Research Project: Talent Management and Entrepreneurship

This research project delves into the critical role of talent management within the realms of entrepreneurship and small businesses, with a specific focus on Rowlinson Knitwear. The project begins with a comprehensive introduction outlining the importance of talent management in attracting, retaining, and developing employees to enhance business performance and foster innovation. The research employs a structured approach, starting with a research proposal that establishes a clear research question supported by a literature review. The literature review explores the benefits of talent management, the challenges faced by businesses without it, and potential solutions. The project then examines appropriate research approaches and methods, including primary and secondary research, considering ethical and cost-related issues. The study includes primary and secondary research using proper methods for a business research project that undertakes access, cost and ethical issues. The findings are analyzed using appropriate analytical tools. The project culminates in communicating the research outcomes, reflecting on alternative methodologies, and offering recommendations and conclusions based on the research findings. The project aims to provide valuable insights into how effective talent management can contribute to the success and growth of small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures.

Research project

Table of Contents
TOPIC: “Talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses”. ........................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1Produce a research proposal that clearly state a research question supported by a literature
review.....................................................................................................................................4
Rationale of research..............................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
Role of talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses......................................5
Benefits of talent management in development of small business and entrepreneurship
successfully.............................................................................................................................5
Challenges faced by Rowlinson Knitwear without talent management.................................6
Ways for overcoming the challenges associated with talent management at workplace of
Rowlinson Knitwear...............................................................................................................6
P2 Examine appropriate research approaches and methods to primary and secondary research
................................................................................................................................................7
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
P3 Conduct primary & secondary research using proper methods for a business research
project that undertakes access, cost and ethical issues.........................................................10
P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data.........................12
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................21
P5 Communicate the research outcomes to the intended audience......................................21
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................22
P6 Reflection........................................................................................................................22
P7 Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the outcomes.22
RECOMMENDATIONS...............................................................................................................23
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24

TOPIC: “Talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses”.
INTRODUCTION
Talent management is a continuous which includes attracting and retaining quality
employees, continuously motivating them and developing their skills in order to improve their
performance. The main purpose of managing talent is to develop a motivated workforce that will
stay with organisation for longer time period. In addition to this, talent management plays an
important role as it assist in enhancing business performance, drives innovation, allow to attain
competitive advantage, decrease turnover rate, develop strong employer branding and many
more (Adamsen, 2016). Employee are the asset for every business entity that assist in meeting
with targets and objectives effectively and timely. To organise and manage employees within the
organisation, talent management is important function that develop positive working culture
within a company. To complete this investigation on the particular topic, researcher undertakes
Rowlinson Knitwear which produces knitwear and school wear for the school students. Along
with this, the company was founded in year 1973 and headquartered in United Kingdom. The
report will discuss about the role of talent-management in small business and entrepreneurship.
In addition to this, challenges associated to talent management and the ways to deal with such
challenges is analysed in the report. This study is beneficial for company in order to attract and
retain talent at workplace in an effective manner.
TASK 1
P1Produce a research proposal that clearly state a research question supported by a literature
review
Research aim:
The Main aim of this research is “To determine the benefits of talent management in
successfully development of small business and entrepreneurship. A study of Rowlinson
Knitwear
Research Questions:
 What are the major roles of talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses
 How talent management helps in development of small business and entrepreneurship
successfully?

 What are the major challenges that would be face by Rowlinson Knitwear without talent
management?
 What are the effective ways for overcoming the challenges associated with talent
management at workplace of Rowlinson Knitwear?
Research Objectives:
 To identify the role of talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
 To determine the benefits of talent management in development of small business and
entrepreneurship successfully.
 To examine the challenges that would be face by Rowlinson Knitwear without talent
management.
 To recommend ways for overcoming the challenges associated with talent management at
workplace of Rowlinson Knitwear.
Rationale of research
This research is highly important as it assist researcher in gaining knowledge about the
role of talent management for small businesses and entrepreneurs. In addition to this, it also
allowed research to know about the benefits as well as challenges associated with managing
talent of small business and entrepreneurship. It also assist researcher to know about the ways
company uses in order to overcome with the issues related to talent management. This assist
researcher in both professional and personal aspect. In context to professional, gaining
knowledge about management importance and role help in dealing with issues arise researchers
workplace. In relation to personal, it enhance skills of investigator that is data analysis, data
interpretation, communication skills, time management and so on. Moreover, it also help
researcher in future to conduct research timely and attain positive outcome as well.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is referred as a survey of scholarly knowledge on a particular topic. In
addition to this, it is the procedure of gathering detailed as well as in-depth information about the
study. The main objective of this section is to analysing gaps & inconstancies in the previous
investigation. Moreover, it also assist researcher in addressing every objective of present
investigation in a proper manner and systematic manner as well.

Role of talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses
According to Shipra singh, (2019), it is stated that talent management is one of the crucial
aspect as it help small businesses to become competitive in this uncertain marketplace. In
addition to this, it is determined that company can enhance its performance and also decline cost
due to effective talent management strategies. In context to small businesses, hiring the right
person is one of the significant factor that is attained by making use of effective talent
management strategies which in turn help small business and entrepreneurs to execute activities
properly and attain growth as well as success at marketplace (Bridge and O'Neill, 2017). It is
analysed that team of skilled and talented staff members help entrepreneurs to bring innovation
in market that attract large number of customers and aid them to achieve competitive advantage
at marketplace. In order to convert the idea into implementation appropriately at marketplace,
hiring and retention of talent is required within an organisation. Furthermore, the modern-day
entrepreneurs believes that ever-raising significance of practices of talent management can set
stage and help them to gain high dividend in the long-term effectively.
Benefits of talent management in development of small business and entrepreneurship
successfully
According to the views of Echelon, (2020), Efficient and effective talent management helps in
the growth of small business and enterprise. It is one of the most important business strategy in a
competitive and changing environment. Entrepreneur can optimise their profitability and
performance or can reduce their operating cost by using talent management strategy (Alhabeeb,
2014). In small scale industry there are less no of employee those are wholly responsible for the
company performance and its functions. Because of this small business have to make sure that
they will select right and suitable candidate for their organisation. Small entity must take care of
their employee and their loyalty, this is one of the ideal situation when the small enterprise gives
more focus on training and development.
Challenges faced by Rowlinson Knitwear without talent management
As per the views of Karim, Choudhary, and Latif, (2021), Employees are one the most
important resources of any small industry as employee turnover impact small entity. Small
business or entrepreneur can provide valuable productivity because of their skilled and trained
employee. Talent management will help small enterprises in retaining employee. The company
success mainly depends on their employee and their efficiency, so it is very crucial to select right

person at right place. Nowadays talent management become integral part of business which
include training, programs, development and hiring. If small company or entrepreneur who start
new business fail to hire and retain skilled workers as per requirement, then company will face
shut down in early days. New entrepreneur has to ensure that their employee maintain work life
balance, it is important for the company growth. In competitive environment talent management
plays key role in filling skill gap for the development of the company. To understand this
concept in better way, lets discuss the process of talent management. In the absence of talent
management, the company is not able to develop and train their employees in a better and
efficient way. This can create hindrance in the growth and development of the company, and
company may face losses, and Rawlinson Knitwear may not be able to stand in the market for
long run.
Ways for overcoming the challenges associated with talent management at workplace of
Rowlinson Knitwear
As per the views of KOLKEA, (2021), The best TMS can segregate core process of HR. TMS
collect, store and share the data and interlink between various departments. This gives clear
picture of data that is used as a company resources. It assists in strategic business decision
making of the small enterprise. TMS focus on individual goal along with business goal which
integrate development of small industry (Bennett, 2014). The first step in this process is to
understand the requirement and specification of skill gap. Then target the suitable employee for
their industry after that attract and recruit the employee. For selection best employee must be
selected out of whole slot. Now for the retention of best employee company must focus on
training development, promotions, career development and performance appraisal. The company
can overcome with the challenges of talent management at workplace by focusing on the points
discussed below:
 The company must hire the employees who are good at the required skills and examine
their talent so that they need not to face any problems in near future.
 Lack of leadership can become a challenge, but this can be overcome if management
trains the leaders and develop their skills and practical requirements for leading their
teams in good manner.

P2 Examine appropriate research approaches and methods to primary and secondary research
Research methodology refers as a process which is used in order to identify, analyse,
process as well as select data associated to the particular topic. In addition to this, it is one of the
important part of conducting study which assist in reflecting the overall evaluation of research
with their validity as well as reliability (Brizek, 2014). In this, various factors that is research
philosophy, approach, paradigm, collection & analysis of information is included which are
undertaken as a research onion that is given below:
Research design: It is referred as the process which assist in identifying the research
problem by different types of research design such as exploratory, experimental and descriptives
as well. In order to determine the research problem through quantitative sources, descriptive
research design is appropriate that is applied by the investigator in the present study.
Justification: The main reason of selecting descriptive research design is it help in
getting quantitative results in less time and cost as well.
Research philosophy: The present research can be based on the positivism and
interpretivism philosophy, in which positivism philosophy is undertaken in order to perform this
investigation in a systematic manner. It is stated that interpretivism philosophy is mainly based
in the principles which are applied and used to state that investigator performs and play a
particular role in observing the different concepts and phenomenon of social world (Bussin,
2014). Positivism philosophy tends to state that “genuine” knowledge is exclusively and
basically derived from the understanding and experience of natural phenomenon & their relations
and properties as well.
Justification: The selected philosophy is mainly based on the facts which leads to
improved sensory experience that is based and interpreted on logic and reason. In addition to
this, it help researcher to gather quantitative information that further assist in developing valid
and reliable conclusion effectively.
Research approach: There are mainly two types of research approaches that is deductive
and inductive approach. Inductive approach consist of resemblances, patterns, regularities within
experience are observed mainly for reaching or develop effective conclusion. On the other hand,
deductive research approach is one which is line with positivism philosophy & facilitate better
scanning as well as testing of numerical facts. For the present investigation, deductive approach
will be applied by researcher.

Justification: The reason of using this approach is it depend on existing theory and help
in developing hypothesis due to which reliable and valid conclusion is drawn by the investigator
(Cascio and Aguinis, 2018). In addition to this, it consume less time and resources which is also
the reason to applied deductive research approach.
Research strategy: It is consider as one of the important factor in an investigation that
involve different forms of research strategies such as survey, case study, action research and
many more. As per the given topic, Survey is undertaken by the researcher.
Justification: The main reason of using survey as a research strategy is it facilitate
investigator to collect as well as analyse quantitative and primary data within less time period. In
addition to this, it also help researcher to gain in-depth knowledge about the topic due to which
positive and valid conclusion is drawn.
Research choice: The choices of research includes quantitative and qualitative research
method, in which one is chosen and applied by investigator. In addition to this, the study
undertakes quantitative research method for conducting the investigation.
Justification: The main reason of selecting quantitative research method is it mainly
based on the numerical data that help investigator in ensuring that the overall results attained will
be reliable, valid and is more accurate as well (Brizek, 2014). In addition to this, it is analysed
that this research method take less time and cost of investigator.
Sampling: It is defined as the method of selecting number of respondents from the
overall population in order to conduct study and to collect data for the investigation. There are
mainly two forms of sampling that is probability and non-probability sampling (Dirani and et.
al., 2018). In addition to this, probability sampling includes random selection of respondents and
allow to make statistical inferences about the topic. On the other hand, non-probability sampling
method includes non-random selection that tends to be depend on convenience and other aspects
as well. In the present research, random sampling method, which is a form of probability
sampling is taken into consideration.
Justification: The main purpose of selection probability sampling method is it decline
the chance of biasness and also help investigator in choosing the participants without any bias. In
addition to this, the sample size of this investigation is 30 respondents who are the employees
working in respective organisation. The main reason of selecting employees as participants is

they have the knowledge about the company and provide knowledge to researcher that further
help in developing reliable and valid results.
Research instrument: There are various forms of research instrument used by the
researcher in order to conduct study and these are interview, questionnaire, focus group and so
on (Golubovskaya, Solnet and Robinson, 2019). In addition to this, all this instruments are
important in order to gather information. For the present investigation, questionnaire is chosen
by the investigator for collecting data on the particular study.
Justification: The main reason of using this research is it help in collecting data which is
in the form of numbers. In addition to this, it does not require more time and resources of
researcher and assist in achieving valid results if compare to other research instruments.
Data collection: It is defined as the procedure of collecting data on the particular study
associated to the study. The two different forms of data collection is primary and secondary
method. In context to primary data, it is the information which is collected for the first time and
is original in nature. The various sources of collecting primary information is questionnaire,
survey, interview and many more. On the other hand, secondary data is collected through books,
articles,journals, websites and so on (Rashki and et. al., 2017). For conducting the present
investigation, both the data collection method is used.
Justification: For collecting the primary information, a questionnaire is developed by
the researcher and for secondary data, the view point of different authors is consider and on the
basis of it literature review is developed. The main reason of selecting this methods is it assist in
gaining in-depth information about the topic due to which effective conclusion is drawn timely
and effectively.
Data analysis: It is defined as the procedure of evaluating both qualitative and
quantitative information through analytical techniques of investigation. In addition to this, it is
stated that analysis of data is important in order to get valid and reliable results as well (Goffee,
and Scase, 2015). The methods of data analysis is thematic analysis, frequency distribution, pie
chart and many more. For the present study, frequency distribution analysis is taken into
consideration.
Justification: The present investigation is mainly based on the quantitative data and to
evaluate it there is a need of frequency distribution analysis. In addition to this, it help in

analysing quantitative information in a proper manner that leads to development of valid and
reliable conclusion timely and effectively.
TASK 2
P3 Conduct primary & secondary research using proper methods for a business research project
that undertakes access, cost and ethical issues
Ethics: These are the moral principles which researcher should apply regardless of place
and time as well. In addition to this, there are certain principle of ethics which must be follow by
investigator that is avoiding deceptive practices, declining the risk, protecting confidentiality &
anonymity, obtaining informed consent, giving right to withdraw and so on. All these ethics will
assist researcher in conducting of research activities without any delays and interruptions.
Reliability and validity: It is consider as another research methodology which is mainly
based on questionnaire (Mathias and Williams, 2018). Along with this, it is useful method of
collecting the data which help researcher to test validity and reliability outcomes.
Cost, access and ethical issues: For conducting investigation, researcher have to put
emphasis on some factors in order to attain positive research outcomes. For this, researcher
requires sufficient amount of funds as it help in conducting primary & secondary study
effectively. In addition to this, access regarding some resources or sources are also undertaken by
researcher in advance as it will be advantageous for completion of research systematically. Apart
from this, there are number of ethical practices that is followed by investigator for completion of
research that is confidentiality, authenticity, informed consent ans so on.
Questionnaire
Q1 . Do you have idea about talent management in small business?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. According to you, what are the benefits gained by small business and entrepreneurs due to
talent-management?
a) Increase in performance
b) Achievement of competitive advantage
c) Retention of employees
d) Enhancement of brand image

Q3. As per your view point, is talent management assist in development of small business and
entrepreneurship successfully?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q4. What are the challenges faced by Rowlinson Knitwear without talent-management?
a) Increase employee turnover
b) Decline in performance level
c) Disagreements among employees
Q5. According to you, is above mentioned challenges impact on the performance and
productivity of Rowlinson Knitwear?
a) Yes
b) No
Q6. What are the advantages of talent-management for the employees of small business?
a) Boost up confidence
b) Employee motivation
c) Attainment of job satisfaction
Q7. What are the different ways can be adopted by Rowlinson Knitwear to overcome the
challenges related to talent-management at workplace?
a) Providing training and development
b) Adoption of participative leadership style
c) Fulfilment of employee's requirement
Q8. As per your view point, is above mentioned ways help Rowlinson Knitwear to deal with
the challenges related to talent-management?
a) Yes
b) No
Q9. Does talent management strategies effective for Rowlinson Knitwear to attain competitive
advantage?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10. Provide some recommendations to Rownlison Knitwear in order to manage talent at
workplace?

P4 Apply appropriate analytical tools, analyse research findings and data
Q1 . Do you have idea about talent management in small business? Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) No 8
Interpretation: From the above graph it is interpreted that out of 300 respondents 22
have knowledge about talent management while 8 respondents do not understand the idea of
talent management. In order to gain desired results the organisation needs to consider this data
related to knowledge of respondents about talent management.
Q2. According to you, what are the benefits gained by small business and
entrepreneurs due to talent-management?
Frequency
a) Increase in performance 8
b) Achievement of competitive advantage 8
c) Retention of employees 9
d) Enhancement of brand image 5
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
22
8
Column B