An Investigation into Employee Motivation in the UK Food Retail Sector

This dissertation investigates the factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector. It begins by highlighting the significance of motivated employees in enhancing organizational performance, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research aims to analyze the key factors that drive employee motivation, address issues of declining productivity, and propose effective strategies for improving employee engagement. The study employs a comprehensive literature review to explore the meaning and importance of employee motivation, identify specific motivational factors within the UK food retail sector, and examine the challenges faced in maintaining employee motivation. The research methodology section outlines the research design, data collection methods, and ethical considerations. The dissertation concludes with data analysis, findings, and recommendations for fostering a more motivated and productive workforce in the UK food retail sector. Desklib provides access to similar dissertations and study resources for students.

UoS Undergraduate
Dissertation

Table of Contents
Topic: An investigation into the factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector......1
Chapter One – Introduction.............................................................................................................1
Background to the Research...................................................................................................1
Significance of the Problem...................................................................................................1
Statement of Purpose..............................................................................................................1
Statement of the Problem.......................................................................................................2
Aim(s) and Objectives............................................................................................................2
Research Questions................................................................................................................2
Dissertation structure..............................................................................................................3
Chapter Two – Literature Review....................................................................................................3
To review about the meaning and importance of the motivated employees within a firm....4
To investigate into the factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector...........5
To review the key challenges faced in motivating the employees within the Food retail sector
of UK......................................................................................................................................7
To recommend some effective measures and strategy that can be adopted within the UK food
retail sector to ensure higher motivation and performance level in its employees................8
Chapter Three – Research Methodology.........................................................................................9
Research Design...................................................................................................................11
Data Collection Methods......................................................................................................11
Reliability and Validity........................................................................................................12
Ethics....................................................................................................................................12
Limitation of the research.....................................................................................................12
Chapter Four – Data Analysis and Findings..................................................................................12
Chapter Five – Conclusions and Recommendations.....................................................................18
Conclusion............................................................................................................................18
Recommendations................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

Topic: An investigation into the factors that motivate employees in the UK
food retail sector.
Chapter One – Introduction
Background to the Research
Motivated employees tend to comprises and includes of the bringing of higher level of
enthusiasm as well as high energy level and commitment that brings higher creativity and
performance level in employees (Hoang and et. al., 2022). Motivated employees are tending to
be the key of success for every organisation as it drives the higher commitment level as well as
bring energy to workers of a form to effectively perform its everyday role (Berdicchia, Bracci
and Masino, 2021). Beside this, it has been also seen and find out that the motivated employees
are tend to be more loyal to the form and also show a higher level of dedication towards the work
thus ensures and lead out timely achievement and accomplishment of set organisational. Thus, an
implication can be made that motivated employees are vital asset of every form therefore it is
essential to analysis and determine the factors that help in motivating the employees.
Significance of the Problem
Lack of employee motivation is a significant issues and problem that is being encountered
and faced by the food retail sector of the UK that is creating many challenges in form of decline
in their performance and productivity level. It has been seen that the spared of the global
pandemic of the covid-19 has affected the level of communication and direct interaction with the
employees along with leading higher stress and anxiety in employees. beside this, the issue of
poor leadership as well as lack of workplace flexibility and ineffective development
opportunities are also causing the issue of lack of motivation that is negatively impacting the
output level of UK food retail sector (Budzanowska-Drzewiecka and Tutko, 2021). Therefore,
current study is significant and rationale as it focuses and emphasis on the investigate about the
factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector to mitigate the issue of lack of
motivation.
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose of current study is tend to focused and emphasised on the
analysing the key factors that ensure and brings the higher motivation level with the employees
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of UK. It has been implicated that every business organisation has the main purpose and aim of
achieving higher growth and success that is possible only through having an efficient and
committed workforce. Therefore, the main purpose and focus of current study is on analysis
these factors that supports higher motivation in employees to achieve higher success and growth
ate within the food retail sector of UK (Fjendbo, 2021). Beside this, the food retail sector of UK
is also hard hit by the global pandemic of covid-19 as sudden lockdown and strict social
distancing norms are causing many challenges in form of decline in output and performance
level. Further, the spread of covid-19 also carted lack of motivation in employees through
leading higher anxiety and stress about health and safety of workplace. Therefore, current project
is focused on the purpose of the analysing factors that are vital in regain and enhancing the
motivation in employees within food retail sector of UK.
Statement of the Problem
The current study is based on the problem of ineffective motivation level within the
employees of UK retail sector that is causing and leading the reduce productivity level along
with decline in overall productivity and output of UK retail sector.
Aim(s) and Objectives
Aim
The aim of current project is, “To analysis the importance of concept of motivated
employees along with investigate about the factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail
sector. A research project on Food retail sector of UK.
Objectives
 To review about the meaning and importance of the motivated employees within a firm.
 To investigate into the factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector.
 To review the key challenges faced in motivating the employees within the Food retail
sector of UK.
 To recommend some effective measures and strategy that can be adopted within the UK
food retail sector to ensure higher motivation and performance level in its employees.
Research Questions
 What is meant by the meaning and importance of the motivated employees within a firm?
 What are the possible factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector?
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 Which can be the key challenges faced in motivating the employees within the Food
retail sector of UK?
 What are some effective measures and strategy that can be adopted within the UK food
retail sector to ensure higher motivation and performance level in its employees?
Dissertation structure
1. Introduction - In this part, a brief overview of the study along with research aim
objectives and questions are provided. It also includes significance of the study along
with reflecting about the research problem on which the study is along with providing of
the purpose statement.
2. Literature Review - This section involves review of different literatures in which the
viewpoints of different authors are compared on the themes associated with the topic. It
forms the main part of dissertation in which information from various sources are
gathered so that researcher will be able to draw valid conclusion of study.
3. Research Methodology - It consists of different methodologies which help researcher in
performing the research study systematically and accomplish its aim. It is also a crucial
part of study as with the assistance of different methodologies, investigator will be able to
conduct study systematically in proper and structured manner.
4. Data Analysis and Research Findings - In this part, data is analysed and the findings are
discussed which further help researcher to draw conclusion of the study.
5. Conclusion and Recommendations - This part provides summary based on the overall
report. It also includes some recommendations which are providing on the basis of
findings of the study to organisation. It is the last part of overall dissertation which
involves summary of entire project.
Chapter Two – Literature Review
This section of the project comprises of the review of the pre-existing set of data that is
present in form of existing literature that supports a better base and understanding about selected
topic. The current literature review is based on the factors that supports motivated employees
within the food retail sector of UK along with analysing its set objectives for which analysis and
use of online form of articles and journal has been made a discussion of which is provided is
below:
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To review about the meaning and importance of the motivated employees within a firm
As per the view point of the Kim, S., Kim, P.B. and Lee, G., 2021, it has been analysed
that the employee motivation tends to present and reflect about the level of the commitment that
is present and prevailing with the staff of a firm that supports higher energy and innovation level
at the workplace. Besides this, it has been also analysed that motivated employees are tend to be
an assent for an organisation as the employee motivation is directly proportional to the success of
a firm (Selimović, Pilav-Velić and Krndžija, 2021). But the concept of the employee is tending
to be intangible in nature as well as it is difficult to measure and control but its presence and
implication cannot be ignored at workplace. Motivation tend to provides a process that helps in
stimulating and directing the actions of the employees through meeting their needs and applying
other techniques to ensure maximum use of once potential. The key importance and benefit of
the employee motivation tend to comprises and includes of the increase within the commitment
level of the employees that ultimately lead to higher performance level (Why Employee
Motivation Is Important (& How to Improve It), 2022). It has been analsysed that when the
employees feel motivated they will tend to put and have their best effort in performing and
undertaking ant task which ensures timely achievement of set targets. Beside this, the importance
of motivated employees also comprises of the fact that it creates and brings a positive workplace
where all employees feel satisfied and more loyal towards there work there brings out a more
efficient and positive workplace environment that is important and vital for the growth of a
company (Ahmed and et. al., 2021).
Along with this, as per the view point of the Wang, Z., Gao, M. and Panaccio, A., 2021, a
positive impact of employee motivation is also seen on the productivity level of the employees as
well as the form as it supports and encouraging positive influence on the efficiency and
performance level of employees based on higher satisfaction and commitment level. Along with
this, reduction in the issue of absenteeism as well as high employee turnover is also being a
positive impact and vital importance of motivated workforce (Belas and et. al., 2021). It has been
seen that the motivated employees tend to acknowledge and understand the importance of timely
and work and seemed more supportive and loyal in their work which reduce the chances of
workplace absenteeism. Along with this, employee motivation also tends to supports the higher
focus of on the wellbeing and health of employees that creates a stress free working environment
and makes employees overwhelmed and positive towards their work thus reduce the chances of
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staff turnover. Beside this, motivating employees also includes and comprises of the higher
employee benefits and improved growth opportunities along with extra incentives and rewards
there attract and retain the talented employees for a longer span of time that plays an important
role in enhancing the overall success level of a firm (Arshad, Abid and Torres, 2021). Beside
this, the motivated workplace also tends to have a higher creativity as well as improved
performance level that is important and vital for a firm for better and timely accomplishment of
the set goals and targets of a firm. Along with this, motivated employees are also tending to have
a higher commitment and loyalty level towards there work and also feel more dedicated for
timely completion of task that also boost their performance and efficiency level along with
enhancing their confidence and skill level to ensure creation of a more creative and talented
workforce (Yarberry and Sims, 2021).
To investigate into the factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector
As per the view point of the Maryani, Y., Entang, M. and Tukiran, M., 2021, it has been
see that factors of motivation are tend to be the important component of every business
organisation as it is important to ensure motivated employees which lead to effectiveness and
efficiency in the functions of the organisations. Along with this, the factors of motivation also
play a vital role in effectively guiding and motivating employees to complete the work in time as
well as in an accurate manner. Further, the motivation factors are tending to comprises of the
both positive as well as the negative staff experiences that are used and implicated by a firm to
increase and enhance the overall productivity and satisfaction level of the employees. The key
factors of the motivation that are being sued within the retail UK food industry comprises of the
strategies, incentives, regular recognitions as well as other elements that tend to increase and
enhance the overall motivation of the employees to effectively perform and undertake their
duties at the work. The key factors that motivate employees in the UK food retail sector are listed
and discussed as below:
 Leadership style – It has been seen that the way of the supervision as well as the
management style of the managers and other leaders tend to plays a vital role within a
company in motivating and guiding the employees. It has been also seen that the
selection and making use of the appropriate and suitable form of the leadership styles
tend to encourage employees to develop and effectively meet the objectives and goals in
their positions. Along with this, the providence of proper guidance and leadership also
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lead to employees to effectively work towards those goals as well as also help the
employees to maintain that motivation throughout the course of their time at the
organization. It has been seen that within the UK retail fast food industry the managers
and leaders are tend to make use of the democratic nature of the leadership style that
supports equal participation and involvement of all employees which enhance and boost
the confidence and motivation level of the employees (Amin and et. al, 2021).
 Recognition and appreciation- The making use of the appreciation and recognition tend
to forms out the two vital components and aspects of the motivation within an
organisation. It has been seen that the offering and leading out the continuous use of the
recognition as well as praise makes the employees feel more accomplished as well as
appreciated and it also tend to reinforce and lead to good performance. Further, it has
been also seen that the making use of the recognition and appreciation also meets the
financial needs of employees which tend to encourage the employees for having
improvement in their performance and remain motivated to work in an effective manner.
 Positive company culture- The workplace atmosphere as well as the overall culture of
the company also tend to have a significant effect on the motivation level of the
employees as positive culture supports higher satisfaction level. It has been seen that a
positive culture is being supported UK retail fast food industry as it leads a feeling of
being valued within the employees and also creates an atmosphere where they enjoy their
work based on string company culture. Along with this, it has been also seen that the
areas to focus by the UK retail sector for increasing the positivity of company as well as
supporting team culture include the leading of the wellbeing of employees as well as
supporting the inclusion and equality among employees (Chikazhe and Nyakunuwa,
2022).
 Interesting work and regular career advancement opportunities- it has been seen that
the main cause and reason of being demotivation within the employees tend to comprises
of dong of some boring work. Thus, it has been ensured within the UL retail fast food
industry that all the work and job role are bifurcated and assigned based on their interest
and skill level to have higher motivation in employees. Along with this, to ensure higher
motivation in employees a clear path of job advancement is also being assigned and
emphasized to have higher motivation in employees. It has been also seen and analysed
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that the ensuring of the fact that employees understand a clear plan of progression within
their position in the workplace can tend to lead to higher motivation in them to work
towards a promotion, that will ultimately increase employee productivity and
performance level (Wulandari, Djawoto and Prijati, 2021).
To review the key challenges faced in motivating the employees within the Food retail sector of
UK.
As per the view point Sitopu, Y.B., Sitinjak, K.A. and Marpaung, F.K., 2021, it has been
seen that various issues and challenge are being faced by the managers and leaders in effectively
motivating its employees within the food retail sector. These challenges are mainly related and
associated with the lack of time along with the poor communication skill and lack of availability
of resources together with other uncertainty and finding faults. A discussion and analysis of the
key set of the challenges faced in motivating the employees within the Food retail sector of UK
are listed and discussed as below:
Low self-confidence- It has been seen that it is vital to have high confidence level to
boost the overall motivation and performance level of the employees. But the leaders and
managers tend to face a challenge and difficulty related with the having of the low and lack of
confidence in employees as they feel unworthy and thus, also tend to be unable to make effective
decisions. Further, it has been also seen that the Lacking self-confidence level tend to makes the
employee unable to set and form the good work relationships as well as also tend to assert
themselves both of which tend to act as an important role if the employee is to be successful in
the workplace (Khairunnisa, Bahri and Effendy, 2021). Along with this, it has been also seen and
implicated that the employee will also have the tendency to procrastinate or apply limited effort
based on lack of confidence along with ensure that these issues and challenges the reasons the
employee fails.
Poor communication skill- The another vital challenge that is being faced and implicated
while motivating the employees tend to comprises and includes of the having ineffective
communication at the workplace. It has been seen and find out that the being not able to
effectively communicate as well as lack of workplace interaction tend to creates and lead to a
sense of chaos and confusion that hampers and negative effect the employee motivation. Thus,
ineffective communication is tending to a vital challenges faced in motivating the employees
within the Food retail sector of UK.
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Lack of time and resources- It has been seen that identifying the needs of employees and
meeting them in effective manner to ensure and bring out higher motivation require significant
amount of time as well as availability of resources. Thus, it is challenging for the UK food retail
sector to ensure and have significant time to meet and analysis the set needs of employees.
Beside this, the lack of resources as well as limited opportunities for career development are also
seen as the key difficulties faced while motivating the employees (Hassi, Balambo and
Aboramadan, 2021).
Fear of failure as well as achievement anxiety- It has been seen that the one of the major
concern that leads to ineffective motivation in employees tend to comprises and includes of the
fear of failure as well as the achievement anxiety. It has been seen that the employees are tend to
have a higher level of sensitiveness towards the punishment including the fear of criticism or loss
that hampers their motivation as well as the performance level within UK retail food sector.
Beside this, the gear of failure is also a main reason that lead to lack of motivation as they started
avoiding the complex task because of risk of failure that lead to demotivation and ineffective in
work.
To recommend some effective measures and strategy that can be adopted within the UK food
retail sector to ensure higher motivation and performance level in its employees.
According to the view point of the Mukhtar, S. and Saptono, A., 2022, it has been seen that
the there are various effective set of the measures and strategy that can be adopted within the UK
food retail sector to ensure and brings out the higher motivation and performance level within its
employees. It has been seen that the setting and leading out effective communication system is a
most effective measure to support the higher level of the motivation as well as improved
performance. Leading out effective set of the communication remove the chances of all sort of
confusion as well as reduce the chances of the conflicts and chaos therefore leads and brings out
positivity in employees. Along with this, it has been also seen that the effective communication
at the workplace also leads and supports the higher interaction level that lead to improved team
bonding and collaboration level that tend to have a positive impact on the overall motivation and
performance level of the employees. Beside this the, strategy of the providing and leading out
continuous as well as the immediate set of the feedback is also an effective strategy that supports
higher motivation (Bayram, 2022). It has been observed that the employees tend to have a
positive response towards the active feedback method as it ensures that they are effectively
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connected to the organisational and other individuals. Further, it has been also seen that
employees tend to feel more attracted and motivated by having a short term evaluation of the
performance based on continuous feedback. It also ensures and lead to the feeling of the stronger
commitment and dedication towards the organisational goals and vision.
Further, with respect to the view point of the it has been seen and find out that the
strategy of the providing of the regular training and development programmes for the employees
is also an effective set of the strategy that can be adopted and used to motivate employees. The
strategy of the providing of the training and development programmes tend to supports the
improvement within the skill and competency of the employees. Thus, it tend to supports the
higher level of the confidence in employees and also makes them more competent to effectively
perform there job role thus it supports and brings higher satisfaction and motivation level in them
along with improving there performance level. Beside this, it has been also seen that the strategy
of promotion and ensuring regular development in employees also supports and brings a higher
commitment level in employees based on better future opportunity. Apart from this, it has been
also seen that the promoting of the scheduling flexibility is also an effective measures and
strategy that can be adopted within the UK food retail sector to ensure higher motivation and
performance level in its employees. It has been seen that the strategy of the having of the flexible
scheduling and work arrangements tend to reduce the stress level of the employees and promote
the higher employee productivity (Ilham, 2022). It has been seen that the making use of the
modern set of the technology makes it possible to have the flexible scheduling to have a positive
impact on the job motivation and satisfaction level of employees. Beside this, it has been also
seen that the strategy of the providing and leading out some performance based incentives and
perks is also an effective way to support and bring out the higher level of motivation and
performance level in employees. The providing of the performance based incentives and perks
tend to meet the monetary as well as the financial aspects of the employees thus it drives the
higher satisfaction as well as improved performance within the employees.
Chapter Three – Research Methodology
It forms out and comprises of an important section of every research project that provides a
systematic overview and review of the research method and approaches that are being used to
carry out a study work in efficient and effective manner. The research methodology part covers
all the aspects of how to gather data and the way to analyse it is included. A good methodology
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