The Significance of Leadership in Boosting Company Competitiveness

This dissertation delves into the significance of leadership in enhancing company competitiveness, focusing on Sainsbury as a case study. The research begins with an introduction outlining the research's overview, rationale, aims, objectives, questions, framework, potential significance, chapter structure, and timeline. A comprehensive literature review explores the concept of leadership, its importance for Sainsbury's competitive advantages, and the relationship between leadership and company competitiveness. The methodology chapter details the type of investigation, research design, approach, philosophy, data collection methods (primary and secondary), sampling, data analysis (thematic analysis), and ethical considerations. The subsequent chapters present data analysis, conclusions, recommendations, and a reflective statement. The dissertation aims to identify how leadership boosts competitiveness, providing valuable insights for businesses. Desklib offers this and similar resources, including past papers and solved assignments, to aid students in their studies.

Dissertation

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Overview of research............................................................................................................1
1.2 Rationale for the study..........................................................................................................2
1.3 Research aim.........................................................................................................................3
1.4 Research objectives...............................................................................................................3
1.5 Research questions................................................................................................................4
1.6 Framework and analysis........................................................................................................4
1.6 Potential significance of the research....................................................................................5
1.7 Chapter structure...................................................................................................................5
1.8 Time scale.............................................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................8
2.1 Concept of leadership............................................................................................................9
2.2 Importance of leadership for Sainsbury to achieve competitive advantages......................11
2.3 Relationship between leadership and competitiveness of company...................................14
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...........................................................................15
3.1 Type of investigation...........................................................................................................16
3.2 Research design...................................................................................................................16
3.3 Research approach..............................................................................................................17
3.4 Research philosophy...........................................................................................................18
3.5 Data collection method.......................................................................................................19
3.6 Sampling method ...............................................................................................................20
3.7 Data analysis.......................................................................................................................20
3.8 Accessibility issues.............................................................................................................20
3.9 Ethical issues.......................................................................................................................21
3.10 Validity and reliability......................................................................................................21
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................22
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.....................................................42
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................42
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................44
CHAPTER 6: REFLECTIVE STATEMENT...............................................................................45

REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................47
.......................................................................................................................................................49

Title: “A study on how Leadership is utilized to bolster the competitiveness in companies”
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview of research
Leadership consider as a process by which person influence others with the aim of
accomplishing objectives and at the same time it also directs the business in a way that help in
making it more organized and logical as well. In addition of this, leadership help individuals to
attain common goals and objectives in systematic manner. In this, leader play a significant role
in carry out the process by implementing as well as applying their leadership skills and
knowledge. With the assistance of this, they can easily lead and direct their workers to
accomplished their target in effective manner (Allen, Attoh and Gong, 2017). Along with this,
leadership is also consider as a capability of management to set as well as accomplish all the
complex task in stipulate time frame. It is one of the important function of business organisation
as it help in enhancing the productivity level of the company. In this context, a good leaders can
develop the process of training, self study, experience which may aid in influencing workers to
perform their best and attain their targets. A dedicated leader inspires their workers to perform
high level of teamwork which may help in attaining all the desired goals. This will directly
contribute in enhancing the chances of attaining competitiveness of business organization at
market place. One of the main aim of implementing leadership process is to encourage as well as
direct the workers towards the set goals so that they put their best for attaining the same in an
effective manner. Present research is based on Sainsbury, is famous and third largest chain of
supermarket in UK. It founded in 1869 by John James Sainsbury with the aim of attaining
success at market place. Company deals in hypermarket, supermarket, convenience shop and
forecourt shop.
Background of the study: Leadership is an important process for business organization
to increase the competitiveness of company. In this leaders responsible for directing as well as
encouraging their followers to put their best efforts in a team work. By this they easily attain
their set target and also increase their productivity level (Arasa and Gathinji, 2014). Effective
leadership directly impact on the workers and company performance which makes it positive to
attain competitiveness within market place. The main reason behind this is that leadership help in
inspiring others to engage with company vision that contribute in maximizing the workers efforts
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towards the set targets. Through effective leadership process company may easily boost up
workers productivity which positively affect on the overall performance of the business. For
leading and inspiring, leader use their skills, knowledge and styles as per employees performance
at workplace (Asrar-ul-Haq and Kuchinke, 2016). However it is true that by directing and
motivating to employees company can improve their performance and also sustain their image at
market for longer period of time. Without leading workers, they fail in effectively perform their
task so that is is necessary for a leader to guide as well as inspire employees so that they easily
perform their best and also increase the chances of attaining positive results.
1.2 Rationale for the study
The research is consideration to identify the significance of entire research work which
provide value to the investigator in attaining the positive outcomes. The whole study is valuable
in nature in which investigator is responsible for determine the rationale of carry out the
specified research work. With the assistance of this, they can easily draw a valid conclusion. The
present research is carry out to determine the significance of leadership in boosting the
competitiveness of organization. As per modern era, every business face issues related with
employees engagement and inabilities of employees that negatively impact on the productivity
level of the company at market place. Thus, effective leadership is play a significant role in
improving workers performance at workplace in which a good leader is responsible for guiding
and directing the workers towards the set target so that they can perform their task in a team
work in order to attain all the predetermined goals and objectives. The leadership is important for
business organization for leading as well as encouraging team members to accomplishing their
common goals and at the same time also enhance their efficiency level for executing allotted task
and activities.
In addition of this, leadership and competitiveness is interrelated with each other as it
positively impact on developing productivity level of the company. For motivating workers,
leader is play a significant role in making them able to accept all the complex task and activities
that may contribute in accomplishing set targets in stipulate time frame. In recent time, every
business organization spending time for motivating the people to a higher level of performance
by developing their strong human relations (Babalola, Stouten and Euwema, 2016). Along with
this, leadership is also consider as vital component of effective management as it give
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opportunities to manage the team workers. This may directly impact on attaining positive results
within the organisation.
In this context, the main purpose of undertaking this research is to evaluate the main
importance of leadership for business organization to increase their overall performance and
boosting the competitiveness (Beer, 2014). Leadership is an effective and important part within
the company which help in supporting as well as guiding the workers about how to put their best
and complete assigned task in stipulate time frame. This is the main reason that company use
leadership so that they provide proper direction to the workers at the time of executing their task
activities. With the help of this, employees get motivated and encouraged towards the working
activities this may put positive impact in enhancing the chances of boosting the competitiveness
in company. This will contribute in establishing the positive image at market place. By carry out
this research, investigator easily analysis the significance of leadership to improve their skills
that help them at the time of taking decision within the research. By this they can draw a valid
conclusion to improve the efficiency level of the entire research work.
1.3 Research aim
Research aim is refers to the important section of the research which provide a clear path
to investigator to carry out the research. As entire research is based on its aim so that it is
essential for investigator to set clear aim so that they can easily understand the nature of the
study. In this context the main aim of this research is “To identify the significance of
Leadership in boosting the competitiveness of company” A case study on Sainsbury.”
1.4 Research objectives
Research objectives refers to the concise statement that provide accurate and clear
direction to the investigator to undertake entire research activities in effective manner. Mainly, it
is related with what is required to attained by undertaking research activities. A clear defining
research objectives help investigator to identify the issue. For evaluating the solution, researcher
is responsible for setting a clear objectives that may aid in drawing a valid conclusion within the
research (Bejtkovský, 2016). As it is based on the research aim which may aid in undertaking
research activities in systematic manner. The research objectives are as follows:
 To Understand the concept of leadership.
 To identify the importance of leadership for Sainsbury to achieve competitive
advantages.
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 To analysis the relationship between leadership and competitiveness of company.
1.5 Research questions
This section is related with particular issues or concern on which researcher undertake the
research. In addition of this, all the questions are based on set research objectives in attaining
positive outcomes (Biswas and Suar, 2016). As per this part, investigator undertake literature
review which includes views and opinion of different authors. In this regards, some research
questions are as follows:
 What is the concept of leadership?
 How leadership is important and beneficial for Sainsbury to achieve competitive
advantages?
 What is the relationship between leadership and competitiveness of company.
1.6 Framework and analysis
This section is also play a significant role in drawing a valid conclusion by undertaking
the whole research. Framework and analysis includes detailed information which support in
attaining positive reliable outcome. In this context, there are some tools and techniques that help
investigator to gather relevant towards the specific research topic and area as well:
Research design: The present study is carry out by using application of descriptive
research through which investigator collect huge amount of data and information towards the
significance of Leadership in boosting the competitiveness of company. With the assistance of
this, research maker can easily collect relevant data and information.
Research philosophy: For carry out the research activities, investigator use theoretical
aspect as it help in analysing the importance of Leadership in boosting the competitiveness of
company. For gathering the data, interpretivism philosophy is used by investigator as it is based
on social constructed environment (Blanchard, 2015). By this they can easily take valid decision
within the research activities.
Research type: In this research, qualitative type of research will used as it includes
analysing of collected data that help in attaining positive outcomes. Along with this, it also help
in drawing a valid conclusion that support in attaining set research aims and objectives in
systematic manner.
Research approach: To carry out the present research, investigator will use deductive
approach as it help in analysing the main importance of Leadership in boosting the
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competitiveness of company (Blanchard, 2018). As this type of data and information helpful in
enhancing the chances of attaining positive outcomes.
Data collection: It is important for researcher maker to select appropriate method of data
collection as it help in effectively gathering valid data towards the research topic. For this
research, both primary and secondary method will be used by researcher. For gathering primary
data, research maker includes sample of employees and on the other side secondary data is gather
through various sources such as books, journals, articles and many more.
Data analysis: For carry out this research, data collected through qualitative method in
which scholar use thematic analysis for evaluating the data. By this they can easily attain positive
outcomes by making themes and graphical presentation as well.
1.6 Potential significance of the research
Current research is based on the significance of Leadership in boosting the
competitiveness of company. This study consider as an effective for business organization to
determining the main role of leadership in enhancing the competitive image of the company.
Thus, company is responsible for effectively implement the leadership at workplace so that
employees can be motivated and encouraged towards the assigned task and activities. In context
of this, research help in understanding the actual need of leadership within the business and how
it increase the competitive image of the company. With the assistance of this, organization can
easily retain their workers for longer period of time and at the same time also make them able to
attain their targets. By carry out this research, researcher easily evaluate the effectiveness of
leadership in making an effective team which contribute in accomplishing particular goals and
objectives (BOGOVIZ and et. al., 2017). It help business organization to attain success by
retaining their workers for longer period of time.
1.7 Chapter structure
It is important for researcher to carry out the research in appropriate format so that
positive outcomes can be easily attained. As it play a significant role in presenting the whole
study in systematic way which help researcher maker in executing research activities in
appropriate structure. In this context, for undertaking this research investigator going to follow
the structure that mentioned in below:
Chapter 1: Introduction
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This is one of the important section in which research work is going to start and also
provide a brief overview of entire study (Bossle and et. al., 2016). Along with this, it also
includes research aim and objectives that help investigator in determining the issues in effective
way. With the assistance of this chapter, researcher easily evaluate the important concept of the
research activities.
Chapter 2: Literature review
This section comes after completing the introduction section as it give important data and
information about the research topic. Mainly, it is related with secondary sources in which data
collected from books, journals, articles, news paper and another published sources that help in
making strong base of dissertation. Along with this, different views and opinion of authors is
also includes in this section which is related with the research aim and objectives. With the
assistance of this, researcher can easily attain positive outcomes in appropriate time frame.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
This section consider as one of the important because it includes various methods to
undertake research in appropriate way. With the use of this section, investigator can easily
complete the research activities. In this, researcher is responsible for selecting appropriate
methods to collect as well as analyse the data in order to draw a valid conclusion.
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Under this section, researcher analyse the collected data in order to attain facts and figure
towards the research aim and topic. Mainly, it provide detailed information to investigator in
order to effectively understand the actual nature of the study. Data analysis provide support to
investigator at the time of taking decision within the research.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations
It is last and vital section of dissertation in which conclusion is based in the research aim
and objectives that conclude the whole study ineffective manner. Furthermore, recommendation
is related with the improvement within the research (Boulouta and Pitelis, 2014). As it help in
improving the chances of attaining positive outcomes and at the same time also improve validity
of the study.
1.8 Time scale
It is one of the important aspect of the study as it help in completing the research
activities allotted time frame. In this, all the activities of research is set along with specified time
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and researcher is responsible for create suitable time frame so that they can easily execute the
research activities in systematic manner. With out time scale, researcher is not able to perform its
activities (Calvo-Mora and et. al., 2015). With the assistance of this, investigator can easily
undertake research and also draw a valid conclusion by reducing the chances of arising any kind
of issues and obstacles. In this context, Gantt chart is also play a important role in
communicating status of the research with managers which aid in ensuring that whole activities
of the research is on the track and also effectively completed.
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CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
This section is also consider as an important activity through which investigator gather
data and information about the research topic. Mainly, it includes various published material
such as books, journals, articles, newspapers and many more. All these are help researcher in
gathering valid and reliable information about the topic and area as well. In addition of this, it is
in-depth analysis of information that is related with the secondary sources. The review of
previous literature help in carry out the research as it sets a clear path for the investigator to
effectively gather the data and information towards the research topic and area as well. With the
assistance of this, investigator easily take decision and improve the chances of attaining positive
outcomes. The literature of research objectives provide valuable and reliable outcomes that
improve the efficiency of the study (Canals, 2014). Mainly, the research is undertake on the basis
of significance of Leadership in boosting the competitiveness of company. By this, research
maker can easily draw a valid and reliable conclusion.
2.1 Concept of leadership
According to Chahal and Bakshi, (2015), leadership is a process by which a person
influence others to accomplishing the target by directing workers for organizing them in
systematic manner. In addition of this, it is also help in influencing individuals to attain their
common goals. Mainly, leaders undertake the leadership process by applying their skills and
knowledge. With the assistance of this, leader easily motivate as well as encourage their workers
to perform their best. A dedicated leader is responsible in inspiring workers towards the high
level of team work so that workers can attain all the common goals in stipulate time frame. In
this context, while leadership is learned the skills and knowledge is processed by the leaders to
make workers more productive and inspired about the assigned task and activities. This will
directly contribute in attaining competitive advantage from its rivals. In addition of this,
leadership is consider as a most important element that used by leader to direct as well as guide
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all the function within the management. It includes an effective and organized group of people
who work together for attaining the common goals. In this leader play a vital role in organization
because they has power of leadership which consider the power integrating. The leader is
determine what is best in the group members and provide them task activities accordingly.
Mainly, he is a person who has ability to influence other to perform well and attain set targets in
allotted time frame. In this regards, leadership is consider as an ability to build up as well as
develop confidence among workers and at the same time also create positive relation among
them. Thus, it is a important for leader to exercise of authority with the of making effective
decision that positively contribute in organization in accomplishing set targets in systematic
manner. In context of business, it is a mean of directing workers with a strategy to effectively
meet the organization needs that lead in making brand image more competitive and famous as
well. Effective leadership is based on the ideas whether it can be original or borrowed. This kind
of ideas can be communicated with others in a way that help in engaging them and at the same
time also motivate them to act accordingly. It increase the chances of attaining predetermined
targets which may lead in establishing competitive image at market place.
According to Collings, (2014), leadership carry out the process which help in applying
leadership skills and knowledge through which leader influence and take action to encourage
their subordinates. Mainly, it is most important factor and art of motivating a group of people to
perform their best with the aim of attaining a common goal. This will lead in enhancing the
growth of the company. Furthermore, it is the accomplishment of goals by providing direction of
human assistants which assist in maximizing the performance to accomplish any kind of task and
objectives as well. With the help of this kind of ability of developing as well as communicating a
clear vision with group of people to make them able in perform their task accordingly. In this
regards there are some characteristics or feature of leadership that define the clear concept of
leadership. All these are as follows: All pervading/ present: It is one of the important feature of leadership that may aid in
ensure about the profitable outputs by evaluating the human activities at workplace. Optimizing the use of resources: It is also consider as a ability of leadership which
contribute in ensuring about the optimum as well as appropriate utilization of available
human resource at workplace to improve the overall performance of the company.
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