Impact of Job Insecurity on Employee Motivation in UK Retail Sector

This study aims to understand the impact of job insecurity and layoffs on employee motivation in the UK retail sector. It will analyze the reasons for demotivation among employees and discuss methods to raise motivation levels. The case study will focus on Savola group, a leading retailing company in Saudi Arabia.

To understand the impact on
the level of employee
motivation due to the
increasing trend of job
insecurity and layoffs in the
UK retail sector. Study

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background of the study:.............................................................................................................3
Research aims and objectives......................................................................................................3
Research methodology.................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

Title:
To understand the impact on the level of employee motivation due to the increasing trend
of job insecurity and lay-offs in the retail sector.
INTRODUCTION
Motivation refers to a process which an individual will initiates actions or moves. It
refers to a need that requires satisfaction. It is very important for every company to maintain the
level of motivation of its employees which will not only leads to the achievement of the
company's objective but it will also enhance the level of performance of the employees (Kanfer,
Frese and Johnson, 2017). Savola group is one of the biggest group of Saudi Arabia and a
leading seller of retailing industry. It operates its business in various countries. However, it is
seen that being a well-known company of corporate world, employees associated with the
company are not fully satisfied. As, competition is raising and due to this job insecurity and lay-
offs become a common issues nowadays. This has reduced the level of motivation among the
employees. The current research will focus on the concept that how job insecurity and lay-offs
are putting a negative impact over employee's performance and moves.
Background of the study:
Retailing sector is one of the biggest and major sector of Saudi Arabia along with its
significant contribution towards the economy and the whole world. Also, with the pace of time
competition is raising at a very fast rate. Thus, it becomes very essential for companies to
maintain and raise the level of satisfaction of their employees. However, it is also common
phenomenon that with the concentration over company's own objective, they usually forgot to
value their employees and does not take initiatives towards raising employee's motivation. With
rising the situation of job insecurity and lay-offs, level of motivation of employees are being
declining. For the current research Savola group is selected which is one of the biggest retailing
sector of Saudi Arabia. This research proposal will throw a light on the use of different research
tools and methods that will be used to analyse the issue. This proposal will also include a
timeline in which the proposed research will be accomplished.
Research aims and objectives
Aim:

To evaluate the impact on the level of employee's motivation due to the increasing trend of job
insecurity and lay-offs in the retail sector: A case study on Savola group.
Objectives:
 To analyse the importance of employee's motivation.
 To evaluate the reasons of demotivation among employees in retailing sector.
 To discuss the methods by which Savola group will raise its employee's motivation.
Research questions:
 Why it is important to motivate employees?
 What are the reasons of demotivation among employees?
 What are the methods to motivate employees?
Rationale:
Employees or workforce are the asset of every company by which they can pursue their
objective apart from meeting high competition of market. It is very essential for every company
to motivate and encourage their employees time to time. Highly motivated employees can
contribute to their maximum towards the company and its objectives. However due to raising
trends of job insecurity and lay-offs among companies, employee's feel demotivated. As a result
their level of satisfaction reduces and this will finally impact over their performance in addition
to companies performance. Thus, it becomes very essential to maintain and raise employee's
level of motivation. This research will helps in analysing the concept of motivation along with its
importance in corporate world. This research will further help other researcher to evaluate the
importance of motivation along with determining the methods which companies can implement
to raise the level of their employee's motivation.
Research methodology
Research type:
Research refers to researching the topic by collecting data, analysing it and on the basis
of that drawing conclusions for raising the understanding about the concept of issue. It can be
performed by two modes which includes Qualitative research and quantitative research.
Qualitative research refers to that research which is based on collecting and evaluating non-
numerical data. It is usually adopted to develop in-depth knowledge and idea about the concept
and issue (Queirós, Faria and Almeida, 2017). This mode of research also adds an advantage in

the form of analysing attitudes of employees with the changing trends and environment. This
research also helps in targeting the objective or the concept. While on the other hand quantitative
research is fully based on the analysing of numerical data which includes facts and figures along
with statistical data. The purpose for the adoption of this research is to generate predictions or
finding patterns. This research also helps in making to the point analysis of the issues. However,
it can prove to be false in many cases because it is solely focussed towards numbers or facts and
figures which may overlook other attributes in the form of analysing trends and behaviours. For
evaluating the importance of motivation along with determining issues regarding demotivation,
qualitative research will be adopted. The reason for the selection of this mode is to develop
detailed understanding about the concept and the issue.
Research approach:
It includes plans and strategies for the research that start with making assumptions till
determining methods of collecting data and proceeding other steps. It is of two types which may
includes inductive approach and deductive approach. Inductive approach is basically related with
the development of theory while deductive approach refers to testing the existing theory.
Inductive approach initiates with specific observation and moves towards forming broad
generalization which is just opposite of deductive approach (Alase, 2017). For pursuing this
research inductive approach is being selected because as qualitative research is regarding
developing depth knowledge about the concept in the same way this approach also supports
formulation of theories by which it will not only support qualitative research but it will also give
better justification to it. One more reason of selecting this approach is that it enables the
researcher to explore more because as it initiates with specific objectives but moves in the form
of making generalization which helps the researcher to add more or look at different aspect or
perspectives of the research.
Research philosophy:
It is a belief about the ways by which data will be collected, analysed and evaluated. It is
broadly categorized into two modes including interpretivism and positivism. Interpretivism
refers to performance of research by considering a main role of researcher. This means that
researcher will play an important role while interpreting concepts and issues. Researcher will
consider every aspect of research as a situation and draws interpretation on that (Cazeaux, 2017).
While, under positivism philosophy researcher will analyse the concepts by considering

everything as object and removing his personal interpretation. This kind of philosophy is free
from personal judgement and interpretations. For analysing the concept regarding motivation
interpretivism philosophy will be used to have a better justification about qualitative research as
well as inductive approach. Also, as this research is thoroughly deals with human resource which
will be better analysed with the philosophy of interpretivism in comparison of positivism which
consider every aspect as object.
Data collection:
It includes collecting data for pursuing the research. It is one of the important step of
entire research process. In-fact it is the base upon which whole research is depends. Data will be
collected either from primary sources or it may be collected from secondary sources. Primary
data refers to first-hand data which is being collected for the first time. While secondary data
refers to that data which is based on primary or which is already being collected by researcher.
Also, secondary data includes less cost and time in comparison of primary data which
requires more time in collecting data. Thus, it would be right to said that primary data is first-
hand data which will be considered as more authentic and reliable in comparison of secondary
data. Also, primary data provides more accuracy in terms of drawing conclusions in addition to
provide full controlling power to researcher. This research will be based upon the collection of
primary data. The reason for selecting this source is to raise the authenticity of the information
along with justification of concept which may not been able to draw on the basis of secondary
research.
Sampling:
It refers to a set of individuals which is a representation of the entire population. For
performing this process whole population is divided into different segments called sampling
units. Under this technique a group of individual is selected which shows the traits of whole
group or entire population. This is one of the best method to study a wide range data in an easier
form without consuming a long time (Etikan and Bala, 2017). Apart from saving time, sampling
also involves low cost in addition to high persistence of high accuracy. For the purpose of this
research a sample of 30 employees of Savola group is being selected.
Data analysis
Data analysis means gathering, inspecting and monitoring data with the objective to get some
important information from that. It is also used in drawing conclusions and helps in the decision-

making process. Data analysis have many approaches and techniques which is useful for the
business or science. It plays vital role in running the business smoothly. The process of data
analysis include data collection, processing,analysing and communication. There are two types
of data analysis which are thematic perception test technique and statistical package for social
science (SPSS).
Thematic perception test technique:
Thematic perception test technique is the personality test and it used when the research is
conducted on qualitative data. It is also used to make people to understand their own personality
in the proper manner and in depth and also enables to take the important decisions in the life.
Statistical package for social science (SPSS):
SPSS software which is used for the statistical analysis and this program is used when
conducting quantitative research. It is used by market researcher, survey research etc. while
doing investigation.
For analysing the responses which is gathered from the survey researcher will apply thematic
perception test technique (Jackson and Bazeley, 2019). The selection of this technique is done
because it helps in evaluating qualitative data efficiently. By considering all the responses
preparation of several themes will be done.
Reliability and validity
The researcher has taken care about the reliability and validity factors while conducting the
research. For the validity aspect research articles or sources which are publishes after 2016 are
considered, so that updated data will get but not the old one. Because old data can mislead the
research and related to research only articles will be selected which will show that the research is
valid. No undesirable data will be used which have no relation with the study. Further all the
copyright sources are used while collecting secondary data which will show the reliability factor.
No modification in the data is done it has taken the way it is that will make the research more
valid.
Research limitations
The main limitation in the research is time, money and resources. Because of having limited time
and meeting the deadline of the study research is done in speed and due to limited funds
quantitative technique which is statistical package for social science (SPSS) has not been
selected. So to remove this limitation thematic perception test technique will be done and it is

also observed that the current problem can be covered by using qualitative aspect so that is why
this technique is suitable for the investigation. The issue related to unavailability of resources are
solved using scholarly articles which are selected carefully.
Ethical consideration
By taking care about the ethical aspect consent forms will be filled by the respondents which are
selected for the purpose of survey. This will portray that respondents are participating because
they want to participate and not forced by the researcher to take participation in the survey.
Further, at the end of the report the list of reference is attached which will show that the work is
original and not copied down from anywhere else. Following all ethic related regulation is very
important because ethics are not considered then research will not be considered as valid but will
become invalid. All the participants in the research should be respected and given priority. Data
protection of all the participants will be there. Researcher is not allowed to share any information
of participants without taking permission from them. Research data is vital so its confidentiality
should be maintained.
Literature review:
Importance of motivation:
According to the views of Pilukienė (2017) highly motivated employees are the key of
success for every organization. No company can achieve its objectives or meet the market
competition without the contribution of employees. Hence, it is very essential for companies
have a motivated workforce.
On the other hand, FOOTBALLERS (2020) argues that motivation is also very
significant for companies to meet unforeseen circumstances. It leads the companies to bear
challenges and meet fluctuating circumstances along with meeting business requirements.
Reasons of demotivation:
Yang, Huang and Deng (2020) elucidates that lack of job security is the main reason of
employee's demotivation. Since, every employee wants that his job should be secured and along
with securing safety regarding his personal life. But with the raising trend of job insecurity,
employees are feeling demotivated.
On the contrary Al-Tkhayneh, Kot and Shestak (2019) states that lack performance
appraisal or appraising good moves of employees by companies is the main reason of creating

demotivation among them. This is because as every employee wants that his good moves would
always be appreciated and appraised by companies in front of other so that they will get
encouraged to take further initiatives.
Methods of raising motivation level:
Pang and Lu (2018) explicates that proving financial benefits in the form of perks or
bonus or any other monetary benefits to the employees is one of the significant method of raising
employee's performance along with enhancing level of motivation among them.
However on a critical note Kirilina and Panina (2017) critics that every employee will not
be motivated by providing financial benefits. This means that apart from financial benefits, non-
financial moves will play more important role in raising employee's level of motivation and
satisfaction. This may includes encouraging good moves along with implementing the system of
appraising performance of employees.
Time line:
It is a tabular representation of activities which will be going to undertake during performing this
entire project. It shows the differentiation of steps along with determining time that will be
required to perform those steps. Time line for this purposed research will be as follows:
Activ
ities
1st
week
2nd
week
3rd
week
4th
week
5th
week
6th
week
7th
week
8th
week
9th
week
10th
week
11th
week
12th
week
13th
week
Selec
tion
of
resea
rch
topic
Deve
lopin
g
aims

and
objec
tives
along
with
frami
ng
resea
rch
quest
ions
with
regar
d to
topic
Draft
ing
resea
rch
prop
osal.
Perfo
rmin
g
litera
ture
revie
w
with
the

devel
opme
nt of
them
es.
Asse
ssme
nt
along
with
select
ion
of
resea
rch
meth
odolo
gy
Form
ing
quest
ionna
ire
consi
sting
of
both
close
ende
d and

open-
ende
d
quest
ions.
Colle
ction
of
data
throu
gh
quest
ionna
ire.
Anal
ysing
the
colle
cted
data
Draw
ing
concl
usion
.
Reco
mme
nding
vario
us

strate
gies
for
resol
ving
issue
regar
ding
demo
tivati
on.
Arra
nging
repor
t in a
struct
ured
mann
er.
Cons
ultati
on
with
tutor.
Perfo
rmin
g
modi
ficati
on if

any.
Final
subm
issio
n.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Al-Tkhayneh, K., Kot, S. and Shestak, V., 2019. Motivation and demotivation factors affecting
productivity in public sector. Administratie si Management Public, (33), pp.77-102.
Alase, A., 2017. The interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA): A guide to a good
qualitative research approach. International Journal of Education and Literacy
Studies.5(2). pp.9-19.
Cazeaux, C., 2017. Art, research, philosophy (p. 202). Taylor & Francis.
Etikan, I. and Bala, K., 2017. Sampling and sampling methods. Biometrics & Biostatistics
International Journal.5(6). p.00149.
FOOTBALLERS, Y., 2020. THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION IN THE
ACHIEVEMENTS OF. European Journal of Research and Reflection in Educational
Sciences Vol.8(5).
Jackson, K. and Bazeley, P., 2019. Qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Sage.
Kanfer, R., Frese, M. and Johnson, R.E., 2017. Motivation related to work: A century of
progress. Journal of Applied Psychology.102(3). p.338.
Kirilina, T.Y. and Panina, O.I., 2017. Employee motivation management. Contemporary
Problems of Social Work.3(3). pp.66-73.
Pang, K. and Lu, C.S., 2018. Organizational motivation, employee job satisfaction and
organizational performance. Maritime Business Review.
Pilukienė, L., 2017. Importance of motivation and work pay of young employees in the value
creation chain of a business company: assessment of changes in and formation of
expectations. Business, Management and Education.15(2). pp.211-226.
Queirós, A., Faria, D. and Almeida, F., 2017. Strengths and limitations of qualitative and
quantitative research methods. European Journal of Education Studies.
Yang, F., Huang, X. and Deng, H., 2020. Why and When Managers Behave Abusively Toward
Employees in the Context of Job Insecurity. In Academy of Management
Proceedings (Vol. 2020, No. 1, p. 11616). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of
Management.
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