Impact of Motivational Tools on Employee Performance in Retail Industry

This research proposal aims to identify the impact of motivational tools and techniques on the employees' performance in the retail industry, with a study of Marks and Spencer. It covers the basic meaning of motivation, motivational tools and techniques, and their influence on employee performance.

Research Proposal and
Ethic Form

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Background of the Research.......................................................................................................4
Research Questions.....................................................................................................................4
Research Aims and Objectives....................................................................................................4
Literature Review........................................................................................................................5
Basic meaning of motivation in the organisation........................................................................5
Motivational tools and techniques that could be used in Marks and Spencer to increase the
performance of employees..........................................................................................................5
Influence of motivational tools and techniques on the Marks and Spencer employees
performance.................................................................................................................................6
Methodology...............................................................................................................................6
Research Philosophy...................................................................................................................7
Research Approach.....................................................................................................................7
Research Strategy........................................................................................................................7
Choices of methods.....................................................................................................................7
Time-Horizon..............................................................................................................................7
Data Collection and Analysis......................................................................................................7
Sampling.....................................................................................................................................8
Ethical considerations.................................................................................................................8
Conclusion and Expected Outcomes...........................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
Books and Journals:....................................................................................................................9
Online:.........................................................................................................................................9

Research Topic: “Identify the impact of motivational tools and techniques on the employees
performance in retail industry”
Introduction
Background of the Research
The present report helps in identifying the impact of motivational tools and techniques on
the performance of employees and workers in an organisation. Motivation is the significant part
of any organisation by which employees are influenced, directed, guided and encouraged
towards their work and to meet the business goals effectively. It aids in discovering goal oriented
behaviour (Rheinberg, 2020). Marks and Spencer is considered as the organisation to meet
existing research aims and objectives. It is one of the major British multinational retail
companies with headquarters in London, UK. It is known for its clothing items, beauty and home
goods along with food items. In this research proposal, the researcher will identify the
motivational tools and techniques that could be used by the organisation to enhance their
employees performance.
Research Questions
 What is the basic meaning of motivation in an organisation in context of retail industry?
 Define motivational tools and techniques that could be used in Marks and Spencer to
enhance their employees performance.
 How motivational tools and techniques influence the employees performance in Marks
and Spencer?
Research Aims and Objectives
Research Aim:
The aim of this research is to identify the impact of motivational tools and techniques on
the employees performance in retail industry. A study of Marks and Spencer.
Research Objectives:
 To acknowledge the basic meaning of motivation in the organisation
 To define motivational tools and techniques that could be used in Marks and Spencer to
increase the performance of employees
 To examine the influence of motivational tools and techniques on the Marks and Spencer
employees performance

Literature Review
Literature review aims the cover the concept and understanding of the present
investigation together with debates relevant to the definite research topic. In addition, it also
show that understanding in the way of written report.
Basic meaning of motivation in the organisation.
As per the opinion of Dörnyei (2020) motivation is referred to the term that helps in
influencing the individuals to give their best performance and outcomes along with support them
to attain the business goals. A positive motivation will allow the employees to give enhanced
outcomes but negative motivation will also bring down their outcomes along with performance.
For example, a positive feedback on the employees performance will allow the employee to give
their best in the organisation while increasing their future performances as well, but negative
feedback on the same can reduce their will power towards work as well as increases pressure and
stress to increase performance results, leading low morale and anxiety.
On other hand, Kendra Cherry (2022) identified that motivation is that activity that
begins, leads and maintains the goal oriented behaviours. Simply, motivation causes the person
to behave and act in a manner that gets individual closer to their objectives and goals. Motivation
is of two types- intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation arises from within the person as they
attain goals for their personal motivation like solving a cross puzzle for the gratification of
solving the problem. Whereas, extrinsic motivation derives from outside of the person and may
often contains external prizes or rewards. In professional way, it can be the recognition,
appreciation, increment, promotion and so on.
Motivational tools and techniques that could be used in Marks and Spencer to increase the
performance of employees.
From the viewpoint of Jennifer Herrity (2022) one of the most effective tools and
techniques of motivation is to offer personal enrichment programs in the organisation. Through
programs such as tuition reimbursement or send staff members to seminars or workshops where
they can enhance their skills. When employees identify that their organisation is organising
grooming or enrichment programs for their growth then they can be influenced to give their best
efforts and results. Another way of motivation can also be radiant positivity to influence the
employees performance. Employers may create a positive workplace culture to maintain the
employees motivation. For such purpose, they can play music, play games, joke around, have

fund or just laugh. It is found out that happiness can vitally enhance the overall performance of
business.
However, Osman and Warner (2020) stated that perks and benefits of employees are
effective motivational techniques that can be used in the organisation. Also, it has become
standard for business entities to give benefits such as paid time off, health insurance as well as
flexibility. Employees are more likely to appreciate the benefits and perks that are indulged by
their company. It also allows to maintain a better work life balance by which motivation is
derived automatically.
Influence of motivational tools and techniques on the Marks and Spencer employees
performance.
In accordance with Slemp, Field and Cho (2020) motivated workforce is inclined to be
more productive than the employees who are demotivated. Demotivated workforce is likely to
spend little effort in their responsibilities and jobs, leave the organisation, avoid the workplace as
much as possible along with produce low quality work. Therefore, if the organisation uses
motivational tools and techniques effectively then employees who feel influenced and motivated
to job are more promising to be caducous, productive and creative, resulting how quality work
that they volitionally proceeds.
On the other side, Jaswal and Akhtar (2019) views that motivation can make employees
to focus on their sole incentives which is a negative influence of motivation tools and techniques.
Perks, benefits or privileges can make employees focused on attaining solely incentives that they
identified satisfied when they attain such objective and do not push for more. In simple words,
employees can fall into the trap of wanting to attain that incentive rather than concentrating on
high performance to please clients and customers.
Methodology
Research methodology refers to the definite techniques and procedures utilised to find,
choose, process, and examine the information about the study. It supports reader to critically
valuate the study's overall reliability and validity.
Research Philosophy
Positivism and Interpretivism philosophy are involved in this section through which
researcher can develop a set of beliefs and values to cover the research aims and objectives. For

current project, positivism research philosophy will be taken by the investigator. The reason
behind this selection is that it supports quantitative research.
Research Approach
Inductive and deductive research approaches are two kinds of approaches in research. In
this research, deductive approach will be used by the investigator because it supports in
examining the validity of the assumptions associated to the research topic (Shao, Grace and
Ross, 2019). The reason behind this selection is that it facilitates broad assumptions within the
research.
Research Strategy
This section involves so many types of research strategies such as action oriented
research, case study, a systematic literature review, survey, interview, observation and much
more. The present researcher will focus on the survey as their strategy. Also, such survey will be
conducted with the use of questionnaire tool so that a list of questions can be asked from the
participants.
Choices of methods
There are various research methods such as mono, mixed and multi can be used in a
research activity. Mono method will be used by the researcher in which research will be based on
the quantitative way.
Time-Horizon
It involves two types of time horizon that can be used by the current researcher-
longitudinal or cross-sectional. In order to complete this research project in a particular period of
time, the investigator will use cross-sectional time horizon.
Data Collection and Analysis
There are two types of methods through which data can be collected- primary and
secondary methods of data collection. In this project, primary information will be collected
through questionnaire instrument. Apart from this, data will be analysed through frequency
distribution table as it demonstrates data in tabular and understandable form.

Sampling
Sampling can be done either through probability method or non-probability method. The
present research will be based on probability sampling method in which respondents will be
selected through random basis. The size of sample will be 20.
Ethical considerations
All respondents will participate with free consent and no one will get forced to involve
the research activity. The researcher will take care of the personal information of the respondents
and no information will be misused or lost for any wrongful purpose (Gupta and Gupta, 2022).
Also, the researcher will concerning about the natural environment in order to practice research
in an ethical way.
Conclusion and Expected Outcomes
It has been concluded that the research proposal is based on quantitative research in
which primary sources will be utilised by the researcher. The limitation of this type of research is
that it involves high costs, time and efforts to complete the project. Also, as the information will
be collected in quantifiable form, it does not support human interests at all.
The expected outcome is that the researcher will get all the information in quantitative
form which is practical and scientific in nature. It is also expected that the research will be
completed at a specific point of time and questionnaire will support to collect primary
information to meet the research aims and objectives.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Rheinberg, F., 2020. Intrinsic motivation and flow. Motivation Science, 6(3), p.199.
Dörnyei, Z., 2020. Innovations and challenges in language learning motivation. Routledge.
Osman, D.J. and Warner, J.R., 2020. Measuring teacher motivation: The missing link between
professional development and practice. Teaching and Teacher Education, 92, p.103064.
Slemp, G.R., Field, J.G. and Cho, A.S., 2020. A meta-analysis of autonomous and controlled
forms of teacher motivation. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 121, p.103459.
Jaswal, V.K. and Akhtar, N., 2019. Being versus appearing socially uninterested: Challenging
assumptions about social motivation in autism. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 42.
Shao, W., Grace, D. and Ross, M., 2019. Consumer motivation and luxury consumption: Testing
moderating effects. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 46, pp.33-44.
Gupta, B.N. and Gupta, N., 2022. Research methodology. SBPD Publications.
Online:
Kendra, C., 2022. What Is Motivation?, 2022. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-motivation-2795378>
Jennifer, H., 2022. 12 Effective Motivation Techniques for the Workplace, 2022. [Online]
Available through: <https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/motivation-
techniques-for-the-workplace>