Review of Business Management and Operations Literature

The assignment requires the student to review and analyze existing literature on business management and operations. The content includes articles, journals, and online resources related to port operation and management, PPP arrangements in airport development, human resource integration, economic operation optimization for microgrids, and more. The student is expected to critically evaluate the provided sources and summarize their key findings.

Management and operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK...............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and the characteristics of a leader and manager. 1
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................4
P2 Role of a leader and the functions of a manager apply in different situational context....4
P3 Different theories and models of approach.......................................................................1
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................2
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leaders and managers................2
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives........3
Task 4...............................................................................................................................................4
P6 Factors of environment that impact upon operational management and decision-making by
leaders and managers..............................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Managerial function is defined as the administration of any organisation, whether it is a
profit or non-profit businesses and any government body. In this includes several activities of
setting the strategies for the organisation and coordinate with employees in putting some efforts
to execute its goals and aim through utilisation of various options such as natural, financial,
human resources and technological (Ashby and Leat, 2012). Operation is a field of management
in which considered the process of production as designing, controlling of whole business
operations to produce goods and services. M & S is the British multinational retailer located in
London and its main business is to sell numerous products such as clothing, luxury food and
home appliances products in the market. In this report, it will explain comparison about various
roles and characteristics of a manager and a leader. Assignment is analyse examples which is
related to role of a leader and the purpose of a manager to apply in various situational conditions,
so for this, it defines theories and models of approaches like situational, system and contingency
leadership etc. this report will also explain the importance of operation management in achieving
business objectives.
TASK
P1 Define and compare the different roles and the characteristics of a leader and manager
Manager: Managers are person who creates and manipulates the work of an enterprises
for achieving predetermined goals and objective of the company. They builds and set up the
applicable strategies as well as plan and policies of on the job staff for the successful
accomplishment accordance to the objectives (Ashofteh and Haddad, 2015). Manager concern
with the appraisal of performance of the employees for implementation and they perform this
task at the regular time intervals.
Leaders: They are the persons who make employees get work done by influencing or
inspiring their behaviours to achieve company's goals. Leaders play important role in motivating
to employees with the help of leadership and communications skills for working effectively and
obtain best outcomes. So major aim of leaders is to influence and inspire the people in order to
their performance which helps in increasing work productivity and efficiency within
organisation.
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Comparison between the manager and leaders
Roles of managers and leaders are considered as interchangeable, but they perform
several different functions in order to influence the employees for achieving success on work for
an enterprises (Branch, 2012). Manager generally accomplish the task by setting the targets
according to company's vision and mission and the leaders communicate to the employees and
inspire them to achieve those goals and objectives as well as vision.
Managers Leaders
Managers set the company's goals and
objectives
And leaders usually persuade the objectives
which developed by the managers.
They communicate with leaders for providing
informations regarding policies of an
organisation.
And they forward those informations to the
employees and influence hem to work as per
the policies as well as rules and regulations.
Managers provide directions and guidelines to
the groups towards goals.
Leaders provide directions to team members.
Manager play important role in planning for
the organisation to achieve success.
And leader's roles is to inspire the people for
work within an organisation.
They create ideas and innovative things to
make organisation better or effective.
And leaders play role to implement those ideas
in reality to achieve organisation's results and
outcomes.
Managers only focus on things for the
betterment of an organisation.
And leaders focus on people to get work done
by motivating and influencing their
behaviours.
Manager's work is to direct the work to
employees within the company.
Leaders motivate the employees for effective
work which contributes towards goals and
objectives.
M&S company is dealing with various products like clothing, home appliances and luxury food
products in the market and kept themselves involved in the business of activities consisting the
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manufacturing, assembling, designing and sales of products and services in many countries
(Cheng, 2012). The activities of the firm is capable in the strategies which is built by the
company that leads to increase in the productivity. Manager's role are differentiated in an
effective manner with role of leaders in the company. The manager of M&S plc establishes
standards for better performance of employees and the leaders with effective and efficient
interpersonal communication skills get the work done from workers in which they consider the
standards which established by the managers (MarquesCruz, 2016). In Mark and Spencer
company, roles of managers and leaders are differentiated for better outcomes as well as results
in the growth as all tasks and activities segregated or performed in a effective manner.
Leader:
Role
 Leaders main aim is to produce
changes within organisation.
 They usually guide the people.
 Leaders focus on people and their
personal goals.
 They motivate individual to achieve
goals and objectives.
Character
 Leaders generally known to be a
visionary.
 They set their example on the front of
people.
 Leaders are problem solver.
 Influencer.
 Act as an inspiration and passionate
individual.
Manager:
Roles
 Role of manager is engage in making
plans and policies for an organisation.
 They are responsible for organising
various resources.
 Managers have to coordinate and
control all business operations.
Character
 Leaders have to follow all rules and
regulations.
 They generally make decisions for an
organisation.
 They act as a leader.
 They have to build better relationship
among people who are working within
organisation.
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Task 2
P2 Role of a leader and the functions of a manager apply in different situational context
The function of manager and roles of leaders both makes the company work in the proper
directions for the achievement of organisation's goals and objectives. So managers and leaders
play important roles in making company successful (Expósito, 2011). There are numerous roles
of management or various behaviours and styles of leadership which support in proper
functioning. M&S company is facing several kinds of situations such as following poor market
trends, high prices, increasing competitions etc. so this problem can be solve by effective
implementation of the management functions and the skills of leaders to plan and implement best
strategies which can handle various situations so they have to follow al these functions that can
helps to achieve success of an organisation and manage all business operations.
Here are some functions of managers and the roles of leaders defined. These are as follows:
Planning: It is very important function of manager that plan for setting goals of the
company. M&S company's managers plan to increase the revenues and sales of the products and
services. They used strategies for M&S company for obtaining goals include KAIZEN which
helps in contributing continuous improvement in the production process in the production for
qualitative goods and develop efficiency. So role of the leaders in M&S plc is to communicate
all these goals and objectives to the employees or focus the efforts in accomplishment of better
outcomes.
Organising: The manager of M&S plc, organise and utilise all available resources
among several activities in efficient manner for the purpose of fulfilment the organisational goals
(Ding, 2010). And the role of leaders is to allocate all these resources and motivate the
employees to perform effectively and efficiently as well as optimise those resources to achieve
best results or outcomes.
Directing: Generally the manager direct all task and activities which is to be performed
to employees and staff of M&S company but leaders play vital role in creating team as well as
providing them directions or guidelines that how the work should done for accomplishing goals
and objectives.
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Staffing: It is most important person which required to get best out of the workers
recruited in the organisation. As M&S plc recruit and select most suitable candidates according
to job profile and their skills as well as capabilities. So manager must have conduct recruitment
and selections process for best employees. Leaders only motivate all staff for performing job
effectively and allocate the work according to their abilities. They also maintain relations with
employees by proper communication system and solve their problems or any grievances for
better performance.
Coordinating: It also important for successful organisation that coordinate with
functions such as productions, finance and marketing and many more for serve best to the
organisation (Gelade, 2011). So it is the duty of the managers to coordinate effectively with
several department. The role of leaders in this functions lies with the implementation of the best
practices in coordinating activities with the help of communication and good leadership skills.
Controlling: In this, manager formulate strategies and they controlled or monitored
within the organisation and the role of leaders are to implement all those strategies in effective
manner as well as they verify the outcomes of the performance of employees with standards as
laid down by the managers and also provide guidelines to them accordingly.
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P3 Different theories and models of approach
Various theories and approaches are there for leadership, these different models is
discussed below:
 Situational Leadership: Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey has been developed these
leadership style after lots of research. This leadership theory mentions those conditions in
which a leader or manager of an organization should makes adjustments in their way of
working to fit them in the level of development of the team who are putting effort to
influence them.
This theory could be implemented in M&S organisation, as in different situations, leaders of
this company requires to adopt different strategies ((Burke, 2013)). For example, when demand
is high and supply is low, than leader of M&S might acquire autocratic leadership style, to
increase the production and in if demand is moderate, than leader could become democratic.
 Systems Leadership: This type of Leadership style is a network leadership which is
associated in different places to create different levels in the system Collaboration to
collaborate a significant change. The characteristics of systems leadership is different as
compare to single organisation and limited projects. So, system leadership implies the
effort by leader for significant change.
This leadership approach could help M&S in implementing desired changes within
organisation. As for every new technological change a strong leadership is required, hence, this
style helps company in adopting particular change without any conflict between employees.
 Contingency: This theory is related to organizational theory which claims that there is no
other way to lead the firm, to take or make decisions. Instead, the course of action for
getting optimal results on internal and external conditions is incidental (dependent). A
casual leader effectively implements his style of leadership on the right situation.
This theory could be implemented in above scenario. For example, M&S, could apply
Contingency theory to take right decisions on right time (Fayol, 2016). Like if due to increase in
demand of product, the pressure of production on workers would be increased. In that situation,
labour might became stressed and left the job. To deal with such a situation, leader of M&S,
could adopt contingency leadership and allow extra incentives to workers. This extra incentives
will work as a reward system for workers and they would be motivated for work.

Task 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leaders and managers
An organized enterprise, of course, is not present in a empty space. Instead, it is
interdependent on its outer environment; It is a part of large systems like the industry it is related
to, economic consideration and society. Therefore an enterprise receives input, converts them
and exports these output to the surroundings. However, this simple model requires to be
expanded and formulated, which reflects in a model of operations management which is replaced
by different inputs by the managerial functions like planning, staffing, organizing, leading and
controlling. Obviously, each business or organization should be represented by an opened system
model which includes fundamental interaction between the firm and its outer environment
(Guang, 2012). Various key approaches related to operations management and the roles and
responsibilities of managers in the key operational functions are explained below:
 Quality Management: It is also known as QM, its main objective is to maintain the
quality of product through various techniques such as six sigma, total quality
management, etc. This is very crucial part of operation management process.
Some of roles and responsibilities of managers in this operational functions are given below:
◦ The role of manager is to take right decisions for setting particular standards for
quality of a product.
◦ He is responsible for dividing and establishing company's quality procedures.
◦ He has to set standards for quality as well as health and safety.
◦ He is responsible for searching alternatives to reduce waste and increase efficiency
 Stock control, delivery and supply chain management: Stock is a input of production
process. Supply chain management includes inventory control, proper logistic facilities,
availability of suppliers and time duration required for delivery of a product (Hu, 2010).
Below is the roles and responsibilities of supply chain manager in this key operational
function:
◦ He has to plan time tables for delivery.
◦ He requires to ensure about enough inventory stock in warehouses.
◦ He has to make good relationship with suppliers.
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 Purchasing and ordering: Purchasing involves acquiring raw materials from traders and
ordering is the process of placing order for further goods to meet customers demand.
Below is the roles and responsibilities of purchasing manager:
◦ He is responsible for level of buying and approving the acquisition of goods and
services requires by the company.
◦ He has a duty to find reliable vendors and suppliers to provide quality foods at
relevant price.
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives
Systematic support to approach for continuously improving of
performance for an organisation including capacity and outcomes.
Approaches concern structure and procedures to implement strategy as
well as having the whole organisation in focus when dealing with
improvement of performance and results.
Evaluations: Organisational goals and objectives can be achieved
through abilities to engage managers in understanding business,
implementing plan as well as strategy and supporting that plan for wide
organisation (Ming, 2013). Evaluation helps to achieve desired outcomes
through specific business activities. In this, benchmarking and monitoring
support in eliminating inefficiencies such as shortage of raw material,
excess of inventories as well as over staffing. So M&S plc managers
consider evaluation process while business operation and make effective
plan.
Scope of operation: Operations considered day-to-day activities that
create unique value as well as achieve core objectives within organisation.
It plays important role in contributing towards overall organisation
successful. Managers provide proper directions to employees as well as in
utilising resources or achieve task and objectives with set time period.
Performance of a practical work involves the practical applications of
principle. Generally operations scope concerned with various types and size
of the business.
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Resources: Operation management refers to utilise resources in
effective manner as get maximum output from minimum inputs through
strategies and control (Neck, 2010). Manager in M&S company considered
the factor of productions which means manage the available resources such
as financial, labour, equipment and material components that need to
perform in producing any goods and services. For the business success,
operations role enables for determining and scheduling the resources to
meet company's target and objectives with the helps of regulation, speed,
dependability, quality and flexibility of operations.
Task 4
P6 Factors of environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers
Environmental factors refers to the all internals and externals forces
that directly affect on the business operations as organisation is a social
entity which has a hierarchical structure where all available resources and
necessary item put together for obtaining company's goals and objectives.
In the organisation, every action of management body is influenced by the
environment. Mark and Spencer company also faced many challenges and
including internal and externals that affected on the decision which made
by managers and leaders.
Internal environment factors
These forces surrounded within the boundary of an organisation and
those can be control by the managers. but sometimes it effect on their
action plan as well as decision-making process for the company (Smith and
Rahn, 2010). It generally considered several factors such as:
Owners: They are those persons who invests money to start a
business and have property rights. Owner could be individual or a group of
person who started a company as well as purchased share of the company
in the market. So due to changes of policies, managers and leader decision
can be affect as they have to follow such rules and regulations.
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Board of directors: They are the authoritative body of an enterprise
who are chosen by stakeholders and having a direct powers, rights and
responsibilities for overseeing a firm's top managers such as the general
manager (Fayol, 2016). M&S company's board of directors govern all rules
and regulations so manager should communicate regarding any changes to
the leader or groups.
Employees: They are most important elements within organisation as
employees are those who performs the task of the administration. Manager
and leaders have to manage team members or employees for better
workforce as well as handle grievances and resolve dispute for building
healthy relationship. So this factor can also affect to an organisation.
External factors
it refers to those forces that affect on the business and which cannot
be control but can be manage. These types of factors also affects on several
activities of an organisation such as
Economic factor: It is the external factors which influence on
company's financial activities. It includes several changes such as inflation,
interest rates and unemployment. So managers have to consider this factor
in M&S plc for looking demand and make pricing strategies such as higher
or reduce costs.
Technological factors: In this, managers and leader have to
undertakes some technological changes that directly affect to an
organisation (Gelade, 2011). So manager make strategies for adopting new
technology.
Social factors: M&S is multinational company and selling various
types of products and services so manager requires to study about social
culture of different countries before making any decisions.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that management operation is a systematic
frame and set of activities that helps a business to run properly and reduce conflicts. The Mark
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ans Spencer is retailer company which is the base of this report. The assignment is concern with
role of manager and leader that plays in firm. The theory of operation management such as
system, contingency and situational has been covered here along with this some of the suitable
approaches are using in it like quality management and stock control are also be added. There are
some factors like internal where customer, investor are involved and external factor where all
those factor like legal, political and technical are included has made impact on the decision
making in industry.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ashby, A., Leat, M. and Hudson-Smith, M., 2012. Making connections: a review of supply chain
management and sustainability literature. Supply Chain Management: An International
Journal. 17(5). pp.497-516.
Ashofteh, P.S., Haddad, O.B. and Loáiciga, H.A., 2015. Evaluation of climatic-change impacts
on multiobjective reservoir operation with multiobjective genetic programming. Journal
of Water Resources Planning and Management. 141(11). p.04015030.
Branch, A., 2012. Elements of port operation and management. Springer Science & Business
Media.
Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Cheng, C.T., and et.al., 2012. Operation challenges for fast-growing China's hydropower
systems and respondence to energy saving and emission reduction. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews. 16(5). pp.2386-2393.
Cruz, C.O. and Marques, R.C., 2011. Contribution to the study of PPP arrangements in airport
development, management and operation. Transport Policy. 18(2). pp.392-400.
de Menezes, L.M., Wood, S. and Gelade, G., 2010. The integration of human resource and
operation management practices and its link with performance: A longitudinal latent
class study. Journal of Operations Management. 28(6), pp.455-471.
Ding, M., and et. Al ., 2011. Economic operation optimization for microgrids including Na/S
battery storage. Proceedings of the CSEE. 31(4). pp.7-14.
Expósito, A.G., and et. al., 2016. Electric energy systems: analysis and operation. CRC Press.
Fayol, H., 2016. General and industrial management. Ravenio Books.
Guang Shi, V., and et. al., 2012. Natural resource based green supply chain management. Supply
Chain Management: An International Journal. 17(1). pp.54-67.
Hu, A.H. and Hsu, C.W., 2010. Critical factors for implementing green supply chain
management practice: an empirical study of electrical and electronics industries in
Taiwan. Management research review. 33(6). pp.586-608.
Ming, Z., g, and et. al., 2013. Historical review of demand side management in China:
Management content, operation mode, results assessment and relative incentives.
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 25. pp.470-482.
Neck, C.P. and Manz, C.C., 2010. Mastering self-leadership: Empowering yourself for personal
excellence. Pearson.
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Smith, K.A., Rahn, C.D. and Wang, C.Y., 2010. Model-based electrochemical estimation and
constraint management for pulse operation of lithium ion batteries. IEEE Transactions
on Control Systems Technology. 18(3). pp.654-663.
Online
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