Role of Line Managers and Leaders in Employee Development: A Study on ASDA

This research study analyzes the role of line managers and leaders in employee development within ASDA. It identifies the challenges faced by them and recommends strategies to overcome them. The study aims to understand the concept of employee development, identify challenges faced by line managers and leaders, and recommend necessary strategies to deal with them. The research methodology includes deductive approach, survey strategy, quantitative methodology, questionnaire as research tool, and probability sampling. The population for the study is working professionals.

Research

Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction.................................................................................................. 3
Overview of study:........................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Research Aim and Rationale....................................................................................... 3
1.2 Research Questions.................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Research Objectives................................................................................................. 4
1.4 Significance of research............................................................................................. 4
Chapter Two : Literature Review......................................................................................... 4
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review................................................................................. 4
2.2 Main Body............................................................................................................. 5
Concept of employ development within organization...........................................................5
Challenges faced by line managers and leaders of ASDA while ensuring development of employees
at workplace............................................................................................................ 5
Strategies to deal with the challenges faced by line managers and leaders of ASDA during employee
development............................................................................................................. 6
2.3 Conclusion of Literature Review.................................................................................. 7
Chapter 3: Research Methodology........................................................................................ 7
3.1 Research Approach:.................................................................................................. 7
3.2 Research Strategy:.................................................................................................... 7
3.3 Research Methodology.............................................................................................. 8
3.4 Research Tools:....................................................................................................... 8
3.5 Sampling:.............................................................................................................. 8
3.5.1 Identifying Population and Research Site:.................................................................8
3.5.2 Sampling Strategy............................................................................................... 9
Chapter 4: Findings.......................................................................................................... 9
Chapter 5: Discussion..................................................................................................... 18
Chapter Six : Conclusion and Recommendations and implication of further research.......................20
Conclusion................................................................................................................ 20
Recommendations....................................................................................................... 21
Reflection:................................................................................................................ 21
Implications for further research:....................................................................................22
References................................................................................................................... 23

Chapter One: Introduction
Overview of study:
Line managers and leaders are the important part of the company as they play a crucial
role in managing the entire workforce significantly. The main aim of the managers and leaders is
to run the functions of business entity in a systematic manner so that the company can grow in
the future period of time. In this regard, managers are likely to plan, organize, direct as well as
control the activities of human resources. On other side, leaders perform the role of leading,
motivating, guiding and directing the workforce efficiently (Armstrong and Taylor, 2020). In
present study, ASDA has been chosen as an organization. It is a large multinational supermarket
chain that has presence across the globe. It was founded in the year of 1949 by Noel Stockdale
and J. W. Hindell. The company offers varieties of merchandise such as clothes, groceries,
mobile phones, accessories and more. The report will analyze role of line manager & leaders in
development of employees within the company. Further, it will also evaluate the challenges
faced by the line managers and leaders during employee development along with the suitable
ways to overcome from those challenges significantly.
1.1 Research Aim and Rationale
Research Aim: “To analyze the role line managers and leaders play in development of
employees within organization”. A study on ASDA
Research Rationale:
The main aim of conducting present research is to analyze the role of line managers &
leaders in terms of development of employees within the organization. The respective research
study will also help in identifying challenges that are faced by the company during employee
development. Along with this, it will make the researcher enable to provide valuable suggestions
for the enhancement of the company. In terms of personal context, the research project will also
help in developing skills such as communication, presentation, data analysis, research and more
to contribute in career success in future.

1.2 Research Questions
 What is the concept of employ development within organization?
 What are the challenges faced by line managers and leaders of ASDA while ensuring
development of employees at workplace?
 What are necessary strategies to deal with the challenges faced by line managers and
leaders of ASDA during employee development.
1.3 Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of employ development within organization.
 To identify the challenges faced by line managers and leaders of ASDA while ensuring
development of employees at workplace.
 To recommend necessary strategies to deal with the challenges faced by line managers
and leaders of ASDA during employee development.
1.4 Significance of research
The present research project is beneficial in terms of assessing the role line managers and
leaders play in development of workforce. This research will develop knowledge regarding the
significant of line managers & leaders within the company. By conducting the present project,
researcher can easily identify the challenges faced by line managers & leaders during employee
development. Additionally, the project is also suitable in terms of identifying recommending
ways to deal with the challenges of employee development. Therefore, the research project is
highly significant in the present scenario.
Chapter Two : Literature Review:
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review
Literature review is the significant part of the overall research which is based on the past analysis
of researchers. Basically, it includes the data & information that has been gathered by the
investigator through different mediums like websites, journals, publications, books and more.
Main aim of LR is to develop significant knowledge base regarding a specific topic so that
research can get depth knowledge of the subject. The present project will cover information

regarding the role, challenges faced by line managers and leaders during development of
employees.
2.2 Main Body
Concept of employ development within organization
According to Simon, (2022), employee development refers to a structured approach so
that the overall productivity and efficiency of employees can be improved. It is useful in
enhancing the motivation level of workforce so that they perform assigned duties willingly.
Here, managers are likely to provide opportunities to individuals to learn new skills, gain
knowledge and experience in order to grow in future career. The programs of employee
development are structured and implemented through HR department of the company. In this
regard, employee development programs are long-term initiatives that focuses on developing
skills among employees in significant manner. For this purpose, program such as classroom
training or e-learning courses can be arranged (Bhat and Bharel, 2018). However, informal
learning’s are also helpful in ensuring development of employees significantly. Employee
development not only improves the key skills of individuals but also allows the company to
retain their best workers for longer duration. Through employee development, it is possible to
make them more productive & efficient so that they can significantly contribute in the overall
production of the organization in profound manner. Further, employee development also engage
the workforce in organizational activities so that they can contribute towards the future growth of
the entity. Developed employees contribute towards the success of the organization and also help
in maintaining competitive advantage in market place. It is analyzed that employee development
is useful for workers to grow in their career and also prepares them for future success.
Challenges faced by line managers and leaders of ASDA while ensuring development of
employees at workplace
According to Tran, (2018), Line managers are responsible to maintain regular interaction
with the employees. They circulate necessary information to the workers so that they can
perform their duties appropriately. They prepare report of performance of the employees so that
further improvements can be done. Additionally, they also act as coach or mentor for the
workforce. Therefore line managers are likely to contribute in development of employees in

direct manner. Here, leaders are also considered as a key-person of the company. They lead,
guide, motivate as well as direct the employees. Leaders provide significant guidance to
workforce so that they can further contribute in development of workers significantly (Pandita
and Ray, 2018). In context of ASDA, leaders and line managers are likely to face numerous
challenges during employee development. The first and foremost challenge is related with busy
schedule of employees. It is really exhausting for them to manage balance between personal &
professional life. While it comes to learn, they have excuse that they are busy hence cannot
participate in learning programs. In this situation, line managers and leaders face challenges in
terms of agreeing the workers to attend training & learning programs willingly. The other major
challenge of employee’s development in ASDA is less engagement of workers. It is monitored
that individuals are likely to show less engagement in training and development programs that
further creates issues in effective development of workers. Sometimes, line managers & leaders
of the respective company also found issues in terms of lack of interest of workers in training
programs. In this situation, the entity can use other methods such as coaching, mentoring, e-
learning and more. Hence, the line managers & leaders of respective business entity faces ample
of complexities while ensuring employee development.
Strategies to deal with the challenges faced by line managers and leaders of ASDA during
employee development
According to Conrad (2022), there are ample of strategies followed by the line managers
and leaders so that they can deal with different issues occur during the employee development.
For this purpose, they maintain proper and effective communication with the staff members. It
helps them in disseminating information within the organization so that positive environment can
be maintained significantly. Apart from this, they also motivate workers by elaborating them the
benefits of development. They also use different monetary and non-monetary ways to keep the
employees motivated in an efficient manner (Ahn, Lee and Yun, 2018). It is analyzed that
motivated individuals are likely to perform their duties willingly that ensures the growth of the
company in future. In this regard, line managers and employees of ASDA, they also conduct skill
gap analysis to find out actual area of improvement. This helps them in improving skills set of
workers so that they can easily get better job opportunities to grow in future career. Further, they
also use appropriate tool of corporate training such as coaching, mentoring and more. These
learning programs are important to enhance the overall knowledge of the workers. In addition to

this, it also makes the individuals enable to perform their duties in the best possible manner so
that they can grow in future career.
2.3 Conclusion of Literature Review
From the above-mentioned, information, it can be concluded that employee development is a
crucial aspect of business as it ensures the growth of workers in significant manner. eir duties in
the best possible manner. In terms of challenges of employee development, it is analyzed that
line managers and leaders face ample of challenges during employee development. These
challenges are related to lack of communication, busy schedule, lack of engagement and more. It
is possible to overcome from such challenges by adopting suitable training & development
programs, motivating workers so that they can easily perform their duties in profound manner.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
Research methodology is considered as the crucial part of the overall project as it makes the
research enable to collect, analyze and interpret the data efficiently. In this regard, different
research elements followed by the investigator which is mentioned below:
3.1 Research Approach:
It is one of the significant elements of the overall research methodology. It allows the
research to draw general conclusion which are based on certain specific observations. Inductive
and deductive are the two major research approaches where deductive approach is based on
using quantitative and numeric set of information. On other side. Inductive approach is concern
with the generalization of theories (Phakiti and et. al., 2018). In the present context, selected
approach is deductive that will help in developing significant knowledge base regarding the topic
to reach at meaningful conclusion in future.
3.2 Research Strategy:
In research methodology, research strategy refers to the plans that are prepared for the
purpose of collecting, interpreting and analyzing the data appropriately. There are ample of

research strategies can be used by an investigator. In this regard, the major research strategies are
case study, survey, observation and so on (Coombes and Ryder, 2019). For completion of present
project, there is selection of survey strategy as it is helpful in terms of collecting huge amount of
information within shorter period of time.
3.3 Research Methodology:
Research methodology refers to the steps of completing a project successfully. In this
regard, qualitative and quantitative two major methodologies are followed. Qualitative
methodology is related with collection of in-depth information using different sources such as
case study, group discussion, focus group and more. It helps in developing detailed knowledge
base on a particular aspect. On other side, quantitative methodology is based on use of numerical
data and tools to get authentic and fair results profoundly (Daniel, 2018). There is use of
quantitative methodology as it is based on using numerical data to get appropriate results in the
future period of time.
3.4 Research Tools:
Research tools are considered as an important part of the overall project. The main use of
research tools is collecting data in significant manner. While conducting a research, the
investigator is likely to make appropriate selection regarding the research tools. The major
research tools have been identified as questionnaire, case study, survey and more (Flick, 2020).
Questionnaire has been used in present context where the information will be gathered from the
respondents using questionnaire. This will help in gathering detailed information on specific
topic.
3.5 Sampling:
It is a technique where participants are selected from the entire population. While
selecting the participants, it is important to follow true and fair practices to get authentic results.
Here, sampling makes it easy to study the population significantly. Samples are likely to
represent the entire research population (Rosskam, 2018). In present context, 30 samples have
been identified from the entire population so that the project can be completed successfully.

3.5.1 Identifying Population and Research Site:
In research study, population is the entire group that investigator wishes to draw the conclusion
about. Sample is chosen from the entire population. Sample is less than the entire population of
research. For completing the present research project, investigator has been identified the
working professionals as a population to conduct the research significantly.
3.5.2 Sampling Strategy:
After identifying the population, the researcher needs to select samples out of it. While selecting
samples, it needs to consider that the sample represent the entire population appropriately.
Probability and non-probability are the two major sampling strategies. Out of these two, the
present project work is based on probability sampling. In this context, the investigator has been
made selection of 30 samples using probability sampling. Here, the units selected through
probability sampling are likely to help in getting fair results. The respective sampling technique
is useful for making true & fair selection of the sampling units.
Chapter 4: Findings
Q1). Are you familiar with the basic concept of employee development
within the organization
Frequency
a) Yes 26
b) No 4
Q2). In your opinion, what are the complexities faced by the line
managers and leaders of ASDA while ensuring development of
employees at workplace?
Frequency
a) High resistance 9
b) Diversify background of employees 7
c) Lack of engagement 6
d) All of the above 8

Q3). Does employee development and well-being of the employees of
ASDA will contribute in improving the overall organizational productivity
and efficiency?
a) Yes 24
b) No 2
e) MayBe 4
Q4). As per your opinion, what roles & responsibilities do line managers
and leaders of ASDA play to ensure development of employees within
organization?
Frequency
a) Effective communication 5
b) Motivating the workforce 11
c) Maintaining collaboration among workers 5
d) All of the above 9
Q5). Do you think that effective development of employees within ASDA
will allow the company in terms of maintaining competitive advantage
across retail industry
Frequency
a) Yes 23
b) No 3
c) May be 4
Q6). In your opinion , how employee development affect the growth and
future success of ASDA?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 21
b) Negative impact 4
c) Neutral 5
Q7). As per you, what are the strategies followed by line managers and Frequency

leaders of ASDA to deal with the complexities occur during employee
development?
d) Motivating workforce 9
e) Identifying skill gap 8
f) Using appropriate corporate training tools 6
g) All of the above 7
Q1). Are you familiar with the basic concept of employee development
within the organization
Frequency
c) Yes 26
d) No 4

Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Q2). In your opinion, what are the complexities faced by the line managers
and leaders of ASDA while ensuring development of employees at
workplace?
Frequency
a) High resistance 9
b) Diversify background of employees 7
c) Lack of engagement 6
d) All of the above 8

a) High resistance b) Diversify
background of
employees
c) Lack of
engagement d) All of the above
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Q3). Does employee development and well-being of the employees of
ASDA will contribute in improving the overall organizational productivity
and efficiency?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 2
c) MayBe 4

a) Yes b) No c) MayBe
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Q4). As per your opinion, what roles & responsibilities do line managers
and leaders of ASDA play to ensure development of employees within
organization?
Frequency
a) Effective communication 5
b) Motivating the workforce 11
c) Maintaining collaboration among workers 5
d) All of the above 9

a) Effective
communication b) Motivating the
workforce c) Maintaining
collaboration among
workers
d) All of the above
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Q5). Do you think that effective development of employees within ASDA
will allow the company in terms of maintaining competitive advantage
across retail industry
Frequency
a) Yes 23
b) No 3
c) May be 4

a) Yes b) No c) May be
0
5
10
15
20
25
Q6). In your opinion , how employee development affect the growth and
future success of ASDA?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 21
b) Negative impact 4
c) Neutral 5

a) Positive impact b) Negative impact c) Neutral
0
5
10
15
20
25
Q7). As per you, what are the strategies followed by line managers and
leaders of ASDA to deal with the complexities occur during employee
development?
Frequency
a) Motivating workforce 9
b) Identifying skill gap 8
c) Using appropriate corporate training tools 6
d) All of the above 7

a) Motivating
workforce b) Identifying skill
gap c) Using appropriate
corporate training tools d) All of the above
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Chapter 5: Discussion
Theme 1: Concept of employee development within the organization
Interpretation: It is monitored that 26 respondents out of 30 are familiar with the concept of
employee development within organization whereas there are 4 individuals who do not have
significant knowledge regarding the concept of employee development in organizational context.
Theme 2: Complexities faced by the line managers and leaders of ASDA while ensuring
development of employees at workplace
Interpretation: After interviewing 30 respondents, it is found that 9 participants out of 30
consider high employee resistance as the major complexity of employee development whereas 7
participants consider diversify backgrounds of workers as the major challenge faced by the line
managers and leaders during employee development. As per 6 respondents, lack of engagement
is the major issues of employee development that is faced by the line managers and leaders of
ASDA. Rest, 8 individuals consider that all the above-mentioned challenges are likely to face by
lone managers and leaders of the respective company during employee development.

Theme 3: Role of development and well-being of the employees of ASDA improving the overall
organizational productivity and efficiency
Interpretation: The above dia-gram depicts that 24 respondents out of 30 consider that
employee development and well-being will contribute in their growth in the future period of time
whereas 2 respondents have been shown negative response towards the respective fact. There are
also 4 other individuals who have been demonstrated neutral response regarding the impact of
employee well-being and development on their future growth.
Theme 4: Roles & responsibilities do line managers and leaders of ASDA play to ensure
development of employees within organization
Interpretation: The above dia-gram is based on the roles and responsibilities of line managers
and leaders in employee development within the organization. As per 5 individuals, maintaining
effective communication is the most important role of line managers and leaders in terms of
formulating policies related to employee development whereas 11 respondents consider that
motivating the workforce is the most significant role of line managers & leaders to ensure
employee development. There are other 5 participants who consider maintaining collaboration as
the major role of managers and leaders whereas 9 respondents think that all the above-mentioned
roles and responsibilities are important for line managers and leaders of ASDA to ensure
employee development and well-being.
Theme 5: Role of effective development of employees within ASDA in terms of maintaining
competitive advantage across retail industry
Interpretation: It is analyzed through above chart that as per 23 respondents effective employee
management will allow the company to gain competitive advantage where 3 participants have
been shown negative mind set towards the role of employee development in generating

competitive advantage. Rest, 4 individuals have demonstrated neutral response regarding the role
of employee development in generating competitive advantage.
Theme 6: Effect of employee development on the growth and future success of ASDA
Interpretation: From the interview of 30 respondents, is found that as per 21 respondents
employee development affect the growth of ASDA in positive manner. On other side, there are 4
individuals who consider that employee development put a negative impact on the future growth
and success of the company. Rest, 5 respondents have been demonstrated neutral response
towards the impact of employee development on future growth and success of the company.
Theme7: Strategies followed by line managers and leaders of ASDA to deal with the
complexities occur during employee development
Interpretation: It is monitored through above dia-gram that motivating workforce is the most
significant strategies of employee development as per 9 respondents whereas 8 participants
consider identifying skill gap as the most significant strategy of employee development followed
by ASDA. There are other 6 participants who consider that using corporate training tools is the
most effective strategy of employee development whereas according to the rest 7 participants all
of the above strategies are effective to ensure employee development in longer run.
Chapter Six : Conclusion and Recommendations and implication of further research
Conclusion
Out of the above project report, it can be summarized that the main aim of the managers
and leaders is to run the functions of business entity in a systematic manner so that the company
can grow in the future period of time. It is analyzed that Employee development refers to a
structured approach so that the overall productivity and efficiency of employees can be
improved. Here, managers are likely to provide opportunities to individuals to learn new skills,
gain knowledge and experience in order to grow in future career. Further, leaders and line
managers are likely to face numerous challenges during employee development. It is possible to

overcome from such challenges by adopting suitable training & development programs,
motivating workers so that they can easily perform their duties in profound manner.
Recommendations
 It is suggested that the company needs to facilitate proper communication at workplace.
They need to follow suitable way to communicate information from one person to the
other. This will facilitate the flow of information within the company so that appropriate
decisions can be made. Here, proper communication will also help in dealing with the
conflicts arise at the workplace in order to run the business organization smoothly.
 Motivation is important to develop willingness among the work force for performing
their duties. Also, motivation will encourage the workers to take part in training and
learning activities so that they can enhance their knowledge in significant manner.
 To ensure development of employees, there is requirement to arrange appropriate
corporate training for them. This type of training will help in enhancing the knowledge,
skills and capabilities of workers. Further, it will improve their overall productivity so
that they can perform assigned duties in rightful manner.
Reflection:
While undertaking the current project, I got to know the role and responsibilities of line
managers and leaders within the organization. The report also includes significant information
regarding employee development that will allow me to prepare appropriate strategies to ensure
development and growth of the workers in the future period of time. Additionally, my
communication skills enhanced while working on the current project. This skill will allow me to
interact with other people effectively. By having good communication skills, I am also able to
put a better impression on my seniors so that I will get the opportunities of promotion in future.
Apart from this, I also got knowledge of data analysis and research skills during the project as I
used several tools and methods of data analysis. By having knowledge of data analysis and
research, I can easily access the information profoundly in the future period of time. My
presentation skills also developed during the project work. This skill will allow me to give an

effective presentation in corporate. These skills are effective and will help me to grow & succeed
in career in future period of time.
Implications for further research:
The present study is based on the role of line managers and leaders in development of
employees. With the help of present research project, it is identified that development of
employees is important for future growth of the company. Here, line managers and leaders play
an imperative role in ensuring the success of workers. The outcomes of present research work
will prove beneficial in terms of developing the employees in future period of time. This will
help the investigator to get better results in terms of success of the company.

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