An Investigation of the Impact of Leadership Styles into Business Growth; a Case Study of John Lewis

Contents

CHAPTER – 1: INTRODUCTION        

1.1        Research Questions        

1.2        Background        

1.3        Research aim and Objectives        

1.4        Rational of the Research:        

1.5        John Lewis        

CHAPTER – 2: LITERATURE REVIEW        

2.1        Role of leadership in effective decision making, organizational performance and growth        

CHAPTER – 3: RESEARCH METHODS        

3.0        Introduction        

3.1        Research Philosophy        

3.2        Research Approach        

3.3        Research Strategies        

3.4        Data Collection Method        

3.5        Time Horizons        

3.6        Data Analysis Method        

3.7        Sampling and Sample Size        

3.8        Ethical Considerations        

3.9        Research Validity and Reliability        

REFERENCES        

CHAPTER – 1: INTRODUCTION

1.0        Working Title

An investigation of the impact of leadership styles into business growth; a case study of John Lewis

1.1        Research Questions

• What are the leadership style(s) are adopted by John Lewis?
• What are the key leadership strategies and procedures for effective decision making in John Lewis?
• How leadership is beneficial To John Lewis for performance, business growth and increase the turnover?

1.2        Background

“No man is a leader until his appointment is endorsed in the mind and heart of his men” the detail investigation or a study of a leader and leadership in not more than a century. But it’s been a hot topic for the people thousands of years ago, where the people were practicing their power over the people (Gill, 2006). Leadership is an art of inspiring, motivating and indulging people/followers to perform according to clear vision and direction given/directed by leader (Rogers & Blenko, 2014).

It is common fact that organizations have their own values, traditions, norms, culture and expectations that operate the way its employees, teams and groups collaborate, cooperate and work to attain defined organizational goals (Goldsmith, 2009). He added it is proven by many researches that under many circumstances, these internal contributors may affect, influence and shaped by different features, for instance, leadership style, organizational environment & size and technology acceptance. To embrace organizational growth with enhanced productivity the leaders must avoid such all factors that restrain individuals, teams and groups to give their best for achieving overall organizational goals. Hunt (2011) debated above all it is leadership and their act of leading, managing and inspiring their staff that differentiate business from its rivals and pull the growth and success in market. He specifically signifies the value of leadership style with positive vibes, strong relationship among leaders and employees certainly leads to enhanced organizational productivity and overall growth. Harris (2011) argued the suitability of leadership style is a critical factor which certainly changes according to nature, size, requirements and dynamics of business. He explained the effective leadership style does not just choose by business leader but it is processed by management and underpinned by workers. By this mean, both leaders and its workers ensure the prospective to encourage and persuade the satisfaction as well as overall growth in business. Hunt (2011) also highlighted the relationship between leadership style and worker efforts are extensive. He also stated that leadership style deeply influences the way individual and teams observe and attempt to perform their duties at their job places.

By considering the significance of leadership, its style, influence and authority in regards to workers productivity, achievement of organizational performance and overall growth goals; the researcher has decided aim and objectives of this investigation as:

1.3        Research aim and Objectives

The research background sheds light on leadership, its role, style and strategies for taking the right decisions and putting the business on the growth track by facilitating and supporting its followers/individuals and teams. In the light of background the aim of this investigation is set to evaluate suitable leadership style, strategies and procedures in John Lewis for putting the company on growth track by supporting, leading and inspiring staff performances. The objectives of this investigation are set as:

• To evaluate the leadership style adopted by John Lewis
• To evaluate leadership strategies and procedures for effective decision making in John Lewis
• To find out effects of leadership style on organizational performance and growth in John Lewis

1.4        Rational of the Research:

What is the research issue?

All 76,500 Lewis’s permanent staffs are partners and they ultimately own the retailer’s 35 department stores and 272 Waitrose supermarkets (Zoe Wood, 2012). The foremost purpose of this research is to find out how leadership styles and business growth are linked, in addition it will investigate on different leadership style which is currently practiced by John Lewis and will identified the best leadership style to follow for business expansion. So this research will investigate the elements that directly and indirectly influence the HRM of John Lewis in terms of company’s overall performance and growth.