The Role of Line Managers and Leaders in Employee Development in Boohoo Group plc

This research proposal aims to identify the roles of line managers and leaders in talent development and retention within Boohoo Group plc, and determine the benefits of talent development and retention for the company. The research objectives include identifying the roles of leaders and line managers within Boohoo, discerning their contribution in talent development and retention, and determining the benefits of talent development and retention for Boohoo. The methodology involves a deductive approach, quantitative research philosophy, descriptive research design, probability sampling method, and frequency distribution analysis. The research will take 11 weeks to complete.

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:
The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Boohoo Group plc
Question
Q1 What are the roles played by leaders and line managers in development and retaining employees at
workplace of Boohoo Group plc?
Objectives
 To identify to the roles of leaders and line managers within Boohoo
 To discern the contribution of line managers and leaders in talent development and retention
 To determine the benefits of talent development and retention for Boohoo

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?)
Q1 What are the roles played by leaders and line managers in development and retaining employees at
workplace of Boohoo Group plc? This is the question that I want to answer within this research.
I want to learn about the contributions of line managers and leaders in talent development and retention within
a workplace of an organisation.
There are various objectives that I want to find out within this research. These are;
 To identify to the roles of leaders and line managers within Boohoo
 To discern the contribution of line managers and leaders in talent development and retention
 To determine the benefits of talent development and retention for Boohoo
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 various reasons behind the selection of this research or topic is to determine the contribution of line
managers and leaders in talent development and retention. This research is essential for several stakeholders
that are investigator, students and Boohoo. For researcher, this research helps in enhancing their different types
of research skills such as data collection, time management etc. For students, this research facilitates them by
improving their knowledge regarding the benefits of talent development and retention within a workplace. For
Boohoo, this research assists them by enhancing their understanding regarding effectiveness of talent
management in their business performance.

Section Three: Literature sources searched
Theme 1: The roles of leaders and line managers within Boohoo
According to the Elvestuen and Valaker (2021), there are certain roles played by line managers and leaders
within a workplace of Boohoo. Some effective roles are mentioned as below in context to Boohoo;
Communicating accurate information: This is a main role of line manager to communicate accurate
information about the business objective, mission, value and vision. This helped in increasing employee
involvement in business activity that turn to impact in improvement of business performance.
Effective time management: This is an essential role played leader to manage time effectively (Jayathilake and
et. al., 2021). This is an important for leader to manage time of employee working because it helps them in
completing their all activities effectively.
On the other hand, Liu and et. al., (2021), there are also different roles played by line managers and leaders at workplace pf Boohoo. These
roles are managing employees, overseeing budget line, coaching and mentoring etc. These are main roles that helps in development and
retention of talented employees at workplace for longer time period.
Theme 2: The contribution of line managers and leaders in talent development and retention
As per the opinion of Li Qi and Jia Qi (2021), line manager and leaders are important part within an organisation
because they contribute their full efforts in talent development and retention. Some contributions are explained
as below;
Training and development: This is essential for the line manager to provide training to their employees about
business practices and functions. This will help in development of employees at workplace that turn to facilitate
in improving business performance and profitability (Buhusayen, Seet and Coetzer, 2021).
Relationship management: This is significant for the leader to maintain a positive and friendly workplace

where each and every worker are free to express their opinion, takes part in business decision making process,
encourage employees to attain business goals and objectives etc.
On the other hand, Taamneh and et. al., (2021), leaders and line manages have different responsibilities in talent
development and retention. Line managers and leaders provide guidance and coaching as well as lead their
team members to work with each other. These are main contribution that turn to impact in development and
retention of talented employees for longer time period.
Theme 3: The benefits of talent development and retention for Boohoo
According to the HAUER, QUAN and LIANG (2021), talent retention and development within a workplace is
important for Boohoo because it helps them in enhancing business performance. There are several benefits that
are described as below;
Better decision making: It is important for the Boohoo to develop and retain talent at workplace because they
help them in making better decision in any situation. It leads to enhanced participative decision making process
by the management that turn to impact on business performance.
Succeed over competitors: Talent development and retention within a working environment is essential for
Boohoo in attaining competitive advantages (Allen, Rivkin and Trimble, 2021). It helps the Boohoo to succeed
over its competitors as well as develop a strong presence within the market.
On the other side, Khoreva and Vaiman (2021), there are also different advantages of employees’ development
and retention within a workplace of an organisation. These advantages are accomplishment of vision, retaining
finest talent, builds up company’s reputation, efficient and effective performance etc.
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): _____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:
Research Philosophy: This is the process of gathering and evaluating data regarding the topic. There are two
types of research philosophies that are positivism and interpretivisim. Both types of research philosophies are
effective but in accordance to the current study, positivism will be a selected philosophy as it helps in
quantitative data collection, evaluation and usage (Nayak, and Singh, 2021). As compared to interpretivisim
philosophy, positivism is time and cost effective.
Research Approach: This is the effective procedure of analysing collected data through effective type of
research approach. There are two approaches of the research that are inductive and deductive. These are
essential approaches but for evaluating quantitative information regarding the roles played by leaders and line
managers in development and retaining employees at workplace, deductive approach will be applied by
researcher (Berson, Edmundo De Souza and Muntz, 2021). As compared to the inductive approach, deductive is
more valuable and useful within present investigation because it not requires maximum time.
Research Design: This introduces to the process of gathering, analysing and using data about the research
topic. There are three types of research designs such as exploratory, descriptive and experimental. All these are

essential types of research philosophies but descriptive is a selected design within current investigation. Main
reason behind the using descriptive research design is it facilitate in gathering, analysing and using quantitative
data.
Research Methodology: There are two types of research methodologies that are qualitative and quantitative.
Both types of methodologies are effective in their way but for executing current research, quantitative will be a
selected methodology because it assists in gathering numerical information within less time and cost (Borsboom
and et. al., 2021).
Sampling Method: Probability and non-probability are two techniques of sample selection. Both methods of
sampling are essential but for carrying out present investigation, probability will be a selected method. As it
facilitates in selection of larger base of sample without taking maximum time (Samijonovich and et. al., 2021).
Non-probability is another technique of sampling that is also have various advantages such as higher level of
reliability of research findings, the possibility to make inference regarding the population etc. Therefore, both
techniques of sampling are effective but probability will be a selected technique.
Sampling size: 40 employees of Boohoo Group plc are selected randomly under probability sampling. Main
reason regarding the selection of 40 employees is they have accurate knowledge about the business.
Data analysis: Frequency distribution analysis will be used for evaluating quantitative information. This is an
analytical technique that facilitate in analysing numerical information easily and within less time period (Barykin
and et. al., 2021).
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
Allen, J., Rivkin, I.D. and Trimble, J.E., 2021. Relational methodology. Cultural methods in psychology: Describing and transforming cultures,
pp.174-207.
Barykin, S.Y. and et. al., 2021. A methodology of bringing perspective innovation products to market. Academy of Strategic Management
Journal, 20, pp.1-19.
Berson, S., Edmundo De Souza, E.S. and Muntz, R.R., 2021. A methodology for the specification and generation of markov models.
In Numerical Solution of Markov Chains (pp. 11-36). CRC Press.
Borsboom, D. and et. al., 2021. Theory construction methodology: A practical framework for building theories in psychology. Perspectives on
Psychological Science, p.1745691620969647.
Buhusayen, B., Seet, P.S. and Coetzer, A., 2021. Front-Line Management during Radical Organisational Change: Social Exchange and Paradox
Interpretations. Sustainability, 13(2), p.893.
Elvestuen, G. and Valaker, S., 2021. Who is an Inclusive Leader?–The Relationship between Line Managers’ Experiences and Traits, and
Employees’ Perceived Inclusion. International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research, 9(3), pp.28-41.
Hassan, M.M. and et. al., 2021. Retention Approaches of Millennial at Private Sector: Mediating Role of Job Embeddedness. Global Business
Review, p.0972150920932288.
HAUER, G., QUAN, T.A.J. and LIANG, Y.K., 2021. Leadership as an influencing factor in employee retention–a case study analysis in East
Asian multinational corporations in the digital age. Romanian Journal of Information Technology and Automatic Control, 31(1), pp.89-
100.
Jayathilake, H.D. and et. al., 2021. Employee development and retention of Generation-Z employees in the post-COVID-19 workplace: a
conceptual framework. Benchmarking: An International Journal.

Khoreva, V. and Vaiman, V., 2021. Talent management: decision making in the global context. In The Routledge Companion to Talent
Management (pp. 81-93). Routledge.
Li Qi, V. and Jia Qi, C., 2021. Talent Management Practices and Employee Engagement-A Study in Malaysian GLCs.
Liu, Y. and et. al., 2021. Talent management and the HR function in cross-cultural mergers and acquisitions: The role and impact of bi-cultural
identity. Human Resource Management Review, 31(3), p.100744.
Nayak, J.K. and Singh, P., 2021. Fundamentals of Research Methodology Problems and Prospects. SSDN Publishers & Distributors.
Samijonovich, T. S. and et. al., 2021. Improving Methodology Of Action Games In Training Athletes Of Different Ages. European Journal of
Molecular & Clinical Medicine, 8(1), pp.806-813.
Taamneh, A. M. and et. al., 2021. Talent management and academic context: a comparative study of public and private universities. EuroMed
Journal of Business.

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 Boohoo Group plc
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date: 09-11-2021
Intended research end date: 22-02-2022
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: