Impact of Talent Management on Employee Retention and Motivation: A Case Study on H&M

This research proposal aims to evaluate the impact of talent management on employee retention and motivation within the context of UK retail industry, with a case study on H&M. It discusses the conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention, and employee motivation, the impact of talent management for employee retention, talent management strategies used by H&M, and challenges faced by H&M while adopting talent management strategy.

Research Proposal Form
Student Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
Research Title: To evaluate the impact of talent management on employee retention and motivation
within the context of UK retail industry.
Research question
1) Explain the conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention and employee
motivation?
2) Discuss the impact of talent management for employee retention?
3) Explain the talent management strategies used by H&M to retain and motivate their employee?
4) What are the challenges faced by H&M while adopting the talent management strategy in their
workplace?
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?):
Research aim
“To evaluate the impact of talent management on employee retention and motivation:
A case study on H &M.”
Research objective
 To understand the conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention
and employee motivation.
 To identify the impact of talent management for employee retention.
 To discern the talent management strategies used by H&M to retain and motivate their
employee.

 To discuss the challenges faced by H&M while adopting the talent management strategy in their
workplace.
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 main purpose of selecting the research topic is to identify impact of talent management for employee
retention and motivating is to fulfill two major objectives that is personal and professional. In respect to the
personal objective it will help in enhancing more knowledge about talent management and how it is useful
for the companies to properly manage their talented employee so that they can retain them for longer
duration. It will also help in knowing the strategy that can be adopted by organisation for retaining and
motivating their staff. On the other hand, in respect to the professional perspective it would assist in
developing the professional career. It facilities in telling the job opportunity that is available in the specific
field. It significantly enhancing the skills that will aids me in the professional job to solve the problems that
is related to talent management. This research would also discuss innovative approaches that can be
designed for staff. The chosen topic also helpful for various stakeholders such as employee, leaders,
mangers, scholar and other researcher. As the topic would help them to know the benefit that can be
obtained by the organisation when they are effectively managing their talented staff and how it will help
them to improve their market image in more productive manner (Pandita and Ray, 2018).
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Explain the conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention and employee motivation?
As per the view of Narayanan, Rajithakumar and Menon (2019), talent management is a very
important concept in the business world because it will assist them in retaining their employee and
motivating them in effective manner. Talent management is systematic process of attracting, hiring,
developing and retaining employees. This will help them to gain competitive advantage as company will
hold best staff which will help them to fight with their rivalry in better way (Sparrow, 2019). There are
seven main key elements of talent management these are Strategic Employee Planning, Talent Acquisition
and Retention Performance Management, Learning and Motivating, Compensation, Career Development
and Succession Planning. On the other hand employee retention means the organisation capability to hold
their staff for longer time period and reducing the employee turnover rate so that burnout can be minimise.
In last employee motivation means increasing enthusiasm, energy level and commitment of employee
toward their job so that there productivity can be increased.
Discuss the impact of talent management for employee retention?
According to Ambrosius (2018), Each and everyone companies requires talented employee so that
they can get advantage out of it. The major impact of managing talented employee is that it will help the
Page 2 of 13

organisation to increase their retention rate which will help them to gain competitive advantage from their
rivalry. The foremost advantage is it will help them to enhance their market image which assist them in
attracting various stakeholders toward the company (Painter‐Morland, Deslandes and Tansley, 2019). It
would also attract the top talented skilled employees through which they can improve their business
performance. Employee productivity would be maximized because talent management strategy will boost
the morale of the staff and their energy level will be high. In-fact one of the positive impact that they will be
ascertained is that there will be higher client satisfaction rate. Buyers are more satisfied and happy with the
work done by their employee in solving their query or problem.
Explain the talent management strategies used by H&M to retain and motivate their employee?
As per the view of Cui, Khan and Tarba (2018), for companies it is very critical to invest their
capital in developing effective talent management strategies so that they can retrain and motivate their staff.
The Strategy that can be adopted by H&M are:
Using of employee training tool: Company uses effective tools in providing training to their
employee so that they can develop their skills. These coaching will help the talented employee to boost their
morale and work in more energetic manner (Bonneton, Festing and Muratbekova‐Touron, 2020). Employee
training tools that is used by brand is micro learning platform, learning management system etc.
Track and measure performance: Another approach that they use is tracking the performance of their
employee by setting some key performance indicators. This will help them in getting more insight about
their staff so that they can provide feedback to their employees which help them to develop their
professional career (Cross Walker, 2020).
Recognizing the top performer: One of the best strategy that is implemented by H&M is recognizing
their best employee in terms of performance and providing reward like perks, bonus, holiday package. This
will assist them as employees feel as a part of the organisation and will retain themselves for wider duration.
What are the challenges faced by H&M while adopting the talent management strategy in their
workplace?
In the view of Anlesinya, Dartey-Baah and Amponsah-Tawiah (2019), there are many challenges
that are faced by H&M while they are applying the talent management strategy in their working
environment. One of the problem that they encounter is resistance of employee, staff are very comfortable in
traditional way of work. They resist to take coaching and learn something new. Another issue is lack of
communication between the mangers and employee. This communication gap affects the motivational level
of the employee which increase the burnout at the workplace (Shikweni, Schurink and Van Wyk, 2019).
Next major challenge that they face is deciding the key performance indicator for measuring their employee
productivity rate.
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):
Introduction
Research Aim and objectives
How long this will
take:
2 days
4 days
Page 3 of 13

Literature review
Research methodology
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Conclusion and recommendations
Reflection
Submission of final report
7 days
10 days
18 days
10 days
4 days
5 days
1 day
Milestone one: Research methodology
Target date (set by tutor): 25-02-2022
Milestone two: Literature Review
Target date (set by tutor): 16-02-2022
Gantt Chart
Page 4 of 13

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 methodology is that chapter in the research report which answers the top two question that is how
data will be collected and how it will be analysed. In simple term it is a systematic process of identifying,
analyzing and interpreting the gathered data as per the requirement of topic selected. There are various steps
involve in research methodology.
Research philosophy: It can be defined as a set of principle or belief according to which the type of
data is obtained. There are two philosophies that is positivism and interpretivism. In the current report
positivism philosophy would be chosen because the type of data that is to be obtained is quantitative
(Snyder, 2019).
Research approach: This is used to test the theories and hypothesis that is form on the basis of aims
and objective. There are two kinds of research approach that is deductive and inductive. In the present
investigation, researcher will select deductive approach because they want to test factual data in the form of
Page 5 of 13

numbers.
Research strategy: There are various types of research strategy that is survey, case study,
experimental, action research and systematic literature review. As per the current topic chosen survey
strategy will be used to gather numerical data from larger population (Kumar, 2018).
Research choice: Quantitative and qualitative are the choices two obtained data. Quantitative data is
in the form of number and qualitative data is in words or statement. In the present research quantitative
information would be chosen because factual information need to be gathered so that validity and
reliability can be maintained.
Time horizon: It is time framework that is used by the researcher to know the exact point of time
the data need to be collect. Cross sectional and longitudinal are the two kinds of time horizon. In current
topic scholar would be using cross sectional time framework because they need to obtained information in
one single go (Novikov and Novikov, 2019).
Data collection: It is the technique of gathering data from multiple source. There are two sources for
obtaining information that is primary and secondary source. Primary source collects fresh data, on the other
hand secondary source collects second hand information which is used multiple times. In context to the
chosen topic the source for gathering information would be primary because examiner wants fresh data.
They also want that information that is not used by anyone before. The advantage of primary method is
that it assists in the collection of raw data. The disadvantage of primary data is that it takes longer time
period to carry out raw information. On the other hand, the advantage of secondary method is that it helps
in collecting data from other sources without taking longer time period. The disadvantage of secondary
method is that it does not provide new information as it only focuses on priory taken out data. To gather
the information, the instrument that they will choose will be questionnaire (Ledford and Gast, 2018).
Sampling: It is the method of selecting the exact participants from the whole population. Probability
and non-probability sampling are the two ways to chosen the participants. In the current perspective,
investigator would choose probability sampling in that random sampling will be selected because they want
fair and equal selection. The sample size will be 30 employee for the company H&M (Daniel, Kumar and
Omar, 2018).
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 ______________
Page 6 of 13

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
Page 7 of 13

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ambrosius, J., 2018. Strategic talent management in emerging markets and its impact on employee retention:
Evidence from Brazilian MNCs. Thunderbird International Business Review, 60(1), pp.53-68.
Anlesinya, A., Dartey-Baah, K. and Amponsah-Tawiah, K., 2019. Strategic talent management scholarship: a
review of current foci and future directions. Industrial and Commercial Training.
Bonneton, D., Festing, M. and Muratbekova‐Touron, M., 2020. Exclusive Talent Management: Unveiling the
Mechanisms of the Construction of an Elite Community. European Management Review, 17(4),
pp.993-1013.
Cross Walker, T., 2020. Inclusive talent management in the public sector: theory and practice. Transnational
Corporations Review, 12(2), pp.140-148.
Cui, W., Khan, Z. and Tarba, S.Y., 2018. Strategic talent management in service SMEs of China. Thunderbird
International Business Review. 60(1). pp.9-20.
Daniel, B., Kumar, V. and Omar, N., 2018. Postgraduate conception of research methodology: implications for
learning and teaching. International Journal of Research & Method in Education. 41(2). pp.220-236.
Kumar, R., 2018. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage.
Ledford, J.R. and Gast, D.L. eds., 2018. Single case research methodology. New York, NY: Routledge.
Narayanan, A., Rajithakumar, S. and Menon, M., 2019. Talent management and employee retention: An
integrative research framework. Human Resource Development Review. 18(2). pp.228-247.
Novikov, A.M. and Novikov, D.A., 2019. Research methodology: From philosophy of science to research
design. CRC Press.
Painter‐Morland, M., Kirk, S., Deslandes, G. and Tansley, C., 2019. Talent management: The good, the bad,
and the possible. European Management Review, 16(1), pp.135-146.
Pandita, D. and Ray, S., 2018. Talent management and employee engagement–a meta-analysis of their impact
on talent retention. Industrial and Commercial Training.
Shikweni, S., Schurink, W. and Van Wyk, R., 2019. Talent management in the South African construction
industry. SA Journal of human resource management, 17(1), pp.1-12.
Snyder, H., 2019. Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of
business research. 104. pp.333-339.
Sparrow, P., 2019. A historical analysis of critiques in the talent management debate. BRQ Business Research
Quarterly, 22(3), pp.160-170.
Page 8 of 13

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: To evaluate the impact of talent management on employee retention and motivating in
UK retail industry.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date: 08-02-2022
Intended research end date: 07-05-2022
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
Page 9 of 13

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)?
By using probability sampling 30 employees for the company H&M will be recruited randomly
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through email and questionnaire process
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 regarding the research, researcher will obtain consent from
the participants. This will be in form of written and participants may withdraw at any time
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)?
Page 10 of 13

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 will have access to personal information.
Where will the data be stored?
In mobile device such as USB storage and laptop
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 device such as USB storage and laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Page 11 of 13

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:
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.
Page 12 of 13

Page 13 of 13