The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Next plc

This research proposal aims to identify the roles of line managers and leaders in the development and retention of talent within Next plc. The research objectives include explaining the roles of leaders and line managers played within a workplace, analyzing the role of line managers and leaders in training, developing and retaining employees, and recommending better employee developmental plans, both personal and professional growth.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: The role of line managers and leaders in employee development
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
Introduction: Talent management is regarded as one of the major aspect of business
strategies which is helpful in retaining talent and developing such measures by which their
skills and capabilities can be used within business functions. For an organisation line
manager and leaders are associated with playing prominent role in which all the business are
able to be executed in appropriate manner (Audenaert and et. al., 2019). This is analysed that
roles of line managers and leaders are effective within the organisation and in this manner
for such development line managers and leaders are closely linked with the organisation.
Title:
The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Next plc
Research Aim
To identify the roles of line managers and leaders in the development and retention of talent
within an organisation. A study on Next plc (Unit 2, Bath Road Shopping Park, 306-320
Bath Rd, Slough SL1 4DX, United Kingdom)
Objectives
 To explain the roles of leaders and line managers played within a workplace.
 To analyse the role of line managers and leaders in training, developing and retaining
employees.
 To recommend better employee developmental plans, both personal and professional
growth.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to
learn how to do? What do you want to find out?)
 What are the contributions of line managers and leaders in the development and
retention of talent within Next plc?

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):
There are different reasons behind choosing of the current research topic as the research is
related with examining the contribution of line managers and leaders in organisational
development. The current research is essential for different stakeholders such as students and
researcher and Next Plc as well. In the context of researcher the current research is going to
develop various skills such as research skills, data collection and many others. In context of
students this research is going to facilitate them in improving their knowledge in respect of
benefits of managing talent development and retaining talent as well. The present
investigation is also important because it will help me in attaining personal and professional
objectives. In respect of personal perspective, I will get a chance of learning behaviour and
personality of line managers and leaders within an organisation. This will increase my
knowledge in different areas and I will also try to acquire their personality so that I can
behave with patience. I will also increase my knowledge with the various kind of research
methods so that I can conduct investigation in a relevant and appropriate manner. In respect
of professional perspective, I will learn about the various strategies used by managers and
leaders. This will be considered by me in future when I will make my professional career.
Therefore, this investigation is very useful for me.
Section Three: Literature sources searched R
Rroles of leaders and line managers played within Next Plc?
According to the perception of Babalola, (2016), there are different roles which are being
played by line manager and leader within Next Plc and these roles are associated with
executing business functions in desired manner. There are various roles which are related
with business functions of the organisation and these are mentioned as below:
Communication of accurate information: This is the major role of line manager that to
communicate significant and accurate information to required individual so that mission,
vision and objectives of the organisation can be attained in effective manner. This is helpful
in increasing involvement of employees so that they can contribute in attaining business
activities and lead into improving business performance as well.
Effective time management: Time management is regarded as the essential role which is
required to be exerted by leaders and managers so that they can provide role as accordance
to the time and at the same time employee may execute the same in effective manner. This is
helpful in managing all such activities within business in appropriate and productive manner.
Decision making: The another role of line manager and leader is to make quick decisions so
that to develop alignment over attaining organisational objectives. A line manager and leader
is associated with including their employees in decision making so that opportunities of
growth can be given to employees.

Level of contribution given by line managers and leaders within developing, training
and retaining talent in Next Plc?
As accordance with the opinion of Pandita and Ray, (2018), line manager and leaders are
contributing to the business in high manner as they are the person those are providing
direction to working employees. The leaders and managers put their efforts in managing the
business and providing required level of direction so that using the same efforts employee
may perform their obligations and manage their workings as well. Managers and leaders use
Maslow's Hierarchy needs theory so that they can determine about the different needs of the
talent in the workplace so that they can retain employees in the organisation. This theory
includes various stages that help in identifying needs of employees such as physiological
needs, safety needs, love & belonging needs, esteem needs and self-actualisation needs.
Some of the contribution which are given by leaders and line managers are demonstrated as
under:
Training and development: Training and development is considered as one of the major
contribution which is given by line manager and leaders to the organisation and in this
manner information regarding various business functions and practices are given to
employees. This would be helping employees to manage their abilities and may facilitate in
improving business performance so that overall profitability can also be developed.
Relationship management: Within an organisation keeping relationship is the essential
aspect and for this leaders and managers are having role to manage the same so that positive
and friendly environment can be created at workplace (Whysall, Owtram and Brittain, 2019).
This is essential for managers and leaders that to manage communication with their
employees so that they feel free to work and provide their abilities to the organisation. This
manner positive atmosphere can be created within the organisation and in the same manner
in making several decisions employees can be added in deliberate manner.
Effective use of resources: Leaders and managers within the organisation are rendering
specific degree of management. Leaders and managers are associated with encouraging
people in such a way that they contribute the business in order to use such valuable resources
in optimal manner so that aim and objectives within the organisation can be attained in
successful manner.
Benefits received by Next Plc using effective talent development practices?
According to Osborne and Hammoud, (2017) talent management is regarded as that specific
aspect of the organisation which is related with managing talent and employees within the
business in such manner that employees can be aligned with business performance and
management as well. This is beneficial for the organisation that to instigate talent
management and its practices so that to develop various business measurements and at the
same time attain prominent benefits as well. Some of the benefits are elaborated as under:
Appropriate decision making: This is essential for Next Plc to increase employee retention

and for this using talent management is associated with involving talented employees in
decision making so that to manage various situation in better manner. This helps the
organisation in developing participative aspects within the management.
Success over competitors: With the help of talent management talented employees can be
retained and this is would be helpful in dealing with different competitors (Khoreva Vaiman
and Van Zalk, 2017). Next Plc has gained success over their competitors using talent
management practices in their business.
Employee development plan for personal and professional growth
On job training: On job training is the measure that can be used by the organisation in order
to provide development opportunities to the employees in terms of personal and professional
growth within employees. This is analysed that skills of employees can be encouraged when
on job trainings are given to them and this will develop job engagement as well.
Conferences: Conferences are the another methods that can be used by the organisation in
order to provide development opportunities to employees on personal and professional scale.
By organising conferences this will be easier that to accumulate employees within the
workplace and this way personal and professional skills can be developed.
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:
11 weeks

Milestone one: ___Literature Review _________
Target date (set by tutor): _____16-02-2022_______________
Milestone two: ______Research Methodology _____________________
Target date (set by tutor): _____25-2-2022_________________
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:
Research Philosophy: This is defined as the process of collecting such information
regarding research topic which is totally aligned with research. There are two types of
research philosophies such as positivism and interpretivism. Both of these research
philosophies are effective in nature and helps the researcher to manage research study as
according to the topic (Babii, 2020). For the current research positivism research philosophy
will be undertaken so that to manage the research quantitative manner and to attain research
objectives. The positivism research philosophy is cost effective and helps in saving time.
Research Approach: This is the process which is related with gathering of significant
information related with research. There are two types of research approaches such as
inductive and deductive. With the help of research approach research can be executed in
aligned manner to the overall research objectives (Sahu and Singh, 2016). In the current
research deductive approach will be applied so that to evaluate quantitative information
related with the research topic which is to examine the role of line manager and leader in
retaining employees. Deductive approach is more valuable and useful in presenting current
research and executing the results in minimal time.
Research Design: This is related with the process of gathering and analysing data related
with research topic. There are three types of research design such as exploratory, descriptive
and experimental (Bairagi and Munot, 2019). For the current research descriptive research
design is selected so that to facilitate the researcher in gathering and analysing information
related with research in quantitative manner.
Research Methodology: There are two types of research methodologies such as quantitative
and qualitative. In the current research, quantitative research methodology will be used so
that to gather information in statistical manner. This research methodology consumers lesser
time and needs lesser cost as well.
Sampling Method: There are two types of sampling methods such as probability and non-
probability. Both the sampling methods are helpful in carrying out the research in
appropriate manner along with developing conclusion as well. For the current research

probability sampling will be used so that to select population out of larger sample within
minimum time (Mishra and Alok, 2017).
Sampling size: For the current research sample size is taken as 40 employees of Next Plc.
Employees are selected for the major reason that they have ample knowledge regarding the
area at which the current research is going to be executed.
Data analysis: Frequency distribution table is undertaken within the current research in
order to evaluate quantitative information within research. This is an analytical method in
which information can be analysed in lesser period of time.
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
Audenaert and et. al., 2019. When employee performance management affects individual
innovation in public organizations: The role of consistency and LMX. The International
Journal of Human Resource Management, 30(5), pp.815-834.
Babalola, S.S., 2016. The effect of leadership style, job satisfaction and employee-supervisor
relationship on job performance and organizational commitment. Journal of Applied
Business Research (JABR), 32(3), pp.935-946.
Babii, A., 2020. Important aspects of the experimental research methodology. Вісник
Тернопільського національного технічного університету, 97(1), pp.77-87.
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
Khoreva, V., Vaiman, V. and Van Zalk, M., 2017. Talent management practice effectiveness:
investigating employee perspective. Employee Relations
Mishra, S.B. and Alok, S., 2017. Handbook of research methodology. Dimensions Of Critical
Care Nursing, 9(1), p.60.
Osborne, S. and Hammoud, M.S., 2017. Effective employee engagement in the
workplace. International Journal of Applied Management and Technology, 16(1), p.4.
Pandita, D. and Ray, S., 2018. Talent management and employee engagement–a meta-analysis of
their impact on talent retention. Industrial and Commercial Training.
Sahu, S.K. and Singh, T.J., 2016. Research methodology: Latest edition. SBPD Publications.
Whysall, Z., Owtram, M. and Brittain, S., 2019. The new talent management challenges of
Industry 4.0. Journal of Management Development.

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: The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Next Plc.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date: 08-02-22
Intended research end date: 07-05-22
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 th
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 a
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 obse
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 f
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 h
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your research. Pl

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, encrypti
 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
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 cou
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to your supervisor only