The Role of Line Managers and Leaders in Employee Development in ASOS Plc

This research aims to determine the duties played by line managers and leaders for talent evolution and retention within a workplace. A study on ASOS Plc. Research objectives include examining the different duties executed by leaders and line managers in the workplace of ASOS Plc, investigating the roles and responsibilities played by leaders and managers of ASOS Plc in terms of employee development and retention, and discerning the importance of developing and retaining employees within ASOS Plc.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name:
Centre Name:
Tutor:
Unit:
Student ID:
Date:
Proposed Title: The role played by line managers and leaders in employee improvement in ASOS plc
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Research aim:
Main aim of this research is “ To determine the duties played by line manager and leaders for talent
evolution and retention within a workplace. A study on ASOS Plc.
Research objectives:
 To examine the different duties executed by leaders and line managers in the workplace of
ASOS Plc
 To investigate the roles and responsibilities played by leaders and managers of ASOS Plc
in terms of employee development and retention
 To discern the importance of developing and retaining employees within ASOS Plc
Research Questions
 What are the different roles executed by leaders and line managers in the workplace of
ASOS Plc ?
 What are the duties and responsibilities played by leaders and managers of ASOS Plc in
terms of employee evolution and retention?
 What is the importance of developing and retaining employees within ASOS 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):
The major reason for executing the current investigation is to identify duties and responsibilities
executed by line managers and leaders in retaining and developing employees (Van Waeyenberg and
Decramer, 2018) . The current research is significant for ASOS Plc so that to analyse the importance of
their line managers and leaders. The investigation is linked with dual orientation of the researcher such as
personal perspective and professional perspective. In the status of personal perspective the current
research will evolve significant skills within researcher such as problem solving skills, communication
skills and many others. Whereas in terms of vocational position the research would provide help to the
researcher in order to manage future researches in more suitable manner.

Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
What are the different duties executed by leaders and line managers in the workplace of ASOS Plc ?
According to Hagerman and et. al., (2019), there are different roles which are played by line managers and
leaders of the organisation and some of them are elaborated as under:
 Recruitment and selection: This is the significant role which is played by line managers and leaders of
ASOS Plc (Mansaray, 2019). This is the major role of line managers and leaders that to manage a process
which is related with selecting and recruiting best people at the workplace.
 Motivating employees: The another role of line managers and leaders is to motivate employees by
giving them monetary and non-monetary benefits. This will lead the employees to manage their
organization working in most effective manner.
 Communicating with employees: The another role of leader is to communicate with employees so that
all the role and responsibilities within employees can be understood without facing any confusion
(Wilton, 2016). With the help of effective communication all the employee grievances can be addressed
and at the same time employee retention can be enhanced.
What are the duties and responsibilities played by leaders and managers of ASOS Plc in terms of employee
development and retention?
According to De Menezes and Kelliher, (2017), there are different strategies which are used by the system in
order to manage the business functions. These are the strategies which are related executing roles and
responsibilities of line managers and leaders of the organisation. Some of the roles and responsibilities are
elaborated as under:
 Open communication: Open communication is the major strategy which is related with sharing of
thought in easy manner so that need of employees can be understood in easy manner and can be catered
as well.
 Providing effective mentors: The other strategy is related with providing effective mentor-ship to
employees so that support can be granted to employees and at the identical time objectives of the
organisation can be attained (Little, Gooty and Williams, 2016).
 Control business activities: The another duty of leaders and managers within ASOS is to control
business activities in such a manner that all the skills and proficiency of employees can be used in terms
of managing the business in appropriate manner (Engle and et. al., 2017).
What is the importance of developing and retaining employees within ASOS Plc?
According to Obembe, Al Mansour and Kolade, (2020), within an organisation this is significant that to develop
and retain employees so that business performance can be improved so that to attain business objectives in
appropriate manner. There are different ways that can be used by the organisation in order to develop and retain
employees so that their skills and capabilities of employees can be enhanced. With the help of developing

employees their skills can be sharpened and the same can be used in attaining business objectives (Rodriguez
and Walters, 2017). On the other hand employee retention is related with managing cost of the organisation in
recruitment so that profitability can be earned and at the same time overall benefit can be provided.
The another importance of retaining employees and developing them is to minimise productivity loss as in the
context of ASOS which is managing their business in retail industry this would be advantageous that to retain
their employees and use their skill and talent in attaining business objectives in easy manner (Naim and Lenka,
2018).
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Gantt Chart is considered as the tool which is used by the researcher in terms of completing all the activities
within research in appropriate manner. The chart contains starting and ending point for each activity so that
overall efficiency can be attained.

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 Approach: Research approach is of two types such as inductive and deductive. For the existing
research, the researcher will choose deductive approach so that to analyse the whole collected information in
numerical manner along with consuming least time (Basias and Pollalis 2018). This research approach assists the
researcher in analysing numerical piece of information within shorter span of time.
Research Philosophy: Research philosophy is referred as the methodology which is related with gaining such
beliefs and values within research so that data can be measured in appropriate manner (Kothari, 2019). There are
two types of research philosophies such as interpretivism and positivism. In the current research, positivism
research philosophy will be used so that numerical information can be examined in short period of time.
Research Strategy: Research strategy is categorised into assorted forms such as grounded theory, action
research, archival research, survey, systematic literature review etc (Fryer, Larson-Hall and Stewart, 2018). In
the current research, survey research strategy will be utilised so that primary information can be collected within
short period of time.
Research Choice: Research choice is divided into two types such as quantitative and qualitative. In the current
research, quantitative research choice will be selected so that to gather numerical information and to take out the
results in statistical manner. Using quantitative research choice this will be easier for the researcher that to
include respnse from respondents so that accurate results can be taken out
Data Collection: Data collection is outlined as the methods which are associated with strategies adopted by the
researcher to collect data aligned with research objectives. There are two forms of data collection such as
primary and secondary (Ong and Puteh, 2017). In the current research, both primary and secondary methods of
data collection will be used so that suitable information can be taken out related with the research. In the matter
of primary data accumulation method questionnaire will be used whereas in terms of secondary data collection
methods books and piece of writing will be used.
Sampling: There are two types of sampling methods such as probabilistic sampling and non-probabilistic
sampling (Mishra and Alok, 2017).. Under the latest research, probabilistic sampling will be used so that to
select respondents on random basis. In the latest, 30 participants are taken which are leaders and manages of
ASOS Plc.

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 Journals
Basias, N. and Pollalis, Y., 2018. Quantitative and qualitative research in business & technology: Justifying a
suitable research methodology. Review of Integrative Business and Economics Research, 7, pp.91-105.
De Menezes, L.M. and Kelliher, C., 2017. Flexible working, individual performance, and employee attitudes:
Comparing formal and informal arrangements. Human Resource Management, 56(6), pp.1051-1070.
Engle and et. al., 2017. What roles do middle managers play in implementation of innovative practices?. Health
care management review, 42(1), p.14.
Fryer, L.K., Larson-Hall, J. and Stewart, J., 2018. Quantitative methodology. In The Palgrave handbook of
applied linguistics research methodology (pp. 55-77). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Hagerman, H., Engström, M., Wadensten, B. and Skytt, B., 2019. How do first‐line managers in elderly care
experience their work situation from a structural and psychological empowerment perspective? An
interview study. Journal of nursing management, 27(6), pp.1208-1215.
Kothari, C.R., 2019. Research methodology: Method and techniques.
Little, L.M., Gooty, J. and Williams, M., 2016. The role of leader emotion management in leader–member
exchange and follower outcomes. The Leadership Quarterly, 27(1), pp.85-97.
Mansaray, H.E., 2019. The role of leadership style in organisational change management: A Literature
Review. Journal of Human Resource Management, 7(1), pp.18-31.
Mishra, S.B. and Alok, S., 2017. Handbook of research methodology. Dimensions Of Critical Care Nursing, 9(1),
p.60.
Naim, M.F. and Lenka, U., 2018. Development and retention of Generation Y employees: a conceptual
framework. Employee relations.
Obembe, D., Al Mansour, J. and Kolade, O., 2020. Strategy communication and transition dynamics amongst
managers: a public sector organization perspective. Management Decision.
Ong, M.H.A. and Puteh, F., 2017. Quantitative data analysis: Choosing between SPSS, PLS, and AMOS in social
science research. International Interdisciplinary Journal of Scientific Research, 3(1), pp.14-25.
Rodriguez, J. and Walters, K., 2017. The importance of training and development in employee performance and
evaluation. World Wide Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 3(10), pp.206-212.
Van Waeyenberg, T. and Decramer, A., 2018. Line managers’ AMO to manage employees’ performance: the
route to effective and satisfying performance management. The International Journal of Human
Resource Management, 29(22), pp.3093-3114.
Wilton, N., 2016. An introduction to human resource management. Sage.
(Wilton, 2016)(Mansaray, 2019)(Little, Gooty and Williams, 2016)(Engle and et. al., 2017)(Rodriguez and
Walters, 2017)(Naim and Lenka, 2018)

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
ASOS plc
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) :

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:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?

Participants will be chosen by probability sampling. 30 employers of ASOS will be recruited from
probability sampling.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
By adopting written and oral communication methods, researcher could easily inform all
information about the research to their respondents.
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 giving valid information to the research respondents, investigator can easily obtain consent
from participants. This will be in form of written.
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?
Researcher

During the research: Researcher
Where will the data be stored?
In 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 USB storage and laptops
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
May be 6 months in computer
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 your supervisor and also attach to the Research Proposal
when submitting to Turnitin.