Research Proposal: Performance Appraisal and Motivation at Marriott

This research proposal investigates the relationship between performance appraisal and employee motivation within Marriott, a prominent international hotel chain. The study aims to identify the role of performance appraisal in the hospitality sector, determine the link between employee motivation and performance appraisal within Marriott, and recommend ways to enhance employee motivation to boost their performance. The research will utilize a qualitative approach with an inductive approach, employing a descriptive research design and interpretivism philosophy. Data will be collected through questionnaires administered to 20 Marriott employees and supplemented by secondary data from online sources, books, and journals. The proposal outlines the research methodology, including sampling, data analysis, and ethical considerations, and presents a Gantt chart for project management. The study's findings are expected to provide valuable insights into how performance appraisal can be leveraged to improve employee motivation and, consequently, enhance organizational performance within the hospitality industry.

Research
Proposal
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Aim..................................................................................................................................................3
Objectives........................................................................................................................................3
Questions .........................................................................................................................................3
Background .....................................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................6
Research approach.......................................................................................................................6
Research design ..........................................................................................................................7
Research philosophy....................................................................................................................7
Sampling .....................................................................................................................................7
Data analysis ...............................................................................................................................8
Ethical issues ...................................................................................................................................8
Reliability and validity.....................................................................................................................9
Grant chart ....................................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11
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AIM
To examine the relationship between performance appraisal and employee motivation
within organization- A study on Marriott.
OBJECTIVES
 To identify the role of performance appraisal in hospitality sector.
 To determine the link between employee motivation and performance appraisal within
Marriott.
 To recommend the ways through which Marriott can enhance its employee motivation to
boost their performance.
QUESTIONS
 What is the role of performance appraisal in hospitality sector?
 What is the link between employee motivation and performance appraisal within
Marriott?
 What are the ways through which Marriott can enhance its employee motivation to boost
their performance?
BACKGROUND
In the modern era, performance appraisal plays a crucial role in the success of
organization operating in hospitality sector. Along with high growth rate, the sector also faces a
high rate of employee turnover (Salanova, Agut and Peiro, 2005). Further, one of the main
reasons behind this is that the employees feel that their efforts and hard-work is not recognized.
This directly results in creating dissatisfaction among workers and encourages them to switch to
other potential sector. For any organization, its employees are one of the most valuable assets
and it is required by business to retain the workers for long time period. Thus, along with the
monetary rewards, companies operating in hospitality industry are required to implement the
methods of performance appraisal. It has been found that there are many factors which directly
or indirectly encourage people in the organization to give their best and beyond expectation of
the management. Therefore, it is required by every hotel to have a team of skilled and highly
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motivated employees. This not only helps hotels to achieve their aim and objectives but also
increases the chances of their future growth and development. Appraising the outstanding
contribution of staff member creates satisfaction among them and also encourages them to give
their best in the future also. The outcome of this is that the overall productivity of hotels gets
increased and they also become capable of enhancing the degree of customer satisfaction.
Therefore, it can be stated that performance appraisal is an important part of organizations that
are operating in hospitality sector and can provide a number of benefits to them. Some of the
ways in which appraisal can be provided are promotion, increasing the pay and bonus.
Organizations operating in hospitality industry needs to ensure the fact that along with
the monetary rewards, they should also provide some non-financial rewards to workers
(Srivastava, Bartol and Locke, 2006). It has been also found that performance appraisal play a
major role in making decision regarding whether to increase the salary of an employee or not.
Most of the times, salary increase depends on the extent to which an individual has performed an
assigned task in a well manner. Further, it also results in enhancing the motivational level of
workers. Other than this, it can be also stated that performance appraisal also plays significant
role in promotion of an employee. During the process of appraisal various feedbacks and reviews
of a worker are taken from his colleague and seniors (Sun, Aryee and Law, 2007). Thus, the
employee identifies his core strengths and weaknesses. In addition to this, by performance
appraisal, he can easily take steps to overcome his weaknesses and can become more productive
and efficient. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of employees, training sessions can be
provided to them so that they would not find it difficult to overcome their weaknesses (Cho and
et. al., 2006).
One thing which organizations need to be sure about is that the appraisal should be fair
and adequate. The employees should not feel that the management has been partial towards some
workers and has not recognized the efforts of others. Businesses have many kinds of benefits by
having a team of effective and motivated employees. One of the major advantages is that the
staff members are easily able to understand the need and demand of guest. Further, the services
are delivered according to the same. This results in high degree of customer satisfaction and also
encourages them to stay loyal. On the other hand, motivate employees also assist businesses to
gain competitive advantage over other market players in the hospitality sector. At the time of
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developing a performance appraisal structure, companies can take suggestions from employs
regarding the parameters that can be taken into consideration at the time of evaluating
performance. Taking suggestions from employees will result in enhancing the degree of their
satisfaction that will also encourage the workers to perform well.
The main reason behind choosing this study is that it will help in identifying the way in
which hotels can motivate their employees by appraising their performance and efforts of their
workers. Further, it has been observed that performance appraisal have a great impact on
motivational level as well as on the overall productivity of employees. The problem with this
study is that it is not easy to identify the tools which can motivate people in organization.
Further, some workers look for monetary rewards as a source of motivation whereas other seeks
for appraisal, recognition and appreciation of their efforts. Another problem is that the hospitality
sector of the world is having intense completion and it is not easy for businesses to gain
competitive advantage over other market players. Thus, using various methods of performance
appraisal businesses can gain edge over its competitors. Other than this, the hospitality sector
faces high rate of employee turnover which is another problem that is associated with this
research. Therefore, by appraising the efforts and hard-work of employees, companies can lower
down the rate of employee turnover.
The clear aim of this research is to determine the link between performance appraisal and
employee motivation. This will help in evaluating that the way in which organization can
develop satisfaction among its workers and encourage them to give their best in the future. It will
also assist in exploring different methods using which motivational level of employee can be
enhanced and their productivity can be increased. In the modern era, every organization seeks for
various ways by using of which it can motivate its workforce. In this aspect, sometimes,
companies also use some methods of performance appraisal. Other than this, it is also required
by them to take feedback and review from employees at regular interval regarding the
effectiveness of the appraisal system implemented by companies.
Some of the major aspects which will be researched in this study are performance
appraisal, employee motivation and the link between the both within Marriott. The main reason
behind choosing Marriott as a organization is that it is one of the leading and most renowned
international chain of hotels. Thus, study on such an organization with help to carry out in-depth
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analyse regarding the way in which performance appraisal can lead to employee motivation.
Thus, the research on the above stated topic and organization will help in evaluating the role and
significance of performance appraisal in hospitality sector.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is one of the most important parts of any research. This section
includes some of the tools and techniques which are used by the researcher to gather analyse
information and use the information related to the topic of study (Onwuegbuzie and Leech,
2005). Further it also plays significant role in achieving the aim and objective of the research.
Some of the major topics which are covered in this section include research approach,
philosophies, data collection, sampling, research design etc.
Research approach
Research approach is the way using which a researcher can collect and analyse the data.
Inductive and deductive are the two common type of approach which are generally used. Further
it is required by a scholar to be very careful in selecting suitable approach for the study.
Deductive approach is generally used in that research in which the information presents is
quantitative in nature. On the other hand, inductive approach is used in study which is qualitative
in nature. In addition to this, it also helps a researcher to develop deep understanding regarding
the topic which has been investigated.
In the present study inductive approach will be used as the findings are required more in
generalized form. One of the major characteristics of inductive approach is that the results move
form specific to general from. Further it will include various observations regarding the role of
performance appraisal in motivating the employees. The entire study will be qualitative in nature
and due to this reason also inductive approach will be more suitable.
Data collection
Data collection is the process of gathering information from various sources in order to
get desired and most appropriate findings of the study. Primary and secondary are the two major
sources using which a researcher can collect required information about the topic (Chilisa, 2011).
The information collected for the first time fall under the category of primary data whereas data
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which has been already gathered by someone else is termed as secondary data. In the present
study both secondary and primary sources will be taken into consideration. In addition to this,
the primary data will be gathered from 20 employees of Marriott hotel with the help of a well
structure questionnaire. On the other hand, various online sources, books and journals will be
used as a secondary source to collect information about the link between performance appraisal
and employee motivation.
Research design
Research design is the overall framework of a study using which researcher achieves the
aim and objectives. It is the arrangement of collected and analysed data in order to get the
desired outcomes of the study. Further it is also used in structure a study and indicates all its
major elements. In other words it can be termed as an action plan which defines how when and
from where the information for study will be gathered and interpreted (Onwuegbuzie and Leech,
2005). Exploratory, descriptive, case study, experimental, cause and effect etc. are some of the
important design which is used to carry out a research. Further based on the nature, aim and
objectives of the study appropriate design is selected. Descriptive design will be chosen in this
study as it aims at describing the relationship between employee motivation and performance
appraisal in organization. Further all the elements of the study will be interpret thus, this will be
the most suitable and accurate design for carrying out the research in effective manner.
Research philosophy
Research philosophy is the belief of a researcher regarding the way in which information
will be collected, interpreted and used. Positivism and interpretivism are the two most common
types of philosophies which are used in order to carry out a study (Burck, 2005). It has been
observed that positivism philosophy is used in to collect general information from large sample
group whereas interpretivism aims at understanding a specific business situation.
In the present research interpretivism philosophy will be used as the study will be
qualitative in nature and a small sample will be used to understand the view of large people.
Further values and belief will be given more importance in order to provide justification to the
research problem.
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Sampling
Sampling can be defined as a process in which a sample is selected to collect data for
investigation. Further sample is subset of total population which is picked for a study. It is
required by every researcher to select most suitable and appropriate sample and sample size. The
quality of outcomes depends on the kind and nature of sample selected. Probabilistic and non-
probabilistic are the two methods of sampling which are used to pick a sample and carry out the
study.
The present study will be based on purposive sampling which is a part of non-
probabilistic sampling method will be selected. Further, 20 employees of Marriott hotel will be
selected as a sample in order to have information from them regarding the link between
performance appraisal and employee performance. The data will be collected in the form of a
well structured questionnaire which will be filled by employees of the hotel. The sample will
help in getting the most accurate and reliable information about the topic of study.
Data analysis
Data analysis is defined as the method in which information collected from various
primary sources in interpreted. A researcher is required to be very careful at the time of data
analysis in order to obtain accurate and desired findings of the study (Creswell, 2013).Data
analysis is one of the most important stage of any research in which the information gathered
from both the sources are interpreted in order to get accurate findings. Qualitative and
quantitative are the two common techniques which are used to analyse the information gathered.
In addition to this, when data is present in numeric forms then quantitative techniques are used
whereas non-numeric information includes qualitative techniques.
In the present study, qualitative method will be applied to interpret the information
collected from various sources. Further, themes will be developed in order to get the most
accurate and suitable findings. Other than this, secondary sources from literature will be also
taken into consideration at the time of interpreting information. There will be adequate time
present to carry out the study and every element of the research will be given equal time,
resources and efforts.
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ETHICAL ISSUES
Every researcher is required to identify some of the ethical challenges and issues which
can be faced at the time of research. Further, he is required to frame a strategy regarding the way
in which he is going to deal with the identified issues. In the present research, data security will
be one of the main ethical issues. It will be required by the researcher to keep the information
collected from various sources confidential and not disclosed to any other party. Other than this,
the researcher will be also required to take prior permission from the managers of Marriott hotel
before approaching them. It might be possible that the managers disagree to provide data and in
such situations, the scholar will be required to explain the aim and benefits of research. Further,
he will be also need to ensure that the data will be destroyed properly after use.
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
The reliability and validity of study is one of the most important parts of aspect of any
research. Every researcher is responsible to use the data from reliable and valid sources so that
the findings of study can be trusted easily. In the present research, both aspects will be taken into
consideration. In terms of secondary sources, only those books and journals which have been
published after the year 2000 will be considered. Further, only authentic and reliable sources will
be taken into account in order to collect information regarding the link between employee
motivation and performance appraisal. The study will be valid as there will be no partiality done
at the time of collection and analysis of information. Therefore, the entire research can be termed
to be valid in all the aspects.
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GANTT CHART
Activities 1st
Wee
k
2nd
Week
3rd
Week
4th
Week
5th
Week
6th
Week
7th
Week
8th
Week
9th
week
10th
Week
Framing the
proposal of
research
Writing down
the aim and
objectives of
the study
Framing
research
questions
Finding out
and selecting
method of data
collection
Literature
review
Defining
Research
Methodology
Collecting
primary data
Data analysis
Writing down
the findings
Conclusion
and
recommendati
ons
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Burck, C., 2005. Comparing qualitative research methodologies for systemic research: The use of
grounded theory, discourse analysis and narrative analysis. Journal of Family Therapy.
27(3). pp. 237-262.
Chilisa, B., 2011. Indigenous research methodologies. Sage Publications.
Cho, S. and et.al., 2006. Measuring the impact of human resource management practices on
hospitality firms’ performances. International Journal of Hospitality Management. 25(2).
pp. 262-277.
Creswell, J. W., 2013. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches. Sage publications.
Onwuegbuzie, A. J. and Leech, N. L., 2005. On becoming a pragmatic researcher: The
importance of combining quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 8(5). pp. 375-387.
Salanova, M., Agut, S. and Peiro, J. M., 2005. Linking organizational resources and work
engagement to employee performance and customer loyalty: the mediation of service
climate. Journal of Applied Psychology. 90(6). pp. 1217.
Srivastava, A., Bartol, K. M. and Locke, E. A., 2006. Empowering leadership in management
teams: Effects on knowledge sharing, efficacy, and performance. Academy of
management journal. 49(6). pp. 1239-1251.
Sun, L. Y., Aryee, S. and Law, K. S., 2007. High-performance human resource practices,
citizenship behavior, and organizational performance: A relational perspective. Academy
of Management Journal. 50(3). pp. 558-57
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