Research: Training & Development Policies Impact on Unilever Staff

This report investigates the impact of training and development policies on staff productivity at Unilever. It begins by outlining the background of the research, including the significance of training and development for achieving organizational goals. The research aims to analyze the impact of these policies on staff productivity, with specific objectives including understanding the concept of training and development policies, analyzing their impact on Unilever's staff productivity, and determining the major challenges faced by Unilever while adopting different training and development policies. The research questions focus on the concept, impact, and challenges related to these policies. A literature review explores the concept of training and development, its impact on staff productivity, and the challenges faced during implementation. The report also includes a hypothesis, research methodologies, and questionnaire used for data collection, and identifies relevant statistics. Limitations of the research, ethical considerations, and the importance of the research are also discussed. The report concludes by providing insights into how effective training and development strategies can enhance employee motivation and organizational success.

Research Methods
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Table of Contents
Background of the research ............................................................................................................3
Research aim and objectives............................................................................................................3
Research Questions..........................................................................................................................4
Research problems...........................................................................................................................4
Literature review .............................................................................................................................4
Hypothesis ......................................................................................................................................7
Research Methodologies..................................................................................................................7
Questionnaire.................................................................................................................................10
Identity the statistics .....................................................................................................................11
Limitation of the research..............................................................................................................11
Ethical consideration.....................................................................................................................11
Importance of research ................................................................................................................11
References.....................................................................................................................................13
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Background of the research
The use of training and development process are needed to accomplish result in an
effective and appropriate manner. With the help of effective training and development methods it
is analyse to complete the basic structure and provide wide range of applicabilities in an
effective manner. It is effective and appropriate growth in internal and external factors which are
associated for the growth in different perspective. Furthermore, it will indicate the firms long
term process for managing long term commitment which is effective its work and make increase
for managing employee's motivational level (Anwar and Abdullah, 2021). It is said that the use
of staff motivation and training method to work effectively and manage basic growth for relevant
knowledge and skills. It further helps in managing organized efforts for being individual and
organisation success in more effective and appropriate ways. The chosen company for this
project is Unilever (Lejeune, Beausaert and Raemdonck, 2021). A British multinational
company which deals with food, condiments, ice cream and other methods which are helpful for
managing and effective techniques. The company was introduced in 1929 within London, United
Kingdom. Unilever have large number of employees so, they are needed to accomplish different
sectors which are used to appropriate training and development session in an effective manner.
This research proposal include the basic structure for propose the research proposal including the
deep understanding of research methods in an effective and appropriate manner. This will help
the researcher to provide wide range of applicabilities in an effective and appropriate ways to
analyse data in an efficient ways.
Research aim and objectives
Aim: “To analyse the impact of training and development policies on staff productivity of the
company. The study on Unilever.”
Research Objectives:
 To understand the concept of training and development policies which are used by the
company.
 To analyse the impact of training and development policies used by Unilever for
increasing staff productivity.
 To determine major challenges faced by Unilever while adopting different training and
development policies.
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Research Questions
 What is the concept of training and development policies which are used by the
company.
 What are the major impact of training and development policies used by Unilever for
increasing staff productivity.
 What are the challenges faced by Unilever while adopting different training and
development policies.
Research problems
This study is relatively limited to the sources for managing role and impact of training
and development methods in an effective manner. It further provide the wide range of
applicabilities that holds the size of large population of the employees. This is associated to the
major problem which the companies faced while conducting training and development strategies
to enhance the productivity of the company in an effective and appropriate manner. While
completing in effective research methods, researcher should work effective and analysis the
report to conclude an outcome for solving specified research problem (Cascio, 2021). It further
helps in managing and addressing the consent to training and development techniques to work
effectively and improve the quality of work within the business activities. These issues are
needed to accomplish different sources for managing and addressing data in more effective and
appropriate manner.
Literature review
Concept of training and development policies which are used by the company
As per view points of Jiboku (2020), Training and development policies are used for the
purpose of translating the organisations priorities, needs, actionable, affordable and effective
learning solutions. As per the size of organisation function and structure resulting policies have
to be properly defined so that it is having proper association with the organisation mission and
vision statements. There is a requirement of proper training and development provisions in order
to describe the procedures process and standards for development of training options. Training is
regarded as the various educational activities created to enhance the skills and knowledge level
of employees by providing those required instructions and information to perform specific tasks.
Training is a short term process while development is designed as continuous proactive process
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that is meant for executive (Hylandand Jiang., 2020). Training has the main aim that is to
develop additional skills as well as total employee personality. On the other hand in context of
training and development the main focus is to create an employee base enhancing the present
knowledge skills and development for the future course of action. In this process there is career
development opportunities so that employees are able to focus on their future development along
with fulfilment of present roles and responsibilities assigned in the organisation (Perry‐Jenkins.
and Wadsworth, 2017). The activities are linked with employee training and development skills
at a required to update the present performance of employees to enhance your work efficiency. It
is associated with various educational activities that are designed for career development and
enhancing the employee performance level. There are knowledge and skills required for the
purpose of providing the instruction and information for the point of improving the present
quality of performance. The main aim of training as a part of human resource management
process is to improve the present requirement of skills that is essential in order to fulfil the skill
gaps (Multinational corporations and skills development in Nigeria: the case of Unilever Nigeria
PLC 2020).
In context of hospitality organisations management have to take initiatives so that they
are able to organise proper skill and development sessions for future succession planning of
employees. When there are proper development initiatives taken by organisation then it helps in
the process of having a competent as well as talented workforce (Dutton and Ragins, 2017).
Training development as a continuous process for gaining knowledge improvement of scales
clarification of concepts as per the structure and plants for increasing employee performance. It
emphasizes on improving the performance of individuals by focusing on methodology and
content required to achieve the objectives. There is a requirement of efficient training system of
employees for knowledge and skill development process which may lead towards improvement
of employee productivity.
The impact of training and development policies used by Unilever for increasing staff
productivity
As per view of stewart (2020), In Unilever, the organisation is having a very positive
impact by using the training and development policies for enhancing staff productivity. Such as,
there is increase in productivity level of individuals when they are implementing new process
and technologies. There is reduction of micromanagement where employees are feeling
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empowered to perform their task. Employees are provided with proper training and development
opportunities at a helping those in future career prospects. There is higher job satisfaction level
which is leading to lower employee turnover as they are not willing to make a switch in long-
term. Further Unilever is able to attract a workforce who is highly skilled and talented.
Organised training measures helps in performing task with requirement of proper uniformity that
leads to higher level of consistency in the overall organisational functioning (Lagsten and
Andersson, 2018). There is added innovation that is helping in the process of development new
products and strategies by contributing to the continued success and bottom line of the
organisation. There are different types of training methods which are used by Unilever in the
process of increasing the skill level of employees. In the covid-19 pandemic the main focus was
on digital transformation for trained to enhance their competence and skill level by focusing on
improving the present skill sets (Corporate Training and Development Policies and Practices: A
Cross-National Study of India and Britain, 2020).
They are working towards understanding the language patterns and then having
customised training content. Further there are many new creativity and innovations that are
bought in the process of having proper effective digital strategies. Unilever is working towards
having proper effective training place where artificial intelligence is used to have a proper
learning process that encourages employees by doing and then focusing on learning (Mathieu,
Wolfson and Park, ., 2018). There is strong connection between the way practical training is to
be done employees are working and at the same time having proper focus on the way they are
able to learn some new skill sets. Unilever is focusing on having implementation of report
flexible learning model. There is effective process of distance learning the Covid-19 pandemic
has lead retail brands to have a flexible resilient and a mobile workforce management system.
Human resource department is working towards having proper accessibility to towards
productive continually working and engaged workforce (Hothersall, 2019).
Major challenges faced by Unilever while adopting different training and development
policies
As per view point’s Nicholson (2018), there are some of the challenges that are
specifically faced by Unilever in the process of implementing training and development
strategies in the organisation. For example there is presence of large diversified workforce and
differences in employee background may sometimes lead to difficulty in the process of
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implementing effective process of talent management (Vallerand and Houlfort., 2019). In the
process of having effective training and development options there are issues of high employee
resistance which may also affect the present employer functioning. Covid-19 has a significant
impact on the present employee mindset in many instances it has negatively affected the
employee functioning. Employees are not able to completely adjust as per the changing
requirements of organisation that is leading to difficulty in the process of implementation of
some new training and development programs in the organisation. Apart from this there are
mandated shutdowns outbreaks, cost of vulnerabilities that are affecting the changing customer
behaviour and leading to difficulty in the process of managing internal functioning. All these
instances are affecting the present functioning of Unilever in long run (Balancing social and
political strategies in emerging markets: Evidence, 2020).
Hypothesis
The present research hypothesis is based on the way there is understanding of the training
and development policies are used by organisations to accomplish the results in a more
appropriate and effective manner (Csiernik and Birnbaum, 2017). Covid-19 has led to a
significant impact on the covid-19 of retail sector organisations. It has become very important to
have proper implementation of training and development programs which may assist in the
process of understanding the way training and development programs can be implemented in the
organisation.
Research Methodologies
Research methodology is the methodology which is used to complete the effective
process for managing and addressing challenges in an effective and appropriate manner. For
completing this stage researcher opted research onion framework which is effective and helpful
for identifying the strategies and helpful for considering wide range of applicabilities in an
effective and appropriate manner (Masia and Poll, 2021). Its stages are explained below:
 Research philosophy: It is the first stage of research methods, that include the scientific
theory and study of the research. Basically, there are two main approaches can be used by
researcher to complete their study in an effective and appropriate manner. The two
philosophies are related to positivism and interpretivism approach that helps the
researcher to complete study in given time period. In the present study, researcher adopt
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positivism approach to complete the research in efficient manner. It is used as it helps in
considering the major sources for having more scientific and appropriate research
methods to approve study in an effective manner (Rauf and et.al., 2021). These
philosophies are conducted on the basis of appropriate time period and achieve more
scientific data to complete research on effective time period.
 Research approach: Another layer of research methodology to complete more effective
process and achieve higher efficiency to complete the process. The two main approaches
are related to deductive and inductive approach. It would be effective and helpful for
addressing quantitative and qualitative research methods. In this present study, researcher
are able to choose deductive approach which is used to complete the study in an effective
manner. This approach is helpful for managing and addressing qualitative management
practices for working effectively and manage data in an effective and appropriate ways.
It will help the researcher to conduct and use primary research methods for the use of
structured questionnaire and build the understanding of observations for managing and
addressing data with different issues in more effective and appropriate ways.
 Research Strategy: There are wide range of research strategies which are used to
complete effective growth and applicabilities in an effective and appropriate manner.
Some of the strategies which can be used by researchers are related to action research,
experimental research, interviews, surveys and different systematic literature review
process. All the methods have their own advantage and disadvantages which are effective
and helpful for the researcher in an effective manner (Manthalu and et.al., 2021). In this
present study, researcher opted Survey method which is effective and helpful for
conducting quantitative research. It is effective and helpful for considering different
segments which are effective and time saving method. Furthermore, this method is used
to conduct large scale research to achieve higher efficiency in more appropriate ways.
 Research methods: There are two methods which are used to complete the study, one is
quantitative method and another one is qualitative method. Researcher use the both
methods for completing research in more efficient appropriate ways. Qualitative research
method are related to theoretical concept and it helps in conducting secondary source of
methods. Whereas, quantitative methods are used to manage numerical data to provide
wide range of applicabilities in an effective and appropriate ways. These two methods are
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basically helpful in managing time and achieve objectives on specified time period. In
other words, it is said that multi-mixed method is used for managing and analysing wider
range of selections of methods in more effective and appropriate methods.
 Research time horizon: Time is basically refers to the process for managing and
addressing research approaches in more effective and appropriate ways. It further provide
the wide range of applicabilities which related to cross-sectional and longitudinal
method. It is effective and helpful for addressing and completing research on single point
of time and completed in most of the surveys (Haroon, 2021). This method is cost
effective and time saving which helps to researcher for achieve methods and provide data
in more significant and appropriate time period. While using appropriate research
methods and provide different conceptual data to manage significant methods and helps
in managing research time horizon in more effective and appropriate ways.
 Data collection and analysis: This is one of the final layer of research methodology that
helps in analysing the process and manage wide range of applicabilities in an effective
manner. Here, the two sources are used to collect the data and analyse them in an
effective manner. Primary and secondary data sources are used to complete in more
effective and appropriate manner (Khan, Adi and Hussain, 2021). Primary method is
collected through the help of questionnaire and sampling method. Whereas, secondary
data is collected through the help of online journals, magazines, data sources and website.
It is further analysed that the researcher is able to choose both methods and achieve
objectives in an effective and appropriate manner.
 Sampling: This method is used to collect large scale operations in an more effective and
appropriate ways. These methods are used to collect data and achieve higher efficiency in
an appropriate and effective manner. This would be beneficial for managing sampling
method and provide wide range of applicabilities in collecting data. Researcher opted
probabilistic sampling method and provide the significant growth in manage data and
interpret them in an effective manner. The respondents are the emloyees of the company
and they have the appropriate information and knowledge which work significantly and
provide appropriate growth in addressing major issues of the company (Zhang and et.al.,
2021).
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Questionnaire
In order to complete and design the questionnaire, researcher use primary research
method and in that Survey strategy will be used. It will help the researcher to find out the
solution of problem in more effective manner. To design the questionnaire, online google form
are used and the respondents are the employees of Unilever (Ahmed and et.al., 2021). It will be
helpful for conducting research and provide wide range of opportunities to complete research
methods and make effective growth in addressing issues in ethical format.
Questionnaire
Q.1 As per your information, are you aware with the appropriate training and development
methods?
a) Yes
b) No
Q.2 According to your perspective, what is the meaning of training and development policy
meaning within the organisation?
a) Improving capacity of the employees
b) Enhance the productivity and performance
c) Managing organisational culture and values
Q.3 What are the impact of training and development policies used by Unilever for managing
staff productivity?
a) Improve profitability
b) Effective culture
c) appropriate workplace
Q.4 As per your opinion, what are the major challenges Unilever faced while managing
training and development policies?
a) Issues in organisational change
b) Measuring effectiveness
c) Cost cutting
Q.5 Do you want to provide some effective recommendations for the company to enhance
their employee's productivity?
Ans..
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Identity the statistics
In the present research work there is only use of secondary basis of information such as
there is no presence of primary information. For this purpose the overall analysis is based on the
techniques of thematic analysis. For this purpose the overall statistics is based on the presence of
secondary sources of information only which lead towards having a sufficient information base.
Limitation of the research
The limitations of present research work are that there is limited availability of
information because there is no use of primary sources. When Information is collected from the
original sources it leads to higher reliability and authenticity. The use of secondary sources is
leading to less availability of internal information of organisation functioning. So there is
insufficient information base which may affect the overall process of reaching towards reaching
to relevant conclusions and recommendations. Another associated limitation in present research
report is that there is no proper availability of internal information that is confidential in the
organisation. It is very important to identify the information which is internally associated with
the way training and development is adopted by the human resource department in Unilever. But
in some instances it is not ethical to easily access such internal information that may affect the
overall authenticity of the research report in long run.
Ethical consideration
This is the process which involve an effective and ethical consideration that helps in
managing primary research and ethics which were applied in an effective and appropriate
manner. These ethical consideration are related to management process of consent, anonymity
and confidentiality in an effective manner (Manthalu, Chikaipa and Gunde, 2021). It is used and
analyse to manage different conceptual framework which helps in analysing the technique and
provide wide range of applicability to follow the research consideration and ethical consent. It is
important to have some effective and appropriate options to do not share any personal data of the
respondents to gain the specific capacity of the company.
Importance of research
Present research work is very important because it is going to help retail sector
organisations like Unilever in identifying the overall concept of training and development
policies. It is also associated with dealing with the challenges faced in the process of adopting
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the various training and development measures. Further in context of Unilever the research is
going to help in understanding the training and development process which will lead to higher
effectiveness in employees growth.
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