Optimization and Management in Complex Systems

This assignment delves into the optimization and management of complex systems, including microgrid operations, industrial safety, and environmental research. It provides a comprehensive review of relevant books and journals, highlighting key concepts and approaches in this field. The assignment is suitable for students and professionals interested in understanding and implementing effective operation and management strategies in complex systems.

Leadership and
Management Concepts

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1. Introduction to organisation...............................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager....4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 Role of a leader and function of manager in different situational contexts......................6
P3 Different models and theories of leadership.....................................................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
P4 Key approaches to operational Management..................................................................11
approaches to operations management ................................................................................11
P5 Importance of Operational Management in achieving business Objectives...................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
P6 Impact of business environmental factors on operational management and decision making
of leaders and managers.......................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Leadership in business refers to the process of leading the people or employees of an
organisation in attaining the pre set goals and targets. Whereas management in business refers to
the process of managing and monitoring the operations performed by the employees and
functions of the organisation. These both are essential component for the success of an
organisation by jointly accomplishing the organisational goals. Taken firm for the assessment is
ASDA which is a British retail firm based in West Yorkshire. The company is providing services
and products such as Grocery, general merchandise, financial services etc (Bahmani-Firouzi and
Azizipanah-Abarghooee, 2014).Being an Human resource Intern,at ASDA organisation I have
been asked to identify the impact of leaders and managers on the operations of the company,
after conducting an interview with the leader and line manger . This assessment will define the
roles performed by leaders and managers in different situations along with the evaluation of
different approaches of leadership and management. This report will also provide the detail of
each operational function along with the role leaders and managers play. In the end, this report
will evaluate the external factors of business environment along with the ways for improving
organisational efficiencies.
1. Introduction to organisation
ASDA is a British supermarket retailer having headquarter in West Yorkshire. ASDA
was established in the year 1949 after the merger of Asquith family with the Associated Dairies
company of Yorkshire. The company rapidly expanded into other areas of England during the
1970s and 1980s, after acquiring the supermarkets such as Allied Carpets, 61 large Gateway
Supermarkets and MFI. Therefore ASDA follows a proper hierarchical structure which consist of
more levels and departments and employees are clear with their roles and responsibilities. It
leads to the achievement of organisational goals within effective time frame. Besides the
supermarket business, company is also providing the financial services and mobile phones which
uses existing EE network (Fayol, 2016). ASDA company was acquired by Walmart in 1999 after
which the company was listed on London Stock Exchange. The marketing promotion of ASDA
is similar to Walmart and is focused on price. The slogan of the company is "Save Money. Live
Better". Company was the second-largest supermarket chain in Britain between the year 2003 to

2014 in terms of market share and company was at third place in retail firms. The company
gained the second position in April 2019 behind of Tesco and ahead of Sainsbury.
Organisational Structure at ASDA

TASK 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
This section covers the role, and the characteristics of leader and manager, described as
follows-
Definition- Managers are the people who will look after the activities and operations
which are performed by the employees. These also evaluate the performance of their employees
for providing them rewards and compensation.
Definition- Leaders are the people who guides the team members towards their goals by
simultaneously providing support and solutions for resolving the issues. These both are assisting
the ASDA in achieving the organisational goals by performing their roles effectively. These roles
are discussed below for the managers and leaders as follows:
Role of leader Formulating plans and Strategies- Leader is responsible to frame effective strategies
and formulates effective plans so that necessary guidance can be provided to the
employees towards attainment of organisational goals.
 Act as a representative of the organisation-Leader performs the role of representing its
respective organisation to the outside public and attends various meeting and conferences
on behalf of ASDA (Helleno and et. al., 2015.).
Roles of Manager
 Liaison role of manager- As the manager of ASDA, it has a role of motivating and
encouraging team spirit of the employees to coordinate the activities effectively towards
attainment of goals.
 Monitoring- Manager at ASDA should have a monitoring role which determines
reviewing and supervising the work of subordinates so that feedback can be given and
performance of employees can be enhanced.
Therefore manager and leader have different role at ASDA, leader is responsible for formulating
plans and strategies, whereas manager is responsible for monitoring the role of subordinates as to
which they are working to according top planned strategies and policies.
Characteristics of leaders

 Confidence- Leader at ASDA should be confident enough to provide guidance and
direction to its subordinates so that they perform their responsibilities in a effective
manner.
 Commitment- Leader at ASDA should be highly committed towards their work to
achieve the results in a positive manner and also motivates the employees to work with
high dedication towards the achievement of realistic goals.
Characteristics of Manager
 Communication- Manager at ASDA should have effective communication skills in order
to interact with subordinates and maintains harmonious relationships with the employees.
 Knowledge- It is necessary that manager at ASDA should have appropriate knowledge in
order to resolve the employees problem as well as provide solutions and guidance
towards effective realisation of organisational goals.
Manger and Leaders at ASDA have different characteristics such as leader should have high
confidence and commitment towards their work, moreover manager at ASDA Should have
appropriate knowledge and communication skills to interact with the client provides them
solutions to their problem.
Difference between Management and Leadership
Basis Leadership Management
Definition Leadership is concerned with
providing guidance and
support and leading team
members within the respective
organisation effectively for the
attainment of organisational
goals.
It is a art of planing, organising
and coordinating business
activities and resources in a
effective manner towards the
realisation of goals.
Focus(Characteristics ) Its main focus is on bringing
change within organisation by
having continuous
commitment towards their
It focus is to enhance and main
stable in business operations at
ASDA by working effectively
with their present knowledge

work and skills.
Responsibility(Roles ) Leaders at ASDA are
responsible for formulating
principles and guidelines.
Managers are responsible for
monitoring the work of
subordinates
Various approaches to leadership and management, which specifies difference between two
positions.
Leadership approach-
 Transformational Theory of Leadership- This theory assist the leaders at ASDA to
identify and execute the change in the business practices and effectively provides
guidance to the employee towards the attainment of goals in positive manner.
Management Approach-
 Classical Theory of Management- This theory believes the manager at ASDA that
employees doesn't have economic needs, this advocates manager to focus on
maximization profit and efficiency by following the existing working practices.
It has been analysed that managers and leaders at ASDA both have different roles and
characteristics which assist the organisation towards the attainment of goals as well as allows the
employees to work more productively.
TASK 2
P2 Role of a leader and function of manager in different situational contexts
Business situations are unpredictable and requires that leaders and mangers should
effectively perform their roles and responsibilities to manage different situations within ASDA.
Roles of leader and functions of manager according to organisation are described as follows-
Situation 1- Managing issues at the work place- When employees work together in the
respective organisation it leads to many issues and conflicts, because of changes in culture and
attitude as well a as non involvement of employees in decision making process. This reduces
morale of the employees to perform their task effectively and leads to higher employee turnover
and affects profitability and productivity of business. Under this situation leaders and managers
at ASDA should perform their roles in appropriate manner (Jiang and et. al., 2016).

 Role of leader is to ensure that there is proper harmonious culture maintained within
ASDA in which different culture, attitudes and values of the people are considered and
there should be high employee participation and their ideas and suggestions should be
considered to make them feel as a valuable asset to the organisation.
This situation in ASDA can be supported by-
 Behavioural Theory of Leadership- This theory focuses on the behaviour of the leader
which creates effective relationship with its subordinates and boost their morale to
perform their task effectively. In the above situation leader at ASDA should analyse the
root cause to their issue and provides them effective solutions and motivates the
employees to attain organisational goals. Leader should create harmonious culture at the
work place and should build effective team spirit to boost morale and minimises
conflicts (Kátai-Urbán,2014).
Situation 2- Accomplishment of task within definite time period-Under this situation when
top authority at ASDA assigns manager the task which which should be completed by the
employees within definite time period. Here role of managers and leaders of ASDA are as
follows-
 Role of leader is to provide specific direction and guides its subordinates regarding
accomplishment of task in a effective manner. Moreover leader at ASDA should provide
proper information to its subordinates so that employees can effectively accomplish the
task in a proper manner.
This situation in ASDA can be supported by- Scientific Theory of Management- This is the scientific theory of management which
focuses on enhancing employees productivity and maximising the efficiency. Manager
enhances the skills and abilities of the employees by providing them training and extra
incentives and assist employees at ASDA to complete their job related responsibilities in
a proper manner.
 Functions of manager
 Planning- Manager at ASDA is responsible for making short and long term plans so that
business activities can be carried in a specific direction. When there are issues and
conflicts at workplace, function of the manager is to properly plan and frame effective
strategies regarding involvement of employees in decision making process as well as

their issues and conflicts should be considered and effective suggestions should be
provided in order to boost their morale and effectively minimises their conflicts.
 Organising- Manager at ASDA is responsible for proper allocating of resources so that
work can be organised and completed efficiently and effectively,when there is a situation
when task has to be completed within definite time period Function of manager is to
make arrangement of the necessary resources and funds so that employees can effectively
perform their task.
 Staffing- When there is requirement of qualified candidates to perform their task
effectively under this situation Manager at ASDA performs the function of choosing the
right candidate for the right position so that organisational goals can be effectively
realised
 Leading- When there is a situation, employee lack in their performance because of lack
of guidance and support, Manger is responsible for leading the team member within
ASDA effectively by providing them guidance and support to perform their job related
responsibilities in a proper manner.
 Controlling- When employees are not able to achieve realistic goals at Asda within a
definite time frame, under this situation manager is responsible for analysing the
performance of the employees and take necessary actions if any deviations are found so
that organisational goals can be effectively realised (jabbari-sabet, moghaddas-tafreshi
andmirhoseini, 2016).
It has been concluded from the above information that managers and leaders both manage the
respective organisational situation at ASDA effectively by applying their roles and functions
towards and helps in maximising profitability and efficiency. Byeffective applications of the
managerial functions and leadership it solves various problems within ASDA.
P3 Different models and theories of leadership
There are different approaches to leadership and management which assist the managers
and leaders to perform their roles and functions in an appropriate manner. Various approaches to
leadership are as follows-
 Situational Leadership Style- This theory of leadership states that leader adopts to
different leadership styles according to the situation prevailing within the respective
organisation. This theory is effective as it assist the leaders to manage every business

situation and adopts different autocratic , democratic and participative according to
situation within organisation. Such as leader at ASDA can provide necessary trainings
and guidance to its employees in order to accomplish the task in a effective manner as
well as in case of minimising conflicts employee participation should be increased and
leader motivates the employees to boost their morale and reduce conflicts at the
workplace (Leeand et. al., 2014).
Strengths- The greatest strength associated is that leaders can adopt to effective leadership style
according to the situation and provides effective direction and guidance to its employees and
boost morale and motivation of the employees to work effectively.
Weaknesses- Their is chance of creating confusions in the group because of adopting different
leadership style and various situations within the organisation are interrelated.
 System Leadership- This model of leadership states that leaders within ASDA should
create effective conditions where employees can perform their job tasks effectively and
productively by formulating effective organisational strategy and adopting good
leadership traits which assist the employees within ASDA to work productively and leads
to effective realisation of goals.
Strengths- It provides effective framework and helps in clarity in interpretation so the various
system adopted assist in making the employees works productively.
Weaknesses- It is lengthy and complicated process and is not widely used due to higher element
of risk associated with it.
 Contingency Leadership- This leadership style states that business situations keeps on
changing, therefore leader should adopt to effective leadership style that matches the
situation prevailing within ASDA. It is considered that there is no best leadership style as
leaders effectiveness can be analysed when the style of leader fits according to the
situation.
Strengths- It allows the leader to handle different situations and adopts effective leadership style
due to flexibility in organisation.
Weaknesses- It creates leaders task a complex one to choose the most effective leadership style
and manages the business situations (López and et. al., 2015).

 Autocratic Leadership- Under this leadership style leaders at ASDA feels themselves as
the most superior and has the power to control and take decision without the involvement
of other employees.
 Bureaucratic- This leadership is based on the fixed line of authority and a proper
hierarchical structure within ASDA in which employees works according to the specific
rules and regulations.
 Democratic- It is a participative leadership style in which leader at ASDA involves
employees in decision making process so as to boost morale of employees to work
effectively. Coercive- Under this leadership style leader adopts to different styles according to
situation prevailing at ASDA. Transactional- This leadership style allows the leader to promote and regulate he
employee work at ASDA by a way of rewards and punishments. Transformational- This leadership style assist the leaders at ASDA to identify the needs
of change and implement them effectively by guiding the employees to work effectively
towards realisation of goals (Lee and et. al., 2014.).
 Laissez-faire- This is a delegative leadership style in which leader at ASDA allows the
team members to work effectively by taking their own decisions and boost the morale of
the employees.
Theories of Management
 Systems Management Theory- This theory focuses on maximising efficiency and
productivity within the respective organisation by providing employees necessary
training and appropriate pay which motivates them to work efficiently, maximising the
profitability level of ASDA
 Behavioural Theory of Management- This theory of management states that in order to
enhance the employees productivity at ASDA, there should be harmonious work place
environment and determines better understanding of human behaviour such as
minimising conflicts, motivating employees and enhances group harmony, while
maximising profitability and productivity of the respective organisation.
Leaders and managers play an effective role in organisation as by providing guidance and
support to employees it leads to common goals and objectives in an effective manner. Use of

leadership and management approaches assist the managers to properly manages every business
situations and boost morale of the employees to work productively. This will assist the
employees to work effectively towards minimising conflicts and attainment of organisational
goals.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operational Managment
Operational management is defined as the area of management concerned with
designing, processing and controlling the production process and create highest level of
efficiency within the respective organisation. Key operations of ASDA includes processing its
business operations in a effective manner and provide timely delivery of goods to the customer
as well as maintains proper storage of inventory so as maximise its profitability.
approaches to operations management
Their are various key approaches to operational management which is concerned with
minimising the wastage and defects in the production process and achieves maximum efficiency
in their business operations. These are discussed as follows-
 Operational Strategy decisions(Six sigma Approach)- It is a data driven approach
which aims at reducing and eliminating errors and waste from manufacturing to final
distribution of goods and services to he customer. Its main focus is towards improving
production process by minimising waste and enhances returns on sales. This approach
creates maximum value for the ASDA as it helps in proper capacity management and
leads to effective process design and inventory management and reduces waste and
creates maximum efficiency in business operation. This tool adopted in operational
strategy assist the respective company to reduce wastage and errors and provide quality
products.
 Role of leaders- Role of leader is to plan appropriate strategies and plans regarding
implementation of six sigma approach in the respective company.
 Role of Manager- It is the role of manager to increase employee participation by
investing in six sigma training courses and communicating the importance of it so that
employees employees work efficiently and minimises the waste and errors.

 Tactics Decisions- (Continuous Improvement or Kaizen)- It is an effective approach
to bring small changes in the production process so as to reap continuous improvements
in the production and selling process at ASDA. It is an medium range approach to
operational management which aims managers and leaders to make contribution from
production to distribution of products. This can be used by the managers at ASDA by
adopting lean manufacturing tool to lower defects, reduces waste and enhances
productivity within the organisation. Managers and leaders should adopt this approach at
ASDA company to maximise sales for the company by reducing and removing
unnecessary waste and process and creates timely delivery of goods for customer. It has
a greater value in ASDA as by bringing continuous improvement in their supply chain
configuration it helps in providing the customers timely delivery of goods as well as
enhance brand image in the market.
Role of Leader- Role of leader is to set effective standards for measuring the progress of
performance at respective company and necessary to take effective decisions.
Role of Manager- It is the responsibility of the manager and leaders at ASDA to
provide necessary training to its employees so that they can perform their job related
responsibilities in a effective manner
 Operational Planning and Control-(Total Quality Management) This is an important
phase for ASDA as it helps in proper planning and control of business activities by
ensuring them quality products are being produced and distributed. Adoption of TQM as
a tool will benefit the company in planning and controlling its activities. It is a
systematic and a continuous process of identifying and eliminating the errors in the
production process and attains maximum efficiency. Its main focus is towards improving
the quality of the products and to improve the internal business practices so as to
enhance the customers experience.. This approach has a greater value as t assist ASDA
to provide quality products to its customers as well as helps in proper inventory
management thereby maximising sales and profitability for the company(Mohammadi,
Soleymani and Mozafari, 2014).
 Role of Leader- It is the role of leader to form effective principles regarding measuring
quality of products and forms effective plans regarding maintaining quality of products.

 Role of Manager- Role of manager includes reviewing the performance of employees
so as to provide feedbacks and effectively manages their performance.
Key Operational Functions
 Finance- Finance acts as a backbone for ASDA and is a vital component which ensures
that funds are utilised properly regarding manufacturing and selling goods to the
customers. It is the responsibility of the manager at ASDA to determine that company
funds funds are utilised properly in purchasing the products effectively and create
maximum value for the customer (Loucks and Van Beek, 2017).
 Strategy- It is concerned with formulation of plans and tactics which are required to be
framed so that all the business process activities are carried effectively and efficiently. It
is the responsibility of the manager at ASDA to formulate effective strategies regrading
supply chain configuration, sales capacity and to adopt new tools and technology for
supplying the product, this needs in managing the business operations of ASDA in a
effective manner.
 Forecasting- It is concerned with making estimation against the demand of the products
that might occur in future. This assist the respective company to manage and hold the
inventory stock so that goods can be provided according to the demands of the customer.
It is the responsibility of the manger at ASDA to forecast the demand of the customers
and manges the production and selling process effectively while maximising profitability
for organisation.
How operational efficiencies can be improved
Operational Efficiencies can be improved by managers and leaders at ASDA by properly
transformation of raw materials into finished products, efficiency in this process can be achieved
by maximum utilisation of effective resources so that waste and errors can be reduced and
productivity level can be enhanced. Moreover efficiency in operational activities can be achieved
by choosing the right process of production and effective supply chain. Manager and leaders at
ASDA should ensure that unnecessary process steps should be avoided during supplying
products to the customer and reduces excess time in making delivery of goods to the customer.
P5 Importance of Operational Management in achieving business Objectives
Operations within the organisation is concerned with converting or transforming the raw
materials or the data into desired goods and services and provides maximum value for the

customers. It is basically concerned with four basic categories such as processing, packaging,
transportation and storage. Therefore operational management id concerned with proper design
and control of business activities in such as way that minimises waste and results in zero
inventory. Importance of OM in achieving business objectives is described as follows-
 Enhances productivity- Operational Management is concerned with designing and
planning of business activities at ASDA in a proper manner such that there is no waste
and errors during the production and the manufacturing process, this enhances
productivity and profitability within respective organisation. This leads to the
achievement of business objectives in a realistic manner.
 Optimum Utilisation of resources- By adopting various tools such as lean
manufacturing and six sigma, it leads to reduction of waste in the production and the
manufacturing process and therefore leads to optimum utilisation of resources which
aims at achieving the business objectives in a proper manner (Schulzeand et. al., 2016).
 Inventory Management- As the main focus of operational management at ASDA is to
properly manage the inventory by adopting just in time inventory technique that is by
providing the goods as per the customer demand , this reduces storage cost and helps in
managing inventory at ASDA in a proper manner. This leads to the attainment of
objectives in a proper manner.
From the information gathered it has been concluded that operational management is the best
approach regarding planning and maintaining business activities in a proper manner and thus
leads to realisation of business objectives in a proper manner.
TASK 4
P6 Impact of business environmental factors on operational management and decision making of
leaders and managers.
Business Environment consist of various factors which affects the operations within the
respective company and also affects the decision making of leaders and managers are discussed
as follows- These factors are described as follows-
 Employees- These are the essential factors within the respective organisation as they are
responsible for conducting business activities in a proper manner towards the attainment

of the goals. This have a impact on the operational management of ASDA business
activities as when the employees have proper knowledge regarding the importance of OM
they will work effectively towards realisation of goals. It affects decision making of
leaders and managers at ASDA they have to recruit the candidates in a proper manner
and as well as responsible for providing then necessary trainings.
 Raw materials- This is external business environment factors which affects activities
within operational management as when there is shortage of raw material it disturbs the
production and the manufacturing process as well as reduced productivity at ASDA. It
affects decision making of leaders and managers as they have to make a contact with
different suppliers regarding acquisition of raw materials so that efficiency and
productivity is maintained (Strande and Brdjanovic, 2014).
 Technology- This factor has a effect on the operations activities within the respective
organisation. Use of advanced technology at ASDA will enhance its production and
distribution activities and vice versa. It affects decision making of leaders and managers
at ASDA as they are responsible and updating and using the advanced technologies
regarding enhancing its productivity level and reducing waste.
It is necessary for the managers and leaders at ASDA to analyse the impact of external business
factors and effectively takes decision to minimise their negative impacts and assist organisation
to enhance their efficiency and productivity
Explain how these factors affect business environment and larger community
This factors such as employees, raw material and technology greatly affects the business
environment and the wider community as when there will be shortage of raw materials at
ASDA , products will not be supplied in the community and will affects the their requirements,
moreover if the employees are qualified and competitive, innovative offerings are provided to the
customers, thus affects the community. This factors also affects the business environment as the
company will be able to do CSR and will not gain competitive advantage
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that leaders and mangers should play
effective role towards the organisational success and growth. Different leadership and
management theories assist to manage every business situation effectively and efficiently and
leads towards attainment of organisational goals in effective manner. Apart from this key

operational functions assist in proper forecasting of consumer demands and helps in minimising
wastages and errors. Their are various approaches such as six sigma, Kaizen and many more
which ensures that quality products are been provided to the customers. Along with this mangers
and leaders should effectively analyse the business environmental factors and effectively takes
decision towards the success of organisation.

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