Exploring the Role of Leaders in Employee Development at Sainsbury's

This research proposal investigates the role of line managers and leaders in employee development at Sainsbury's, focusing on its impact as a talent management strategy. The study aims to examine the basic framework of talent management, determine the specific roles of line managers and leaders in employee development, and investigate the challenges they face in executing these roles. The proposal outlines research questions related to talent management frameworks, the responsibilities of leaders, and the obstacles encountered in their roles. The selected research approach includes a positivist philosophy, a deductive approach, and a survey strategy, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection from primary and secondary sources. The study employs random sampling to gather data from 50 Sainsbury's employees, with activities planned over 11 weeks, including literature reviews and analysis to meet specific milestones.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Research title: The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Sainsbury's.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Sainsbury's
Research aim
The main aim of current study is, “To identify the role of line managers and leaders
in employee development as a strategy of talent management”. A research project on
Sainsbury.
Research objectives
The main research objectives which are identified and evaluated through current study are
provided and listed as below:
 To examine the basic framework related with talent management.
 To determine the role of line managers and leaders in employee development as
strategy of talent management.
 To investigate the challenges faced by line managers and leaders in executing their
roles within talent management.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to
learn how to do? What do you want to find out?)
Research questions
The key research questions that are being reviewed through current study are provided as
below:
 Explain the basic framework related with talent management.
 What is the role of line managers and leaders in employee development as strategy of

talent management.
 What are the challenges faced by line managers and leaders in executing their roles
within talent management
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying, personal
interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is
important):
The topic is selected in order to carry out the research is to examine the role of line managers
and leaders in developing the employees and executing talent management strategy. This is
analysed that with the help of talent management an organisation may develop such insight
in which they can increase their business functions and acquire success of the organisation.
The research is related with dual perspective such as personal and professional perspective.
In terms of personal perceptive the research would be helpful in analysing various activities
which are helpful for line managers and leaders to manage their functions. This
simultaneously aid the researcher to differentiate between such types of activities which
would be helpful for managers to execute their functions. The other personal benefit related
with the research is that this is associated with managing various activities within the
organisation in respect of talent management and role of line managers and leaders. The
research is aligned with developing various skills of researcher such as research skills,
analytical skills which can be used by researcher in executing future researches in
appropriate manner. The selection of the current research topic is rationale as it supports
better meeting of the personal interest of researcher along with also supports improvement
and betterment in its skill and knowledge level such as effective communication and research
skill. Therefore, selection of current topic is rationale from both personal as well as
professional aspect of researcher as it supports
Section Three: Literature sources searched
To examine the basic framework related with talent management.
With respect to the view point of Salas‐Vallina, A., Alegre, J. and López‐Cabrales, Á., 2021,
it has been analysed that Talent management is the logically generated, planned process of

acquiring the correct talent on board and serving them to raise to their capabilities keeping
structural ideas in mind. The basic talent management framework help organization to
implement their management strategy and advance the performance (Zaim, Demir and
Budur, 2021). The talent management frameworks provide platform to meet various human
capital and needs within the setup. A decent framework plans different areas of talent
management in group which can provide a better checklist for iterating or creating for
strategy. A lot of occupation are knowledge based and should take more care in creating a
new talent management system because talent management works as the main motive of
company’s and is the main part of supply chain (Budur and Poturak, 2021). The concept and
framework of talent management is related and associated with the creation of higher
motivation and development of employees that comprises of use of various form of
motivators such as rewards and incentives, training and development along with other
referral programmes. Beside this, the concept of talent management has become vital and
important as it supports higher productivity and creativity in employees (Su, Wang and
Chen, 2020).
To determine the role of line managers and leaders in employee development as
strategy of talent management.
As per the information provided by the Huo, M.L., Boxall, P. and Cheung, G.W., 2020, it
has been analysed and find out that a significant and vital role is being played by the line
managers and leaders in employee development as strategy of talent management. The line
managers are having the responsibility of properly and regular providing training and
development programmes for the employees to have their improved development. Regular
training and development programmes ensure higher level of confidence and skill
improvement that ensures improved employee development and also lead to better
management of talent through upgrading their skill level (Eibl, Lang and Niessen, 2020).
The another significant role played by manager in ensuring effective employee development
comprises of having a regular check and control over the performance and efficiency level of
employees that motivates and direct them towards better performance and ensure effective
talent management. Further, it has been also analysed and reviewed that the leaders also have
a significant role in leading better employee development through ensuring effective
guidance for employees (Armstrong and Taylor, 2020). Along with effective communication

and positive workplace relationship is also being ensured by the leaders that plays a vital role
in leading improved employee development (Qiu, Dooley and Xie, 2020).
To investigate the challenges faced by line managers and leaders in executing their
roles within talent management.
According to the view point Ouakouak, M.L., Zaitouni, M.G. and Arya, B., 2020, it has been
analysed that many challenges are there which are being faced by line managers and leaders
in executing their roles within talent management that comprises of lack of effective
communication along with poor team work and inadequate support from employee. It has
been also reviewed and analysed that proper structure and adequate motivation level in
required within the employees to ensure the successful implication and adoption of talent
management within a firm which is quite challenging for managers and leaders (Xu,
Stienmetz and Ashton, 2020). Ineffective communication is a main challenges faced by line
managers and leaders in executing their roles within talent management which creates higher
level of chaos and confusing at workplace and also hampers the implication of talent
management and efficiency and performance level of employees. Beside this, it has been
analysed that adapting and making changes as per the pace of change and modification in the
workplace along with the confusing good leadership tend to have ability to make money no
matter the cost, staying agile with technology and Being having the ability to open to new
business models are some common difficulties and issues faced line managers and leaders in
executing their roles within talent management (Westerman and et. al., 2020).
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research, development
and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings,
production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
How long
this will take:
11 weeks

Milestone one: LO1: _ Examination of appropriate research aim and objective ____
Target date (set by tutor): _____
Milestone two: ___ Conducting Literature review
Target date (set by tutor): ____
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why?
What your areas of research will cover:
This section forms out a vital part of research and investigation as it provides information
about the proposed method of research that an investigator is going is to use while
undertaking a study. The research method that are tend to be proposed for current study are
provided below along with making proper justification for their use:
Research philosophy- There are two main types of research philosophy that comprises of
positivisms and interpretivisim philosophy out which making use of the positivism
philosophy has been proposed for current study. The main reason and justification for
making the use of positivist philosophy is based on the fact it tends to support a more
scientific and practical way of investigation that ensures and leads to better accomplishment
of set objectives.
Research approach- This tend to provide the entire plan and procedure for undertaking an
investigation that is mainly divided and bifurcated into two main types i.e. inductive and
deductive form of research approach. Out of these two type of research approach use of
deductive approach has been propped for current study. The reason and justification behind
selection of the deductive approach is based on the fact that this approach is properly in line

with the positivism philosophy and also supports a better way of scanning and testing of the
collected facts.
Research strategy- This is the part of the research methodology which tend to provide an
entire plan and framework for collection of data. The main form and types of the research
strategy comprises of the survey, interview, action research, experiments, observation, etc.
out which the selection of the survey strategy is most appropriate and justifiable for current
study. The current study comprises of analysing the role of leaders and manners in employee
development that required a significant amount of data and effective presentation of the
facts. Thus, making use of the survey strategy is justifiable as it supports most efficient as
well as cost effective way to have improved data collection from a larger number of
participants.
Choice of method- The two main types of research method comprises of the qualitative and
quantitative nature of research method from which the use of the quantitative nature of
method is associated with objective nature of study while qualitative is associated with the
in-depth and subjective form of study. Thus, making use of qualitative nature of study is
more complex and time consuming thus not suitable for current study. Therefore, use of
quantitative nature of study is more suitable and justifiable for current study as it supports
easy collection of data along with better presentation of facts. Along with this, use of
quantitative nature of study also ensures more measurable and specific nature of results that
ensures better meeting of set objective.
The main benefit of making use of primary research comprises of the fact that it supports
first hand and most authentic set of information while is disadvantage comprises of the fact
that it is more complex and time consuming in nature. On the other hand, secondary data is
easy to review but faces issue of authenticity and obsolesce in nature.
Data collection- Primary and secondary source are two main research method from where
data can be collected by the researcher. Use of both primary as well as secondary source of
data collection has been proposed for current study that supports significant and relevant
information to review set objective. Primary sources of data collection provide first hand and
authentic information that would be collected with the help of questionnaire. On the other

hand, use of secondary source of data is vital to set a base and framework for the study that
would be analysed and reviewed with the help of online article and journals.
Sampling – It comprises of a process of selection of pre-determined number of observation
from a large population. In accordance to current study, random sampling method has been
used for the selection of a simple size of 50 participants from the employees of Sainsbury.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and
is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their
research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your
unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to
commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title: The role of line managers and leaders in employee development in Sainsbury's.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date: 09-11-2021
Intended research end date: 22-02-2022
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No

 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) : Secondary research
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: 18>
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Email, Text from the employees of Sainsbury.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Through the use of questionnaire, all information about the research will be provided to the participants
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to particip
consent to participate at any time?
By providing accurate information to the participants, researcher can easily consent from the participants.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not wish to a

Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to be obse
No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research: Researcher
Where will the data be stored?

In mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research: Researcher
Where will the data be stored?
In mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
May be 6 months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? Yes No
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your research. Please consider/addres
concerns may include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration