The Impact of Employee Engagement on Countdown's Performance

This report investigates the impact of employee engagement on the organizational performance of The Countdown supermarket. It begins with an introduction highlighting the significance of employee engagement as a motivational factor and its influence on business performance. The research background outlines the need to focus on employee engagement to enhance employee contribution and improve performance. The report poses research questions exploring the relationship between employee engagement and organizational performance. The project design section details the research philosophy (interpretivism), approach (inductive), and strategy (survey and literature review). The methodology includes mixed data collection methods, data gathering techniques (primary and secondary data), and a probability sampling method with 45 Countdown employees. Statistical data analysis using MS-Excel is planned. The project implications highlight the benefits for both new and established organizations in understanding and improving employee engagement. Ethical considerations, including data security and adherence to ethical guidelines, are also addressed. A timeline outlines the research schedule, and the author reflects on their learning experience, including the challenges faced during data collection and the development of HRM skills.

Running Head: APPLIED BUSINESS RESEARCH
The impact of employee engagement in increase the organizational performance of
The Countdown, 246 Fenton Street, Victoria, Rotorua, 3010

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Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Research Background........................................................................................................................3
Research question..............................................................................................................................3
Project design (method).........................................................................................................................4
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................4
Philosophy of research.......................................................................................................................4
Approaches to research......................................................................................................................4
Strategy for research..........................................................................................................................4
Designing of project..........................................................................................................................5
Data gathering technique...................................................................................................................5
Procedure of Sampling......................................................................................................................5
Data analysis method.............................................................................................................................6
Project implications...............................................................................................................................6
Ethical approval.....................................................................................................................................6
Timeline................................................................................................................................................7
Own Learning........................................................................................................................................7
References.............................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
Employee engagement is a motivational aspect of the business because it directly influences
the performance of an organization. The employee engagement can be used as a strategy in
the workplace due to increasing the engagement of workforces for achieving the organization
goal. Employee engagement is significant as it supports to connect the workforces
emotionally to the vision of the company. It helps the organization to improve their
operational activity and gain its productivity for the long term. It can also be possible by
generating the knowledge about the employee engagement. For sustain in the marketplace, an
organization has needed to improve their skills about the employee engagement to improve
the performance of business (Kehoe, et al., 2013).
Research Background
The research subject is’ to analyze the impact of employee engagement on the performance
of Countdown’. In the existing business, the Countdown needs to concentrate on the
employee engagement to increase the contribution of an employee in the organizational
activity. As a result, Countdown can improve their performance systematically. In addition,
the employee engagement works as a motivational factor that supports the achieving of the
objectives of the company. The employee engagement depends on some elements such as
employee satisfaction level, organization attitude regarding the workforces, and working
environment. Investment in the human resources department can support to an organization
for improving their productivity systematically (Karatepe, 2013).
Research question
 What is the relationship between the employee engagement and organizational
performance?
 How engaging employees are used for the purpose of enhancing the performance of
The Countdown?

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 Which factors can affect employee engagement resulting in adverse impact on the
performance of the organization?
 Which fundamental elements can help in promoting employee engagement?
Project design (method)
Introduction
This section of project method will assist the researcher to select the appropriate technique to
achieve the research objectives. This section entails different types of methods like research
philosophy, research approach, project design, data collection method, and sampling
methods. These research methods will permit the researcher to get the reliable result about
the research topic (Alfes, et al., 2013).
Philosophy of research
The research philosophy plays a crucial role to obtain the reliable result in less time and cost.
There are three kinds of research philosophies that are considered in the research such as
positivism, realism, and interpretivism. For this research, a researcher will select the
interpretivism research philosophy to improve the reliability and validity of the outcome. The
main reason behind this selection is research issue is not based on the objective. The
interpretivism philosophy is associated with idealism circumstances that will help the
researcher to obtain the reliable and valid data (Cherian, et al., 2013).
Approaches to research
In the research approach, two types of methods are considered like inductive and deductive
approach. In this research, the researcher will use the inductive approach to collect the data in
the context of the research dilemma. In addition, this approach will be selected by the
researcher for developing theories rather than generating the research hypothesis. It will
enable the researcher to collect the opinion, views, and beliefs of the participants regarding
research matter (Albdour, et al., 2014).

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Strategy for research
The research strategy can be effective to meet the objectives and aim of research in the
estimated cost and time. In this research, survey through a questionnaire and literature review
will be used by the researcher for attaining the research in a systematic way. A researcher
will practice survey through a questionnaire method to gather the reaction of participants
about the impact of employee engagement to increase the organization performance. For
pooling the information through literature review, a researcher will imply the different ways
such as government, company report, offline resources, academic journal, and online sources.
It will help to get feasible outcome (Mone, et al., 2014).
Designing of project
Mixed data collection method will be used by the researcher because it covers the
characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research method. Hence, it will be advantageous
for accomplishing the research objectives. From this ways, the qualitative research will
support to collect the conceptual understanding of the research problem. Besides this, a
researcher will execute the quantitative researcher design to present the numerical facts and
figures by using the statistical methods (Cerasoli, et al., 2014).
Data gathering technique
The data gathering tool can be significant to collect the figures and facts to obtain the feasible
outcome. In this research, both primary and secondary data collection method will be utilized
by the researcher to gather the information regarding the impact of employee engagement on
the organization performance. The primary data will be executed by the researcher to collect
the data through a questionnaire, experiment, and observation. In addition, a researcher will
also exercise the secondary data collection method through offline publications, journal
article, textbook, and online (Tims, et al., 2013).

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Procedure of Sampling
In this research, probability sampling method will be executed by the researcher to choose the
participants. The probability sampling includes the random sampling method to complete the
task. It will help the researcher to eliminate the biases of research issue because it offers the
similar opportunity to all the participants. The sampling method will help to obtain the
adequate data regarding the research dilemma. In addition to this, a researcher will choose 45
employees of Countdown supermarket Company from the diverse geographical region to
collect the efficient information about research issue. These ways will permit a researcher to
address the impact of employee engagement on the performance Countdown supermarket
organization (Lewis, 2015).
Data analysis method
Statistical data analysis method will be sued by the researcher to evaluate collected data and
understand it in a systematic way. In the statistical data exploration, a researcher will practice
Ms-excel to present the figures and facts through column diagram, pie chart, bar diagram.
Consequently, it will aid the researcher to comprehend the collected data about the research
dilemma (Creswell, 2013).
Project implications
This research proposal will support the researcher to develop the best understanding about the
impact of employee engagement on the organizational performance. This research proposal
will be supportive of both old and new organization because it creates the knowledge about
the impact of employee engagement on the performance of the company. It can help the
company to identify the issue regarding the enhancement of employee engagement to a
positive impact on the organization performance. It will be also beneficial to develop the
adequate knowledge and keep the employee engagement in an organization by improving the
performance of business (Creswell, et al., 2017).

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Ethical approval
In this research, a researcher will execute the data safety and security act 1988 for securing
the confidential data of participants. It will aid researcher to make an effective relationship
with participants after the completion of research. A researcher will not force the respondents
to contribute its confidential data and cannot show it by manipulation. In addition, a
researcher will consider many factors related to the proper reference, data manipulation,
plagiarism, and use the proper instruction of the university due to completing the research in
an ethical manner (Creswell, et al., 2017).
Timeline
The research plan is discussed below:
Table 1: Research schedule for completing project
Research activities Time to complete each research
activity
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1
0
Selection of research dilemma
Research aim and objectives development
Data collection method through primary and
secondary data collection method
Development of questionnaire
Selection of appropriate sample size and sampling
techniques
Evaluation of data
Report writing
Final report submission
As per the above research plan, it can be examined that the data collection methods take more
time due to collecting the appropriate data about the research issue.
Own Learning
This research proposal increased my skills of research by creating the knowledge regarding
the reasons of the impact of employee engagement on the performance of the organization.
This proposal was also motivating for me so as to develop my understanding about the major

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challenges of employee’s engagement in the context of the Countdown performance. In
addition, I analyzed that understanding about the employee engagement enables me to
improve my HRM skills along with becoming a worthy human resource manager in the
upcoming time. I observed that this proposal help to create the theoretical understanding
regarding the employee engagement that will help to improve the employee engagement in
the working place. As a result, the company can improve their financial condition
systematically. I faced many issues to collect the primary and secondary data to meet the
research aims. Since, the data collection method was time-consuming. At the time of the
collection of primary data, I observed that most of the participants are not able to react to the
survey through a questionnaire that was time-consuming. Beside this, I also faced many
difficulties during the collection of secondary data collection method because some the
academic journals were very expensive but I purchased the academic journal to obtain the
feasible result.

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References
Albdour, A. A., & Altarawneh, I. I. (2014). Employee engagement and organizational
commitment: Evidence from Jordan. International Journal of Business, 19(2), 192.
Alfes, K., Shantz, A. D., Truss, C., & Soane, E. C. (2013). The link between perceived
human resource management practices, engagement and employee behavior: a
moderated mediation model. The international journal of human resource
management, 24(2), 330-351.
Cerasoli, C. P., Nicklin, J. M., & Ford, M. T. (2014). Intrinsic motivation and extrinsic
incentives jointly predict performance: A 40-year meta-analysis. Psychological
Bulletin, 140(4), 980.
Cherian, J., & Jacob, J. (2013). Impact of self-efficacy on motivation and performance of
employees. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(14), 80.
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approach. USA: Sage publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2017). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing
among five approaches. USA: Sage publications.
Karatepe, O. M. (2013). High-performance work practices and hotel employee performance:
The mediation of work engagement. International Journal of Hospitality
Management, 32, 132-140.
Kehoe, R. R., & Wright, P. M. (2013). The impact of high-performance human resource
practices on employees’ attitudes and behaviors. Journal of management, 39(2), 366-
391.
Lewis, S. (2015). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five
approaches. Health promotion practice, 16(4), 473-475.

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Mone, E. M., & London, M. (2014). Employee engagement through effective performance
management: A practical guide for managers. UK: Routledge.
Tims, M., Bakker, A. B., Derks, D., & van Rhenen, W. (2013). Job crafting at the team and
individual level: Implications for work engagement and performance. Group &
Organization Management, 38(4), 427-454.
Yin, R. K. (2013). Case study research: Design and methods. USA: Sage publications.