Investigating Staff Motivation Strategies: Marriott International

This report presents a research proposal focused on staff motivation at Marriott International. It begins by outlining the primary and secondary research questions, which aim to understand the concept of staff motivation, its impact on employee performance, the challenges Marriott faces in motivating staff, and potential alternative strategies. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing an exploratory research design to delve into the factors influencing staff motivation. Data collection methods include both primary and secondary sources, with a survey questionnaire administered to 25 Marriott employees as the primary data collection tool. The report details the sampling technique, data analysis methods (including thematic analysis using graphs and figures), and considerations for reliability and validity. It also acknowledges research limitations, such as the time-consuming nature of the research and potential insufficiency of secondary data. Finally, a time schedule is provided, outlining the activities and their timelines for the research process.

Research
Questions/Hypothesis
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
5. RESEARCH QUESTIONS.........................................................................................................3
6. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHDOLOGY .........................................................................3
7. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS......................................................................................................6
8.TIME SCHEDULE ......................................................................................................................7
9. CONCLUSION ...........................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
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5. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Primary question: What motivates staff towards better performance?
Secondary questions:
 What is the concept of staff motivation?
 How motivation affects the performance of the employees?
 What are the issues Marriott international face in motivating staff?
 What can be alternative strategies that Marriott international can adopt to motivate staff?
6. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHDOLOGY
Research type
It is regarded as another section under methodology that can be referred to as the nature
of the investigation. Based on the kind of the investigation several decisions are being taken in
relation to methods of collecting information, analysis tool, demonstration of the outcomes of the
investigation (Hoy, 2009). There is presence of two kind of research that includes qualitative as
well as quantitative. Qualitative research type is attached with social practical concept that
concentrates on the kind of reality which is developed in social terms. In this data is recorded,
analysed as well as assessed in order to make discovery of the deeper connotation as well as
consequences associated with human deeds as well as experiences.
In contrast to this quantitative investigation is used for the sake of attaining outcomes
from the gathered information. The particular investigation depends on the numerical values and
thus analysis is being carried out in statistical way. In this kind of investigation method of data
collection differs from that which are formal. In this tools such as structured interview, index
figures are being considered for gathering information in manner that is desired. This act as an
aid in attaining suitable outcomes (Jackson, 2010.). Apart from this in order to perform analysis
several tools are being used that is graphical methods, correlation, regression for the sake of
gaining better knowledge from such. In the proposed research that aim at determining the factors
that motivates the staff for better performance qualitative research type is considered. With such
in-depth knowledge can be developed in relation with the subject matter under investigation.
Research design
This is considered as one of critical elements of the methodology that assist in attainment
of the better knowledge about the subject. Further this assist in carrying out proper analysis. This
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is referred to as the methodical examination that provides logical understanding. The major aim
beside the formulation of the design related with the research is to neglect the chance of
misleading as well as improper interpretation of the data present for the sake of being on the
appropriate track and making sure effective progress of the research. Research design is effective
in providing support to the investigator in taking decision on several heads that includes
collection of information, nature of data, techniques of sampling, methods of data analysis etc
(Johnson and Clark, 2006). Research design are being divided into several categories that is
comprised of exploratory, case study, experimental, descriptive etc. There is greater importance
towards making selection of the suitable design by considering the nature of the investigation so
that suitable results can be gained.
Exploratory research design is the type of design that is carried out on the basis of issues.
The major aim of such type of practices is towards gaining better knowledge about the
phenomenon under subject. Thus it is effective in development of suitable decision making. The
major purpose is towards diagnosing the actual issue that exists in the system so that such can be
rectified with suitable tools (Jonker and Pennink, 2010). Another one is the case study wherein
the portion is being entailed through conservation of the cases over particular issues. On the
other hand another research design is descriptive wherein the qualitative form of the information
can be described in an effective manner. In addition to this it is suitable in determining the better
practice related to analysis so that desired outcomes can be attained. In the proposed
investigation the exploratory research design would be employed. This is because it is effective
in making deeper investigation on the factors that motivates the staff towards performing in an
effective manner.
Data collection method
With the aim to carry out the investigation there is greater significance in making
collection of several information. This assist in development of the findings based on which the
conclusion can be gained in an effective manner. In order to carry out the investigation it is
important to gather relative, suitable and authentic data which assist in obtaining appropriate
outcomes with lower deviation from the subject under investigation. It is comprised of two types
that is primary as well as secondary (Kimmel, 2009). The former one is one wherein the data is
available to the users for the first time for the sake of carrying out the investigation. This is
comprised of the tools such as survey, focus group, direct observation, interview etc. In contrast
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to this secondary data collection assist as an aid in gathering information that has already been
used in previous time for any kind of the investigation (Goddard and Melville, 2004). Therefore
in the proposed investigation both the sources that is primary as well as secondary would be used
for gathering information. In case of primary sources the data would be gathered by the means of
tool that is survey. In this method of questionnaire would be used wherein the collection of the
information is done from the employees of Marriott international. It has been assessed that for
the sake of collecting data in large volume survey technique is effective. Thus this has been
selected in carrying out the present investigation.
Sampling
The procedure related with the sampling is considered important for any kind of
investigation this is due to the reason that it is effective in saving immense amount of time
through selection of suitable respondents for collection of information. Through such approach
investigator is able to narrow down the entire universe into sample based upon which suitable
practice related with attainment of the information can be developed. It provides several kind of
strategies that are suitable in making reduction of complexity associated with data collection.
While making selection of set of sample there is requirement of the researcher to chose suitable
tool so that immense of data possessing the attributes of the entire universe can be gained in an
appropriate manner (Saunders and et. al., 2009). There is presence of two types of tools that can
be used for making selection of sample. It includes probability and non probability sampling
technique. In the proposed research the tool of sampling that will be employed is probability
sampling. In this simple random sampling technique will be used. This is due to the reason that it
is effective in providing equal opportunity to all the respondents in getting chosen for the sake of
being the part of the investigation. In the proposed investigation the size of the sample is 25
employees of the Marriott international would responses would be gathered in relation with the
phenomenon under subject.
Data analysis
The analysis of the information is regarded as the most critical part of the research. The
data that is being collected is assessed so that suitable result can be drawn from the investigation.
In this section researcher is required to make suitable selection of the tool in order perform
evaluation so that stronger outcomes can be generated. There is presence of two methods that can
be used for analysis of data (Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation Methods, 2007). This is
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comprised of qualitative and quantitative. In addition to this particular for the proposed research
the assessment of the data would be carried out in form of graphs as well as figures. Further the
data collection would be demonstrated in the format of figures as well as graph so that suitable
evaluation can be carried out. In this regard in order to carry out analysis of the data in the
present investigation qualitative technique would be employed. In this the implementation of the
thematic approach will be done. Under this themes would be developed on the basis of the
responses that are being gathered from the survey. This assist in carrying out the analysis in an
effective manner.
Reliability and validity
It is most significant to employ suitable tools as well as techniques in order to conduct the
proposed research with effectiveness. In this regard concept associated with validity and
reliability has become important in the research procedure. Validity is considered as the ability
of being sound in logical and factual terms. It is the extent to which the study can effective
determine what is needed to be assessed within the investigation. Internal validity can be
determined as validity of the test (Woods, 2011). On the other hand external validity is
considered as the potential to make generalization of the outcomes gained through investigation.
Within the proposed investigation validity would be maintained through collection of the
information by the means of tools that is primary as well as secondary. In the proposed study the
questionnaire tool would be employed.
Reliability is considered as another major aspect in the investigation. It reflects the extent
to which consistent as well as stable results are being produced by the means of tools of
assessment. The term act as an aid in making determination of whether the study would produce
similar kind of outcomes if it is being carried out again. As the data in the proposed research
would be collected through authenticated sources the reliability is being maintained.
7. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS
The process related with accomplishment of the research is considered complex task as
several problems are being experienced by the researcher. The proposed investigation that aims
at identifying the factors that motivates staff towards better performance. Under this the
limitation that researcher would face are enumerated in the manner as under: Prolonged procedure: Long process is being followed for the purpose of completing the
whole research (Singh, 2010). This is regarded as time consuming task wherein the
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information is being gathered by the means of books as well as journals. As proposed
investigation is required to be accomplished within limited time duration therefore there
is lack of feasibility for the researcher in covering all the aspect within the investigation.
This acts as major limitation for the proposed research.
 Insufficiency of the secondary data: Secondary data is required for the proposed research.
This is due to the reason that it act as an aid for the investigator in making development
of the effective understanding in relation to phenomenon under subject matter (Definition
of Research, 2013). The limitation is that data cannot be acquired with greater ease due to
the reason that there is restriction on the access of several sites. Due to this certain data
would not be included in the proposed research.
8.TIME SCHEDULE
The plan towards accomplishment of the research has been enumerated in the manner as below:
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Writing the research proposal
Reading and understanding the literature
Finalization of the objectives
Drafting the literature review
Collection of secondary data
Analysis of the secondary data
Development of research approach
Drafting of research methodology
Formulating the questionnaire
Arranging interviews
Conducting interview
Gathering of information
Findings of the Draft
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Evaluation of the data
Finalizing other chapters
Draft findings chapter
Submission to tutor and awaiting feedback
Revising the final draft
Printing and binding
Submit
9. CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the present report that there is greater important for the
researcher to make development of the research question on the basis of aim developed. This is
due to the reason that it is effective in providing suitable direction in carrying out the
investigation. It has been inferred from the present investigation that for the sake of carrying out
the investigation role of selection of suitable methodology is important. As such with
investigation can be performed in better manner and also desired outcomes can be attained.
It can be inferred that proposed research is qualitative in nature. Further the collection of
the information would be carried out through primary and secondary tool. In addition to this
probability sampling tool would be employed in which simple random sampling technique is
used towards selection of the sample unit in an effective manner.
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REFERENCES
Journals and Books
Goddard, W. and Melville, S., 2004.Research Methodology: An Introduction. Juta and Company
Ltd.
Hoy, K.W., 2009. Quantitative Research in Education: A Primer. SAGE.
Jackson, S., 2010. Research Methods: A Modular Approach. USA: Cengage Learning.
Johnson, P. and Clark, M., 2006.Business and management research methodologies –Vols. 1-6,
London: Sage Publications.
Jonker, J. and Pennink, B., 2010. The Essence of Research Methodology.Springer.
Kimmel, J. A., 2009. Behavioural Research: Basic and Applied perspectives.John Wiley and
Sons.
Saunders, M. and et. al., 2009.Research Methods for Business Students, Harlow: Prentice Hall.
Singh, K. Y., 2010. Research Methodology.APH Publishing.
Woods, M., 2011. Risk Management in Organizations: An Integrated Case Study Approach.
Routledge.
Online
Definition of Research. 2013. [Online]. Available through: <http://explorable.com/definition-of-
research>. [Accessed on 6th June 2017].
Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation Methods. 2007. [Online] Available at: <
http://www.civicpartnerships.org/docs/tools_resources/Quan_Qual%20Methods
%209.07.htm> [Accessed on 6th June 2017].
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