Research Project: Employee Motivation and Performance at Marriott

This research project investigates the impact of motivation on employee performance, focusing on a case study of Marriott Hotel in the UK. The study aims to understand the concept of motivation, its relationship to employee performance, and its effects on the hotel. The research employs a descriptive research design, utilizing both primary (questionnaires) and secondary data collection methods. The literature review covers various motivational theories and strategies, such as reward systems, training, and conflict resolution. Data analysis involves thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns. The project concludes with recommendations for improving employee motivation and performance at Marriott Hotel, addressing issues such as high employee turnover. The project also includes limitations of the research and ethical considerations.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1
1.1 Research Title........................................................................................................................1
1.2 Introduction............................................................................................................................1
1.3 Background of the research...................................................................................................1
2. LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................2
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY................................................................................................4
4. DATA ANALYSIS.....................................................................................................................6
4.1 Thematic analysis..................................................................................................................6
5. CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATION...........................................................................11
5.2 Recommendation.................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX 1.................................................................................................................................15
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................15

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Research Title
Impact of motivation in improving employee’s performance
1.2 Introduction
Organizations aim at raising their sale and profitability, this is done by satisfying
customers. Taste and preference of customer’s changes frequently and it is important for the
business to conduct research and survey on regular basis so that they are able to understand the
areas in which improvement can be made (Herzberg, Mausner and Snyderman, 2011). The rate
of competition is high and firms make use of strategies so that they are able to develop positive
impact among mind of services users. In all the activities that are adopted, it requires to have
appropriate support from the side of workers. When they fail to perform the type of roles that has
to be performed by them, then the rate of satisfactions among employees gets reduced.
1.3 Background of the research
Main focus of the research is identify the impact of motivation on employee’s
performance. For this respect, Marriott hotel is taken into consideration as there are issues faced
related to high employees turnover and one of the reason identified is lack of motivation. Below
given are the aim and objectives that are set for the research:
Aim: “Research topic: To understand the impact of motivation in improving employees
performance: A study on Marriott Hotel UK.”
Objectives:
 To determine the concept of motivation and employees performance
 To identify the relationship between motivation and employees performance.
 To analyse the impact of motivation in improving employees performance for Marriott
Hotel UK
 To recommend ways to motivate employee on improving employees performance at
Marriott Hotel UK.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept of motivation and employees performance?
 What is the relationship between motivation and employees performance?
 What are the impacts of motivation in improving employee’s performance for Marriott
Hotel UK?
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2. LITERATURE REVIEW
As per Zhang and Bartol, (2010) to perform any type of job, it requires to have proper
motivation so that a person is able to conduct the role with willing and interest. Any role that is
performed by an individual without motivation reduces the impact and quality of work. Within
an organizations employees are the one who have direct interaction with customers. They are the
one who present the products and services to customers. Each of the worker is expected to
perform certain set of roles and when these are not performed in appropriate manner, then
company face negative impact over the business (Paarlberg and Lavigna, 2010). Apart from this,
the firm fails to attain the set of goals and objectives that are set by management. Rogstadius,
Kostakos and Vukovic, (2011) stated that motivation enables to develop positive environment in
which worker can work and coordinate with each other in effective manner. On the other hand,
lack of motivation causes serious conflict situation and the efficiency of working among
employees gets affected. Within the organization there are different types of departments that
work together to achieve the desired goals and objectives.
According to Christensen and Wright, (2011) there are different types of issues that are
within the organization and this becomes the reason due to which workers leave the firm. Around
the world, companies are facing issues in relation with employee’s high turnover rate. When
worker leave the firm, then there are high cost involved like recruitment, training, etc. There is
various type of reasons due to which employees leave the firm. In this context, some of the
reasons include lack of motivation, lack of training, lack of understanding towards the roles and
responsibilities, conflicts, etc. (Staufenbiel and König, 2010). Among all these motivated
employees always find their work place roles interesting and put on their full efforts so that they
are able to perform their best. Apart from this, there are many changes that taken place in the
company. The type of perception that is carried out by individuals is different, there will be some
who will understand the requirement of changes and there will be few who will not prefer to
accept the change. All the workers who are motivated find is encouraging and gets to understand
the main reason due to which change should be made (Lambrou, Kontodimopoulos and Niakas,
2010). On the other hand demotivated workers will always try to find out any type of issues or
problems in the strategies that management is willing to implement.
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Management need to understand the preferences of workers and the type of issues that are
faced by them. With this respect one to one interaction need to be conducted so that the problems
that are faced by them can be identified (Georgellis, Iossa and Tabvuma, 2010). It is the
responsibility of HR department to make sure that problems that are faced by them are satisfied.
As per Kehoe and Wright, (2013) there are certain set of expectations that individuals have and
when these are fulfilled, then they get motivated. Employee’s performance and motivation have
close relation with each other, lack of motivation among employees makes business to face
losses. On the other hand, motivation makes the workers to put on their full efforts towards the
roles that have to be performed by them. The types of requirements that are provided by
customers are different, employees need to understand them and take up steps in order to satisfy
them (Salanova, Lorente and Martínez, 2011). When workers are not able to identify needs of
customers, then it has direct impact over business. There are firms that delivered their workers
with similar type of products and services, this way there are chances that service users can be
shift on to other companies.
There are different strategies that are applied by organizations so that workers can be
motivated. In this context, below given are few of the strategies that are applied to raise
motivational level:
Reward system: There are certain set of roles that has to be performed. When same role is
performed for long period of time, then it causes the workers to get demotivated (Herzberg,
Mausner and Snyderman, 2011). However, when employees are rewarded, then it becomes
favourable enough to develop interest and willingness towards the work they perform. Apart
from this, it also raises competition among employees to get the reward.
Providing training: Another reason for workers to get demotivated is due to lack of
understanding towards the roles and responsibilities that has to be played by them. In this
context, workers need to be provided with training and this should be done by identifying the
areas in employee’s lack. With training workers are able to develop their performance level and
in enhancing their skills in effective manner.
Resolving conflicts: There is various type of issues that can be faced by workers within
the organization. In this context, it requires the business to determine the problems that are faced
by workers with other (Zhang and Bartol, 2010). This could be between employers and
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employees, and so appropriate steps needs to be taken into considering so that conflicts can be
reduced.
Motivational theories and models: Different type of models and theories are used as it
enables to cover all the areas through which workers can be motivated. With this respect, it
includes Maslow’s hierarchy of need, Theory X and Y, etc.
Interaction with workers: HR mangers need to have one to one interaction with
employees so that the type of issues or problems that are faced from the side of workers can be
identified and steps are taken, this way it becomes favourable enough to develop positive
perception within the workers.
Paarlberg and Lavigna, (2010) stated that motivation enables the business to retain
workers and to make each one to focus over the goals and objectives that are set by the
management. When workers stay longer with the organization, then it enables the firm raise their
sales and profitability. In addition to this, workers need to be monitored so that management get
to identify the areas in which development can be made. When these are done, then it becomes
favourable enough to develop strong customers base.
3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
There is different type of research methodologies that has to be followed, these are
helpful enough to carry out the research in appropriate manner. With this respect, below given
are the methodologies that are included in this research:
Research philosophy: These are the beliefs that are followed by research in the process of
analysis and collection of information. These are of four types which realism, pragmatism,
positivism and interpretivism (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). Among thee the researcher
has made use of both interpretivism and positivism. These two are selected as it enables to gain
factual information. Further, the researcher is limited to gathering of information and
interpretation of data.
Research design: This is selected by investigator for logical and coherent integration
towards various type of components that arise in the study. There are three type of research
design which is exploratory, explanatory and descriptive. The researcher made use of descriptive
study (Mackey and Gass, 2015). Main reason behind this design is that it enables to focus on
objectives and aim that are set by the researcher.
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Research approach: This is the way through which information about research is
gathered. These are of two types which are inductive and deductive. Indicative are type of
research approach that focus on gathering the information from specific to general. On the other
hand, deductive is the research design that presents information from general to specific. Among
these designs, the investigator has made use of deductive research design.
Data collection: There are two ways with the help of which information data are
gathered, these are primary and secondary methods. Primary consists of tools like interview,
questionnaire, etc. (Brinkmann, 2014). On the other hand, secondary method includes various
sources like books, journals, online sources, etc. Among these two data collection methods, the
researcher has made use of both primary and secondary methods. More specifically
questionnaire is developed to gather primary. Further, books, online sources, journals, etc. are
used for secondary.
Sampling: There are two methods for sampling which is probabilistic and non-
probabilistic sampling. Probabilistic are randomly selected samples which have equal chances of
being selected. On the other hand, non-probabilistic sampling is that which consist of selected
samples and these done as per the preferences of researcher (Flick, 2015). Among these two the
investigator has made use of non-probabilistic sampling in which investigator have proper
knowledge of the samples who are being selected. More specifically, there are about 10
managers selected from Marriott hotel. These are selected as sample size as they have proper
understanding about the research topic.
Data analysis: When information is gathered, then it requires to make use of suitable
method that can enables to make appropriate analysis of the information. These are of two types
which are qualitative and quantitative methods. Among these the researcher has made use of
qualitative method and thematic is applied. Thematic is used as it enables to present the
information in the form of tables, charts, graph, etc.
Ethical consideration: Various types of considerations need to be made when research is
carried out. In this context, proper information needs to be provided to respondents so that they
provide adequate information (Khan, 2011). Further, proper system should be used in order to
save the personal information that is provided. In addition to this, secondary information should
not be used as it is or else it increases the risk of plagiarism.
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Limitations of the research: There are different types of limitations that are caused in
carrying out the research. Various type of activities is set up so that and these consist of certain
amount that is incurred. It requires to develop appropriate plan so that within the total budget
estimated all the activities are completed. Another limitation is of time, all the activities needs to
be completed within speculated time period. When any one of the activity gets delayed, then
remaining also get delayed.
4. DATA ANALYSIS
The analysis of information that is gathered from managers of Marriott hotel is done and
these are presented with the help of thematic analysis. With this respect, below given are the
responses that are made by 10 of the manager of Marriott Hotel:
4.1 Thematic analysis
Theme 1: Motivation plays vital role in improving employee’s performance
Do you think motivation plays vital role in improving employee’s
performance?
Frequency
Yes 6
No 3
Not sure 1
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Description: In accordance with the finding that are made from mangers of Marriott
hotel, it can be stated that motivations high highly effective enough to improve performance
level of workers. More specifically, out of 10 there are 6 of the managers who have stated that
motivation plays vital role. On the other hand, there are 3 of the respondents who think that
motivation is not effective enough. Lastly, there is one of the respondent who is not sure for the
same. Lastly, it can be stated that with the help of motivation the level of performance can be
raise of workers.
Theme 2: Motivated workers are able to support Marriott hotel to grow
Do you think motivated workers are able to support Marriott hotel
to grow?
Frequency
Yes 7
No 2
Not sure 1
Description: Growth of the firm is dependent on the performance that are made by
workers and they are the one present the goods and services customers. As per the findings, it
can be stated that there are in total 7 of the respondents who think that motivated employees are
able to support business to grow. On the other hand, there are 2 of the manager who do not think
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this way. In addition to this, there is one of the manager who is not sure whether motivation is is
supportive for business or not.
Theme 3: Main reasons for employees demotivation
What are the main reasons for employees demotivation? Frequency
Lack of training 5
Unhealthy working environment 3
No reward system 1
High work pressure 1
Description: There are different types of issues that are faced by workers when they
demotivated. In this context, it includes no reward system, unhealthy working environment, lack
of training, etc. Among all the options that were given, the finding show that majority of
employees think that lack of training is the main reason due to which workers get demotivated.
Further, there are 3 of the managers who have selected unhealthy working environment to be the
reason for demotivated. Further, there is one manager who has selected high work pressure and
no reward system is the reasons due to which employees get demotivated.
Theme 4: Rate of conflicts gets reduced through motivated employees at Marriott Hotel
Do you think rate of conflicts gets reduced through motivated
employees at Marriott Hotel?
Frequency
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Yes 5
No 3
Not sure 2
Description: The conflict situation that occurs at Marriott hotel is high and from the
findings it is identified that it is causes employees to get demotivated. More specifically, there
are 5 of the managers who think that conflicts reduce motivation. In order to perform any work,
it requires to have appropriate support from the side of co-workers. In conditions of conflict the
interaction gets reduced and the work gets negatively affected. Further, there are 3 of the
managers who do not think that conflicts causes demotivated workers. In addition to this, there
are 2 of the managers who are not sure for the same.
Theme 5: Employees who are highly motivated are able to deliver high quality services
Are motivated employees able to deliver high quality services? Frequency
Yes 5
No 3
Not sure 2
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Description: When work is performed with full concentrations and willingness, then it
enables to increase the quality. However, it is identified from the response given by managers
that motivation is important for the workers to have so that they are able to deliver high quality
services. More specifically, there are 5 of the managers who think this way. On the other hand,
there are 3 of them who do not think that motivated workers are able to deliver high quality
services. In addition to this, there are two of the employers who are not sure for the same.
Theme 6: Motivated employees are able to make customers satisfied
Do you think motivated employees are able to make customers
satisfied?
Frequency
Yes 6
No 3
Not sure 1
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