Organisational Leadership Styles & Productivity: A UK Retail Study

This dissertation explores how organizational leadership styles adopted in the UK retail industry can improve business productivity, focusing on a case study of Morrisons. The research investigates the concept and need for effective leadership within the UK retail sector, examining the role of leaders in enhancing business performance and productivity. It identifies various leadership styles employed by Morrisons and analyzes the challenges the company faces in the absence of strong leadership. The study employs a research methodology that includes data analysis and findings to provide insights into the relationship between leadership styles and business outcomes, ultimately aiming to offer recommendations for improving leadership practices within the organization.

Dissertation
HOW CAN ORGANISATIONAL LEADERSHIP STYLES
ADOPTED IN THE UK RETAIL INDUSTRY IMPROVE ON
THE BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY? A STUDY OF
MORRISONS.
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Table of Contents
Title: How can organisational leadership styles adopted in the UK retail industry improve on
business productivity. A study of Morrisons. ................................................................................4
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................4
1.1 Background of the study...................................................................................................4
1.4 Research Questions:.........................................................................................................5
1.5 Research Aim:..................................................................................................................6
1.6 Research Objectives:........................................................................................................6
1.8 Beneficiaries from this study............................................................................................7
1.10 Structure of the dissertation............................................................................................7
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW .........................................................................................9
2.1 Introduction of literature review.......................................................................................9
2.2.1Concept and need of leadership and leaders within UK retail industry.........................9
2.2.2 Theories related to leadership......................................................................................10
2.2.3 Role of leaders to improve the business performance and productivity within Morrisons
..............................................................................................................................................11
2.2.4 Leadership styles adopted by Morrisons for improving the business performance and
productivity...........................................................................................................................14
2.2.5 Challenges faced by Morrisons in the absence of effective leadership.......................15
2.2 Summary of the literature review...................................................................................17
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................18
3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................18
3.2 Research Philosophy......................................................................................................18
3.3 Research design..............................................................................................................18
3.4 Research approach..........................................................................................................19
3.5 Research Choice.............................................................................................................19
3.6 Research Strategy...........................................................................................................20
3.7 Data types and Data Collection Methods.......................................................................20
3.8 Reliability and validity...................................................................................................22
3.9 Ethical consideration......................................................................................................22
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CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS ...................................................................23
4.1 Frequency distribution table...........................................................................................23
4.2 Data interpretation..........................................................................................................25
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................35
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................37
Questionnaire........................................................................................................................37
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Title: How can organisational leadership styles adopted in the UK retail
industry improve on business productivity. A study of Morrisons.
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
To overcome challenges, strong leadership is crucial as it helps organization to overcome
the challenges by maintaining confidence and motivation among the workforce. With the help of
good leadership organization can create an effective and strong workplace environment that will
not only help team to be motivated but also help organization to keep their stakeholders happy.
In this modern business environment the changes in business atmosphere is dynamic which
requires organization to embrace the importance and need of leaders and leadership to assure
higher growth and competitive position in the industry (Anderson and Sun, 2017). The present
research include discussion on the need of leaders in an organization and leadership styles
adopted to improve the business productivity and performance. To conduct this research
Morrison has been selected which is 4th largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom. The
research will analyse the concept and need of leaders and leadership within UK retail industry
along with this in depth discussion of the role of leaders to make improvement in business
performance and productivity of company is also being evaluated. Research also include
discussion on the leadership styles adopted by company to make improvement in the business
performance and productivity along with the challenges that has been faced by the company due
to the absence of effective leadership. In this with the help of effective literature review in depth
analysis has been conducted. Research also include research methodology section in which use
of appropriate research methods tools and techniques is being in deathly evaluated which will
help investigator to conduct overall research in an effective manner.
1.2 Purpose of the study
The main rationale behind the selection of his topic is to understand the need and
importance of leaders and leadership style within organization in UK retail industry to make
improvement in business productivity and performance. In today’s business environment is
motivated workforce is a crucial element for organization growth and success. Negligence of
implementing strong leadership practices will impact on organization in adverse manner such as
high amount of employee turnover that will automatically impact on organization growth and
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profitability. The present research is rational as it will help in determining the role of leaders to
make improvement in business performance and productivity along with the leadership style
adopted by the company to make improvement in business performance. This research is also
rational as it helps in determining the challenges that has been faced by Morrisons in the absence
of effective leadership. With the help of this other organizations in the same sector can determine
the extent of challenges and their impact on organization growth and can understand that
importance of leadership for their long term growth and sustainability. The present research is
also rational as it will help in enhancing researcher knowledge an understanding of the need of
leadership and leaders within UK retail industry sector. This research will benefit researcher to
apply the same research conducting ability for future research. Research will benefit investigator
in both professional and personal way as it helps in enhancing the academic skill ability that will
benefit resulted in future in a well defined and effective manner.
1.3 Statement of the problem
The organization selected for the current investigation is Morrisons which is one of the
leading organization in the UK retail industry and its operating its roles and responsibilities in
different parts of the world. The main issue that is being faced by the current organization is
challenging due to the absence of effective leadership. The present research will determine the
challenges that has been faced by the respective organization because of the effective leadership
absence. Research will also determine the concept and need of leaders and leaders within the UK
industry along with the role of leaders to make improvement in business productivity and
performance. This research will also help in determining the leadership styles that has been
adopted by company. This research will effectively help in overcoming and conduct in depth
analysis of the challenges that has been faced by the company through which organization can
implement effective strategies to overcome the issue at a significant way.
1.4 Research Questions:
 Explain the concept and need of leadership and leaders within UK retail industry?
 What is the role of leaders to improve the business performance and productivity within
Morrisons?
 What are the leadership styles adopted by Morrisons for improving the business
performance and productivity?
 What are the challenges faced by Morrisons in the absence of effective leadership?
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1.5 Research Aim:
To investigate the need of leaders in an organisation and leadership styles adopted to
improve the business productivity and performance. A study on Morrisons
1.6 Research Objectives:
 To identify the concept and need of leadership and leaders within UK retail industry
 To determine the role of leaders to improve the business performance and productivity
within Morrisons
 To examine the leadership styles adopted by Morrisons for improving the business
performance and productivity
 To evaluate the challenges faced by Morrisons in the absence of effective leadership.
1.7 Significance of the research
The present research is significant as it is conducted on the research am which will help
to investigate the need of leaders and leadership within organization along with the importance
of leadership styles to adopt in order to make improvement in business productivity and
performance. This research will help in identifying the concepts along with the need of leaders
and leadership within the UK retail industry that will benefit organisations in this sector on
different scales to understand the importance of leaders and leadership styles to make
improvement in their overall productivity and performance. Present research is also significant as
it helps in determining the role of leaders to make improvements in the business productivity
within Morrisons. This will help organization operating in the same sector to implement different
leadership styles and understand the role of leader through which they can effectively manage
the overall business productivity and performance. This research will also benefit in identifying
challenges that has been faced by Morrisons in the absence of effective leadership. With the help
of this company can determine the challenges and can implement effective leadership styles to
overcome these challenges to assure long term sustainability and growth. The present research is
also significant as it will help in enhancing the researcher current level of understanding and
knowledge of the need and importance of leadership styles leadership and leaders within the UK
industry. This will effectively benefit researcher to conduct future research in appropriate
manner, as the present research will efficiently enhance the research conducting ability and
decision making ability of researcher in appropriate an effective manner.
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1.8 Beneficiaries from this study
There are several benefits of conducting this study on the particular topic which generally
helps in dealing with the factors of the research in an effective manner. The research will provide
benefit to students, teachers, organisations and senior members as this topic helps in developing
a sense of understanding among them for a particular topic.
1.9 Background of the organisation
Morrison is one of the famous British supermarket and is among the 4th largest
supermarket chain in the provinces of United Kingdom, as of the year 2021 the organization had
approximately 497 supermarket across England, Scotland and Wales. The organization
headquartered in West Yorkshire, England and offers wide range of products and services to
consumers around the globe. The company operates in retail sector and was founded in the year
1899. Organization offers wide range of products inclusive of clothing, food, books, homeware,
magazines etc. By the year 2021 organization is having 110,000 employees which is contributing
in the overall success and growth of company. In addition to this it has been underlined that
organization with help of strong employee base is serving wide base of consumers across
different geographical location which is providing them a competitive edge in the industry.
1.10 Structure of the dissertation
There are mainly five chapters that are included in the whole process of dissertation and
this helps in managing the research objectives in an effective manner. These five chapters are
defined as under:
Chapter 1: Introduction: This is the first chapter of the research that helps in providing all the
basic details relating to the topic. In this particular chapter the researcher will create aim and
objectives on the selected topic so that the research work can be started in the right direction.
Chapter 2: Literature review: Literature review is considered to be the second chapter of the
research as this helps in providing secondary data related to the topic. By using this particular
information the researcher will be gather authentic information related to the research topic in a
summarised and detailed manner.
Chapter 3: Research methodology: Research methodology is that particular chapter of the
research that helps in selecting methods for gathering right and accurate information about the
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research topic. The present research is associated with using of quantitative methods of research
in order to collect statistical information related to the topic.
Chapter 4: Data analysis and findings: This particular chapter is related to gather numerical
information about the research topic in a proper manner so that conclusion can be drawn. In the
present research, frequency distribution table is used for summarising all the data in the
statistical manner.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation: Conclusion is the last chapter of the research
that helps in giving a summary about all the important points that are covered in the whole
research. Whereas recommendation helps in providing suggestion to the organisation for
improving their performance in the market.
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CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction of literature review
Literature review is defined as an overview of previously published work on a specific topic. In
simple terms this is mainly a comprehensive summary of previously conducted work on a
particular topic it includes survey of scholarly article, books and other sources associated to the
particular area of research (Zulch, 2014). Literature review place important role for overall
research as it helps in evaluating in depth study of different survey, scholarly articles, books etc.
With the help of this research work and conduct in depth analysis efficiently. In context to the
present study literature review on the present research topic the manner in which organizational
leadership style adopted in the UK retail industry to improve on business productivity a case
study on Morrison has been evaluated.
2.2.1Concept and need of leadership and leaders within UK retail industry
According to the viewpoint of Asghar and Oino, (2017) a good retail industry first need
to develop an effective and strong leadership environment with the help of undertaking use of
leaders potential in order to always inspires the individuals and team within organization. An
effective leadership plays crucial role even in complex atmosphere as it encourage employees
towards the better. According to the reports it has been analysed that the retail sector in the
provinces of United Kingdom is currently facing a lack of good leadership (What skills do retail
leaders need today?. 2018). In this many leaders are struggling to implement new models as they
face challenges to navigate the retail industry for the future. The today’s retail industry
environment keeps on changing on dynamic manner which is creating threat in front of
organization such as increase in labour turnover. The skilled and efficient leadership qualities
once associated with technology helps in accomplishing organizational goals in effective manner
while encouraging individuals on the same time. Retail industry in UK never standstill. This
makes a successful leader to possess quality to always change according to the industrial trend in
order to find out the new ways to inspire the individual and workforce. Furthermore retail leaders
for the future is needed to be champion of the consumers for which they need to have a
motivated and encouraged team. A good leadership skill pieces becoming more and more critical
in today’s business environment which need leaders to have an ability to adopt and not resist
change. The needs and demands of consumers in United Kingdom industry are dynamically
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changing. This increases leaders to have right experience regardless of their background plays a
crucial leadership role in the industry. In this explosion of digital technology needs to be
undertaken as to become digital and data say leader, as this will help in encouraging effective
communication both internally as well as externally. Both of these are playing important role for
leaders in new generation as with the help of this they can assure collaboration and can increase
inclusive decision making.
2.2.2 Theories related to leadership
According to the Maslow leadership theory it has been analysed that in order to encourage
positive workplace mentality employees are needed to be motivated as to perform at a very high
level. This states that Maslow human psychological needs required to be satisfied within
workplace which is inclusive of psychological need, safety need, love and belonging, esteem and
self equalization needs. In context of leadership need within UK retail industry it is important for
a leader to fulfil high level essential needs (Bowers, Hall and Srinivasan, 2017). According to
the Maslow five tier of employees in order to create a high performance working culture there is
a direct relationship of the need of leadership and leaders with in UK retail industry as it directly
helps in increasing the overall performance and productivity of both organizations and
employees on the same hand. Furthermore it has been analysed that for a good leadership
motivation is playing a critical role a good leaders need to understand to create a high performing
individual and team, with the help of satisfying the human emotion of the people according to
the Maslow hierarchy of means. This is a-go-to model which explain the psychological human
motivation. With the help of this leaders can emphasise on all the needs of individual and can
satisfy them accordingly. The retail industry of UK is highly competitive which requires
organizations to retain talented and skilled employees for longer period of time this enhances the
need of implementation of leadership and good leaders through which organisations can conduct
their operations in effective manner with motivated skilled and highly talented team.
Furthermore it has been underlined that it is also essential to have a good leadership and leaders
within the UK retail industry as this will significantly benefit companies in the sector to conduct
their roles in effective environment. The importance of leadership is crucial as it helps in
providing guidance motivation initiating actions creating confidence building morale work
environment encouraging coordination in the workplace environment with the help of different
leadership style according to the situation. A good leader is required in all level of organization
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to create plans and policies and further execute them that has been framed by top management
(Famakin and Abisuga, 2016). A leader is also needed in the UK retail industry as they act as
representative of the organization and integrate personal goal with organizational goals. They
also act as a friend, philosopher and guide through which business organizations assure
successful accomplishment of overall goals and objectives. There is a need of leadership and
leaders in UK retail industry as with the help of leadership qualities such as vision and foresight,
intelligence, communicative skills, sense of responsibility, empathy, self confidence and
willpower leaders encourage and motivate individuals within organization which further
encourage organisations to conduct their responsibilities at efficient rate.
According to the above analysis it has been stated that leadership and leaders plays
crucial role for organizations operating in UK retail industry, as this industry is highly
competitive in which different organisations are conducting their roles and responsibilities and
are implementing aggressive strategies to satisfy customs. For this they are taking advantage of
various policies and frameworks to retain highly talented and skilled employees for longer period
of time. In this to be competitive organization needs to understand the importance and need of
leadership and a good leaders as with the help of this they can satisfy human needs of individual
as per the Maslow hierarchy of needs theory. This will significantly benefit organizations in the
UK retail industry to conduct their operations at efficient rate while assuring long term growth
and profitability.
2.2.3 Role of leaders to improve the business performance and productivity within Morrisons
As per the view point of Franco and Matos, (2015) Leadership is an essential function
organization which helps them to enhance overall efficiency to fulfil goals and objectives.
Leadership plays crucial role as in this leaders initiate actions with the help of communicating
the plans and policies of companies to subordinate. With the help of great motivation leaders
encourage employees and provide them guidance that help them to perform efficiently as well as
effectively. Good leaders motivate employees to work hard and meet organizational needs
through one means or another. Some leaders may inspire employees to work hard, while other
managers may cause employees to fear the consequences of not working hard. Both methods
work to drive motivation and one may work better than the other depending on the manager’s
specific style and the culture of the organization. Morrisons is operating its roles and
responsibilities in a highly competitive UK retail industry in this company assures that they have
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a positive and motivated organizational framework in which employees are motivated to perform
overall goals. To make this possible leaders within Morrisons conduct various rules with the
name to make improvement in the business performance as well as productivity. There are
certain goals that has been undertaken by leaders within the company in order to drive
profitability as well as productivity in which some of them are being duly defined below:
 Leaders of Morrison are very well aware of the dynamic world of business as well as
work with the help of their skilful and multilingual characteristics they make skilled
balance between employee productivity with their well being by providing them right
workplace culture. Leaders within company acknowledge the strategic role which help
them to align organizational goals with employees performance (Zhang, Bergsteiner and
More, 2014). With the help of undertaking use of appropriate strategies and techniques
leaders within company rely on relationship and trust and with the help of different
leadership approaches they provide a coordinated and cooperative business environment
which is playing crucial role for companies greater success.
 Leaders within company undertake use of annual and periodic performance review. In the
present industrial age performance review plays important role which helps in serving a
purpose. Performance management is a crucial aspect which helps in increasing the
professional skills as well as knowledge among employees. In the current business
ecosystem it is essential to undertake use of instant communication and enable
technologies. With the help of conducting the role of connecting technology to day-to-
day operation of employees leaders of Morrisons are analysing performance review of
employees and measure their behaviour and need which requires continuous growth for
sustainable work environment. In this with the help of creating a strong coaching culture
leaders within company involve employees working with their coaching to determine
their personal as well as potential growth (Gelard, Boroumand and Mohammadi, 2014).
With the help of this leaders create confidence within the team and enhance the overall
employee empowerment balance and sense of purpose. This is playing crucial role for
Morrison to have a motivated workforce which directly impact on the overall
productivity as well as performance of company.
 Leaders within Morrisons believe that in order to sustain in this modern competitive
world it is essential to rely on various leadership theories as well as skills. In this leaders
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