Business Information Analysis MGT303A

Running Head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Research Proposal for Verbeek Export
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

RESEARCH PROPOSAL2
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3
1.1 Background............................................................................................................................3
1.2 AIM, RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND RESEARCH QUESTION....................................4
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT....................................................................................................4
2. RESEACH METHODOLOGY:..................................................................................................5
2.1 Research Philosophy..............................................................................................................5
2.2 Research Approach................................................................................................................5
2.3 Research Design....................................................................................................................6
2.4 Population..............................................................................................................................6
2.5 Sampling Method...................................................................................................................6
3. GANTT CHART.........................................................................................................................6
4. Reference...................................................................................................................................13
5. Appendix....................................................................................................................................15

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
This research proposal will focus on Verbeek Export that started business back in
September 1975. The flower selling company established by Hans Verbeek, expanded its
business to Switzerland, France and Sweden. The business of Verbeek Export transitioned to
selling flowers in full units. They even expanded to several other European countries. They
provided great customer service by delivering flowers to customers door to door (Schmitt, 2013).
Hans Verbeek handed the company to his sons Martijin and Robert in 2006.
Survey on employee satisfaction revealed that quality of work was decreasing due to low
employee morale. As a result, orders were being rejected by customers and flower wastage was
increasing. Clients also terminated their contracts due to poor quality of work. Low employee
morale was detected after employees of Verbeek Export were invited in a party and only few
turned up to attend it. The employees were not giving their extra effort that they used to give
before to improve work quality (Schur et al., 2014). Literature review was conducted that
revealed the reasons behind low employee morale. A questionnaire session was held previously
with the employees who faced similar problems. The company reviewed those questions to find
out the reason behind low profit. The questions asked were related to work load management,
relationship among co-workers, relationship between employee and supervisors, satisfaction with
current salary. The employees were even questioned about company’s promotion policy, areas
where the company needs to improve and the reasons leading to employee frustrations (Kube,
Maréchal & Puppe, 2013). Another reason behind low employee morale that has not been
identified is rival company of Verbeek Export providing more salary to employees for the same

RESEARCH PROPOSAL4
work. The following paragraphs will focus on the research objectives, the method by which
problem was approached and discuss research methodologies.
1.2 AIM, RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND RESEARCH QUESTION
The aim of the proposal is to find the effect of rival company on Verbeek’s employees.
This will help the company to gain information about low employee satisfaction.
The research objective of the company are:
To find the main cause behind low employee morale that is leading to company loss
To investigate if rival company is having any effect on Verbeek’s employees
To recommend solutions to increase employee morale
The research question includes:
What are the reasons that are causing low employee morale?
What are the effects that rival companies have on Verbeek’s employees?
What are the solutions that might increase employee morale?
1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Verbeek Export was experiencing fall in profits due to low productivity and loss of
employee morale. Authorities of the company surveyed on the issue and found out that profit
decreased from £2.5b to £1.96b between the years 2014 to 2017 (Zboril-Benson, 2016). Survey
further revealed that total outcome of the year decreased from 10000 tons to 8832 tons. The data
collected revealed that Verbeek was facing loss in both profit and total outcome.
2. RESEACH METHODOLOGY:
2.1 Research Philosophy