Woolworths UK: Investigating Leadership and Employee Performance

This report investigates the impact of leadership on employee performance within Woolworths UK, examining the effectiveness of various leadership styles and their influence on employee productivity. It begins by introducing the research problem, aiming to identify how leadership strategies can be optimized to enhance employee performance in the UK market. The literature review analyzes leadership concepts and the effectiveness of different leadership styles, including autocratic and democratic approaches, and identifies factors affecting leadership effectiveness. The research employs a mixed methodology, combining interviews and thematic analysis to gather and interpret data. Findings from the analysis and literature review provide insights into necessary changes within Woolworths to improve employee productivity, culminating in recommendations for strategic improvements in leadership practices. The report concludes by acknowledging the limitations of the research and summarizing key findings.

Running head: INDUSTRY RESEARCH
Impact of leadership on employee’s performance: A case study of Woolworths limited, UK
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

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Executive Summary
The report is based on the impact of leadership on the development of the performance of the
employees. The report focuses on Woolworths a popular supermarket located in Australia.
For the research, the store of Woolworths located in the UK is considered. The purpose of the
research is to identify ways by which leadership in Woolworths can help it maximise the
performance of the employees. For this, the research objectives and questions are stated that
help in guiding the work. The analysis of the literature review is based on understanding the
concept of leadership and the effectiveness of the leadership styles on the development of
capabilities of the employees. The research is done using mixed methodology, which takes
into account the application of interview as well as thematic analysis for the research. The
combined effort of the analysis as well as the evidence from the literature review has
provided an idea about the changes that need to take place in Woolworths so that it can
enhance the productivity of the employees.

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Table of Contents
Introduction and research problem.............................................................................................4
Introduction to the topic.........................................................................................................4
Industry partner......................................................................................................................4
Research field.........................................................................................................................4
Research problem...................................................................................................................5
Research aim..........................................................................................................................5
Research objective..................................................................................................................5
Research question...................................................................................................................6
Structure of the research.........................................................................................................6
Literature review........................................................................................................................7
Introduction............................................................................................................................7
Concept of leadership.............................................................................................................7
Effectiveness of the styles of leadership................................................................................9
Factors affecting leadership..................................................................................................11
Link of literature with the research questions......................................................................13
Gaps in the literature............................................................................................................13
Conceptual framework.........................................................................................................14
Summary...............................................................................................................................14
Methodology............................................................................................................................15
Overview of the research methodology................................................................................15

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Nature of research methods..................................................................................................16
Sampling method..................................................................................................................16
Data collection method.........................................................................................................17
Analysis of data....................................................................................................................17
Ethical considerations...........................................................................................................17
Findings....................................................................................................................................18
Discussions...............................................................................................................................22
Triangulating qualitative and quantitative findings..............................................................22
Comparing findings with literature review...........................................................................23
Linking with research questions...........................................................................................24
Recommendations....................................................................................................................26
Limitations and conclusion......................................................................................................27
Limitations of the research...................................................................................................27
Conclusion of the research...................................................................................................27
Bibliography.............................................................................................................................28

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Introduction and research problem
Introduction to the topic
Lo et al. (2015) is of the opinion that leadership is an important factor that helps in
building teams and at the same time provide an opportunity for the development of future
leaders in an organisation. However, the leadership styles need to be considered based on the
capability of the employees and thereby choice of leadership usually affects the performance
of the employees. The research analyses the effectiveness of leadership on the employees of
Woolworths and the manner in which it can be improved. The focus is on Woolworths stores
that are located in the UK.
Industry partner
Woolworths is a reputed supermarket that is headquartered in New South Wales,
Australia. It is one of the leading supermarkets in the country and provides intense
competition to other retail sectors in the country. The store has more than 995 stores across
the country and aims to expand more in other parts of the world (Woolworths group 2018).
The number of employees that the company possess is about 1115,000 across the stores and
distribution centres so that it can reach the target market and maintain the satisfaction of the
customers (Woolworths group 2018). At the same time Woolworths associates with the
producers and farmers of the country so that it can ensure that fresh products and services are
delivered to the customers on a regular basis (Woolworths group 2018).
Research field
The research field that is taken into consideration is the strategic management.
According to Iqbal, Anwar and Haider (2015), strategic management consists of identifying
the leadership strategies that are undertaken by organisations so that it can encourage the

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employees to reach the goal of the organisation. In this case, the strategic management in the
form of leadership adopted by the managers of Woolworths is undertaken so that
performance of the employees can be improved and the goals set by the organisation in the
markets of UK can be achieved.
Research problem
The issues that has been analysed in Woolworths is the decline in the productivity due
to the under performance of the employees. The employees are entirely depended on the
leaders and the guidance provided by the leaders. The research is conducted keeping in mind
the effectiveness of the leadership styles and its impact of the performance of the employees
in Woolworths. The leadership that is seen in Woolworths is the managerial practise that
affects the employees directly and is related to the chain of commands so that goals of the
organisation can be attained (Woolworths group 2018).
Research aim
The aim of the research is to identify the effectiveness of leadership strategies that are
adopted by Woolworths so that it can improve the performance of the employees. Leadership
and employee performance are important particularly in an area outside the host country. The
research takes into consideration the nature of employee productivity in the UK market of
Woolworths and the manner in which leadership can help in improving the market. Hence,
the objectives are based on the effectiveness of the strategic management that is undertaken
by the company.
Research objective
The research objective includes:
 To assess the meaning and concept of leadership

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 To identify the impact of different leadership style on the performance of the
employees working in Woolworths, UK
 To recommend strategies to improve the leadership in order to enhance the
performance of the employees
Research question
The research question includes:
 What is the meaning and concept of leadership?
 What are the impacts of different leadership style on the performance of the
employees working in Woolworths, UK?
 What recommended strategies can be provided to improve the leadership in order to
enhance the performance of the employees?
Structure of the research
The research set up an introduction, which helps in analysing the purpose as well as
the problems related to the topic. The aim, objective and research question related to
conducting the research are described so that the significance of the research can be
understood. The second part of the research is the literature review section, which helps in
identifying theories and models that are related to the research topic. Scholarly articles are
analysed in the section. The methodology section describes the methods used for conducting
the research and the research tools and techniques that are suitable for the research are
developed. Findings from the methods used are described so that a proper conclusion can be
reached which can help in accomplishing the purpose of the research. The limitations are
stated and recommendation to the researched company is provided.

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Literature review
Introduction
The section conducts an analysis of the works of reputed scholars that help in
understanding the topic of the research. The literature review can usually provide ideas about
the theoretical concepts that can be used for the successful completion of the research. In this
case the concepts related to leadership is analysed and the impact it has on the productivity of
the employees are identified. The literature review focuses to address the research questions
and analyse the gaps so that the research can be conducted in a proper manner and the
purpose of the research can be reached.
Concept of leadership
Bass and Bass (2009) stated that leadership is a method by which individuals provide
a sense of direction, implement plans and motivate people so that they can work effectively
as a team. The experience possessed by the leaders provides them with an opportunity to
impart a sense of teamwork and guide the individuals to maintain the goals stated by the
organisation. As stated by Cherry (2018) leadership helps to inspire workers so that higher
levels of teamwork can be formed and at the same time, ensue that continuous functioning of
the organisation takes place. Leadership is said to be an acquired trait and at that, people are
not born with the quality.
However, Dininni (2017) is of the opinion that leadership can be a natural thing as
well as some people are born with the charismatic style that helps in the development of
leadership. One of the characteristic of a good leader is the fact that they work continuously
for the betterment of the team and in the process gain experience so that they can be of
assistance to the team members. The leadership skills can improve by admiring the leadership

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qualities and at the same time implying it for the development of the team in which they work
in.
Popli and Rizvi (2015) are of the opinion that leadership is a process by which people
can influence one another so that objective set by the individuals or the organisation can be
achieved. Leaders help in directing organisations in such a way that it helps in making the
concept more cohesive as well as coherent. A group of individuals can be influenced by the
leaders so that objectives set by an organisation can be achieved and help in the development
of potential leaders for the future progress of the organisations. As stated by Daniel (2002) is
of the opinion that the leaders tend to influence people so that mission can be accomplished.
Leadership can be considered as an inspiration that helps other to pursue the vision
with the set parameters so that it becomes a shared effort, shared vision and shared success of
an organisation as well as the employees working in it. According to Gabzhalilov (2015),
leadership can also help in influencing people so that maximum effort can be made for the
achievement of the goals set by the people. Knowledge and skills required for gaining
attribution of the employees is one of the most important aspects that leaders can undertake in
the organisation. It is essential that leaders and followers maintain communication with one
another so that proper flow of information can take place.
Heneman and Gresham (2000) is of the opinion that it is important for every
organisation to ensure that a proper leader is influenced so that it can influence the team in
making decisions in the organisations. Therefore, it is important for every leader to take into
consideration the factors that help in maintaining the beliefs, values and ethical consideration
of the employees. As observed by Mohammed and Hagi (2015) knowledge and skills plays
an effective role in the leadership process and based on the attributes the leaders can learn the

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required skills for the development of a team and provide influence of the team members in
the company.
Effectiveness of the styles of leadership
As stated by Moorad (2017) the leadership styles can help in influencing the group
members in trying to work towards the goals and objectives of an organisation. Therefore, the
leadership styles adopted by the leaders need to reflect the capability they posses as well as
provide an idea about the personality of the people. The leadership styles can vary depending
upon the capabilities of the employees and the manner in which they can influence the
functioning of the company (Nebel 2003). The leadership styles and the effectiveness it has
on the employees in order to improve their performance is stated:
Autocratic leadership: Brenneman (2018) is of the opinion that autocratic leadership
does not concern the opinion of the employees and instead makes decisions that help in the
progress of the organisation by forcing employees to abide by the decisions. The employees
or the group members are neither considered nor consulted before making any decisions that
may change the functioning of the organisation. Hence, this form of leadership is considered
as rarely effective as the motivation factor of the employees are jeopardised and employees
are compelled to work under the decisions that an enforced upon them. As stated by
Chambers (2015) the adoption of this style of leadership usually results in the loss of
employees and therefore many organisations and leaders avoid it.
Democratic leadership: Craig and Snook (2014) stated that the democratic leadership
style is the opposite of the autocratic leadership style. In this form of leadership style,
decisions regarding the organisation or the team are made taking the consent of the
employees or group members. The input of ideas provided by each team member is taken into
consideration and every employee is treated equally. As pointed out by Drucker (2014) the

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application of democratic style of leadership is common among the leaders as it can help in
maintaining the effectiveness of the employees and motivate them to continue to work in a
professional manner. The resemblance of the leadership style reflects the manner in which
decisions are taken in company board meetings.
Laissez faire: This form of leadership is considered as the least effective form of
leadership style. According to George et al. (2017), the laissez faire provides leaders with an
opportunity to direct the authority towards the employees. Leaders do not concern themselves
with the decisions and allow employees with the freedom to continue work without work or
supervision. This form of leadership style may have a negative impact in either form as such
decision may lead to the loss for organisations and limit the opportunity of growth for the
leaders as well as group members. Hence, it is important that such a leadership style be not
used frequently in the organisations.
Strategic leadership: Strategic leaders sit at the intersection that displays the main
operation of a company as well as provide it with growth opportunities. As stated by
Goleman (2013) the leaders accept the burden of executive interest while ensuring that the
current manner in which the organisation maintains its works is effective. This particular
style is commonly applied in organisations mainly because thinking a strategic manner can
help companies to execute the plans properly and achieve the goals. However, as observed by
Kavadias, Ladas and Loch (2016) it can be difficult for leaders that work in this manner to
control every employee and ensure that the demands made by them are met.
Transformational leadership: Transformational leadership is sometimes effective in
organisations as the main aim of the leadership strategy is to continuously make improvement
and change the working habit of the people. Antonakis and Day (2017) is of the view that the
transformational leadership may provide employees with an instability in the organisation as

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the basic set of tasks and goals remain same but the manner in which one need to achieve it
changes. This type of leadership style is encouraged mainly for the growth of the organisation
and for the motivation of the employees. However, the risk remains in the fact that the
learning curve of the employees may be lost to the application of this form of leadership.
Factors affecting leadership
As stated by Bolman and Deal (2017) several factors contribute to the effective
application of leadership in an organisation. The argument about the natural abilities of
leaders along with the acquired abilities of the leaders can be understood by the factors that
contribute for the development of leadership within an individual. It is necessary to
understand the factors as it may be out of control once the leaders engross itself in the
management of the employees as well as in achieving the goals of an organisation. Some of
the factors that contribute towards the development of the leadership in an organisation
include:
Experience: According to Cashman (2017), experience can be considered as a
primary factor that affects leadership. Without experience, about good events and bad it can
be difficult for individuals to impart the knowledge and skill required for the development of
a proper leadership within an organisation. Experiences acquired by the leaders in the past
provide an opportunity for establishing proper and necessary skills required for improving the
condition of the employees. The experiences of the leaders are required to make difficult
decisions and therefore it is required that the individual selected as the leader is well
experienced in situations that can help them while making tough decisions or implementing
strategies in an organisation (Daft 2014).
Personality: Most of the times substitutes for natural characteristics cannot be made
as the individual chosen as the leader possess abilities or habits that are attributed to their