Research on Employee Motivation and Performance at Tesco UK

This research report investigates the influence of employee motivation on the organizational performance of Tesco UK. It aims to determine the role of employee motivation, assess its link to Tesco's performance, and recommend ways to enhance employee motivation for improved results. The literature review explores the evolving understanding of motivation beyond financial rewards, highlighting the importance of non-financial incentives and recognition. The research employs a descriptive design with an inductive approach and interpretivism philosophy, utilizing both primary data from Tesco managers and secondary data from books and journals. Qualitative data analysis is used to evaluate the information and develop themes. The report concludes by summarizing the findings and providing recommendations for Tesco to motivate its employees and improve overall performance. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and research reports for students.

Research Project
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1 RESEARCH SPECIFICATION .......................................................................................4
1.1 Overview of project ..............................................................................................................4
1.2 Factors contributed in the selection of research ....................................................................4
1.3 Research aim and objectives .................................................................................................4
1.3 Literature review ...................................................................................................................5
1.1 Research methodologies........................................................................................................7
1.5 Structure of the research .......................................................................................................9
2 Literature review ........................................................................................................................11
2.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................11
2.2 Literature review .................................................................................................................11
3 Research methodologies............................................................................................................15
Research design ........................................................................................................................15
Research approach ....................................................................................................................15
Research philosophy..................................................................................................................16
Research type ............................................................................................................................16
Data collection ..........................................................................................................................16
Sampling....................................................................................................................................16
Data analysis .............................................................................................................................17
Ethical consideration .................................................................................................................17
4 Data collection and analysis ......................................................................................................18
4.2 Findings and discussion ......................................................................................................25
5 Conclusion and recommendation................................................................................................28
5.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................28
5.2 Recommendation.................................................................................................................29
5.3 Future areas .........................................................................................................................29
References......................................................................................................................................30
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Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Maslow Hierarchy of needs ......................................................................................7
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TASK 1 RESEARCH SPECIFICATION
Research tittle
Influence of employee motivation on performance of organization-A study on Tesco UK.
1.1 Overview of project
In present scenario, the competition among businesses has become so intense that it is not
easy for companies to grow and survive in long run. Further organizations now always seeks for
the ways through which they can enhance their performance and survive in market. The
objective behind this research is to determine the link between employee motivation and
organization performance. For any company its workers are considered as one of the biggest
assets and they also contribute a lot in the growth and success of the same. Thus, many of the
companies use various tools and techniques of motivation in order to encourage employees to
give their best. This study will help in identifying whether employee motivation can be useful in
enhancing the performance of organization or not.
1.2 Factors contributed in the selection of research
One of the major factors which has contributed in selection of this research is the role of
motivation within organization. The competition among businesses in retail sector has become
so intense that now it has become very essential for companies to seek for the way through
which their performance can be enhanced. This research will help in determine how performance
of organizations can be improved by providing motivation to employees. Other than this, it will
also assist in determining what are some of the effective ways which can be used in order to
encourage employees within organization.
1.3 Research aim and objectives
Aim:
“To assess the impact of employee motivation on performance of organization- A study
on Tesco UK.
Objectives:
 To determine the role of employee motivation within organization
 To assess the link between employee motivation and performance of Tesco To recommend ways through which Tesco can motivate its employee and can enhances
its performance
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Research questions:
 Discuss the role of employee motivation within organization
 What is the link between employee motivation and performance of Tesco
 What are the ways through which Tesco can motivate its employee and enhances its
performance
1.3 Literature review
Role of employee motivation within organization
Motivation can be defined as the process in which employee are encouraged to give their
best in accomplishment of organization's aim and objectives. Companies run only and only
because of workers and the contribution of each and every worker is very important (Mowday,
Porter and Steers, 2013). In traditional time it was believed that the employee motivation is
directly linked with financial rewards. Thus, most of the companies started to offer financial
rewards and incentives in order to get the best out from their employees. As per the view Chiang
and Hsieh, (2012) of with the passage of time organization started noticing that only money is
not enough to encourage employees to give their best (Chiang and Hsieh, 2012). It was identified
that employees at top level and middle level management were also looking forward for some
non financial rewards in order to get motivated. A drastic improvement in performance of
employees was observed when businesses started to recognize and appreciate the efforts of their
employees. According to Cummings and Worley, (2014) employee motivation play very
important role in overall success of companies as it helps in lowering down the rate of employee
turnover (Cummings and Worley, 2014). Many of the industries in the world such as hospitality
faces very high rate of employee turnover and on of the main reason behind this is that there is
no driving force which encourages people to give their best. Further most of the people leave
organizations when they feel that their efforts and hardwork is not recognized and appreciated by
the management. In the year 1943 Maslow stated that in order to encourage people, it is very
essential for businesses to satisfy their needs and wants. Further he explained that, rather than
focusing on overall needs, companies are required to identify different needs of employee
working at different level (Maslow, 2013). The model of Maslow is mentioned below as:
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In order to motivate employees at lower level of management, organizations are required
to accomplish their needs for physiological and safety. Physiological needs includes water, food,
sleep whereas safety needs includes protection of elements and security of workers. The people
working at middle level are satisfied when their belongingness love needs are satisfied along
with the physiological and safety needs (Van De Voorde, Paauwe and Van Veldhoven, 2012).
Employees at top level management are more motivated when their esteem needs along with
need of self actualization is satisfied along with the other three needs. As per the view of Grant,
Gino and Hofmann, (2011) it is very essential for businesses to determine what are the factors
which encourage the people (Grant, Gino and Hofmann, 20110. There is no sense of providing
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Illustration 1: Maslow Hierarchy of needs

monetary rewards to employees at top level management as for them prestige and designation is
more important as compared to money.
Link between employee motivation and organization performance
According to Pinder, (2014) employee motivation is directly linked with the performance
of employee and it has been observed that organizations really perform well when they have
highly motivated employees (Pinder, 2014). Motivation is that art which creating such condition
in organization where everyone try to give their best efforts towards achievement of the goals
and objectives. In increases the overall effectiveness and efficiency of people and act as driving
force. has asserted that change has become very essential for businesses and in order to cope up
with changing business environment a team of motivated employees is essential. It is not easy for
managers to understand what encourages people to give their best (Reinholt, Pedersen and Foss,
2011). Their are various factors associated with employee motivation and it is one of the most
complicated task for managers to understand all these factors. Pinder, (2014) has evaluated that if
the workers are not motivated then a negative environment is created at workplace which makes
it very difficult for businesses to achieve their goals (Pinder, 2014). On the other hand, motivated
employees brings innovation and creativity which not only increased their efficiency but also
assist companies to gain competitive advantage. The success and failure of firms also depends on
their rate of employee turnover. Thus, when a manager motivates its workers, it directly results
in lowering down the overall rate of employee turnover (Mowday, Porter and Steers, 2013). In
addition to this, the result of motivation is that it increases the level of energy and bring
creativity in work.
1.1 Research methodologies
Research design- Research design is defined as the blueprint which assist researcher in
gathering appropriate information with regards to the topic of research. There are various kinds
of designs which are used at the time of carrying out a particular study. In the present study
descriptive research design will be used. Further it can be stated that the selection of suitable
design depends on the nature of study. In the present study, various elements of research will be
described and thus, descriptive design will be the mots suitable one.
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Research approach- Research approach helps a scholar to collect and interpreter the
information from various sources. In the present research inductive approach will be used as the
findings will move from general to specific.
Research philosophy- Research philosophy is considered as the belief and values of an scholar
which are applied during the findings. In addition to this, it supports scholar in selecting the most
appropriate and suitable technique of data analysis. In the present study, interpretivism
philosophy will be used. The reason behind selecting this philosophy is that it will help in
accomplishment of the aim and objective of study in desired manner.
Data collection- Data collection is the process in which a scholar gather information with
regards to the topic of study. In this research both primary and secondary sources of data
collecttion will be used. In addition to this, books, journals and various online sources will be
used to collect secondary data regarding the influence of employee motivation on performance of
organization. On the other hand, 10 managers of Tesco will be taken into consideration in order
to collect primary data.
Data analysis- It is the process in which an research analyse the information collected from
primary and secondary sources. The objective behind this to derive the accurate findings of the
study. In this research qualitative technique of data analysis will be used to evaluate the
information. The reason behind selecting this technique is that the data will be present in non-
numeric form and thus, qualitative technique will be the most suitable one. In addiction to this,
Various themes will be developed to present the findings of study.
Sampling- Sampling can be termed as the process of selecting sample from large part of
population in order to collect data. In the present research the information regarding role of
employee motivation in organization performance will be collected from managers of Tesco. The
total population will be 50 and the sample size will be 10. other than this, purposive sampling
method will be used so that mots accurate and reliable data can be collected.
1.5 Structure of the research
At the time of carrying out an research every researcher is required to adopt an
appropriate structure in order to achieve the desired results. The structure of present study is
mentioned below as:
1 Introduction
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This section highlights the aim, objectives and purpose of the research. Further it
provides the readers a very clear idea regarding the topic of study. It is considered as very
important section of study as it develops interest of the readers with regards to the reasech.
2 Literature review
This part of research helps in getting in depth knowledge regarding the topic of the study.
It is also considered as one of the most important section as it reflects various views and opinions
of other authors regarding the topic of research. It helps a research to understand the topic in
effective manner which further supports at the time of writing down the findings.
3 Research methodologies
Research methodologies is the section of study which highlights how a researcher which
collect and analyse the information. It contains various tools and techniques which a scholar uses
to gather and evaluate the data and to get the most accurate findings.
4 Data analysis
Data analysis is the section in which a researches evaluates the information collected
from various sources. Further a scholar needs to be very careful during the process of data
analysis in order to obtain desired results.
5 Concussion and recommendation
In is the last section of study in which a researcher drive conclusion after carrying out the
entire research. Further recommendations are provided to the company which can assist in its
future growth and development.
Action plan
Activities 1st
Week
2nd
Week
3rd
Week
4th
Week
5th
Week
6th
Week
7th
Week
8th
Week
9th
week
10th
Week
Framing the
proposal of
research
Writing
down the aim
and
objectives
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Developing
research
questions
Determining
and selecting
method of
data
collection
Literature
review
Defining
Research
Methodology
Collecting
primary
data
Data
analysis
Writing
down the
findings
Conclusion
and
recommendat
ions
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
The section of literature review is considered as one of most important section of any
research. It helps a scholar to develop in depth knowledge regarding the topic of the study and
carry out the entire research in effective manner. This sections reflects the views points of
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various authors with regards to the topic of study and it also includes the critical evaluation of
the same by other other authors. Some of the areas which has been covered in this section are
role of employee motivation, link between employee motivation and organization performance
and
2.2 Literature review
Role of employee motivation in organization
Motivation can be defined as a driving force which encourages people within
organizations to give their best towards the accomplishment of the aim and objectives. As per the
view of the Chiang and Hsieh, (2012) one of the main question which business raise is that why
motivation is so necessary in aspects of organization and the answer is for the survival and
growth of businesses (Chiang and Hsieh, 2012). It is very crucial for business to determine what
are the factors which encourages people in organization to give their best. Cummings and
Worley, 2014 has evaluated that unmotivated employees always put very less efforts in the
success of organization which future results in lowering down their growth rate (Cumming and
Worley, 2014). Such employees do not love to perform the task assigned to them and also avoid
coming to the workplace. At the time when changes occurs in organization, unmotivated
employees find its very difficult to adopt those changes and they starts creating negative
environment at workplace. The impact of this is that the productivity of entire business is
affected and it givers other market players an opportunity to steal the market share from
company. According to Bellé, 2013 one of the most complicated task for a managers is to
motivate its workers as in order to motivate them, the manager is required to understand the need
and demand of workers (Bellé, 2013). Further he needs to satisfy those identified need and
demand so that the workers can get motivated and give their best. The need of employees differ
from person to person in case of big organizations it is not easy to understand that what factors
motivate employees. However Van De Voorde, Paauwe and Van Veldhoven, (2012) argued that
motivation is complicated task but the benefits which it provides to organizations are priceless
(Van De Voorde, Paauwe and Van Veldhoven, 2012). A team of motivate workers helps
organizations to grow with a rapid pace and also assist in increasing the sales and profitability.
Other than this, motivated employee also helps in creating a health environment at workplace
which encourages other employees to come to job and giver their best efforts. Miner, (2015) has
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evaluated that motivation has a direct impact on the performance and productivity of
organizations (Miner, 2015). It has been found that the competition among businesses have
become so intense that now it is not easy for companies to survive in long run. A team of
motivated workers provides innovative and creative ideas regarding how company can
competitive advantage. Further the employee also put their views and opinions at the time of
making strategies and support organization at the time of implementation of the same. Thus, it
can be stated that the practises used to motivate employees provides various benefits to
businesses. One of the most important thing which is required to be taken into consideration is
that at the time of providing motivation, businesses are required to ensure that fact that
dissatisfaction is not created at the time of motivating employees. According to Mowday, Porter
and Steers, (2013) companies use various financial and non-financial rewards to encourage
people to give their best (Mowday, Porter and Steers, 2013). In such situations organizations are
required to ensure the fact that there should be fair practises adopted at the time of evaluating
performance and rewarding them. Thus, it can be stated that employee motivation plays a very
important role in the growth and success of organizations and also supports in getting in
competitive advantage.
Link between organization performance and employee motivation
As per the view of DiPaola and Tschannen-Moran, (2014) organization performance
and employee motivation are directly linked with each other as a team of motivated employees
enhances the performance of organization (DiPaola and Tschannen-Moran, 2014). Along with
this, it also supports in accomplishment of the organizations aim and objectives in the desired
manner. Every business operates with a common objective of becoming successful in long run.
In present scenario, the competition among firms have become so intense that organization
nowadays always look for the ways through which it can enhance its performance. Messersmith
and et. al., 2011 has stated that the increasing rate of employee turnover has also become one of
the major issue in front of organization. Workers are termed as the biggest and most valuable
asset of companies and they play very significant role in providing competitive advantage to
businesses. As per the view of Peterson and Hannah, (2012) two companies have some amount
of technological and monetary resources but what makes one company differ form another is
their human resources (Peterson and Hannah, 2012). Motivation not only help companies to gain
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