Importance of Human Resource Management: A Marks & Spencer Case Study

This research project investigates the significance of Human Resource Management (HRM) within organizations, focusing on Marks & Spencer as a case study. The report begins with an introduction outlining the research aims, objectives, and background, emphasizing the importance of HRM in the retail sector and its impact on organizational performance and employee efficiency. The methodology section details the use of descriptive research design, incorporating both primary and secondary data collection methods, including questionnaires administered to managers and review of relevant literature. The research aims to analyze the need for HRM, identify its role in organizational success, and assess the impact of HRM practices on performance. The study will employ a deductive approach, testing theoretical aspects through data analysis, and will present findings using qualitative techniques such as charts and tables. The timescale for completion is set at two months, with a Gantt chart outlining the various stages of the research process. The research aims to highlight how HRM practices contribute to enhanced efficacy and sustainability, offering valuable insights for both the organization and other researchers. The study also covers the significance of the research and the ethical considerations involved.

RESEARCH PROJECT
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Table of Contents
Title – To ascertain importance of human resource management in the organization: A case study on
Marks & Spencer ................................................................................................................................3
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................3
Aims and Objectives ............................................................................................................................3
Background of the research .................................................................................................................3
Research design....................................................................................................................................4
Research Methodology ........................................................................................................................5
Significance of the research..................................................................................................................6
Timescale (Gantt Chart).......................................................................................................................6
Ethical Statement..................................................................................................................................8
References ...........................................................................................................................................9
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TITLE – TO ASCERTAIN IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE
ORGANIZATION: A CASE STUDY ON MARKS & SPENCER
INTRODUCTION
A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of the proposed research and it also
sets out central issues and questions that are intended to address in the research study. It also
outlines the general area of study within which the research falls. Thus, relating to that the present
study will be made with an attempt to ascertain importance of human resource management in the
organization. In such respect, Marks & Spencer will betaken into account which operates business
in retail sector. Several research tools and techniques will be used for the purpose of reaching
towards the aims and objectives. The study will be briefly discussing the concept of HRM and how
it will be suitable for future research projects.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The present research study has been made with an aim to ascertain importance of HRM in
the organization. For such purpose, case study of Marks and Spencer will be taken into account.
Several research objectives have been formulated so as to give specific direction to the research
report. Research objectives for the current study are discussed in the below mentioned section:
 To analyze the need of HRM for business entities
 To identify the role of HRM in organizational success
 To ascertain the impact of HRM practices on organizational performance
Hence, as per the research aims and objectives, the study will be conducted in a particular
direction and will be emphasizing on the contribution of HRM to organizational success. Thus,
according to the aims and objectives, research questions have been developed for collecting
appropriate data for research report. In the below mentioned section, research questions for the
study have been stated.
 What is the role of HRM in the organization?
 What factors leads the organization to enhance the effectiveness of HRM aspects?
 What is the impact of HR contribution in organizational growth and success?
BACKGROUND OF THE RESEARCH
The subsequent topic has been selected for the purpose of comprehending the role of human
resource management in the organization and the core reason behind the selection of this topic is to
showcase the importance of human possessions in organizational performance and productivity
aspects. Researcher has variety of topics to be selected related to the subsequent matter; however
discussion will be made on importance and contribution of human resource management for
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organizational growth and success. At the same time, discussion will also be made on impact of
human resource contribution for organizational success and long term sustainability.
In current scenario, all the organization emphasizes on human resource development so that
the opportunities of growth and success can be encouraged. For a retail business entity, it is
essential to have focus on human resource growth and development because manpower efficiency
contributes in delivering prominent services to the clients. Thus, the study will be emphasizing on
all those dimensions that helps the organization to improve the performance level through HRM
practices. In order to prepare the research in authentic manner, researcher will be emphasizing on
secondary and primary both the sources for appropriate data collection.
The study will be conducted in a specific procedure which is discussed in the below
mentioned section:
 The first section of the research will be introduction part in which brief discussion will be
made regarding the research topic. This will give idea about the purpose of the research
study along with the expected outcomes. Introduction section will help the researcher to
specify the aspects that will be included in the research study.
 Next is the research aims and objectives in which the purpose of conducting the study will
be stated and along with research questions will also be mentioned for collecting suitable
data for research report.
 Afterwards, the next part will be Literature review in which discussion will be made
regarding secondary source. Here, in this section researcher will review all the aspects of
research study through the sources defined. The entire section will briefly cover research
data from diverse sources.
 Research Methodology is another crucial aspect of a research study in which researcher will
use different tools and techniques for the purpose of reaching towards the aims and
objectives. The section will be emphasizing on suitable tools and techniques for presenting
the facts and findings in accurate manner.
 Lastly, with the help of data analysis techniques, researcher will conclude the entire study in
adequate manner with quantitative design. This will assist researcher in depicting the
research aspects in authentic manner. Themes will be prepared for segregating the entire
research in prominent manner.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research design is the chief aspect of the research as it defines the study type along with the
sub type on the basis of which data can be collected. It is also considered the framework that has
been created to seek answers to research questions. There are many ways to classify a research
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design; however sometimes the distinction is artificial and other times different designs are
combined (Tracy, 2012). Descriptive, Experimental and exploratory are the major categories of
research design and all emphasizes on diverse aspects for collection of data. Experimental design
explains the structure of an experiment and it also involves plans for the testing of the causal
hypothesis.
Exploratory design helps to determine the best research design, method of data collection
and selection of research subject. The technique also aids in drawing definitive conclusions only
with extreme caution. It has been observed that exploratory research design often relies on
secondary research since it reviews literature on the basis of interview, focus group and pilot studies
(Stake, 2005). Other category descriptive research design which is used to obtain information about
the current status of the phenomenon and it also describes all the variables present in the situation.
The present study will be using Descriptive research design because it works with the objective to
describe the features of various aspects such as contribution of HR practices in organizational
growth and success.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The main section under research methodology is data collection in which researcher
emphasizes on primary and secondary sources for grabbing information about subject matter. The
major categories of data collection are secondary and primary sources and both will be considered
in the present research study (Turnbull and Blyton, 1992). Under primary research study, data will
be collected from the managers of the organization where in they will be specifying the contribution
of HRM for organizational development. However, in the case of secondary source, data will be
collected through books, journals and articles on web pages. These are the main sources of data
collection that will be selected for the present research for developing authentic and relevant
research study. The study will be done in a specific direction where in a structural procedure will be
followed according to the stages mentioned in the Gantt Chart.
Specific data will be grabbed so that research aim and objectives can be fulfilled (Yin,
2009). Further, deductive research approach will be selected because it aims to emphasize on testing
the theoretical aspects. It can be explained by the means of hypothesis which can be derived from
the propositions of the theory. Hence, in other words, it can be said that deductive approach will be
considered because it draws conclusion from tested observations. The other category of research
approach is inductive which usually use research questions to narrow the scope of the study.
Inductive approach is concerned with the generation of new theory that emerges from the collected
data (The four main approaches, 2012). In order to present data, researcher will be using qualitative
research technique in which data will be presented through charts, tables and pictures. This will also
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make the study more presentable; further it will also help in stating valid conclusion.
Sample size for the present research study will be 20 managers of Marks and Spencer who
will be provided questionnaire on respective subject matter. Managers working on top authority will
be included in the research process and managers working on middle and lower level will not be
involved in the research process (Linderoth and et.al., 2006). Sampling will be done through
random sampling method where in all the managers of Marks and Spencer will be selected.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH
The study will be conducted for the purpose of depicting the contribution of human
resources for organizational growth and success. The research will be conducted on the basis of
dimensions that are concerned with HRM. The study will be conducted with an attempt to ascertain
how HRM practices helps the organization to improve efficacy and sustainability aspects. Thus,
according to the research aim, researcher will emphasize on secondary research where in wide
range of data will be collected from previous books, journals and articles. This will be useful for the
researcher since through that, researcher can specify essential elements of Human Resource
Management for organization. At the same time, the study will focus on all those practices through
which organization can acquire greater success and prosperity (Brockbank and Ulrich, 2005).
The present research will be exploring the concept of HRM along with its contribution in
organizational growth and success aspects. Similarly, researcher will also focus on role of employee
management in improving performance and productivity facets. The research will be attempted with
the chief aim of focusing all the criteria through which organization can be differentiated from
efficient human resource management (Bohlander and Snell, 2012). At the same time, researcher
will be considering success aspects in every stage so that errors and mistakes can be avoided. The
study will be useful for other researchers as well because it will include all the core dimensions of
HR.
TIMESCALE (GANTT CHART)
The subsequent research study will be completed within the expected time limit of 2 months
in which researcher will emphasize on varied stages. At the same time, during the stage of
preparation, researcher will prepare suitable budget so that all the activities can be managed under
the cost defined (Levy and Lemeshow, 2013). This will assist the researcher to maintain the entire
process under budgetary aspects. It is an apparent fact that researcher will require several materials
(like photocopy, library searches, tapes and transportation sources) while conducting the study; thus
all these things will be managed with the help of determined budgetary aspects.
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ACTIVITY/WEEK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
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Identifying the problem
Systematic analysis to choose the topic for
the study
Choosing the research method
Conducting literature review for secondary
data collection
Setting the objectives
Primary data collected from the call centre
employees
Identifying research approach
Designing research methodology
Preparing of structured questionnaire
Make fill up the questionnaire from
customers
Organizing collected data in excel sheets
Applying suitable technique to analysis
data
Interpretation of the data
Evaluating and finding of the research
Recommendation and suggestions for
further study
Outline the findings chapter
Create report in a presentable manner
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Submission to instructor and awaiting for
feedback
Revising the final draft
Submitting report
Presenting report to the audience
ETHICAL STATEMENT
In order to ensure validity and reliability, researcher will emphasize only on authentic and
germane sources. Furthermore, ethical aspects will also be considered in the research study where in
researcher will emphasize only on relevant materials under data collection. At the time of engaging
managers in the research, researcher will acquire proper consent from the respondents (Kumar.
2010). Further, their identity will not be disclosed without their permission. Results will be
interpreted in comprehensive manner with Quantitative method where in several themes will also be
prepared subsequently.
Similarly, researcher will also emphasize on using only those sources which are subscribed
and which considers relevant material related to the subject matter (Bhattacharyya, 2009). Similarly,
researcher will also focus on protecting respondent's identity because their interest matters a lot in
the research study. Besides this, researcher will also conduct the study in given budget and time
limit. Fake and irrelevant website will not be included in the research report from any aspect.
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REFERENCES
Bhattacharyya, D. K., 2009. Human Resource Planning. 2nd ed. Excel Books India.
Bhattacharyya, K. D., 2009. Research Methodology. Excel Books India.
Bohlander, G. W. and Snell, S. A., 2012. Managing Human Resources. Cengage Learning.
Kumar, R. 2010. Human Resource Management: Strategic Analysis Text and Cases. I. K.
International Pvt Ltd.
Levy, S. P. and Lemeshow, S., 2013. Sampling of Populations: Methods and Applications. 4th ed.
John Wiley & Sons.
Linderoth, J. and et.al., 2006. The empirical behavior of sampling methods for stochastic
programming. Annals of Operations Research. 142(1). pp.215-241.
Stake, R.E., 2005. Quantitative case studies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
The four main approaches. 2012. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Research/Understanding-dementia-research/Types-of-
research/The-four-main-approaches>. [Accessed on 28th March 2016].
Tracy, J. S., 2012. Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting Evidence, Crafting Analysis,
Communicating Impact. John Wiley & Sons.
Turnbull, P. and Blyton, P., 1992. Reassessing Human Resource Management. SAGE.
Yin, K. R., 2009. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. SAGE.
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