Analysis of Various Management Topics and Systems

The assignment provided is a collection of research papers and articles on various management topics, including situational leadership, microgrid energy management, medical management, and more. The papers cover different aspects of management, such as resource utilization efficiency, medical level improvement, and clinical application of ERAS programs. The assignment also includes a summary of past papers and assignments for students, providing valuable insights and knowledge on these topics.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers...............................................................1
D1. Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in
given contexts. ............................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P2. How roles of leaders and managers applicable in various situations ...................................4
P3. Applying different models and theories of approach............................................................5
M2. Strengths and weaknesses of approaches to situations within work environment..............6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P4. Key approaches to operations management and role played by managers and leaders........7
P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives............9
M3. Leaders and managers improve efficiencies of operational management to meet business
objectives...................................................................................................................................10
D2. Critically evaluate application of operations management and factors that impacts on the
wider business environment. ....................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6. Factors of business environment affect operational management and decision-making by
leaders and manager..................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is a process which starts from the procurement of basic or raw
materials and continues till the conversion into finished goods (Boyd and Dougherty, 2016). It is
a broad concept which is associated with evaluation, review, control of various activities. These
activities includes manufacturing of goods and services, designing and managing the production
operations within the company. Along with this, it is mainly concerned with maintaining the
products quality. In operations management leaders as well as managers play a vital role. This
report is based on American multi-national consumer goods company “Procter & Gamble”. Its
headquarter is in Down town Cincinnati, Ohio. This company follows a product-type divisional
organisational structure which is currently working across the world. This report includes
managers and leaders roles and characteristics. Also, this report explores different approaches of
operations management along with its applicable models and theories.
TASK 1
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers
Leader is a person who guides, instruct or influence other person which helps an
achieving organisational goals and objectives effectively. In context of Procter & Gamble,
leaders helps in motivating employees and encourage them for performing best which helps them
for completion of task on time.
Role of leaders in P&G
Leaders in Procter & Gamble, motivates and inspire other people. They also helps in
creating a positive environment. They also engage a people towards their company vision for
making a great future and for accomplishing a task.
Characteristics of leaders in P&G
Leaders in Procter & Gamble, are very creative and confident persons and they also gives
commitment towards their task which influence over others. Leaders in Procter & Gamble,
carrying a positive attitude towards their work and organisation which also motivates to others
for doing same which also helps in enhancing their performance.
Manager is a person who guide the people and also helps in taking right decision. They
have an authority for managing their departments and also they assigned duties or task which is
performed by others in an organisation (Tristancho and Gutiérrez, 2012). In context of Procter &
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Gambler, manager is a person who controls business activities for achieving organisational goal
and objectives.
Role of managers in Procter & Gambler
Managers in Procter & Gambler, is managing and controlling their department for
performing their task effectively and efficiently. Managers in Procter & Gambler, they follow an
open-door policy, which means they helps their subordinates for sharing their views or ideas
which also helps in making right decisions.
Characteristics of managers in Procter & Gambler
Managers in Procter & Gambler, helps in effective communication between superior and
subordinates and they also develop confidence between employees which motivates them for
doing their work accordingly. Managers in Procter & Gambler, have complete and proper
knowledge. They have various degees including bachelors degree of business or masters degree
in leadership or time management.
Similarities between Managers and Leaders of Procter & Gambler
 Both managers and leaders play important role in organisation and their main
objective is to enhance profitability.
 They both motivates other employees for performing their task effectively which
helps in decision-making.
Differences between management and leadership of Procter & Gambler
Basis of comparison Managers Leaders
Authority and power Managers have authority for
assigning task and duties, and
also help in decision-making.
Leaders have power, to put
influence over others and also
helps them to complete their
task on time.
Behavioural characteristics Managers in Procter &
Gambler, are very creative and
innovative. It helps in
attracting customers and
capturing market share.
Leaders in Procter & Gambler,
are motivates other and also
carrying a positive attitude
towards their work.
Subordinates Employees are their Group of individuals are their
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subordinates. followers.
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From the above discussion it can be said that there is major difference between manager
and leader. Managers are persons responsible for management of operations of company
whereas, leaders are individuals who motivate and influence employees to work effectively and
efficiently. Along with this managers have capability to accomplish objectives whereas leaders
have competency to lead others so that there is proper functioning of operations.
M1. Analysing Role of leader and function of manager.
Leaders and managers plays a very crucial role in attainment of organisations goals and
objectives. Their are four role that leaders follow to achieve great heights of success. These roles
lays foundation so that leadership becomes effective. Roles of leadership includes creating
vision, execution of strategy, become credible leader, and help in identifying inner capabilities
which will help in improving performance and career growth. Managers perform various
functions to achieve goals. Various goals performed by managers are planning, organising,
staffing, directing, and controlling. These functions are used in decision making, allocation of
resources and accomplishing goals and objectives.
D1. Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given
contexts.
Transformational leadership- It is most inspiring theory of leadership. This theory of
leadership is when leader identifies required changes, creation of vision to help in guiding with
inspiration, and executing change which will help in growth and success of company. The main
elements of transformational leadership includes intellectual stimulation, inspirational
motivation, idealized influence and individualized consideration. These elements have positive
correlation between individual and organisation's performance. Also, it is very important part of
full range leadership model. This is effective leadership where problems are simple and clearly
defined. The leaders emphasizes on maintenance of group structure. This leadership style is
important as it leaves its impact at every level of organisation. Transformational leaders are
courageous, self-motivated, inspired, clear vision and standards.
Transactional leadership- This leadership style was proposed by Max Weber. This
theory shows transaction between leaders and his followers. The different transactions includes
contingent rewards, active/passive management by exception and laissez-faire. It lays
emphasizes on supervising organisation's performance. In this style leaders promotes compliance
by followers with help of rewards and punishments. These leaders are practical, resist change,
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motivated externally, and discourage independent thinking. This is mostly used by managers as it
mainly focuses on controlling, short-term planning and organizing. As clear guidelines for
performance are established which helps in increasing productivity and efficiency in
organisation. Leaders are not concerned with well-being of employees.
TASK 2
P2. How roles of leaders and managers applicable in various situations .
Procter & Gamble is American based multi-national consumer goods corporation. It deals
in various segments including beauty, grooming, baby care, family care, fabric & home care.
Also, it includes snacks, foods and beverages (Plesser, 2014). To remain competitive in business
environment it is very important to formulate business strategies for Procter & Gamble.
Managers and leaders play a very crucial role for accomplishment of goals and objectives and
competitive advantage. Managers in Procter & Gamble conduct various activities including
planning for business, marketing strategies, assigning work to subordinates according to skills
possessed by them. It is compulsory for Procter & Gamble to keep updating their technologies
and strategies according to changing customer needs and preferences. So, that leaders impart
training in their teams and inspire and motivate employees to help in improving their skills and
attain goals and objectives. On the other aspect, manager of Procter & Gamble helps in
development of organisation. Managers and leaders of Procter & Gamble have to work in
coordination which help in overcoming complex situations effectively and efficiently. Critical
situations with regards to Procter & Gamble are discussed below:-
Marketing strategies:- The most complex task for Procter & Gamble is marketing
strategies and techniques. In this, managers of Procter & Gamble follow different types of
marketing strategies. Company adopts traditional marketing strategies including print and TV
advertising. Managers of Procter & Gamble directs its team members which helps in
competitive advantage and attainment of objectives and goals. On the other hand leaders of
Procter & Gamble helps in formulating strategies and emphasizes on customer satisfaction. Best
and effective marketing strategies will help Procter & Gamble in attracting and retaining new
customers and help in accomplishment of goals and objectives.
Team-building:-This is most critical task for an organisation as members belong to
different organisation culture. In this, managers of Procter & Gamble follows combination of
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leadership styles which includes contingency and situational leadership styles. Managers provide
directions to its team members, which helps in performance improvement and achieving business
goals and objectives. On the other hand, leaders of Procter & Gamble creates a strong team
culture between superiors and subordinates which helps in creation of affirmative and healthy
work culture in company. Managers and leaders helps Procter & Gamble in accomplishment of
its desired goals and objectives in specific period of time. Team building helps company in
encouraging its employees creativity and motivation. Also, it helps employees in achieving their
goals and objectives (Yun, 2018).
P3. Applying different models and theories of approach.
Leadership is art of influencing and directing behaviour of individuals and group of
people to achieve goals and objectives. The most important function of management is
leadership as, it helps in maximising efficiency and get higher level of performance. Leadership
includes creation of vision, sharing vision, providing information and methods to achieve that
vision. Leaders of Procter & Gamble follows this process as it helps in motivation, high morale
of employees and maintaining team spirit. Some key approaches of leadership are as follows:-
Situational leadership: This leadership style was developed by Kenneth Blanchard and
Paul Hersey. It means when leader adjust his style of leadership to fit with development level of
followers which he is trying to influence. It is not based on specific skill as leader modifies it
according to requirements of organisation. Six styles are included under situational leadership
which are coaching leaders, democratic leaders, affiliative leaders, pacesetting leaders, coercive
leaders and authoritative leaders. This leadership style is used by leaders of Procter & Gamble
when changes are required to fit development level of followers which they are trying to
influence. This is basic and important theory of management as it gives equal importance to
other leadership styles and approaches.
Contingency leadership theory: This theory was proposed by Fred Edward Fiedler. It
refers to organizational theory as it says that there is no efficient way for organising a
corporation, leading company, and for decision-making. It lays emphasizes on importance of
both situation and leaders personality in which leader is operating. Fiedler gave three elements
including degree to which leaders task is defined, degree of positional power, and relationship
between leader and follower. According to this theory leaders are categorised as task-oriented
and people-oriented. This theory not only focuses on leader but also on situationin which leader
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is interacting. This is applied when skills of leaders are assessed as it helps in inspiring and
motivating employees Procter & Gamble.
System leadership theory: This theory is developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. It is
holistic approach for leadership and organisation development which helps to create sustainable
high performance in case of complexities and uncertainties. System theory is not prescriptive
management theory. This theory is composed of four elements which are processes, data, tools
and organization which are required for management of system efficiently and effectively.It is
conglomeration of interdependent and interrelated parts. It assist leaders to create such
conditions so that people give their best according to capabilities and gives best productivity. It is
a tool to predict human behaviour in organisation. This theory helps Procter & Gamble to
establish a systematic and healthy work environment. It is considered by leaders when
formulation of new policies is done to maintain effectiveness.
Thus, management and leadership have its own roles and responsibilities which help in
orderly conduct of business and its activities. Their are various theories and approaches of
leadership and management which can be utilised by Procter & Gamble to accomplish its
objectives. If the leadership theories are followed in the company then the managers and leaders
can handle conflict management effectively. This will help them in keeping a positive
environment at workplace.
M2. Strengths and weaknesses of approaches to situations within work environment
There are different leadership approaches which possess certain strengths and weaknesses
which are explained below:-
Situational leadership
Strength: Situational leadership is practical, easy to understand, and simple and be easily
applied to different contexts (Situational Leadership. 2019 ). This also lays emphasis on
flexibility of leaders. This also provides prescriptive value about what should be done and
what should not be done in different contexts.
Weakness: This theory focuses on immediate needs rather than long-term needs. It is ineffective
in task-oriented environment. This creates corporate dependency and based on only skill
level of leader. Also, created confusion within company and dont provides required
information for leaders.
Contingency leadership theory
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 Strength: Contingency theory is flexible. It is simple that it can also be used in rule of
thumb kind of situations. This style provides data that can be useful for developing
leadership chart. It also helps in building good relationship between workers and leaders.
Also, helps leaders to know about specific tasks for which they are responsible without
any confusion. Weakness: Contingency theory suffers from drawback of inadequate literature.
Suggestions in this approach is simple but when its put into practice it becomes complex
(Wen-chao and Wen-wen, 2012). Also, it is reactive not proactive in nature and testing
becomes difficult.
System leadership theory Strength: System theory focuses on end results rather than means. It provides orderly and
efficient plan of action and good basis of control. Also, develops coordination with
specialized activities and emphasizes on individual as well as organisations goals and
objectives.
 Weakness: This theory does not specify nature of interdependencies and interactions.
System theory cannot be directly applied to practical problems. Also, it lacks universality
and is a complex system. This theory leads to delay in decision making.
TASK 3
P4. Key approaches to operations management and role played by managers and leaders
Operation management is mainly concerned with all those activities which is related to
planning, directing and organising in references to production or manufacturing of services and
products. It is a process which takes place at the time of acquisition of basic or raw materials and
continues till its transformation into final goods or products. This practises mainly focuses on the
elimination of scrap which as a result helps in maximum usage of scare resources. Operation
management helps in maintaining an adequate equilibrium between total earnings and expenses
made by company during productions process. Main aim behind the operation management
strategy of Procter & Gamble is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency for the achievement
of goals.
In context with Procter & Gamble, there are some operational functions in Procter &
Gamble which is described as below:-
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Production: It is concerned as the major activity within Procter & Gamble. Production
function refers to the procurement of raw materials and its conversion into final products. This
operational function is used by company to ensure proper utilisation of resources.
Marketing: This is another main function within Procter & Gamble which ensures that
all the products manufactured by company attract large number of customers and satisfies their
requirements. As a result it will help in increasing the brand image along with consumer's
loyalty.
Transportation: Another major function within Procter & Gamble is transportation
which is to make sure that all the products manufactured by company reach to its consumers
within time. Products and services are sent from one place to another, once they are produced.
Within operations management there are various approaches which is used by Procter & Gamble
which are as follows:
Total Quality Management (TQM): This approach is commonly used by those
companies whose main aim or objective is to maintain the quality of goods and services (Nayak,
2015). Total Quality Management approach widely requires efforts and commitments from all
the staff members collectively so that scraps or wastages can be reduced or eliminated and
consumers can get high quality of products. Within Procter & Gamble, this approach help the
managers and leaders in ensuring that their customers stay loyal towards their brand for a long
period of time. Along with this, TQM help the management team of the company in enhancing
the organisational working culture of Procter & Gamble by encouraging operational quality
across company.
Just in time approach (JIT): It is a management method which focuses on the concept of
reduction of cost related with inventory management. Along with this just in time approach also
helps in removing the possibility of dead stock. Procter and Gamble use this approach for
eliminating the delays caused by acquisition of materials as well as in production process. It is
being used by the leaders and managers of Procter & Gamble to bring out impressive inventory
management.
Six Sigma: It is a statistical approach which is broadly used within the company in order
to reduce defects or errors which occurs during production process. Leaders and managers of
Procter & Gamble use this approach for increasing or enhancing the productivity level of
workers within the organisation. As a result, organisational objectives and aims can be achieved
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by them within given time period. This operations management approach is used in Procter &
Gamble for analysing the performance of employees and workers within organisation and
finding out if there are any defaults. Six sigma approach is classified into two main types,
DMAIC and DMADV. This approach also help the management team of the company in
evaluating and analysing the current performance of staff, so as to take effective measures which
can raise their standards of quality (Ma and Sun, 2012).
Role played by leaders in Procter & Gamble: Leaders within Procter & Gamble plays an important role in company. They encourage
employees and staff members of an enterprise who are positioned at various levels,
departments and functions within company to make proper use of productive techniques.
Role played by Managers in Procter & Gamble:
 Managers of Procter & Gamble plays an important role by maintaining a path or track of
performance of their staff and workers so as they can evaluate the difference between
company's actual and desirable output. For this, managers of the company often make
strict policies and procedures for the attainment of organisational goals and objectives.
P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
Operations management is a field of management which is largely concerned with the
production area in any company. This process includes various management activities like
planning, controlling monitoring, organising etc. In context with Procter & Gamble, main
objective of a operation manager is to ensure that company manufactures high quality goods and
services and made them, which is easily accessible by consumers. Operations management
importance is described below:-
Enhancing overall productivity: One of the critical aspects for a business organisation is
productivity. Leaders and mangers of Procter & Gamble provide special consideration to this
component of operations management, so as to make sure that workers or employees complete
the given tasks in appropriate manner within given time duration. For increasing the overall
productivity of employees within the company, it is the main aim for a operation manger to
attempt such activities. It is the duty or responsibility of a leader to create a healthy and positive
working environment, so that employees can be motivated and encouraged to perform in an
effective manner.
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Reduction of cost: In context with Procter & Gamble, operations management plays as
an effective tool which helps the managers and leaders in finding and reducing the costs which is
related to scrap. In Procter & Gamble, managers find some creative and innovative methods
which help in reducing the cost of transaction and increasing the quality of products and services.
Leaders of the company, motivate and encourage their employees on daily basis along with this
proper training sessions are also given to the staff at regular intervals.
M3. Leaders and managers improve efficiencies of operational management to meet business
objectives
Leaders and managers in Procter & Gamble make proper use of their self-confidence to
show as a role models to their subordinates. Managers also promote a healthy working
environment, which encourage and motivate employees to work effectively and efficiently in
organisation (Yun, 2018). Managers of the organisation are responsible for assigning duties and
tasks to the staff. Along with this they are accountable for setting goals and objectives for each
and every individuals, teams as well as for organisation. Goals can be long term as well as short
term. Leaders and managers of Procter & Gamble make use of Just in Time, six sigma and Total
Quality Management approaches so as to make sure that all the pre-determined goals and
objectives are achieved within due course of time. Effectively achievement of goals and
objectives ensures the sustainability of business concern in marketplace.
D2. Critically evaluate application of operations management and factors that impacts on the
wider business environment.
Operations management has a wide scope and applies in almost all areas of a business
concern. Many times process of decision making affects the basic goals and objectives of Procter
& Gamble which further leads to departmental confusions and occurs misunderstanding between
the employees. Some of the major factors affects the overall business environment such as
impact on brand image, return on investment and many more. All these factors affects Procter &
Gamble both externally as well as internally.
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TASK 4
P6. Factors of business environment affect operational management and decision-making by
leaders and manager
There are various internal as well as external factors in business environment which
affects the decision making process by leaders and managers in an organisation. These factors
are explained below in detail:
Internal Factors:
These are the factors that occur within the business premises. Internal factors of a
business environment affect the working of an organisation. Some of the internal factors are as
follows:-
Employees: One of the most important asset of a company is their employees. Managers
of Procter & Gamble are responsible for recruiting such employees who has the potential and
capability to carry out all activities in an effective manner. As a result, company can gain a
competitive advantage at the marketplace. In context with Procter & Gamble, management team
hire skilled and technically knowledgeable staffs, which can help organisation in the
achievement of its goals and objectives.
Owners (Shareholders): In order to obtain some profit or margin, some people made
investments in business entities, these people are known as shareholders. Managers of Procter &
Gamble are accountable for making rules, regulations and policies for the overall growth or
development of the company (Eraki, 2015). If these decisions are effectively implemented by
leaders and managers within the company, it will help them in enhancing their sustainability at
competitive marketplace. As a result more and more persons will be motivated and influenced to
buy shares, which will be beneficial for the company.
External Factors
These factors occurs outside the business premises but have the power to influence the
internal business environment. Some external factors which affects the overall business
environment are as follow:-
Technological factors: There are various advancements and up gradation in technology
that need to be understood by every enterprise. As per the current or present market situation,
every business organisation bring timely changes in their technological aspect. In this context,
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Procter & Gamble managers and leaders ensure that they choose such tools, techniques and
technologies which are aligned with the current trends, preferences and development exist within
marketplace.
Competitor efficiency and flexibility: Every business organisation is required to follow
some practices which help in developing a healthy working culture that encourages enterprise to
maintain its position at competitive marketplace. Managers and leaders of Procter & Gamble
adopt various approaches and practices which helps in ensuring the sustainability and
profitability of an organisation for a long period of time.
Suppliers: Suppliers provide raw materials or inputs to the organisations which help them
in producing the finished goods. Managers and leaders of Procter & Gamble should aware about
different policies use by suppliers, which will affect the profit margins and overall sale of the
company. Along with this, managers ensure that company have more than one supplier, so that if
changes occur in policies of one supplier does not affect the production process of the company.
M4. Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community.
Business environment is dynamic in nature, which means it is changing continuously.
Various factors are these which affect the overall business environment such as economic factor,
political factor, technological factor (Ellitan, 2017). In this context, the chosen environment is
Procter & Gamble, where taste, preferences and choices of consumers changes rapidly. If an
organisation fail in fulfilling the consumers requirements and needs, then company faces huge
loss related to its brand image and market share.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report it has been concluded that, in an every organisation
operation management play a very important role and also it is applicable at all the level of an
organisation. Beside this, it has been evaluated that Managers and leaders both influence the
working environment of an organisation. They both work together for achieving organisational
goal and objectives effectively and also they perform their task in an effective manners which
helps them in decision-making. They both motivate and inspire other people towards their work
and also they makes a positive environment in an organisation. Also, it has been analysed that for
completion of task on time, leaders used transformational theory whereas managers used
classical theory. There are many factors involved in business environment which affect
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operational management and decision making by managers and leaders. Their main focuses is
on to enhance profitability and business growth.
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