Role of Managers and Leaders in Operations Management

This document discusses the role of managers and leaders in operations management. It explores the different functions of managers and leaders, such as planning, organizing, directing, staffing, coordinating, and controlling. It also examines various approaches to operations management, including situational leadership, contingency leadership, and system leadership. The document emphasizes the importance of managers and leaders in achieving business objectives and highlights the role they play in improving productivity and efficiency.

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION
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Table of Content
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Lo1: Differentiating between role of leader as well as function of manager..................................3
P1: Defining and comparing different roles as well as characteristics of leader and a manager.....3
Lo2: Application of role of leaders and function of manager.........................................................4
P2: Examining application of leader’s role and function of manager in various context................4
P3: Application of various theories and models of approach that includes situational leadership,
contingency and system leadership.................................................................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................7
Introduction......................................................................................................................................7
Lo3: Demonstration of appreciation of role of managers and leaders in operational function of
organisation......................................................................................................................................7
P4: Explanation of key approaches to the operations management as well as role of managers
and leaders play...............................................................................................................................7
P5: Explanation of importance as well as value of operations management to achieve business
objectives.........................................................................................................................................8
Lo4: Demonstration of relationship between management and leadership within a contemporary
business environment.......................................................................................................................9
P6: Accessing the factors within business environment, which affects upon operational
management as well as decision-making by managers and leaders................................................9
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................10
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Task 1
Introduction
Managers and leaders play a vital role in the functioning of an organisation. However, the
functioning of an organisation is impossible without a leader or a manager. The main aim of the
study in this particular section is to analyse the effects of managers and leaders within an
organisation. In this section, Marks and Spencer, a reputed retail organisation in the UK has been
chosen. The organisation has been developed in 1884 and gained a total profit of about 481.7
million in 2015. This organisation follows a tall organisational structure that gives an opportunity
to the employees for responsibility and advancement in addition to communication. Roles of
manager and leader has been analysed in context to the organisation. In addition to that,
application of the role of leaders and manager has been analysed within the organisation with the
help of various theories and models.
Lo1: Differentiating between role of leader as well as function of manager
P1: Defining and comparing different roles as well as characteristics of leader
and a manager
A leader is defined as the person who leads a group or a team within an organisation and the
ability of a person to lead employees within the organisation is known as leadership. Moreover,
the role of the leaders affects the behaviour and creates a positive vision of employees towards
the objectives of an organisation. In Marks and Spencer, a leader encourages the employees in
performing their duties in a better manner with their effective communication as well as
leadership skills and explain them the organisation's mission and vision. A leader helps the
employees working properly to achieve goals of the organisation and enhance the productivity of
the organisation (Morschett et al. 2015, p.35). Effective decision-making process through better
communication makes an efficient leader.
An employee who controls and manages a group of employees within an organisation is known
as a manager. Manager of Marks and Spencer manages and designs job of an organisation in a
manner to ensure that goals and objectives of an organisation have been met. The manager's role
is to develop organisational strategies, policies and make the strategic planning of the work of
employees.
In Marks and Spencer, a manager decides the goals that are to be achieved and leaders perform
the duties to achieve the set goals. The designs are being set by managers, whereas, leaders
motivates the employees in fulfilling the policies. Managers develop strategies and ideas that
would help in improving the employees (Parisio et al. 2016, p.28). On the other hand, leaders
help in implementing these strategies and ideas efficiently. Managers direct the leaders for
proceeding in a particular work and leaders help in inspiring employees to perform their duties
efficiently. Managers are said to have control and rational characteristics, whereas, effective
leaders are said to have charismatic and brilliant personality type.
In Marks and Spencer, leaders tend to follow Laissez Faire leadership for fulfilling the duties as
well as responsibilities. Within this type of leadership style, the team members are allowed by
the leaders to take every decision. In this type of leadership style, leaders in performing their
duties by their own provide complete freedom to the employees. After defining the policies,
limitations and objectives related to the work, complete freedom has been provided to the team
members to perform their duties themselves. A major advantage of this leadership style is that it
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could be very much beneficial as well as effective in situations where team members are highly
skilled, talented, efficient and motivated. Since employees are highly skilled and talented, they
are able to perform their job efficiently without the leader's guidance.
Lo2: Application of role of leaders and function of manager
P2: Examining application of leader’s role and function of manager in various
context
Planning: Planning and setting objectives are vital roles of managers within Marks and Spencer.
The managers communicate the plan as well as goals with the team members along with
motivating them to accomplish their task for enhancing the productivity and profitability of the
organisation. Leaders usually make complex planning process, which should be made simpler
and realistic. In this case, managers manage planning phase that is to be followed by the
employees.
Organising:
The managers of M&S organise as well as use resources in an effective manner to achieve the
goals of the organisation (Marksandspencer.com, 2017). The leader's function in this context is
to encourage the employees in accomplishing their job with the available resources. It is very
crucial for a leader to organise a team or build a team. Agile leaders within an organisation help
in making a balance between command and influence, which is considered as a strong side in
organising a team for the leaders.
Directing:
Tasks are being directed to the leaders that are required to achieve goals of an organisation.
Moreover, leaders develop groups or teams of employees and provide them direction to fulfil
their tasks. In the given scenario, Directing Leadership style could be considered as in this case,
leaders could provide instruction to employees and have a closer view on the task done.
Staffing:
Recruitment in Marks and Spencer is done by the managers and provide job to the new
employees according to their skills and capabilities. Moreover, leaders allocate the job to
employees, motivate them and communicate with them to make them work better for enhancing
the productivity and profitability of the organisation as well as resolving their grievances (Foss et
al. 2013, p.230). The managers are able to make or break a team within an operating process to
accomplish their tasks. Managers provide give special training to new employees and appraise
their performance, which is considered as the strength of Marks and Spencer.
Coordinating:
Managers of M&S coordinate with organisational functions for improving the outcomes. The
leader’s function is implementing effective operational practices to create coordination within
organisational activities with the help of communication and leadership styles (Du et al. 2013,
p.156).
Controlling:
Managers manage operations and create strategies for performing organisational work
appropriately. On the contrary, leaders provide effective guidance to employees in completing
their tasks as well as check the performance of employees. In the organisation, managers provide
a view of performance by setting appropriate standards of corrective measures.
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P3: Application of various theories and models of approach that includes
situational leadership, contingency and system leadership
Situational leadership:
According to situational leadership theory, it could be stated that there is no leadership style that
could be said as best. Everything is considered to be dependent on situations as well kind of
strategies and leaderships that are suitable for the given task. According to this theory, leaders
have a capability of using leadership styles in various situations and view the nature of the group
as well as a type of the task for accomplishing the task. In M&S, leaders adopt leadership style
depending on the type of job that is to be accomplished, which would help the employees in a
better manner in achieving the objectives. In the organisation, situational leaders adjust and
change the leadership styles according to the behaviour and skills of the employees (Dyer et al.
2013, p.10). In this case, the leaders have provided appropriate support to employees that create
a motivating working environment. In this environment, employees receive essential guidance as
well as support from leaders that helps them to perform their tasks efficiently. The motivating
and supportive environment in M&S helps to enhance the productivity of employees. Adjusting
leadership style according to the tasks help in retaining employees within the organization is the
role of situational leaders.
System leadership:
System leadership is referred to as employees network in various places a well as organisational
levels to develop a sense of endeavour and cooperation for making changes. Leaders in Marks
and Spencer guide and cooperates team members for achieving desired outcomes. System
thinking could be classified through management discipline, which helps in connecting and
interacting with components of the system (Fredrickson, 2016, p.36). Leaders, as well as
managers of the organisation, provide basic construction and design of integrated components.
Contingency leadership:
Contingency leadership theory could be matched with a situational leadership of the Least
Preferred worker model. In the given scenario, it could be said that leaders are able to perform in
a better manner in certain situations and may be able to exhibit weaknesses. According to the
contingency leadership theory, there exists no best way for taking decisions, leading or
organising an organisation. Contingent leaders are able to use their leadership style in an
efficient manner within appropriate situations. In M&S, leaders usually apply leadership style
according to the situation that would help in making employees work efficiently. Leaders having
good relationships among the team members are able to work more effectively even in a poor
working environment (Shao et al. 2016, p.134). This theory is considered to be more flexible
than other theories. This particular theory focuses on psychological disposition of leaders, their
personality and capacity of the leader of leading team members. In case, tasks, as well as jobs,
has not been defined, leader relies on his personality for completing objectives of the
organisation. This theory helps the managers in determining best candidates that are able to
handle job requirements.
Conclusion
In M&S, leaders influence as well as motivate team members for performing their tasks
effectively. Managers design plans and develop strategies to run business operations efficiently.
In this part, operations of management have been discussed along with leadership styles. It has
been observed that leaders should provide appropriate guidance to the employees that would be
simpler to understand for the employees. Leaders are required to create a mutual understanding
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and trust to build proper working environment within the workplace. Managers are required to
create a proper business plan as well as strategies to run the operations smoothly and meet
organisational goals and objectives.
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Task 2
Introduction
Operations management means management of the particular area that has been associated with
planning, supervising and organising procedures of redesigning and production operations that
are related to the production. An operation manager is required to have a proper organisational
ability for increasing employee's productivity. In M&S, it is ensured by operation managers that
the organisational goals set by senior managers have been performed properly. Operational
management department ensures whether business processes are efficient that includes resources
such as supplies, labour, energy and equipment into outputs. Employees working in operation
management department have creativity, originality, communication skills as well as
technological skills. The main aim of this part or section understands the importance of managers
and leaders in operation management area.
Lo3: Demonstration of appreciation of role of managers and leaders in
operational function of organisation
P4: Explanation of key approaches to the operations management as well as
role of managers and leaders play
Governing:
Operation management that is related to the strategy of centralising governing finally turns to
business operations. Managers are able to carry out governing mechanism with designing inter-
management communication. The managers are required to take active participation in
controlling inventory that is related to an investment made in the business (Pierro et al. 2013,
p.1123). Managers of Marks and Spencer are required to act as dependable individuals for
supply chain and quality control management.
Designing:
Designing process starts with the process of development of a product in operation management.
This step means creating various characteristics as well as features of the products that have been
sold to customers. Product's characteristics are being created according to the expectations and
demands of consumers. It is very important for maintaining layout with appropriate facilities as
well as information system's role that have been used for enhancing employee's performance
through monitoring and controlling skills. Managers of M&S create designs of products for
improving product quality.
Planning:
Planning is a method for using the available resources for handling difficult situations. The
planning process helps M&S to handle changing situations in an environment. The planning
process involves checking recent organisational operations as well as identifying ways to make
the improvement. In Marks and Spencer, managers develop appropriate operational plans for the
business for improving organisation's productivity and efficiency. Without an appropriate
business plan, it is not possible to achieve or meet goals and objectives of an organisation.
Managing:
Teamwork is considered as the most important part in operation management. A good
relationship with managers and leaders with employees along with providing proper guidance to
them would help in developing trust as well as mutual understanding within the workplace
(McCleskey, 2014, p.118). Team members should be cooperative, supportive and help each
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other. Leaders and managers help in managing the organisational system through encouraging
and motivating employees. Moreover, this approach would be effective for good performance
and improve work in M&S. Management process involves providing appropriate training, a
creation of proper working environment and usage of efficient leadership skills.
Coordinating:
Coordinating is considered as a significant stage that refers to connection or interrelation
between various parts of tasks. In M&S, leaders and managers develop creation between
different duties and roles of employees and operational team. Managers should coordinate supply
chain process to send good to retailers including storage, delivery and transportation.
P5: Explanation of importance as well as value of operations management to
achieve business objectives
Business objectives:
There exist different objectives of business in Marks and Spencer that help in improving its
profitability and productivity. Business objectives, as well as goals, are considered a significant
part of the procedure of business planning (Shapiro and Stefkovich, 2016, p.27). Organisations
apply measurements for understanding goals and objectives.
● One of the main objectives of M&S is continuing consistently sustainable business
● The organisation ensures growth in profitability within the organisation
● Marks and Spencer ensures that employees act responsibly in meeting accountability to
shareholders and stakeholders
● The organisation tries to regain popularity in food and clothing department, which would
be achieved through changes in authority as well as scale in the superior quality
● One operational objective of M&S is to go forward from return per foot
Value and importance of the operation management
The organisation should follow basic options in strategies that are available in the operation
management. This process mainly deals with design, improvement and operation. The role of
operation management varies from organisation to organisation depending on the purpose of the
organisation. Operation management focuses on the production of services and products.
Appropriate management of business operations of Marks and Spencer ensures that other
functions have also been functioning smoothly. The HR department of the organisation is
responsible for predicting employee's requirements, to recruit and train them properly and create
appropriate job descriptions (Thompson and Glaso, 2015, p.530). In case the human resource
managers are not able to create appropriate job descriptions, M&S would face employee turnover
problems. The accounting department deals with supplying bills as well as paying materials for
making operations run smoothly. The finance department is able to raise money due to the
smooth running of operational management department.
Operation management helps in adding value to services and products as the managers ensure
quality control within the organisation. The operations manager ensures efficient production of
products without wastage of resources. Long-term planning is considered important for financial
and operational within business operations.
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Lo4: Demonstration of relationship between management and leadership
within a contemporary business environment
P6: Accessing the factors within business environment, which affects upon
operational management as well as decision-making by managers and leaders
Internal factors:
Finance: Management decisions of Marks and Spencer include investment and significant cost.
Financial position is determined by profitability, liquidity and cash flow that could be affected
directly by the decisions of the operational manager. The management is responsible for taking
efficient decisions in financial matters that is related to the productivity of the organisation
(Rodríguez-Carvajal et al. 2014, p.64). Effective decisions would result in productivity
enhancement. On the contrary, inefficient decisions would lead to a great loss for the
organisation.
Corporate objectives: Corporate objectives are considered as an important internal influence.
Higher production, which is an operational objective, should not conflict with a corporate
objective such as lower unit costs. The corporate objective that has been applied by a
management of Marks and Spencer would influence business environment greatly
(Corporate.marksandspencer.com, 2017).
Human resource: Quality, as well as capacity, are considered as the main factors affecting
operational objectives within the business. Training provided by M&S helps in improving
employee's effectiveness and as a result of which productivity also enhances. For providing good
service or products to customers, the organisation should provide proper training to its
employees, which would affect positively on organisation's productivity.
Marketing issues: The operational setup of an organisation could be determined by the nature of
products. Changing regularly the strategies of marketing mix within the production of products
might cause an effect on operations of M&S. Changes in marketing strategies might affect the
productivity of the organisation due to production inflexibility. Management on marketing
strategies influence productivity of organisation largely takes effective decisions.
External factors:
Economic environment: Economic factor is considered as the crucial factor for organisational
operations. Sudden and short-term changes in demand create capacity, utilisation, productivity,
etc. Change in interest rate influence financial cost in capital investment within Marks and
Spencer’s operations. The management that depends on an interest rate that is currently available
in the market takes decisions on productivity (Clarke, 2013, p.23). Therefore, economic
environment affects the productivity of organisation while decision-making.
Flexibility in an efficiency of competitor: Efficient as well as quicker competitors that offer
products of better quality influence organisational operations of M&S to deliver better
performance in comparison to competitors to customers.
Technological change: Changes in technologies largely affect organisational operations of
M&S. development of technologies also results in a rise of a price that affects organisational
productivity. Management that is related to production depending on technological advancement
takes decisions.
Legal as well as environmental change: Larger regulations and legislations that is present
within the environment as well as society influences change to achieve organisational objectives
of M&S.
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Conclusion
In the second section, an importance of the operation management has been discussed. In this
section, different approaches and roles of operation management have been analysed. A well-
reputed organisation namely, Marks and Spencer have been chosen in this section. Improvement
of operations by operation manager would make the business more efficient. Management
should provide employees with an open working environment as it provides an opportunity to
every employee to view the management procedures and processing. Management is also
required to ensure flexible design as it provides an opportunity of creating new conditions. The
managers need to take sequential pattern of flow in work and this process allows the manager
working in small process. Bottleneck management provides the benefit of accessing the overall
capacity.
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