Business Research Methodologies Report

This report presents a research study on the role of motivational theories in enhancing the performance of managers at Marriott Hotel. Part A details the research design proposal, including the problem statement, rationale, research aim and objectives, research questions, methodology (positivism philosophy, deductive approach, qualitative and quantitative techniques, primary and secondary data collection, purposive sampling), and data analysis. Part B comprises a literature review examining the significance of motivation, motivational theories used in the hospitality industry (Maslow's Hierarchy, Herzberg's theory, McClelland's theory), the impact of motivational frameworks on manager performance, and effective ways to enhance performance. The report includes ethical considerations, validity, and reliability aspects. The data analysis section presents findings from a questionnaire administered to Marriott Hotel managers, analyzing themes related to the understanding of motivation, motivational theories used, the impact of these theories, and suggestions for improvement. The report concludes by summarizing the findings and their implications for Marriott Hotel's management practices.

Business Research Methodologies
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART A: RESEARCH DESIGN PROPOSAL.....................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
BACKGROUND AND INTODUCTION............................................................................................3
Statement of the problem.................................................................................................................3
Rationale of the project....................................................................................................................3
Research aim and objectives with research questions.....................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................................4
DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................................................6
ETHICS, VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY......................................................................................10
CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................................11
PART B: LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................................................12
INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................12
TASK 1...............................................................................................................................................12
Review of existing literature review..............................................................................................12
TASK 2...............................................................................................................................................15
a) Importance of literature review.................................................................................................15
b) Describing and evaluating the main sources of information for a literature review................15
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX........................................................................................................................................19
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PART A: RESEARCH DESIGN PROPOSAL
INTRODUCTION
The present research proposal is based on role of motivation theories to enhance the
performance level of the managers in the hospitality industry. For this, the researcher will formulate
the different objectives and research questions to address the aim of study. Along with this, various
research methodologies will take into the consideration for effective completion of the
investigation.
BACKGROUND AND INTODUCTION
Statement of the problem
The proposed research will explore the different motivational theories that use by Marriott
Hotel with the reference of enhancing performance of managers. In the present era, the competition
level in hospitality sector is increasing with the time (Guha, 2010). In this context, to take
competitive advantage and attain all business objectives, it is important to improve the performance
level of the managers of all departments. But in the case of Marriott Hotel, it has been that
organization has used several motivational frameworks to boost up performance level of executives
but they have not that much effective. Due to this, the current performance of these personnel has
decreased and they have not realization about their responsibilities towards attaining goals.
Therefore, it is important to analyze the role of different motivational theories in terms of enhancing
the performance of managers of Marriott Hotel (Kremer and Hammond, 2013).
Rationale of the project
Aim of present investigation is to analyze role of motivational theory on the performance of
managers of Marriott Hotel (Sandhya and Kumar, 2011). Researcher has selected the following
topic to carry out investigation because organization has invested a large amount of fund in order to
motivate the manager so that he would become more responsible towards fulfilling the assigned
responsibilities. However, it has been seen that the HR department of cited firm has not used right
motivational framework to motivate higher authorities. Due to this, motivational level of top
management has not been raised. So, the scholar has chosen current research subject for the
investigation. This will be significant for the Marriott Hotel as it will provide assistance to adopt
right motivational strategies for the managers of different departments as per the situation
(Wininger and Norman, 2010).
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Research aim and objectives with research questions
Aim
To critically analyse role of motivational theory in enhancing the performance of managers:
A study on Marriot Hotel.
Objectives:
 To understand significance of motivation at the workplace of Marriot Hotel.
 To determine different types of motivational theories used by Marriott Hotel to motivate
managers.
 To analyze the impact of motivational framework on performance of managers of Marriott
Hotel.
 To recommend effective ways through which Marriott Hotel can enhance the performance
of managers.
Research questions:
1. Explain the significance of motivation in an organization.
2. Describe different motivational theories to motivate the managers of company.
3. How motivational framework can affect the managers’ performance in an organization?
4. Which types of effective ways have to be selected through which Marriott Hotel can
enhance the performance of managers?
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Present research is based on analysing role of motivational theories in enhancing the
performance of managers in Marriott Hotel. In this context, the researcher will take different
research methodologies into consideration that will assist in achieving the objectives of
investigation along with research questions (Bauer, 2014). Explanation of selected research methods
with their justification in context of present study are as follows:
Research philosophy: There are two types of research philosophies, that is, positivism and
interpretivism. Interpretivism is used in case when the entire study is based on subjective concept.
This aids in learning more about the theories and outcomes of other researchers on similar topic of
study (Billig and Waterman, 2014). Besides this, positivism research philosophy focuses on the
objectivity of an investigation. Current research is based on assessing role of motivational theories
on the performance of managers of Marriott Hotel. In this context, scholar will use positivism
research philosophy because it will increase the understanding of scholar related to significance of
motivation at workplace and its impacts on managers’ performance level. So, with the help of this
research philosophy, researcher will be able to find the answers of research questions (Cammarota
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and Fine, 2010).
Research approach: It can be categorized into two parts, that is, inductive and deductive
approach. Inductive approach puts light on research questions while deductive emphasises on
testing of developing hypothesis and a new theory on the basis of outcomes. To complete the whole
investigation in a right manner, researcher will use deductive research approach (Deductive
Reasoning Versus Inductive Reasoning, 2014). Reason of choosing this methodology is that the
study will start from general discussion and end on a particular topic with a valid conclusion.
Following framework will assist the scholar to determine different kinds of impacts of motivational
theories in terms of performance of managers of Marriott Hotel.
Research techniques: Qualitative and quantitative are two types of research techniques.
Researcher will use both these research techniques for the present investigation. With the
application of qualitative strategy, scholar will be able to evaluate the subjective information of
entire study. This will include hypothesis, literature review and other subjective information to find
out the answers of research questions. However, quantitative technique will assist the investigator to
assess numerical information by using statistical methods (Qualitative Research Methods Overview,
2014). Therefore, both qualitative and quantitative techniques will play a significant role in order to
get the outcomes of defined research questions with appropriate justification.
Data collection methods: To carry out an investigation, there are two methods of data
collection available, that is, primary and secondary. Present study is based on analysing the role of
motivational theories in improving the performance level of managers of Marriott Hotel. In this
context, researcher will use both kinds of data collection methods. In primary technique, scholar
will use structured questionnaire to get new and fresh information to get the answers of all research
questions (Research Instruments for Data Collection, 2014). It will include both open and close
ended questions and it will be conducted for different levels of managers of all the departments of
organization. On the other hand, secondary data collection method will play an imperative role at
the time of gathering previous information on relevant research study. This will be collected by the
investigator from several resources such as editorials, magazines, books, previous research papers
and journals, Marriott Hotel human resource audits, etc. Therefore, both primary and secondary
data collection methods will aid researcher to gain insight about the research topic in order to
achieve the answers of research questions (Flick, 2015).
Sampling: As per the above discussion on data collection methods, it has been found that
researcher will use primary data collection technique. In this context, scholar will chose purposive
sampling method to collect data from the managers of Marriott Hotel. This will help in selecting the
respondents for experiment without any biasness. For this, 10 managers of different departments
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will be taken into consideration. It will minimize the sampling errors during investigation and for
primary data collection (Gast and Ledford, 2014). Therefore, with the selection of appropriate
sampling methods and sample size, researcher will gather information and attain the research
objectives of present investigation.
Data analysis: To carry out current study in an appropriate manner and analyze the collected
facts and figures, scholar will take the help of data analysis technique. For this, the researcher will
use both qualitative and quantitative practices of research. Evaluation of data will take place by
using thematic and statistical tools because both will help in assessing the subjective and numerical
information (Quantitative Methods in Education Research, 2014). Outcomes of collected
information will be shown with the help of graphs, charts, themes and figures. By using this,
expected and observed frequency will be compared and valid conclusion will be drawn on the basis
of generated outcomes.
DATA ANALYSIS
Theme 1: There are different meanings of motivation word for the managers of Marriott Hotel.
What do you understand from the word of motivation? No of respondents
Increase productivity 1
Provide opportunities for personal advancement 1
Facilitates change 2
Develop good human relation 1
All above 5
Analysis and findings: From the above collected information, it has been found by the researcher, 5
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respondents have elected all above option. The rest have chosen other alternatives as per their
understanding. On the basis of assessment, it can be concluded that there are different meanings of
motivation for managers of Marriott Hotel. From this analysis, the scholar has achieved the
objective of the investigation.
Theme 2: HR department of Marriott Hotel has used different motivational theories to motivate
the managers.
HR department of Marriott Hotel has used various motivational theories in
order to motivate you?
No of respondents
Strongly satisfied 5
Satisfied 3
Neutral 0
Dissatisfied 1
Strongly dissatisfied 1
Analysis and findings: By analyzing the gather information, it has been determined that 5
respondents have strongly agreed that HR department has used various kinds of motivational
theories in order to enhance their performance. While there have few responders have chosen option
in against of the given statement. Therefore, from the evaluation of records, it has been found that
HR department of Marriott Hotel has adopted motivational frameworks to motivate its managers.
Theme 3: Maslow’s Hierarchy and Herzberg’s use by Marriott Hotel as a motivational theory to
enhance performance of managers.
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Which is the most motivational theory use by Marriott Hotel to motivate its
managers?
No of respondents
Maslow’s Hierarchy 4
Alderfer’s ERG theory 1
McClellan theory 1
Herzberg’s theory 4
Analysis and findings: In the support of the above asked question, 4-4 respondents have voted in
the favour of Maslow’s Hierarchy and Herzberg’s theory. On the other hand, the rests have chosen
other options on the basis of their understanding. The findings of the records show that Marriott
Hotel has used Maslow’s Hierarchy and Herzberg’s motivational theories to enhance the
performance level of managers. With the help of this question, the researcher has been able to
achieved the second objectives of them present investigation.
Theme 4: Maslow’s Hierarchy theory motivates the managers of Marriott Hotel to improve the
performance.
Which motivational theory motivates you to enhance your performance at
workplace?
No of respondents
Maslow’s Hierarchy 6
Alderfer’s ERG theory 1
McClellan theory 1
Herzberg’s theory 2
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Analysis and findings: From the above stated table, it has clearly determined that 6 respondents
have elected Maslow’s Hierarchy as a highly motivational theory that improve their overall
performance. While 2 has selected Herzberg’s motivational theory as a good motivational theory to
enhance their performance level. On the basis of the evaluation of the recorded that, it can be
concluded that Maslow’s Hierarchy is one of the best effective motivational theory that increase the
performance level of the managers at the workplace in the right direction.
Theme 5: Motivational theories have made various impacts on performance of managers of
Marriott Hotel.
What is the major impact of motivational theories on your performance? No of respondents
Encourages you to give best outcomes 1
Enhance productivity 2
Increase the job satisfaction level 0
Proficiency and efficiency 1
All above 6
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Analysis and findings: In order to attain the research objective i.e. determine the impact of
motivational theories on performance of managers, the researcher has included this into the
questionnaire. From the recorded data, it has been explored that 6 respondents have chosen all
above option as impacts of motivational frameworks. Apart from this, 2 responders have voted to
enhance productivity option. The rests have elected other options as per their opinions and previous
experience. The entire assessment of collected information shows that motivational theories adopted
by Marriott Hotel to augment performance level of managers have made different impacts.
ETHICS, VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY
The present investigation has related to analyse the role of motivational theories in
enhancing the performance of managers of Marriott Hotel. During conducting the current research,
the researcher will take some ethical considerations. First will be security and privacy of
information that will be collected by investigator from primary sources (Hunleth, 2011). For this,
the scholar will ensure that all data would not share with the other parties for any kind of personal
benefits. Second ethics will prior approval in which the researcher will take prior authorization
regarding gathering the secondary information from the restricted websites and data of Marriott
Hotel. This will help in avoid controversial situations and keep all the data safe and secure. Next
ethics will be provided citation to the work of research. In this, the scholar will provide the citations
of the work to avoid plagiarism issues (Mackey and Gass, 2015). Under this, the name of the
authors will be mentioned in the literature review that will overcome the situation of copied and
pasted of other researchers work.
On the other hand, in the terms of reliability within the context of the present investigation,
the researcher will ensure that all secondary information will be gathered from the reliable sources.
There will be no modifications made in the collected data in any primary and secondary
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information. Along with this, in the context of validity, the all data will take between the periods of
2010 to 2015. Therefore, the collected data of the research will reliable and valid to carry out the
investigation in the right manner (Miller, Birch, Mauthner and Jessop, 2012).
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it can be concluded that motivation has an important part of ever
organization. With the help of this, it has helped the management to motivate its staff in the right
direction. The different strategies and methods has used Hilton Hotel to improve the motivational
strategies for the managers.
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PART B: LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
The present study is based on role of motivation theories in enhancing the performance of
managers of Marriot Hotel. The following section will describe the literature review on the topic. It
will out the lights on the different objectives related to the investigation.
TASK 1
Review of existing literature review
Significance of motivation at the workplace
According to Armstrong and Taylor, 2014, “motivation term derives from the word of
motive which means moving into action” (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). In an organization, the
following term can be defined as a planned managerial process which stimulated employees to work
to the best of their capabilities, provides them with motives on the basis of their unfulfilled needs.
In this context, Bratton and Gold, 2012 has stated that “motivation means a process of inspiring
personnel to take actions in order to achieve business objectives” (Bratton and Gold, 2012). With
the help of this, it becomes easy for the company to motivate or influence the staff members in the
right direction. In fact, it also assists the management to understand the human behaviour in
different situation. Motivation can also be considered as psychological technique that really
executes the plans and other policies through the efforts of workforce in an enterprise.
As per the view point of Bruce and Nyland, 2011, “while directing subordinates, a manager
of an organization must create and sustain in them the desire to work for the particular objectives”
(Bruce and Nyland, 2011). The first significance in this direction is high efficiency where a good
motivational system releases the huge unexploited reservoirs of mental and physical capabilities. In
the support of the above statement, the study of Gannon and Boguszak, 2013 has shown that
motivation plays a crucial role in identifying the level of performance of different level of
employees” (Gannon and Boguszak, 2013). So, it is important for a firm to motivate its staff
members in order to best utilization of existing human resources and attain business objectives. On
the other hand, Guha, 2010 has asserted that “to take the advantages of the opportunities for
financial and personal advancement and create a better image in the employment market, it is
essential for the enterprises to adopt the concept of motivation” (Guha, 2010). The reason of doing
this is people prefer to work for those organizations which give best opportunities to them for
development. Therefore, motivation helps the firm to get attract qualified personnel and improve
the staffing functions along with its effective management.
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