Training and Development Effects on UK Retail Employee Performance

This dissertation investigates the significant impact of training and development on employee productivity and performance within the UK retail sector, with a specific focus on Marks and Spencer. The research delves into the concept and various types of training and development, examining their relevance in the retail context. It explores the need for such programs within Marks and Spencer to enhance employee performance, while also identifying challenges arising from the absence of effective training. The study aims to analyze the tangible effects of training and development on employee productivity and overall performance. The dissertation includes a literature review, research methodology, data analysis, findings, and conclusions, offering recommendations for improvement. The research utilizes both primary and secondary data to provide a comprehensive analysis of the topic, offering valuable insights into the importance of training and development within the retail industry and its impact on employee success and organizational goals.

Dissertation
(Analyse the impact of training and
development on employee productivity
and performance within UK retail
sector)
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Overview of the topic ..................................................................................................................3
Background of the organisation ..................................................................................................3
Research problem ........................................................................................................................4
Research aim and objective ........................................................................................................4
Research question........................................................................................................................5
Structure of the dissertation ........................................................................................................5
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................6
The concept and types of training and development in the context of retail sector?...................6
Conceptual framework related to training and development.......................................................8
The need of training and development in Marks and Spencer to increases the productivity and
performance of employee?...........................................................................................................8
The challenges faced by Marks and spencer due to absence of effective training and
development program within workplace?..................................................................................10
The impact of training and development on employee productivity and performance of Marks
and Spencer?..............................................................................................................................12
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................14
Research limitation....................................................................................................................17
DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS .........................................................................................18
Frequency distribution table......................................................................................................18
Data interpretation.....................................................................................................................20
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .........................................................................32
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................32
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................32
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................36
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................39
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................39
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INTRODUCTION
Overview of the topic
In the present competitive era training and development is considered as one of the
important human resource management practice for organisation. Companies achieve success as
well as grow in the market with talented employee within their working space. Most of the
organisation are focusing on providing effective training and development session to their
employee to increase employee performance and productivity in effective way. The overall
personality of the employee is being developed with the help of effective learning and coaching
(Rahayu, Rasid and Tannady, 2019). The business whose has skilled and trained employee has
more success rate as compared to those whose has semi-skilled workers. Moreover, continuous
training and development improves the efficiency of the employee over a period of time.
Training and development is an educational activity or session that is provided within the
organisation to improve the job performance and productivity of the individual or group of
people. These program helps in advancing the knowledge and skills of the employee so that they
can bring more productivity within their work (Blumberga and Salmina, 2018). In recent time the
competition in the market is increased in large manner and to gain competitive advantage and
reduce the pressure it is vital for the company to train their employee and develop them
according to the changes. Through this capability within the employee is being developed so that
they can work productivity and cope up with the changes in best way. It is also seen that the
training and development program supports the business operation and function in effective way
an improve the overall business performance in sound manner (Murugesan and Mani, 2019).
One of the greatest advantage that is received by effective training and development is that it
combines the organisational and employee goal with similar objective. Thus, the topic is being
selected by the researcher in order to find the impact and importance of training and
development for organisation and employee (Cooc, 2019).
Background of the organisation
For knowing the importance of training and development the chosen business organisation
is Marks and Spencer. M&S is the major British multinational retailing brand with headquarter
located in Paddington, England. The company is specialised in selling clothing, food, home
furniture and beauty product. Marks and Spencer was founded in the year 1884 by Thomas
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Spencer and Michael Marks. The company serve millions of customer across globe. It is located
in more than 1463 location across worldwide. In UK most of the store of Marks and Spencer sell
food product through both online and offline mode (Forbes, 2022). Some of the brands which are
under Marks and Spencer are as Rosie, Goodmove, Autograph, Blue Harbour, Boutique etc.
there are approximately 78000 employee works under the brand. So the main reason for
choosing the company is knowing the importance of training and development session on the
employee performance.
Research problem
The main research problem which is identified in the current investigation is that
ineffective training and development largely impact the worker’s performance and productivity.
The absence of training session largely affects the employee motivation level. The unplanned
and unsystematic training program also impact employee flow of learning. Employee and
workers that are not trained properly will work in lesser way as well as the quality of their work
is low. Lesser skills and knowledge is developed which lead to lower performance and
productivity (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2019). Employee
engagement with the work also depend upon the types of training provided by them. This is
because with learning session a connection of the staff with their work is being made, training
and development helps the employee to effectively interact with the work and job they would do.
Thus, lack of training and development among the workforce largely impact the performance and
productivity. With trained employee organisation can attain their goal in timely manner and will
also able to attract pool of talents within the company (Ivana, 2020).
Research aim and objective
Research aim:
To analyse the importance of training and development on employee productivity ad
performance within the UK retail industry: A study on Marks and Spencer
Research objective:
 To understand the concept and types of training and development in the context of retail
sector
 To analyse the need of training and development in Marks and Spencer to increases the
productivity and performance of employee
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 To identify the challenges faced by Marks and spencer due to absence of effective
training and development program within workplace
 To analyse the impact of training and development on employee productivity and
performance of Marks and Spencer
Research question
 What is the concept and types of training and development in the context of retail sector?
 What is the need of training and development in Marks and Spencer to increases the
productivity and performance of employee?
 What are the challenges faced by Marks and spencer due to absence of effective training
and development program within workplace?
 What is the impact of training and development on employee productivity and
performance of Marks and Spencer?
Structure of the dissertation
Chapter that is covered in the present research report are as:
Introduction: In this chapter all the necessary information about the topic is being
included such as research aim and objective, significance of the study, research problem,
research rational
(Svihla and Boling, 2020).
Literature review: It is the second chapter in the research which discussed previous data
of the selected topic. different authors and researcher view point is being discussed in this
chapter.
Research methodology: This is that chapter which select the different methodology to
gather and analyse data for the study. Using this aim and objective is attained in valid and
reliable manner (Leshner and Scherer, 2018).
Data analysis and findings: The fourth chapter in the research is data analysis and
finding. This is the chapter in which raw data for the study is being measure in order to gain
useful information.
Conclusion and recommendation: The last chapter is conclusion and recommendation.
This is the chapter in which overall summary of the investigation is being provided and in
recommendation section some suggestion is given to mitigate the challenges (Leavy, 2020).
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LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept and types of training and development in the context of retail sector?
According to the point of view of Rees and Smith (2021) training and development is the
term of improving the skills and knowledge of the employee for better productivity and
performance of the organisation. It is known as the learning process which is helps the
employees to get the opportunity to develop the competency, skills and knowledge for their
effective performance. Training and development is referring to the one of the most important
part for any organisation or industry because it is the educational activity within an organisation
to develop and create the skills and knowledge of the employee to attain the many competitive
advantages. Training and development play a vital role in designing the better job performance
of a group and individual. It is the part of Human resource management because the HR manager
are able to trained and develop the skills and knowledge of the employees. There are basically
four types of training and development such as receptive, guided discovery, directive and
exploratory. In context to retail sector, training and development is the important part of human
resource practices which is helps in growing the competition with the market. Many of the
retailers understand the need of training and development of employee because it is help to
increase the profitability and productivity of the industry. Training and development in term of
retail sector helps to enhance the employee performance for achieving the industry’s goals and
objectives (Moriuchi and et.al., 2021). Employee training and development is necessary because
it is help the employees to improve their performance and productivity for their job and
overcoming from the performance gaps. Training and development program helps to provide the
many benefits within the retail sector such as enhance employee performance, reduce the
employee turnover, improving the company’s culture, and boost the employee productivity. In
other words, training development is an effective term for every company or industry because it
is providing the sessions and programs for the employee’s development to boost their morale and
productivity for increasing the performance of the organisation. Training and development of the
employees can be done though HR of the company. There are many types of training and
development which is helps to enhancing the skills and knowledge of the employees for
achieving the goals and objectives of the retail sector.
In the opinion to the concept of Dana and et.al., (2021) training and development is refers
to the development of skills and knowledge of the employee in order to attain the competitive
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benefits within the organisation. Training and development is the term of Human resource
management where the HR are able to manage the performance and productivity of the
employees as well as organisation by providing the program and session of training and
development. It is the learning process for the employees because with the help of training and
development, they are able to increase their knowledge and skills towards their better
performance and productivity. There are many types of training and development which includes
oriented training, onboarding training, technical skills training, soft skills training and many
more. The types of training and development helps in improvement of performance, skills,
knowledge of the employees. In relation to retail industry or sector, training and development is
playing an important role in improving the employee retention, building a successful brand,
increasing the sales, increasing the profitability and many more. Training and development
within the Retail industry helps to provide the information of product and services to the
employee so, that they can clearly communicate with the customers about the product and
services of the organisation (Verma, Malhotra, and Singh 2020). Training and development can
reduce the staff turnover and hiring cost of retail industry. With the help of training and
development, employees of retail industry feel valued and recognised which is help to give them
their best performance for increasing the company’s productivity and achieved the goals and
objectives. In other words, the concept of training and development is known as the one of the
most important part for any organisation or company because it is helps to develop the
employee’s skills and knowledge in order to collect and achieved the competitive advantages for
the company. Training and development within retail industry helps in guidance of employee
which is provide proper information about the product and services so, they can easily
communicate with consumers. It is also helps to improve the retail performance and operation of
the company. Training and development is the strategy which is enhancing the employee
performance, reducing the employee turnover, boosting the employee productivity and also helps
to improve the company culture.
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Conceptual framework related to training and development
It is interpreted from the above diagram that training and development program provides benefits
to both employee and organisation. With the help of training and development program the
employees gets satisfied and improves their overall performance by learning new skills and
knowledge. The company get benefit of high market growth and enhanced performance in the
competitive environment. The employees also gets retained within the business for more period
of time for achieving the predetermined goals and objectives of the company in an effective
manner.
The need of training and development in Marks and Spencer to increases the productivity and
performance of employee?
As per the point of view of Yen Teng and Tzeng (2020) training and development is
necessary for improvement of employee because it is helps to develop their productivity and
performance by improving their skills and knowledge. In relation to Mark & Spencer, the need
of training and development in organisation to increase the productivity and performance of
employee. Training and development helps to increase the employee morale towards their work
and role. Training and development is necessary for company because it is helps to retain and
gain more top talent. It is increasing the job satisfaction and morale. It is helps to earn more
profit and improving the productivity as well. Training and development is helps to develop the
future leaders which can be vital in establishing the growth and evaluation of business. Training
and development need in Mark & Spencer helps to empowers the employees where the leaders
of company feel empowered and attaining effectiveness in influencing the employee and
building the trust. Training and development is necessary because it is helps to boosts the
workplace engagement by developing the skills of employee (Moreno-Menéndez and Casillas
2021). it is analysed that training and development play a vital role in increasing the productivity
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and performance of the employee's within the workplace. Training and development of employee
matters in the workplace because skilled and qualified employee are able to achieved the goals
and objectives of the company. Training and development is the process of eventuate the
performance of employee, identify the training needs, establish the objectives, selecting the
training methods and conduct & deliver the training. With the help of training and development,
employee are able to give their best performance towards the company and it is helps them to
increase their productivity and by improving the skills and knowledge of the company and
products. Training and development of employee needs within the Mark & Spencer helps to
developing the future performance and focused more on the growth of employees. The need of
training and development helps in save the time, money and resources because properly trained
employee are capable for attaining more success and growth in less time, resources and money.
According to the point of view of Aigbedo (2021) the need of training and development
within the Mark & Spencer play a effective role because it is helps to boost the employee's
productivity and performance for achieving the goals and objectives of the company. Training
and development needs within the organisation because it is increasing the profitability and
performance of the company by training and developing the employee's skills and knowledge for
attaining the success and growth. A well trained employee of the company is able to give the
effective and efficient performance for the company's success. The need of training and
development within Mark & Spencer is to improving the knowledge and skills of employees for
earning more profits and productivity. The need of training and development is increasing the
efficiency and productivity of employees. The need of training and development is to develop
the employee's skills for quantity and quality performance. Training and development needs
within the workplace is to increasing the stability and flexibility of the organisation. The need of
training and development is to heightened morale, increasing the future manpower needs, better
industrial relation, reduced the learning times, reduced risk at workplace, reduced supervision
and direction and many more (Camison and et.al., 2020). training and development is refer to the
integral part for the organisation because all the programs and process of employee development
can be done by the human resources management. Training and development of employees is
allows to acquire new skills and knowledge, be better leaders, perform better, increase
productivity which is the need for the company because a high skilled and trained employee can
achieved the success and growth and also increase the customer satisfaction. A well trained
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employee is able to increase the customer experience and satisfaction because they are able to
communicate with them smoothly and politely. For any company or organisation, the need of
training and development is necessary because it is helps to attain many competitive advantages
which are directed to compete within the market and achieving the more success and growth
with employee effective performance.
The challenges faced by Marks and spencer due to absence of effective training and development
program within workplace?
In the opinion to Thoradeniya and et.al., (2022) effective training and development is one
of the most important term for every organisation or company because it is helps in trained the
employees and developing their skills and knowledge for the organisation growth and success.
Training and developing of employees within the workplace is important because trained
employees are able to attain many competitive advantages such as increasing the productivity,
profitability, performance, growth, probability and many more. But if there is no training and
development of employee within the organisation then the company can face many challenges
and issues. In relation to Mark & Spencer, in the absence of training and development there are
many challenges has been faced by the company at workplace such as there is no productivity,
less work, lower quality, less knowledge and skill, less profit and many more. For better
understanding the challenges in the absence of training and development are given below-
Lack of employee development: employee development is one of the most important
part for every organisation or company because development of the employee's skills and
knowledge can helps to achieved many competitive advantages for the company such as
increasing profitability, customers, productivity, performance and many more but if there is no
training and development of employee Mark & Spencer faced that there is lack of employee
development which affects the overall performance of the employee and company as well
(Thoradeniya and et.al., 2020). It is affecting the productivity and profitability of the company
which recognised as the biggest disadvantage for the company.
Low rates of production: in the absence of training and development, company faced
that the production rates low due to lack of employee's training and development which is one of
the most difficult situation for the company. Low rates of production of the company can affects
the overall performance within the market which reduce the profitability, morale, performance,
production, motivation, skills, knowledge. Lack of training and development of employee
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directly affect on the operation and function of the business of company which reduce the
production at the workplace.
Poor performance: in the absence of effective training and development, the company
faced that employees are not able to give their best performance towards the company and its
function which is recognised as the big challenge. Poor performance of employees can affects
the company in many ways such as in competition market, poor working, low profitability and
productivity, lower quality and many more. Poor performance of the employees can harm the
company and its operation which affects on the performance, growth and success of the
company.
As per the view point of Prasad (2022) effective training and development is necessary
for increasing the employee's skills and knowledge towards their work and role because it is
important for them to know about their work role which they can give their best for attaining the
company's objectives and goals but if there is no effective training and development of
employees then it may create many challenges and issues for achieving the company success and
goals with effectiveness. In context to Mark & Spencer, there are many challenges and issues
which is faced by the company due to lack of training and development of employee which
affects all over performance and productivity of the company. The challenges are given below
for better understanding faced by Mark & Spencer such as-
Resulting in less profit: it is the competitive challenge which is faced by the company in
the absence of effective training and development. Poor performance, lack of knowledge and
skills of employees directly impact on the resulting in less profit because without training and
development in the workplace employees are not able in effective and efficient working
(Boshuizen, Gruber, and Strasser 2020). Resulting in less profit can affect the company in their
financial activities such as low production, low product and its quality and many more which is
reducing the number of customer within the organisation.
Poor quality of work: in the absence of effective training and development, the company
faced poor quality work from the employee because without training and development employee
are not able to develop their skills, knowledge about their work and role. Poor quality of work of
employees can affects the company and its performance directly which reduces its customers and
profitability as well. It is also affecting the image and reputation of the company. Employee poor
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work means attaining many disadvantages within the workplace such as financial, competition,
operational, functional, productivity and many more.
The impact of training and development on employee productivity and performance of Marks
and Spencer?
According to the point of view of Roopnarine and et.al., (2021) training and development
has many impacts on the employee productivity and performance of Mark & Spencer as it is
helps to develop the skills and knowledge of employee by providing the training session.
Training is the term of action that undertakes for teach the individual or person a particular type
or skills of behaviour. Training and development is the important term for organisation and
employees as well because it is directly impacting on achieving the business growth and
objectives. The impact of training and development of employees impacting on the learning
outcomes of employee which is developing towards their work and performance. The impact of
training and development is impacting on the productivity and performance of employee as well
as organisation because the aim of training and development is to provide the skills and
knowledge within the employees. Training and development is impacting the capabilities of
employees which is help to achieved the goals and objectives of company. The process of
training and development impacting on the employee morale because it is helps to boost the
motivation of the employees towards their work and role (Braganza and et.al., 2021). the training
and development impacting on retaining the top talented employee. It is impacting on increasing
the job satisfaction and morale. It is impacting on the profit because trained employee can attain
the many beneficial advantages. The impact of training and development helps to improve the
human relation, organisation efficiency, viability, flexibility and scalability and many more.
These all impacts of training and development on employee performance and productivity gained
by Mark & Spencer. The impacts of training and development attains many competitive
advantages for the Mark & Spencer in employee productivity and performance because training
process is only for the development of employee's skills and knowledge. Training and
development impacting on company's success and growth because training is the term which is
for employee to improve their performance. The impact of training and development increasing
the motivation and morale of the employee which is helps in achieving the goals and success of
company with effectiveness and efficiency.
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