Operations Management Research Literature Review

This assignment requires a comprehensive review of scholarly literature related to operations management. Students need to analyze various research papers covering topics such as general mental ability, self-esteem, family socioeconomic status, leadership role occupancy, leader advancement, and the moderating role of gender in leadership. The review should also encompass studies on operation-aware buffer management in flash-based systems, optimal household energy management, equipment maintenance and safety integrity management, and automation infrastructure in power systems.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Different roles and characteristics of leader and manager ....................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Application of role and functions of leader and manager in different situations...................5
P3 Different theories and models of approach related to leadership..........................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Approaches to management operations and role of mangers and leaders.............................8
P5 Importance of management operation in achieving organisational objectives......................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P6 Impact of internal and external factors on management operations and decision making of
managers and leaders................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Managerial operations play a great role in the development of leadership skills among
team leaders and employees of company. Manager of company has to perform many functions to
effectively operate the functions and achieve desired targets. They have to perform functions like
planning, organising, controlling and supervising, etc. All these functions improve the
performance of employees. Marks and Spencer is a British multinational retailer company which
is specialist in the selling clothes, home products and luxury food items (Li, Arvey, and Song,
2011).
In the present report, roles and characteristics of leader and manager for improving the
performance of employees with different theories and models of approach including situational
leadership, system leadership and contingency are explained. Further, key approaches to
operation management and their importance in achieving the organisational objectives with
impact of factors which persist in business environment on operational management and decision
making by leaders and management are discussed as well.

TASK 1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of leader and manager
There are many roles and characteristics of leaders and managers of company. The main
purpose behind these roles is effective management of the activities of company. They have to
perform all the functions regarding planning, organising, controlling and supervision, etc. All
these activities helps the manager to remove the problems faced by them. Main function of
leader of company has to motivate the employees to work with more passion and develop new
skills which contribute to achieve their personal and professional targets. Managers and leaders
of M&S have different roles and characteristics which they have to perform for the
accomplishment of organisational objectives with managing different activities of company
effectively. Managers and leaders of company have different roles to perform.
Important roles of manager of M&S is described below:
 Training to employees: Managers of M&S has duty to determine the actual performance
of their employees and compare with standards which are maintained by them. This helps
to identify the problems which are associated with their working. Managers of company
have to provide adequate training programs to their employees to develop new skills and
knowledge which increase their ability to perform the tasks (Lv and et. al., 2011).
 Supervision and controlling: Managers of company have responsibility of supervise the
working of their employees. This will motivate them to work hard as their work is
checked by superiors. This helps to build a sense of responsibility among the employees.
 Motivation: Managers of M&S also have duty of motivate the employees of company by
providing benefits to them according to their performance and behaviour in company. To
motivate employees, managers of company delegate the power among employees which
help to improve the performance of other co-workers.
 Team building: The leader of company has responsibility of removing conflicts
between team members and make good coordination between them. This helps to build a
good team in the company and compete their tasks within stipulated time period.
Characteristics of leaders:
All the managers and leader of M&S have different characteristics which have their own
effectiveness in building effective management operations and team. Different characteristics are
described as below:

 Confidence: To be a good manager and leader of company, there is the need to have
confidence. This helps them to easily convey roles and responsibilities to all workers of
company and effectively solve problems which are faced by them at workplace.
 Positive attitude: Managers and leader of company are required to have positive
thinking in difficult times. This helps to create a positive atmosphere at workplace. The
main contribution of this is to remove stress and tension among employees and build
their passion.
 Innovative: Managers and leaders of company are required to use innovative ideas and
processes to complete their tasks. This helps to achieve their targets efficiently and
reduce the cost of operations. It contributes in the optimum utilisation of resources and
increase overall productivity (Niknam, Meymand and Nayeripour, 2010).
M1
Role of leader Function of manager
Main role is to guide the team and build
innovation between them.
The main function of manager is to hiring of
staff, make strategies etc.
They motivate the employees of company to
improve their performance.
They provide training programs for
development of skills among them.
They are responsible for the completion of
particular task which is given to them.
The have the responsibility of achievement of
overall organisational objectives.
TASK 2
P2 Application of role and functions of leader and manager in different situations
The functions of manager which are required to be performed by them in company are
planning, organising, controlling and supervision, etc. . Main aim of managers of company is to
satisfy the different needs of employees at workplace and optimum utilisation of given resources
for accomplishment of organisational objectives. Similarly, leaders of company have many roles
which help to build effective teams. The roles which are performed by them are team building,
motivation, development of skills and knowledge, etc. These roles provides an opportunity to the
management of company to give higher responsibilities to the team leader and concentrate on

other important matters. All these functions and roles which are defined above are applied by the
management of M&S effectively to manage different situations which arise in company.
Application of these roles and functions in different situations is described as below:
 Employees of company: Employees and staff members of company are their actual
assets on which the functions of company depends. They play the great role in capture
large market share and increase the profitability of company. In M&S, managers have the
responsibility to appoint the new employees as per the requirement of workforce. They
have responsibility to consider the skills and qualifications of persons before appointing
them in company.
 Customers: All the operations and profitability of company is depends upon the
behaviour and demand of customers. M&S is multinational retail company which
provides clothing, home products and luxury food products. Their business activities are
depends upon the behaviour and taste of customers. So, the manager of company has the
duty to analyse the behaviour and preferences of customers. This provides the important
information to them regarding their demands and their views about the products and
services of company. This will provide the opportunity to improve quality of their
products.
 Government: Manager of M&S has the duty to fulfil all the regulation which are provide
by the government. This will saves the company from unnecessary legal actions and
penalties. The manager of company has to implement all regulation regarding
employment legislation in company which provides equal rights to their employees.
 Society: It is the main factor which affects the working and image of company. Managers
of M&S have duty to conduct the business activities on the basis of norms, rules, values
and beliefs of society. They have to perform their function such manner that in does not
harm the sentiments of society and environment.
P3 Different theories and models of approach related to leadership
There are many leadership theories used by the leaders and managers of M&S to
motivate the employees. Two types of leaders are present in company called democratic and
laissez-faire. All these theories which are used by them provides the opportunity to increase
business activities of company ( Li, Arvey and Song, 2011). They contribute to increase the

existing skills among the different members of team and build good coordination. So, the
leadership theories which are used by M&S is described below:
 Situational theory: This theory is also called as contingency theory of leadership. As per
this theory the leader have the skills regarding manage the activities according to
changing situational factors. This also includes about the ability of leader to change his
behaviour to the level of their subordinates maturity and skills. This provides them
effectively understand their thinking and ways of performing tasks. It is the flexible
leadership theory which can be changed as per the changes in conditions of working
environment. Leaders of M&S uses this style as per the ability of different team members
which helps them to grow in future.
 System leadership theory: This theory is used by the leaders and the managers of M&S
to solve the problems faced by the employees of company by providing them satisfactory
solutions. This motivate the employees to perform their work with more precession. The
main aim of this theory is to identify the factors which affects the working of team
members and operations of company. This theory is also called as problem solving
theory.
 Contingency Theory: This theory provides that there is no best way to control the
actions of company, lead the organisation and make decisions regarding that. All the
functions of company is depends upon the internal and external factors. A contingent
leader of company applies their own style of leadership in different situations. The main
contingencies faced by the management of company are distributors,, customer
behaviour, suppliers and technological changes.
 Modern theory of management: The main aim of this theory is to enhance the
performing level of the employees of company. For this purpose, the main focus of this
theory is on use of advance technologies and methods which helps in development of
new skills among them and make good relation between the manager and workers
(Karangelos, Panciatici and Wehenkel, 2013).
M2
Situational theory
 Strengths: This leadership style is very flexible as they can make changes as per the
situations.

 Weaknesses: The major weaknesses of this leadership style is only thinks about limited
period of time.
System leadership theory
 Strengths: This style provides effective action plans and good control over the activities
of business. This increases the coordination among the functions of company.
 Weaknesses: It is very hard and complex style to implement on the actual business
situations.
Contingency leadership theory
 Strengths: This provides the important information to employees which helps in further
future growth.
 Weaknesses: Under this approach, it is difficult to select contingency plan.
TASK 3
P4 Approaches to management operations and role of mangers and leaders
There are many approaches which helps in manage all the operations of company
effectively. There is huge importance of the managers and leaders of company in application of
these approaches effectively. This includes about planning, organising, controlling etc. The
managers and leaders of M&S have different roles which helps in application of these different
approaches are described below:
 Planning: It is the process of planning about the future actions and strategies of
company. This contributes in completion of the business activities in more systematic
manner. The manager and leaders have the responsibility to make such future plans and
actions about the company which they have to achieve. These plans are the standards
which are followed by the employees of company to execute their duties properly.
 Managing: It is the important function which ensures that all the functions of company
are complete on time to achieve desired results. This responsibility is on the managers of
M&S to effectively supervise the activities of their employees and guide them to increase
their performance. This provides the opportunity to remove problems faced by them at
workplace (Huang, Lu and Duan, 2012).
 Coordinating: To complete all functions and objectives of company effectively there is
need to be have good coordination between different departments and employees of

company. To make the coordination in between management and employees of company
is the duty of the manager and make coordination between different teams is duty of team
leader. This helps to remove confusion among different departments regarding their
functions and provides smooth working conditions.
 Total quality management: To get success in market and attract the large number of
customers there is need to provide good quality products to customers. Managers have
the duty to check the quality of the products and find out the errors. They have duty to
eliminate all such errors form the production process and use advance technology to
reduce cost of production.
P5 Importance of management operation in achieving organisational objectives
Managing the operation of company is the process of effective implementation of the
plans in achieving the desired results. Mangers of M&S has good skills which provides them
help in effective management of operations of company. There are many benefits of management
of different operation of company like, market capture, branding, increased profitability etc
(Hassan and Hatmaker, 2014). This enables the management of company to expand the
activities of business in all over the world. Some other benefits of effective management
operations described below:
 Profit maximisation: If all the function of the company are done by the managers and
leaders within stipulated time then it helps in reduction of production cost of company.
Management of M&S has make different department which only supervise about that all
the tasks should be complete on time and all the resources are effectively used in
company. For the purpose of optimum utilisation of resources management of company
needs to introduce advance technology, techniques and methods which helps them to
increase the quality of their products. All these activities contributes by achieving the
objective of company of profit maximisation.
 Customer satisfaction: The main aim of every organisation is to satisfy the different
needs of customers. It is the duty of the manager of M&S to identify the wants of
customers and their feedbacks about the quality of their products. This provides the
opportunity implement these reviews in production process and improves the quality of
products. M&S provides luxury food items, So they have the responsibility to provide

high quality food with different varieties to their customers ( Gao, Janssen and Shi,
2011).
 Brand image: Every organisation has objective that there is good image of the company
in market and between the customers. M&S, is already a big brand in market but to
maintain the their image they have to retain the quality of their product and service.
Managers of company plays the important role in increase the image as they take care
about the customers tastes, government regulations, development of society and
environment etc. This helps the company to build their good image in between the
members of society.
 Improving Standard quality: To attain success every organisation has to maintain
standard quality in their products. There is huge competition in market and lots of
competitors are available which are provide same kind of products and services.
Management of M&S, is required to evaluate about the competitors in market, their
strategies, quality of their products and price charged by them. This provides the
important information to company to make necessary changes in their products to attain
competitive advantage attract customers. This helps to build long term relationship with
their customers and gain their loyalty towards their products. This would contributes in
increase the sales and profitability (Cruz and Marques, 2011).
 Minimizing wastage: This is also one of the objectives of company to minimise the
wastage of resources. For this purpose management of M&S, uses advance technology
and techniques which reduces the use of unwanted resources and defects from the
products. Such process of minimisation helps to improve the quality of their products and
reduction of the cost of operations. This enables the company to provide products at
affordable price which provides the opportunity to eliminate competition from the
market.
M3
Manager and leaders of company performs many function which helps in increase the
effectiveness in accomplishment of operation of company. Manager of company performs the
function of planning, organising, controlling and supervising. All these activities helps to guide
all operation of company towards their goals. Leader has the role of motivation and building of

effective team which helps in maintenance of effective coordination among them (Cheng and et.
al., 2012).
TASK 4
P6 Impact of internal and external factors on management operations and decision making of
managers and leaders
Business environment consists internal and external factors which have major effect on
the activities of company. Both these factors have positive and negative impact on the working
of company. So, it is the duty of the managers of M&S, identifies the impact of both internal and
external factors on their operations and make the strategies according to that to reduces the
impact and take benefits of such factors. Internal factors includes customers, suppliers,
shareholders, creditors etc. All these factors are within the organisation and in control of the
management of company. So, the management of company has control on all these factors.
External environment includes political, economical, social, technological, legal and
environmental factors. All these factors persist in external environment and the management of
company have no control on such factors. This will affects the ability of the managers to
effectively manage the operations of company and take decisions regarding various important
factors. To deal with these factors the managers of company should be flexible and have
extensive knowledge about dealing of all these factors (Castro and Tomàs, 2011).
Impact of internal factors on the management operations and decision making of managers
Internal factors includes different stakeholders like customers, suppliers, creditors,
government, shareholders etc. All these internal factors are persist within M&S and the managers
of company have control on all factors to reduce their impact and make the plans according to
that. Impact of such internal factors on the working of M&S is described below:
 Customers: Customers are most important for every company because the profitability is
depends upon that. M&S is dealing in clothing and food products where demand and
behaviour of customers changed simultaneously. So, the managers of company are
required to understand about their preferences and tastes and change their products as per
their specification. Otherwise, it will effect the image and profitability of M&S. In
clothing industry, fashion is changed simultaneously which affects the minds of

customers . So, they have to evaluate the market at regular intervals to know about such
changes.
 Employees: Workers of the company are their important assets on which the functions of
company are depend. So, the management of M&S has duty to identify the problems
which are faced by employees at workplace and provide adequate solutions. They have to
provide all equal rights to employees and adequate training programmes to improve their
skills and contributes in their personal and professional development (Buch, Martinsen
and Kuvaas, 2015).
 Supplier: These are important source for company which provides resources in
stipulated time. So, managers of company has to make good relation with their suppliers.
It provides in maintenance of effective distribution channel for their products through
which they get reached directly to ultimate consumer.
Impact of external factors on the management operations and decision-making of
managers
External environment includes political, economical, social, technological, legal and
environmental factors. All these factors have major positive and negative impact on the working
of M&S. Impact of these factors is described below:
 Political: This factor includes related to stability of government, regulations made
regarding operation of company etc. This will affect the decision making power of
manager and their ability regarding forecasting of future actions of company.
 Economical: This factor includes about cash flow in economy, income of people,
inflation, deflation etc. If the persons of country don't have good income then it will have
negative impact on the profitability of company (Bhagat, Bolton and Subramanian,
2011).
 Social: This factor include age, occupation, education, consumer behaviour etc. of
people. If Consumer behaviour is change simultaneously, it affects their decision
making.
 Technological: This factor includes about advancement of technology, processes and
methods. This affects their decision making as they have to adopt these techniques in
their production process to acquire benefits.
M4

Two main factors which affects the business environment are called internal and external.
Internal environment includes customer, supplier, creditor etc. and the manager of company has
the control over such factors. External environment includes political, economical, social,
technological, legal and environmental etc. All these factors have great impact on the operation
of company and these factors are not under the control of the management of company (Bahn,
2013).
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that, managers and leaders have great
responsibility to manage the activities of company. Leader of company has the ability to
motivate the team members and build effective team. This provides the opportunity achieve the
organisational targets effectively.

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