Research Proposal: Training and Development in Travel and Tourism

This research proposal investigates the crucial role of training and development within the travel and tourism industry, focusing on the case of Thomas Cook. The introduction provides an overview, emphasizing the importance of training in enhancing employee skills and organizational performance. The literature review explores the concept of training and development, its significance for Thomas Cook, the impact on performance, and measures to provide effective training. The research methodology outlines the qualitative approach, descriptive research design, and relevant research methods. The study aims to analyze the importance of training and development on the performance of the travel and tourism industry, with specific objectives including understanding the concept, determining the significance of effective training for Thomas Cook, assessing the impact of training on performance, and identifying measures for providing effective workforce training. The proposal uses secondary sources to support its arguments, offering insights into the benefits of training programs and their influence on employee satisfaction, reduced turnover, and improved company performance. The proposal is designed to contribute to the broader understanding of training and development practices within the travel and tourism sector.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
TITLE:.............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Literature Review............................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................6
Time Scale.......................................................................................................................................8
References......................................................................................................................................10

TITLE:
Training and development in travel and tourism. A study case of Thomas Cook.
Introduction
Overview of the Research
Training and Development is a subsystem of an organization which emphasize on the
improvement of the performance of individuals and groups. Training is an educational process
which involves the sharpening of skills, concepts, changing of attitude and gaining more
knowledge to enhance the performance of the employees (Boella and Goss-Turner, 2013). Travel
and Tourism is the most developing industry that plays significant role in the growth and
development of economic level of a country. In tourism sector training and development is plays
vital role in enhancing the operations and functions of the firm at global level, thus appropriate
training sections helps the firm or its employees in performing organisational activities and
operations in most liable manner. In this particular investigation work Thomas Cook is the
selected organisation, it is a large British Global Travel company. The key purpose of the firm is
to enhancing its business operations through providing appropriate training and development
session to its employees in respect to attaining higher growth and success at market place. This is
a proposal
Background of the Research
The training and development program is considered as the crucial aspect for enhancing
knowledge and skills of workforce which assists management to increase overall rate of return
and attain higher benefits and growth. Training or learning of workforce has direct impact on the
productivity of an organisation which makes it possible to create competitive edge of the firm
within the commercial centre. The training and development program involves various kinds of
on the job and off the job techniques. However, the method of training is based upon nature of
job in which an employee is engaged. Thomas Cook is a large British travel company, which
works for attaining higher growth and success within the global market and for this organisation
is concern on providing effective training and development session to its employees in respect to
improvising the performance and operations of firm (Chatha. Butt and Tariq. 2015). Thomas
Cook was founded in the year of 2007 by the merger of Thomas Cook AG, itself the successor to
Thomas Cook & Son or My Travel Group Plc. The head quarter of the firm is in London,
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England, United Kingdom. The company deals in different kind of facilities like Charter and
scheduled passenger airlines, package holidays, cruise lines, hotels and resorts etc. The primary
obligation of the firm is to satisfying the needs and wants of people within the commercial centre
for the purpose of reaching at the higher competitive edge.
Significance of the Research
The research into consideration is based on the analysis of the importance of training and
development over the performance of Thomas Cook. Training is the primary need for an
organisation to developing the operations and functions at wide scale. This is an academic
research which provides a wide area to develop knowledge and skills within the specified area of
research. This area or investigation also helps an individual and learner in enhancement of
knowledge and ability within the specified area of work (Dimba, 2010). This study is beneficial
for both organisation and researcher, thus organisation get appropriate information in regards to
the importance of training and development. On the contrary researcher can enhance their
knowledge and attain growth in their future aspects.
Research Aim
To analyse the importance of training and development over the performance of travel
and tourism industry. A study on Thomas Cook.
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of training and development in the context of Travel and
Tourism industry.
 To determine the Significance of effective training and development processes for
Thomas Cook.
 To access the impact of training and development on the performance of Thomas Cook. To identify the measures that can opt by Thomas Cook to provide effective training to
workforce.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of training and development in the context of Travel and Tourism
industry?
 What are the Significance of effective training and development processes for Thomas
Cook?
 What is the impact of training and development on the performance of Thomas Cook?
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 What measures are opt by Thomas Cook to provide effective training to workforce?
Literature Review
This considered as the most essential part of an investigation which helps in providing
detailed analysis on the investigation issue. This section is basically emphases on accumulation
of data via secondary sources like books, journals, published research articles, newspapers etc. In
this section part investigation work related with similar area of study also helps in providing
significant direction to the researcher to completion of the work in proper manner. This part is
significantly based on data and information that are accumulated through analysing the views
and opinion of various authors and writers.
The concept of training and development in the context of Travel and Tourism industry.
According to Smirti Chand, 2019, Training and development is the framework for helping
employees to develop their personal and organisational skills, attitude , knowledge and abilities .
Training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skill of an employees for a particular job. It
also help employees to get familiar with the work environment. Development aims to develop
people in all respect, it includes all those activities which help in growth of an individual’s
personality. Over the past few decades tourism industry has shifted to service-oriented trends and
has become a hub for employment services in many countries. In this industry, a trainer teaches
specific skills to the staff in order to gain specific knowledge regarding a particular field whereas
in development process the individual have to meet their supervisor to discuss any of their
problem, so that improvements can be made in the performance and will help in development of
skills (Guercini. 2014). Thus, training and development are integral part for the growth and
success of business. If an untrained employee is given any job, he will surely create some or
other problem. For smooth running of any business, training must be given so that problems
could be avoided
The Significance of effective training and development processes for Thomas Cook.
According to Shelley Frost, 2019, Training gives prime opportunity to expand knowledge
base of employees but many employers find the development opportunities expensive. Thomas
cook is one of the leading travel agents offering a broad spectrum of services which includes
corporate travel, leisure travel, foreign exchange, insurance, visa and passport services. Training
and development at Thomas cook lead to improved employee performance, as training builds
confidence in employees due to which they were able to perform their job better. Training and
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development has helped employees to make them feel more stratified with their role they has to
play in the company by which they achieved job satisfaction, as employees with access to
training and development program have the advantage over employees of other companies who
are left to seek out training opportunities on their own. It has even helped in personal growth of
an individual as it improves employee’s ability, knowledge and skills and thus prevents
obsolescence. It helps employees to give a feel of security at the company (Hafeez, 2013). As a
result, labour turnover and absenteeism rates are decreased.
The impact of training and development on the performance of Thomas Cook.
According to Mohammed Raja Abulraheem Sal, 2016, Training and development is a systematic
approach which focuses on improving employee’s performance and overall development of an
individual. These are designed according to the requirements of a company. At Thomas cook.
Training and development increased innovation in new strategies and products which helped in
capturing the market share. The investment in training programmes a company makes shows
employees, how much they are valued. Each individual has some or other weakness, a training
programme allows an individual to strengthen those skills that each employee needs to improve.
This helps in reducing the weak links within the company (Youngsoo Choi, 2014). It helped in
improving employee’s performance, as necessary training was given to them and have increased
productivity, which generally increases when a company implements different training courses.
Having a strong training strategy helps to make a company more attractive to potential new
recruits who seeks to improve their skills and the opportunities associated with those skills and
enhanced reputation and profile of Thomas comm.. It has also reflected in reduced employee
turnover.
The measures that can opt by Thomas Cook to provide effective training to workforce.
According to Ankur Tandon, 2018 Training helps in upgrading the skills of employees
which is very important for the business. Training is provided to employees for meeting the
business objectives as well as employees growth. Thomas cook is one of the top leading travel
service company in the country offering broad range of services which includes foreign
exchange, leisure travel , visa and passport service and E -business. Apart from providing the
travelling service it also follows certain measures through which it can retain its workers ,
operative staff and employees for a long run. This includes on the job training and off the job
training for the employees. On the job training is directly given on the floor in which workers
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and staff are given direct instruction about the job, Here they learn about the skills which are
required to be perform in actual working conditions (Wilson and MacLean. 2011). Thomas Cook
also offers off the job training in the form of coaching and mentoring. It works on the principle
of learning by doing. In this advanced era, training on the regular basis is provided to the old as
well as new employees so that both are able to interact with each other and know about the
advancement in technology and how to implement it in their day to day work.
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Research Methodology
Research Methodology is considered as an another most essential aspect of investigation
work, thus it provides systematic, theoretical analysis of the research tools that are applied to a
selected area of study. It comprises the theoretical evaluation of the body of the research methods
or principles that are associated with a branch of knowledge (Kearns, 2010). This part of the
investigation is based on various applications that supports the overall work in right manner.
Type of Investigation
This is one of the most indispensable pieces of investigation work as it is the real
obligation of researcher is to discover the research. The selection of the research is based on the
data accumulated by the researcher. An investigation is either qualitative or quantitative in
nature. A qualitative research based on nature of information which is assembled by the
researcher and on the opposite side quantitative research depends on amount of aggregated
information and data. In this present research work qualitative strategy must be made into
legitimate move as to investigating the aggregated information and data by applying proper
apparatuses and systems.
Research Design
Research design is a set of methods and procedure which is helpful in collecting and
analysing the specified variables in the research problem. It is used by the investigator to seek
valid outcome in an efficient and effective manner. Research design comprises of various
methodologies which is analysed through various sources. It is basically of three types which are
descriptive, exploratory and experimental. In this investigation descriptive research is being used
by the investigator because it is most suitable tool for qualitative research and it will give
detailed information about the research topic and research problem in a sequential and
coordinated manner.
Research Approach
Research approach means a systematic plan and procedure which is applied to do research in
coherent manner. This also signifies a way to execute investigation activities in systemized
manner. It consists of broad assumptions of detail data collection method, analysis and
interpretation (Ingram and et. al., 2012). It is based on the nature of problem being addressed.
Research approaches is done keeping in mind the methods, design and philosophy. With this
help researcher will be able to gather the data, analyse and interpret it to get valid conclusion.
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Research approaches is basically of two types, deductive and inductive. The selection of research
approach is basically based on the type of investigation which is select to conduct an
investigation. In this research qualitative research is being considered. The investigator has
considered inductive research approach as it is effective for qualitative investigation and
effective in accumulation of data and information through the support of theories and hypothesis
and also plays vital role to find desired outcomes.
Research Philosophy
Research philosophy helps in expressive the ways in which data can be gathered, analysed and
used. This tool is significantly applied used to interpret the data so that better results can be
drawn out from the research. This section is emphasises on two major types i.e. Interpretivism
and positivism researcher philosophy. Under Interpretivism philosophy, investigator interprets
elements of research study and it also integrated interest towards a specified area of study
(Johnston and Marshall, 2013). On the other side Positivism philosophy is based on the
quantifiable observation that leads towards the statistical analysis. Under this, actions of people
can described through social norms that can exposed socialisation. In the present investigation
work interpritivism philosophy has been applied by the researcher as it is most suitable tool for
analysing qualitative investigation through analysing the perspective and opinion of various
authors and writers.
Data Collection Tools
Data collection is a tool which is applied by the researcher to collect data and information
from the sources to know the answers of the research problem, evaluate the hypothesis and
outcomes. The major goal of data collection is to gather quality data so that accurate and
appropriate conclusions can be drawn out easily. Data collection tools are basically based on two
aspects one is primary and other one is secondary source of data collection. In this both Primary
as well as secondary source will be used by the researcher to gather reliable information to
reaching at potential outcome. Primary information will be gather through creating a survey in
which questionnaire will be use to gather information from the respondents and on the contrary
secondary tool will be use for conducting the section of literature review by accumulation of data
from books, journals, published research articles etc. Thus both the tools are effective in drawing
a reliable outcome.
Data Sampling Tool
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It is a statistical analysis method which is applied to select, handle and analyse the data in proper
manner so that conclusions can be drawn out is effective way. It basically assist the researcher
about the data which is to be collected and analysed for the purpose of completion of an
investigation work. The element of sample space is known as sample point. The sample is
replicates from the original population as in this researcher plays vast ole in selecting the
targeted sample by which relevant data can be gathered in effective manner. There are two
methods of data sampling which is probabilistic and non probabilistic method. Probabilistic
sampling includes the area where investigation is being done (Tummons, 2014). On the other
side non probabilistic method includes voluntary response. In this present research work , data
will be gathered through random sampling tool from the non probabilistic method thus this will
help in selecting suitable people instead of whole population which will be known as sample
size. In this sample size of 30 respondents will be selected, who are the employee of Thomas
Cook, However employees are able to provide accurate information in regards to the operations
of the firm.
Time Scale
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References
Books and Journals
Boella, M. and Goss-Turner, S., 2013. Human Resource Management in the Hospitality
Industry: a Guide to Best Practice. London: Routledge.
Chatha. A. K, Butt. I. and Tariq. A., 2015. Research methodologies and publication trends in
manufacturing strategy: A content analysis based literature review. International Journal
of Operations & Production Management. 35(4). pp.487 - 546.
Dimba, K. B., 2010. Strategic human resource management practices: effect on performance.
African Journal of Economic and Management Studies. 1(2). pp.128-137.
Guercini. S., 2014. New qualitative research methodologies in management. management
Decisions. 52(4). pp.662 - 674.
Hafeez, K., 2013. Planning human resource requirements to meet target customer service levels.
International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences. 5(2). pp.230-252.
Ingram, T. N. and et.al., 2012. Sales management: Analysis and decision making. ME Sharpe.
Johnston, M. W. and Marshall, G. W., 2013. Sales Force Management: Leadership, Innovation,
Technology. Routledge.
Kearns, P., 2010. HR Strategy. RoutledgeMoss, S. and Hind, G. W. D., 2005. Employability
Skills. Business Education Publishers, Limited.
Tummons. J., 2014. Using Software for Qualitative Data Analysis: Research Outside
Paradigmatic Boundaries, in Martin Hand , Sam Hillyard (ed.) Big Data? Qualitative
Approaches to Digital Research. 13. pp.155 - 177.
Wilson. S. and MacLean. R., 2011. Research Methods and Data Analysis for Psychology.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Youngsoo Choi, S., 2014. Subjective Well-Being, Work Motivation and Organizational
Commitment of Chinese Hotel Frontline Employees: A Moderated Mediation Study. J
Tourism Res Hospitality. 03(02).
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