Impact of Talent Management in Retaining Employees at Sainsbury's, UK

This research project investigates the influence of talent management practices on employee retention and motivation within Sainsbury's, a major UK retail chain. The report begins by outlining the research aim, rationale, questions, and objectives, emphasizing the significance of talent management in fostering organizational success. The literature review explores the conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention, and motivation, along with the impacts of talent management strategies within Sainsbury's. It also examines strategies Sainsbury's can employ to motivate and retain employees, and the challenges faced in implementing effective talent management. The methodology section details the research approach, strategy, and tools, including the use of questionnaires. The findings and conclusions summarize the key insights, highlighting the importance of talent management in enhancing employee engagement and reducing turnover, ultimately contributing to improved organizational performance. The report underscores the benefits for researchers, managers, and the organization itself, emphasizing the practical implications of the research.

Research project
(Impact of talent management in retaining
employee and enhancing motivation in
context of UK retail industry)
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................3
1.1 Research Aim and Rationale.................................................................................................3
1.2 Research Questions................................................................................................................4
1.3 Research Objectives...............................................................................................................4
1.4 Significance of the Research.................................................................................................4
Chapter Two: Literature Review.....................................................................................................5
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review.........................................................................................5
2.2 Main Body (with Headings and Sub-headings).....................................................................5
2.2.1 Conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention and employee
motivation within the industry.....................................................................................................5
2.2.2 Impacts of talent management in retaining employee and enhancing motivation within
Sainsbury.....................................................................................................................................6
2.2.3 Talent management strategy can be used by Sainsbury to motivate their employee and
retain them for longer period.......................................................................................................7
2.2.4 Challenges faced by Sainsbury in implementing effective talent management strategies
to retain their workforce..............................................................................................................8
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY......................................................................................10
3.1 Research Approach..............................................................................................................10
3.2 Research Strategy................................................................................................................10
3.3 Research Methodology........................................................................................................10
3.4 Research Tools.....................................................................................................................11
3.5 Sampling..............................................................................................................................12
3.5.1 Identifying Population and Research Site....................................................................12
QUESTIONNAIRE.......................................................................................................................12
Results/Findings............................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Talent management is the broad process that involves various activities in it. It is the process
of attracting, hiring, developing and retaining best employee in the organisation. The main
purpose of talent management is to retain and motivate staff (Saratun, 2016). In recent time it is
very important for the companies to focus of managing talents because it helps in gaining more
success and growth. Employee motivation is the level of energy, enthusiasm and creativity an
employee brings in their job (Delery and Roumpi, 2017). In last employee retention is the
capability of an organisation to hold their workforce within the company for long run. It is very
important for the company to manage their talents and use various practices to boost the morale
which on the other hand reduce employee turnover.
For conducting the research, the chosen organisation is Sainsbury. Sainsbury is the second
largest supermarket chain in United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1869 by John James
Sainsbury. The headquarter of Sainsbury is in London, England. Some of the brands of
Sainsbury are Argos, Habitat, Nectar and TU. There are more than 1,80,000 employee of works
in Sainsbury.
1.1 Research Aim and Rationale
Research aim:
To identify the impact of talent management in retaining employee and enhancing
motivation: “A study on Sainsbury”.
Research rational:
The major purpose to choose the current research topic is to gain deeper insight about the
concept talent managements (Conrad, Ghosh and Isaacson, 2015). This research also tells about
the impact of talent management on employee motivational and retention. The existing
investigation highlight the strategy used by the company in order to manage their talents and
improve their organizational performance. The current research has great interest as it will attain
two objectives that are personal and professional. With respect to professional objective, the
investigation will identify various job available in the field of HR. so that I can develop my
professional career in sound manner. On the other side, in respect to personal objective the
present investigation will enhance my skill and knowledge about various tool and technique used
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in completing the investigation in scientific manner. Thus, the present research is quite
significant in fulfilling the dual objective.
1.2 Research Questions
 What is the conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention and
employee motivation within the industry?
 What are the impacts of talent management in retaining employee and enhancing
motivation within Sainsbury?
 Which talent management strategy can be used by Sainsbury to motivate their employee
and retain them for longer period?
 What are the challenges faced by Sainsbury in implementing effective talent management
strategies to retain their workforce?
1.3 Research Objectives
 To understand the conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention and
employee motivation within the industry.
 To discuss the impact of talent management in retaining employee and enhancing
motivation within Sainsbury.
 To examine the talent management strategy used by Sainsbury to motivate their
employee and retain them for longer period.
 To identify the challenges faced by Sainsbury in implementing effective talent
management strategies to retain their workforce.
1.4 Significance of the Research
The main significant to conduct the research is to provide various benefit to different stakeholder
that are researcher, mangers and organisation. In respect to the researcher, the research will help
them to conduct their investigation in systematic manner as they could use the present research
as their basis. This will also help them to develop understanding on the topic in detailed manner.
With respect to the manger they will get to know about the various talent management strategy
that can be used by them to enhancing the motivation among their employee and retain them for
longer tine duration (Yao, Qiu and Wei, 2019). In last, organisation will get benefit by this
investigation by knowing the importance of talent management and how they can retain their
employees so that they can improve their organizational performance.
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Chapter Two: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review
Literature review is the chapter that focuses over carrying out secondary information for
addressing each research question in a systematic and precise way. This chapter holds the most
important data because outcome of the whole study is dependent upon this. Thus, this uses
secondary sources such as books, journals, newspapers, publications, magazines, already
conducted survey and interview.
2.2 Main Body (with Headings and Sub-headings)
2.2.1 Conceptual framework of talent management, employee retention and employee motivation
within the industry
According to Eldor and Harpaz (2016), talent management is referred as a systematic
process of identifying the several vacant position within a company, recruiting appropriate
candidate for the vacant job role role and responsibility and developing the knowledge, skill and
expertise of each selected applicant to match the job position. There are many stages in the
process of talent management in an organisation which is also known as the talent management
process model. The procedure of controlling and managing talent in a company define to the
capacity to manage the competency and power of workforce operating in a company either
through indirect or direct approaches (Karatepe and Karadas, 2015) (Brannen, 2017) (Zeng and
et. al., 2021). The procedure of talent management is not only related to recruitment and
selection of employees but it also focuses over developing and offering rewards and recognition
to employees. Talent management is the effective term to understand as it is used to influence the
number of people who are working in an organization and get work done. If there is no good
employees then it will be challenging for organization to operate their business. The environment
if changing where companies are focusing over new technology and skilled staff as it helps to
introduce something new and attractive which can help to develop the organizational
productivity. The employer is re requires to have proper understanding and knowledge which
could be used to influence the talented people and get work done that can help to improve the
organizational performance. Employee retention is the main activity which is used employer to
retain or keep their staff for long period of time. To have good and skilled employees could be an
opportunity for company to bring out new products and services as it supports to accomplish the
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business goals. Employee motivation is the another function which is used by employer to
motivate their staff and accept the challenges which can help to operate the business regularly
and increase the organizational productivity. If there is lack of motivation then could be
challenging for organization to accept the challenges and new technology in their organization.
Thus, it affects organizational productivity.
2.2.2 Impacts of talent management in retaining employee and enhancing motivation within
Sainsbury
As per view point of Pertuz, and Pérez (2020) Talent management is the systematic
process of identifying the vacant position, hiring the suitable person, developing the skills and
expertise of the person to match the position and retaining individual to achieve long term
business objectives. The talent management is the activity of planning, attracting, organising,
directing, selecting, developing, and retaining the people at the workplace which can help to
operate the business regularly and supports to accomplish the business goals. In relation to
Sainsbury, talent management is impacting positively in retaining employee and enhancing
motivation that are discussed below:
To attract and retain more talent – The talent management is the important functions or
activity in business organization as it is used by employer to influence and attract the more
people at the workplace which can help to manage the business functions. In relation to
Sainsbury, vacant position could be filled by employer by attracting and influencing top talented
people who get ready to work continuously for the purpose od developing their business.
Reduce the cost – To operate a business and hiring skilled people at the workplace could
be expensive or costly for organization as it create the challenges for business industry run their
business. Having skilled people at the workplace could help company to save cost of hiring and
recruitment. In relation to Sainsbury, HR management is having major role as it supports to
recruit skilled people and retain them for long period which can help to develop organizational
productivity (Ntaopane, and Vermeulen, 2019).
Boost employee morale – Employees are important to business industry as they contribute
to organizational functions and activities. For each organization it is needed to have talented
employer and employees who get ready to work by accepting the challenges and maintain higher
performance. The employer will understand needs of their employees and boost their morale by
managing all functions and activities effectively.
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Use of new technology and innovation – Technology and innovation is the main
activity used by companies for the purpose of improving organizational productivity and
profitability. By use of new technology there is many chances to grow the business continuously.
In relation to Sainsbury, management make the use of new technology and innovation for the
purpose of running their business effectively. The employer of chosen company makes the use of
new technology for inventory management, accounting, and recruiting the employees which can
help to develop organizational productivity.
Improve the organizational productivity and performance – Talent management is the
process of influencing people and retaining them at the workplace which helps to supports to
improve organizational productivity. In context to Sainsbury, employee retention, and motivation
impacting positively by increasing number of customers via online marketing and motivate their
employees which can help to improve the business performance and productivity (Shulga, and
Busser, 2019).
From the above it can be evaluated that talent management is the important function
which is used by employer for the purpose of improving the organizational productivity. The
management of Sainsbury understand their staff and motivate them by filling their needs and
wants which supports to accomplish business goals. The management provides training after
recruiting skilled people which can help to maintain higher performance.
2.2.3 Talent management strategy can be used by Sainsbury to motivate their employee and
retain them for longer period
As per opinion of Ebrahim (2020), Strategies are important for each organization as it
bring new activities and functions at the workplace. Strategies is kind of planning which are
formulated by employer for the purpose of running their business by managing their effectively
employees. In relation to Sainsbury, there are different strategies which are followed to motivate
their employees and retaining for longer period such as:
Recruitment of skilled and talented people- This could be explained as effective
strategy which is formulated by employer by recruiting skilled and talented people at the
workplace. The management is having important role at the workplace as it find out the vacant
position and recruit skilled and talented people who get ready to work continuously. In relation
to Sainsbury, effective recruitment strategy is adopted by employer which can help to recruit the
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skilled and talented people at the workplace. This can help to manage all functions and activities
effectively (Pauli, and Pocztowski, 2019).
Training provided to employees – In business organization different age of people are
working who needs training and development program as it can help to get ready to work
continuously and accept the challenges effectively. In relation to Sainsbury, Training strategy is
adopted by employer by providing training sessions to their staff which can help to improve the
organizational productivity and profitability.
Have an effective job description – This is biggest strategy to managing a talent at the
workplace by creating effective job description that can help to influence the number of people
and get work done. In relation to Sainsbury, effective job description strategy is adopted by
employer for the purpose of managing all functions and activities effectively. This can help to
bring changes in existing performance by creating job description and supports to develop the
organizational productivity (da Costa, and et.al., 2019).
Make sure to have cultural fit – For each organization it is important to have effective
culture and working environment at the workplace as it supports to manage all functions by
accepting challenges. In relation to Sainsbury, have effective culture and working environment
could be effective strategy which influences employees to get ready and work continuously. This
can help to develop the organizational productivity and profitability in changing environment.
Continuous improvement – This is another strategy which formulated by employer for
the purpose of bringing continuous improvement in their existing work and supports to develop
organizational productivity. In relation to Sainsbury, continuous improvement strategy is adopted
by management where it analysis the skills of their employees and allocate the work accordingly
which can help to bring improvement in existing performance and maintain higher productivity
(Abdullah, Salleh, and Zin, 2020).
From the above it has been analysed that there are different strategies to talent management
used by organization for the purpose of managing all functions and activities. This is important
for business organization to analysis the environment and comes to know which type of
motivation their employees wants so that they could retain for long period of time at the
workplace. This also helps to increase the organizational productivity and profitability
effectively.
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2.2.4 Challenges faced by Sainsbury in implementing effective talent management strategies to
retain their workforce
As per view point of Alcázar (2019), As all knows strategies to talent management are
important as it influenced people to work continuously which can help to develop organizational
productivity. It has seen that Sainsbury is the larger size retail company, faced the different
challenges while implementing effective talent management strategies that are as explained
below:
Resistance by employee – It has seen that some employees are so accustomed to the old
method of doing things that they refuse to learn new technology. This is a concern since altering
people's attitudes about advanced technology is one of the most difficult jobs. This reluctance
poses a dilemma because technology allows them to outperform their competitors. Sainsbury
faced the challenge of accepting new technology and modern way for the purpose of running of
their business in challenging environment (Hole, and Snehal, 2019).
Lack of motivation between employees – In an business organization number of people
works collectively who need motivation. If there is lack of motivation then could be challenging
for organization to operate their business. In relation to Sainsbury, employer faced the challenges
of lack of motivation between employees that affected the organizational productivity and
performance negatively.
Developing strategy according to the job – Managing a talent is the important process
which is used by employer for the develop strategy as per their job or profit that does not develop
business performance. The management must first conduct a thorough job analysis before
developing a talent management strategy. This is a time-consuming process that necessitates the
assistance of experts who can assess the job in terms of the employee in order to build the
optimal approach for employee retention and motivation. In relation to Sainsbury, management
faced the challenge of development of strategy that affects the organizational productivity
negatively.
Increasing employee turnover – Employee turnover is the major challenge faced by
organization while implementing talent management strategy as employees are less motivated
and feels to switch the organization. In relation to Sainsbury, employee turnover challenge faced
by management while operating their business which affect their organizational productivity
(Sen, and Bhattacharya, 2019).
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From the above report it can be concluded that different challenges faced by Sainsbury
while implementing the talent management strategies. This is important for each organization to
understand what their employees wants and how they could be influenced to operate their
business. Due to lack of motivation sales of organization affected negatively.
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Approach
Research approach is planned process which concludes various assumption on how data
will be collected so that theories and hypotheses can be tested accurately. This is the step where
the testing of formulating hypothesis is made by selecting the method. There are two ways
through which theories can be evaluated which are deductive and inductive approach. Deductive
approach test existing theories and inductive approach test new theories (Karatepe and Karadas,
2015). In the present research, researcher has selected deductive approach. The reason is that it
helps in testing theories by the helps of quantitative information (Zeng and et. al., 2021). This
approach also facilitates in knowing the impact between talent management and employee
retention and motivation.
3.2 Research Strategy
It is an action plan which consist of various step that provide direction to the idea and
thought of the researcher. There is various type of research strategies which can be used by the
researcher some of them are survey, action research, systematic literature review, focused group
and many more (Brannen, 2017) . In the present research investigator has selected survey
research strategy. The advantage to use this is scalability. Through this method investigator can
research to larger population and can collect wider data from them. Another reason is it is cost
effective method to gather quantitative information.
3.3 Research Methodology
Research methodology is the chapter which uses various philosophies, choices and time
horizon to know the type of data. It is the systematic process of gathering and analyzing
information as per the chosen topic (Adebola, 2019). This section helps in attaining aim and
objective in appropriate manner by the help of collected data. Research methodology also helps
the investigator to know the answer of their two vital question that are how data will be gathered
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and how it will be analysed. The reader also evaluates the validity and reliability of the
information so that they can know whether the research is conducted in valuable manner or not.
Research philosophy – This could be explained as main layer of research which are
formulated by researcher to conduct the research. Research philosophy can be defined as a set of
beliefs that serve as the foundation for current research. This mainly focuses on objectives and
getting details regarding particular topics (Khoreva, Vaiman, and Kostanek, 2019). The
considering philosophy are positivism, interpretivism, realism, and pragmatism. In relation to
current research, interpretivism is used by a researcher as it helps to complete the research by
collecting data and manage the project as well that supports organization as well.
Choices of method – This methodology relates to selecting the best option out of many
that can help to manage all the data effectively. The considering methods of choice are mono,
mixed, and multi-methods to collect data properly. Such methods are used for the purpose of
managing all information relation to particular topic and complete the research effectively. In
relation to current research, the mono method is used by researchers to develop information in
respect of a particular topic (Petrescu, Krishen, and Bui, 2020). The reason of selecting this
method is used of practical data about managing talent and strategies at the workplace.
Time horizon – This could be explained as the time horizon or framework used by
researchers to complete their research within decided time period (Melão, and Reis, 2020). This
considered cross sectional and longitudinal. In relation to current research, cross sectional
horizon is used by researchers as it supports the completion of research in a certain period of
time. The current research is about talent management and its related strategies which are
formulated by management for the purpose of developing organizational performance.
3.4 Research Tools
Data collection and analysis – To conduct research, there is need to have proper
information and data in relation to a particular topic that can help to manage all functions and
activities. Data collection is the process of gathering information from all relevant sources to find
a solution to a research problem. The present research is about talent management which impacts
positive on organizational performance by managing all functions and activities. This involves
primary and secondary data collection methods that is used to complete the research. The
primary method is used when information is collected from first hand sources such as interviews,
questionnaires, surveys, and others. When information is collected from second hand sources
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