Evaluation of Talent Management at Sainsbury's: A Research Project

This research project investigates talent management as a strategic priority, focusing on the British retailer Sainsbury's. It examines the significance of talent management in attracting and retaining skilled employees, enhancing performance, and achieving organizational goals. The study explores the concept of talent management, the roles of line managers and leaders in employee development and well-being, and effective strategies to improve talent management. The research utilizes both primary and secondary sources, with a quantitative research approach for data collection and analysis. The project includes an introduction, literature review, research methodology, data analysis, discussion of findings, and recommendations, providing a comprehensive overview of talent management practices within Sainsbury's and offering insights into improving employee development and well-being.

Research Project
Abstract
The current assignment is based on the topic of talent management as a strategic priority for
which selected organisation is Sainsbury. The concept of talent management has become vital for
all business organisation as it support hiring of talented employees along with retaining theses

skilled and experienced people for a longer period of time. Thus, the main aim of current
investigation is to evaluate about the concept of talent management along with analysing its role
as strategic priority together with role of managers and leaders in development and well-being of
employees. With respect to current study, use of both primary and secondary source of
information has been made to ensure sufficient information for study. Beside this, selection of
quantitative nature of research is made to ensure easy and cost efficient way of data collection
along with its effective presentation through making use of statistical tools.
Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................1
Research project: “Talent management as a strategic priority”. A research project on Sainsbury. 1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Background to the study.........................................................................................................1
Aim and objectives.................................................................................................................1
Rationale for selection of topic...............................................................................................1
Research questions.................................................................................................................2
Literature review..............................................................................................................................2
The concept of talent management as a strategic priority within a firm................................2
The role of line managers and leaders in employee development and well-being at the
workplace of Sainsbury..........................................................................................................3
Effective ways that ensures and lead to better talent management and employees well being at
place of work of Sainsbury.....................................................................................................4
Research methodology.....................................................................................................................5
Analysis and interpretation of data..................................................................................................7
Analysis of data......................................................................................................................7
Interpretation of Data.............................................................................................................7
Communication and discussion on research findings....................................................................16
Discussion on research findings...........................................................................................16
Conclusion and recommendation...................................................................................................17
Conclusion............................................................................................................................17

Recommendation..................................................................................................................18
Reflection.......................................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
Appendix I.....................................................................................................................................21

Research project: “Talent management as a strategic priority”. A research
project on Sainsbury.
Introduction
Background to the study
The concept of talent management is basically associated with the process of getting
recruitment and selection of talented persons to ensures a right person at right job along with
organises practises and strategies to motivate and help employees to grow and develop better
skills and capabilities (Anlesinya and Amponsah-Tawiah, 2020). Thus, talent management forms
a viable and crucial part of every orgnisation to achieve organisational goal in an efficient
manner. Therefore, current investigation is conducted on Sainsbury that is a well known British
retailer and chain of supermarkets the main headquarter of which is situated at London, United
Kingdom. The main aim and objectives of current investigation is provided below:
Aim and objectives
The main aim associated with current project is, “To evaluate about the concept of talent
management as a strategic priority along with analysis of role of line managers and leaders in
employee development and well-being”. An investigation on Sainsbury
Research Objectives
 To review about the concept of talent management as a strategic priority within a firm.
 To analysis the role of line managers and leaders in employee development and well-
being at the workplace of Sainsbury.
 To determine some effective ways that ensures and lead to better talent management and
employees well being at place of work of Sainsbury.
Rationale for selection of topic
The selection o current research topic is rationale as in today’s environment it is vital and
important for organisation to regularly enhance and sharpen skills of their employees to maintain
their performance level which can be ensured by effective talent management. Further, it is also
important and vital for a form to determine the role of managers and leaders in ensuring well
being and development of employees to motivate workforce for better and timely achievement of
organisational goals. Beside this, selection of current research topic based on talent management
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is also vital and important from personal interest of researcher along with meeting academic
view point to enhance the skills and managerial skills of researcher.
Research questions
 What is meant by the concept of talent management as a strategic priority within a firm?
 What crucial role is lead by the line managers and other leaders in leading effective
employee development and well-being at the workplace of Sainsbury?
 What could be the some effective ways that ensures and lead to better talent management
and employees well being at place of work of Sainsbury?
Literature review
This section of research project facilitates a base and complete framework for investigation
through facilitating survey and review of secondary sources of information (Ardyanfitri and
Wahyuningtyas, 2018). Use of online articles and journals are made for current study to review
and analysis about the topic of talent management and its objective, an analysis and discussion of
which is provided below:
The concept of talent management as a strategic priority within a firm
As per the view point of Prarthana Ghosh, 2019, it has been analysed that the concept of
talent management is related with and involves finding out skills gap and vacant positions along
with on-boarding most suitable and appropriate candidates to fill that gap through leading
employees grow and develop within the system by the way of effective guidance and training.
Therefore, an analysis can be that the concept of talent management is all about maintaining a
proper skill and competency level within the performance through leading proper motivation and
training in order to effectively engaging and retaining talented employees along with enhancing
theory skills and performance level to achieve and accomplish desired organisational goals in an
effective and more efficient manner (Baharin and Hanafi, 2018). Further, it has been also
observed that the in the current era where high level of competition is prevailing in business
environment proper management of talent has became more vital and important for an
orgnisation to sharpen the skills of its employees to have better performance and efficiency level
to overcome cut throat competition. Beside this, following are the main reasons and factors that
leads to talent management as a strategic priority for all business organisation:
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Attract and retain potential talents- The first and foremost importance of talent
management that makes it a strategic priority comprises of the fact that it attract and retain
potential talents by the way of providing a positive and healthy workplace environment. An
analysis can be made that the effective talent management ensures and leads to better growth
opportunity to sharpen the skills and competences of employees by the way of regular training
and development secession which lead to enhanced motivation and satisfaction level in
workforce that leads to longer retaining of talented employees to meet the organisational goals in
a better manner (Baldwin and di Mauro, 2020).
Enhance performance level- Talent management is directly associated and related with
the development of better skills and competencies in employees through recruiting talented
employees and sharpening their skills with regular training and development session. Thus, a
positive impact and improvement in the efficiency and performance level of employees is
ensured and undertaken by talent management that leads to overall enhancement in the
performance and success level of the organisation that makes talent management a strategic
priority to each and every company (Chen, Lee and Ahlstrom, 2019).
The role of line managers and leaders in employee development and well-being at the workplace
of Sainsbury.
With respect to the information provided by the Eliza Paul, 2019, it has been analysed that
crucial and important role is lead out by the of line managers and leaders in employee
development and well-being at the workplace as they directly manage and supervise all the
activities and prcatises undertaken at the place of work. The line managers and leaders are
directly associated with the On-boarding, providing training, ensuring effective mentoring,
guiding and coaching that leads a significant role in employee development and well being.
Following are the main points and factors that are representing the direct and positive role of line
managers and leaders in employee development and well-being at the workplace of Sainsbury:
Set work expectation to meet needs of employees- The key role and responsibility of a line
manager and leader comprises of setting KPA and KRA for employees working in a team thus, a
significant role and focus is lead by line manager and leaders to divide and bifurcate team roles
and responsibilities in such a manner that it effectively meets the need an expectation of all
employees (Fang, 2019). An analysis can be made the, line manger and leaders of Sainsbury
divide the job roles and key responsibilities among the employees as per their interest and skills
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level to maintaining their satisfaction and efficiency level that plays a vital role in better
employee development and there well being at workplace.
Improve employee’s engagement- The line managers and leaders are also associated with
leading improvement in employee engagement through making employees more passionate and
dedicated towards their work and organisation by the way of proper guidance and training along
with maintaining and leading out a positive relationship with workforce. An analysis can be
made that all the measures are taken and adopted by the managers and leaders of Sainsbury to
offer a more positive and healthy workplace environment to meet the satisfaction level of
employees which helps in making employees happy and more convenient and dedicated towards
their work thus, ensures and maintain development and well being level of employees at
workplace (Fu, and et. al., 2018).
Effective ways that ensures and lead to better talent management and employees well being at
place of work of Sainsbury.
According to the view point of Harsch, K. and Festing, M., 2020, it has been evaluated that the
management of talent has become vital for all organisation thus some effective and better ways
must be adopted by firms to support talent management and employees well being at place of
work. Some effective ways that ensures and lead to better talent management and employees
well being at place of work of Sainsbury are evaluated and analysed below:
Providing regular incentives and perks- To motivate and direct workforce in an effective
and vital way, providing regular incentives and performance based perks are vital. An analysis
can be made that, the monetary rewards and better perks and incentives always facilitates an
higher motivation and positive impact on the mind set of employees which direct and drives
them towards better skills development and enhanced efficiency and performance level.
Therefore, providing regular incentives and perks is a viable strategy that can be adopted by the
managers and leaders of Sainsbury to ensure better management of talent at it place of work
(Gehrels, 2019).
Training and development- Another vital way for improving and enhancing the talent and
skill level of employees is associated with providing and leading out effective training and
development session for employees. An analysis can be made that training and development
session proves a better base for sharpening the existing skills and competencies of employees
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and also encourages an enhanced level of motivation and satisfaction in employees thus, lead to
better management of talent within Sainsbury (Gupta, 2019).
Providing effective communication and positive workplace environment- Leading out
proper communication is also a suitable and effective way for the managers and leaders of
Sainsbury to have better talent management and employees well being at place of work as it lead
to reduction in chances of conflicts and chaos at place work to offer a more positive and healthy
workplace environment that is necessary to lead out employment well being and development.
An analysis can be made that the managers and leaders of Sainsbury plays a should provide
regular guidance and motivation to employees with leading effective communication that leads
to better development and well being of employees at workplace through meeting all their
expectation and offering a proper chance of participation and involvement through proper
channels of communication (Hsiao, 2017).
Research methodology
It forms a most vital and important aspect of a research reject that facilitates and provide
systematic information about the various research methods and approaches used by a researcher
for accomplishment and achievement of desired objectives in an efficient manner (Karumuri,
2016). To maintain the reliability and validity of current research work, use of research onion
model has been made for current investigation to ensure adoption of appropriate research method
for current research project along with providing proper justification and reasons for selection of
a valid and suitable research approach and method.
Research philosophies- It represent the first layer of model selected which is divided into
four main categories consists of positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism and realism philosophies,
From theses type of research philosophies one suitable and appropriate one is selected on the
basis if nature of study and research project. With respect to current investigation, utilisation of
positivism philosophy is made as it best suitable for numeric nature of current investigation as
also facilities an effective set of principles to systematically conduct current research project to
achieve desired objectives in a viable manner (Neri and Wilkins, 2019).
Research approach- There are two main forms and type of research approach presented by
the second layer of research onion which consist of deductive and inductive forms of approaches.
Out of these two kinds of research approach implication and use of deductive approach is
suitable and justifiable for current investigation as it ensures and support a more better scanning
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and testing of numeric facts and also set a balance and support for positivism research
philosophy to testify and analysis current objective in a better way (Pauli, 2018).
Research strategy- There are various forms of research strategy that sets out and present a
complete research design and framework for leading out a research work which presents way and
techniques of data collection. The different types of research strategy consists of action research,
experiments, surveys, observation, interview, etc out of which adoption of survey strategy is
most suitable and justifiable for current investigation. The reason for utilisation of survey
strategy is based on the fact that it provides most easiest and simplest way of data collection
through making use of questionnaire that facilitates gathering of information from a larger
number of population and respondents in relatively less time and cost (Presbitero, 2017).
Choices of method- Qualitative and quantitative are main forms and types of research
method which are present by the fourth layer of research onion model out of which one or both
forms of methods are used for conducting a research work. To ensure better accomplishment and
timely achievement of current objectives, utilisation of quantitative nature of research methods is
more appropriate and justifiable as it facilities collection of data in numeric facts that is easy to
collect and present (Yadav and Morya, 2019). Apart from this, use of quantitative research
method also leads to more efficient form of data gathering which is easy to present and
communicate in forms of tables and statistical graphs which leads to a measurable and more
authentic set of results and conclusion to achieve desired objectives in an efficient manner.
Time Horizons- There are two forms of time horizons i.e. cross sectional and longitudinal
time horizons where the cross sectional are associated with particular and specific set of duration
where as longitudinal consists of longer implication of research work. Thus, adoption and use of
cross sectional form of time horizons are made for current investigation on Sainsbury that
supported presentation of all activities and task at a specific point of time in short duration for
timely completion and efficiently leading out of research project.
Data collection- there are two most common form of sources i.e. primary and secondary
origins from where data can be collected. To ensures availability of sufficient information for
current study, use of both primary and secondary sources of data collection is made which
seemed most appropriate for current investigation (Singh, 2019). The reason for selection of
primary sources for data collection is based on the evidence that it facilitates most authentic and
reliable set of information gathered directly from the selected participants. On contrary, the
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reason and justification behind making use of secondary sources of information is based on the
fact that it facilitates support and base for research work with the help of past fact and recorded
data. The secondary information for current study is gathered from online articles and journals
whereas use of below stated questionnaire is made to collect primary data from a larger number
of respondents. The questionnaire which have been used for collection of data has been provided
at the end of this project under the heading of appendix.
Sampling method- It represent a process that is used and applied by a researcher to select
and choose a sufficient number of observation and units from a large complex population to
maintain the efficiency and viability level of study (Zientara and Zamojska, 2018). A sample size
of 35 participants had been selected for current study from the employees of Sainsbury with the
help of random sampling method which is justifiable for removing chances of biasness in
selection of observation to maintain the viability and authenticity of current research project.
Cost, access and ethical consideration- The estimated cost for current project and study is
near around £ 350 including all possible expenses like cost of transportation, internet cost, data
collection cost, etc. Further, access to data is only allowed for researcher and tutor to maintain
the privacy and security of collected information. Beside this, implication of BERA code of
ethics is also made to ensure compliance with ethical consideration along with taking prior
written approval and consent from participants. At last, implication of data protection act is also
made to maintain the safety and privacy of collected data.
Analysis and interpretation of data
For analysis of data collected from the selected 35 participants from the employees of
Sainsbury use of following frequency table is made that facilitates and ensures systematic and
organised presentation of collected data.
Interpretation of results
Theme 1: Talent management being a strategic priority
Q1) Do you having any understanding about the concept of talent
management being a strategic priority for every business
organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 2
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c) Average level of understanding 3
Interpretation
On the basis of above stated pie chart an interpretation can be made that out of total of 35
participants 30 were having understanding about the concept of talent management being a
strategic priority for every business organisation where as 2 were unaware from this concept.
Further, 3 participates were also there who seemed to possessed average level of understanding
on strategic concept of talent management.
Theme 2: The main reasons behind making talent management a strategic priority
Q2) What are the main reasons and factors that leads to make talent
management as strategic priority for organisation?
Frequency
a) Creates Employer brands 8
b) Attract potential talents 7
c) Retain skilled and experience employees 6
d) Contributes in enhance performance 9
e) All of the above 5
Interpretation
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It has been find out from current study that many reasons are there which leads to make
talent management as strategic priority for organisation that consists of creation of employer
brands as supported by 8 participants where as 7 favoured to attract potential talents. Further, 6
participants choose Retain skilled and experience employees where as 9 individuals seemed in
favour of Contributes in enhance performance along with 5 other participants who opted for all
the above option as main reasons behind making talent management a strategic priority.
Theme 3: Vital role contribution is lead by the leaders and line manager in better
development and well being of employees
Q3) Are you agreed with the fact that a vital role and contribution is
lead by the leaders and line manager in better development and well
being of employees at workplace?
Frequency
a) Strongly agreed 8
b) Agreed 16
c) Disagreed 2
d) Strongly disagreed 4
e) Neither agreed nor disagreed 5
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