Analyzing Online Staff Training Impact on Marks and Spencer HR Staff

This report investigates the impact of online staff training on employee performance within the HR department of Marks and Spencer. It explores the concept and importance of online staff training, highlighting its benefits for both employees and the company, such as increased productivity and cost-effectiveness. The report also identifies challenges faced by the HR department, including technical difficulties and the need for diverse training approaches. The methodology involves a deductive research approach with thematic data analysis, including an interview with a manager. The findings emphasize the positive impact of online training on employee skills and engagement. The report concludes with recommendations for Marks and Spencer to optimize its online staff training programs, ensuring they effectively enhance employee performance and contribute to the company's overall success.

Business and Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................................................2
METHODOLOGY .........................................................................................................................7
RESEARCH AND FINDINGS.....................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................23
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................24
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................26

INTRODUCTION
Business and management are some disciplines which are devoted to organizing and
analysing the different types of business operations. The report is also based upon how the
management will help to grow the business at further level of success. Business and management
work combinely and also draw upon their creativity in order to manage advertising and sales
efforts.
Aim: “ To identify the impact of Online staff training on employee performance within
HR department – A case study on Marks and Spencer”
Objectives:
 To determine the concept of online staff training.
 To identify the importance of Online staff training for raising employees performance.
 To examine the challenges faces by HR department for providing Online staff training.
 To recommended different ways through which Online staff training can be provided to
the employee of Marks and Spencer.
Research question:
 What is the concept of online staff training ?
 What is the importance of online staff training for employees ?
 What the different challenges faced by HR department while providing online staff
training?
 What are the different ways through which online staff training can be provided to
employees?
Company overview: The chosen firm for this report is Marks and Spencer which is one
of the top and leading retail company in UK who have more than 600 units in different countries.
The firm also have variety of employees who helps to attain the defined goals of the firm. That is
why through this report, the quoted firm will easily identify the importance of providing training
to their staff so that it will helps to raise the company's financial performance.
Rationale: Management always uses variety of different ways in order to lead a business
towards a success. That is why the researcher chooses the topic online staff training because only
employees are the key factor who promote the business and leads its towards a next level. The
main reason of choosing this topic is researcher own personal interest and it helps to raise the
knowledge and research skills which will further helps to conduct future project in more precise
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manner. Apart from this, the researcher chooses this topic in order to collect information
regarding the online training session for big firms which helps to raise own knowledge.
Summary: The present report is based upon the impact of online staff training in order to
raise the employee performance of Marks and Spencer. The report covers the concept and
importance of online staff training for quoted firm so that it will help to maximize the profit and
provide best services to their customers. Further, by using deductive research approach, the
researcher will easily attain the aim is more precise manner and also uses thematic data analysis
through which an interview of manager is taken, which assist to reach towards objectives.
Moreover, the present report also recommended different options which can be applied by the
researcher in their future project. So that, this will help to conduct their future project in more
effective manner.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: Concept of online staff training
According to the views of Shah and et.al., (2019) Online staff training is one of the most
effective staff training strategy which helps to raise the working performance of their employees.
In today's competitive world, everyone has to enhance their own skills in order to compete with
some others. That is why most of the company should employ some qualified staff r train them in
order to make them able to even in complex situation. Further the online staff training is that
process which is quite beneficial for the employees as well as their company's productivity. In
order to raise company's productivity with profitability, the HR department of Marks and
Spencer will definitely provide some online training sessions which helps to improve the
performance and overall professional development of the staff. In this way, this online training
further offer different benefits to both employee as well as employer.
On the other side, Garst, Gagnon and Brawley (2019) stated that if the management
require sudden and rapid change in their company's requirements then it is the duty of its HR
department to arrange some online training sessions to their employees. So that it will help to
raise the employee performance and they will easily understand their own roles, responsibilities
in order to achieve the defined goals of their company. There is a need of providing online
training in Marks and Spencer as well because it also leads to help the staff to exploit the
technology in effective way and thus improve the overall quality of service. However, it has been
critically evaluated by Clayton and Headley (2019) provide online staff training will increases
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emphasis on the collaboration and teamwork as well because even in the complex situation, if the
members have proper knowledge regarding how to solve it then only the resolve it in effective
manner. Therefore, this shows the need of online staff training so that it will directly affect the
positive impact upon the company's overall performance with raising employee performance as
well.
Theme 2: Importance of Online staff training for raising employees performance
As per the view of Berkman, Roscoe and Bourret (2019) online training and staff
development are vitally important for Marks and Spencer and that is why the firm also invest a
lot in their staff as well because they know that it can also lead to true return and also helps to
achieve the business growth. It is quite important for the HR department of quoted firm to
provide online staff training session because it is conducted through web and also provides
employees with a more flexibility in order to schedule the training around their working
lifestyles. Moreover, using this online training sessions, the employees are also work on those
skills which they actually need to improve and it doesn't require any extra time. Apart from this,
Donnally and et.al., (2018) critic that in order to raise the employee performance, the internet is
most convenient source of accessing online training which means that it is not restricted to
particular one location. Thus, this online training system provides more value to a user as
compared to traditional training because the HR department and even the employees can easily
reused it whenever they need it the most.
Apart from this, if the employee of Marks and Spencer are looking for its further
development within their role then they will easily access their information which they wants to
learn without any restrictions. While on the other side. As per the view of Bell (2016) these
online staff training is available for 24 hours and it also spent less time and provide better
learning process for an individual by leading them at greater level of development. It is further
analysed that the online training are provided by the HR department of Marks and Spencer is
quite cost effective and further helps to save money by eliminating of accommodation and
travelling cost to train their staff. While Pritchard and et.al., (2017) critic that some times, these
online training may be costly when a single employee wants to get some specific training which
can be conducted within an employee's own personal time. Though trainer cost may be high but
it is one time investment which helps a firm to get better opportunities in the future.
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Moreover, it is further analysed by Shah and et.al., (2019) that an online staff training
definitely enhances the learner engagement and improves the retention such that modern and
technical online training sessions are considered one of the most highly advance technique which
helps to improve the employee performance in better way. That is why it helps to improve
pedagogy as well. By using video conference software tools that helps to train their staff and
among all, ezTalks meetings are considered one of the most popular among all because it is one
of the trendy interface and its features are easy to use. Apart from this, good online staff training
helps to improve the productivity of the employees of Marks and Spencer and as a result, the
output of the firm will automatically improve.
Thus, it clearly states that a proper staff online training will be consider one of the most
effective strategy that directly creates positive impact upon the employee performance. Such that
through effective online training sessions, the output of the company's are increases and as a
result it affects the sales volume in positive manner. Therefore, it has been realised that a well
trained staff needs lesser supervision because they are more responsible for their duties. Through
effective training programs, the member of Marks and Spencer will easily use their skills without
wasting time and can even solve some complex situation in better way. Hence, it is not possible
by using formal training programs and that is why the HR department of quoted firm uses this
online staff training in order to raise the employee performance and company's productivity as
well as its profitability.
Theme 3: Challenges faces by HR department for providing Online staff training
As realised that the online training sessions are one of the most important part for an
organization who basically helps to improve the employee performance. But there are some
challenges which are faced by HR department in order to deliver it to the employees. As per the
view of Hopkins and et.al., (2019) HR department faces the biggest challenge regarding the
hectic schedule of the employees of Marks and Spencer. Because of diverse workforce and
steady rise in remote work is also led to new challenges in online training. Such that as the firm
have diverse workforce and due to this many of the employees are less comfortable being
communication on online forums as compared to others. Apart from this, the employees of
company also faces some technical difficulties and this leads to add the frustration and also
reduces the employee engagement.
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While on the other side, Fraser and Simkins (2016) states that providing online staff
training to their employees is considered one of the most costly strategy which sometimes the
firm did not afford and even making training material available on demand is another challenge
which is faced by the firm. In quoted firm, there are lot of planning require in order to provide
proper training sessions to their employees. Every training programs also require to be delivered
to their learners and for that reason the HR department should arrange the space as well which
creates another big challenge for them. Apart from this, arranging the space for a training at
multiple location in different language is another challenge which is faced by Marks and
Spencer. As it has been analysed that online training basically resolves all the challenges and
make their employees more eligible to deal out with complex situation as well.
Moreover, as per the views of McCauley, Ohlott and Ruderman (2015) proper online
training sessions does not provide learners with an opportunity to work on the real life but it only
helps them to deal with some complex situation at workplace only. Therefore, it is quite essential
for the HR department to cope with this challenges and to provide best training sessions to their
customers. As Marks and Spencer is multinational corporation and it has variety of employees
who almost work for the welfare of the firm in order to lead a business towards next and further
level of success. As online training provide a better working environment and that is why it is the
duty of HR to cope all the challenges which are face by the firm so that employees will easily
raise their working performance (Challenges during online staff training, 2019). As a result, this
will leads to attain the aim of the business and enhances their profitability as well as
productivity.
Theme 4: Recommended different ways through which Online staff training can be
provided to the employee of Marks and Spencer
As per the Dalager and et.al., (2016) it has been analysed that online training is the most
essential factor for better employee enhancement. Online staff training empowered staff and
encourage them into advanced manner. M&S can adopt different styles of management training
sessions, and advanced develop areas to encourage employees into more efficient manner. The
importance of training is the advanced channel or growth to develop new emerging and
managing work efficiency styles to make more information or details for innovation. Proper
guidance and support will make employees more challenging and leading to perform in better
way.
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According to Demirkesen and Arditi (2015) online training can be beneficial for the
company to get new ideas and thought by the talented employees. Employee training is the long-
lasting goals and making new performance areas and new performance activities and goals.
Smart organisations have always chance to get attract employees by offering new opportunity for
development. Online training always attracts new candidates. As per the author M&S should
know their own employees’ capabilities and capacity to work or perform the task, this process
can help to develop efficient training session for employees.
As per the Byrne and et.al., (2016) Classroom or instructor led training is one of the most
popular training techniques for trainers. This method or way of training can help to presenting a
large body of material and growth. This method is cost effective and attracting to grab attention
of trainers. Online staff training will give better quality and effectiveness’ to mitigating employer
risk. Online staff training attracts employee engagement, improved employee productivity,
compliance & Risk management. Orientation is the foremost way that M&S can adapt to conduct
online employee training session. This is the formal training session that company give to their
new employees at the time when they introduce to the company. This training session helps to
communicate vision, mission, and values to the company.
As per the Belskaya and et.al., (2016) On boarding training is the another most
productive method for online training, On boarding training will let employees know about the
department specific session that take place over a longer period. This training conduct at the first
day of employees when they entered into the company. The main purpose of the organisation is
to meet out the employee needs and goals at the best specific result or growth. As per the ..
Technical skilled development training, no matter what technical level and effective learning
goals in order to meet out the employee development areas. This is known as the fundamental
training concept that company could adopt.
Soft skill development is another method of effective online staff training that attract
fresh and talented employee towards the company greater performance. M&S should need to
adopt this all types of staff training method to adopt new culture working environment. This can
help to develop new emerging trends and market demand for the public image (Kras, Rudes and
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Taxman, 2017). In other words soft skill training development is the best way to upgrade the
existing level of employees.
METHODOLOGY
It is the particular procedure and some techniques which are used in order to identify,
select, process and analyse the information about a particular topic. In this research, the
methodology basically helps to critically evaluate study's overall validity and some reliability.
Therefore, the study of these research methodology, helps to provide some necessary training to
choose the best methods and training in techniques related to the topic which is chosen.
Research Philosophy: It is one of the vast topic which is used in order to lead a project
towards a success. Apart from this, it is a belief through which the data is collected, analysed ad
used for making the project successful. Therefore, the research philosophy also involves to be
aware and also formulate the beliefs and assumptions to gain the knowledge about a particular
topic. This is further divided into four parts such as Pragmatism, which accepts the concepts that
is relevant only when they support the action (Kumar, 2019). There are many ways of
interpretation but no single point of view can provides a variety of multiple realities. Another is
Positivism, that believes that reality is stable and it is further provided the objective viewpoint
without interfering the data. Next is Interpretivism, which involves the researcher to interpret the
elements and this also integrates human interest into a study. Therefore, this basically
emphasizes qualitative analysis over quantitative. Last is Realism, that only relies on the idea
which is come from human mind.
From the above, researcher chooses Interpreivism research approach because it helps a
researcher to conduct the research in more precise manner and also helps to achieve the aim of
the project. As this theory is based upon the human interest and that is the reason, which
researcher will definitely helps to attain the defined goals of the research.
Research Approach: It is the plan and a procedure which comprises detailed methods of
data collection, analyses and interpretation. It is further helps to collect the data and also analyse
it as well. This is also divided into three parts such as, Deductive Research approach which helps
to develop a hypothesis that is further based upon the existing theory. This also helps to provide
the reasons from a particular to general and determine the relationship between concepts and
variables (Silverman, 2016). Next is Inductive research approach, that starts with the observation
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and theories are also proposed only at the end. If the researcher uses this, then there is no
hypotheses can be found at any stage. Last is Abductive, which is set to address weaknesses
which are link with other two research approaches. This research method provide lack of clarity
in the terms of selecting theory.
From the above, researcher chooses deductive research approach because it helps to
provide clear data as the research main aim is to determine the impact of online staff training for
the employees of Marks and Spencer. Therefore, using this approach will help to test the validity
of assumptions and leads to achieving the aim.
Research Design: It is the simple framework that is actually design in order to find out
the answers of some research questions. Apart from this it is a set of methods and a procedure
that is also used in collecting and analysing some measures of variables for a specific research
problem. Further this divided into two groups such as exploratory whose aim is not to provide
final answers to the researcher but its main purpose is to generate some insights about a
particular situation (Mackey and Gass, 2015). It is further comprises correlation and
experimental. Another is conclusive research design which is applied to generate findings in
more practical way so that it helps to reach conclusion and decision making as well. Thus, it is
basically used to verify and quantify the findings of exploratory studies.
From the above, researcher chooses descriptive research design because it helps a
researcher to conduct the research in more precise manner and also reach to exact conclusion that
helps to reach towards a goal. Further, through this approach, the test and reliability of the
research is also measured and helps to generate the exact conclusion for the report.
Data Collection: It is the simplest method which is used in order to collect and analyse
the data for some specific research problem. Further it is the process of gathering and measuring
the system that is further used to answer the relevant questions and also helps to evaluate
outcomes as well. For this research project, the researcher chooses both the types of data
collection i.e. primary and secondary data collection. Primary data collection means that the data
is collected for the first time and it is original in nature and a specific to research problem as
well, in the same way for this research, researcher is taken interview for 20 managers in order to
determine the impact of online staff training will be helpful to raise employee performance.
Another is Secondary data collection methods, in which the data are already published
and researcher only utilises those data in magazines, newspaper and through online material
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(Flick, 2015). Therefore, the researcher is also uses articles which are already published that
helps to determine the impact of online training to their employee performance. These methods
are quit helpful to provide the clear sources that are helpful to investigator to conduct the
research in more precise manner and further it helps to reach towards a particular aim and
objectives.
Data Analysis: It is the simple process of inspecting, cleansing and transforming the data
with the goal of discovering some beneficial information and also support the decision making.
This also involves some critical analysis and interpretation of the figures and some numbers that
helps to find the rationale behind the emergence of main findings. There are two types of data
analysis such as Qualitative and Quantitative data analysis. In qualitative data analysis, which
refers to some non- numeric information such as interview, audio, video etc. This data analysis
also helps to interpret the data without using some numeric form and this is why it is most prefer
in research projects (Alvesson and Sköldberg, 2017). On the other side, quantitative data analysis
is the basic form which provide exact conclusion of the report but it involves critical thinking as
well. It also includes the calculation of frequencies of variables and differences between some
variables as well.
For this report, the researcher chooses thematic data analysis in which they are taking
interview of 20 managers of Marks and Spencer by using questionnaire who helps to determine
the impact of online training to the performance of employees. Further another reason of
choosing this is to provide hypothetical conclusion that leads to attain the objectives of the firm.
Sampling: It means that probability of selecting some members out of the population. In
other words, because of large size of target population, researcher has to choose some members
out of many in order to concluded the aim of the research project (Quinlan, Carr and Griffin,
2019). It is further divided into two parts such as probability and non- probability sampling. In
Probability sampling, every member of the population has their own chance in order to take their
participation for a study. Therefore, it includes simple, stratified systematic, multistage sampling
method. Another type is non- probability sampling method, in which people are selected
randomly and it does not provide chance to every individual of the company to participate in it. It
also includes purposive, quota, convenience and simple random method.
From the above, researcher chooses simple random method because in which 20
managers are selected randomly in order to meet the aim of the report. Through questionnaire,
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the researcher will easily ask questions that helps to determine the impact of online staff training
on the employees' performance. So that it will be easily helps to conduct the research in more
precise manner.
Ethical Consideration: It is one of the most important part of the research project such
that it provide some ethics which needs to be follow by the researcher when they are conducting
a project and some of them are as follows:
 Whatever the data is collected by the researcher, it is quite necessary for them to keep
confidentiality in which the data is not leaked in front of third party.
 The protection of the privacy of research participants should also be ensured.
 There should not be any misleading the information should be there such that the
representation of primary data findings in a partial way should be avoided.
 Any untruth related to research data should be avoided (Zhang and Roe, 2019).
 While conducting the research, the researcher should make sure that full consent should
be obtained from the participants before conducting the study.
 The participants should not cause any harm in any case whatever the situation is.
 Whatever type of communication in relation to the research should be done in honest way
and also to be in transparent way as well.
 Respect related to participants should also be maintain so that it will helps to conduct the
research in more better way.
Research Limitations: It is sure that every research have their own limitations and it is
quite critical to minimize the range of scope of limitations through the research process. The
current study also have some limitations such as:
 At the time of formulating the aims and objectives, specifying the ways may be narrow so
that the level of focused on a study could be increases.
 At the time of implementing the data collection methods, most of the managers are not
ready to participants on the questionnaire in order to determine the impact of online
training method.
 As sample size is another limitation because if larger the sample size, it will generate
more accurate results. But for this research, the researcher taken only 20 managers so that
the chances of getting accurate results are lower.
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