Different Leadership Styles Used by Managers to Enhance Productivity

This project aims to determine the different leadership styles used by managers to enhance employee productivity, with a specific focus on Marks and Spencer. It begins by providing background information on leadership and the organization, highlighting the rationale for the research, which stems from concerns about employee turnover and the need for effective leadership. The project outlines research questions related to the meaning of leadership, the styles used at Marks and Spencer, and the challenges faced during implementation. The research methodology employs a deductive approach, utilizing surveys with close-ended questions to gather quantitative data. Both primary and secondary data collection methods are used, with primary data obtained through questionnaires and secondary data gathered from books and journals. Probability sampling is used to select 30 managers from Marks and Spencer. The project also includes a timescale, resource allocation, and ethical considerations, ensuring compliance with the University of Birmingham's research ethics framework. The ultimate goal is to provide insights into how different leadership styles can improve employee engagement and contribute to organizational success.

Proposal and Ethics
Form
(Different leadership styles used by
managers in order to enhance
employees productivity)
1

Table of Contents
Background to Research Topic..................................................................................................3
Background to Research Organisation.......................................................................................3
Research Rationale.....................................................................................................................3
Research Questions....................................................................................................................4
Research Aims and Objectives...................................................................................................4
Research Objectives: ............................................................................................................4
Research Methodology...............................................................................................................4
Research Approach.....................................................................................................................4
Research Strategy.......................................................................................................................5
Research Methodology...............................................................................................................5
Research Tools...........................................................................................................................5
Data collection method...............................................................................................................5
Sampling.....................................................................................................................................6
Timescale....................................................................................................................................6
Resources....................................................................................................................................7
References .................................................................................................................................8
Books and journals................................................................................................................8
Research Ethics FORM..............................................................................................................9
This project also confirms with “UoB Research Ethics Framework”. ...............................10
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Background to Research Topic
Leadership is regarded as the research area which is like a practical skill, encompasses
the ability of grow up, individual and organisations in order to lead and guide other people of
the organisations. This word often times viewed as contested term. There are various types of
leaderships styles which are used in organisation in order to enhance their employees
productivity and potential. When an employee is getting motivated, then it will be helpful in
achievement of organisational growth and opportunities (Kitur, 2021). Some of the leadership
styles used in the organisations are democratic leaderships style, autocratic leaderships styles,
coaching, pacesetting and laissez- faire etc. these styles will helps the leaders in achieving
organisations profits. While using different leadership styles, an employee will be able to
accept the situation in front of them. Then they sell, participate and delegate to the
organisation at a time of decision making process. It will helps in motivating employees.
Further, while using these strategies, leaders are facing certain challenges such as leading
change, developing others, management of team, handling several perspectives etc. these
challenges and issues are to be considered in mind.
Background to Research Organisation
The selected organisational with the report is Marks and Spencer, this is one of the
major British multinational retailer company which is specialises in home, clothing and food
products. It was founded in the year 1884 by Michael marks and Thomas Spencer. Company
is operating in more than 1470 locations within all over the world. Also, it is having 78,000
number of employees within working environment of their organisation. Company is
developing their growth opportunities while using leadership styles and motivating
employees with that (Othman, Kineber, and Buniya, 2021). In relation with the company,
their manger are suing bureaucratic leaderships style in order to achieve their goals and
objectives.
Research Rationale
The rationale of choosing this topic is that now a days employees are leaving from the
organisation and this resulting in reducing profitability and increasing employees turnover of
the organisation. So, It is important to have effective leadership styles within working
environment and developing their profitability of the company. Further, it is important to
discuss about this topic because it will be helpful for enchaining employees productivity and
engagement between leaders and employees (Akuffo, and Kivipõld, 2021). Also, it motivates
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employees towards achievement of organisational goals and objectives. In addition, it will be
helpful for the researcher in enhancing of their communication and research skills.
Research Questions
 What is the meaning of leadership within business environment?
 What are the leadership style used by managers of Marks and Spencer in order to
enhance employees productivity?
 What are the challenges faced by managers while implementing leadership styles
within working environment of Marks and Spencer?
Research Aims and Objectives
Research Aim: “To determine the different leadership styles used by managers in order to
enhance employees productivity”. A study on Marks and Spencer.
Research Objectives:
 To determine the meaning of leadership within business environment.
 To identify the leadership style used by managers of Marks and Spencer in order to
enhance employees productivity.
 To examine the challenges faced by managers while implementing leadership styles
within working environment of Marks and Spencer.
Research Methodology
Research methodology is the particular procedure which is used to identify, process,
select and analyse the data and information about a specific topic. This helps in allowing the
readers to study and develop valid and reliable data. Further, it helps in achieving
organisational objectives (Dabić, Stojčić and Nedelko, 2021). Within this proposal,
researcher is using framework of research onion in order to evaluate data. This is mentioned
below:
Research Approach
Research approach is regarded as appropriate methodology which is suggested in
research onions framework. It is consisting of two types of approaches. These are inductive
and deductive approach. Inductive approach starts with the observations which is sued by
investigator to create new theory. Further, deductive approach is starts when there is a
particular hypothesis development (Insan, and Masmarulan, 2021). Within this research,
investigator is using deductive approach which is helpful in achieving research aim and
evaluation proper data and information about a specific topic.
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Research Strategy
Research strategy is used to devise the strategy which is used to collect and analyses
data and information in effective manner. The research onion framework includes various
types of research strategies these are case study, literature review, survey and grounded
theory etc., Within this research proposal, survey is used to gather data and content in most
effectual manner (Wang, Ren, and Cai, 2021). Survey is gathered through questionnaire
which belong of close ended questioning and it will be resulting in getting valid and reliable
results as compared to any other method. This survey will also include graphs and charts etc.
to collect reliable information.
Research Methodology
There are two kind of investigation methods. These are qualitative and quantitative
method. Qualitative methods is a method which belong of non numerical info about a given
topic. And on the another hand, quantitative method is that which convey numerical
information about a specific topic. Within this study, quantitative method is sued because it is
based on numerical information which is accumulated through questionnaire surveys and
consisting of close ended questions. It helps in bringing relevant and effectual info about a
particular topic. It is helpful in analysis of data and information as well.
Research Tools
There are various types of tools and techniques which are used in the organisation to
develop various information. It is important to get true and valid information. There are
various tools such as interview, questionnaire, observations etc., which helps in collecting
appropriate data and findings (Santos-Vijande, López-Sánchez, and Rudd, 2021). Within this
research, researcher is using questionnaire survey in order to get true information.
Questionnaire survey is consisting of close ended questions which is to be filled by
respondents. It helps in achieving of research aim and objectives and developing
effectiveness towards achieve it in shorter time period.
Data collection method
The data is being collected through two assorted methods such as primary and
secondary data collection method. Primary data is that which convey primary informational
and collect data through surveys. Secondary data is that which brings theoretical information
about a topic. In order to collect data, both of the methods are used as primary data is
collected through questionnaire survey which helps in collecting valid information and also
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make use of charts and tables. On the next hand, secondary data brings theoretical info about
a special topic because it helps in getting in depth cognition about a topic (Johri, and Kumar,
2021). Secondary data is gathered through analysis different books and journals and
presented it in a signifier of literature review. It will helps in getting reliable data and
information.
Sampling
Sampling is the process of choosing some of the illustration from huge number of
population. It belong of two methods these are probability and non probability sampling. In
this present study, probability sampling is used to select a sample and in this random
probability sampling is used because it provide equal opportunity to be selected in a sample.
These helps in getting accurate and reliable information. The sample size selected within the
given report is 30 responsive who are the managers of Marks and Spencer. The questionnaire
is to be occupied by them.
Timescale
Task Week
1
01.10-
07.10.
2021
Week
2
08.10-
14.10.
2021
Week
3
15.10-
21.10.
2021
Week
4/ 5/ 6
22.10-
11.11.
2021
Week
7
12.11-
18.11.
2021
Week
8
19.11-
25.11.
2021
Week
9
26.11-
02.12.
2021
Week
10
17.12-
23.12.
2021
Week
9
24.12-
30.12.
2021
Week 10
31.12-21
06.01.2022
Project
preparation
and Project
Planning
Literature
Review
Methodolo
gy
Data
Collection
and
Analysis
Discussion
of
the results
Report
writing
Presentatio
n of the
project to
the Board
of Directors
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Resources
The resources needed for completion of this project is pen, paper, respondents,
different books and journals and articles. Also, there is a need of time limit in order to
complete this research in shorter time (Chaithanapat, and Rakthin, 2021). Further, there is a
use of Gantt chart and WBS to program their project activities according to the plan. These
resource will assist in accomplishment of the research purpose and objectives in effective
manner.
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References
Books and journals
Akuffo, I.N. and Kivipõld, K., 2021. Authentic leadership competences and positional
favouritism: impact on positive and negative organisational effectiveness.
International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 14(1), pp.81-104.
Chaithanapat, P. and Rakthin, S., 2021. Customer knowledge management in SMEs: Review
and research agenda. Knowledge and Process Management, 28(1), pp.71-89.
Dabić, M., Stojčić, N., Simić, M., Potocan, V., Slavković, M. and Nedelko, Z., 2021.
Intellectual agility and innovation in micro and small businesses: The mediating role
of entrepreneurial leadership. Journal of Business Research, 123, pp.683-695.
Insan, A. and Masmarulan, R., 2021. Effects of leader-member exchange and organizational
culture on work engagement and employee performance. Management Science
Letters, 11(3), pp.879-886.
Johri, S. and Kumar, D., 2021. Evaluation of effect of iso 9001: 2008 standard
implementation on TQM parameters in manufacturing & production processes
performance in small enterprises. Materials Today: Proceedings.
Kitur, C.L., 2021. Compensation management, employee voice and quality service delivery in
county referral hospitals in north rift region, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, Moi
University).
Othman, I., Kineber, A.F., Oke, A.E., Zayed, T. and Buniya, M.K., 2021. Barriers of value
management implementation for building projects in Egyptian construction industry.
Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 12(1), pp.21-30.
Pham Thi Phuong, L. and Ahn, Y.J., 2021. Service climate and empowerment for customer
service quality among Vietnamese employees at restaurants. Sustainability, 13(3),
p.1172.
Santos-Vijande, M.L., López-Sánchez, J.Á., Pascual-Fernández, P. and Rudd, J.M., 2021.
Service innovation management in a modern economy: Insights on the interplay
between firms’ innovative culture and project-level success factors. Technological
Forecasting and Social Change, 165, p.120562.
Wang, Z., Ren, S., Chadee, D., Liu, M. and Cai, S., 2021. Team reflexivity and employee
innovative behavior: The mediating role of knowledge sharing and moderating role
of leadership. Journal of Knowledge Management.
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RESEARCH ETHICS FORM
Section I: Applicant Details
1. Name of Researcher (applicant):
2. Status (please click to select): Active
3. Email Address:
4a. Contact Address:
4b. Telephone Number:
Section II: Project Details
5. Project Title: Different leadership styles used by managers
in order to enhance employees productivity
Section III: For Students Only:
6. Course title and module name and
number where appropriate
School/Centre:
BSc (Hons) Business Management
BMP6001 Dissertation
7. Supervisor’s or module leader’s name:
8. Email address:
9. Telephone extension:
Declaration by Researcher (Please tick the appropriate boxes)
I have read the University’s Code of Practice
The topic merits further research
I have the skills to carry out the research
The participant information sheet, if needed, is appropriate
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The procedures for recruitment and obtaining informed consent, if needed, are
appropriate
The research is exempt from further ethics review according to current University
guidelines
Where relevant, I have read the ethical guidelines of the regulatory body that is
relevant to my discipline and verify that the research adheres to these guidelines
Comments from Researcher, and/or from Supervisor if Researcher is Undergraduate or
Taught Postgraduate student:
This project meets the standard set by UoB policy named “Code of Practice for Research
Students and Supervisors 2019-20”.
This project also confirms with “UoB Research Ethics Framework”.
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