Research Proposal Form for Talent Management Strategies of Unilever in Retail Sector of UK

This research proposal form aims to evaluate the current trends and challenges impacting on talent management strategies of the organisation in retail sector of United Kingdom. A study on Unilever. It covers research objectives, reasons for choosing the project, literature sources searched, activities and timescales, research approach and methodologies, and research ethics approval form.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ 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)
Topic- To evaluate the current trends and challenges impacting on talent management strategies of the
organisation in retail sector of United Kingdom. A study on Unilever.
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?):
 To identified the current trends related to talent management strategy in the firm.
 To evaluate challenges that are face by firm while managing talented individuals in the organisation.
 To understand key strategies that are used by Unilever to retained highly skilled, knowledgeable employees within the
company.
 To suggest strategy that could be used by the Unilever to attract and retained talented individuals in the firm for
achievement of end goals.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
It is rationale to pursue study related to “evaluation of current trends and challenges on talent
management strategy on firm”as its help in finding crucial information related to the way organisation are
handling diverse range of people in the firm. Furthermore, There are many companies such as Tesco,
Sainsbury and other in retail sector of United Kingdom having high employees’ turnover that has result in
causing more losses to the organisation. In addition to this, the study will be significant for the human resource
manager, employees, investors and other stakeholders of the Unilever.
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):
It is my personal interest to work as human resource manager in order to handle the talented individuals in most effective
manner for smooth operation of business in external environment. Such as there are various individual that have different point of
view, thinking and behaviour that lead challenges for the company to manage and motivate them to work in team for achievement of

desired objective. I am interested to conduct research because it will contribute in understanding key strategies that could be used by
the Human resource manager to attract and have sufficient talented employees in the firm. It helps me in knowing the way manager
can removing all the challenges that are bear by organisation in context of having sufficient employees to delivered qualitative
services to customers for satisfaction of their wants. I want to improve my team management and decision making skills through
learning from research related to the way HR manager managed diverse range of individual within organisation. My future plan is to
become Human resource manager in reputable organisation.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
From the point of view,Anlesinya. and Amponsah-Tawiah, (2020), there are different trends that are impacting on human
resources decision making such as Talent analysis or workforce analysis in order to track the overall application that are being
onboard, retained within the organisation for longer time frame. Likewise, the steps have been taken by hr manager to hire new
individuals, real time data access, global employees record tracking and budgeting planning. Along with this, HR are also focusing
on providing education and training to the employees related to the way task can be completed within the organisation. So that they
face less difficulties and easily complete their respective task in limited time frame and cost. Furthermore, the manager has emphasis
on promoting equality, diversity and inclusive practice in the firm through ensuring that all the individuals are being provide equal
chance to complete the activities, get being promoted and many more. Therefore, all these are major trends that are impacting on the
decision making of human resources to have highly qualified and skilled employees in the firm for many years.
According to Narayanan, Rajithakumarand Menon, (2019), there are different challenges that human
resource manager face while taking step to manage talented employees in the firm. Such as poor hiring
strategies, that is company does not have good strategy to hire right individuals at right place that has results in
high employees’ turnover. At the same time, there are numerous developments in technology that are acting as
challenge for the human resource manager as they are not able to effective make use of new technique to
recruit and retained highly talented individual in the firm. At last high employees’ turnover and ineffective
leadership are also challenges that are bear by organisation while managing talented individuals in the firm.
As per view of Pandita and Ray, (2018), human resource manager can make use of numerous strategy to
recruit and retained maximum number of talented employees within the organisation. Likewise, it can provide
good wages and other benefits to employees for their hard work, dedication and determination. Financial
rewards help in inspiring individual to put their maximum efforts toward achievement of end objectives of
firm. Also focus must lay on creating a friendly and safe and secure environment for employees where they
can put their hard efforts and determination. It should also promote open and continuous flow of information
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or communication so that employees are free to express their view and work for benefits of organisation.
In support of this another author Claus, (2019), specified that company by organising the training and
development program can also motivate employees as it helps in improving their skills, knowledge and
capabilities. They get better options for growth in future career. In addition to this training lead in enhancing
their confidence level related to the way a particular task is being completed. Thus, they are motivated to
work for company. Reward and recognition of employees for their work through email and other form also
influence to be parts of the organisation for many years. Furthermore author clarified that encouraging
employees participation or motivating them to share their innovative ideas helps in creating a feeling of sense
of belongingness among them. Hence, they are ready to work more then theri actual capabilities for
accomplishment of desired outcome.
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): Ho
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this
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Milestone one: ___1 month ______________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
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Researc
h topic
selectio
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Develop
ment of
aim and
objectiv
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Seconda
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research
for
conducti
ng LR
Researc
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strategy
selectio
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Data
collectio
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primary
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Selectin
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samplin
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Data
analysis

Milestone two: ____2 month ___________________
Target date (set by tutor): _____________________
Gantt Chart
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why? What your areas of
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research will cover:
1. Research type: there are two types of Qualitative and quantitative research. Such as
qualitative research approach has been selected because it involves theoretical facts and
figures related to the study.
2. Research philosophy: Interpretivism philosophy and positivism philosophy, out of which
interpretivism philosophy as it involves including each and every element within the study.
Data collection: Two method of data collection of primary and secondary, such as in primary questionnaire,
observation, survey method is used to accumulate information while in secondary internet and other resources
are being used. In context of our study both methods have been used to gathered sufficient detailed.
Advantage of primary is that it Data collected is up-to-date and relevant and specific to your research
objectives. While disadvantage is that expensive, time-consuming as involves face-to-face contact with
customers.
Advantage of secondary resources are Cost-Effective and Wide Range of Information while Analysing
secondary data can be tricky so it is difficult method to complete research.
3. Sampling: 30 respondents has been selected from the UNILEVER to gathered information
related to evaluate the current trends and challenges impacting on talent management
strategies of the organisation in retail sector of United Kingdom. A study on Unilever.
4. Data analysis: Thematic analysis method has bene used in which theme, graph and chart are
being made to complete the study. Questionnaire that contains survey of people will be
method that would be used to complete the study.
5. Ethical consideration: Researcher will ensure compliance to ethical considerations likewise
use of recent articles, information from relevant sites and informed consent and many more.
6. Research limitation: Limited availability of Time and resources, scope of the project and many
other are research limitation related to study, that has been overcome by arranging sufficient
resources.
Comments and agreement from tutor
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Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and
is appropriate.
Agreed: _______Yes_________ (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
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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:
Topic- To evaluate the current trends and challenges impacting on talent management strategies of the
organisation in retail sector of United Kingdom. A study on Unilever.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
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) :
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: Employees of Unilever
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
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The participants will be recruited through use of online method.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Email will be used to inform participants about what has been done within the study.
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?
Through written form the consent will be taken from the employees in order to consent whether they
are ready to share their perspective or not.
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
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Who will have access to the data and personal information?
ONLY the researcher will have access to personal information.
During the research:
Researcher will have full access to the information.
Where will the data be stored?
In the computer
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details: Mobile device will be used to accumulate all necessary
information pertaining to the study.
After the research: After the research has been, it can be used by interested individuals.
Where will the data be stored? Computer
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
After 3 - 4 months of research, the data should be deleted.
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:
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Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge: Yes
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.
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