Employee Engagement Research Proposal

This assignment requires an analysis of a research proposal focused on employee engagement. The proposal delves into various research methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches. It examines the relevant literature on employee engagement, considering factors like performance, customer engagement, and the impact of appraisals. The student is tasked with critically evaluating the proposed research design and its potential contribution to understanding employee engagement.

Research Project
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1- RESEARCH PROPOSAL..........................................................................................3
1.1 Background of study........................................................................................................3
1.2 Rationale..........................................................................................................................3
1.3 Literature review..............................................................................................................3
1.4 Research project specification.........................................................................................6
1.5 Plan and procedures for agreed research.........................................................................7
TASK 2 .....................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Research questions..........................................................................................................7
2.2 Research methodologies..................................................................................................8
2.3 Data collection.................................................................................................................9
3.1 Data analysis..................................................................................................................14
3.2 Interpretation and analyse the results............................................................................14
3.3 Recommendations and justification areas for further consideration.............................16
TASK 3....................................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................17
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Title: To assess the impact of employee engagement on their performance- A study on
Morrisons UK.
TASK 1- RESEARCH PROPOSAL
1.1 Background of study
In order to ensure success of organization it is significant to engage their employees.
Along with this, it has been also measured that employee feels highly satisfied if they have
been engaged in the organizational activities and process as it builds sense of belongingness
and commitment towards the organization (Albrech, 2011). In addition to this, the key ground
on which the employee engagement is based is the trust and two way of commitment between
the supermarket and their employees. In the retail industry employee engagement plays
significant role as it assists in maintaining the worthy level of customer services and also
increase the sales. The present research will focus on measuring the impact of employee
engagement on their performance.
1.2 Rationale
The rationale for conducting the research is that it will assess the impact of employee
engagement on the activities and performance of their employees. With the help of
investigating the study it will results in contributing to obviate that existing gap. Along with
this, principle of the study will also help in determining the different ways through which
manager within retail industry will focus on engaging their employees within the organization
(Markos and Sridevi, 2010). Moreover, it will also assists in managing the proper study that
will support the scholar in accomplishing the stated aims and objectives of the research.
Aims: To analyse the impact of employee engagement on their performance- A study on
Morrisons UK.
Objectives:
 To evaluate the concept of employee engagement within the organization.
 To assess the link between employee engagement and their performance level.
 To determine the various methods for employee engagement within the Morrison UK.
 To recommend the ways under which Morrison can promote engagement of their
employees.
1.3 Literature review
Concept of employee engagement
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Employee engagement is termed as the process under which employer focuses on
engaging and connecting their employees those who are rendering services within their
organization that supports in enhancing their performance level. With the help of proper
engagement of their employees they make them committed towards the organization that
results in enhancing their productivity. As per the view of Gruman and Saks (2011) in the
present scenario, management should provide an equal opportunity to their employees so that
they can participate in the management of organization. Employee’s views and thoughts
should be given proper consideration while taking effective decisions for the organization. It
has been also assessed that retail organization with high level of employee engagement would
results in outperform as compared to the low engaged employees. According to Macey,
Schneider and Young (2011) an engaged employee within the organization is defined as the
one who is enthusiastic towards performing the work and activities that would further results
in enhancing reputation of the organization in the retail industry.
Methods of employee engagement
According to Welch (2011) retail manager focuses on different methods that easily
guides in improving the engagement of their employees within the organization. The
foremost method is to conduct formal and informal meeting is considered as an appropriate
mode for engaging the employees of supermarket within the organizational activities. With
the help of meeting employees can easily put forward their views to the management. As per
the view of Menguc, Auh and Haddad (2013) the key benefit of conducting meeting is that it
encourages participation of employees they can easily communicate on the weak areas under
which they are lacking so that management would devise proper training schedule for them
so that they can meet their requirement. In the retail industry employee engagement plays
significant role as it assists in maintaining the worthy level of customer services and also
increase the sales.
In addition to this, another method for engaging employees include that manager
should focus on knowing and listening to their employees interest that support in building
effective and healthy relationship among the manager and staff. Thus, it can have significant
impact on the engagement of their employees as well as also results in motivating them
towards the organizational activities.
On the other hand, another method for engaging employees within retail organization
is to provide them basic training as it support in completing the tasks and activities in
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effective manner. With the help of rendering training to the employees also leads to attain
higher level of engagement. As per the view of Jafri (2010) employees are engaged properly
in the organization as manager manager has understood their roles and responsibilities that
outcome in enhancing their level of performance and also ensure commitment towards the
retail organization. Along with this, it has been stated that when employees or staff within the
retail organization receives effective training they get to know their role within the
organization thus, it lead to increase their motivation as well as also ensure proper
engagement of their employees resulting in attaining success of the organization (Vivek,
Beatty and Morgan, 2012). It is also assessed that opportunities for attaining growth and
development is regarded as the key driver of employee engagement. Employees who are
trained and satisfied are more likely to retain within the organization.
On the other hand, enabling recognition of the employees is also consider as the key
mode for engaging their employees. As per the view of Sashi (2012) recognition from the
manager plays significant role in motivating their employees as it promotes positive
behaviour among them that results in engaging them properly within the organization.
Recognition can be in the form of providing monetary and non-monetary incentives that
assists in meeting the requirement of employees that further outcome in engaging themselves
within the retail organization.
Link between employee engagement and their performance
As per the view of Volpone, Avery and McKAY (2012) it has been asserted that there
is positive link between employee engagement and their performance level as with allowing
proper engagement it results in boosting their morale along with increasing their commitment
level towards the organization. Proper engagement of employees assists them in
accomplishing the sense of belongingness towards the organization as management allows
their views and proper participation within the organizational activities. In addition to this,
Albrech (2011) has also stated that with engaging employees has become the topmost priority
of the manager that is essential for the survival and growth of the organization. Manager has
also acknowledged that employees or workforce those are highly engaged within the retail
organization results in increasing their performance as well as productivity as they are highly
committed towards the organization. Therefore, it is said that relationship among the
employee engagement and their performance is positive as it mainly outcome in retaining
their employees, enhancing profitability etc.
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1.4 Research project specification Research Approach- Two types of approaches are present which are employed in the
study with the motive to gain expected results (Frels and Onwuegbuzie, 2013). It
involves inductive and deductive one which are undertaken in the study. In inductive
study results move from specific to general and it is vice versa in case of deductive
one. For conducting the present study inductive approach will be chosen where study
will be carried out from point view of Morrison and on the basis of same
recommendation will be provided to entire retail industry for engaging employees. Research Design- It is regarded as the blueprint of study and is of different types
named exploratory, descriptive etc. For conducting present research descriptive
design will be undertaken where main motive will be on providing description of the
topic being selected for research (Sekaran, 2006). Research Philosophy- It is belief about the way in which data about phenomenon can
be gathered and analysed. Two type of philosophies are present such as positivism
and interpretivism. For the present study interpretivism philosophy will be undertaken
where research will interpret results. Methods of data collection- It is considered as one of the most important part of the
study where data is collected from two sources named primary and secondary one.
Primary information is collected for first time with the help of questionnaire,
interview etc. On the other hand secondary information is acquired through books,
journals and online articles (Johnson and Christensen, 2008). In the present study
primary information will be obtained through questionnaire to know about
significance of employee engagement on their performance and for collection of
secondary data different books, journals and online articles will be accessed for
gathering relevant information associated with the study.
 Sampling- Sampling is defined as the set of unit taken from the whole population in
order to gain content. For the present research researcher will select simple random
sampling under which researcher take the sample on the random basis. It is an
effective sampling method that supports in providing equal and fair chance to all the
individual to get selected in the sample.
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1.5 Plan and procedures for agreed research
Activities Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week 5 Week
6
Week
7
Week
8
Week
9
Wee
k 10
Week
11
Defining research
proposal
Assessing
background and
rationale
Conducting
review
Framing aims and
objectives
Formulating
questionnaire
Accumulating
data
Interpret and
analyse the data
Finding
Recommendation
Final Submission
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TASK 2
2.1 Research questions
 What is the concept of employee engagement?
 What is the link between employee engagement and their performance level?
 What are different methods used within Morrisons for engaging their employees?
 What are the ways through which Morrisons can promote engagement of their
employees?
2.2 Research methodologies Research approach- Research approach act as a instrument that briefs regarding the
structure under which the researcher should conduct the study. With the research
approach, the investigator would incorporate different approaches that supports them
in attaining the reliable and appropriate results (Inductive Approach, 2014). For the
present research selected approach is inductive as it focuses on generating new
possibilities emerging from the gathered data and information related with engaging
employees. Research philosophy- It is consider as a belief related with the development of
acquired knowledge and nature of the knowledge. The selected research philosophy
for the research project is interpretivism as it interpret the data in depth through
focusing on using qualitative data (Positivism, 2014). Research design- Research design is termed as blue print or formulated plan that
assists the researcher in conducting their study in the appropriate manner. In order to
carry out the research in proper manner scholar focuses on descriptive research design
that supports them in carrying out the in-depth investigation related with the topic. Methods of data collection- In order to successfully carry out the research,
investigator has chosen both primary method as well as secondary method for
collecting the relevant data so that they may carry out the research in proper manner.
Primary method focuses on framing questionnaire to get required and reliable
information (Goddard and Melville, 2004). On the other hand secondary sources also
have been used that this acquiring information through reviewing books, journals,
online articles etc. Sampling- Sampling is defined as the set of unit taken from the whole population in
order to gain information. For the present research researcher has chosen simple
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random sampling under which researcher choose the sample on the random basis
(Chapman and McNeill, 2004). Along with this the chosen sample size is 25
employees those who are rendering services in the Morrisons as they are likely to
provide reliable and accurate information regarding their level of engagement within
the organization.
 Data analysis- It is a form under which researcher collect, bifurcate, analyse and
interpret the data to obtain the required results. Basically there are different data
analysis tools such as qualitative and quantitative tools (Quantitative versus
qualitative methods, 2007). For the present report investigator has selected qualitative
analysis of the collected data with the help of developing different themes on the basis
of collected data.
2.3 Data collection
Questionnaire
Section- A
Personal Information
Name-
Designation-
E-mail ID-
Section-B
Note: Individual are required to fill the questionnaire information provided by individual
will not being disclose to any other party.
1. Are you satisfied with the existing working environment at the workplace?
 Yes
 No
2. Do feel valued at work?
 Yes
 No
3. What practices are used by your employer for involving their views and thoughts?
 Conducting individual meeting
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 Suggestion schemes
4. Do your employer really value your suggestions and thoughts in the organization?
 Frequently
 Rarely
 Sometimes
5. Are you satisfied with the recognition that is given by the management?
 Highly satisfied
 Satisfied
 Neutral
 Dissatisfied
 Highly dissatisfied
6. Do Morrison focuses on team engagement in enhancing the individual performance?
 Yes
 No
7. Recommend suggestions through which employer can engage or allow proper
participation of their employees
1. Are you satisfied with the existing working environment at the
workplace?
Number of
Respondents
Yes 15
No 10
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2. Do feel valued at work? Number of respondents
Yes 10
No 15
11
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
10
Employees are satisifed with the existing working environment
Column B
Employees are not valued at the workplace
Yes
No

3. What practices are used by your employer for involving their
views and thoughts? Number of Respondents
Conducting individual meeting 12
Suggestion schemes 13
4. Do your employer really value your suggestions and thoughts in
the organization?
Number of
Respondents
Frequently 12
Rarely 7
Sometimes 6
12
Conducting individual meeting Suggestion schemes
11.4
11.6
11.8
12
12.2
12.4
12.6
12.8
13
Practices used by employer for involving employees
Column E

5. Are you satisfied with the recognition that is given by the
management? Number of respondents
Highly satisfied 7
Satisfied 10
Neutral 1
Dissatisfied 3
Highly dissatisfied 4
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Employers frequently values the suggestions given
by employees
Frequently
Rarely
Sometimes

6. Do Morrison focuses on team engagement in enhancing the individual
performance?
Number of
respondents
Yes 15
No 10
14
Satisfied Dissatisfied
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Employees are satisifed with the recognition system
Column C
15
10
Morrisons focuses on team engagement
Yes
No

3.1 Data analysis
After collecting the data through formulating questionnaire researcher examine the
data through devising themes. Basically there are two form of data analysis methods that are
used in the investigation that is qualitative technique and quantitative technique. For the
present study investigator has chosen qualitative technique through which they have
formulated different themes and presented the collected information through symbolizing
graphs and tables.
3.2 Interpretation and analyse the results
Theme 1: Employees are satisfied with the existing working environment
From the above interpreted data it has been assessed that from the 25 respondents 15
employees are in the favour that they are satisfied with the existing working environment
provided by the Morrison. On the other hand, 10 respondents are not satisfied with the
environment provided by the supermarket.
Theme 2: Employees do not feel valued at work
From the above collected data it has been measured that among 25 employees 15
respondents do not feel valued at the work as they are not engaged within the organization.
On the other hand, 10 employees are in the favour that they are being valued at the workplace
through inviting and considering their view points in the decision making process.
Theme 3: Practices are used by your employer for involving their views
Through acquiring the data it has been analysed that manager of Morrisons focuses on
introducing different practices for involving the views of employees within the supermarket
as it further assists in increasing the commitment level of the staff. It has been interpreted
that for engaging their employees manager focuses on conducting the informal and formal
meetings as well as enabling suggestion schemes and boxes so that employees can easily put
forward their views.
Theme 4: Employer really value your suggestions and thoughts in the organization
From the above collected data it has been interpreted that 12 respondents or
employees of the supermarket are in the favour that employer frequently value and consider
their suggestions in the organization. Thus, it encourages the high engagement level from the
side of employees towards the organization. On the other hand, 7 respondents state that
employer rarely consider their thoughts within the organization.
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Theme 5: Employees are satisfied with the recognition systems
From the above gathered data it has been analysed that majority of respondents that is
17 are in the favour that management recognize their involvement and engagement within the
organizational activities. On the other hand, 8 respondents are dissatisfied with the
recognition system implemented within the organization as it lower the level of employee
engagement.
Theme 6: Morrison focuses on team engagement
Through the above data it is analysed that to enhance the individual performance
within the retail organization manager focuses on team engagement. Team engagement
ensure focusing on formulating team and engaging them by allocating the tasks and activities
so that it may results in engaging the individual also. Therefore, it is assessed that 15
respondents are in the favour that Morrison supermarket focuses on engagement of team
within the premises in order to enhance the individual level of performance. On the other
hand, 10 respondents are against the statement that team engagement do not focus on
enhancing the individual performance.
3.3 Recommendations and justification areas for further consideration
From the above aforementioned report it has been recommended that managers or
employer of Morrisons should focuses on different strategies in order to enhance the
employee engagement with the individual level of performance. The foremost recommended
strategy is promoting two-way communication within the supermarket. With the help of
enabling effective communication they can easily engage the views of employees within the
organisation. It has been assessed that clear and consistent communication among the
employees results as an expected way for engaging their workforce.
Along with this, another recommendation for engaging their employees is to engage
in collaborative culture so that employees may feel committed towards the organization as
well as it also provide cooperative culture to them so that they can easily put forward their
views and suggestions in the organization.
It has been also recommended that in future the study might also be conducted within
the hospitality or any other industry as the employee engagement also plays significant role in
other industries and sectors.
TASK 3
in ppt.
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CONCLUSION
The above report concluded that engagement of employees plays significant role
within the organization, employers collaborative and positive attitude supports the employees
to engage in the organization. Along with this, report has also analyse the impact the
employee engagement on the individual performance through framing proper questionnaire
and analysing the gathered data. Furthermore, the report has also concluded various
recommendation for the Morrison supermarket so that they can easily engage their staff and
employees within the organizational activities.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Albrech, S.L., 2011. Handbook of employee engagement: Perspectives, issues, research and
practice. Human Resource Management International Digest, 19(7).
Frels, R.K. and Onwuegbuzie, A.J., 2013. Administering quantitative instruments with
qualitative interviews: A mixed research approach. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 91(2), pp.184-194.
Goddard, W. and Melville, S., 2004. Research Methodology: An Introduction. Juta and
Company Ltd.
Gruman, J.A. and Saks, A.M., 2011. Performance management and employee
engagement. Human Resource Management Review, 21(2), pp.123-136.
Jafri, M.H., 2010. Organizational commitment and employee's innovative behavior: A study
in retail sector. Journal of Management Research, 10(1), p.62.
Johnson, B. and Christensen, L., 2008. Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and
mixed approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Chapman, S. and McNeill,
P., 2004. Research methodology. Routledge.
Macey, W.H., Schneider, B., Barbera, K.M. and Young, S.A., 2011.Employee engagement:
Tools for analysis, practice, and competitive advantage (Vol. 31). John Wiley & Sons.
Markos, S. and Sridevi, M.S., 2010. Employee engagement: The key to improving
performance. International Journal of Business and Management,5(12), p.89.
Menguc, B., Auh, S., Fisher, M. and Haddad, A., 2013. To be engaged or not to be engaged:
The antecedents and consequences of service employee engagement. Journal of
business research, 66(11), pp.2163-2170.
Sashi, C.M., 2012. Customer engagement, buyer-seller relationships, and social
media. Management decision, 50(2), pp.253-272.
Sekaran, U., 2006. Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach. John Wiley &
Sons
Vivek, S.D., Beatty, S.E. and Morgan, R.M., 2012. Customer engagement: Exploring
customer relationships beyond purchase. Journal of Marketing Theory and
Practice, 20(2), pp.122-146.
Volpone, S.D., Avery, D.R. and McKAY, P.F., 2012. Linkages between racioethnicity,
appraisal reactions, and employee engagement. Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, 42(1), pp.252-270.
Welch, M., 2011. The evolution of the employee engagement concept: communication
implications. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 16(4), pp.328-
346.
Online
Inductive Approach. 2014. [Online]. Available through: < https://explorable.com/descriptive-
research-design >. [Accessed on 22nd October 2016].
Positivism. 2014. [Online]. Available through: < http://research-methodology.net/research-
philosophy/positivism/>. [Accessed on 22nd October 2016].
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