Research Project: Human Resource Impact on Zara's Sales

This research project investigates the effectiveness of human resources in enhancing organizational sales, focusing on Zara as a case study. The report begins by identifying research questions concerning the role of human resources, employee motivation, and their impact on sales. It then outlines the process of social research, including the formulation of research problems, literature review, and the importance of reliability and validity in data measurement. The study delves into the qualitative and quantitative debate in social science research, exploring different methodologies and approaches to research design. A literature review examines the role of human resources within a company, including managing, development, and working towards goals. It also explores ways companies motivate human resources through training, development, and formal performance appraisals, and the impact of motivated employees on sales. The report covers various aspects of research methodology and design, including the qualitative and quantitative approaches, and concludes with a discussion on the most suitable approach to design a research proposal. The research utilizes primary and secondary data sources to analyze the impact of HR practices on sales performance, drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of HR strategies in driving revenue and profitability.

Research Project

Title: Effectiveness of human resource in enhancing organizational sales.
INTRODUCTION
Human resource, said to be as a category use to define people who are working within
the organisation and department who is responsible for managing the resources in order to
operating their business in an effective manner. In the year around 1960s the word “human
resource” was first used to define the value of labour relations. The present assignment is
based on the human resources and how they assist in improving sales and profitability.
Therefore, for doing the same company which is been taken into consideration is ZARA.
ZARA, is Spanish based apparel retailer established in the year 1975 and for 45 years the
company is providing its effective services through 2,270 stores in different locations. If look
at the revenue of the company in the year 2018 it was around €18.021 million.
The present research will focus on effectiveness of human resources so as to improve
the sales of the organisation. Thus, in order to do this, based on the aim research questions
will be developed. Moreover, these questions will be answered with the help of literature
review which will be gathered from primary as well as secondary source of data. However,
this will be determined using different research methodologies and this will help in
evaluating reliable and valid conclusion.
TASK 1
1.1 Identify a research question
 What is the role of human resource within the company?
 What are the ways by which company can motivate their human resource at
workplace?
 How motivated employees help in increasing sales of the company?
1.2 Process of social research
It is important for researcher to implement entire activities of study in an effective manner
as it directly contributes in reducing the possibilities of arising any kind of issues. Mainly, it
includes some effective stage that cover whole research process in an effective manner.
 Formulation of research problem
 Review of related literature
 Formulation of Hypotheses
 Working out Research design

 Defining the nature of study
 Determining sampling design
 Administering the tools of data collection
 Analysis of data Testing of Hypotheses
 Data interpretation
 Reporting the research
1.3 Criteria and limitation of research design
At the time of undertaking research, investigator face various issues and limitation that
put negative impact over the end result of the investigation. The limitation of this research is
those attributes of the structure or procedure that have affected or affected the understanding
of the data of the study. There are restrictions on validity, implementations for action and/or
through use of results which are the product of the manner wherein researcher originally
choose to conduct this research study or the approach used to create reliability and validity or
the product of unexpected problems that occurred mostly during research. It is much easier
for you to recognize and understand the shortcomings of the research than it is to have them
found out by the investigator and lowered as its researcher seemed to have overlooked them.
1.4 Criteria for reliability and validity for the measurement of research data
In research activities, the reliability and validity of the estimate is determined not for a
specific experiment, and then by the trend of findings throughout many researches. The
evaluation of reliability and validity is a continuous process. Thus, it is crucial for
investigator to effectively analysis the overall authenticity of the study so that positive and
reliable outcomes can be easily evaluated and undertaken. Reliability is the degree of a
measure. Psychologists review three forms of accuracy: across period, throughout subjects, or
across investigators. On the other side, Validity is the degree to whom the results of the test
describe the factor to which they have been designed. So how is the investigator actually
making this decision? Researchers have already regarded one factor to be taken into account
— reliability. Validity is a conclusion depending on multiple categories of facts. The
available information includes the dependability of the measure, whether this concerns the
particular construct, or whether the results it creates are directly linked with other factors that
are predicted to be strongly linked with it and not associated with different factors that are
significantly different.

1.5 Relationship between philosophy and methodology with research texts
TASK 2
2.1 Qualitative and quantitative debate of social science research
While undertaking research activities, it is crucial for researcher to use effective and
suitable method so that they can develop an appropriate end outcome and at the same time
also draw a valid conclusion. It can be classified on the basis of two aspects such as
qualitative and quantitative research:
Qualitative research: It is an effective method of gathering information as it focuses on
obtaining data by using open-ended and conversational communication. Along with this,
researcher includes a systematic observation that help in gathering authentic information
towards the specific topic and area as well. Mainly, it also supports in understanding of
underlying the reason, opinion and motivations. Along with this, qualitative methods vary
using unstructured or semi- structured techniques As, it includes observation, interview,
questionnaire that help in attaining positive outcomes at the end of investigation.
Quantitative research: This type of method is also effective as it helps quantify the issue by
way of generating numerical data into usable statistics. Mainly, it also used to determine
quantify attitudes, behaviour and defined variables. With the help of this, investigator can
easily draw a valid conclusion in improve the possibilities of attaining positive outcomes.
Along with this, it includes various sources like literature review, case study and many more.
These can be beneficial in gathering theorical aspects that may directly contribute in drawing
a valid conclusion that assist in taking right decision within the study.
2.2 Nature of pluralism in research methodology
Under the research, methodological pluralism refers to investigators using only a
number of techniques in a single piece of work. This enables manipulations where primary
and secondary data can be generated in order to enhance validity and reliability. It is typically
performed in research articles and case studies as well. Along with this, pluralism also help in
suggesting the mixing of paradigms, data and at the same time also includes techniques that
support in determining the aspects includes in the research activities with the aim of

generating reliable and authentic information. This will directly contributes in understanding
the nature of the investigation that may increase the possibilities of attaining positive
outcomes without any kind of issues and obstacles while taking decisions.
2.3 Qualitative approach to research design
2.4 Quantitative approach to research design
2.5 Suitable approach to design research proposal
TASK 3
3.1 Perform literature review
Role of Human resource within the company
According to……., With the change in course of time and with the increase in
globalisation, company has got an opportunity to have the best source of human talents for
their organisation. As a result, this is providing the company with benefits and increasing its
market share not only in local but in global level as well. In an organisation, employees have
their different roles and responsibility according to the department in which they are working.
For example: Workers in operational department will have their own task whereas,
employee working in technical department will have a separate work to do but all the
activities are being performed for getting effective results. Thus, some of the roles of human
resource within the company is mentioned below for better understanding:
Managing: Every individual has their own roles and responsibility and these should
be managed according to the task and requirement of business. Even though¸ they have
different roles but it is important to manage the same because employees have the tendency
of looking at the business operations and the decision-making process for getting the best
results in relation to the company.
Development: Human resource should be contributing their roles and responsibilities
towards the development of business and they should focus on the ways by which they can
provide growth and profitability to the company. Thus, this is the prime role of human
resource to do every bit for obtaining better results from the market area. Therefore,
employees should be dedicating towards their roles because any kind of negligence can lead
business towards danger.
Work for goal: This is the main role of human resource i.e. to work for achieving the
set goals and targets so that company can reach out to its objectives. However, in order to do

this, employees need appropriate skills and knowledge and it is most probability turning
employees towards a responsible worker. Along with this, maintaining a better relationship
with employees is very important because it can help them in working together in challenging
phases as well.
Ways through which company motivate their human resource at workplace
According to……, Companies, prime motive of doing their business is to gain
maximum benefits and for this they do every possible thing for getting the positive results.
Thus, the main action they can do is motivating their employees and providing them with
available resources. Therefore, some of the measures which company can take for motivating
their employees are mention below:
Training and development: In order to get success, it is important that company
maintains a coordination between employees and the management and for this, company has
to depends on the efficiency and capabilities of the employees who are working within the
organisation. Thus, Human resource’s prime role is to be focussed so that they can achieve
the goals and objectives in a specific time frame. Therefore, in order to do the same, it is
important that they get proper training and development and this can keep the employees
motivated and dedicated towards their work. Training and development can depend upon
requirements of training like whether they need training for improving their interpersonal
relationships or something else. Hence, training and development contributes its action for
developing the performance of the company.
Formal performance appraisal: This is one of the best sources for keeping all the
workers motivated towards their work because performance appraisal is given on the basis of
the ability an individual acquires. The more effective the skill is the more appraisal they
could get. Thus, to get the same employees try to keep learning new things and directly or
indirectly helps the company in gaining better outcomes. Moreover, it is provided in order to
enhance or motivate the confidence level of employees so that they can push themselves to
work so that they can work in a more enthusiastic manner and moreover, achieve the goals
and targets in a speculated time frame.
Motivated employees helping in increasing the sales of the company
According to the view point of ………….., Culture of the company plays a crucial
role in motivating the efforts of employees and its effect can be seen in the increase of sales

and profitability of the company. There are several reasons how motivated employees assist
in enhancing the sales of the company and one of the main reasons is providing opportunity
of meeting the goals and objectives. Directly or indirectly motivated employees increase the
productivity level of the organisation. For example: suppose workers are not motivated then
probably they will waste their time in surfing internet and not doing any kind of work.
Moreover, if workers are committed towards their work then they might put their best efforts
and can provides with better outcomes and the desired results.
However, development of employees also assists in increasing the sales of the
company because the developed skills will not only improve the performance of an individual
but will also clear their mind in distinguishing between their efforts and result, they will get
which means whatever activity they will do whether positive or negative consequences can
be depended on it. Moreover, company can set their short-term goals that are achievable
because it is believed that instead of chasing for a long-term goal if a person focuses on short-
term than there is a possibility that they can succeed in this. Therefore, setting short term
sales target will assist them in managing the activity and can get positive results. Another
way through which employees can increase the sales of the company is by encouraging
employee’s engagement as this can create a sense of belongingness towards the company
and employees can give their best for attaining the sales targets in a specific time frame
without having any issues or problems.
3.2 Create a sample of data from the findings
Human resource, is considered as an important aspect for an organisation because it helps in
performing the activities of a company in an appropriate manner without any complications.
After analysing the report, finding which was being evaluated was that employees have their
own roles and responsibility towards their organisation. For instance, employees or human
resource, along with performing their activities they need to manage and develop their team
so that all of them can work for a common goal. As this is the main motive of the company to
attain all its goals and objectives in order to have an increased sales and profitability.
Therefore, maintain a better relationship with the members working within the organisation,
they can cope up with the issues if they face in near future.
However, to perform the roles it is required that human resource is motivated on a
regularly basis as it will encourage them in doing their job more appropriately. Moreover,
companies can opt for different passage for doing so such as providing effective training and

development programme. Although, workers who are working within the organisation have
their skills and knowledge but by having suitable training all these can be furnished and
positive results can be gained. Besides this, everyone needs to get acknowledged for
whatever work they are doing and formal performance appraisal is considered as one of the
finest ways for motivating its employees and obtaining relevant outcomes. Generally,
appraisal is provided on the basis of the performance whether it is good or bad. Therefore,
whether it is training and development or formal performance appraisal both works
accordingly in terms of motivating employees.
Motivated employees not only create benefits for itself but also helps in increasing the
sales of the company. Every time when the person is motivated, he/she tries to give their best
so that productivity can be increased and its results can provide benefit to the company. Thus,
it can be said that more the productivity level the more the sales will be. However, short term
goals as their targets can increase the sales because it will not pressurise employees for
performing their activity and achieving the targets will be easier. Other than this, including
employees in every task will encourage them and might develop a belongingness towards the
work and company.
3.3 Suitable methods and statistical techniques to analyse data
Data analysis is considered as an effective process that used by researcher to cleaning,
transforming and modelling data with the aim of taking right and accurate information. This
type of process is also support investigator to analysis the actual aspect that includes within
the study in order to draw a valid conclusion at the end of the investigation and also make it
more reliable. In relation to this, one of the main purposes of analysis data is to extract the
useful information from the data which help investigator while taking decision. As there are
some effective techniques of analysing data such as text analysis, statistical analysis,
descriptive analysis. With the help of these techniques, researcher can easily analysis
collected data and information in an effective manner. For attaining the same, it is crucial for
researcher to select appropriate method for analysing their collected data. It can be beneficial
in reducing the possibilities of arising any kind error while drawing a valid conclusion within
the study and at the same time also make it more authentic and reliable as well.
3.4 Present data and information from findings in suitable format to produce results
Questionnaire
Q1) Does human resource play a vital role in business organization?

a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Why human resource is essential for company in increasing their overall sales?
a) Keep positive working environment
b) Improve employee engagement
c) Increase credibility of company
Q3) According to you managing human resource is crucial for company in improving
its positive image?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4) What are the importance of human resource that acquire by Zara in their
organizational activities?
a) Increase productivity
b) Keep customers satisfied
c) Employee engagement
Q5) What are the effective ways by which Zara can motivate their employees towards
the job roles?
a) Proper training and development
b) Provide rewards
c) Encourage employees to take participate
Q6) As per your point of view, how motivated employees help Zara in increasing their
overall sales at market place?
a) Accept challenges
b) Develop innovative ideas
c) Accomplish their targets
Q7) What are the challenges face by manager at the time of managing their
employees at working area?
a) Lack of leadership
b) Less employee involvement
c) Improper training
Q8) Does human resources are the significant asset within the business organization?
a) Yes
b) No
Q9) What kind of basic skills are required by an employee to execute business

activities?
a) Effective communication
b) Flexibility
c) Teamwork
Q10) Recommended that ways that support Zara in increasing the sales and
profitability ratio at market place.
Data sheet
Q1) Does human resource play a vital role in business
organization?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 20
Q2) Why human resource is essential for company in
increasing their overall sales?
Frequency
a) Keep positive working environment 20
b) Improve employee engagement 20
c) Increase credibility of company 10
Q3) According to you managing human resource is crucial
for company in improving its positive image?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Q4) What are the importance of human resource that
acquire by Zara in their organizational activities?
Frequency
a) Increase productivity 30
b) Keep customers satisfied 10
c) Employee engagement 10
Q5) What are the effective ways by which Zara can motivate
their employees towards the job roles?
Frequency
a) Proper training and development 20
b) Provide rewards 20
c) Encourage employees to take participate 10
Q6) As per your point of view, how motivated employees help
Zara in increasing their overall sales at market place?
Frequency
a) Accept challenges 30

b) Develop innovative ideas 10
c) Accomplish their targets 10
Q7) What are the challenges face by manager at the time of
managing their employees at working area?
Frequency
a) Lack of leadership 20
b) Less employee involvement 20
c) Improper training 10
Q8) Does human resources are the significant asset within
the business organization?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 15
Q9) What kind of basic skills are required by an employee to
execute business activities?
Frequency
a) Effective communication 20
b) Flexibility 15
c) Teamwork 15
TASK 4
4.1 Ethical issues of data handling
4.2 Guidelines for handling missing data while conducting research
Missing data, in current educational research is very common error and can turnout to
be one of the dangerous aspects during statistical representation. The chances of missing data
can be raised while gathering information and data from respective participants regarding the
particular topic. However, in order to handling these missing data, it can be well documented
because it will moreover, reduce the chances of ignoring various actions and employ
analytical techniques for a better conduction. Besides this, researcher can use a step-wise
selection methods so that they can have an idea about the next step that is required to be
considered. However, there are many tools that can be incorporated by the researcher such as
Missing Data Library, NORM for S-Plus and SOLAS, SPSS etc., thus, the following
parameters will help in analysing the data and can assist in reducing the standard of errors.