Research Project: Analyzing Employee Motivation and Reward Systems

This research project investigates the impact of reward systems on employee motivation within a company. The project outlines the significance of employee motivation, identifies factors influencing employee behavior, and examines the link between reward systems and motivation. The research utilizes a descriptive design and an inductive approach, collecting data through interviews and questionnaires. The report includes a critical review of key references, discusses research specifications such as data collection, sampling, and data analysis methods, and addresses ethical considerations and limitations. The study aims to provide recommendations for enhancing employee motivation through effective reward strategies, emphasizing the importance of both monetary and non-monetary incentives. The project also details resource allocation and research investigation procedures to ensure the study's objectives are met.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Formulating and recording possible research project outline specification..........................1
1.2 Identifying the factors that contribute to the procedure of research project selection..........2
1.3 Undertaking a critical review of key references....................................................................2
1.4 Developing research project specifications...........................................................................4
1.5 Proper plan for agreed research specifications......................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Matching the resources properly to the research question.....................................................7
2.2 Undertaking proposed research investigation........................................................................7
2.3 Recording and collecting the relevant data............................................................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Adopting appropriate research evaluation techniques.........................................................10
3.3 Providing recommendations................................................................................................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
4.1 Presenting the outcome........................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

TASK 1
1.1 Formulating and recording possible research project outline specification
Introduction
Motivation is a vital aspect that is used to determine the employee behavior. It can be
described as important method through which manager enhance productivity in their employees.
Motivation can also be defined as intrinsic feelings due to which individual give willing
contribution towards attainment of its individual as well as organizational goal (Creswell, 2014).
Therefore, motivation is a driving force through which individuals attain their objectives. On the
other hand, reward system can be described as a planned and structured method to reward one or
more individuals so they act in desired manner. In order to get clear understanding of these
aspects, research is performed. It can be defined as procedure through which individual or group
perform a study to improve their learning and develop effective strategies to get better outcomes
in future. By understanding the link between motivation and reward system researcher can use its
findings to improve the performance of employee. The success of a organization at present
depends upon effectiveness of its human resources. Therefore, it is important for company to
develop effective methods to maximize the motivation level of employees by making use of
various rewards.
Background of the study
The prime objective of performing this research will be “ To identify the impact of
reward system on the employee motivation within the company”. It includes the methods of
addressing the ways through which the employee motivation level can be enhanced. It is
important because the motivated employees are most productive and thus help business in
generating maximum profits. The motivation is also important to build the morale of employees
so they take new challenges, accept changes and support organization in growing.
Research Aim
To determine the impact of reward system on the employee motivation within a
company.
Research Objectives
 To critically analyse the factors that influence employee behaviour.
1

 To understand the importance of employee motivation within company.
 To understand the link between reward system and employee motivation.
 To recommend the effective methods through which organization can use different
rewards to enhance employee motivation.
Research Questions:
 What is the significance of employee motivation within company ?
 How rewards can be used to enhance employee motivation within corporation?
 What is the link between employee motivation and job performance?
1.2 Identifying the factors that contribute to the procedure of research project selection
The successful execution of research project depends upon the various factors. In
addition to this, to facilitate research project there is significant information that is required. The
employees are the key asset of the company that support in ensuring its success and
sustainability in long run. The low employee motivation or absence of rewards can have negative
impact on their performance and productivity. In addition to this, it can become a cause for high
employee turnover or absenteeism in the company. This will further lead to negative reputation
of company in market. The demotivated employees become less of an asset to the organization as
it diminishes their creativity, productivity and overall performance. Since, low employee
motivation is among the contemporary issue at present, the researcher has determined to perform
research particularly on this subject. In addition to this aspect, theoretical understanding and
experience of study is also considered as important factor that support in choosing the research
project.
1.3 Undertaking a critical review of key references
Importance of employee motivation within the company
According to the views of Bauer, 2014, motivation is the willingness to exert extreme
level of efforts towards business objectives, reasoned by efforts and competence to meet specific
requirement of employees. It method through which employees provide a incentive or motive so
as to attain business goals. Bouckenooghe, Zafar and Raja, 2015 also support by saying that
employee motivation is important for corporation as it help in effective accomplishment of
business objectives(Bauer, 2014). The key purpose behind employee motivation is to encourage
them to make best use of their skills, knowledge and caliber which further help them in meeting
2

company expectations and benchmarks. In the words of Billig and Waterman, eds., (2014)
motivation is vital aspect that enable individuals to master the challenges faced by them while
performing. In the contrast in the views of Flick, (2015) to enhance the overall performance of
the company,it is significant for the management of entity to have proper understanding of the
factors that motivates the employees and thereby maximize the job satisfaction of employees. In
the opinion of Dörnyei and Ushioda, (2013) a effectively designed and functional reward system
is a best method to enhance employee work motivation.
Significance of rewards in employee motivation
In accordance with the definition provided by Cammarota and Fine, 2010 motivation is
the procedure through which the different requirements and needs of a person encourage him or
her to take some initiative or action. Therefore, the physiological requirement of a person, which
cause him or her to behave in a specific way so as to attain a peculiar objective or incentive.
Therefore, in this respect, rewards can be used as physiological factor that promotes the
individual to attain specific objective (Cammarota and Fine, 2010). According to the views of
Creswell, 2014, the employee can be motivated with the use of various monetary and non
monetary rewards. Furthermore, the monetary rewards can be defined as monetary incentives
that are provided to those organizational members that meet or exceeds expectations of company.
As per the view of Flick, (2015) monetary incentives involve increase in wages, financial
incentives, cash bonus, share in profit, stock option or promotion that work as a strong
motivating force. It is important for the management to provide regular monetary incentives to
employees which will encourage them to give better performance. In addition to this, non
monetary incentives can also be used. According to the views of Kothari, (2011) non monetary
incentives are those factors other than pay that encourage employees to give better performance.
It further involve recognition, job security, status, interpersonal relations, job enrichment, better
working condition, delegation etc that can be used to encourage employees to attain
organizational goals.
Impact of rewards on employee motivation
Cammarota and Fine, 2010 stated that rewards are the advantages that originate from
performance of a duty, performing a service or discharging a responsibility. It further help in
3

appreciating the contribution provided by employee in the success of company. Therefore, by
recognizing the efforts of employees company is able to motivate them for higher performance in
future. According to Saunders and et. al., (2009) rewards are the results in the company that
satisfy the work related needs of the individual. Therefore, reward system is the key tool that can
be used by the employer as the channel of employee motivation.
1.4 Developing research project specifications
Research Design
Descriptive nature is more appropriate for conducting this research is best possible
manner. It will help in focusing on gathering the information without manipulating the
surroundings. It further help in developing theories, ascertaining key issues with present
practices, making decisions and ascertaining the other practices in alike situations. Therefore, it
will help in providing large amount of data on use of rewards for employee motivation (Singh.
2010).
Research-approaches
In order to carry out the present research, consideration will be given on use of inductive
approach. Therefore, by focusing on specific observations the researcher can move forwards
towards wider generalization and development of theories. The prime reason for choosing the
inductive approach is that it will help in assessing the particular information regarding the impact
of use of rewards on enhancing employee motivation (Bruce, 2009).
Data collection
It refers to method used for gathering the data. In this respect, data can be collected from
two major sources,primary and secondary. The primary data is new information gathered for the
first time. It further make use of interviews, questionnaire etc (Franklin, 2012). On the other
hand, secondary data is information already published and used by various researchers.
Therefore, secondary source of information are books, journals, PDFs, reports, articles etc.
Sampling
It is a method used in statistical assessment in which a planned number of observations
are obtained from a larger population (Dörnyei and Ushioda, 2013). It help the researcher in
selecting the participants from whom the data will be gathered. In the current research, sample
4

size of 10 managers working in different retail companies. Here, the research will be facilitated
with the help of purposive sampling.
Data Analysis
It is method through which data regarding the subject of research will be analyzed and
examined as per the qualitative techniques. In support of this, thematic analysis will be done
which will showcase the key findings that are provided by the participants of the study.
Ethical issues
The true success of the research is only if it is done ethically. It is important for the
research to main the confidentiality of the respondents providing the data. The information used
from the secondary sources must not be copied. Also, research must have proper citation of work
used of other authors.
Limitation of the study
There are many obstacles that are faced by researcher while performing the study. The
major limitation faced during this study was lack of availability of time due to which in depth
research could not be done. The data was gathered from executives of different company and
approaching them personally needed a lot of time. It also increased the total cost of doing study.
1.5 Proper plan for agreed research specifications
Key Activities
Week
1
Week
2
Wee
k 3
and 4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8
Wee
k
9- 10
Week
11
Introduction
Literature Review
Gathering
secondary Data
Assessing
gathered Data
5

Employing
Research Design
Performing
Research
Methodology
Collecting Primary
Data
Assessment of
primary and
secondary data
using data
analyzing
techniques
Conclusions and
Recommendations
Submission of
draft
Relevant
modification
Final Submission
TASK 2
6

2.1 Matching the resources properly to the research question
The key objective of present research is to identify to the impact of rewards on the
employee motivation within the company. It is important to study the aspect as it will help in
improving the productivity and performance of the employees. In this respect, various rewards
that can be used by the executives of the entity to motivate its personnel will be identified. In
order to address the research questions, information will be obtained from various sources. To
attain the purpose of study, various resources will be required such as human, technical and
financial (Flick, 2011). For performing the data analysis skilled and professed human resources
will be needed. Thereafter, for collecting, modifying, storing and disseminating the data effective
and innovative technology is required. The financial resources is required to facilitate the entire
study such as for paying salary of human resources, purchasing new technology etc. Also, some
of the data is not freely available and researcher is needed to pay fees for using it (Kothari,
2011). It is important for the researcher to determine strategies that will help in making optimum
utilization or resources.
2.2 Undertaking proposed research investigation
In order to get the desired outcomes of the study, it is important to ensure effective
research investigation. In this respect, it is significant for the researcher to assure that research is
going in right direction (Fiegen,, 2010) It will further help in attaining the overall purpose of the
study. In t his aspect, study should be focused on the use of appropriate and reliable method for
keeping the research flow that is observance. Only the required information must be obtained
and overall study must be within the determined budget. By observation, the researcher can
ensure the study is not deviating from its actual objectives. Also, it is required for the researcher
to study the approaches needed for performing the research.
The research investigation is the fundamental component in the report as it assist in
assuring the analyzing the available set of information which requires to be evaluated by them
and also to be observed in the current work. Furthermore, observation and evaluation techniques
directly results into accomplishment of craved objectives accompanying to the work mostly
leads to desirable result (Bruce 2009).
7

2.3 Recording and collecting the relevant data
The important data associated with the research study has been recorded in engrossed
format which is further described as follows:
Age Total No of respondents
30 to 40 years 3
40 to 45 years 4
45 to 55 years 3
Total tenure of working in your company Number of respondents
2 – 3 years 3
3 to 5 years 5
5 years and above 2
What are the prime methods used by company
for boosting employee motivation?
Number of respondents
Monetary reward 4
Participation in decision making 2
Recognition, Rank and responsibility 2
Participation in policy development 1
All the above 1
Do you consider use of rewards have positive
impact on employee motivation and their
Number of respondents
8

work?
Yes 9
No 2
Do you think that employee motivation is
connected with success of corporation?
Number of respondents
Strongly agree 5
Agree 2
Neutral 1
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 1
What are the major rewards that can be used
for employee motivation ?
Number of respondents
Basic pay 3
Bonus and other incentives 1
Promotion 1
Recognition 2
Empowerment 2
Relationship and trust 1
All the above 0
9

In your opinion is reward the only method of
boosting employee motivation ?
Number of respondents
Yes 8
No 2
TASK 3
3.1 Adopting appropriate research evaluation techniques
In accordance with the provided discussion, it is important to evaluate the study in
accordance with the provided themes. This is further provided as follows:
Theme 1 The majority of the respondents are under the age group of 40-45 years
Interpretation: As per the above graph, it can be noticed that majority of executives are in age
group of 40-45 years. After that 30-35 years and 45-55 years managers are working in
companies.
Theme 2 The majority of managers are working from 3-5 years
10