Effectiveness of Talent Management: A Study on Arcadia Fashion Retailer

This study explores the effectiveness of talent management in Arcadia fashion retailer and its impact on employee performance and retention. It examines the meaning of talent management, benefits, issues, and strategies for managing and retaining talent within the organization.

Talent Management
for Entrepreneurs and
Small Businesses

Contents
TITLE: To identify effectiveness of talent management. A study on Arcadia fashion retailer......2
P1 Research proposal...................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
Background..................................................................................................................................2
Aims and Objectives....................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Meaning of talent management...................................................................................................3
Benefits of effective talent management.....................................................................................3
Issues in managing talent within the company............................................................................4
The best strategy or key of managing and retaining talent within an organization.....................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................5
P2 Appropriate research method.................................................................................................5
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business research
project that consider costs, access and ethical issues..................................................................6
P4 Research findings and data.....................................................................................................7
P5 Research outcomes (600).....................................................................................................11
P6 Reflection on learning..........................................................................................................11
P7 Recommendations for improvement....................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................15
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................15
1

TITLE: To identify effectiveness of talent management. A study on Arcadia
fashion retailer
P1 Research proposal
INTRODUCTION
Talent management is a constant process that contains attraction and retention of skilled
workforce within an organization (Taylor, 2018). This preset study is based on Arcadia group
that is fashion retailer and owns several brands. Talent management is considered one of the
main key of success of company and support companies in developing their business. Some
employees resist to adapt changes and work according to policies of companies and it creates
barriers in talent management. But with the help of motivation, training and using appropriate
selection and recruitment strategies, companies can solve this problem and can make a pool of
talent workforce within organization.
Background
Talent management is a process of recruiting and retaining employees within an
organization that has several advantages for both company and employees. This study is going to
show effectiveness of talent management along with approaches and the best strategy by which
Arcadia group and other companies can retain their talent. Further, it will discuss some problems
which occur while managing talent. Lastly, it will show effectiveness of research methodologies
for accomplishing goals by gathering appropriate information.
Aims and Objectives
Aim
“To explore advantages of talent management and retention”.
Objectives
 To identify the process and meaning of talent management.
 To explore benefits of effective talent management.
 To identify issues faced by Arcadia Group in managing talent.
 To identify the best strategy or key of managing and retaining talent within an
organization.
Research questions
2

1. What is the process and meaning of talent management?
2. What are some benefits that Arcadia group can have by managing workforce its
business?
3. Which kinds of issues occur while employer manages talent within their company?
4. What is the best activity that makes successful talent management?
Rationale
Talent is one of the main important resource and key of the success but there are some retailers
that do not know some ways of managing and retaining talent (Bratton and Watson, 2018). So,
making them aware about importance of talent management along with the best strategy by
which they can increase employees’ retention rate or manager talent is the main reason of
conducting this research.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Meaning of talent management.
According to the Krishnan and Scullion, (2017) talent management is one of the effective
business strategy that is being used by HR for retaining their topmost talent within organization
and motivating them towards accomplishing goals. On the other hand, Wiblen and McDonnell,
(2018) stated that talent management is organization’s commitment towards recruiting, hiring as
well as making employees able to stay with the company and help them out in meeting their
objectives.
For more supporting above view, Cotton and et.al., (2017) said that talent management is
one of the most important business strategy that makes employers able to become successful and
developing business. It consists of several activities such as: recruitment planning, job
description, motivation, training, making job offer, goal setting, feedbacks and promotion. So, it
can be said that all those activities that help company in employing and retaining talented
workforce within organization is called talent management.
Benefits of effective talent management.
There are several benefits of talent management. As per the view of Kaliannan, Abraham and
Ponnusamy, (2016) talent management increase employees’ experience and motivate them
towards improving performance and accomplishing goals. On the other hand, Mupepi, (2017)
3

.stated and said that talent management is beneficial for company as it improves their image in
the market and in the eyes of customers when they make their employees able to stay with the
company.
On the contrary note, Wilcox, (2016) said that management of talent within an
organization improves overall productivity and performance of the company because talented
employees bring innovation and new ideas that satisfied customers. van den Broek, Boselie, and
Paauwe, (2018) also stated that talent management encourages employees and motivate them
towards increasing productivity when they get promotional opportunities and motivation from
their manager. It also makes them feel valued and motivated.
Issues in managing talent within the company
Managing talent is not an easy task. According to the Stokes and et.al., (2016) talent
management requires performing several tasks from recruitment planning to motivation or
retention of employees. It is time consuming process that sometimes can frustrate employers. in
addition, for supporting this view Holland, (2019) said that due to lack of leadership, i t can de-
motivate employees and can make them frustrated. On contrary side, Ansar and Baloch, (2018)
said that there are some employees who take undue advantages of talent management as they
seek for higher compensation and payment for retaining within organization and supporting them
in accomplishing goals.
Krishnan and Scullion, (2017) .also said that changing business environment or changes
happen in external environmental factors are other main problem. Due to these changes,
company find problems in influencing employees to adapt changes and stay with the company
due to time consuming process. Failure to use available technologies for applicant tracking can
also create problems in successful talent management.
The best strategy or key of managing and retaining talent within an organization.
According to the Beamond, Farndale and Hartel, (2020) talent management starts with
recruitment and selection process so, company requires focusing on an effective recruitment
strategy. External recruitment is one of the best strategy of getting skilled workforce and
bringing new ideas within an organization Meyer and Xin, (2018) .argued and said that talent
management means to make employees able to stay with the company and after recruitment HR
4

require motivating them by which skilled workforce canstay with the company. So, according to
them providing benefits, training is one of the best strategies of talent management.
On the other hand, Naim and Lenka, (2017) also said that motivating employees is one of
the effective ways of increasing staff retention rate and managing talent and for that HR requires
identifying needs of employees and accordingly provide financial and non financial rewards.
Timeframe
Activities to be carried out during the
project
Timeframe
Producing aim and objectives 1-2 days
Conducting literature review 7 days
Research methodology 5-6 days
Collection of information 4-5 days
Analysis and finding of collected data 3-4 days
Submission of proposal 1 day
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
P2 Appropriate research method
Research type: Qualitative and quantitative are 2 main research type. Data that are being
gathered in non-numerical form is known as qualitative and data collected in numerical form is
known as quantitative (Boddy, 2016). For this study, researcher will focus on qualitative because
non numericaldata provide accurate outcomes.
Research approach: Inductive and deductive are 2 approaches that consist of steps of broad
assumptions of detailed method. In inductive approach, scholar generates brand new theory and
in deductive research approach, scholar develops an existing theory. For this study, researcher
will use inductive research generation of new theory increase knowledge of scholar relevant to
the topic.
5

Research philosophy: Interpretivism and positivism are mainly 2 research philosophies that is a
belief about ways in which data are being gathered, analyzed and used. In interpretivism,
researchers interpret elements of the study and take human interest into consideration (Ryan,
2018). In positivism also plays an important role researcher tries to understand social world by
observing. In this study, scholar will focus on interpretivism because it is associated with
inductive research approach.
Data collection: For gathering brand new data, researcher use primary data collection and for
gathering an existing or second hand data, researcher focuses on secondary data (Franzitta and
et.al., 2020). For this study on talent management, scholar will make use of both primary and
secondary as in secondary type, he will collect information via literature and for primary he will
develop questionnaire.
Data analysis: After collecting data it is important to make them accurate and authenticate and it
can be done by appropriate data analysis tools. For analysing numerical data, scholar uses
quantitative data analysis tools and for non numerical they use qualitative data analysis tools. As
it is qualitative research so, qualitative data analysis tools lie thematic analysis will be used.
P3 Conduct primary and secondary research using appropriate methods for a business research
project that consider costs, access and ethical issues
Research
There are two types in which research can be done and these types are primary research
and secondary research. Primary research is one in which data is collected from the source of
data. Secondary research on the other hand is research in which data is collected from published
and unpublished journals and papers. For the purpose of this research both research types have
been considered with major focus on secondary research as for the selected topic significant
research have been done earlier (LaGree, 2020). Literature review is considered in secondary
research and for primary research data will be collected through questionnaires. This is because
primary research helps in collecting actual and more reliable data which researcher collects and
secondary research facilitate research by involving less time and efforts required.
Cost
6

Cost is an important element and involves financial expenses to incur during success. Cost that is
likely to incur in research is around £1000. This involves expenses for different resources
required for research and cost associated with research processes.
Access
This is concerned with access to data for research and as this research considers primary
and secondary research both it requires access to larger number of resources. This involves those
who are likely to answer questionnaire and other published and unpublished papers and journals
for the purpose of secondary research. Researcher for the purpose of this research has access to
all required resources and sources of information in order to ensure success of research and
maintain accuracy of research it is important to access required information.
Ethical issues
Ethical issues in research involves considering research on the basis of right and wrong conduct.
Certain elements on ethics that has been included in this research involves-
Honesty and integrity- honest reporting of research based on right data and results
Openness- This means that being open to subjects of research regarding research its purpose and
their contribution (Facca and et.al., 2020).
Confidentiality- Maintaining confidentiality of different participants who has provided data and
information for research
P4 Research findings and data
Theme 1. Leadership style used by your company
Participants Answers
9 Autocratic
4 Democratic
7 Transformational
7

7 Transformational
4 Democratic
9 Autocratic
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Series1
Theme 2. Recruitment strategy followed by company
Participants Answers
14 Internal
6 External
8

14 6
Internal External
Theme 3. Effective strategy for motivating and retaining employees
Participants Answers
8 Training
7 Financial
5 Non financial
5
Non financial7
Financial8
Training
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
Series1
9

Theme 4: According to you how talent management affect employees?
Participants Answers
9 Improves their performance
11 Boosts confidence
Improves their performance
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
11
11
Interpretation: On the basis of above discussion and data it can be said that talent management
have several positive impacts not only for employers’ but also for employees. In this regard, out
of 20 employees of Arcadia group, majority or 11 employees said that according to them talent
10

management boost their confidence. They also said that for managing talent employers motivate
them, provide them training and rewards that makes them feel valued. It improves their
performance that boosts their confidence and they try to improve performance in a better way.
Whereas, 9 employees said that effective leadership and a activities done by employers improve
their performance and productivity.
Theme 5: Better strategy of managing talent
Interpretation: In this open ended question, employee shared their views and some employees
suggested that their company should focus on employing skilled workforce with educational
institutes as from educational institutes they can get skilled workforce that can help them out in
improving productivity. Some employees said that company should provide flexible working and
part time job opportunities as per the convenience of employees as it motivates employees and
employees are more likely to stay with the company.
P5 Research outcomes
Interpretation 1: On the basis of above data it can be interpreted that leadership style plays a
vital role in retaining employees. In this regard, 9 employees of Arcadia group said that their
company follows autocratic and 4 employees stated that they use democratic. Whereas, 7
employees said that their company uses transformational as per the current situation. Uses of
autocratic de-motivate employees because employers do not involve their employees in the
process of decision making.
Interpretation 2: It can be said that recruitment strategy plays an important role in talent
management. In this regards, majority or 14 employees said that internal strategy of recruitment
is being used by their company and it motivates existing employees. Whereas, 6 employees said
that their company focuses on external recruitment and it brings innovation within an
organization.
Interpretation 3: In regards to motivation to employees for retaining them within organization,
8 employees of Arcadia group said that their company focus on training to employees that
increases morale of employees and increases their skills. Whereas, 7 employees said that their
employers provide financial rewards like bonus, rewards and incentives and 5 employees said
11

that their manager provides non financial rewards like promotional opportunities and
appreciation in front of others.
P6 Reflection on learning
Research methods considered for this research primary and secondary are very effective
in achieving desired outcomes that are effectiveness and efficiency of data and information and
research based on that data and information. Primary research helped me in collecting authentic
and real data regarding research and its different aspects and secondary research helped me in
saving time for research and also helped me in creating basis for primary research. This means
that it allowed me to know and gain understanding regarding how primary research can be
conducted. However this research could have been improved as there are different other methods
for research and that are more effective and also help in reducing limitations that are there in this
research method. Interview is an example of one such method that could have given
comparatively better results but there are limitation for this method as well. This method was
selected on the basis of thorough analysis of research requirements and research feasibility.
P7 Recommendations for improvement
On the basis of above discussion, it can be said that leadership style plays an important role
in managing talent and it is found that autocratic de motivate employees. so, it can be
recommended to retailers that they should focus on using either democratic or transformational
leadership. It can also be suggested to all retailers and companies that they should focus on
external recruitment strategy rather focusing on internal because in internal recruitment,
companies limit new ideas and by employing candidates from outside, companies can bring
innovation, new ideas and skilled workforce within their business. It can also be recommended
that companies should focus on providing non financial rewards along with training because it
increases confidence among employees and make them feel valued when they are being
appreciated an d given promotional opportunities.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarized that talent management is one of the difficult
but the most important process of becoming successful. It consists of several activities from
12

recruitment planning to retention of employees. Further, it has explored some issues that
companies face while managing talent within their business such frustration due to time
consuming process. Further, it has discussed some advantages of using effective talent
management strategies for employees and companies; performance. It has also shown reasons of
performing all elements of research methodologies in a systemic manner along with reason of
gathering information.
13

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ansar, N. and Baloch, A., 2018. Talent and Talent Management: DeямБnition and Issues. IBT
Journal of Business Studies, 14(2).
Beamond, M.T., Farndale, E. and Hartel, C., 2020. Emerging Economies and Talent
Management: Core Challenges Facing Key Actors in Strategy Translation. World
Scientific Book Chapters, pp.115-134.
Boddy, C.R., 2016. Sample size for qualitative research. Qualitative Market Research: An
International Journal.
Bratton, J. and Watson, S., 2018. Talent management, emotional labour and the role of line
managers in the Scottish hospitality industry. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism
Themes.
Cotton, R. and et.al., 2017. Implicit link: Using free association to explore cross-cultural
differences in the meaning of talent. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol.
2017, No. 1, p. 17174). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
Facca, D and et.al., 2020. Exploring the ethical issues in research using digital data collection
strategies with minors: A scoping review. Plos one. 15(8). p.e0237875.
Franzitta, V. and et.al., 2020. Primary Data Collection and Environmental/Energy Audit of Hot
Mix Asphalt Production. Energies, 13(8), p.2045.
Holland, P., 2019. Managing Talent: A Contemporary Issue or a Case of Old Wine in New
Bottles?. In Contemporary HRM Issues in the 21st Century. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Kaliannan, M., Abraham, M. and Ponnusamy, V., 2016. Effective talent management in
Malaysian SMES: A proposed framework. The Journal of Developing Areas, 50(5),
pp.393-401.
Krishnan, T.N. and Scullion, H., 2017. Talent management and dynamic view of talent in small
and medium enterprises. Human Resource Management Review, 27(3), pp.431-441.
Krishnan, T.N. and Scullion, H., 2017. Talent management and dynamic view of talent in small
and medium enterprises. Human Resource Management Review, 27(3), pp.431-441.
LaGree, D., 2020. Synthesizing Primary and Secondary Research to Drive Strategy: A Final
Project for a Strategic Communication Research Course. Journal of Public Relations
Education. 6(2). pp.142-149.
Meyer, K.E. and Xin, K.R., 2018. Managing talent in emerging economy multinationals:
Integrating strategic management and human resource management. The International
Journal of Human Resource Management, 29(11), pp.1827-1855.
Mupepi, M. ed., 2017. Effective talent management strategies for organizational success. IGI
Global.
Naim, M.F. and Lenka, U., 2017. Talent management: a burgeoning strategic focus in Indian IT
industry. Industrial and Commercial Training.
Ryan, G., 2018. Introduction to positivism, interpretivism and critical theory. Nurse
researcher, 25(4), pp.41-49.
Stokes, P. and et.al., 2016. Managing talent across advanced and emerging economies: HR issues
and challenges in a Sino-German strategic collaboration. The International Journal of
Human Resource Management, 27(20), pp.2310-2338.
Taylor, S., 2018. Resourcing and talent management. Kogan Page Publishers.
14

van den Broek, J., Boselie, P. and Paauwe, J., 2018. Cooperative innovation through a talent
management pool: A qualitative study on coopetition in healthcare. European
Management Journal, 36(1), pp.135-144.
Wiblen, S.L. and McDonnell, A., 2018, July. Examining the Talk about Talent Management to
Contextualise Multiplicity in the Meaning of Talent. In Academy of Management
Proceedings (Vol. 2018, No. 1, p. 11904). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of
Management.
Wilcox, M., 2016. Effective talent management: Aligning strategy, people and performance.
Routledge.
15

APPENDIX
Questionnaire
1. Which leadership style is being used by your company
 Autocratic
 Democratic
 Transformational
2. Which recruitment strategy is being followed by your company?
 Internal
 External
3. What is the best strategy of your company to motivate employees?
 Training
 Financial rewards
 Non financial rewards
4. how talent management affect employees
 Improves their performance
 Boosts confidence
5. Recommend better strategy of managing talent?
………..
16

17