A Study on Leader Effectiveness & Decision Making at Asda, UK

This research report evaluates the effectiveness of leadership styles in the decision-making process at Asda, a major UK retailer. It analyzes various leadership styles used by Asda managers, with a focus on the impact of democratic leadership on decision-making. The report identifies factors influencing leadership styles, reviews relevant literature, and justifies the chosen research questions and methodologies. It also explores the role of leadership in fostering growth and success within the company, and provides a detailed analysis of how leadership activities influence employees and support effective decision-making at Asda. The report concludes with recommendations for effective leadership styles that promote career growth opportunities for middle managers.

Research Methods for
Strategic Managers
(Word Count: 4520)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................3
1.1: Research question.................................................................................................................3
1.2: Factors that contribute to the process of successful research question selection.................4
1.3: Justify their choice of research question...............................................................................4
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................6
2.1: Conduct research to find literature relevant to the research question...................................6
2.2: Undertake a critical review of the key literature for inclusion in a research proposal.........8
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Evaluating techniques for use with quantitative data in a research proposal........................9
3.2 Techniques for use with qualitative data in a research proposal.........................................10
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................10
4.1: Evaluating appropriate research methodologies in terms of the research question............10
4.2: Choosing an appropriate methodology in terms of the research question..........................11
4.3 Justifying the methodology selected in terms of the research question...............................12
LO 5...............................................................................................................................................13
5.1: Record findings on a research question, literature review and methodology in an agreed
format.........................................................................................................................................13
5.2: Summarize the findings using suitable methods................................................................14
5.3: Present the findings using suitable methods.......................................................................15
5.4: Critically analyse the findings............................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCE.................................................................................................................................18
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INTRODUCTION
Leadership is considered as significant variable in business organizations. It is defined as
a process to appeal and influence the activities of employees working in a firm with an objective
to achieve organizational goals. Managers work to develop positive relationship with their
manpower in a firm (Franke and Felfe, 2015). Retail industry of UK has been showing
tremendous growth. This is because of leadership and its impact on organization which tends to
deliver excellent outcomes. Asda is the retailer firm which is the second largest supermarket
chain of the nation. With the manpower of 180,000 employees, Asda has been known for
effective and efficient management (Asda Stores Limited, 2016). Asda is proposing to introduce
a company-wide leadership programme. It is due to the fact that as it was evidenced that one in
four managers of Asda from the past had knowingly breached professional conduct guidelines at
work. Looking at this, there raises emergence need of taking action for implementation of
appropriate leadership styles. Asda provides management training to various managers who are
working as leader. They are trained for adopting effective leadership styles in an organization for
managing the workforce. Hence, the programs run with association with Asda Leadership Event
and management training specialist Cirrus. Moreover, the rationale behind using the retail sector
is because of the fact that maximum job opportunities for employees in UK and cross border
arise in retail sector only.
However, there is need to focus various aspects on how leadership activities influences
the employees of Asda. Along with this, there is need to find out the role of leadership strategies
and activities in supporting effective decision making at the organizations. The given research
study is on evaluation of leader effectiveness and its role in decision making at Asda. Project
report thus, comprises of Research Proposal followed by formulation of aims, objectives and
research questions. Evaluation of research has been provided with the use of various techniques
to present the outcome of current investigation.
LO 1
1.1: Research question
Aim of the Research
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“To evaluate the effectiveness of leadership style in decision making process at Asda in
UK”
Objectives of Research
 To analyse various leadership styles used by different managers at Asda.
 To evaluate the effectiveness of leadership style in decision making at Asda.
 To identify the impact of democratic leadership style of middle manager on decision
making process at Asda.
 To recommend effective leadership style which provides more career growth
opportunities for middle managers in Asda
Research Questions
 What are the various leadership styles used by different managers at Asda?
 How democratic leadership style affects the decision making process at Asda?
1.2: Factors that contribute to the process of successful research question selection
Given below factors has been discussed which contribute to the successful selection of
research questions: Suitability of research questions: The formation of research questions must be clear and
authentic. In the present research, leadership style has been focused as it plays effective
role in leading workforce at Asda. It needs to be properly investigated for ascertaining the
outcome of more appropriate and suitable decision making at Asda. Valid and clear formation: The research objectives must be clear and valid. Aims and
objectives defined must be clear and concise (Carroll and Levy, 2010). For instance, in
the present research report, the core of framing effective objectives should meet the
demand of research undertaken. As in present case, when there is need to find out the
more future benefits for the organization in UK, the in-depth efforts are employed to
frame the questions in a clear and precise manner. This has been done by using the
particular study on leadership style used at Asda. In depth structure: The first task of the assignment is the selection of the research
question (Perkins and Arvinen-Muondo, 2013). It should be appropriately taken into
account as selection of proper questions based on leadership style used at Asda will help
to gain the effective outcome.
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 Variables: The role of variables is significant while making selection of research
questions. There are two types of variables which are namely, dependent and independent
variables. In practical context, dependent factor taken is effective style of leadership
chosen by manager of Asda and independent factor is appropriate decision making
aspect. In order to achieve the better outcome for the present research project, there will
be used proper research methodology, literature review, scope and appropriate data
analysis. Selection of topic: The rationale behind choosing leadership style as a research topic
related to ASDA for the current study so as to know more about the success factor and
growth of the employees and company in UK.
1.3: Justify their choice of research question
The management of Asda is known for developing relationships that fosters its growth and
success (Asda leadership, 2016). In this regards, leadership as a trait, attribute and style is very
vital as managers who are acting as leaders in this firm works to influence the employees. This is
all done to achieve the organizational outcome and productivity. On the basis of stated objectives
above, the need has been required to evaluate the effectiveness of leadership style in decision
making process at Asda in UK. Asda is one of the largest retailer organizations of UK.
In order to design and formulate the research questions, there are two ways which are
generally adopted. These are firstly, collection of data, which are relevant to the study and
secondly, analysis of data which has been gathered (Forman, Jones and Thistlethwaite, 2015).
These activities are essential in order to assess the impact of leadership activities in taking
effective and efficient decision for the benefit of individual and organization as a whole that are
undertaken at Asda. Along with this, by answering the research questions, an attempt to build
strong influence of the research objectives will be met.
Research Objectives
On the basis of study made, the following research questions have been formulated as
follows:
 What are the various leadership styles used by different managers at Asda?
 How democratic leadership style affects the decision making process at Asda?
The points given below will justify the selection of research questions formulated:
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 Using Variables: With the use of two types of variables namely, dependent and
independent variables, research questions for the present study have been formulated. In
the present study, dependent variable is traits of democratic leader such as team work,
critical thinking, creativity and communication whereas decision making process is the
independent variable.
 Suitability: The suitability of the research questions defined must be effective in terms of
authenticity. According to the current investigation, growth of ROI has been significant
for every company (Christison and Murray, 2012). This is same for Asda as well. This is
the only reason which enables its managers to make use of effective ways of leadership
and its styles. The evaluation of how they are so successful and able to influence the
employee is the major problem. This will be needed to be solved out.
 Precision and Clarity: The collection of appropriate and reliable data is very imperative.
In present case, formulation of proper questions is the evidence of how well it will be
successfully attempted by the researchers.
 Completeness: The accomplishment of research questions is required to be properly
assessed. It is made with respect to both dependent and independent variables that are
used in the study.
 Validity: The next consideration which is taken into account is the validity. It is related
with the information which will be sourced out from Asda in order to meet the demand of
present research outcome will be on all grounds. Hence, there is need to get assured with
both types of sources used namely primary and secondary data for assessing the
effectiveness of leadership style for making suitable decision making at this retail
organization.
LO 2
2.1: Conduct research to find literature relevant to the research question
Leadership
As per the view of Hackman (2013), leadership plays a key role in success of every
organization. Leadership is considered as an activity that plays a key role in employee’s morale
advancement. In the support of this, it can be said that the leaders are individual that motivates
employees to have efforts in collective manner (Hackman, 2013). In other aspect, it is an activity
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of leading a group of people or an organization towards integrated work style. Lankes (2011) has
asserted that the leadership involves diverse activities such as establishment of clear vision so
that business firm can easily design strategies to meet goals. It is also necessary for leaders to
ensure that the organizational culture is having proper sharing of information, knowledge and
methods that can render a support to development activities (Lankes, 2011).
In business, leadership is a key function of management and any organization cannot
operate its activities without it between levels, departments and employees. Donahue (2011) has
critically explained that it is necessary for leaders to have effective interaction with employees in
order to create positive work environment. Leadership is one of most significant factor for every
organization and without existence of leaders business cannot be run in appropriate manner. In
the support of this, it can be said that the work force requires leadership in order to have
improvement in skills and experience level (Donahue, 2011). Leaders are accountable to provide
proper guidance and direction to employees in order to accomplish task effectively. Moreover,
the leadership is also significant for business organization as it plays a key role in creating trust
among all members (Yang, 2012).
Factors influencing democratic leadership style
It has been identified that there are number of factors that can influence democratic
leadership style within organization. According to Andressen (2011), the behaviour and needs of
leaders can influence the leadership style. For example, manager of retail firm is frustrated from
the work culture and he has decided to adopt autocratic leadership style. In this situation, it is
possible that business firm can face various issues due to wrong selection or perception of leader
(Andressen, 2011). Selection of leadership style mainly depends on the perception of leaders so
it is necessary for business firm to ensure that the leader’s behaviour is positive and it is
beneficial for diverse improvements (Blaschke, 2012). Van Aelst (2012) has critically founded
that the behaviour of employees also impacts leadership styles. In the support of this, it can be
said that if employee’s perception towards leadership system is negative then it will impact other
operational activities in negative manner. Positive behaviour of employees motivates
management to take various initiatives that can improve overall organizational system (Van
Aelst, 2012).
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Moreover, García-Morales (2012) have argued that the cultural diversity is one of the key
factors that impact the effectiveness of leadership style. It has been identified that retail firm is
consisted of diverse employees that belong from different culture. Diversification in culture also
leads to differences in language. These kinds of differences can impact leadership style and
motivational process in negative manner (García-Morales, 2012). For example, if democratic
leaders are not having correct information about common language then it is possible that
guidelines cannot be provided in better and may not necessarily takes right information from its
involving employees and team members. De Vries (2011) has asserted that, it will impact the
effectiveness of firm’s system as well as selection of leadership style. It is necessary for leaders
to have improved identification of employee’s needs and perception so that business can have
effective selection of leadership style and method (de Vries, 2011).
There are various studies made by authors where papers are related with the existing
framework of leadership in the retail industry of UK. According to Jonathan and Michael (2013),
Price leadership is another concept which defines a situation where change is created by
dominant firm. In that case, power of manager working as a leader declines.
Bolden and et.al (2003) has focused on leadership styles that are used by managers in
retail sectors of UK. Task-motivated style leader experiences fulfilment and self-importance in
the job done for the companies. However, relationship-motivated style seems to develop
interpersonal dealings and enlarge more support for the team development in the retail firms.
Democratic leadership style affects the decision making process at Asda
Selznick (2011) has critically stated that democratic leadership has great relationship and
both factors impacts operational activities in diverse manner. In the support of this, it can be said
that the effectiveness of democratic leadership system impacts decision making in diverse
manner. If business organization is having efficient leadership system then it will assist leader to
convey message in better that leads to better decision making of the manager who is acting as a
leader (Selznick, 2011). With an optimistic leadership system, the leader of business firm can
also provide better guidelines and directions to employees. Other than this, Tourish (2014) has
asserted that if managers at Asda use democratic leadership system which is one of the
significant aspects of effective leadership style, then employees will feel motivated and will
greatly participate with their creative and innovative ideas. For example, manager of business
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firm is focused on democratic leadership style but interaction system is not much effective then it
may create few issues for leader (Tourish, 2014). On other side, if leadership system of retail
firm is effective and is democratic then employees and leader can have integrated message which
is beneficial for better organizational performance.
Selznick (2011) has contended that the effective leadership skills are an important aspect
of any leader’s portfolio of skills and experience. If leader does not have proper democratic
leadership skills then it is possible that disseminating activity can be occurred within
organization that may influence operational activities in negative manner (Selznick, 2011).
2.2: Undertake a critical review of the key literature for inclusion in a research proposal
According to above study, it can be said that the leadership and its styles have great
relationship and both factors impacts operational activities in diverse manner. García-Morales
(2012) have concluded that the effective use and implementation of leadership styles is an
important aspect of any leader’s portfolio of skills and experience. Diversification in culture also
leads to differences in language, attitude or behaviour that can influence the leadership activities
in negative manner (García-Morales, 2012). Tourish (2014) has argued that the cultural diversity
is one of the key factors that impacts the effectiveness of leadership style in the organizations
(Cornelissen, 2014). Moreover, with an improved and correct selection and use of style selected
by manager who is acting as a leader can help in making decision in favour of company, its staff,
resources etc. Along with this, it may also support in doing of diversified job at the workplace
without any barrier and as per the consent of each and every individual of the firm (Tourish,
2014). It also assists in accomplishing diverse leadership activities in better way and lead
business to impressive success
Summarizing the above presented literature review, it can be said that selection of
effective leadership style is a key essence to appropriate decision making process of retail firms
which is equally responsible for the accomplishment of job by its manpower. By studying the
various aspects regarding democratic leadership style which was followed at Asda as retail firm
helps in leading manpower more effectively. It has been analyzed from the various traits that are
possessed by the democratic leader such as team work, critical thinking, communication flow
etc. which actually enables the participation of employees at work so that more creative and
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innovative ideas can be generated which directly favours in the achievement of organizational
goals of the retail firms like Asda.
LO 3
There are two types of techniques which are used for analysis of data collected. These are
namely, qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques.
 Qualitative Research: The significance of qualitative technique is used to conduct the
primary attempt for the research. It is required to do in order to attempt the alternatives,
opinions, and outcome behind the study which are undertaken by the investigators
(Farmer, Yellowley and Smith, 2012).
 Quantitative Research: The method which is used for analysis of data is the quantitative
research method. The characteristic of using this technique lies in analyzing the data such
as behaviour, opinion etc of sample population in terms of quantity.
3.1 Evaluating techniques for use with quantitative data in a research proposal
Given below is an evaluation of techniques for the use of quantitative data which has
been used in the current research proposal:
 Presentation of Data: The information which is collected through various sources is
required to be presented effectively. There are various forms in which data can be
properly presented (Carmichael and et.al., 2011). These are tables, diagrams, text, graphs,
charts etc. The idea behind the use of these ways is to clearly depict the information and
show the various trends and relationships. For instance, when there is need to assess the
rise or fall of number of employees working at Asda, the easiest way is to make use of
graph. The rationale behind the same is to easily look and draw conclusion regarding the
same. In this way, qualitative data can be effectively presented and analyzed.
 Forecasting and trend: The term forecast refers to the way in which future trend and
method can be properly analyzed. It is considered into use with the help of data records
from the last past years. In the present research, when there is need to find out the past
leadership activities which are responsible for the growth of this firm, the past trends will
be used at the best.
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3.2 Techniques for use with qualitative data in a research proposal
Given below are techniques that will help to assess effectiveness of leadership style in
decision making process at Asda in UK:
 Quantitative methodologies: These are inclusive of various methodologies, such as
closed surveys structured interviews and socio grams. The objective behind the same is to
convert data in the numerical form.
 Observation: The technique which is inclusive of watching the happening of event with
respect to the reality. The role of investigator in this regard is to look, analyse and
evaluate the whole situation.
 Statistical analysis: The analysis of data in the form of numerical fact and figure is very
significant (Kelly and et.al., 2013). It comprises the use of statistical and mathematical
numbers and approaches.
 Presentation: It is imperative as the information which is required to be presented is
made through clarity, openness and appropriately through presentation.
LO 4
4.1: Evaluating appropriate research methodologies in terms of the research question
Given below are different tools of research methodologies which are used with respect to
current investigation:
Philosophy of research:
Philosophies are applied in order to study the rationale behind the study is undertaken.
There are two philosophies of research and are namely, positivism and interpretivism (Anderson
and Anderson, 2010). The rationale behind the same is to apply the in-depth accuracy of right
philosophy for ascertaining the leadership style and its effectiveness at Asda.
Research approach:
Research approach is another tool of methodologies. Generally, there are two types of
research approaches. These are inductive and deductive approaches. The use of this tool in the
present study is justifiable in a sense of knowing the suitable use of leadership theories and its
effectiveness in applying the style by the manager of Asda in making effective decision making
process.
Research design:
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The significance of using research design as is to present the layout for the current
investigation. There are used three types of research designs which are, descriptive, experimental
and casual. The selection of and effective use of appropriate design helps in answering the
research question in more effective way to find out the correct layout of undertaking the research
study.
Data collection methods
This is considered as the most crucial part of research study. Generally, there are two
types. They are namely, primary and secondary data collection. These are chosen as the effective
sources of collecting information regarding the use of right and suitable leadership style at Asda.
4.2: Choosing an appropriate methodology in terms of the research question
Research methodology mainly includes qualitative research or quantitative research
methods. In the present study, the researchers will make use of these tools. In the above section,
there has been stated various tools and techniques which are used for research study. In this part,
the selection has been made with respect to appropriate methodology in terms of the research
questions. Following ways have been chosen in terms of research questions formulated:
Philosophy of research
While working on assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of selecting and using
appropriate leadership style by the manager of the organization for effective decision making
process at Asda in UK, there will be used positivism. The objective behind the same is to find the
ways in which leadership activities at Asda are support in determining leaders’ effectiveness at
Asda. This will help in giving a new way to present the answer regarding the research questions
formulated for the present study.
Research approach
For conducting the study with respect to analysis of effectiveness of style of leadership in
decision making process at Asda in UK, there will be applied deductive research approach. The
motive behind using deductive approach for the current study is to study the flow of
investigation from specific to general level. The core behind using this approach is to analyse the
different leadership styles for understanding the practical scenario that exist at Asda. Approach
will help in strengthening the present study so that research questions can be answered properly.
Research design
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