The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Boohoo Group plc

This research proposal aims to investigate the contribution made by line managers and leaders in terms of employee development in ASDA. The study will identify the role of line managers and leaders in employee development, determine the impact of effective role execution by line managers and leaders in talent management, and analyze the challenges faced by line managers and leaders during implication of talent management practices. The research approach will use a positivist philosophy, quantitative methodology, and survey technique. The study will involve 20 managers as respondents to gather information.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Boohoo Group plc
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
Title:
To investigate the contribution made by line managers and leaders in terms of employee development: A study on
ASDA
Introduction:
Employee development is one of the essential aspects in the company and in such development that line managers and leaders
are known to play a main role in the process of employee development (Cowan, Clayton and Bochantin, 2021). ASDA is the
chosen company for the study which is the leading British supermarket chains and it is headquartered in the Leeds England. The
chosen company was founded in the year of 1949 & it has wide range of products further; it is known for its amazing marketing
strategies which focuses on presenting the best services to the customers. Line managers constantly communicate with their
team and play a critical role in the development of employees. They have a reputation for leading the varied workforce to greater
levels of output. Employee development is regarded as one of the essential components that equips workers to handle
unforeseen scenarios. Line managers are viewed as an essential component of the business by the corporation because they
frequently engage with the workers. As a result, having a line manager within the organisation is essential to promoting increased

employee involvement. The main duty is to manage the staff and plan the daily activities of the teams.
Question
 What is the role of line manager and leaders in employee development of ASDA?
 What is the impact of effective role execution by line managers and leaders in talent management?
 What are the challenges faced by line managers and leaders during implication of talent management practices?
Aim
To investigate the contribution made by line managers and leaders in terms of employee development: A study on
ASDA
Objectives
 To identify the role of line manager and leaders in employee development of ASDA
 To determine the impact of effective role execution by line managers and leaders in talent management
 To analyse the challenges faced by line managers and leaders during implication of talent management
practices
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying,
personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic
is important):
Finding out in-depth information on the role of line managers and leaders in employee development is the key
motivation for the research (Eschenfelder and Coleman, 2021). The knowledge gained through this study will be accurate
and in-depth regarding the subject of choice. It will enable the acquisition of better and sufficient knowledge that can be
applied moving forward. The study will describe the effects of line managers and leaders effectively carrying out their

roles in talent management. Since line managers are crucial for managing and supervising staff in order to achieve
organisational objectives. This study will also detail the difficulties leaders and line managers encounter when
implementing talent management procedures. The line managers of the corporation are in charge of putting the various
resources and organisational policies into practise. Additionally, they select the most qualified workers for the position
and provide them with the necessary training. In relation to the current topic, the research will be very interesting to me
because it will help me develop both important professional and personal perspectives. In terms of my own perspective,
this research will enable me to advance my academic understanding of the selected subject. In addition, I will learn
about several methods that can be employed to finish the study properly in the future. Additionally, this would help me
develop a variety of skills, including those related to problem-solving, communication, time management, analysis, and
research. All of my abilities will help me complete the exam efficiently. In contrast, from a professional perspective, the
study would help me fully develop both my personal and cooperative careers. Therefore, the current study is very
important to the accomplishment of my two goals.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Identify the role of line manager and leaders in employee development of ASDA
According to Saks, (2022), the term line managers are known to play an essential role in the process of the employee
development and such managers also involved with the employees regularly. They are known to manage the various
employees in order to improve their level of performance. It can be said that employee development is one of the
essential factors which allows the employees to tackle the unforeseen circumstances. As the line managers are
connected with the employees on daily basis and the company considers them as essential part of the company. That is
why it is required to have the line manager in the company so that employees will also contribute more into the
company. The main duty is to manage the employees and manage the daily tasks of the teams in order to attain the
targets of the company (Russell and et.al., 2018). Moreover, there are various duties of the line manager that isGuiding
employees through disciplinaries, managing team, leading the meeting of the team, training the staffs and many others.
There are various skills which are required to be a line manager such as they must have good communication, able to
inspire, motivate and have great sense of evaluation.

To determine the impact of effective role execution by line managers and leaders in talent management
As said by Maamari and Saheb (2018), the company’s focus is on improving the employee engagement programs in
order to elevate the level of involvement in the activities of the company. It is also significant to treat the employees
better and take care of their overall development. They must provide deserving and right reward for the right employee
by measuring their efforts and performance towards the organization. It is also must to recruit the suitable and right
employees for the job position at the right time with right number of skills and experiences for the hiring process in the
company. Additionally, it is also crucial to make the boarding experience better for the new employees in the company
so that the employees feel more connected with the company. It is also important to provide the opportunities for both
personal as well as the professional development of the employees while improving the positive culture at the
workplace which will be required by the staff. It is dynamic and vital to suggest the incentives and also be able to retain
the skilled and old employees of the company. That can be done by preventing the level of stress and increasing the
focus on the employee wellness (Stone, Cox and Gavin, 2020).
To analyse the challenges faced by line managers and leaders during implication of talent management practices
As stated by Tuan, L.T., (2018), there are various issues which are faced by the company in relation to line managers
and leaders during implication of talent management practices. Such as they are not able to manage the people while
displaying their authority and the relationship also got affected due to this. That is why the line managers must learn to
be the leaders first and another main issue is to communicate well as all the employee communicate differently. The line
managers must have the best communication and presentation skills in order to keep the things coordinated. When many
people work in the company then there are chances of various conflicts that is why it is not easy to manage. Moreover, it
is not easy to retain the employees in today’s time (Weber and Avey, 2019). That it is advised to keep the employees in a
good manner by giving the desired appreciation.
Section Four: Activities and timescales

Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical
analysis, tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the
report):
How
long
this
will
take:

Milestone one: ___Literature Review _________
Target date (set by tutor): _____18-11-2021_______________
Milestone two: ______Research Methodology _____________________
Target date (set by tutor): _____1-12-2021_________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why?
What your areas of research will cover:
The third chapter of the research, titled "Research Methodology," assists the researcher in gathering
and analysing data. The investigator learns about the philosophies, approaches, and choices made in
order to obtain information in a methodical manner through this part. This section assists the
investigator in correctly achieving their goals and objectives. The reader can also learn about the
entire research's validity and dependability from this section. Following is a discussion of the subparts
of research methodology-
Research philosophy- Positive and interpretivist research philosophies are the two main
categories. The positivist philosophy will be used in the current study. Along with it, it can be
said that the main benefit of this is that quantitative data will be collected easily and in that
too in more valuable manner. That is why it will support in demonstrating the topic's
generalised current trend and pattern.
Research strategy- There are various methods which are used, including interviewing,
surveying, archival research, action research, grounded theory, and more. The survey for the

present study will be chosen by the researcher. The primary benefit of the survey technique is
that it makes data collection easier by connecting with data sources.
Research choice- The two types of research methodology are quantitative methodology and
qualitative approach. The researcher opts for a quantitative strategy because it makes it easier to
collect numerical data for the subsequent examination. One benefit of using this methodology is that
reliable, repeatable data on the study problem can be obtained.
Data collection- The two methods of getting data are primary data collection and secondary
data collection. As the sources help in permitting the direct collection of information from
various respondents as well as information from other sources such as books, journals, and a
wide range of other sources, the researcher picked both of the data collection strategies. Both
the ways are considered in the study.
Data analysis- Numerous methods of data analysis exist, including thematic, frequency
distribution, and many others. The frequency distribution was used by the researcher to
measure and evaluate the numerical data and information for the investigation. The capability
of displaying unstructured data is one benefit of applying this data analysis.
Sampling- Sampling is a technique for collecting information from a big group of chosen
individuals. Probability sampling and non-probability sampling are the two categories of
sampling procedures. It tells of the procedures used to choose the sample from which the
required data must be collected. In research methodology, samples are taken from the
complete population. Because probability sampling allows for the collection of samples from
an equal number of managers, it is used in the research that follows. In relation to this study,
twenty managers will be chosen as respondents in order to gather information.

Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another
qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________

Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Cowan, R.L., Clayton, E. and Bochantin, J., 2021. Human resources as an important actor in workplace bullying situations: Where we have been and where
we should go. Pathways of Job-related Negative Behaviour, pp.477-494.
Eschenfelder, C.C. and Coleman, K., 2021. The producer as a leader, manager, and coach. In A Complete Guide to Television, Field and Digital Producing (pp.
55-59). Routledge.
Russell, Z.A., Steffensen, D.S., Ellen III, B.P., Zhang, L., Bishoff, J.D. and Ferris, G.R., 2018. High performance work practice implementation and employee
impressions of line manager leadership. Human Resource Management Review, 28(3), pp.258-270.
Stone, R.J., Cox, A. and Gavin, M., 2020. Human resource management. John Wiley & Sons.
Weber, T.J. and Avey, J.B., 2019. Speaking up when values are aligned: Manager value congruence and the mediating role of employee voice. Baltic Journal
of Management, 14(4), pp.578-596.

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected form
human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit tutor. Please
complete this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary

Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) : Secondary research
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: 18>
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Email, Text
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through the use of questionnaire, all information about the research will be provided to the
participants
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to participants

that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
By providing accurate information to the participants, researcher can easily consent from the
participants.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not wish to
answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to be
observed. Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary of your
findings in general) Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security

Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research: Researcher
Where will the data be stored?
In mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research: Researcher
Where will the data be stored?
In mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops

How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
May be 6 months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please outline
how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your research.
Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the
following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes
No

I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that may arise in
the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to your supervisor only