Application of Social Cognitive Theory: Analysis of TESCO Case Study

This essay examines a TESCO case study through the framework of Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. The analysis focuses on how personal, environmental, and behavioral factors interact to influence employee performance and satisfaction within the TESCO workplace. The study highlights challenges such as customer behavior, colleague relationships, and environmental factors like long working hours, and lack of support for certain demographics. The essay emphasizes key concepts of the theory including observational learning, reciprocal determinism, and self-regulation. It suggests that TESCO's management should focus on creating a positive workplace environment, providing leadership training, and utilizing retention processes, to enhance employee motivation and facilitate positive behavioral changes, ultimately improving the company's growth and success. The essay also references key academic sources to support its arguments.

Research skills

Table of Contents

Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory model
Social Cognitive Theory is defined as as the Social Leaning Theory which is basically a
interpersonal level of theory which is coined by Albert Bandura. This theory mainly focus upon
dynamic form of interaction among individuals personal factors, their behaviour and their
environment (Schunk and DiBenedetto, 2020). Present report is conducted on formative
evaluation of aspects of personal, environmental and behavioural factors from stated theory upon
case study evaluation of TESCO. It has been evaluated from the given case study that
employees of TESCO have undergone through various experiences that affected their
performance capabilities.
Case study evaluation of TESCO
According to the case study evaluation it has been evaluated that employees behaviour
and performance within TESCO mainly get effected due to various elements such as behaviour
of customers and seniors, personal as well as cognitive factor. Furthermore, it has been
underlined that all these factors basically interact as determinants of each other. As per this
theory, this has been stated that human functioning is determined in context of number of basic
capabilities that include vicarious capability, forethought capability, symbolizing capability, self-
regulatory and self-reflective capability (Eccles and Wigfield, 2020). Along with this, it has been
underlined that an individuals behaviour get affected due to the various challenges. Another key
concept is observational learning, which implies learning to perform new behaviours by
exposure to interpersonal or media displays of that same behaviour. Finally, according to this
theory self-regulation can be effectively accomplished in six different forms of manner that are
goal setting, self-reward, feedback on the quality of performance along with the manner in
which they can be improved, self-monitoring and systematic form of observation of individuals
own behaviour and social support from individuals who duly encourage other individuals to have
self-control. According to the evaluation of case study, it has been determined that employees
within company get duly affected with the ever changing environment along with the bond with
fellow colleagues. In addition to this, it has been duly determined that there is no support for
transgender women within organisational workplace premises. All these challenges are not only
affecting behaviour of employees towards their roles and responsibilities but are also affecting
their performance in an adverse manner. In this, management of entity by taking advantage of

new technology can imply this theory through which behaviour of employees can be facilitated
in a well define and effective manner.
Furthermore, it has been underlined that Social cognitive theory acts as most common
used behaviour change theories. Main motive of this theory is to effectively reciprocal
determinism that states interaction of individuals, behaviour and environment. In addition to this
it has been evaluated that person, environment and behaviour continuously interact with each.
According to this theory it has been evaluated that an individuals behaviour is effectively shaped
by making observation about individuals around them according the perceptions of environment.
In context with present case study analysis it has been determined that employees behaviour
within TESCO is being effected due the observation of customers along with their behaviour in
stores. Along with this employees also observed no bond with fellow colleagues. All these
challenges affected behaviour of employees. Furthermore, it has been underlined that employees
also faces environmental challenges related to long job hours that affected their performance in
an adverse manner (LENT, 2020). Thus, according to the analysis it has been evaluated that
management of TESCO is effectively required to maximise self-efficacy of employees by
providing them opportunities related to attend numerous training as well as developments
scissions. It has been evaluated that every employees in TESCO workplace structure does not
only require training to perform their job but are also needed to have opportunities of leadership
training in order to effectively grow in workplace structure.
According to this theory it has been analysed that theoretical perspective of this theory
are based upon some certain form of assumptions. It basically states that one individuals can
learn by making observation of others. In addition to this, this is being signified that learners can
effectively have new knowledge and behaviours by making simple observation of a model. In
this a model is states as an individuals who effectively demonstrate behaviour of someone else.
Thus, it is essential for TESCO to ensure that employees within organisational workplace
structure have positive environment through which their behaviour can be developed in an
effective manner (Dos Santos, 2020). Learning is defined as a a gradual process, in this
individuals learn by observing behaviour of other individuals. By determining case evaluation of
TESCO it has been underlined that company is facing employees dissatisfaction that has been
experienced by them by facing environment influences form customers along with the treatment

of company towards employees. All these elements are negatively affecting performance of
employees which can also cause problem in term of lower level of profitability and productivity
that can negatively hamper growth and development of entity in number of ways.
Illustration 1: Bandura proposed the idea of reciprocal determinism: Our behavior,
cognitive processes, and situational context all influence each other.

Thus, according to the above mentioned discussions it has been determined that within
TESCO employees get duly affected in a negative as well as positive manner by making
observation of actions of customers, behaviour of colleagues and more. All these factors acts as a
challenges that negatively affected their performance in a bad manner. In this situation it is
essential for management of TESCO to effectively assure that there is positive workplace
environment within entity as it is one of the most important factor through which learning of
employees can be enhanced in a positive manner. Along with this, it has been underlined that
observational learning is one of the most important aspect of this theory that indicates that
individuals get influenced with the environment which makes them to acquire new information
in a well define and effective manner. In addition to this, as per according to the analysis it has
been states that environment also enforce individuals to learn in a more quick manner. Thus, to
effectively overcome bad influences that employees faced it is essential for TESCO to
effectively self real-life models and encourage employees to learn in a positive manner. Present
case study also determines that TESCO is looking forward to cut jobs. Thus, in order to
effectively support employees it is essential for company to undertake advantage of retention
process (Lim, Zhang and Noh, 2020). All these practices will allow TESCO to acquire high
growth and success in a well define and effective manner. In addition to this, it has been
determined that it is also essential for TESCO to facilitate motivational processes in
organisational workplace structure. In this it is essential for entity to engage in the process of
observing behaviour of employees and motivate them accordingly as to satisfy them as per
according to their needs and demands. By observing their behaviour employees can be rewarded
in an effective manner. In addition to this, this has been evaluated that company if neglect these
practices can face challenges related to decrease in job satisfaction among employees.

Thus, by determining all the aspects it has been determined that it is also essential for
management of TESCO to ensure that within workplace structure there is formative way of
collaboration and relationship undertakes place. This is one of the most effective measure
through which employees can be provided in an effective manner and can further inspired and
motivated with great effectiveness. However it is also essential for employees to have self
regulations which is defined as a process of identifying a goal or set of goals and, in pursuing
these goals, using both internal (e.g., thoughts and affect) and external (e.g., responses of
anything or anyone in the environment) feedback to maximize goal attainment.”. Self-regulation
is also known as will power.
Illustration 2: Observational learning model.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Schunk, D.H. and DiBenedetto, M.K., 2020. Motivation and social cognitive
theory. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 60, p.101832.
Lim, J.S., Choe, M.J., Zhang, J. and Noh, G.Y., 2020. The role of wishful identification,
emotional engagement, and parasocial relationships in repeated viewing of live-
streaming games: A social cognitive theory perspective. Computers in Human Behavior,
p.106327.
Dace, E., Stibe, A. and Timma, L., 2020. A holistic approach to manage environmental quality
by using the Kano model and social cognitive theory. Corporate Social Responsibility
and Environmental Management, 27(2), pp.430-443.
Luc, P.T., 2020. Outcome expectations and social entrepreneurial intention: integration of
planned behavior and social cognitive career theory. The Journal of Asian Finance,
Economics, and Business, 7(6), pp.399-407.
Dos Santos, L.M., 2020. Promoting safer sexual behaviours by employing social cognitive
theory among gay university students: A pilot study of a peer modelling
programme. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5),
p.1804.
Eccles, J.S. and Wigfield, A., 2020. From expectancy-value theory to situated expectancy-value
theory: A developmental, social cognitive, and sociocultural perspective on
motivation. Contemporary Educational Psychology, p.101859.
LENT, R.W., 2020. Career development and counseling: A social cognitive framework. Career
Development and Counseling: Putting Theory and Research to Work, p.129.
Rumjaun, A. and Narod, F., 2020. Social Learning Theory—Albert Bandura. In Science
Education in Theory and Practice (pp. 85-99). Springer, Cham.
Goh, P.P.L., Perez, R.A. and Quek, X.J.J., 2020. Social cognitive theory and pro-environmental
behavior: review and suggestions.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals