Research Project: Employee Engagement Strategies at ASDA Post-Pandemic

This research project delves into the employee engagement strategies employed by ASDA, a major supermarket chain, in the post-pandemic era. The report begins with an introduction outlining the research aim, objectives, and questions, followed by a literature review that defines employee engagement, explores ASDA's strategies, identifies challenges, and suggests improvements. The methodology section details the research philosophy (positivism), approach (deductive), and strategy (systematic literature review and survey) used to gather and analyze data. The study examines the concept of workplace transformation and its impact on employee engagement, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also presents data analysis and interpretations, leading to conclusions and recommendations for ASDA to enhance employee engagement, improve performance, and address identified challenges. The study highlights the importance of employee engagement in improving productivity and achieving business goals.

Unit 11 Research Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
Background of the research....................................................................................................3
Research aim, objectives and questions.................................................................................3
Research rationale..................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
What is the concept of employee engagement and its importance?.......................................5
What are the strategies used by ASDA for engaging employees post pandemic?.................5
What are the challenges faced during implementation of employee engagement strategies?6
What are some of the recommended steps for avoiding the challenges being faced by
company?................................................................................................................................6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................8
REFLECTION ..............................................................................................................................10
Recommendation for alternative research methodology ..............................................................11
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS ........................................................................12
Frequency distribution table.................................................................................................12
Data interpretation................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMEDATION................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX ...................................................................................................................................20
Questionnaire........................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Background of the research
The current research is based on identifying the different types of strategies of workplace
transformation in order to increase engagement of employees during the time of pandemic.
Employee engagement helps in improving the performance and productivity of the company in
the business market. It is important for company to derive strategies that help in retaining and
engaging the employees in the long run towards achieving the goals and objectives in the
business market (Kwon and Kim, 2020). Workplace transformation is a technique that help in
bringing new changes and ideas within the business in order to increase the working efficiency
and engagement of employees. Transforming the workplace helps in developing the morale and
motivation of employees to work in the company effectively. Employees are considered as the
most important part in bringing high growth and success for the company and in dealing with the
tough situations like COVID-19 pandemic. The chosen organisation in the current study is
ASDA which is a famous supermarket chain, headquartered in Leeds, England (Haydock and
Smith, 2019). The company was founded in the year 1949 by Peter and Fred Asquith Sir Noel
Stockdale and mainly focus on producing quality products to the customers in the competitive
business market.
Research aim, objectives and questions
Research Aim:
To examine the different strategies which can be used for employee engagement after
pandemic. A study on ASDA.
Research Objectives:
• To develop understanding relating to concept of employee engagement and its
significance in motivating employees.
• To analyse various strategies for employee engagement with respect to ASDA for
improving the performance after pandemic.
• To examine the various challenges which are faced by ASDA while implementing the
employee engagement strategies.
• To recommend some of the strategies which ASDA can use in order to eradicate and
solve the issues faced.

Research question:
 What is the concept of employee engagement and its importance?
 What are the strategies used by ASDA for engaging employees post pandemic?
 What are the challenges faced during implementation of employee engagement
strategies?
 What are some of the recommended steps for avoiding the challenges being faced by
company?
Research rationale
The main purpose of the present study is to understand the importance of employees
engagement by workplace transformation in the workplace during the time of COVID-19
pandemic. Employee engagement is an important concept that helps in increasing the
productivity and growth of the company in the highly competitive business environment. There
are mainly two types of objectives that is fulfilled by competing this research such as personal
and professional (Woodward, 2019). In context of personal objective, researcher will learn about
the topic in a more detailed and proficient manner which helps in gaining personal growth in the
future and in understanding the importance of workplace transformation in employee
engagement. On the other hand, in context of professional objective, the researcher will
understand about the role of employee within the business and how to deal with the COVID-19
situation by the use of workplace transformation strategy in the organisation for more growth and
profitability.

LITERATURE REVIEW
What is the concept of employee engagement and its importance?
According to the view of Ryba (2021), Employee engagement refers to the mental and
emotional strength of the employee and motivates them to work hard and improve their
performance for the organization. It us the term of human resources that helps to describe the
dedication of a worker within the organization. Employee engagement is play a vital role in
workplace transformation because an engage employee has many effective strategies which
helps to improve the performance, reduce the turnover of staff, build the healthy relation in the
work culture, manage the overall activities of the organization, increase the productivity etc.
employee engagement also helps to create the better culture of the workplace.
In the opinion of Smith (2020), Employee engagement is defined as the term of human
resources management which helps to analysis the dedication and enthusiasm levels of the
employee with in the organization. Employee engagement is the term of function which helps to
create the healthy relation between employees and organization. It is helps to develop the
workplace transformation by effective strategies, reducing the staff turnover, improve the culture
etc. an engage employee helps to improve the workplace and its culture which shows that
employees are more dedicated and connected with company's goals.
What are the strategies used by ASDA for engaging employees post pandemic?
As per the view point of Vyas (2021), there are some strategies which is used by ASDA
for engage their employees which helps the company to improve performance and growth. They
used to motivate their employee to improve their performance. They listen their employee's
needs and wants and understand their problems and issues. They offers their employees many
rewards on the basis of performance which helps to encourage the employees to work hard and
improve the performance for the company's growths. These all strategies which is taken by
ASDA during engage their employee's performance which helps to improve the overall
performance of the employee.
In the view of McGaughey (2018), The strategies which is taken by ASDA for engage
their employees which helps to improve the performance and motivates the employees to give
their best for achieve the company's goals. The strategies includes they provide many rewards to
their employees that is based on their performance which helps to encourage and motivate the

employees to work hard for taking the rewards. They provide many more beneficial services to
their employees which helps to attract the employees to doing their work with effectiveness and
on time. ASDA used to understand their employees needs and wants and also listen their
problems and issues which is helps to create the healthy relationship between ASDA and their
employees.
What are the challenges faced during implementation of employee engagement strategies?
According to Hickman, and Silva (2018), there are some challenges which is faced by
ASDA while implementing the strategies on employee engagement. They faced that there is lack
of clarity between company and its employees. There are some employees who don't to listen
carefully. They faced that employees has lack of knowledge about the workplace. They faced
that the work life balance is not stable. They faced that there are no communication level in
employees which is the one of the most variable challenge for the company. These all challenges
can affect the overall company performance and also reduce the productivity of the company
from the workplace management.
According to the view of White, Dudley-Brown, and Terhaar (2019), the challenges
which is faced by the ASDA in implementing the strategies on engagement of employees which
can affect the company's growth because it is necessary to having the engage employee within
the company which helps to create effective strategies and also improve the company's
productivity. The challenges which they faced that there is level of communication is low, there
is no clarity between company and their employees, the past performance of employees is very
poor, employees has lack of knowledge about the company and its products. These all challenges
faced by ASDA in employee engagement which can affect the overall productivity and
performance of the company.
What are some of the recommended steps for avoiding the challenges being faced by company?
According to view point of Biggam (2018), there are many recommendation to ASDA for
overcome from the employees engagement challenges which can helps the company to increase
the productivity and performance of the workplace. They should create the engagement surveys
for employees which helps to increase the value of the organization and employees are able to
give their times and effort to the company, they will make the alignment senior team which helps
to guide the employees and teach them about their works and responsibilities. They should make
the two-way communication which helps in increase the communication levels. They should

motivates their employee to work hard and improve their performance as their seniors leaders.
They should listen their employees problems and issues carefully which helps to increase the
productivity in the workplace.
In the opinion to Coombs (2020), the recommendation will help the company to
overcome from the challenges which is faced on employee engage. They should understand and
listen their employees problems and issues and provide the effective solution. They should
provide offers and rewards which helps to motivate the employees. They should create and valid
the healthy relationship with their employee which helps to understand the employees. They
should motivates their employees to work hard and improve their performance for achieve the
company goals with success. They should provide beneficial services which helps to attract the
employee to work hard. They should create the team to guide the employees which helps to
motivate and improve the performance of the employees. They should provide engagement
surveys which helps to analysis the employee roles and responsibilities. These all
recommendation will help ASDA in future growth and also helps to achieve the success by
having effective and engage employees.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is the chapter in the research which provides all the necessary information about the
topic so that investigation can be done in systematic manner. Saunders research onion framework
is charted by researcher so that appropriate layers can unfolded for the systematic accumulation
and analysis of information (Arantes do Amaral and Lino dos Santos, 2018). The methods are
chosen on the basis of pre-defined research aim, objectives and questions. This section covers the
research methods used by the researcher in the current investigation to assemble information.
Research Philosophy: It is one of the research methods which uses phenomenon for the
organised analysis and evaluation of appropriate portion of information. It gives values and
ideologies for the methodical examination and evaluation of data (Basias and Pollalis, 2018).
This is mainly categorised into two forms which are: positivism and interpretivism philosophy.
Sleuth has selected positivism philosophy so that accumulated mathematical data can be
examined and calculated. The major benefit of positivism philosophy is that it takes out the
relevancy of statistical insights, facts and figures. It also saves the time of investigator by putting
more efforts on statistical data.
Research Approach: It is another research method which helps in the analysis and
evaluation of right type of information. The approaches are of two kinds taht are: inductive and
deductive approach. Researcher has used deductive approach as they accommodate in examining
statistical piece of info in a precise and orderly way (Rinjit, 2020). The main benefit of selecting
deductive approach because is that it shows how numerical piece of information can be used for
attaining defined each aim and objective. In deductive approach, researcher has used existing
theory to evaluate and analyse numerical data in a proper manner. Therefore, for meeting
objectives of the study deductive approach is more suitable because it mainly focuses over
numerable portion of data.
Research Strategy: It is the scheme that provides methods for collecting precise kind of
material to meet pre-determined aim, objectives and questions. Basically, research strategy
assists in using right method to collect appropriate information (Solihatin and et. al., 2020).
Some of the research strategies which can be used in the study are: observation, survey,
systematic literature review, case study, grounded theory and many more. Investigator has
chosen dual types of tactics which include: systematic literature review and survey. With the
assistance of systematic literature review, investigator has gathered second-hand information

about the selected research topic. Through systematic literature review, every research question
can be addressed in a systematic manner. On the other hand, investigator has selected survey as
the other research strategy accumulated assemble data directly from the source of information.
The main benefit of survey is that it helps in collecting ample information short duration of time.
This also assists researcher to gather new insights about the investigation and survey also
accommodates in collecting data which is available in numerical form.
Research Choice: The choice is a system which helps researcher to collect exact kind of
information according to the study. It is of two important practises which include: qualitative and
quantitative research choice. Investigator has selected measureable research choice so that
arithmetical information could be collected and evaluated to meet pre-defined aim and objectives
(Ryder and et. al., 2020). The key benefit of selecting quantitative research choice is that it
accommodates in forming outcome which can be easily measured and compared. Thus,
quantitative choice holds the power to make whole investigation more accurate, authentic and
reliable for readers. This is more scientific, focused, acceptable and fast in comparison of
qualitative research choice.
Data Collection: It is another components of research methodology which is more right
to attain objectives of the study. It is characterised into two significant methods which include:
primary and secondary data collection method. Researcher has castoff both the approaches of
data collection so that combination of data can be acquired and used. With the help of primary
method, researcher has recorded raw and new information about the selected research topic
(Djafar and et. al., 2021). Under primary method, investigator has used questionnaire to collect
information directly from the source. Conversely, with the help of secondary data method,
researcher has collected insights which have already existence. Some of the second hand source
to gather information are magazine, books, articles, government site, company website etc.
Data Analysis: In the current study, researcher has used frequency distribution analysis.
Frequency distribution analysis assists in evaluating and analysing assemble statistical data in a
systematic way (Mohajan, 2018). The focal assistance of frequency distribution analysis is
accommodating and evaluating authenticity of recorded mathematical piece of data.
Sampling: sampling is the technique which aids in the selecting the number of
defendants to collect evidence from them. It is of dual forms which include: probability and non-
probability sampling. Investigator has used probability sampling in order to take respondent in

rational manner and they can contribute by providing great piece of information. 20 employees
are chosen from the selected organisation to collect information from them. It also uses random
strategy to choose right kind of participant to collect data (Niknejad, Hussin and Amiri, 2019).
Research Instrument: Researcher has used questionnaire as an instrument to collect
information in numerical form. Questionnaire is an instrument that helps in collecting
information directly by approaching respondent (Ragab and Arisha, 2018). This includes certain
number of close-ended questions which play important role in achieving research aim and
objectives.
Ethical Consideration: Ethical principles are necessary to make whole investigation
accurate and authentic. Some of the important principled principles obeyed by researcher are:
informed consent form, not harming any participants, avoiding each form of deceptive practice,
providing option of withdrawal from participation, keeping personal information of each
representative confidential and many more (Mertler, 2019).
Time Horizon: Time is the element that plays major role in completing the whole study
in a detailed way. There are two time framework which are: cross-sectional and longitudinal time
horizon. Researcher has chosen cross-sectional time horizon which helps in achieving objectives
by collecting up-dated information (Dźwigoł and Dźwigoł-Barosz, 2018).
REFLECTION
The current conducted study is very beneficial for me as it helps in increasing my
understanding about the topic in an effective manner (Deggs and Hernandez, 2018). The
following research also helps in determining my strengths and in enhancing my weaknesses in
me. The strength that helped me in completing the whole research is my efficient time
management skills that results in gaining knowledge about the given topic. The major weakness
that I face is my poor communication skill that make the process of research difficult in
determining information by using primary and secondary data. The research methods are used
effectively for conducting the whole research in an appropriate manner.
Recommendation for alternative research methodology
In the current conducted research, the researcher has selected quantitative research
method for collecting and interpreting data about the topic. But collecting data through
quantitative method is limited and this is considered as the major drawback of the whole research

(Sellbom and Tellegen, 2019). So, it is important for the researcher to collect and analyse data by
using qualitative method because it helps future researchers in gathering detailed and more
concise information about the selected research topic. It is recommended to the researcher to
choose qualitative method for gathering in depth information about the topic.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS
Frequency distribution table
Q.1. According to you what is the importance of employee engagement
within an organisation?
Frequency
a) Establishing positive relation with employee 5
b) Develop organisational flexibility 4
c) Improves working culture 3
d) Reduces employee turnover 5
e) Improves workplace transformation 3
Q.2. What are the strategies used by ASDA for engagement of
employee after the outbreak of COVID-19?
Frequency
a) Communication and goal setting 5
b) Organisational transparency 6
c) Compensation and benefits 4
d) Training and learning opportunities 3
e) Work-life balance 2
Q.3. What are the challenges faced by ASDA, during implementation of
employee engagement strategies?
Frequency
a) Employee motivations 4
b) Improving working efficiency 4
c) Lack of insight among employee 6
d) Employee growth and recognition 6
Q.4. Do you think that employee engagement is essential for developing
workplace transformation?
Frequency
a) Yes 18