Optimization Strategies for Efficient Operations

This assignment delves into the world of operations management, covering various aspects such as organizational culture, total quality management practices, and operational performance. It also explores the relationships between core competences, competitive advantages, and organizational performance. The provided references include a range of books, journals, and online resources that offer insights into optimizing smart energy control strategies, product lifecycle management, sustainable logistics, and more. This assignment is ideal for students in business, operations management, or related fields who seek to understand the principles and practices of effective operations management.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation are crucial parts of organisation. Management is concerned
with coordinating, managing and combining all hard work of staff members. This helps company
to achieve their goals and objectives in effective manner. On the other hand, operations are
concerned with day to day functions that is carried out by company in order to earn profits. This
includes different phases starting from conversion of raw material to finished products with the
help of available resources (Baird, Jia Hu and Reeve, 2011). Marks and Spencer is multinational
retailer company and was established in 1883. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
They have different product lines such as clothes, home products, food items, etc. Assignment
will enlighten various roles and characteristics of leaders and managers with different theories
and approaches of leadership. It also includes key approaches and importance of operation
management in achieving business objectives. In addition to that, certain factors that can effect
operation management.
TASK 1
P1 Roles of leader and characteristics of manager
Managers and leaders both are key personnel of the organisation. They are mainly
responsible for all necessary business activities and tasks carrying out in the organisation. They
possess different and unique qualities that distinguish them with employees. They possess
necessary skills that are required to run all business operation with perfections and ensure
increased profits and success to company. Manager is a person that is responsible for designing,
managing and carrying out various functions of management and ensure work done by
employees according to standard procedures (Agha, Alrubaiee and Jamhour, 2011). On the other
hand, leader is a person who influences their staff members. Both managers and leaders are
important for a company as they provide employees with right direction and ensure company to
achieve desired success. Marks and Spencer is one of the leading company and is operating in
different countries. To handle such big workforce, it is necessary to have highly talented and
qualified managers and leaders that can effectively and smoothly carry out all business activities
and maximize company's profits on the other hand. They have to manage activities, employees,
external and internal contingencies with perfection in order to maintain their reputation in the
global market. Roles of managers and leaders are mentioned below:

Role of manager:
 Liaison role: As a manager, they have to perform different types of functions like
motivating, inspiring, communicating and encouraging team spirit. They also coordinate
and manager all the activities of his subordinates, which involves the activity of liaison
(Mets and et al, 2010). This roles also includes interaction and communication with other
managers from other organisation in order to secure favors and information. This role is
basically concerned with the representation of a company for which the manager is
associated.
 Monitor role: In this, managers gather information by scanning his environment, peers,
subordinates and superiors. They seek and receive information related to internal and
external factors in order understand about the environment and organisation.
 Disturbance handler role: In this, managers have to solve disputes and conflicts arising
in the organisation and has to take corrective actions to resolve problems quickly.
 Resource allocator role: The most important function of manager is top distribute
resources and materials to necessary departments so they can carry out their work on
time.
Role of a leader:
 As a friend, philosopher and guide: A leader should these skills. He can act as a friend
if anyone wants to share his feelings and emotions with them. He can be a philosopher by
utilizing his intelligence and experience in order to provide right direction to employees
(Khanna, 2015). On the other hand, he can also act as a guide, which give proper
guidance to staff and employees and communicate all necessary details to them.
 As a planner: A team may not achieve its goals and objectives properly if the leader dos
not prepare any plan and communicate it to associated people. It is the responsibility of a
leader to chart the course and help team to achieve that vision.
 As a representative: A leader is a person who represent his company in different
conferences, seminars, business meetings, etc. His role is to communicate the rational of
the enterprise to outside public.
Below is the comparison between managers and leaders:
MANAGER LEADER
Manager is mainly associated with setting up Leader is responsible for guiding and directing

of goals and mission for the company. employees and maintaining discipline within
organisation.
Different functions of managers are planning,
organising, staffing, directing, controlling
Different functions of leaders are inspiring and
motivating their followers.
Their main aim is to attain required result. Their focuses on growth and development.
Managers takes risks. They minimise risks.
TASK 2
P2 Role of leader and function of manager in various situational context
Manager and leaders both perform unique functions and roles that distinguish between
them but both are crucial for organization. Both should be efficient and proficient enough in their
work and duties so company can achieve their targets and vision in better manner. In Marks and
Spencer, managers and leader formulate different plans and tasks and communicate that to
subordinates so they can perform their activities according to the plans (Kale, 2013). Some roles
which is played by leader and manager at different situations and manage their business
operations efficiently.
Leader helps organisation by assisting them in formulating vision of company and
directing staff in the direction of achievement of that vision. Both personnel are responsible for
maintaining proper discipline and order within organisation and handle every critical situation
with perfection.
SITUATION: Marks & Spencer can face predictable and unpredictable situations that
can effect the company in both negative and positive manner. They can make prior strategies that
will help company to overcome any type of situations. In order to tackle contingencies, both
managers and leaders have different solutions. Some of them are mentioned below: Training and development: Managers can identify employees that are in need of
immediate training as they are unable to perform their duties in proper manner. They can
provide suitable training to the employees that will help them to enhance their skills and
knowledge and ultimately will increase the productivity and profitability of company. Technology up gradation: Marks and Spencer implement latest technologies and
equipment that help them in manufacturing new and attractive designs. It is crucial for

managers to remain updated with advancements in technologies and implement them in
the organisation as soon as possible and also replace old technologies. On the other
hands, it is the responsibility of leaders to guide and direct their employees by giving
them technical knowledge about operating new machines. Resolving disputes: Conflicts and disputes can occur anytime and it is duty of a manager
and leader to prepare themselves for that. If any disputes occur, they can resolve that with
the help of best suitable solution in that situation. They can also apply corrective actions
which can resolve that problem.
 Hiring of candidates: It is one of the important role of a manager as they recruit and
select candidates that are most suitable for the vacant job post. Sometime, company
might face terminations and high labor turnover rates, that can pose serious effect on
company's profitability. In that situation, managers can attract eligible candidates and hire
the best and suitable individual (Bendoly and et al, 2010). For that managers need to
identify the characteristics and features that will be required by the individual in order to
perform that job, then manager will hire that Canadians that will fulfill all criteria. They
can also shift employees to vacant job post if company lacks appropriate funds to carry
out external recruitment and if the person has left the job for certain period of time.
P3 Theories and several approaches of leadership
There are several theories and approaches that are used by Marks and Spencer that
provide proper direction and also encourage disciplines working atmosphere within organisation.
Leadership theories are used by leaders and it keeps on changing with change in time and
contingency. Marks and Spencer have qualified personnels that formulate strong contingency
plans that help them to overcome all tough situations. They apply different leadership theories
and approaches in various conditions to operate their business activities with more efficiency.
Firstly, they scrutinise the situation and apply best theories and approaches possible and suitable
to that circumstances (Terzi and et al, 2010). Following are some leadership approaches which is
implemented by Marks and Spencer:
System leadership: In this approach, managers and leader divide complex tasks in to
manageable unites that help employees to understand the activity and perform in better manner.
This also helps them in achieving tasks in proper time and in effective way. With the help of this
theory, they can smoothly manage their difficult activities. Both leaders and managers assign

different responsibilities to associated employees according to their specialization. This leads to
more efficiency and productivity.
Situational leadership: It is concerned with self adjustment and adaptation of leader of
company to fit the development level of the employees he is trying to influence. In this, leader
have to change his style nor the employees adapt to leader's style. In this leadership theory, the
style may change according to needs of others in organisation based on circumstances. Different
functions which are involved in this leadership their are: telling, directing, supporting, delegating
and coaching.
Contingency theory: The effectiveness of leadership depends upon the situation. There
are certain factors such as nature of tasks, leader's personality, team that is being led. Managers
apply this theory at the time of unpredictable changes in company. This help company to handle
their situation more effectively and smoothly (Grant, Wong and Trautrims, 2017). It also enable
employees to work in unpredictable situations that makes them more talented and creative. After
this employees become prepared to face different challenges confidence and are not afraid of any
situations.
Behavioral theory: This theory is used to analyze the nature and behavior of leaders. here
are mainly three types of leaders and are mentioned below:
 Autocratic leader: Leaders of this type are bossy and authoritative in nature and likes to
have control on things. They only prefer their own ideas and implement their ideas and
does not entertain others advice and opinions. They make their own choices and does not
like to be judged by someone else. This type of leaders enables dictatorship within work
environment.
 Democratic leader: Leader of this type have supporting nature and involves members of
company at the time of decision making process. They like to listens to others advice and
ideas and implement the best ideas. They also give proper guidance and support to
employees at the time of duties. They encourage employees to come forward and
participate in crucial management procedures and activities (Heizer, 2016). This type of
leadership encourages productivity and satisfaction of employees.
 Laissez-Faire leaders: Leader of this type are only involved at the time of formulating
critical decisions and other improvement decisions are made by employees or group
members. This type leads to low productivity as employees have less experience and

have little idea related to critical management decisions. But, leaders help them with
necessary resources which can used at the time of implementation of different tasks.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operation management and role which leaders and managers play.
In order to increase business efficiency and operations, Marks and Spencer follow some
approaches that are listed below:
Total Quality Management: It is a management approach that is concerned to highest
quality of products and services manufactured by M & S. This helps company to maintain their
quality standards in every item they produce. It is duty of managers and leaders to guide their
employees and other staff members to achieve quality standards. By attaining quality standards,
company will be able to satisfy their customers and can build good relationship with them. TQM
serves an important tool for M&S to maintain their position in market as well as to satisfy needs
of customers by proving them quality products.
Queueing and logistics: Queueing management is a crucial process that is followed by
M & S. This is implemented in order to reduce the waiting time of customers by increasing the
speed of offering services to customers. This helps in increasing the satisfaction level of
customers and they prefer their stores over other rival stores. On the other hand, logistic
management deals with supply of products (Urgaonkar and et al, 2010). It is necessary for
company to manage their supply and also reduce the shortage of materials.
Lean production: Marks and Spencer implement this approach in order to maximise
their turnover rate. This method also assist the business entity to maintain services and product
quality in an appropriate manner.
Role of manager:
There are various roles that are played by manager and some of them is mentioned below:
 Main responsibility of a manager is to manage all the business activities of Marks and
Spencer.
 They formulate innovative and creative strategies that help them company to maximise
their revenue and profits.
 They resolve possible conflicts and disputes occurring in the organisation and take
corrective actions to solve problems.

 They provide raw materials and resources to different departments so that they can carry
out their work in effective manner.
Role of leader:
There are different roles and responsibilities that is performed by a leader and some of them are
listed below:
 Their main role if to set vision for the company and communicate that to all the
employees and members of the company.
 In order to achieve ultimate vision they guide and direct employees so that they can
achieve their target in specified time limit.
 Leader represent their company in outside world and is important for leader to possess
high skills and talents.
 They encourage, inspire and motivate their employees to perform their best in their jobs.
 They facilitate discipline within organisation.
 It is responsibility of a leader to support their employees at every step and provide help
when they need.
P5 Value and importance of operational management in achieving business objectives
Operation management refers to planning, organising and supervising in relation to
production, manufacturing or provision of services. It helps in converting raw materials and
labour into goods and services as efficiently as possible in order to maximise the profitability of
company. It also ensures that products that are being manufactures attains highest quality and
fulfil all needs and demands of customers (Atasu and Wassenhove, 2012). Marks and Spencer
focuses on every activity that is carried out in company and formulate strategies and counter
plans to modify and improve it.
Operations and management importance
Cooperation among departments: Operation management ensures that there is smooth
and strong communication between different departments and employees. This maximise
productivity and efficiency of activities and also leads to faster completion of goals.
Optimum utilisation of resources: It is responsibility of a manager to provide
necessary resources to departments for performing activities and should ensure that there is
minimum wastage of those resources. They should also see that quality is attained at every step
of production and is not compromised by employees. Operation management allows employees

to work together on assigned tasks and manufacture goods and services within available
resources.
Good employee and employer relationship: It is necessary for organisation to have
good relations with employees as this helps in better functioning and effective working. They
also ensure timely completion of objectives and goals (Lee, Lee and Wu, 2010). Managers can
form teams and allow employees to come and work together and carry out the tasks in better
manner.
Enhancing quality standards: Managers can cut off non essentials features and costs
from the products and services. This will increase the quality and duration of goods and will be
more preferred by customers. They can even formulate strategies that meets all quality standards
defined by company and should communicate to all employees and associated staff.
Improving goodwill: Image of company can be enhanced if they provide quality
products and reduces operational costs. So, managers can ensure that there is no additional
charges that can caught by the customers which can reduce the goodwill of company.
Customers satisfaction: This is the main aim of every company to attain customer
satisfaction with all products and services they produce. Marks and Spencer manufacture quality
products and provide at reasonable prices and tries to fulfil demands of customers. This help in
increasing the level of satisfaction in customers and they will prefer M & S more than other rival
stores.
TASK 4
P6 Factors which impact upon operational management and decision-making by leaders and
managers.
Organisation can achieve success if they consider customer's preferences and help in
fulfilling that. There are several factors that influence productivity, profitability, operation of the
enterprise. If customers does not like the products, company can make some alterations in that
products and can re – launch that modified products into the market (Slack, 2015). It is important
for manager and leaders to have dynamic nature and should have the capability to convince
employees to make them perform different activities. Following are some factors which impacts
on operational management:

Sustainability: Company set different targets which they have to achieve in certain time
limit and managers formulate strategies that can help organisation to achieve that (Barratt, Choi
and Li, 2011). Managers should ensure that whatever strategies they are devising should result in
better outputs.
Stakeholders: These are the persons which are related to functioning of organisation. It
mainly includes employees, debtors, shareholders, customer, suppliers, creditors, etc. and are
considered as part of company. They provide necessary help to company so that they can achieve
their goals and objectives. It is crucial to satisfy them and make them happy as they are key
personnels of company. If they are unhappy, then company might face losses and reduce their
goodwill in the market.
Ethics: This is the most vital part and should be given priority. Managers and leaders
should develop healthy work environment and this should be maintained. This help in increased
profits and effective productivity and also employees feel energetic while working. Better culture
leads to good performance by employees (Weinmann and et al, 2013). Every organisation should
implement ethical approach in their functioning.
CONCLUSION
From the above assignment, it can be concluded that leaders and managers perform
different roles and functions and facilitate discipline within company. Both of them are crucial
for company and should be highly skilled and talented as they will represent their company in
outside world. They manage all business activities and ensure maximum productivity and
profitability to company. They should be capable enough to make their employees work. Marks
and Spencer have highly talented managers and employees that increases the goodwill of
company and help company to build a strong reputation in the global market. Leaders of M & S
follows different leadership styles and it changes according to the situations. Management of
business operations is essential as it facilitate managers to plan, organise, staff, monitor, control,
direct and motivate their employees and business activities. Both key personnels watch and track
the progress of company and formulate effective and strong strategies to maximise their
efficiency.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baird, K., Jia Hu, K. and Reeve, R., 2011. The relationships between organizational culture, total
quality management practices and operational performance. International Journal of
Operations & Production Management. 31(7). pp. 789-814.
Agha, S., Alrubaiee, L. and Jamhour, M., 2011. Effect of core competence on competitive
advantage and organizational performance. International Journal of Business and
management. 7(1). p. 192.
Mets, K and et al, 2010, April. Optimizing smart energy control strategies for plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle charging. In Network Operations and Management Symposium
Workshops (NOMS Wksps), 2010 IEEE/IFIP (pp. 293-299). Ieee.
Khanna, R.B., 2015. Production and operations management. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Kale, S., 2013. Production and Operations Management. McGraw-Hill Education.
Bendoly, E and et al, 2010. Bodies of knowledge for research in behavioral
operations. Production and Operations Management. 19(4). pp. 434-452.
Terzi, S and et al, 2010. Product lifecycle management–from its history to its new
role. International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management. 4(4). pp. 360-389.
Grant, D.B., Wong, C.Y. and Trautrims, A., 2017. Sustainable logistics and supply chain
management: principles and practices for sustainable operations and management.
Kogan Page Publishers.
Heizer, J., 2016. Operations Management, 11/e. Pearson Education India.
Urgaonkar, R and et al, 2010, April. Dynamic resource allocation and power management in
virtualized data centers. In Network Operations and Management Symposium (NOMS),
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Atasu, A. and Wassenhove, L.N., 2012. An Operations Perspective on Product Take‐Back
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Operations Management. 21(3). pp. 407-422.
Lee, F.H., Lee, T.Z. and Wu, W.Y., 2010. The relationship between human resource
management practices, business strategy and firm performance: evidence from steel
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Slack, N., 2015. Operations strategy. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Barratt, M., Choi, T.Y. and Li, M., 2011. Qualitative case studies in operations management:
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Management. 29(4). pp. 329-342.
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Online
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