John Lewis: Impact of Employee Partnership on Success

This research report investigates the impact of employee partnership on the business success of John Lewis, a prominent UK departmental store known for its employee-owned structure. The report begins with an introduction outlining the background, research problem, and aims of the study, followed by a literature review exploring the meaning of employee partnership within the context of John Lewis, its impact on the company's success, and steps to enhance it. The methodology section details the research approach, objectives, design, and data collection methods. The core of the report presents and discusses the findings, followed by conclusions, limitations, and recommendations. The study emphasizes the importance of employee involvement in decision-making and profit-sharing, highlighting how these factors contribute to employee engagement, customer loyalty, and overall business performance. The report underscores the significance of employee partnership for the success of companies like John Lewis, and offers insights for further research and practical application.

RESEARCH PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................2
Background:...........................................................................................................................2
Research problem:..................................................................................................................2
Structure of dissertation:.........................................................................................................3
Significance of the study:.......................................................................................................3
Aims of study:........................................................................................................................3
SECTION 2: LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................4
Introduction............................................................................................................................4
Meaning of employee partnership in context of John Lewis.................................................4
Impact of this partnership in success of company..................................................................5
Steps to improve employee partnership so that business could be successful.......................6
SECTION 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...............................................................................7
Research Approach:................................................................................................................7
Objectives:..............................................................................................................................7
Research Philosophy:.............................................................................................................7
Research design:.....................................................................................................................8
Data collection:.......................................................................................................................8
Data Analysis:........................................................................................................................8
SECTION 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS..............................................................................9
SECTION 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................17
Conclusions:.........................................................................................................................17
Limitations:...........................................................................................................................18
Recommendations:...............................................................................................................18
SECTION 6: REFERENCES........................................................................................................19
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................21

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The completion of this project could not be done without taking participation of many people.
Assistance and guidance of my mentor is very useful to develop my knowledge regarding this
project. Their contribution is really appreciated and gratefully acknowledged.
_____________, give me proper support and guidance to understand marketing concept.
In presentation, support is very helpful that determines to me in my whole project. I am thankful
to taking views and guidance from many people such relatives and friends. They supported me
through share sharing their ideas and opinion in my research.
Above all, I acknowledge for my project and support.
Thank you
1

ABSTRACT
John Lewis is one of the largest chain of departmental stores across UK which was
founded in the year 1864. At present, the company is having about 50+ stores all over UK with
one of the leading brands in country and now, it is publicly owned company with having about
38000+ employees serving customers of UK. It is the company which is emerging as leading
organisation with having maximum employee engagement and their participation within decision
making process of company. As However, success of business is generally known in form of
profits, revenue, market share, brand value and growth within market. These allAll these things
could be combined to see and enjoy success of organisation with the involvement of employee.
They are essence of any part of business and help in making loyal customers and attracting more
and more client within organisation from market
Aim: Impact of employee partnership in success of business: A study on John Lewis.
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
Background:
In this present ear era of development, where everything is moving so muchvery fast that
as technology is getting better and more betterbetter. In this fast changing environment,
organisation is also moving forward and implementing same more good changes within its
management and working. There was a time when employees were only treated as workers who
came, take their compensation and after that left however at introduce time they are never again
what is called as workers of organization (Goffee and Scase, 2015). Nowadays, employees are
have been given partnershipgiven partnership within the organisation which means that they are
have been given with some amount from thefrom the profits of company i.e., share of company.
With this, they are getting to involve into company and its decision making as well . well. This
current report is has been based on impacton impact of this employee partnership into success of
business and company on which it will be focusing is John Lewis. This British departmental
store is has been regarded to as role model in market of UK with having all its employees as
partners within company.
2

Research problem:
This would be analysing the impact of employee participation that on their success of
business as most of the employers would not be included then company would not be getting
benefits form this.
Structure of dissertation:
Chapter 1: Introduction- This part will be making outline of the topic impact of employee
partnership within success of business and also of John Lewis. This part will be including many
sub-parts like that of significance of study, background, research questions and aims or
objectives.
Chapter 2: Literature Review- This part will be including pros and cons of the employee
partnership within company with respect to several authors who have included this topic in their
articles or books.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology- This will be telling about various methodologies which
researcher will be applying in making out conclusion or recommendations about the topic.
Chapter 4: Results and discussion- It is the main part which will be including various data
collection and then analysis of those collected data. This part will be making a clear discussion
about the topic whether it is important to include employees and giving them partnership or not.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation- This will be making final conclusion of whole
research which has been done and then giving recommendations about how this could be
improved.
Significance of the study:
As this would be founded on effect of worker association inside achievement of
organization so this will be particularly imperative for the organization on which study would be
founded on which is John Lewis. Its administration would have the capacity to comprehend that
it is particularly basic to have every one of the representatives as accomplices of firm who are
possessed the capacity to partake in basic leadership techniques. This report will also be essential
for doing further research by any other researcher who has been analysing effects of employee
Aims of study:
Aim: Impact of employee participation into success of business: A study on John Lewis
3

partnership within profits sharing of business. This will also be significant for those students of
university who would be making their research proposal or dissertation on the same topic.
4

SECTION 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
Employees are known as essence and main portion of any organisation who are there are
helping company in making out best profits out of invested amount. SoTherefore, it is good
when company or management is has been dividing this these profits with all employees who are
working within the firm. This is known as employee partnership or giving them a particular part
of share of profits to them so that they are beengot involved more into company. John Lewis
which is a British departmental store is has been using and employing this theory of partnership
with employees so that they are possessed the capacity to get themselves engaged with basic
leadership methods and their execution in organization is additionally been made strides
(Involving employees in the business - John Lewis Partnership,. 2018).
Meaning of employee partnership in context of John Lewis.
As per Soomro, Shah and Ahmed, (2016) it is very much clear from name itself that what
is meant by employee partnership and why it is important at present times as well. This is
defined as that procedure which will be involving employees within organisation increasing their
participation and involvement as well. Partnership of employee would be meaning that all
employees are getting power and rights to get included in company with having their own
individual share of profits. As there was a time when management has been involved in
exploiting employee with not giving them equal rights and salaries so employee felt that they are
least important for them. But Lee, Shiue and Chen, (2016) mentioned that without proper
appreciation or involving workers no organisation could be able to perform goodwell in market.
They were not given chance to participate in management; they were not asked or their
viewpoints were not regarded within company. Due to these reasons, companies were losing
employees, as they were less interested in profits of company and more in their own salary.
SoHence, presentation of their support in type of representative association or different
laborers were offered opportunity to say something in regards to their issues and resolve them.
Then there were some companies who came up with more better options in this regard which is
known as employee partnership or giving them opportunity to make their own share into profits
of company. Almajali, Masa'deh and Tarhini, (2016) said that if company is has been involved in
this type of procedures which is governing and involving employees within share of company's
5

profits. Although there are many problems which are have been associated with introduction of
policy where employees are also given chance otto get share of profit other than their salaries.
But applying this policy will also be helping company in higher amount of profits, stability in
working, increased in market share, retention of employees and more motivated employees.
According to Sirola and Pitesa, (2017) management of company should be involved in
putting employees in the foremost position which would be including them to lead company by
their own thoughts and innovation. Be that as it may, at that point just giving them offer of
benefits into organization would unquestionably b insufficient but rather they ought to be
likewise having opportunity to put down their perspectives and proposing administration about
what could be changes and distinction might they be able to make
Impact of this partnership in success of company.
Rangus and Slavec, (2017) said that involving employees and making them partners of
company is the best way which will be introduced by firm and thus, increasing profits. Impact of
this employee partnership would not always be resulting or guaranteeing success of company but
it is essential that policy which they are forming is the best of its kind. The strategy which
company is forming as per partnership that how will they be doing so and what could be the
success chance or growth rate, then it will be able to show some result. Company must be
engaging their employees and workers who are have been making their efforts in developing and
growing business of firm. This will be enabling employee to think for their company on more
personal level and then making more profits from their invested part in particular project (Jacobs,
Yu and Chavez, 2016).
It is not only the responsibility of employee to give their best in work but management
are is also having role to play which will be that of making happy happier and satisfying satisfied
employees. At exhibit era where organizations are increasing higher measure of benefits in
market could without much of a stretch give some part from that to their representatives which
implies that they are regarding them as workers as well as proprietors of firm. As In addition to
this, Wellin, (2016) said that if anyone is having a part in profits of firm, then they would easily
be an owner of that firm with share of profits.
6

Steps to improve employee partnership so that business could be successful.
Employee partnership will be very much essential in making profits and success of
business as in John Lewis, this policy is employed so partners are the big key to success. This
company is has been regarded to as employee owned organisation with all its employees
involved in partnership. This now to be enhanced and approach is requiring a more noteworthy
feeling of changes and change also with the goal that organization can get a greater amount of
what is called development and addition in benefits. Motivation of employee will bbe required in
organisation which is known to be the best part of any organisation so they would also be very
happy in working with that particular organisation which is showing so much concern.
John Lewis is regarded to as a role model company in terms of getting employees as
partners. All the stores of company isare having their partners which include 35 stores and
272 supermarkets of John Lewis. The organisation is also known as largest employee owned
company of UK which is making it both commercial and democratic. Ward, (2016) said that
success growth of company business will always be laying in hands of employees as they are the
one who could be held responsible for success of company.
7

SECTION 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Approach:
The way or technique which is been received by analyst in leading thesis or research
work that could be telling how might we build up a hypothesis or example of importance on
information gathered bases. This will be giving researcher more amount of flexibility in data
collection and analysis of that collected data is known as research approach (Andriof and
McIntosh, 2017). There are basically two types of approaches which are regularly used by
researchers that include inductive and deductive. In the present research which is based on
impact of employee partnership in success of business, scholar will be using inductive approach.
This implies social affair of information in more fitting measure of information on subjective sort
with the goal that information which is gathered is right and legitimate too. This inductive type
will be starting from data collection, observing them and theories; then at the end, coming out
with results and suggesting some major changes that could be done easily.
Objectives:
 To determine meaning of employee partnership at workplace.
 To ascertain effectiveness of employee partnership in John Lewis.
 To evaluate relationship between employee partnership and success of business in John
Lewis.
 To recommandrecommend various ways in which John Lewis could increase more
involvement of employees within decision making procedures.
Research Question:
1. What is the meaning of employee partnership within organisation?
2. How could this partnership of employee be helpful for success of business?
3. What could be done so that employee partnership and success of business is retained in
market?
Research Philosophy:
This incorporates all sort of substance about way which could be effortlessly purchased
up to assemble investigation and utilize the information. This will give more prominent and
8

clearer feeling of gathering that information which could be then examining or mentioning out
outcomes from that objective facts.
Research design:
This will be including blueprint of whole research work as what should be done and how
this that should be done (Ashnai, Henneberg and Francescucci, 2016). This will be like a
framework of research project so the present task will have elucidating type which would
educate and having brief depiction regarding theme which will have adjust execution of all
legitimate way.
Data collection:
Most effective part of any research will be collecting of data which scholar would be
including within project into different label or sub-parts. Both primary and secondary data will
be included in this research so that is it becomes more and more easyeasier to make the project
understand. Primary data will that type of data which is has been collected from sources which
are new and as well as fresh and not been used in any research while secondary research typedata
is that which is obtained from sources that are secondary in nature (Cohen, 2017). Like that of
books, articles and journals which are been being written beforehand and uploaded in any form
whether offline or online is called to be secondary in nature and we are only explaining or taking
some sections from that book. For primary data, 10 employees of John Lewis would be
questioned so that they are giving us better result of employee partnership within business.
Data Analysis:
This is the last and important part of research work which includes analysis of collected
data so that final conclusions could be drawn out from that collectedgathered data. In this
following report, we would be using descriptive type of data analysis so that scholar could
describe topic which is impact of employee partnership within success of business.
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SECTION 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Theme 1: Employee in company's decision making procedures.
Particulars Respondents Frequency
Yes 7 70.00%
No 3 30.00%
Total 10 100.00%
Interpretation:
As in the above literature review, it was seen that John Lewis is the role model to all
firms in including all its employees within profits sharing of company. So, 10 employees were
asked the same question as do they agree with this point that company is including
themincluding them in decision making procedures. 7 out of 10 employees said that they agree
that they are getting equal and fair chance to be included within decision making procedures of
company as they have been asked with about their problems and then management need to try to
solve that problemissue. Thus, making them feel an integral part of organisation. But 3 out of 10
employees also felt that company is not generally regarding them within this procedure which is
called ot as decision making one.
Theme 2: Meaning of partnership of employee in John Lewis.
10
Yes
No

Particulars Respondents Frequency
Participation 2 20.00%
Share of profits of company 5 50.00%
More than just participation 3 30.00%
Total 10 100.00%
Interpretation:
In the literature review, we have also learnt that partnership of employee with company
means that they are have been given their share of profits into company which means that they
could also be getting their share out of company's profits (Mackey and Gass, 2015). So, when
question was asked to employee about this meaning, 5 out of 10 employees said that for them,
this participation meant that they are having some part of company's profits as well. While 2 of
them said that if company is including them and giving chance to participate within company by
just involving them, then this will be meaning partnership of them in John Lewis. There were
also 3 of then who felt that if company is only involving them in and giving chance to
participate, then this would be meaning of partnership of employees in company. So, this seems
to be very much important that company and management isare giving them chance to involve
employee in management of companythe same. Partnership means that company is dividing their
11
Participation
Share of profits of company
More than just participation

share of profits with all employees so that they are getting more than what is called salary. They
would then also be known as shareholders of company as having share of profits with them.
Theme 3: Impact of employees in involvement or partnership at workplace.
Particulars Respondents Frequency
Increased in profits 5 50.00%
Increased in motivation 3 30.00%
Fair and equal chance 2 20.00%
Total 10 100.00%
Interpretation:
This point was also discussed in above literature review and thus, it was supported by
point that if company is involving all employees within sharing of profits, then it will be
essential for company to get its success (Kane, Palmer and Buckley, 2015). Workplace
partnership of firm and that too of employee is a good part and policy which John Lewis is
implementing ion in their company. Rather than getting some other investors from market,
company is involving their own employees in their profit sharing ratio which is a very good step.
So, many of employee said that if they are have been involved into company as partners of firm
at that point this will make organization into colossal measure of benefits i.e., around 5 of 10
12
Increased in profits
Increased in motivation
Fair and equal chance

workers said this. While there were 3 of them said that organization of representatives inside
benefits of firm will b making them more roused for doing great work. They incorporated that
association of worker may build their inspiration instead of straightforwardly incorporating them
in achievement of firm. Whereas, 2 of 10 employees said that if company is giving them share of
profits, of company then this will also be including fair and equal chance of opportunities for
them.
Theme 4: Helpfulness of partnership of employee in profits of John Lewis and its success.
Particulars Respondents Frequency
Yes 7 70.00%
No 3 30.00%
Total 10 100.00%
Interpretation:
Literature review included that if company would be getting employee partnership, then
this will be impacting business of firm on higher level of profits. Market share of company will
be increasing with the help of employee and their performance (McMurrian and Matulich, 2016).
John Lewis is making all representatives inside working of organization they are concerning
their representatives with any issues administration is additionally settling on them take an
interest in basic leadership techniques which is allowing organization to comprehend worker and
13
Yes
No

their issue in better way. In this way, 7 out of 10 workers said that they concur with point that on
the off chance that they are been getting association in benefits of firm at that point organization
will lead market and accomplishment as well. While 3 out of 10 representatives said that they are
not concurring with this point is organization is including them into benefit sharing proportion at
that point organization will get achievement. Consequently, organization must incorporate
worker into basic leadership and association of firm which will bring about higher and great
benefits of firm they will get accomplishment in industry and market as well.
Theme 5: Company will be focusing on happiness of employee after giving them partnership.
Particulars Respondents Frequency
Yes 6 60.00%
No 2 20.00%
Neutral 2 20.00%
Total 10 100.00%
Interpretation:
When organization is including workers and giving them benefits won't imply that
organization will quit contemplating satisfaction of representatives (Rosca, Arnold and Bendul,
2017). As at At this point of time, employee would be regarded to as owners of company having
the share of their profits in firm. So, it will be difficult that management isn't with respect to state
of representative in any basic leadership systems or they are denied of getting any opportunity to
14
Yes
No
Neutral

talk about any issue which are been looked by them. In this way, 6 out of 10 representatives said
that organization will center around their bliss and fulfillment more after benefit sharing
proportion they incorporated that if organization are possessed the capacity to perform and give
their alternative then they could be effectively required into firm. While 2 of them said that they
don't feel that if workers are persuading opportunity to be incorporated into benefit sharing piece
of organization at that point organization won't think about their joy. But this point will be
putting negative impact on performance of employees as they would not be then interested in
company and its profits. Whereas, 2 of them were not sure of this point and they were not having
any comment to give over this point.
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SECTION 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions:
In order to carry the above report, it could be concluded that John Lewis is very much
into this point on involving its employees within profit sharing of company which is known as
employee partnership. Employees are have been regarded to as gems of any company as they are
the one who are helping firm in getting better and better. So, decision of company that they
should include employee by giving share of profits to company was very good as now John
Lewis is earning very good share of profits with the help of employees. Given Giving priority to
workers will be motivating them to work harder for firm with which they are associated with and
making company into line of success. It is also concluded that company which is involving all its
employees and giving them share of profits would be more successful as compared to others who
are not following this part.
All employees who are have been involved within share of profits like that in case of
John Lewis where about 69000 employees across Waitrose and John Lewis are getting
partnership within company (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). Only giving them share would
not be enough at all the times but it is also important that they are briningbringing together all
these shareholders which will be removing the ultimate power of Chairman in company. Success
of company will be depending upon the involvement of employees in all functions and working
like they are givingare giving their suggestions on certain problems which are directly related to
employees. But there is one consequence of using your employees as partners of company which
could be that it will bbe difficult for company to determine what could bbe the share of profits of
each employees. As they couldn't have the capacity to choose how much level of benefits to be
given to one representative and what is the explanation for this proportion. Impact of employee
partnership within success matter of company that too in John Lewis would be easily understood
by this whole project which was carried to find out actual results.
As thereThere were 10 employees who were taken into account for finding out actual
comes about because of whom most said that John Lewis and its training which is occurred to
incorporate worker into association is particularly compelling. They included that their
involvement in this process is remarkable as per part of company which is leading higher amount
of revenue and profits for firm. Thus, at the end, it is has been concluded that all companies
16

which are forming higher and significant profits must be making this a policy and adopting them
as well. Small companies which are not getting good profits could certainly not include their
employees as partners but they should be involving all employees viewpoints at time of any kind
of decision making process.
Limitations:
This research was based on the topic stating that what would be the impact of employee
partnership into success of John Lewis business which was also containing some limitations. The
most important limitation includes the choice of limited employees which were only 10
employees who are on supervisory level. It was also said that the limited range of information
which was used within the research work is not sufficient and this need greater data collecting.
Recommendations:
Towards the conclusion to entire report, the researcher needs to give certain proposals on
this part how could firm build their worker's association inside organization so it is prompting
achievement. Organizations must incorporate their everything workers in association and that too
just that organization which is increasing higher measure of benefits out of their income. If
company is not a profit centric firm and not getting good deal of profit, then they certainly would
not be able to give share of profits to employee.
Making vision and mission very much clear- All employees of firm should be having clear view
of what is the goal and objectives of firm. If they know about vision and mission of company,
then it will be easy to make employees involved with targetwith target and then assigning them
individual target.
Dividing role and responsibility- On the off chance that every worker recognize what they need
to do what is their part in organization then it turns out to be anything but difficult to snatch all
openings and making effective undertaking. Division of work will be making employee more
effective towards their his or her role and making them him or her responsible for work that is
only done by them.
17

SECTION 6: REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Almajali, D.A., Masa'deh, R.E. and Tarhini, A., 2016. Antecedents of ERP systems
implementation success: a study on Jordanian healthcare sector. Journal of Enterprise
Information Management. 29(4). pp.549-565.
Andriof, J. and McIntosh, M. eds., 2017. Perspectives on corporate citizenship. Routledge.
Ashnai, B., Henneberg, S.C. and Francescucci, A., 2016. Inter-personal and inter-organizational
trust in business relationships: An attitude–behavior–outcome model. Industrial
Marketing Management. 52. pp.128-139.
Cohen, E., 2017. CSR for HR: A necessary partnership for advancing responsible business
practices. Routledge.
Goffee, R. and Scase, R., 2015. The Real World of the Small Business Owner (Routledge
Revivals). Routledge.
Jacobs, M.A., Yu, W. and Chavez, R., 2016. The effect of internal communication and
employee satisfaction on supply chain integration. International Journal of Production
Economics. 171. pp.60-70.
Kane, G.C., Palmer, D. and Buckley, N., 2015. Strategy, not technology, drives digital
transformation. MIT Sloan Management Review and Deloitte University Press. 14.
Lee, J.C., Shiue, Y.C. and Chen, C.Y., 2016. Examining the impacts of organizational culture
and top management support of knowledge sharing on the success of software process
improvement. Computers in Human Behavior. 54. pp.462-474.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
McMurrian, R.C. and Matulich, E., 2016. Building customer value and profitability with
business ethics. Journal of Business & Economics Research (Online). 14(3). p.83.
Rangus, K. and Slavec, A., 2017. The interplay of decentralization, employee involvement and
absorptive capacity on firms' innovation and business performance. Technological
Forecasting and Social Change. 120. pp.195-203
Rosca, E., Arnold, M. and Bendul, J.C., 2017. Business models for sustainable innovation–an
empirical analysis of frugal products and services. Journal of Cleaner Production. 162.
pp.S133-S145.
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Sirola, N. and Pitesa, M., 2017. Economic downturns undermine workplace helping by
promoting a zero-sum construal of success. Academy of Management Journal. 60(4).
pp.1339-1359.
Soomro, Z.A., Shah, M.H. and Ahmed, J., 2016. Information security management needs more
holistic approach: A literature review. International Journal of Information
Management. 36(2). pp.215-225.
Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Ward, J., 2016. Perpetuating the family business: 50 lessons learned from long lasting,
successful families in business. Springer.
Wellin, M., 2016. Managing the psychological contract: Using the personal deal to increase
business performance. CRC Press.
Online:
Involving employees in the business - John Lewis Partnership., 2018. [Online]. Accessed
through: <https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/involving-employees-business-john-
lewis-partnership>.
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APPENDICES
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1. Do you feel that company is has been including you within their decision making
procedures?
 Yes
 No
2. For you, what would be the meaning of partnership of employee in John Lewis?
 Participation
 Share in profits of company
 More than just participation
3. What is the impact of your involvement or partnership at workplace?
 Increased in profits
 Increased motivation
 Fair and equal chance.
4. 4. Do your partnershipDoes your partnership in profits of business will be helping in
success of John Lewis?
 Yes
 No
5. Will company be focusing on your happiness after you have been given the partnership?
20