Research Report: Employee Engagement Tools in UK Retail Industry

This report investigates the impact of employee engagement tools on employee performance within the UK retail industry, focusing on a case study of Morrison. It begins with an abstract and table of contents, followed by an introduction that outlines the background, rationale, and significance of the study, along with the research aim and objectives. A comprehensive literature review examines existing research on employee engagement, models, and tools used in the retail sector, as well as the relationship between employee engagement tools and employee performance. The research methods section details the selected methodologies, including research philosophy, approach, and strategy. The report concludes with a discussion of the findings, potential outcomes, and recommendations for improving employee engagement and performance. The study also identifies challenges faced by companies when implementing these tools, offering valuable insights for both researchers and retail businesses aiming to enhance employee productivity and overall performance.

Research Methodologies

ABSTRACT
Employee engagement is being defined as a strategy which works on keeping employees
engaged and retained within the company for a longer with the company. this is very important
for the reason that without employees the work cannot be accomplished. The report focused on
setting of aim and objectives as this will be providing a base for the study to be completed.
Along with this literature review section also outlined that already there are existing work
relating to this research topic. At last the method section evaluated that use of qualitative study is
important in order to increase the knowledge relating to the research topic.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Background.................................................................................................................................4
Rationale.....................................................................................................................................4
Significance.................................................................................................................................4
Aim and objectives......................................................................................................................5
LITERAUTRE REVIEW................................................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODS................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION AND POTENTIAL OUTCOME........................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

Topic: To investigate the impact of using different employee engagement tools upon employee
performance within UK retail industry: A study on Morrison
INTRODUCTION
Background
In the current era, company is actually performing the best with the support from
employees and this in turn helps a business to grow effectually. Also, it has been identified that
employee engagement tools are mainly employ by the company in order to create a better
outcome and make employees motivated towards a business. Therefore, employee engagement
tools are designed to measure or boost the employee engagement that further contribute to the
employee efficiency as well as reduce the employee turnover rate. Through the employee
engagement tool, company can recognize their employees and this in turn assist to contribute
their best for the proposal is based upon the Morrison which is one of the top supermarket that
deals within retail industry and also offer range of products at different locations that reflect it
has a brand image at global level. The present study also shed a light upon the knowledge and
understanding pertaining to employee engagement strategy that will be beneficial for the
company.
Rationale
In the current competitive environment, the employees are an asset which is very
important for the company to be maintained. Hence, the current study is also based on the similar
kind of topic only that is employee engagement tools. In case employees will not be kept
engaged with the company and its policies then this can affect the performance of overall
company in negative manner. Thus for this reason the research topic is being selected relating to
employee engagement and its impact over employee performance. along with this another reason
for the selection of the topic is that currently the focus in employee engagement and retention is
very trending and in case research will be conducted on it, then the effective working will be
ensured by the company. further another reason for the selection of the topic was academic and
personal interest of researcher within the study.
Significance
The present study will be beneficial for those researcher who want to conduct the study
on the similar topic because they can extract the information from the present research in order to

understand the concept effectively. On the other side, the research is also beneficial for retail
industry that helps the company to implement different employee engagement tools for the
business growth. Also, it can be stated that the current study is beneficial for the chosen company
i.e. Morrison that helps a business to make their employees productive and improve the business
operations. Overall, it can be stated that through effective outcome, companies are beneficial and
this in turn generate a better outcome and improve the overall performance of a business as well.
Aim and objectives
Research aim
The aim of the study is to assess the impact of employing different employee engagement
tools upon the Morrison’s employee performance.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of employee engagement and model related to it.
 To critically evaluate different employee engagement tools used by the retail sector in
order to improve the business performance.
 To ascertain the relationship between employee engagement tools and employee
performance within Morrison
 To identify different challenges faced by the company while implementing different
employee engagement tools within Morrison.
 To recommend the best ways through which the company can improve the performance
of employees.
Research question:
1. What is the concept of employee engagement and various models?
2. What are the different employee engagement tools used within retail sector and its
impact?
3. What is the relationship between employee engagement tools and performance of
employees?
4. What are the various challenges which company faces because of implementation of
employee engagement tools?

LITERAUTRE REVIEW
The literature review is being defined as analysis of the different types of authors and
scholars and their views relating to the research topic. This is very essential to be evaluated in
order to gain much deeper theoretical insight relating to the research topic that is employee
engagement. This will outline the different tools which can be helpful in engaging employees
within the business. along with this the relationship between employee engagement tools and
employee performance will be outlined in the present literature review section.
Theme 1- Understanding concept of employee engagement and model related to it.
With reference to the views of Al-dalahmeh, Khalaf and Obeidat (2018) the employee
engagement is being defined as the level of dedication and attraction towards the working of the
company. this is very necessary for the company to have a good level of employee engagement
within the company. It is crucial for the reason that it will be increasing the efficiency of the
employees and the working capability. The reason underlying this fact is that when the
employees will not be connected with the company and this will increase interest of employees
towards company and its culture.
On the other hand, Sifatu and et.al., (2020) argues that engagement of employees can be
implemented with many different ways and with help of different models as well. the reason
underlying this fact is that when these models and strategies are being used then this will be
providing a base to the employees and the company for managing the work in better way. Also
when the employees are engaged towards working then the environment being created within the
company is very good and cordial and will be improving the efficiency in better and effective
manner.
Theme 2- Different employee engagement tools used by retail sector
In accordance to the opinion of ÇANKIR and Şahin, S.A.F.İ.Y.E., (2018) there are
various employee engagement tools that can be used by the companies for improving the
performance of the company. this is because of the reason that all these tools guide the company
that how they can keep the employees engaged with the company and its operations. The most
common tool being used is the vantage circle which is a one- stop employee engagement
platform and provides a wide range solution to employee engagement. This tool has four
different primary modules for measuring the pulse of employees.

On the other side Ismail, Iqbal and Nasr, (2019) criticized that another tool which is
available to the company is OC Tanner which will be focusing on employee recognition and
their wellness. This tool also works in direction of assisting the organization in uplifting the
morale of employees by way of providing them with different rewards, recognition and other
wellness benefits. Along with this another tool being used by different companies is Reward
Gateway. This is a tool which focuses on working on employee perk, employee communication,
employee pulse survey, recognition and other related benefits which the employee can avail with
help of this software.
Theme 3- Assessing relationship among employee engagement tools and employee
performance within the company.
In the view of Afroz, (2018) there is a positive relationship between different employee
engagement tools and the performance of employees within the company. the reason behind this
fact is that when the company undertakes the use of different employee engagement tools then
this motivates the employees to work in better and effective manner. This is because of the
reason that these employee engagement tool provides guidance to employees relating to
managing and engaging themselves with company and its objectives. Hence, this is because of
the reason that these different tools guide the employee how they have to work and this will be
improving the interest of employees towards the better working of company.
On the other side, Chanana, (2021) argued that there is a positive relation being present in
employee engagement tool and their performance. this is because of the reason that when the
employee engagement is focused then they think that company is planning to work in personal
and professional development of the employees. Hence, this will be improving the working
efficiency of the employees and they will feel more connected with the company. this is very
important for the effective management and improvement of the company performance. The
reason underlying this fact is that the use of employee engagement tools will be outlining the
effective working pattern and all the employees will have to follow the guidelines and
accordingly their performance will be improved.
Theme 4- Various challenges faced by company at time of implementing employee
engagement tools
In accordance to the views of Motyka, (2018) there are different types of challenges
which the companies face due to the use of employee engagement tools. The most common

challenge being faced by the company is the lack of information. This is the major challenge
because many a times there can be a lack of information within the software or with the
employees. This challenge is being faced by the companies while implementing the employee
engagement strategies. Along with this another challenge being faced by the company after
implementation of employee engagement tool is the lack of balance between the work. This
might be faced by the employees because these tools outline the wat in which the work need to
be carried on. It might not be possible that employees agree with all the working pattern and this
might result in the employees not agreeing to the fact.
On the other hand, Radic and et.al., (2020) argued that the major challenge which the
company face because of implementation of employee engagement tool is the resistance of
employees. This is the major challenge which companies frequently face. This is because of the
reason that employee engagement is necessary for employee but using the software might affect
the working efficiency of employees. Even in actual these tools will be assisting employee to
perform the working capability but then also seeing the technology, employee resist to adopt the
tool and do not work in proper and effective manner.
Along with this Dubbelt, Demerouti and Rispens, (2019) stated that the too much
use of employee engagement tool might result in employees feeling less attracted towards the
working of company. This is a major challenge for the reason that when the different tools and
techniques are implemented then this will be negatively affecting the working efficiency of the
employees. The reason underlying this fact is that the more use of tools and technology can
demotivate the employees and they might not perform their working practices in better manner.
This can result in employees feeling less connected with the company and the working
environment.
RESEARCH METHODS
Introduction
Research methods are being as the way through which the researcher tries to outline the
ways in which the whole research will be carried on. Along with this, the appropriate selection of
the method is very important. The present methodology section will be outlining the different
methods selected like philosophy, approach, strategy and many other different aspects.
Research philosophy

The philosophy of research is being defined as beliefs and values on the basis of which
the various methods are selected. This involves the use of two different philosophies that is
interpretivism and positivism (Mohajan, 2018). The interpretivism relates to using non- numeric
information and positivism deals with considering only the factual data relating to research topic.
In the present case of analysing impact of employee engagement tools the use of interpretivism
will be made. This will be selected by the researcher because it is based on qualitative aspect and
the study is also qualitative.
Research approach
It outlines the procedure through which any of the method of research is being selected.
There are two different types of the approach which can be used that is inductive and deductive.
The inductive is the one which focuses on framing aim and objectives and deductive is the one
which outlines the framing of hypothesis. In the completion of the project relating to employee
engagement tools the use of inductive approach will be made. This is pertaining to the fact that
when the aim and objective will be framed then it will be providing a better base for the
researcher to complete the study in better and effective manner.
Research strategy
The research strategy involves the steps or methods which will be used to complete the
research in proper and effective manner. This basically involves two that is qualitative and
quantitative research strategy. The first one involves the use of non- numeric information and
other one relates to the use of facts and figures and numeric information. In the present case of
analysing employee engagement tools the use of qualitative analysis will be undertaken. this is
being selected for the reason that the study is based on qualitative information and increasing
theoretical knowledge relating to research topic.
Research design
The design of research is being defined as the way through which the whole study is
being completed and objectives are being attained. There are different types of research design
being used by the researcher like descriptive, exploratory, experimental, case study,
observational and many other different types of design (Newman and Gough, 2020). In the
present case of employee engagement tools study, the use of descriptive research design will be
used. This is being selected for the reason that it will be more suitable with the qualitative study.
Sampling

The sample is being defined as the selection of some of the people and not the whole
population. This is particularly selected because of the reason that collecting the data from the
whole population is little tough and for this some of the sample is selected. In the present case of
analysing the impact of employee engagement tool the sample of 20 respondents from various
departments of Morrison will be selected.
Data collection
The collection and gathering is very important for the reason that the whole study is
based on data only. Thus, for this selection of the appropriate source of data is important and
there are two sources that is primary and secondary. The primary is the one wherein the data is
gathered directly from participants and is being used in research for the first time (Dźwigoł and
Dźwigoł-Barosz, 2018). On the other side, the secondary source is the one which includes
already published sources like books, articles, journal, government publications and many other
different sources. In the present case the combination of primary and secondary will be used. For
the primary data collection survey will be conducted with help of questionnaire and it will be
authenticated with help of secondary sources.
Data analysis
After collection of data it is very important for the researcher that they analyse the data in
better and effective manner. This is because of the reason that when the data will be analysed
then only proper outcome will be attained. Hence, for this there are two different types of
analysis which can be used that is thematic and SPSS. The thematic is the one wherein themes
are created and then graphs and charts and made and interpreted. On the other side, SPSS is a
software which involves application of different types of statistical tools and techniques. In the
present case the use of thematic analysis will be used as this will be helping the researcher to
make the themes and then listing out the findings.
Ethical consideration
This aspect is very important for the researcher to be considered as when the working
will not be ethical then the outcome will not be accurate. For the present study based on the
employee engagement tools and its impact on performance the proper consent from the
participant have been taken before using their personal data (Zangirolami-Raimundo,
Echeimberg and Leone, 2018). Along with this the data is always taken from the reliable sources
and is not too old as it will not be relating to the study in better manner.

Reliability and validity
The data reliability and validity is very necessary to be managed and maintained. This is
because of the reason that in case the data selected for the study is too old then it will not be
relating to the present context and working environment (Al-Ababneh, 2020). Thus, for this the
data after 2017 has only been included within the study. also the data is being taken from the
sources which are copyright and patented. This is necessary because it provides the fact that all
the information being provided on the website is true and correct.
Time plan
Task
Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Auto
Scheduled Selecting the topic for research 3 days Fri 8/26/22 Tue 8/30/22
Auto
Scheduled Making of aim and objectives 2 days Wed 8/31/22 Thu 9/1/22 1
Auto
Scheduled
Analysis of different literature
present 12 days Fri 9/2/22 Mon 9/19/22 1,2
Auto
Scheduled
Identification of the different
methods used within the
research
6 days Tue 9/20/22 Tue 9/27/22 3,2
Auto
Scheduled
Making of questionnaire in
accordance to research topic 4 days Wed 9/28/22 Mon 10/3/22 4
Auto
Scheduled Collection of the required data 6 days Tue 10/4/22 Tue 10/11/22 4,5
Auto
Scheduled Analysis of the collected data 15 days Wed
10/12/22 Tue 11/1/22 5,6
Auto
Scheduled
Making conclusion after
analysis and recommending
required changes
2 days Wed 11/2/22 Thu 11/3/22 7
Auto
Scheduled Submission of project 1 day Fri 11/4/22 Fri 11/4/22 8
Auto
Scheduled Waiting for feedback 2 days Mon 11/7/22 Tue 11/8/22 9
Auto
Scheduled
Doing changes as per feedback
provided 1 day Wed 11/9/22 Wed 11/9/22 10
Auto
Scheduled
Submission of project after
changes 1 day Thu 11/10/22 Thu 11/10/22 11

CONCLUSION AND POTENTIAL OUTCOME
In the end it is concluded that focusing on employee engagement is very important for the
effective working of the company. the reason outlined in the study was that without employee
the work cannot be completed and this affects the working quality as well of the company. the
potential outcome of the study will be enhancing the knowledge relating to the various tools
which can be used for the engagement of employees. Also, the list of challenges will also be
discussed and this will be assisting the company to evaluate and improve the working condition
by eradicating those challenges and making the working in better and effective manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Al-Ababneh, M.M., 2020. Linking ontology, epistemology and research methodology. Science
& Philosophy. 8(1). pp.75-91.
Al-dalahmeh, M., Khalaf, R. and Obeidat, B., 2018. The effect of employee engagement on
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Sifatu, W.O., and et.al., 2020. Innovative work behaviors in pharmacies of Indonesia: role of
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Zangirolami-Raimundo, J., Echeimberg, J.D.O. and Leone, C., 2018. Research methodology
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