Research Methods for Strategic Managers: Asda Leadership Study

This report presents a research proposal and analysis of leadership effectiveness and its impact on decision-making processes at Asda, a major UK retail chain. The study investigates various leadership styles employed by managers, with a specific focus on the democratic leadership style of middle managers. The research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these styles in the context of Asda's operations and recommend strategies for fostering career growth opportunities for middle managers. The report includes an introduction outlining the significance of leadership in business organizations, particularly within the retail sector. It then outlines the research questions, objectives, and factors influencing the selection of these questions. A comprehensive literature review explores the existing research on leadership, democratic leadership, and factors that influence these styles. The report also evaluates appropriate research methodologies, justifying the chosen approach. Finally, the findings are recorded, summarized, and presented, along with a critical analysis of the results, culminating in conclusions and references.

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. Managerswork 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
deliverexcellent outcomes.Asda is the retailer firm which is the second largestsupermarket 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 thatone in four
managers of Asda from thepast hadknowingly breached professional conduct guidelines at work.
Looking at this, there raises emergence need of taking action for implementation of appropriate
leadership styles. Asda providesmanagementtraining to variousmanagers 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 withAsda 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
arisein retail sector only.
However, there is need to focusvarious aspectson 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 effectivenessand 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 contributeto the process of successfulresearch 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
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account as selection of proper questions based on leadership style used at Asda will help
to gain the effective outcome. 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 researchquestion
The management of Asda is known for developing relationships thatfosters itsgrowth and
success (Asda leadership, 2016).In this regards, leadership as a trait, attribute and style is very
vital as managers who are acting as leadersin 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 wholethat are
undertaken at Asda. Along with this, by answering the research questions, anattempt to
buildstrong 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?
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 How democratic leadership style affects the decision making process at Asda?
The points given below will justify the selection of research questions formulated:
 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 whereasdecision 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 onlyreason 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 majorproblem. This will beneeded to be solved out.
 Precision and Clarity: The collection of appropriate and reliable data is very imperative.
In present case,formulation of properquestions 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 literaturerelevant 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
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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
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 influencedemocratic
leadershipstyle 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’sbehaviour 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
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management to take various initiatives that can improve overall organizational system (Van
Aelst, 2012).
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). Forexample, 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 managerworking as a leader declines.
Bolden and et.al (2003)has focused on leadership stylesthat are used by managers inretail
sectors of UK. Task-motivated style leader experiences fulfilment and self-importance in the
jobdone for the companies. However,relationship-motivated style seems to develop interpersonal
dealings and enlargemoresupport 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 democraticleadership system which is one of thesignificant
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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 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 styleshave 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 indoing 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 thatselection 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
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etc. which actually enables the participation of employees at work so that more creative and
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). For the present study, qualitative technique has
been selected. In that, thematictechnique will be applied and worked out.
 Quantitative Research: The method which is used for analysis of data is the
quantitativeresearch 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 withquantitative data in a researchproposal
Questionnaire has been used as a technique where respondents will be surveyed in order
to collect the primary data. This is made in order to meet the demand of present research study.
Below given is a format of questionnaire which will be asked to participants as follows:
QUESTIONNAIRE
(For staffs of relationship management department of Asda, UK)
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
Name:
Age:
Email id:
Q 1. How long have you been serving your job in the Sainsbury?
One year ◊
Two to three years ◊
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More than three years ◊
Q 2.Which style of leadership according to you is most preferable in making effective decision
making at Asda in performing retail operations?
Autocratic leadership style ◊
Democratic leadership style ◊
Transformational leadership style ◊
Situational leadership style ◊
Q 3. Which factor according to you is considered by leader while planning to adopt leadership
style for effective decision making?
Workplace culture ◊
Employee’s perception ◊
Organisation’s nature ◊
Type of work ◊
All of the above ◊
Q 4. Do you think leadership style affects the decision making process of the organisation?
Yes ◊
No ◊
Q 5. Do you think leadership style is a key essence to appropriate decision making process of
retail firms and results into accomplishment of employee job?
Yes ◊
No ◊
Q6. Do you think selection of rightleadership style enables to take decision in favor of
employees and management?
Yes ◊
No ◊
Q 7. Do you think it is important to consider employee’s needs and desires while undertaking
any decision in the organization?
Yes ◊
No ◊
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Kindly mark the following to indicate your level of agreement.
8. Leaders motivate and encourage staff members to participate in decision making process in
the organisation.
Disagree ◊
Neutral ◊
Agree ◊
9. Employee’s behaviour and workplace attitude directs leaders to adopt leadership style to foster
effective decision making.
Disagree ◊
Neutral ◊
Agree ◊
10. Ineffective leadership style can affect the decision making and thereby results to hamper the
overall organisational productivity.
Disagree ◊
Neutral ◊
Agree ◊
11. Implementation of democratic leadership style at Asdaleads to make more creative and
innovative decision making than autocratic leadership styles.
Disagree ◊
Neutral ◊
Agree ◊
Analysis of data obtained through primary research
With respect to above framed questionnaire, staff of relationship department of the Asda
wassurveyed. The sample size taken for the present study was 20 staff members from
relationship department of the Asda. The data obtained from them has been analysed through
thematic technique under qualitative data analysis method. The rationale behind the same is the
selection of research topic which is based on determining the reasons and opinions in order to
meet the demand of present research questions.
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