Post-Pandemic Employee Motivation Strategies at Marks & Spencer

This report evaluates strategies to improve employee motivation post-pandemic, focusing on Marks & Spencer (M&S). It covers motivation concepts, relevant theories like Maslow's Hierarchy and McClelland's theory, and effective strategies used by M&S, such as setting small daily tasks, balancing work and relaxation, and enabling teamwork. The research explores the advantages of increased employee motivation, including enhanced engagement, positivity, and brand image. The methodology section outlines the research approach used to gather and analyze data, aiming to provide insights for M&S to retain talented employees and improve overall performance. Desklib provides this report as well as access to other solved assignments and resources for students.

TO ANALYSE THE VARIOUS STRATEGIES THROUGH
WHICH MOTIVATION AMONG EMPLOYEES CAN BE
IMPROVED POST PANDEMIC
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
Overview of the topic..................................................................................................................3
Research aim...............................................................................................................................3
Research objectives ....................................................................................................................3
Research questions .....................................................................................................................3
Rationale of the research ...........................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................5
What is the concept of motivation along with its theories used within M&S? ..........................5
What are the effective strategies used by M&S for increasing motivation among employees
post pandemic? ...........................................................................................................................6
What are the advantages that M&S could be gained by increasing employee motivation post
pandemic? ...............................................................................................................................7
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................9
PROJECT PLAN ..........................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
Overview of the topic
Employee motivation can be defined as the energy and commitment level of staff so that
they can be creative in nature while conducting their tasks in the company. It is considered as the
internal or intrinsic drive to make the necessary efforts and also the action towards the activities
which relates to the work (Mansaray, 2019). The following discussion is based on the research
aim that is to evaluate the use of different strategies through which motivation of employees can
be enhanced post pandemic. Objectives covered are the basic understanding about the motivation
along with its theories and strategies used for increasing motivation among employees post
pandemic and also the benefits that could be gained by increasing employee motivation post
pandemic. Literature review and research methodology along with the project plan is also
covered in the current research report. The current investigation is based on the company named
as Marks and Spencer. It is one of the leading international retail company headquartered in
United Kingdom and established in 1884. It mainly deals with the products of linen clothes and
jeans. The following discussion specifies that how the M&S uses the motivation theories and
strategies and what benefits they got after adopting the practices of employee motivation.
Research aim
To evaluate the use of different strategies through which motivation of employees can be
enhanced post pandemic. A study on Marks and Spencer.
Research objectives
 To develop basic understanding about the motivation along with its theories used within
M&S
 To determine the strategies used by M&S for increasing motivation among employees
post pandemic
 To evaluate the benefits that M&S could be gained by increasing employee motivation
post pandemic
Research questions
 What is the concept of motivation along with its theories used within M&S?
 What are the effective strategies used by M&S for increasing motivation among
employees post pandemic?
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 What are the advantages that M&S could be gained by increasing employee motivation
post pandemic?
Rationale of the research
I have conducted the current research based on the employee motivation which attains the
aims and objectives of the investigation in context of the Marks and Spencer. This investigation
is benefiting the company because the company can review this research and can get the certain
ideas of motivational theories and strategies that can be adopted so that they retain maximum of
their talented and skilled employees (Bushi, 2021). This is not only benefiting the company but
also the investigator as well. I have applied many of my existing skills in order to undertake the
research such as research skills and cognitive skills along with the time management skills and
analytical skills as well. Moreover, I have also acquired the new skills such as communication
skills and problem solving skills along with the business management skills and team
management skills as well. I have also gained the knowledge about the undertaking of the
research such as how exactly the literature review is conducted along with the methodology and
findings as well. Therefore, rationale is basically the significance and importance of investigation
that how essential and crucial it is to undertake the investigation so that it can benefit the
company and also the researcher in an effective and efficient manner.
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature Review is consider as the systematic procedure which is being used by the
investigator for the purpose of collecting secondary information related to any topic or study.
There are several sources through which information can be gathered such as magazines, articles,
publication research, journal, books and many more. A research use these different resources in
an effective manner in order to collect the secondary data related to the motivation in the context
of UK based business organisation i.e. Marks and Spencer.
What is the concept of motivation along with its theories used within M&S?
According to Beata Souders (2022), motivation is defined as the internal process inside a
human being that desires a change, either in the self or the environment. It is also consider as the
desire to act in serving the goals. It is found as the essential component which is being used to set
and attain the objectives of human. In simple words, it is defined as the driving force behind the
behaviour of humans. In order to maintain the goal oriented behaviour, it is necessary to
motivate the individuals by providing initiates and guidelines (Galli, 2020). Motivation of
employees in the organisation plays an important role as it leads to putting the human resources
into action, improving the level of efficiency of employees, achievement of organisational goals
and objectives, establishing the relationship of friendship, bringing stability at the work place
and many more.
Laura Sands, (2021), state that the theories of motivation is the understanding of factors
which can drive a person or an individual to work and helps the management in attaining the
goals and objectives in an effective and efficient manner. The managers of Marks and Spencer
apply several theories of motivation in their organisation in order to motivate their employees to
work effectively which result in the achievement of common goals and objectives. Marks and
Spencer is using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for motivating their employees by looking on the
physiological, security, belonging needs of their teams before making the introduction of
recognition or coaching (Morrell and Abston, 2018). The management of M&S is offering the
living wage along with ensuring that all the requirements of health care and their belongings of
their staff members must be fulfilled. The management of M&S has introduced several practices
which leads to the fulfilment of the needs of employees such as company picnic, housing
professionals, referrals for financial planners, health benefits and many more.
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McClelland's Human Motivation Theory state that the human have at least one out of
three driving needs which is based on their experiences of life. These three tools include
achievement, affiliation and power. This is the extrinsic need of employees which is being
satisfied by the management of Marks and Spencer after satisfying the intrinsic needs of
employees. The manager of M&S firstly work for identifying the driving needs of employees in
order to motivate them.
Vroom's theory of motivation is the concept of motivation which involve the satisfaction
of both intrinsic as well as extrinsic needs on the same point of time. It is found as the simple
task to use the Vroom theory for Marks and Spencer (Zhang, Bai and Shang, 2018). By using
this approach, the management of Marks and Spencer look on the entire group goal of company
and then they make the goals for individual employees along with making sure about the
personalize expectations of each and every employee.
What are the effective strategies used by M&S for increasing motivation among employees post
pandemic?
As per the article of Emily Elia, (2020), employees come office after facing several
problems related to the social distancing and lock down. The management of Marks and Spencer
is also trying their best to motivate their employees after such a difficult time. Below mentioned
are the several strategies which are found to be effective and adopted by the management of
Marks and Spencer for the purpose of increasing motivation among employees after post
pandemic; Setting small daily task: After pandemic, the productivity of employees are not on the
peak point. By setting goals on daily basis, the management can enhance the productivity
of employees as higher as possible but it is necessary for management to be realistic with
the daily goals set by the management (Saracho, 2019). It is not possible for employees to
directly focus on the big goals, hence by achieving the daily goals, the organisation can
attain the common goals as well. The small achievements of goals leads to the increase in
motivation of employees. Crave out time in the employees day for work and for relaxation: Working from home
was found as really difficult for the employees because there were no any restricted
working hours. The management of Marks and Spencer can develop the strategy of
scheduling the work along with providing the proper relax time of lunch, so that the
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employees can feel focused and work in a highly productive manner. The employees of
organisation will feel motivated when thy get proper time to relax along with the proper
scheduled time of working as well.
 Enable teamwork and collaboration: Another effective strategy which the management
of Marks and Spencer can develop is enabling the teamwork and collaboration at work
place. The management can introduce several tools through which the employees can
work together because working from home cause several unfamiliar situation in team
working method.
What are the advantages that M&S could be gained by increasing employee motivation post
pandemic?
According to Stuart Sinclair, (2021), employee motivation after pandemic is important as
it leads to the high morale through which the people can enjoy their job again. COVID-19 result
in the shifting of thinking along with changes in the working manner of employees. If the
management of Marks and Spencer increase the motivation of their employees after the
pandemic, it implies have several benefits as well to the organisation. Some of the advantages of
increasing employee motivation after pandemic in the context of Marks and Spencer are given
below: Employee Engagement: It is possible to earn higher employee engagement when the
employees reach at their maximum potential. Because of motivation, all the employees of
M&S feel as a part of team. The key element of increasing employee engagement is to
create the feeling of importance in the employees. For the same purpose the management
of M&S is providing essential information, ensuring that the employees understand their
role, encourage the career development and training as well. Positivity: Motivated employees working in the organisation also result in the creation of
positive working environment of organisation (Anderman, 2020). Positive working
environment of Marks and Spencer help the management in attaining the organisational
goals and objectives in an effective and efficient manner. Positive working environment
of Marks and Spencer is always beneficial as it leads to the overall development and
growth of organisation along with ensuring the future success as well.
 Enhance Brand Image and market share: Due to COVID-19, the sales of products of
Marks and Spencer was decreased because people started spending more only on the
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survival or essential things. If the employees of organisation feel motivate, it will also
result in the increase in brand image of company in front of general public and attract
them towards the organisation to buy their products as well. Increase in the sales of
organisation result in the increase in profitability along with the market share.
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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is the third chapter in the research which helps the investigator in
attaining the aim and objective in accurate manner. It is defined as the systematic procedure to
identify, analyses and interpret data in appropriate manner. Through this section researcher also
get to receive answer for their dual question which are hoe information is obtained and how it
will be measured (Sileyew, 2019). This section also helps the readers to evaluate the validity and
reliability of the data. Research methodology uses various philosophies, approaches, data
collection method to collect and measures information. Methodology is further divided into
various sub components which are discussed below:
Research philosophy: There are two types of research philosophies i.e., positivism and
interpretivism. Positivism philosophy gathers quantitative data whereas interpretivism collects
qualitative data. In the current investigation, researcher will be using positivism philosophy. The
advantage to use this philosophy is that it will gathers and analyse objective data in more
generalised manner (Ross and Call-Cummings, 2020).
Research approach: There are two research approach to test the hypothesis which are
deductive and inductive approach. Deductive approach test existing hypothesis and inductive
approach test new theories. In the present research, deductive approach will be choosing by the
researcher. The main reason for this is it will give importance on testing the theories on the basis
of numerical data. this helps in attaining aim and objective in accurate manner (Ratnam, 2019).
Research choice: Research choice in order to know the type of information needed in the
investigation. It is divided into two parts which are quantitative and qualitative. In the current
investigation, researcher will be selecting quantitative research. The benefit to choose this is it
will gather and analyses numerical information in less time. As well as it is also one of the cost
effective choice for gathering data.
Research strategy: There are different research strategies available to the investigator
some of them are survey, experimental research, case study, focused group and many others. In
the existing investigation, researcher will be choosing survey strategy for gathering data. the
main reason for this is it will gather numerical information from wider group of people (Fidahic
and et. al, 2020).
Time horizon: Time horizon is the time framework which tells about the investing time
needed to complete the research. Cross sectional and longitudinal are the two-time horizon. As
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per the current investigation, cross sectional time framework will be using. The advantage to use
this it will observe multiple variables in short span of time.
Data collection: Primary and secondary are the two data collection method. In present
research, both primary and secondary data will be gathered. Primary data is first-hand
information which will be collected using questionnaire. On the other hand, secondary data is the
second hand information which is collected using online site. Primary data is used in data
analysis section and will be evaluated using frequency distribution method (VanKooten, 2019).
Sampling: Sampling is the method to take out samples from the population. Probability and
non-probability are the two sampling technique. As per the current investigation, probability
sampling will be used and in that random sampling method will be applying by the investigator.
The sample size is 30 mangers from Marks and Spencer (Acharyya and Bhattacharya, 2019).
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PROJECT PLAN
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