Assessing Employee Motivation and Participation at Marks & Spencer

This report assesses the significance of employee motivation within the context of employee participation, using Marks and Spencer as a case study. It examines the influence of employee motivation on workforce productivity and the importance of employee participation in raising staff motivation levels. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing exploratory research design and interpretivism philosophy. Data collection involves both primary and secondary sources, with thematic analysis applied for data analysis. The report highlights the importance of motivational strategies in the retail industry, emphasizing techniques such as sharing information, decentralized autonomy, and rewarding success to enhance employee engagement and achieve competitive advantages. The study aims to provide valuable insights for Marks and Spencer and other researchers in understanding and improving employee motivation strategies.

To assess the significance of employee
motivation within the context of
employee participation: A case study of
Mark and Spencer, UK
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Overview of the research.............................................................................................................4
Organizational background..........................................................................................................4
Rationale of the research..............................................................................................................4
Research aims and objectives......................................................................................................5
Potential significance...................................................................................................................5
literature review...............................................................................................................................6
Influence of employee motivation on workforce productivity....................................................6
Importance of employee participation to raise motivation level of staff within workplace........7
Methods of employee participation.............................................................................................7
Research question ...........................................................................................................................8
Method.............................................................................................................................................8
Research Type .............................................................................................................................8
Research Design...........................................................................................................................8
Research Approach......................................................................................................................9
Research philosophy....................................................................................................................9
Data collection.............................................................................................................................9
Data Analysis...............................................................................................................................9
Research Access and Ethics.............................................................................................................9
Expected outcome..........................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11
Appendices.....................................................................................................................................13
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ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: Significance of employee motivation........................................................................6
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INTRODUCTION
Overview of the research
In present era, human resources plays vital role in the success of business. With the help
of motivational strategies, organization can enhance productivity of employees in order to
achieve their aims and objectives in an effective manner. Motivation can be termed as force that
sustain, direct and energize the effort of individual in better way. Managerial persons are making
use of variety of techniques to motivate employees in workplace (Lowmiller, 2013).
Organizations operating in retail industry are required to use effective motivational techniques in
order to boost up the enthusiasm of their staff members so they can perform with best of their
efforts (Silberman, 2013). By aligning motivational techniques with the human resource
practices they will be able to achieve competitive advantages in the market. Present research
proposal is based on the assessment of significance of employee motivation within the context of
employee participation in UK retail industry. For the better analysis of this subject matter
operational activities of Marks and Spencer has been considered. In order to achieve aim of study
in an appropriate way data will be collected from both primary and secondary sources. Further,
to derive valid conclusion suitable research tools and techniques will be used.
Organizational background
Marks and Spencer is a multinational retail company specialized in selling of home
products, clothing and luxury food products. Management of the organization is focused on
providing qualitative products at fair prices as they have uncompromising attitude towards the
customers. For this purpose they had recruited well qualified staff for operational activities. In
accordance with their top level management there is main role of human resources in success of
operational activities of business (Marks and Spencer, 2015). Due to this aspect, they are focused
on developing effective strategies for employee motivation. As per the company statistics of
2015, M&S is operating with more that 83000 employees worldwide. Company is also providing
their services through online media in order to cover large market share.
Rationale of the research
In present competitive environment employees performs in an effective way only if they
are motivated and satisfied with their job practices. Due to this aspect, it is major responsibility
of management to motivate their staff members by creating positive work environment and by
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enhancing their participation. There are several factors that can assist retail companies in
increasing employee participation in work practices in order to motivate them to provide best
results. Rationale of the present research is to assess importance of employee motivation in
attaining competitive advantage in retail industry. Moreover, the scope of this study is very wide
as it is in concern with the retail industry and researcher will be able to gain deep insight
regarding the subject matter. This industry is facing higher competition and tough challenges in
present scenario due to which they are adopting various strategies in order to compete with their
rivals. Analysing the factors which play significant role in employee motivation within the
context of employee participant for Marks and Spencer is the important part of the research.
Research aims and objectives
Aim
“To assess the significance of employee motivation within the context of employee participation
in Marks and Spencer”.
Objectives
In order to achieve aim of the study in an effective manner following objectives are required to
be fulfilled-
 To assess the influence of employee motivation on workforce productivity within Marks
and Spencer
 To determine the importance of employee participation to raise motivation level of staff
within workplace
 To recommend effective tools to enhance motivation level of staff members within Marks
and Spencer.
Potential significance
Present research project is highly valuable by considering competitive scenario in retail
industry of UK. With this research, Marks and Spencer will be able to make improvement in
motivational strategies in order to boost up employees to provide better performance. This
research will assist other researchers in understanding importance of employee participation in
raising motivation level of employees within company. This study will also be beneficial in
future research in order to understand the scope and importance of motivational strategies in
retail industry.
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LITERATURE REVIEW
This part of the study will describe viewpoints and findings of the previous researches
and literature of different researchers. With their study, researcher will be able to know about the
concept of motivation within context of employee participation.
Influence of employee motivation on workforce productivity
An organization can achieve their goals only if their management is able to make
optimum utilization human, physical and financial resources. Financial and physical resources
can be utilized effectively because their use is dependent on the human use. However, human
resources can be utilized in optimum manner if it is directed in right way. By considering this
aspect Ardichvili (2003) had stated that employee motivation is vital aspect for the success
because role of human resources in present era is continuously increasing (Ardichvili, Page and
Wentling, 2003). According to the study of Federman (2009), in the absence of motivational
strategy employee will not be influenced to achieve organizational aims (Federman, 2009). As a
consequence, managerial persons are required provide promotional opportunities, non-monetary
rewards, monetary rewards to encourage employees to provide effective performance. Further,
disincentives can also be introduced in case of the inefficient employees.
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Illu
stration 1: Significance of employee motivation
(Source: Cook, 2008)

Importance of employee participation to raise motivation level of staff within workplace
As per the study of Goncharuk and Monat (2009), employee participation is an effective
way to motivate employees. For this purpose employee involvement programs are designed by
entities (Goncharuk and Monat, 2009). In this way management is able to involve their staff
members in managerial activities. In this aspect Wright had stated that employee participation
can be linked to the empowerment. In accordance with this approach leaders empowers their
subordinates as a main constituent of organizational and managerial effectiveness (Wright,
2007). According to the Qualls (2008) employees are more encouraged and able to discover their
full potential if they are provided with authorities along with the freedom to make decisions
(Qualls, 2008). In addition to this empowerment provides appreciation to the employees for their
improved performance. Roberts (2013) had said in their research that participation and
contribution of employees is essential for the purpose of well being of organization (Roberts,
2013).
Methods of employee participation
In modern era, significance of employee engagement is increased due to which corporate
entities are continuously making increase in participation level of employees. In accordance with
the study of Jackson (2011) it has profound impact on the employee retention, workplace morale
and bottom line of the company (Jackson and et.al., 2011). Organizations operating in retail
sector can make use of following methods to enhance motivation level at workplace: Sharing information- In accordance with the viewpoint of Thomas (2010), staff
members can participate in operational activities if they aware about the business
practices (Thomas, 2010). For this purpose, business organizations are required to be
transparent with their employees so they feel positive about their jobs. As a consequence,
they will be able to offer services with high enthusiasm and efforts. Decentralized autonomy- Generally aim of people for work is to satisfying their living
needs but along with this they require that their efforts should be valued in workplace.
According to this previous studies, employee will not actively participate in operational
activities if all the decision are taken by top level management in the board room
(Silberman, 2013).
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 Reward success- Wilson (2005) had reviewed that employees are more involved in
operational practices if they are aware of the fact that they have stake in success of
business. In this manner, employee will be highly motivated to contribute in achieving
organizational aims and objectives (Wilson, 2005). It is because, their work
compensation has positive correlation with the success of business.
RESEARCH QUESTION
 How important is employee participation in raising motivation level of employees within
company?
 What is the influence of employee motivation on workforce productivity?
 What are the effective tools to enhance motivation level of workforce within Marks and
Spencer?
METHOD
Section of research methodology helps in determination of suitable tools and techniques
that are required to be used by researcher in order to achieve aim of the study. With the
methodology and design section entire framework of the study is provided according to which
research will be accomplished . For the present study following research tools and techniques
will be used-
Research Type
Research type defines nature of data to be collected and methods to be applied to
accomplish study. Mainly there are two type of researches i.e. qualitative and quantitative (Collis
and Hussey, 2009). Proposed study deals with the motivational aspects due to which collected
information will be qualitative in nature. By considering this aspect qualitative research type will
be used to achieve aims and objectives of the research.
Research Design
Research design assist researchers in understanding the subject matter in more coherent
and effective way. Researcher can select descriptive, exploratory, meta-analytic or semi-
experimental research design by considering nature of the study (Flick, 2011). In order to assess
significance of employee motivation within the context of employee participation exploratory
research design will be used. With this research design researcher will be able to explore the role
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of employee participation in formation of better motivation strategies in order to achieve
competitive advantage in retail industry.
Research Approach
Research approach is used for the purpose of systematic investigation in order to
establish valid or to collect reliable information on particular subject matter. Mainly there are
two type of research approaches i.e. inductive and deductive (Goddard and Melville, 2004). For
the present research, deductive approach of research will be used to understand the role of
employee participation for motivation of employees in retail industry of UK.
Research philosophy
Philosophies can be considered as factors that guide researcher in selection of appropriate
methods for data collection. Research study can either be accomplished by positivism or
interpretivism philosophy. Present study will be accomplished by making use of interpretivism
philosophy because of qualitative nature of the research.
Data collection
In order to conduct research study in an effective manner data can be collected from
primary and secondary sources (Lodico, Spaulding and Voegtle, 2010.). In order to draw valid
conclusion data will be collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data will be
collected from the employees of Marks and Spencer. Further, secondary data for the study will
be assessed through books, journals, magazines, articles and online media.
Data Analysis
This the most crucial part of the study because in this part collected data will be evaluated
in order to draw valid findings and conclusion. Collected data from primary and secondary
sources can be analyzed through either qualitative techniques or quantitative techniques
(McBurney and White, 2009). In order to analyze data of present study tool of thematic analysis
will be used. By making use of this tool, researcher will be able to analyze data by forming
different themes linked to the subject matter. Findings of thematic analysis will be presented
through bar chart and pie diagrams.
RESEARCH ACCESS AND ETHICS
Researcher is required to complete study by considering all the ethical aspects and
framework. For this purpose they should not make unethical use of information collected through
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the study in order to earn unjust benefit. Further, they should communicate the objective of the
study to the respondents prior to taking information for them. In addition to this, they are
required to make sure that research activities are aligned with the aims of the study. Reliable
information should be used by researcher in order to accomplish aims and objectives in an
effective manner.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Present study will provide in-depth information regarding significance of motivational
strategies in retail industry of UK by considering concept of employee participation. With this
study theoretical and practical implementation of motivational theories will be assessed. In this
study researcher will put their efforts to resolve contradictions of previous studies. In addition to
this, study will assist management of Marks and Spencer in forming better motivational
strategies for employees so they can influence them to performance from best of their efforts.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ardichvili, A., Page, V. and Wentling, T., 2003. Motivation and barriers to participation in
virtual knowledge-sharing communities of practice. Journal of Knowledge Management.
7(1) pp.64 – 77.
Collis, J. and Hussey, R., 2009. Business Research, A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and
Post Graduate Students, London: Palgrave.
Federman, B., 2009. Employee Engagement: A Roadmap for Creating Profits, Optimizing
Performance, and Increasing Loyalty. USA: John Wiley & Sons.
Flick, U., 2011. Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginner's Guide to Doing a Research
Project. USA: SAGE.
Goddard, W. and Melville, S., 2004. Research Methodology: An Introduction. Juta and
Company Ltd.
Goncharuk, A.G. and Monat, J.P., 2009. A synergistic performance management model
conjoining benchmarking and motivation. Benchmarking: An International Journal.
16(6). pp.767 – 784.
Jackson, S. and et.al., 2011. Managing Human Resources. Cengage Learning.Wilton, N., 2010.
An Introduction to Human Resource Management. SAGE.
Lodico, G. M., Spaulding, T. D. and Voegtle, H. K., 2010. Methods in Educational Research:
From Theory to Practice. 2nd Ed. John Wiley & Sons.
McBurney, D. and White, T., 2009. Research Methods. Cengage Learning.
Merriam, B.S., 2009. Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation. 3rd ed. John
Wiley & Sons.
Qualls, A. L., 2008. Factors that Affect Job Satisfaction Among Teachers in Two Selected
Milwaukee Charter Schools. ProQues.
Roberts, K., 2013. Employee engagement welcomes the dawn of an empowerment culture.
Strategic HR Review. 12(5). pp.250 –254.
Thomas, W. K., 2010. Intrinsic Motivation at Work: What Really Drives Employee Engagement
ReadHowYouWant.com.
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Wilson, P.J., 2005. Human Resource Development: Learning & Training for Individuals &
Organizations. Kogan Page series.
Wright, B.E., 2007. Public Service and Motivation: Does Mission Matter? Public Administration
Review. 67(1). pp.54-64.
Online
Lowmiller, J., 2013. [Online]. Importance of motivation for employees and some strategies for
achieving it. Available Through: <https://blog.udemy.com/importance-of-motivation/>.
[Accessed on 25th November 2015].
Marks and Spencer. 2015. [Online]. Available Through: <www.marksandspencer.com/>.
[Accessed on 25th November 2015].
Silberman, J., 2013. [Online]. Why is Employee Motivation So Important for Performance?.
Available Through: <www.marksandspencer.com/>.[Accessed on 25th November 2015].
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APPENDICES
Time table
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Preparation of research
proposal
Literature review
Formulation of
objectives
Preparation of draft of
literature
Collection of data from
secondary sources
Analysis of data
collected from
secondary sources
Development of
research approach
Completion of
methodology
Questionnaire
Interview analysis
Conducting interview
Collection of data from
primary sources
Data analysis
Revision of draft
Printing and binding
Submission work
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