Performance Appraisal and Employee Productivity: A Research Study

This research project examines the importance of performance appraisal in enhancing employee productivity within the hospitality industry, specifically focusing on Sandford Country Cottages. The report begins with an introduction outlining the research objectives, questions, and the factors influencing the selection of this topic, emphasizing data availability, personal interest, and feasibility. The methodology section details the research philosophy (interpretivism), design (descriptive), strategy (qualitative and quantitative), approach (deductive), sampling method (simple random), and data collection and analysis techniques. Primary data was gathered through questionnaires administered to managers, while secondary data was sourced from literature reviews. The data analysis, presented thematically, reveals the extent of performance appraisal usage, its perceived relationship with productivity, and the preferred appraisal methods within Sandford Country Cottages. The report also includes recommendations for improving performance appraisal techniques and a discussion of the research limitations, concluding with a comprehensive analysis of the findings and their implications for the organization.

RESEARCH PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Subject: Performance Appraisal......................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................1
1.1 Research project outline specifications............................................................................1
1.2 Factors contributing towards selection of research project..............................................2
1.4 Specification of research project......................................................................................3
1.5 Appropriate plan and procedures for research specification............................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................6
1.3 Critical review of key references......................................................................................6
Chapter 3: Research methodology...................................................................................................8
2.1 Matching of resources efficiently to research questions..................................................8
2.2 Proposed research investigation in relation to agreed information and process...........10
Chapter 4: Data collection, analysis and discussion.....................................................................11
2.3 Collation of relevant data ..............................................................................................11
3.1 Appropriate research evaluation techniques...................................................................12
3.2 Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification. ..........13
Chapter 5: Conclusion....................................................................................................................17
3.3 Recommendations and justifications..............................................................................17
4.1 Presentation of outcomes of research ...........................................................................18
COVERED IN PPT..............................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
Subject: Performance Appraisal
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Research project outline specifications
In every business enterprise, employees play an important role in providing success and
achievement of goals by performing their roles and responsibilities as expected by management.
For attaining high performance and innovation in business operations, management of company
always provide focus on increasing competencies of employees and analysing their requirement
of learning and skills (Certo, 2018). Performance appraisal is analysed as an important method
which can be used by organisation for evaluation of employee’s performance and understanding
their abilities for further growth and development.
In hospitality industry, supervisors usually measure the pay scale of employees and make
its comparison with targets and plans. Hospitality industry consists of various business
enterprises which emphasizes on increasing the productivity of employees to attain new and
innovation ideas for accomplishment of business objectives. There are various objectives of
organisation behind performance appraisal such as maintaining records for determination of
compensation packages, salary breakup, increment (Dusterhoff, Cunningham and MacGregor,
2014). Identification of strengths and weaknesses of employee in order to place right person at
correct position and analysis of training requirement are also important reasons behind
performance appraisal. In the present research, scholar needs to carry out performance appraisal
and its importance in increasing employee's productivity. Sandford Country Cottages is a famous
international hospitality enterprise which has employed numerous employees. In order to carry
out study, researcher has selected Sandford Country Cottages and used various important
methodologies for making research more reliable to achieve expected outcomes.
Research Aim: “To analyse the importance of performance appraisal in order to enhance
productivity of employees in hospitality industry- A study on Sandford Country Cottages”
Research objectives:
 To analyse the concept of performance appraisal
 To explore various methods of performance appraisal
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 To identify relationship between performance appraisals and employees productivity in
Sandford Country Cottages, UK
 To analyse the significance of performance appraisal for increasing employee's
productivity in Sandford Country Cottages, UK To recommend the strategies for appropriate implementation of performance appraisal
methods for increasing productivity of staff at Sandford Country Cottages
Research questions:
 What is the concept of performance appraisal?
 What are the methods of performance appraisals?
 What is the relationship between performance appraisal and productivity of employees?
 What is the importance of performance appraisal for increasing employee's productivity
at workplace?
1.2 Factors contributing towards selection of research project
There are various factors which have provided their contribution towards selection of
research project such as:
 Data availability: It is the most important factor which directly motivates and provides
satisfaction to scholar while selection of this topic on analysing the importance of
performance appraisal in improvement of employee’s productivity in hospitality industry.
In this subject, secondary data can be easily assessed by scholar and has to make some
efforts for collection of quality data.
 Areas of interest: Scholar specific interest on this topic and it is considered to be
essential for scholar to carry out research in specific field of interest. Further, scholar has
interest in human resource management in hospitality industry therefore, he has selected
this topic for carrying out research.
 Increasing knowledge: Following research on performance appraisal will also enhance
knowledge and competencies of scholar. It will also provide support in getting in-depth
analysis of subject and enable researcher to increase his level of understanding in
particular area of human resource management.
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 Feasibility: Topic selected by scholar is feasible which enables the scholar to prepare
quality research project. Research will be able to provide focus on analysis of important
performance appraisal methods and their importance in increasing productivity of
employees in hospitality sector. Therefore, feasibility of subject is another important
factor that contributes towards the selection of research project.
1.4 Specification of research project
For accomplishment of this project in appropriate manner, scholar needs to utilize
effective and precise research methodologies. These are considered as research structure which
helps scholar in completion of project appropriately. In this context, research methods which can
be utilized by scholar for analysis of importance of performance in increasing employee's
productivity in Sandford Country Cottages are mentioned as below:
Research Philosophy
It can be determined as belief or ways through which data related to a particular
phenomenon will be collected by researcher for analysis and discussion. These important
researcher philosophies can be classified within four parts such as positivism, interpretivism,
realism and pragmatism. In the present research, interpretivism philosophy will be utilized by the
investigator for collection of data (Denzin, 2017). It involves major study elements through
social constructions like language, knowledge, shared experience and meetings. It will assist the
scholar in achievement of research aim and goals appropriately.
Research Design
It is also analysed as an overall research strategy which scholar will select in order to
integrate various important components of study in the coherent as well as logical way (Alvesson
and Sköldberg, 2017). Further, ensuring that scholar can effectively address and resolve the
research problems, specifically, descriptive research design will be utilized by scholar in this
research project as it enables to answer the research questions effectively.
Research strategy
This implies to an appropriate plan formulated and applied by scholar for completion of
overall research activities and collection of information appropriately. Usually there are two
kinds of research strategies such as qualitative and quantitative. In this context, both these
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strategies will together be applied by scholar for the collection of primary and secondary data in
an appropriate manner.
Research approach
This is used for testing of hypothesis and assumptions which are made by scholar for carrying
out research project (Smith, 2015). In present report, scholar will utilize the deductive research
approach for completion of research effectively by testing the assumption taken by scholar for
completion of research.
Sampling
This implies to mathematical analysis which is used for selected appropriate sample size
from selected large population. In present context, simple random sampling method will be used
by researcher and 10 managers of Sandford Country Cottages as been selected as sample size
because they will have relevant information about the topic and provide correct information.
Data collection
It is important methodology that implies to collection of relevant data and information
for carrying an analysis and interpretation of results (Mackey and Gass, 2015). In this research,
scholar will use both primary and secondary method of data collection in order to make research
more reliable and valid.
Data analysis
It is considered as process of collecting and extracting information from the collected
data and it usually involves multiple stages including establishment of data set, preparation and
processing., application of models, identification of key findings and creating reports. There are
usually two important methods of data analysis such as qualitative and quantitative data. Further,
each method has its own techniques. In present context, thematic method will be used for
analysis of data by using charts and graphs for appropriate representation and clear determination
of outcomes.
1.5 Appropriate plan and procedures for research specification.
Activities 1st
wee
k
2nd
week
3rd week 4th
week
5th
week
6th
week
7th week 8th
Week
9th
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10th
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Analysis
and
selection
of
research
topic
Critical
review of
key
literatures
Developm
ent of
methodolo
gies
Completio
n of
proposal
Conductin
g
questionn
aire
survey
Document
ation of
action
records
Data
analysis
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and
interpretat
ion
Discussio
n of
outcomes
Final
submissio
n of
report
Chapter 2: Literature Review
1.3 Critical review of key references
Concept of performance appraisal for hospitality industry
According to DeNis and Smith, (2014), Performance appraisals is a concept that implies
to review, evaluation of performance, discussion on the development through which job
performance of employee can be enhanced. This system has usually become as professional and
management tool in present business enterprises. Management of staff potential and
performance can be considered as important hospitality industry to retain its employees by
increasing their potential and competencies at workplace. Highly effective and appropriate
measure should be taken effectively which has been taken with an aim of getting performance
standards.
Landy, Zedeck and Cleveland, (2017), describes that this performance appraisal is an effective
management tool that is being used for evaluation of performance quality of employees by
managers at workplace. In organisation, employee performance can be analysed through
performance appraisal and on the basis of results rewards and recognition are given by
management. In contrary Lee and Steers, (2017), stated that past performance of employees is
reviewed and compared with present performance to identify difference and determination of
future areas of improvement.
Methods of performance appraisals.
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There are usually several methods which are commonly used by managers for performance as
stated by (), these are as follows:
Interview, paired comparison, ranking method, graphical review method, checklist method,
periodic rating and critical incidents' method. Further, these techniques which are stated above
are traditional but there are some other techniques which are widely used by organisation are as
follows:
Management by Objectives (MBO)
According to Tziner and Rabenu, (2018), employees in this method are usually requested
by management to put their common efforts for achievement of business vision, mission and
objectives. Employees in this method are judged through their participation in completion of
objectives through verification that they are satisfied or not. On contrary Tziner and Rabenu,
(2018), stated that organisation also set their standards and objective sometimes even after
setting their standards and objectives after mainly consulting individuals.
360 Degree appraisal
According to Certo, (2018), It is also analysed as process through which workers will
receive private and effective feedback from individuals who usually around them. In some
cases, when individuals get reviews from different sources of enterprise involving peers,
superiors and subordinates which is considered as 360degree feedback.
Relationship between performance appraisal and productivity of employees.
DeNisi and Smith, (2014) describes that companies in hospitality industry usually focus on
increasing employee productivity and efficiency at work place so that they will perform roles
and responsibilities appropriately. Employee performance and key indicators will be taken in to
consideration by managers to analyse requirement of training for employees to create potential.
According to Lee and Steers, (2017), Hospitality industry enterprise are usually based of
employees because they provide them opportunities for attracting customers. Performance
appraisal helps to improve employees performance and provide competencies to attract more
customers.
Tziner and Rabenu, (2018) also stated that productivity can also be increased in organisation by
facing critical incidents and challenges which is an important part of performance appraisal.
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Through this, employees will gain potential to resolve issues of customers and helps them in
attaining objectives.
Importance of performance appraisal for increasing employee's productivity
According to (), performance appraisals should provide a clear and realistic indication of
activities that needs to be accomplished, performance expectation, feedback on performance
against expectation. In present competitive era, companies used this tool for motivating
employees and fulfilment of their employees requirements for accomplishment of business
objectives.
In hospitality industry, employees should be evaluated and assessed on the basis of their
respective job functions in the line with organisational performance measurement indices.
Further, these employees will be given proper training and promoted to handle challenges or
tasks within enterprise. Through this, management of enterprise will be able to resolve issues
related with performance and efficiencies of employees at workplace. Increase in employees
productivity will tend to create competitive edge in market over rivals and helps in getting more
and more customers at workplace.
Chapter 3: Research methodology
2.1 Matching of resources efficiently to research questions
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Designation:
Age:
Email ID;
Company: Sandford Country Cottages
1. Is Sandford Country Cottages use performance appraisal method at workplace?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Disagree
(d) Neutral
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2. Do you think performance appraisal has its relationship with productivity and performance
of employees at workplace?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Disagree
(d) Neutral
3. Which method of performance appraisal is used at Sandford Country Cottages?
(a) 360 degree appraisals
(b) Management by objectives (MBO)
(c) Ranking methods
(d) Critical incident
4. How productivity of employees can be raised through performance appraisal at Sandford
Country Cottages?
(a) Providing feedbacks
(b) Motivation
(c) Promotion
(d) Training
5. Do you think that performance appraisal method is used to attain competitive advantage?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Disagree
(d) Neutral
6. Provide your suggestions towards improvement of performance appraisal techniques at
workplace?
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2.2 Proposed research investigation in relation to agreed information and process
In this, researcher will make use different research skills in order to attain high performance and
objective for enterprise. Effective research methodologies have been used for completion of
research such as:
Research Philosophy: Interpretivism philosophy is used by scholar in this research which is
effective for accomplishment of aims and objectives (Alvesson and Sköldberg, 2017). It is
usually provided support in analysing different ways through qualitative data can be analysed
effectively.
Research Design: There are usually kinds of research design such as Exploratory and
descriptive research. In present scenario, Descriptive research design is used by scholar for
completion of researcher. It enabled scholar to analyse the topic and development of overall
strategy to attain high
Research Approach: It is used for testing of assumption and hypothesis in the study. In this,
deductive approach has been utilized by scholar to attain key performance objective as it helps in
testing of assumptions and helps in making research valid (Smith, 2015).
Sampling: It is also important part of research which is used to select sample size from selected
population to collect primary data by using questionnaire and interview. There are usually two
method of sampling such as Probabilistic and non probabilistic (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault,
2015). Simple random sampling is probabilistic method which is used for selection of sample
size because it provides equal opportunities to every individual to participant in research. 10
Managers of Sandford Country Cottages, UK is selected as sample size.
Data collection: Both primary and secondary method are used for collection of data because it
has provided support in making research reliable. Questionnaire interview method is used for
collecting information in which relevant questions related to performance appraisals are asked
from respondents (Mackey and Gass, 2015). Further, Important journals, literatures, articles and
books have used for collection of data in the form of literature review.
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