Management and Operations: Roles and Characteristics of Leaders and Managers

This document discusses the different roles and characteristics of leaders and managers in the field of management and operations. It explores various theories and models of leadership, such as situational leadership, system leadership, and contingency. It also highlights the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play in achieving business objectives. The importance and value of operations management in attaining business goals are also emphasized.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Compare the different roles and characteristic of a leader and a manager.......................1
M1...........................................................................................................................................1
D1 ..........................................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
P2 How the role of a leader and the function of manager apply in different situations.........2
P3 Different theories and models of approaches, including situational leadership, system
leadership and contingency....................................................................................................3
M2 ..........................................................................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
P4 Key approaches to operations management and the role that leader and manager play...4
P5 , D2 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives 5
M3 ..........................................................................................................................................6
D2...........................................................................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
P6, M4 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision making...............................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
.......................................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is a key area of business organisation as it concerned with
designing or controlling overall process of production in order to produce quality goods and
services. It is also consider as an effective practice of business to create high level efficiency
within the company to maximise profits of the company at marker place. Along with this, it is
also related to every day operations that directly support business organisation to attain all the set
strategic goals and objectives in stipulated time frame (Alderton and Saieva, 2013). The main
focus of management and operation is to manufacture quality products by eliminating the
wastage from production process. This will increase overall profitability level of the company
and at the same time also established their competitive edge at market place. Current report is
based on Sainsbury's, is famous and second largest chain of supermarket operate their business in
UK for attaining higher success. It was founded by John James Sainsbury in 1869 with the aim
of maximizing its profitability level by provide best quality products and services to large
number of customers. Report is going to discuss about different roles and function of manager
and leader along with various management theories. Importance of value of operations
management is also mentioned that help attaining set objectives. At last impact of external
environment factor is also discussed that directly influence overall decision making of the
company.
TASK 1
P1 Compare the different roles and characteristic of a leader and a manager.
Leader and manager play a crucial role in business organisation as they support in
managing as well as functioning all the activities. With the help of this, company can improve
their performance level at market place.
M1
Basis Leaders Managers
Focus Leader of Sainsbury's emphasis on
their staff member as well as motivate
them at the time when they get
demotivated.
Manager of Sainsbury's
emphases on attaining overall
objectives of organisation.
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Risk taker Leaders of Sainsbury's are risk taker
and they never feel hesitate while
launching new leadership style.
In business environment
different risk occurs in that
situation business manager
minimise that.
Role Main role of leader within Sainsbury's
is to build relationship. As it will helps
an organisation in development of its
success and growth.
Main role of manager within a
Sainsbury's is to build systems
and process systematically. As it
support company to retain
workers for long time.
Process and vision
oriented
Manger of Sainsbury's are always
process oriented on how the business
work.
The leader of Sainsbury's are
vision oriented and think
regarding future.
Problem solver Manger always avoid being involved
in conflicts.
Leader always deal with conflict
positively.
Manger functions: There are mainly five principles developed by Fayol which are determined as
below:
Planning : In this function, manager of Sainsbury's controls entire planning which are
required for the business to flourish. This function includes setting the mission, strategies, vision,
goals and objectives of enterprise.
Organizing: Under this function, manager of Sainsbury's controls entire structure of
business without which it will be not able to function in routine activity. This function includes
matching as well as balancing entire resources that business may have to accomplish the set
objectives.
Commending: It is another functions which helps manager to give proper commend and
direction to their employees. As it will helps an organisation to achieve better outputs within
given time duration.
Coordinating: It helps in coordinating the workers to their duties in order to attain an
agreed set of objectives by the Sainsbury's.
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Controlling: This function monitoring tasks or activities place to make sure each and
every thing goes as it is planned. In this management of the business supports in checking
whether other management functions are functioning effectively and efficiently. This functions
includes continuous controlling the employee's performance and maximising their output.
TASK 2
P2 How the role of a leader and the function of manager apply in different situations
In business organization, certain situation are occur and also affect the entire working
activities of company. In this, leader's role and function of manager is effective that help them in
managing all the situation and issues in an effective way (Bromiley and Rau, 2016). With the
assistance of this, Sainsbury can easily reduce the negative impact and also improve overall
performance level of the company at market place. In this regards, various situation like staff
turnover, decrease employees morale reduce productivity and many more. All these are
negatively impact on the company and its performance as well (Brown and Bessant, 2013). Thus,
it is important for both manager and leader to effectively deal with all these issues so that they
can easily reduce its negative impact and develop efficiency level of workers at workplace. In
different situation, role of leader and function of manager can understood by following points:
 Low employees performance: Reduction in employee performance is crucial situation
that negatively impact on overall performance of Sainsbury's. In this situation, the main
role of leader is to motivate employees that help them in improving their efficiency level
through which they perform their best. Along with this, function of manager is to analysis
as well as evaluate employees performance so that they can easily provide them direction
to execute their task activities (Chiarini and Vagnoni, 2015). With the help of this,
company can easily enhance their productivity level by making employees to set their
targets in stipulate time frame.
 Employee turnover: It is one of the major issue that can be face by company. In this
situation workers are leaving their job and company as well. This become difficult for
organisation to retain them. This is the reason that it increase employee turnover of
Sainsbury's. As it negatively impact on the overall performance of the company and its
workers. In context of this, leader is responsible for motivating and encouraging their
employees so that they can improve their ability and perform their best. On the other side,
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the main function of manager is to effectively. After this, manager develop appropriate
strategies in order to reduce employee turnover and at the same time also established its
competitive image.
Situational leadership Theory – Situational leaders are those who follow leadership styles
which is mainly based on actual situations. This type of leader support an organisation by solving
any kind of issue in systematic manner.
Systematic leadership theory – This kind of Theory enables business leaders to develop
in which staff at every level can do work profitably to their potential. This theory enables leaders
of Sainsbury to develop proper system within organisation where each and every individual will
work fruitfully without any kind of managerial control.
Contingency leadership theory – In Sainsbury's, Contingency business leaders are
those who apply their own leadership form according to various situations. In simple term, this
kind of leader are those who select style of managing employees and activities as different types
of situation.
P3 Different theories and models of approaches, including situational leadership, system
leadership and contingency
Leadership is consider as an effective process which includes within the business
organization with the aim of motivating as well as guiding workers to attaining their set goals
and objectives (Burns, 2014). Mainly, it is an ability of a person by which they motivate their
workers to attain their set targets in appropriate way. In this regards, there are some appropriate
theories of leadership used by Sainsbury's to attain growth level:
 Situational leadership: This type of theory is related to the situation in which manager
change their style according to circumstance which fits towards the same. There are four
kinds of compatible initiative style, for example, telling, selling, taking part and
designating. In context of Sainsbury's, manager and leader apply this type of theory in
managing issues at workplace with the aim of improving its overall performance level
(Choi, Cheng and Zhao, 2016).
 System leadership: This type of style is also play a crucial for company in which leader
and manager focus on workers performance and efficiency at workplace (Heizer, Render
and Munson, 2017). In context of Sainsbury's , leader and manager set targets and
objectives on which workers perform to attain the same.
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 Contingency: It is related to the effectiveness of leader that is based in the various
contingent factors. It also define that there is no specified way to motivate their workers.
In this leader motivate or encourage their workers as per situation that occur at
workplace. Mainly includes various factors such as task structure, positional power,
relationship among employees and many more.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and the role that leader and manager play
Operation management is a field and function of business organisation that support in
planning, organising and directing entire production activities of the company. The main focus of
this is to converting raw material into finished goods and services to maximize the profitability
level. Mainly, it concern with day to day operational activities that may support business to
reduce the wastage from the production activities. With the assistance of this, company can
easily improve their performance by accomplishing their competitive image at market place as
compare to its competitors (Ferguson and et.al., 2017). In addition of this, there are some
appropriate approaches of operations management which used by company for developing a
quality products for sits customers.
 Just in Time: It is one of the important approach of operations management as it is refers
to production of goods that meet customers demand in effective way. In this regards, the
main focus of this philosophy is to determine as well as manage obstacles within the
production process (Kato and et.al., 2015). Mainly, this approach is effective to increase
production process for enhancing its profitability level. By using this theory, Sainsbury
can easily keep their right amount of stock within the manufacturing activities. In this
regards, the main role of leader is to ensure that all the necessary raw material is available
within the production department so that they easily improve product quality.
 Total quality management: It is well structured approach that used to manage the
overall organisational activities. This theory is focus on improving quality of goods and
services that support in maximizing the profitability level. One of the main advantage of
using this type of approach is to save time and cost of the company by reducing the
wastage from the manufacturing department. Along with this, it is also define as a
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continuous efforts by which Sainsbury's can manage as well as employees performance
that support in attaining long term loyalty and customers satisfaction.
 Six Sigma – It is disciplined, data-driven, statistical and continuous improvement
approach. This approach support in reducing defects in products, services and process.
Manager of Sainsbury's can utilise this approach for decreasing unnecessary cost while
production process.
 Situational leadership approach- With the help of this approach, business leaders have
to make an effective decisions on the basis of given situation within enterprise. So that
better and accurat decision will be taken which output in achievement of objectives.
 Kaizen Approcah: This approach focus on creating continuous improvement in
business activities of function as well. It will helps an organisation to improve their
efficiency. It help in improving the entire production process that support in increasing
productivity level of the company at market place. Mainly, this approach is includes
various aspects like improved morale of employees, quality products, personal discipline
and so on. All these are focus on improving changes within the production activities.
Change is crucial within business organisation to improve all the working activities and
process to develop quality products and services (Khanna, 2015). With the assistance of
this, Sainsbury's increase their overall sales and profitability as well. In this approach, the
major role of leader is to guide as well motivate workers to perform their task in
appropriate ways. On the other side, manager is responsible for setting standard of quality
in which workers perform their task and activities to make a best quality products to
satisfy customers needs and wants (Martínez-Jurado and Moyano-Fuentes, 2014). For
better improvement, leader of company also provide better training and development
programs to their workers to increase their productivity level at workplace.
P5 , D2 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
In business organisation, operation management is consider as an effective process that
help in converting raw material into finished goods through which company can easily satisfy
customers demand. Mainly, it is related with various activities such as planning, coordinating,
organising and controlling entire resources within the organisation as it help in increasing the
chances of manufacturing high quality products. In this regards, Sainsbury's focus on producing
best quality products with the aim of inviting more and more customers towards its offerings.
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This will contribute in establishing competitive and famous brand image at market place. As
there are some importance and value of operations management that support in attaining all the
set business goals and objectives in stipulated time frame: Increase revenue: Every business organisation wants to increase profitability to enhance
their revenue. For attaining the same, the main focus of company is to produce high
quality product to invite more and more customers towards its offerings. This will
increase company sales and probability as well. In context of Sainsbury's, operations
management is one of the important part as it help in providing quality products to its
customers with the aim of satisfying their needs. With the assistance of this company can
increase their revenue and also established its competitive image at market place. Improve product quality: The main focus of business organisation is to improve its
products quality so that company can easily improve their profitability level. In this
operations management of Sainsbury's play a significant role in which they focus on
manufacturing high quality products with the aim of increasing their profitability. With
the assistance of this, company may raise their market share and at the same time also
attain competitive advantage from its rivals (Omansky and Kanner, Autodesk Inc, 2014). Increase satisfaction of customers: It is important for company to satisfy customers
needs wants in order to create their positive image in market place. For attaining the
same, Sainsbury's offer their services as per customers demand and also also ensure that
they satisfy with its products. In this regards, operation management is responsible for
enhancing their sales by producing good quality products. Along with this, company is
also analysis customer taste and preferences before producing products as it help them in
making their positive image in customers mind.(Prahlad and Pawar, CommVault Systems
Inc, 2013) By this they can easily influenced towards its services and satisfy their needs
as well.
 Reduce wastage: The main focus of operation management is to eliminate wastage from
the production department with the aim of generating huge profitability. In Sainsbury's
operation department develop and appropriate planning activities to set the criteria in in
which products are produced. It may beneficial for company to gain more profits by
serving best services to consumers as per their requirements. This is possible by using
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total quality management approach as it support in managing the raw material and at the
same time also improve its efficiency level.
Role and responsibilities of managers within key operational functions. Developing strategies: Operational manager of Sainsbury's have to create various
strategies or policies for benefit of enterprise. These strategies or policies will supports in
increasing sales as well as accomplishing set goals.
 Supervise supply chain and inventory: Monitoring supply chain as well as managing
inventory is a main duty of operational management. In this, they maintain right stock
and flow of supply chain in effective manner so that product can reach to end customers.
TASK 4
P6, M4 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision making Shortage of raw material: This is the major factor that directly influence the production
capabilities of company. In this, manager of Sainsbury's is responsible for analysing the
requirement of raw material for manufacturing quality products and services (Prashar,
2015). With the assistance of this, company can easily improve their performance and at
the same time also increase its profitability level at competitive market place. Technology: It is one of the important factor for business organization to improve their
efficiency level at market place. In this regards, changes in technology are occur on
frequent basis that will have huge impact on entire activities of Sainsbury in both positive
or negative manner. For this, company is responsible for using as well as implementing
new and innovative technology within their operations activities. With the help of this,
Sainsbury's can easily improve their product quality and at the same time also increase its
profitability. Along with this, use of high and updated technology is beneficial for
company to attain competitive advantage from its competitors (Slack and Brandon-Jones,
2018). As it also affect the decision making of leader and manager because both are
responsible for taking judgement towards the technology whether it is effective or not.
For attaining better improvement, both are analysis the trends and changes that raised
within the technology.
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 Competition: Sainsbury's operate their business in retail industry and also deal with high
competition at market as it directly affect the overall performance of the company. In this
regards, manager and leader evaluate the competition and implement policies
accordingly. By this, organisation can improve their performance and manufacture best
quality products which is unique as compare to its competitors.
CONCLUSION
As per above discussed report it can be concluded that, management and operations is
play a significant role in business organisation to improve the profitability by offering better
services to its employees. In this regards, the main focus of this is to manage as well as control
entire activities of production process with the aim of manufacturing quality products. It make
overall performance more competitive at market place. Leader and manager also a crucial part of
business as they play their important role and function within the company to implement entire
activities in well organised way. Furthermore, different leadership theories also support leader to
accomplished their target by leading employees activities at workplace. This will aid in
improving performance level of workers at workplace.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Alderton, P. and Saieva, G., 2013. Port management and operations. Taylor & Francis.
Bromiley, P. and Rau, D., 2016. Operations management and the resource based view: Another
view. Journal of Operations Management. 41. pp.95-106.
Brown, S. and Bessant, J., 2013. Strategic operations management. Routledge.
Burns, M. G., 2014. Port management and operations. CRC press.
Chiarini, A. and Vagnoni, E., 2015. World-class manufacturing by Fiat. Comparison with
Toyota production system from a strategic management, management accounting,
operations management and performance measurement dimension. International
Journal of Production Research. 53(2). pp.590-606.
Choi, T. M., Cheng, T. C. E. and Zhao, X., 2016. Multi‐methodological research in operations
management. Production and Operations Management. 25(3). pp.379-389.
Ferguson, N. T. and et.al., 2017. Secure management of operations on protected virtual
machines. U. S. Patent 9,578,017.
Heizer, J., Render, B. and Munson, C., 2017. Operations management. Pearson Education
Limited.
Kato, T. and et.al., 2015. Operations management methods and devices thereof in information-
processing systems. U.S. Patent 9,128,704.
Khanna, R. B., 2015. Production and operations management. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Martínez-Jurado, P. J. and Moyano-Fuentes, J., 2014. Lean management, supply chain
management and sustainability: a literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production. 85.
pp.134-150.
Omansky, A. H. and Kanner, J. L., Autodesk Inc, 2014. Systems and methods for construction
field management and operations with building information modeling. U.S. Patent
8,732,125.
Prahlad, A. and Pawar, R. S., CommVault Systems Inc, 2013. Systems and methods for
performing data management operations using snapshots. U.S. Patent 8,595,191.
Prashar, A., 2015. Assessing the flipped classroom in operations management: A pilot study.
Journal of Education for Business. 90(3). pp.126-138.
Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018. Operations and process management: principles and
practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK.
Slack, N., 2018. Essentials of operations management. Pearson UK.
Smith, L., Maull, R. and CL Ng, I., 2014. Servitization and operations management: a service
dominant-logic approach. International Journal of Operations & Production
Management. 34(2). pp.242-269.
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