Operations Management and Leadership

This assignment delves into the crucial relationship between operations management and leadership. It examines various aspects of both disciplines, including functions of management, leadership styles, their impact on workplace bullying, employee well-being, and the utilization of tools like simulation-optimization modeling and RFID technology in operations. The assignment requires students to analyze different perspectives and theories presented in scholarly articles and publications.

MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1- Roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager........................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2- Role of a leader and the function of a manager in different situations............................3
P3- Different Theories and Models of approach....................................................................4
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................5
P4- Key approaches to operations management.....................................................................5
P5- Importance and Value of operations management...........................................................6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
P 6 Factors within the business environment.........................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management is a set of activities to make an effective strategy of business for profit
maximisation and further growth of company. It helps in achieving organisational goals in long
term. Mark & Spencer Limited is a leading firm of United Kingdom which deals in retail market.
It is a multinational brand that has 959 stores in overall country (White, 2016). It was established
in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds. There are almost 83 thousand
employees of enterprise all over world and revenue £10,555.4 million. To compete in business
market as it has high competition with other companies, it has to improve its existing
performance and make more efforts for better quality of product and goods. So operational
activities and tasks must be done in such a way that minimum input can produce maximum
output in future. Leaders are important assets to firm and manager help in making strategies to
manage every operation In following report, different roles of these two crucial members of
company will be discussed. Different approaches are used by leaders and these are affected by
some factors.
TASK 1
P1- Roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Manager is a person who gets things done through other people and follow a formal way
to execute his duty (Chen Mao and Van der Merwe, 2010). He makes sure that every individual
is doing his work as per code of conduct and policy of firm. He fulfils responsibilities related to
organising, directing, controlling as well as staffing for better productivity of operational process
of Mark & Spencer Limited. He forecasts demand of input and resources to get maximum output
in long term for business organisation. On other hand, leader is a person who is followed by a
group of people of firm to achieve a specific goal. He has to provide training to his team
members so that they can do as he wants and contribute in enterprise’s progress in future.
Followings are some difference between them.
Basis of Difference Manager Leader
Follower Employees are main followers
of manager in company who
he provides guidance to.
He has his other members of
team as followers who fulfil
their tasks as per his
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instructions.
Mission and goals He play roles to set particular
goals for firm and measures
them to achieve in time.
He creates vision for achieving
long term profits for the
company. He sees picture
beyond limitation of business.
Change and maintenance Managers try to sustain a
formal structure or hierarchy
in organisation so that other
people also practice the same.
Leaders uses innovation to
change existing process of
company and make it effective
for better results.
Risk As he has responsibilities to
balance everything at
workplace, he does not
practice anything which can
lead to any types of risk.
Leaders look for revolution
and take competitive
advantage, so they make
decisions which contains huge
risk in
Relationship Manager concentrates on
building a fixed system and
structure to set and achieve
organisational goals.
He focuses on people who are
stakeholders as they should be
influenced to invest more to
gain maximum results.
Relience He relies on control and
monitor of every activity of
employees.
But leaders makes efforts to
build trust among team
members to work together to
accomplish their target in time.
Horizon and bottom line He always looks for bottom
results of company.
He keeps his eye on horizon or
productivity of his followers.
Things Managers do proven right
things as per rules.
Leaders make things right
through their innovative
efforts.
Ideas They implement ideas and
plan which has been made by
They create and build
effective ideas for the growth
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top executives. of firm.
Growth Managers follow a fixed
regulatory framework of
company on basis of proven
facts.
Leaders create many new
things every day in process, so
they grow 0perersonally on
basis of experiences.
Thus, there are many different aspects which are executed by leaders and mangers
separately. These both individuals have their own significance at company and contribute
differently to accomplish organisational goals of “customer’s satisfaction” and “capture
maximum market share” consequently.
TASK 2
P2- Role of a leader and the function of a manager in different situations
Mark & Spencer is one of top companies in retail market of United Kingdom, so it has to
take important decisions to compete smartly (Weining Lin jiang and Fan, 2010). In this scenario,
both leaders and mangers play their specific roles to provide best quality product to consumers
and capture maximum share of industry. For example, company needs to introduce a luxury food
product like dark chocolate with exclusive ingredients in United Kingdom, it has to make various
crucial decisions to gain success in future for this product. In this situation following are
different roles of leaders and functions of manager.
Functions of Manager-He plays vital role in making decision to gain benefit out of this
profit launch in market. He firstly sets weekly or daily targets in term of cost, revenue and
process in which it will be done. Managers assigns different duties to persons and monitors every
tasks and activity done by employees. On the other hand, he makes sure that there will be no
risk in producing a luxury item and there are sufficient potential target market. For accurate
results, he conducts a market research to find demand of product and arrange necessary resources
and workforce according to it. He makes strategic plans in which a blueprint is shown to the
whole organisation. Manager of Mark & Spencer develops a well-planned organisational
structure in which every employee is allotted specific roles and responsibilities (Heizer, 2016).
He monitors in what direction the performance is going and is up to the standards set or not. If
any deviation is found between desired as well as real gained results, for example, if product is
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not apprenticed as organisation’s estimates, then manager takes appropriate actions to identify
errors so as to rectify them and also finds causes of such .deviations
Role of Leader-He allots different responsibilities to people according new direction and
make them feel comfortable and familiar at workplace. He plays role to make appropriate
changes in current process and integrate all other team members to work with full enthusiasm.
Consequently, it will lead to effective production of luxury goods in retail market. He nurtures
employee’s intellectual capital. One of the major approaches adopted by leaders of Mark &
Spencer Limited is position in which place is important factor to make a person leader in firm
(Krajewski, Ritzman and Malhotra, 2013). He uses result oriented approach to evaluate team
performance and outcome of the whole firm in terms of revenue and profit margin in future.
Process approach includes methods through which leaders influence team members and
contribute in accomplishing organisational goals and objectives. For example, he tries to
motivate and establish strong bond among them. Thus these both crucial parts of Mark &
Spencer Limited help in improving productivity of employees as well as products in retail market
of United Kingdom.
P3- Different Theories and Models of approach
Today many methods are used by leaders and managers to accomplish organisational
objectives of revenue and profit maximisation. Modern leadership includes that foundation of
power is in collective team performance while traditional leadership sees only position of
authority as power. There was high ownership of information while today knowledge is mostly
shared with other employees to enhance productivity.
 Systems Approach-It is one of most useful techniques of Mark & Spencer Limited to
create a healthy environment at workplace. As per this approach, there are many elements
which are interconnected to each other. Many internal as well as external factors affect
business of company. Their interdependence is explained in these methods. Manager
plays an important role as he analyses these factors and tries to overcome their negative
impact. System can be open or closed (Peng and Lai, 2012). Open system company gets
influenced by political, social, technological and legal elements. Closed system is only
affected by internal components like Strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to
company. On other hand, leaders try to achieve more quality in process and its team
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members so that maximum outcome can be gained in future. One weakness of this
approach is that if it is of open kind, external factor can hinder growth of business.
 Contingency or Situational Approach- Contingency is an unpredictable situation which
can occur at any time. This can be unfavourable, intermediate or beneficial for business
of firm which is based on employee-leader relations, position, power and structure of
task. Manager evaluates circumstances and acts according to it. For example, he assigns
different duties to employees and practices control over them to establish focus on the
process. Leaders take benefits from this approach as he uses available resources and
makes strategy to improve existing performance within the limited time frame (Liu, Siu
and Shi, 2010). Due to highly tailored method, it may lead to growth at rapid rate for
business organisation in long term. Right people can be employed at right place to satisfy
customer. One of negative sides of this approach is that it involves high risk due to
changes in situation.
 Behavioural Approach-This is also an effective approach adopted by company in
different scenario. According to it, an individual can adopt some practice from long time.
Manager takes benefit from this technique as he always makes sure that every member of
firm behaves as per code of conduct But one disadvantage of this approach is that proper
monitoring is required at regular basis, otherwise employee can go to in wrong direction
at workplace. Thus these three major concepts help in achieving organisational goals of
profit maximisation and revenue generation.
TASK 3
P4- Key approaches to operations management
As operations management is a major part of Mark & Spencer Limited, it should be
managed so that minimum input can result in huge amount of output. Process of production
includes three main steps (Hoel, Glasø and Einarsen, 2010). First is input in which raw material,
machinery, workforce, finance and property are included. Second is production and third is
output as consumable goods and valuable information for customers. Manager plans future
activities and hierarchy in particular operational task. He monitors process and controls it to gain
desired target of best quality goods at a reasonable cost. On the other hand, leader guides his
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team and allot small tasks to each member. He communicates with them to discuss problems and
get opinion about particular decision.
Different key approaches are adopted by Mark & Spencer Limited as followings.
 Lean Production-This is one of most useful techniques in which main purpose is to
minimise waste in production process and provide best quality products or services to
customers. It includes close relationship establishment with suppliers. Eliminate. Those
products which are not adding value to firm are eliminated. Range of products are
reduced to develop workforce (Angus-Leppan, Metcalf and Benn, 2010). It emphasises
on reduction of inventory cost to minimise overall cost of production and make it
available to clients at lower price than other competitors in market.
 Total Quality Management- This approach is also beneficial in operation management
of Mark & Spencer. In this key approach people of company try to improve processes,
products, services, and the culture. It includes continuous efforts by leaders and managers
of company to sustain customers in long term and consequently capture a huge market
share in retail industry of United Kingdom. + Along with this he evaluates employee
contribution towards improvement of work culture and services in production process.
Planning stage includes day to day challenges which are faced by managers and
appropriate actions are taken to deal with these challenges.
 Just in time- This is effective technique in operations management of Mark & Spencer
Limited especially related to inventory, suppliers, scheduling and layouts. Being a retail
brand, company has to make its stock equal to requirement so that no remaining amount
which will get wastes in future (Shin, Lee and An, 2010). Storage area also should be
hygienic, otherwise it can damage perishable products or goods. When demand is less
and inventory is huge amount, firm must offer its stock with discount when stock is more
than demand to avoid loss.
 Continuous Improvement- This approach is helpful in accurate and long term growth of
business organisation. In this, it is made sure that every process is evaluated and made
effective. Small changes are done by leaders through innovative methods to achieve
organisational goals of customer satisfaction. If there is any challenge faced by manager
to maintain code of conduct among employees, appropriate steps are taken and progress
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is sustained. Thus many approaches are used by mentioned company to make sure its
success in operation management.
P5- Importance and Value of operations management
Operation’s management is a crucial part of every business organisation in retail industry.
Mark & Spencer is one of the top brands in United Kingdom and it has to improve its production
process to provide hygienic packaging of goods (Hill and Hill, 2012). Operations management
are main aspects which have great impact on all the departments of company. Followings are
some points of importance of operations management.
 Better system- Operation management makes whole system improved by eliminating
negative aspects like wastage of raw material and labour. For example, mangers make
different strategies through which company monitors its outputs and takes actions to
maximise them.
 Human resource management- On other hand operation management is important for
HRM of organisation. This gives opportunity to provide effective training to employees
by company so that they can increase their productivity (Brown, Bessant and Lamming,
2013). It will lead to best assistance to customers at store in case they have any query.
Consequently, it will increase goodwill of firm in market.
 Waste Reduction-Operations management is done by manger to observe day to day
activities of workers. As per scientific management theory, the way in which labour do
their task, is studied. Who are above average in performance, are trained for improved
productivity.
 Principle establishment- Management in operations of company helps in maintain code
of conduct at workplace. It also contributes in making stable tenure of employees which
lead to more satisfaction and development of their skills (Karlsson, 2010). A proper
operation management makes sure that every employee gets equal remuneration for work
he does in same task. Thus there are many significant roles which operation management
play to achieve organisational objectives as profit maximisation and improved quality of
product.
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TASK 4
P 6 Factors within the business environment
 Customers- As customers are key person for every business organisation like Mark &
Spencer, their needs and desires should be estimated so that company can meet their
wants with product quality. For example, if consumer changes his preferences then firm
also has to modify its product features to maintain demand of goods. So operations
process will also be altered by operation manger.
 Suppliers- They are also a major factor which affect cost of profit or services of Mark &
Spencer Limited. If they increase their price for raw material then company also make
some changes in its manufacturing process and pricing policies to meet objectives in
future. For example, suppliers of packaging bags make a slight hike in their quality then
it will affect quality of final profit of Mark & Spencer and consequently to customers
satisfaction.
 Creditors-These are person who provide basic and huge financial support to company so
that it can run its business in future. If creditors do not see any potential of company plan,
they might not support idea and it will affect negatively to business.
 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) -Corporate social responsibility is occurred on
Marks & Spencer as it has duties towards society and its people (Caro and Gallien, 2010).
This aspect acts lie a self-regulatory framework for organisation a it imply important
liability on management department. These liabilities are to create healthy environment at
workplace by prevention for discrimination among employees on basis of gender, skin
colour, disability, religion or region. So form has to make its policies and regulation
according to these CSR. Company has responsibilities towards consumers as it should
make such process that helps in protecting environment from pollution and global
warming. Leader must keep it mind that he completes project with members by helping
them in achieving their individual targets. So to improve performance in future, manger
should make some efforts for better lifestyle of poor people.
 Business Ethics-These are major and basis elements for company to survive in market
environment of retail sector. There are many types of business ethics. For example,
company should treat its consumer in well manner which will have positive impact on
sales and revenue of firm in future (Chen, Duan and Hu, 2011). These ethical values are
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regulated by legal as well as government authority beyond which no firm can operate the
business.
 Stakeholders -These are person who are directly related to company like Mark &
Spencer Limited. Manager makes his strategies as per opinion of them and tries to get
connected to them. Leaders can use usage strategy in which he can receive resources
from stakeholders and gets knowledge about how it is used. Manager tries to build strong
relationship with them to get their support in making decision for better performance of
firm. Thus these above factors have major impact on operation management and decision
making by managers or leaders (Alderton and Saieva, 2013). For further growth these
two important individuals should evaluate every step of their task.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, it can be concluded that management and operations are most
critical parts of company like Mark & Spencer Limited. Leaders have their specific rile in
competing every activity related to production process while manger executes his particular
functions to gain maximum market share of retail market of United Kingdom. They play
different role in situations in firm. There are many approaches and models which play a vital role
in making operations effective for progress of products or services of organisation. So operation
management is an inseparable aspect of mentioned company and helps in accomplishing
enterprise target of profit and revenue maximisation. It also contributes in providing best quality
goods to customers so that satisfaction level can be increased in future.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alderton, P. and Saieva, G., 2013. Port management and operations. Taylor & Francis.
Angus-Leppan, T., Metcalf, L. and Benn, S., 2010. Leadership styles and CSR practice: An
examination of sense making, institutional drivers and CSR leadership. Journal of
Business Ethics. 93(2). pp.189-213.
Brown, S., Bessant, J.R. and Lamming, R., 2013. Strategic operations management. Routledge.
Caro, F. and Gallien, J., 2010. Inventory management of a fast-fashion retail network.
Operations Research. 58(2). pp.257-273.
Chen, C., Duan, S. and Hu, G., 2011. Smart energy management system for optimal micro grid
economic operation. IET renewable power generation. 5(3). pp.258-267.
Chen, X., Mao, Y. and Van der Merwe, J., 2010. DECOR: Declarative network management
and Operation. ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review. 40(1). pp.61-66.
Heizer, J., 2016. Operations Management, 11/e. Pearson Education India.
Hill, A. and Hill, T., 2012. Operations management. Palgrave Macmillan.
Hoel, H., Glasø, L., Hetland, J., Cooper, C.L. and Einarsen, S., 2010. Leadership styles as
predictors of self‐reported and observed workplace bullying. British Journal of
Management. 21(2). pp.453-468.
Karlsson, C. ed., 2010. Researching operations management. Routledge.
Krajewski, L.J., Ritzman, L.P. and Malhotra, M.K., 2013. Operations management: processes
and supply chains (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Pearson.
Liu, J., Siu, O.L. and Shi, K., 2010. Transformational leadership and employee well‐being: The
mediating role of trust in the leader and self‐efficacy. Applied Psychology. 59(3).
pp.454-479.
Peng, D.X. and Lai, F., 2012. Using partial least squares in operations management research: A
practical guideline and summary of past research. Journal of Operations Management.
30(6). pp.467-480.
Rani, D. and Moreira, M.M., 2010. Simulation–optimization modeling: a survey and potential
application in reservoir systems operation. Water resources management. 24(6).
pp.1107-1138.
Shin, J.P., Lee, K.T. and An, J.H., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, 2010. Exercise management
function providing system and method. U.S. Patent 7,713,173.
Weining, L., Linjiang, Z. and Fan, Y., 2010, June. RFID-based production operation
management for multi-varieties and small-batch production. In RFID-Technology and
Applications (RFID-TA), 2010 IEEE International Conference on (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
White, P., 2016. Public transport: its planning, management and operation. Taylor & Francis.
Online
William Arruda, 2016.9 Differences between Being A Leader And A Manager. [Online].
Available through: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2016/11/15/9-
differences-between-being-a-leader-and-a-manager/#4a8fba894609>. [Accessed on 12th
July 2017].
Calia Roberts, 2017. Five Functions of Management & Leading [Online]. Available through:
<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/five-functions-management-leading-56418.html>.
[Accessed on 12th July 2017].
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