Training & Development Impact on Employee Productivity at Sainsbury's

This research proposal investigates the impact of training and development on employee productivity and business performance, focusing on Sainsbury's as a case study. The research aims to examine the role of training and development in enhancing employee productivity within the UK retail sector, evaluate the specific training methods employed by Sainsbury's, and determine the overall impact of these initiatives on both employee output and business outcomes. The literature review highlights the importance of training for skill enhancement and improved job performance, while the methodology section outlines a deductive approach utilizing a survey strategy with quantitative data collection methods. Ethical considerations are addressed, and potential limitations, such as budget constraints and time limitations, are acknowledged. The expected outcome is to demonstrate the positive correlation between training and development programs and improved employee morale, motivation, and ultimately, enhanced business success.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3
a. Background of the research................................................................................................3
b. Research Questions............................................................................................................3
c. Research Aim and Objectives.............................................................................................3
2. LITERATURE REVIEW ...........................................................................................................4
a. Key Papers..........................................................................................................................4
b. Conceptual Framework......................................................................................................5
3. METHODOLOGY .....................................................................................................................6
4. CONCLUSION ...........................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................9
Ethical form............................................................................................................................9

1. INTRODUCTION
a. Background of the research
The present investigation is based on identifying the impact of training and development
over employee productivity and business performance. Training and development is essential for
the company in order to boost the morale and motivation level of staff so that they can contribute
productive results (Sujchaphong and et. al., 2020). Within this research, the chosen company in
Sainsbury it is a retail brand that offers groceries to its customers. The brand was founded in
1869 by John James Sainsbury.
b. Research Questions
 What are the roles of training and development for employee productivity within UK
retail business?
 What are the several training and development methods adopted by Sainsbury's for
improving productivity and business performance?
 What is the impact of training and development over employee productivity and business
performance within Sainsbury's?
c. Research Aim and Objectives
Research Aim
To investigate the impact of training and development over employee productivity and
business performance. A study on Sainsbury's
Research Objectives
 To examine the role of training and development for employee productivity within UK
retail business
 To evaluate the several training and development methods adopted by Sainsbury's for
improving productivity and business performance
 To determine the impact of training and development over employee productivity and
business performance within Sainsbury's

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
a. Key Papers
What are the roles of training and development for employee productivity within UK retail
business?
As per the opinion of Francis and et. al., (2020), training and development plays an
important role in improving the productivity of employees as it provides learning opportunity to
staff so that they can enhance their skills and knowledge and give better outcomes in achieving
the business goals and objectives. It generally provide an opportunity for development in terms
of skills and capabilities (James Relly, 2021). Training and development program also helps in
increasing the productivity of staff and also enable them to perform better.
What are the several training and development methods adopted by Sainsbury's for improving
productivity and business performance?
As per the perspective of Miller and Akdere (2019), there are several training and
development methods which can be adopted by the company for improving the productivity and
business performance. These methods helps in increasing the efficiency and productivity of staff
within an organisation so that they can perform better. The few methods are mentoring or
coaching, group discussion, role play, product training, technical training and many others. By
adopting this training and development, company can enhance the overall performance and
efficiency of staff.
What is the impact of training and development over employee productivity and business
performance within Sainsbury's?
According to Hardy III, Day and Arthur Jr (2019), there is an positive impact of training
and development over employee productivity and business performance within an organisation.
By organising training and development program, company improves the profitability, increase
job knowledge and skills at all levels of organisation, develop positive attitude towards profit
orientation, helps staff to identify organisational goals and also improve the morale of staff.
Thus, training and development helps in creating positive influence on the employees
productivity as they learn new things and implement it in better manner.

b. Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework of training and development includes a wide concept which
helps in enhancing the efficiency and skills of employees so that they can perform better within
workplace (Garrick, 2018). Training and development is a process of improving the job
performance of an individual and also it helps in reducing the employee turnover.
With the help of training and development, company can make their staff feel satisfied
with the job due to which they contribute better results in improving the success rate of business.
This program also helps in making staff feel motivated and excited about their work. Training
and development program also attracts talented staff within workplace and also increases
retention by adding value to the employment relationship (Moon, Ryu and Jeon, 2019). Thus,
organisation provides training and development opportunity to their staff in order to attract more
and more customers and solve their issues so that the growth and profitability of business
increases. When staff are ingoing process of training they generally thinks that company is
interested in them and also want to develop their career.
Figure 1: Conceptual Framework of Training and development

3. METHODOLOGY
a. Research Approach
Research approach is one of the type of research method that allows researcher to
assemble and evaluate the information in significant way. It is mainly classified into two parts
such as inductive and deductive approach (Hackett, 2018). In this investigator will focuses on
selecting deductive approach. The benefit of using deductive approach is that it gives numeral
information in terms of facts, figures and values. It generally focuses on collecting numeric piece
of information in limited time period.
b. Research Strategy
Research strategy is a method of collecting accurate data related to the chosen topic by
using different techniques. It includes various forms such as action research, survey, grounded
theory, interview, observation, focus group, etc. Investigator will focuses on choosing survey
strategy as it collects raw information in numerical form (Zheng, 2021). The motive of selecting
survey strategy is that it approaches to chosen number of participants and record information in
appropriate manner.
c. Methodology & Tools
Methodology generally identifies the type of data required for meeting the aim and
objectives of the proposed study. The two main forms of methodologies are qualitative and
quantitative research choice. Investigator lay emphasis on selecting quantitative research choice
as it helps in accumulating quantitative information in better manner (Ryen, 2020). The reason
behind choosing quantitive research choice is that it provided numerical information in
appropriate manner.
The two tools for collecting the data are primary and secondary data collection method.
Primary data is used for accumulating fresh data by using questionnaire. It is the investigation
which will use primary as well as secondary data collection method. On the other hand,
investigator will use secondary data collection method by using different scholarly sources such
as books, online sites, newspapers, publications etc.
d. Sampling Approach
In order to choose the participants, researcher will focuses on using sampling approach.
The two forms of sampling method are probability and non-probability sampling. Researcher
will choose probability sampling in order to choose the participants for the proposed study

(Blackstone, 2018). Researcher will focuses on choosing 30 managers of Sainsbury's for
accumulating the information.
e. Ethical Considerations
Ethics plays an important role while collecting the information related to the proposed
study. Investigator will accumulate informed consent, avoid every deceptive practice, focus on
not harming any representative, collect reliable and accurate information and various others.
4. CONCLUSION
a. Limitations of Proposed Approach
Researcher face various issues while conducting the investigation due to which it
becomes difficult to complete the research in appropriate manner. The limitations of the present
study can be availability of limited budget for carrying out the expense of transport, stationary
and so on. The other limitation of the investigation is lack of time and resources due to which
researcher need to identify the right research methods for obtaining the information.
b. Expected Research Outcomes
The expected research outcomes of the investigation is that training and development is
essential for the organisation as it helps in improving the morale and motivation level of staff so
that they can sustain in company for long run and also give their productive outcomes. Thus, this
report will conclude that training and development helps in improving the performance and
success rate of business.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Blackstone, A., 2018. Principles of sociological inquiry: Qualitative and quantitative methods.
Saylor Academy Open Textbooks.
Francis, N and et. al., 2020. Development and early outcomes of the national training initiative
for transanal total mesorectal excision in the UK. Colorectal Disease, 22(7), pp.756-
767.
Garrick, J., 2018. A critical discourse on tacit knowledge management and the performative
agenda: Implications for industry training and development. European Journal of
Training and Development.
Hackett, P. ed., 2018. Quantitative research methods in consumer psychology: Contemporary
and data driven approaches. Taylor & Francis.
Hardy III, J .H., Day, E. A. and Arthur Jr, W., 2019. Exploration-exploitation tradeoffs and
information-knowledge gaps in self-regulated learning: Implications for learner-
controlled training and development. Human Resource Management Review, 29(2),
pp.196-217.
James Relly, S., 2021. Moving from competence to excellence: the role of training managers in
providing pedagogical leadership in UK further education. Journal of Further and
Higher Education, 45(5), pp.704-716.
Miller, K. E. and Akdere, M., 2019. Advancing organizational corporate social responsibility
(CSR) agenda: Implications for training and development. European Journal of
Training and Development, 43(9), pp.860-872.
Moon, H., Ryu, D. and Jeon, D., 2019. The evaluation of learning transfer of industry skills
council (ISC) training programs using success case method: Reinforcing role and
function of ISC. European Journal of Training and Development.
Ryen, A., 2020. Colonial methodology?: Methodological challenges to cross-cultural projects
collecting data by structured interviews. In Research and inequality (pp. 220-235).
Routledge.
Stoddart, M. C., Mattoni, A. and McLevey, J., 2020. Epilogue on Methodology. In Industrial
Development and Eco-Tourisms (pp. 209-228). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Sujchaphong, N and et. al., 2020. A framework of brand-centred training and development
activities, transformational leadership and employee brand support in higher
education. Journal of Brand Management, 27(2), pp.143-159.
Zheng, X., 2021. Data Collection in Quantitative Research. In Research Methods for Student
Radiographers (pp. 79-92). CRC Press.

APPENDIX
Ethical form
RESEARCH ETHICS CHECKLIST Form RE1
This checklist should be completed for every research project which involves human
participants. It is used to identify whether a full application for ethics approval needs to be
submitted.
Before completing this form, please refer to the University Code of Practice on Ethical
Standards for Research Involving Human Participants. The principal investigator and,
where the principal investigator is a student, the supervisor, is responsible for exercising
appropriate professional judgment in this review.
This checklist must be completed before potential participants are approached to take
part in any research.
Section I: Applicant Details
1. Name of Researcher (applicant):
2. Status (please click to select): Active
3. Email Address:
4a. Contact Address:
4b. Telephone Number:
Section II: Project Details
5. Project Title: Impact of training and development over
employee productivity and business
performance
Section III: For Students Only:
6. Course title and module name and BSc (Hons) Business Management

number where appropriate
School/Centre:
BMP6001 Dissertation
7. Supervisor’s or module leader’s
name:
8. Email address:
9. Telephone extension:
Declaration by Researcher (Please tick the appropriate boxes)
I have read the University’s Code of Practice
The topic merits further research
I have the skills to carry out the research
The participant information sheet, if needed, is appropriate
The procedures for recruitment and obtaining informed consent, if needed, are
appropriate
The research is exempt from further ethics review according to current University
guidelines
Where relevant, I have read the ethical guidelines of the regulatory body that is
relevant to my discipline and verify that the research adheres to these guidelines
Comments from Researcher, and/or from Supervisor if Researcher is
Undergraduate or Taught Postgraduate student:
This project meets the standard set by UoB policy named “Code of Practice for Research
Students and Supervisors 2019-20”.
This project also confirms with “UoB Research Ethics Framework”.

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Section IV: Research Checklist
Please answer each question by ticking the appropriate box:
YES NO
1. Will the study involve participants who are particularly vulnerable
or who may be unable to give informed consent (e.g. children,
people with learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, problems
with understanding and/or communication, your own students)?
No
2. Will the study require the co-operation of a gatekeeper for initial
access to the groups or individuals to be recruited (e.g. students at
school, members of self-help group, residents of nursing home)?
No
3. Will deception be necessary, i.e. will participants take part without
knowing the true purpose of the study or without their
knowledge/consent at the time (e.g. covert observation of people
in non-public places)?
No
4. Will the study involve discussion of topics which the participants
may find sensitive (e.g. sexual activity, own drug use)?
No
5. Will drugs, placebos or other substances (e.g. food substances,
alcohol, nicotine, vitamins) be administered to or ingested by
participants or will the study involve invasive, intrusive or
potentially harmful procedures of any kind?
No
6. Will blood or tissues samples be obtained from participants? No
7. Will pain or more than mild discomfort be likely to result from the
study?
8. Could the study induce psychological stress or anxiety or cause
harm or negative consequences beyond the risks encountered in
normal life?
No
9. Will the study involve prolonged or repetitive testing? No
10. Will financial inducements (other than reasonable expenses and
compensation for time) be offered to participants?
No
11. Will participants’ right to withdraw from the study at any time be
withheld or not made explicit?
No
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12. Will participants’ anonymity be compromised or their right to
anonymity be withheld or information they give be identifiable as
theirs?
No
13. Might permission for the study need to be sought from the
researcher’s or from participants’ employer?
No
14. Will the study involve recruitment of patients or staff through the
NHS?
No
If ALL items in the Declaration are ticked AND if you have answered NO to ALL questions in
Section IV, send the completed and signed Form RE1 to your School/Centre Research
Ethics Officer for information. You may proceed with the research but should follow any
subsequent guidance or requests from the School/Centre Research Ethics Officer or your
supervisor/module leader where appropriate. Undergraduate and taught postgraduate students
should retain a copy of this form and submit it with their research report or dissertation (bound in
at the beginning). MPhil/PhD students should submit a copy to the Board of Studies for
Research Degrees with their application for Registration (R1). Work which is submitted
without the appropriate ethics form will be returned unassessed.
If ANY of the items in the Declaration are not ticked AND / OR if you have answered YES to
ANY of the questions in Section IV, you will need to describe more fully in Section V of the form
below how you plan to deal with the ethical issues raised by your research. This does not
mean that you cannot do the research, only that your proposal will need to be approved
by the School/Centre Research Ethics Officer or School/Centre Research Ethics
Committee or Sub-committee. When submitting the form as described in the above
paragraph you should substitute the original Section V with the version authorized by the
School/Centre Research Ethics officer.
If you answered YES to question 14, you will also have to submit an application to the
appropriate external health authority ethics committee, after you have received approval from
the School/Centre Research Ethics Officer/Committee and, where appropriate, the University
Research Ethics Committee.
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Section V: Addressing Ethical Problems
If you have answered YES to any of questions 1-12 please complete below and submit the form
to your School/Centre Research Ethics Officer.
Project Title
Impact of training and development over employee productivity and business performance
Principal Investigator/Researcher/Student
Supervisor
Summary of issues and action to be taken to address the ethics problem(s)
Please note that it is your responsibility to follow the University’s Code of Practice on Ethical
Standards and any relevant academic or professional guidelines in the conduct of your study.
This includes providing appropriate information sheets and consent forms, and ensuring
confidentiality in the storage and use of data. Any significant change to the design or
conduct of the research should be notified to the School/Centre Research Ethics Officer and
may require a new application for ethics approval.
Signed: Principal Investigator/Researcher
Approved: Supervisor or module leader (where appropriate)
Date:
For use by School/Centre Research Ethics Officer:
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 No ethical problems are raised by this proposed study - Retain this form on record
 Appropriate action taken to maintain ethical standards
 The research protocol should be revised to eliminate the
ethical concerns or reduce them to an acceptable level,
using the attached suggestions
 Please submit School/Centre Application for Ethics Approval
(Form RE2(D))
 Please submit University Application for Ethics Approval
(Form RE2(U))
Signed:
Date:
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