• Students are required to acknowledge the use of AI in the preparation of any assignment.
• AI tools may be permissible for use as learning aids, subject to the AI Assessment Scale designation given below.
• AI cannot be used to generate the final, submitted work in its entirety.
• AI cannot be used to substitute for a student’s own critical thinking, analysis, and original expression.
• Assignments must reflect the student’s original thought and understanding.
• Assignments are checked automatically on submission for AI content, through Turnitin.
• Assignment grades are only confirmed following viva voce examination at the end of each unit.

1

NO AI

2

AI PLANNING

3

AI

COLLABORATION

4

FULL AI

5

AI EXPLORATION

Completed Research Proposal-

Completed Ethics Approval Form (digitally signed or approved)

You have recently joined Unilever UK Ltd as a junior Business Consultant on a six-month remote placement organised through your college’s industry engagement programme. Unilever, headquartered in Kingston upon Thames, is a leading British Dutch multinational known for its market-dominant brands such as Dove, Persil, Ben & Jerry’s, and Hellmann’s. With more than 6,000 employees across its UK operations, Unilever is widely recognised for its commitment to talent development, leadership sustainability, and ethical HR practices.

However, Unilever is currently navigating complex talent-related challenges such as managing hybrid working environments, fostering a culture of inclusion, and competing for graduate and specialist talent in an increasingly digital and global market. These challenges have prompted the HR Innovation Team to commission internal research projects to assess and improve their current Talent Management (TM) practices across various departments and leadership levels.

As part of your role, you are tasked with conducting an independent applied research project focused on an aspect of Talent Management that is strategically relevant to the organisation. Your findings will support Unilever’s long-term talent planning and leadership development initiatives.

To guide your research planning, you are expected to choose your own research topic for this unit.

The range of RQ’s are as follows (You must select only one of the following research questions as the foundation of your entire project. Your research proposal, literature review, data collection, analysis, and final evaluation must all be aligned to this chosen focus area)

1. Talent management as a strategic priority.
2. The role of talent management frameworks and future implications within organisations.
3. Effective talent management strategies for successful organisations.
4. The impact of talent management on the role HR.
5. Talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
6. Best practices in global talent management within multinationals.

Once you have selected one of research question from the above list, you are required to develop a research project that demonstrates your ability to investigate, critically evaluate, and reflect on strategic business challenges. You will gather secondary and primary research, apply appropriate business research methodology, and present a professional, analytical report for academic assessment and potential application by Unilever’s internal stakeholders.

Task Brief:

Develop a structured research proposal outlining your chosen research aim, objectives, rationale, methodology, ethical considerations, and timeline. You will also complete and submit an Ethics Approval Form, which will be reviewed remotely. Fieldwork may not begin until ethical clearance is granted.

Assessment Expectations:

• Present a clear and focused research aim with three to four SMART objectives.
• Justify your selected methods (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed).
• Address ethical risks, sampling strategy, and data collection tools.
• Evaluate feasibility, limitations, and practical application of the project.

Submission Format:

• Completed Research Proposal.
• Completed Ethics Approval Form (PDF with tutor’s digital confirmation, Template attached)
• This part should be submitted with the final submission .

Task Brief:

Conduct a critical literature review exploring existing theories, debates, and practices surrounding Talent Management. Engage with scholarly and industry sources to justify your research approach and demonstrate knowledge of the field.

Assessment Expectations:

• Use at least 6–8 credible sources (e.g. peer-reviewed journals, CIPD reports, Unilever white papers).
• Compare, contrast and evaluate theoretical models and business insights.
• Identify research gaps and align literature to your research objectives.
• Demonstrate synthesis and academic critique, not just summary.

Submission Format:

• Literature Review embedded in the main Research Report (approx. 1,200-1500 words)
• Harvard in-text citations and a full reference list
• Included within the final PDF file.

Task Brief:

Collect primary data in accordance with your approved methodology. Present and interpret your findings using appropriate analytical frameworks. Discuss how your data supports or challenges your initial research questions and theoretical understanding.

Assessment Expectations:

• Present data clearly using thematic codes, charts, or tabulations.
• Critically analyse data in relation to your literature and research aim.
• Identify patterns, contradictions, and strategic implications.
• Show academic rigour in your interpretation and discussion.

Submission Format:

• Findings section in the Research Report (approx. 2,000 words)
• Supporting visuals (charts, coded themes, quotes)
• A 10–15-minute presentation (PowerPoint with speaker notes and full findings in attached document)
• Included in the final combined PDF submission.

Task Brief:

Evaluate your research process and reflect on your academic, professional, and personal development. Address the strengths and weaknesses of your methodology, challenges encountered, and improvements you would make in future research.

Assessment Expectations:

• Provide honest and critical evaluation of the entire research process.
• Reflect on ethics, time management, tools used, and personal learning.
• Relate reflections to business research practice and transferable skills.
• Show self-awareness and professional insight.

Submission Format:

• Reflective Account (approx. 1200-1500 words), included as the final section of the report.
• First-person academic tone, Harvard referencing where relevant.
• Included in the final combined PDF submission.

Recommended resources

Assignment guidance

Useful resources for Research Project:

Useful resources for Talent Management

Textbooks

• FLICK, U. (2020) Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginner’s Guide to Doing a Research Project. 3rd Ed. London: SAGE.
• GRAY, D. (2017) Doing Research in the Real World. 4th Ed. London: SAGE.
• SAUNDERS, M., LEWIS, P. and THORNHILL, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students. 6th Ed. Harlow: Pearson.

Websites

Links

This unit links to the following related unit:

Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project (Pearson Set)

P1 Examine alternative research methodologies.

P2 Explore alternative methods and tools used for the collection of research data that consider costs, ethics and access.

LO1 and LO2

D1 Justify chosen research methodologies and processes supported by a credible academically underpinned literature review.

P4 Conduct research using appropriate methods for a business research project.

P5 Analyse data from research findings to communicate research outcomes in an appropriate manner for the intended audience.

P6 Reflect on the effectiveness of research methods applied in meeting objectives of the business research project.

P7 Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of outcomes.