Operations Management Concepts and Applications

This assignment delves into the fundamental principles of operations management. It covers various topics such as production planning, quality control, supply chain management, and process improvement. Students are expected to analyze real-world case studies and apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. The assignment emphasizes understanding the role of operations management in achieving organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Management and
Operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.......................................................................................................................................3
A............................................................................................................................................3
B.............................................................................................................................................4
C.............................................................................................................................................5
D............................................................................................................................................6
E.............................................................................................................................................7
F.............................................................................................................................................8
TASK 2.......................................................................................................................................9
A............................................................................................................................................9
B...........................................................................................................................................10
C...........................................................................................................................................11
D..........................................................................................................................................11
E...........................................................................................................................................12
F...........................................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................14
SELF-EVALUATION.............................................................................................................14
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operations and management are the business activities which include planning and
monitoring of all functions which are performed in the organisation. It is the process of
management which includes some steps such as planning, organising, controlling and
coordinating, etc. Management and operations is concerned with converting input into
outputs to increase the profits and growth (Ale and et. al., 2010). In the competitive market, it
the responsibility of manager to identify needs of customers and provide products according
to their desires only. The manager should provide products according to the capability of
organisation.
Present report is based on operation company i.e. Booker Group in the food industry
of UK. Here, the importance of leaders and managers has been discussed. Along with this,
different approaches and theories of leadership have been understood with the evaluation of
strategic planning. Further, some approaches of leader and manager with their performance
are discussed as well. However, this report gives importance of management and operation to
the organisation to improve their efficiency (Anghileri and et. al., 2012).
TASK 1
A.
Booker Group plc is the largest food wholesale operator in UK. It provides the
various services in pubs, restaurants, stores, etc. To gain effectiveness and increase the brand
value in market, there should be good coordination between the leaders and managers so that
they can improve their quality of services in organisation. In company, managers and leaders
play a crucial role because they set the targets for employees or team to achieve the goal of
organisation. Managers are those people in the organisation who tell their employees about
what to do (Baboli and et. al., 2014). On the other side, leaders encourage them about their
work. However, both managers and leaders encourage the employees and maintain
coordination to get qualitative service of output. Following are the different roles of managers
and leaders in Booker Group plc.
Basis of comparison Leaders Managers

Decision making They facilitate all the
decisions so that overall
performance of employees
can be made easily.
Managers take the decisions
with regard to employees so
that effective decision can be
taken.
Approaches to risk Leaders take the risk to attain
success in the growth of
Booker Group plc (Bahn,
2013).
They do not take risk while
setting any targets for the
company.
Performance They build the team and set
targets for employees and
motivate them to improve
their performance.
They evaluate plans for
recovering the issues at
workplace.
Focus They are people oriented
strategies to implement the
business plans so that they
can accomplish the targets of
the company on time.
Managers concentrate on the
structure of organisation to
assess that what exactly they
follow to accomplish the
targets on time (Chen and et.
al., 2011).
Conflict resolutions This is the responsibility of
leaders to resolve conflicts
which arise in between the
staff members.
They do not solve the issue
which arise in between staff
members.
B.
In Booker Group plc, the role of leaders and managers can be applied in different
situations so that it will be easy for them to work in a dynamic environment. While doing
this, firm can achieve their objectives and improve the efficiency of employees. Thus, it will
improve the position of company in market. Some of the following situations are:
Problem Solving – When in the organisation any conflicts arise, it is the
responsibility of managers to resolve issues of employees on time (Cloudt and Willems,

2011). It is not the responsibility of leaders to resolve all kind of issues. If the issues are
resolves then company can achieve their business objectives in a efficient manner. Hence, it
will also increase the knowledge of employees regarding their work.
Conflicts resolutions – When the conflicts are arises in business entity then it the
responsibility of both managers and leaders to resolve their issues. So the objectives of the
firm can be achieved in efficient manner. The manager of Booker Group plc provide the
solutions to disputing parties but generally they avoid the such problems.
Team Building – In Booker Group plc, managers are the one who manage all
activities in the organisation (Cruz and Marques, 2011). Sometimes, they also motivate the
staff so that their performance can be improved. In group, leaders allocate the tasks to all
individuals so that communication gap can be reduced and to maintain the co-ordination
between them. Through this, it can improve the relationship in between employees to achieve
all targets of company.
Decision-making – In the organisation, both; leaders and managers have to take the
decision for employees. If the targets are set for long term, managers have to do effective
planning. When managers are taking decision they have take decisions regarding the
employees also. Through this employees are motivated in the organisation. On the other side,
leaders have to make some decisions which are helpful for the employees (DeAnna and et.
al., 2010).
C.
In Booker Group plc, leaders and managers are using different tools and techniques to
improve their quality of services pubs, restaurants, etc. Leaders of the organisation are
applying different leadership theories to develop the efficiency of food services and to attract
customers to beat competitive existing in market. The leadership approaches include
situational, contingency and system theory. These are explained as below:
Situational Leadership Theory – This theory states that there is no single way to
lead the leaders in competitive market. The leaders have to find the different ways to meet
the needs of customers in different situations. Leaders have to use different approaches of
theory to identify the leadership styles (DeAnna and et. al., 2010). They also determine the
best approaches of leadership styles that should be followed in the organisation. The

leadership styles can be based on their experience, attitudes, beliefs, etc. So, leaders have to
adopt different leadership styles to work in distinct situations to achieve the objectives.
Contingency Leadership Theory – This theory is generally based on the concept
that there is no one in the organisation to lead people. Leaders have to identify the traits of
employees so that they can perform their roles properly. In Booker Group plc, there should be
coordination and healthy relations in between the leaders and followers to provide high
quality of services and food to customers. It is possible only when there is effective control
on the behaviour of staff in organisation (Diabat and Govindan, 2011). Sometimes, it
becomes difficult to identify the traits of employees.
System Leadership Theory - This theory is related with the management and
organisational development of business in the competitive market. Leaders have to
understand the overall structure of food firm and after that, they have to take decisions
according to the capability of organisation. For this, they have to identify the interaction
between different departments. When leaders take any actions regarding the objectives of
company, they have to think about the overall structure of firm while implementing any
decision.
D.
In Booker Group plc leaders are applying the different approaches to motivate the
members at their workplace (Expósito and et. al., 2016). In management and operations of
business activities, the managers and leaders plays a crucial role to evaluate the performance
of the employees as well the performance of business entity. Here are some theories and
models which are used by the managers and leaders of the cited food company.
Role of Leaders by applying theory Functions of managers by applying theory
Trait Theory – This leadership theory is
based on the characteristics of leaders in the
organisation and this theory is used as to
predict the leadership effectiveness. The
successful leaders have the characteristics of
interest, ability or personality which
Human Relation Theory – This kind of
theory deals with people desires and it a part
of supportive team to facilitates the
development and growth of Booker Group
plc. The leaders pay attention on employees
to encourage them participate in the business

differentiate them from the unsuccessful
leaders. The organisation conducted many
research to find out the core traits of
successful leaders . The core traits may
identify through the high level of their
efforts, honesty regarding their work and
many more.
Behavioural Theory – This theory is
classified as to focus on the study of the
specific behaviour of leaders in the
organisation. The leader behaviour is the
good predictor of his leadership which
influence the result (Heizer and Barry,
2013). In this there are two types of leaders
i.e. on focus on the task and other one is
focus on the people. The leaders have to
behave properly with the employees so that
their performance can be increase.
activities (Hao, 2010). Thus it could be result
in the high quality of work from the
employees.
Chaos Theory – This kind of theory focus
on the dynamic behaviour of the leaders in
the organisation. The future behaviour of
leaders can be identified with the
performance of their present behaviour. In
Booker Group plc the leaders have to
examine the performance of their employees
so that they can receive the feedback from
them on continuous period.
E.
The different approaches are used by leaders in Booker Group plc and their strengths
and weaknesses are as follows.
Situational Leadership Theory
Strengths
 There are trained leaders who can work in any situation of the company.
 This theory is practical so that it is easy to understand and can be applied in different
context of the situations.
Weaknesses
 This leadership theory fails to understand that how the leaders can deal with the
demographic characteristics which influence the business objectives (Kumar, R. and
Chandrakar, 2012).

 This theory is related with research studies which justifies the assumptions and
propositions of the theoretical basis.
Contingency Leadership theory
Strengths
 Through this the leaders can understand the scope of leadership and it can be
considered as the impact of situation on leaders.
 The data which are collected from this theory can develop and growth of Booker
Group plc and leadership profiles can also be developed (Lisi, 2010).
Weaknesses
 This theory does not seem as a valid in the organisation.
 It does not clearly explain that what organisation have to do between the leaders at
work place.
System Leadership Theory
Strengths
 The leaders deals with the complexity to provide the quality of services to customers.
 Leaders allocate the tasks and ensures that the group members have clear
understanding to perform their individual roles.
Weaknesses
 It does not specify the tools and techniques which are using by the managers and
leaders (Luna and Bott, 2012).
 In some situation it is difficult to apply this theory.
F.
In Booker Group plc food industry leaders are using different approaches and
theories. In all the situation the leaders have to perform their duties properly. Through this the
overall objectives can be achieved. The some theories which have been applied by the leaders
are situation, contingency and system theories. As system theory is related with the overall
structure of the organisation in which leaders have to perform their functions to considered
the function of cited food company. Situation theory, gives the importance of leaders styles
from their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes. The leaders have to choose their leadership styles
according to given situation through this it can improve the performance of the organisation
to provide the best quality of services to customers (Mohammadi and et. al., 2013). In

contingency theory, the approaches are reliable but there are different ways in which leader
can lead the business objectives.
It can be critically analyses that while using the different approaches y the leaders it
can be beneficial for the company. Like in system leadership theory, the leaders are ready to
work in difficulty situation to provide the better quality of services to customers but in some
situation it is difficult for them to use this leadership theory. If the leaders are performing
their roles effectively then it may affect the business objectives which are to be set for a time
period. By using the different theories the leaders can increase the performance of the
employees (Mohammadi, Soleymani and Mozafari, 2014). Hence, it will also improve the
overall performance of organisation.
TASK 2
A.
Operation management involves the some responsibilities of the leaders and and
managers to perform will in the organisation. The managers have to ensure that the objectives
of the business are operating in efficient manner in both long and short term. They are also
meeting the requirements of the customers at the highest standards. Operation management
includes some operation activities which are related with the raw materials, labours or energy
which are converted into the final products or services (Nakayama and Bucks, 2012). Here
are key approaches of operation management which is beneficial for Booker Group plc to
increase their efficiency of quality. These are described as below:
Dynamic approach – In this approach it helps the managers and leaders to analyse
the operation management in Booker Group plc. It deals with four elements which includes
knowledge, problem solving, learning and contingencies. While using these four elements it
improve the efficiency of the employees and increase their knowledge regrading their wok.
The efficiency of the employees are increasing by using the new technologies.
The role of leaders and managers are required at all the level of the organisation.
When there is situation of dynamic environment the managers have to manage all the
activities in such a way to give the efficient results. On the other side, the leaders have to co-
ordinate with the mangers to ensure about their task which have to be preformed by the
employees (Neck and Manz, 2010).

System approach – This approach can be used the collection of interrelated parts
which help to achieve the targets of Booker Group plc. These goals are decided by the high
authority in such a manner which can be achieve in a systematic way. The goals and
objectives are set in such a way which is related with the organisation environment and their
attributes with each other.
The role of managers and leaders are playing crucial role because they have to
coordinate with each other. The leaders have to make more efforts to achieve the objectives
and goals of the company. On the other side, the managers have analyse the cost so that it can
improve their efficiency in competitive market (Pinkerton, 2011).
B.
The importance and value of operation management depends on the nature of the
business. The operation management is important in mainly important in the manufacturing
industry. The managers have to focused on the production of goods and services in the
organisation. When the managers properly manage all the functions of other departments then
the objectives of organisation can be achieve properly. The importance of operation
management is very important to provide quality of products and services to customers which
can significantly affect the profitability of Booker Group plc. If the resources are
appropriately utilised to fulfil the defined market requirement then the firm can lead in the
competitive market. Operation management deals with the development of products and
services to maintain their cost, quality or flexibility. The customer relationship with the
company provides the best quality of services to customers to fulfil their desires (Salmon and
et. al., 2011).
The operation management have tremendous value in Booker Group plc. Cost
leadership is one of the effective objective of the organisation. So the managers have to
ensures that services should be provided at lower cost but in good quality which can be easily
acceptable by the customers. The value of operation management simplifies the product and
process which are using by the company in their services and in food items. Through this it
will improved efficiency of managing the food items pubs, restaurants. For every
organisation the importance and value of operation management is necessary as it is to be
considered as to set the objectives in effective manner (Management & Operations. 2017).

Basically, operation and management are used in the manufacturing industry during the
process of goods.
C.
In order to sustain in food industry then it is necessary to assess that there are different
business environment factors which affect the organisation objectives (Slack, 2015). Booker
Group plc provides a formal structure in the organisation which does not effect the decision
process of managers and leaders. Here are factors has been explained which affect the
operational management and decision process of managers and leaders.
Market research – The business entity needs to be familiar with the market
environment so it is necessary to do market research to obtain the various information. The
managers always needs to pay attention that what is happening in the business market. By
collecting the various information it helps the organisation to fulfil the demand of customers.
If the organisation is not conducting the market research then it will effect the decision
process of the managers and leaders.
Competitions – This is the another factor which affect the decision process of
managers ad leaders in the organisation. In modern era, the markets are highly competitive
and organisation have to pay attention for their business revivals. There are many competitors
of Booker Group plc so the managers have to take decision according to there competitors
strength and weaknesses.
Social responsibility – It is responsibility of managers towards the customers that
provide those products and services which can fulfil their desires. The food company have to
provide those food items which are highly in demand and compete in the market (Stoppato,
2012). While conducting the market research on time to time the managers can identify the
needs of customers and fulfil their desires on time.
Economic environment – This factor is related with the buying capacity of the
customers that at which price they are afford to use services. The managers have to set the
prices of products and services of Booker Group plc which will not impact on their decision
process. The leaders have to work in such a manner so it will easy for the managers to set the
prices of products and services.

D.
Leaders and managers has their respective roles in the business organization so that
overall objectives can be accomplished in an efficient manner. Operational management
focuses on the overall business activities of Booker group plc so that healthy and safe
environment can be ensured to the workers. Some of the roles of the manager and leader are
there such as motivate the employees, feedback, decision making, customer relationship and
so on (Talk, 2016). Through these overall performance of the food organization can be
improved and they will be able to get success in the country than any other competitor.
It is the responsibility of the leader to direct their followers and solve the problems
among all the employees. For this, they have to give the tasks to the workers in a team or
group so that overall conflicts can be reduced and problems can be resolved. If these issues
are get resolved then staff members will be able to perform well and due to this they will be
able to achieve their objectives that are set by the business organization. Along with this, a
positive environment can be created in the enterprise so employees feel comfortable to do
their tasks in an efficient.
The manager of Booker group plc has to provide training and development to their
staff members so that they can enhance their core competencies such as knowledge,
experience and so on. If these are get improved than they will be able to offer quality services
to their customers so that level of satisfaction can be increased among them towards the
companies products (Wagner and Nvidia Corporation, 2010). So,through this overall
objectives can be achieved in an efficient manner. Furthermore, the manager can include their
workers in the decision making process so that creative ideas can be made and growth can be
achieved of Booker group plc.
E.
The business operation of Booker Group plc has been affected by some business
factors. Here are some following factors in which the company have to set their objectives in
such a way to perform their business objectives in changing of environment.
Political factor – The business policies are based on the some government policies so
these factor can affect the performance of the organisation. If there is stability in government
then it will improve the performance and company can increase their profits also by
providing the high quality of services.

Economical factor – This factor are related with the interest rate or disposal income
of the people. The economic condition of country will affect on Booker Group plc (Wang,
2010). The price of products or services which are provided by the company are affected by
the consumer income or their taste and preferences which are changing from time to time. If
the company wants to increase their profits then they have to follow some pricing strategy to
retain the customers for a long period of time.
Social factor – This factors are related with the social needs of the people. The
managers have to identify the wants of the customers and they have to conduct a survey on
time to time. Through this the company will able to offer those products and services which
can satisfy the needs of customers. In modern era, people are very conscious about their
health so the managers have to provide the food according to health of customers.
Technological factor – The managers and leaders of Booker Group plc have to use
new technologies so that the company can lead the success in competitive market. While
using the new technologies, the managers can offer new and innovative products and services
to customers (White, 2016). However, it will also increase the level of satisfaction of the
customers and it increase the profits of the company.
F.
Operation management is the area of management where the managers have to
manage all business activities in controlling the process of production as well as
manufacturing of the products and services. The employees of Booker Group plc have to
ensure that the business objectives are achieve in efficient manner. The managers and leaders
are also providing the appropriate resources which can improve the quality of products and
services (Wiering and et. al., 2010). However, it will also assists in maximizing the profits so
that they can easily meet out with there expenses. According to the market conditions the
managers have to set the objectives in such a manner so that these objectives can be achieve
in dynamic environment also.
The cited food company have to identify the needs and desires of the customers so
that they can offer the services and can attract the large number of customers. Booker Group
plc have to provide the innovative products and services to get the success in the competitive
market. The company have to use those resources which does not harm the people and should
produce less carbon footprints in the country. It has been critically analysed that enterprises

have to perform their objectives while applying some laws and regulations which are made
by the governments (What is Operations Management?. 2017). It ensures that employees are
satisfy with their work and can feel safely in the organisation. The leaders and managers have
to motivate the employees time to time by conducting the activities in the organisation. So it
will increase there knowledge and efficiency regarding their work. If this company have to
compete in the market then they have to use new technologies and conduct training and
development programme for their employees. While doing so, organisation can attain the
success and lead in the competitive market (Importance Of Operations Management. 2017).
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report it has been concluded that the manager have to
manage their operations or activities in an efficient manner. Leader has to perform their roles
in the firm so that they can increase the motivation level of their workers. He can also involve
the staff members in the decision making process so that they feel satisfied and work hard.
Through this, the food industry will be able to achieve their objectives and with this they can
improve their growth. Competitive advantage can be achieved by using appropriate
marketing strategies in the market. Along with this, some of the leadership theories such as
systematic, situational and contingency are used by the manager as per their capabilities.
Further, there are some internal and external factors that may affect the operations of the
organization. Booker group plc have to analyse the factors so that they can improve their
brand image in the country.
SELF-EVALUATION
From the project it is learned that there are different roles and managers in the
organisation. They have their own roles and responsibilities to manage all the activities in the
company. There are some theories of leadership which can be used by leaders in organisation
to make more effective objectives. On the other side, the strengths and weaknesses has also
considered of the approaches which is effective for the leaders to take any decision for the
employees. The management operation helps the company to set their objectives in such a
way which is helpful for employees also.

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