Management and Operations Assignment Solution - M&S

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction to M&S and its management structure..........................................................1
2. Definition of manager and leader and comparison of their roles and characteristics at M&S
................................................................................................................................................1
3. Analysis of differences of managerial and leadership roles with various theories............2
4. Examples of situations at M&S and examination of managers and leader’s roles application
................................................................................................................................................3
5.Application of different management and leadership theories at M&S for growth and
sustainability...........................................................................................................................4
6. Assessment of strengths and weaknesses of theories of approach.....................................5
7. How managers and leaders impact M&S and recommendations for future improvement 6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
1. Introduction to operations management and operational key approaches of M&S...........6
2. Roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers are M&S...........................................8
3. Importance and value of key approaches for achieving M&S objectives..........................9
4. Evaluation of managers and leader’s effectiveness to improve operational efficiency.....9
5. Assessment of impact of external business environment factors on operational management
..............................................................................................................................................10
6.Critical evaluation of impact on operation management of M&S in wider business
environment..........................................................................................................................10
7. Suggestions on recommendations for future improvements at M&S..............................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations are performed in a company together and includes the
process of making plans, forecasting, organising, coordinating and controlling the functions that
have to be performed in an organisation (Haksever and Render, 2018). These includes
purchasing of raw materials and converting them to finished goods. This consists of processing,
inspecting, transporting and storing products that have to be sold to customers. Management and
operations help in successfully operating business activities. Managers are assigned the
responsibility to perform this continuous and pervasive function, which continuously changes.
There are specific principles that are followed so that goals and objectives can be achieved
effectively. M&S is a famous multinational retail clothing organisation which was founded in
1884 and has operations present across the world, with over 80,000 employees present in
company. This assignment will differentiate between role of leader and function of managers,
along with their application at M&S. It will demonstrate an appreciation of the role they play in
operations management and understand their relationship in business environment.
TASK 1
1. Introduction to M&S and its management structure
M&S is a clothing company which sells clothing for men, women and kids as well as
various accessories. Their organisational structure is multi branded and has managers and leaders
present at each department, which consists of finance, production, sustainability, expansion,
communications, human resources, business development and logistics. M&S has an operations
committee that is responsible for development and execution of strategies for retail and home
ware department. Marketing committee looks after social media promotions and campaigns
while human resource creates programs to increase competence of employees.
M&S has a hierarchical structure which has finance, operations, marketing and human
resource. These departments have senior and junior managers as well as leaders and subordinates
(Hugos, 2018). They all work together as a team so that they can achieve organisational goals
effectively and efficiently.
Structure of M&S
M&S consider flat organisational structure which consider limited level of management
between administrative level and front line employees. This structure followed in the enterprise
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which helps to encourage employees to take more effective decision-making process. Thus, in
this structure there are few or no levels of management in between the staff and management. In
this structure that is followed by the stated organisation, there are large number of people that are
supervised directly by each member that are involved in organisation. In the flat structure the
manager that are involved has much more responsibilities as compared to Tall structure.
2. Definition of manager and leader and comparison of their roles and characteristics at M&S
Managers work in an organisation and are responsible for making management decisions
with regard to operational functions. They have to create plans and organise them as well as
recruit individuals that can work at M&S and control them so that decision-making can be done
(Guo and et.al., 2018). This ensures that work is performed in a proper manner and plans are
implemented properly.
Leaders are the persons that lead and guide subordinates at M&S, so that goals can be
achieved efficiently. They are responsible for training employees and motivating them to work
better. Managers of M&S are versatile and they are open minded while taking decisions for
company. They listen to leaders and subordinates while discussing ideas and implement changes
wherever required. While leaders of M&S have to be influential, so that subordinates are able to
learn, understand and respect them. They have to guide employees and not simply give
commands that have to be done. M&S has managers that are disciplined. They pay attention to
details that have to be addressed in order to implement strategies so that productivity levels can
be high and targets are achieved (Grant and et.al., 2017). On the other hand, leaders stay focused
while guiding subordinates to achieve goals and objectives of M&S. They make sure that
everyone pays attention to the work they do so that productivity is high at all times.
3. Analysis of differences of managerial and leadership roles with various theories
The difference between managerial and leadership roles are as follows:
Management functions Leadership role
M&S management uses systems theory in
which analysis of different functions are done
before any decisions are made (Guo, 2018).
Managers investigate various principles that
are commonly used and how they will benefit
Transformational leadership theory is used at
M&S, where in employees follow leaders
identify goals and create a vision and passion
for achieving goals. Leaders use intellectual
stimulation and inspirational motivation to
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