two kinds of data collection method
and both the methods are used by the researcher for the following research. Primary data
collection methods helps in collecting more accurate and reliable data (Huxley, 2020). Secondary
data collection helps researcher to conduct the research in less cost and quick manner.
Research instruments- The researcher used questionnaire in order to collect information
from the large number of respondents. It refers to one of the cost effective methods that helps
researcher to collect data in less cost (Cowger and Brown, 2019).
4

Sampling Approach
Sampling is described the selection of group from whom the researcher wants to collect
the data for the research. The sampling approach is classified in two parts that are non-
probability and probability sampling (Longest, 2019). The investigator chooses probability
sampling as it permits researcher to select responsives through random sampling. This sampling
approach creates less or zero systematic error and sampling bias.
Ethical Consideration
The ethical principles that are required to follow while conducting this research are
minimise the avoid using misleading practices, risk of harm to participants, obtain informed
consent from potential research participants, protect their anonymity and confidentiality as well
as giving rights to the participants to withdraw from the research (Öhman and Olofsson, 2019).
5

CONCLUSION
Limitations of Proposed Approach
There are many limitation in the following research that creates problem for the
investigator to do the investigation in better manner (Deringer, 2018). It involve limited cost,
time and resource. The researcher used questionnaire, Gantt chart and secondary sources in order
to conduct the whole research properly along with this limitation.
Expected Research Outcomes
From the above research, it has been analysed that there are many kinds or human
resource practices that helps an organisation to improve their employees performance and
productivity. The research helps in analysing the benefits that are gain by the company while
improving their employees performance and productivity. The research analysed that the highly
productive and well performing employees compete their tasks more effectively from other and
help company to achieve their goals as well as increase their sales and profit.
6

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Adla, L., Gallego-Roquelaure, V. and Calamel, L., 2019. Human resource management and
innovation in SMEs. Personnel Review, 49(8), pp.1519-1535.
Barpanda, S. and Bontis, N., 2021. Human resource practices and performance in microfinance
organizations: Do intellectual capital components matter?. Knowledge and Process
Management, 28(3), pp.209-222.
Abdellatif, H., 2021. THE IMPACT OF WORKING FROM HOME DURING COVID-19 ON
FEMALES'PRODUCTIVITY. Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues, 24,
pp.1-6.
Bhattacharya, A., Nand, A. and Castka, P., 2019. Lean-green integration and its impact on
sustainability performance: A critical review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 236,
p.117697.
Deringer, W., 2018. Calculated values: Finance, politics, and the quantitative age. Harvard
University Press.
Öhman, S. and Olofsson, A., 2019. Quantitative analysis of risk positions: An exploratory
approach. In Researching risk and uncertainty (pp. 265-286). Palgrave Macmillan,
Cham.
Longest, K.C., 2019. Using Stata for quantitative analysis. SAGE Publications.
Cowger, C. and Brown, J.K., 2019. Durability of quantitative resistance in crops: greater than we
know?. Annual review of phytopathology, 57, pp.253-277.
Huxley, K., 2020. Content analysis, quantitative. SAGE Publications Limited.
Compagno, D. ed., 2018. Quantitative semiotic analysis (p. 189). Berlin: Springer.
Liu, Y., Yang, L. and Jiang, W., 2020. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the relationship
between water pollution and economic growth: a case study in Nansi Lake catchment,
China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(4), pp.4008-4020.
Debbarma, J. and Choi, Y., 2022. A taxonomy of green governance: A qualitative and
quantitative analysis towards sustainable development. Sustainable Cities and
Society, 79, p.103693.
Online
Heathfield, S. M., 2021 [Online]. Available through: <https://www.thebalancecareers.com/what-
is-human-resource-management-1918143>
Chai, W. and Sutner, S., 2022 [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.techtarget.com/searchhrsoftware/definition/human-resource-management-
HRM#:~:text=Human%20resource%20management%20(HRM)%20is,as%20human
%20resources%20(HR).>
Vulpen, E. V., 2022 [Online]. Available through: <https://www.aihr.com/blog/human-resource-
best-practices/>
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Appendix
Research Ethics Checklist – Undergraduate Students
A checklist should be completed for every research project; this is used to identify whether a full
application for ethics approval needs to be submitted to your Faculty Ethics Committee.
1 Applicant details
Name of Researcher
(Student):
Module name and number:
Name of Module Leader:
Course:
2 Project details
Project title: The different Human Resource practices used in an organisation for improving
the performance and productivity of employees within the UK retail sector
Please provide a brief description of the project:
Aim of the research:
To identify the different Human Resource practices used in an organisation for improving the
performance and productivity of employees within the UK retail sector. “A study on Next
Plc”.
Methods employed to collect data and the participants:
Primary data collection method is used so that first-hand information can be gathered and
analysed. Quantitative and qualitative both data is accumulated in the investigation.
3 Research checklist (select “YES” if the risk is more than minimal)
Please answer each question by ticking the appropriate box:
8

YES NO
1. Does the study involve students within the University? NO
2. Does the study involve employees of the University? NO
3. Does the study involve participants who are particularly vulnerable or
unable to give informed consent (e.g. children, those with cognitive
impairment)?
NO
4. Will the study require the co-operation of a gatekeeper for initial access
to the groups or individuals to be recruited (e.g. students at school,
members of self-help group, residents of nursing home)?
NO
5. Will it be necessary for participants to take part in the study without their
knowledge and consent at the time (e.g. covert observation of people in
non-public places)?
NO
6. Will the study involve discussion of sensitive topics or illegal activity
(e.g. sexual activity, drug use)?
NO
7. Will the research involve administrative or secure data that requires
permission from the appropriate authorities before use?
NO
8. Is there a possibility that the safety of the researcher may be in question
(e.g. in international research: research at airports)?
NO
9. Does the research involve members of the public in a research capacity
(participant research)?
NO
10. Will any of the research take place outside the UK? NO
11. Will the research involve respondents to the internet or other visual/vocal
methods where respondents may be identified?
NO
12. Will research involve the sharing of data or confidential information
beyond the initial consent given?
NO
13. Will financial inducements (other than reasonable expenses and
compensation for time) be offered to participants?
NO
If any item is ticked then an application to your Faculty Research Ethics Committee is required.
9

Instructions for students
 You must complete this form BEFORE you commence your primary data collection
 The form must be submitted together with your research proposal
 Your approved ethics form must be included in your final submission as part of your
appendices. This is a University requirement and if the ethics form is not included your
work will not be marked
The student has been made aware of the University’s Code of Good Research
Practice and relevant professional codes of conduct
The participant information sheet or leaflet is appropriate (where applicable)
The procedures for recruitment and obtaining informed consent are appropriate
(where applicable)
Comments from supervisor (please complete
this section if you have any reservations about
the proposed research):
Please leave blank Supervisor Use
I confirm that work as described will be carried out in full conformity to all ethical
standards and any additional professional requirements.
Name (please print):
10

Signed:
Date:
ETHICS SUB-
COMMITTEE
APPROVAL
Name Remark Sign Date
*Please leave blank (Instructions for supervisors)
Please check the appropriate boxes. Even if the student has answered ‘no’ to all questions in
Section 3, the study should not begin until all boxes have been checked and the form has been
approved by you.
11