Supply Chain Management & Sustainability

This assignment delves into the crucial intersection of supply chain management and sustainability. It examines how sustainable practices influence various aspects of the supply chain, including risk mitigation, operational efficiency, and resource utilization. Students are tasked with analyzing the impact of sustainability on a chosen organization's supply chain, identifying both risks and opportunities associated with integrating sustainable principles.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
P1 Characteristics and duties of functional manager and leader.................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P2 Utilization of roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders in various situations........4
P3 Models, theories and approaches of leadership in situational, contingency and systematic
leadership....................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Primal approaches of operations management and roles of managers and leaders...............7
P5 Value of management and operations in attaining organisation objectives...........................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6 Factors which impact upon operational management and decision-making by Leaders and
managers.....................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Structure of business is divided in various divisions. These divisions are found in the
form of management and operations in the organisation (Xu, Peng and Wang, 2013).
Management and operations help in operating these functions in smooth way to attain valuable
objectives of business. There are different type of teams and management departments are found
in organisation. These departments are tackled by leaders and managers who remains responsible
to senior managers and authorities. This context defines these nature of management and
operations and role and responsibilities of leaders and managers. Marks and Spencer plc is one of
the British multinational retailer which deals in clothing, home products and luxury food
products in UK. Administration and operation departments of M&S are taken to elaborate the
meaning of leadership and management in this context.
TASK 1
P1 Characteristics and duties of functional manager and leader
There are different type of activities are happened in an organisation. All these activities
remain divided in multiple management and operation departments. There are many departments
as purchase, sales and marketing, HR department are the common departments which are found
in any retail industry. Marks and Spencer is a brand name in UK retail industry. It is public
limited company which delivers quality food products, clothes and home appliances. It is
multinational organisation which is providing its services in international market and supporting
in enriching economy of UK.
It has multiple departments and stores as M&S Foodhall, core shops, home stores, outlets
stores, online services and simply food. All these stores are managed by managers and heads. It
has also its human resource management and finance and operation sections which are operated
by section managers. It has multiple teams too which keep working in clothes and home stores
these teams are headed by leaders which monitor all the activities in stores and behaviour of
employees in organisation.
Both managers and leaders are responsible for sustainable growth of organisation. Below
table defines the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers :
Basis of comparison Duties and Characteristics of Characteristics and roles of
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'leader' 'manager'
Meaning Leader of organisation operates
functions and activities of stores.
Their is a team of employees works
under leader. Leader keep seeking to
new opportunities and
advantages(Varaiya, Wu and Bialek,
2011). He/she guides its team and
operate the functions by combine
efforts. He remains responsible to
meeting team targets and objectives
in organisation.
Managers are the people who
make the policies and plans for
better formations and growth of
organisation. They are considered
as head of departments which
reports its senior manager and
higher authorities. They keep
analyse the external market
environment of business and plan
their future plans and tactics to
lead organisation.
Position Leaders are found at every level
where work is performed as a team.
Leaders are considered back bone of
project because he remains
responsible to leads its team in right
direction.
Managers are the part of
organisation. They works as
communicator between
management and employees in
organisation.
Direction Leaders prepare a blue print of
projects and sort out the aims and
objectives from the task. He forms
his actions and plans as per project
requirement.
Managers find out best plans and
techniques to manage the
functional departments of an
organisation. Managers provide
the plan and objectives to
functional departments and
functional departments render the
plans to leaders.
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Responsibilities Leader remain responsible for its
team goals and targets. He has to
report out its managers and
management departments.
Managers are answerable to senior
authorities of organisation as
directors, owners etc.
Approach to risk Leaders take initiatives and risks to
examine their skills and capacity of
leadership. Risk taking approach
build confidence and encourage team
efforts towards goals and objectives
of an organisation.
Criteria of risk remain high at
management level. Managers have
to use their managerial skills to
identify best and suitable option
for running the operations of
business. Management level of
business is the first level where
the plans and approaches are
opted first.
Formulation Leaders analyse the project and task
to ascertain rules and liabilities of
team members. Task is divided
among team members as per their
suitability.
Mangers opt the plan and
bifurcate the criteria of plan as per
functional departments. They
allocate the task and plans to
leaders and functional managers.
TASK 2
P2 Utilization of roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders in various situations
An organisation faces multiple challenges and situations while operating its business
operations (Baek and Kim, 2011). Duties and responsibilities of leaders and management plays
vital role in different situations and circumstances of business. M&S also face multiple situations
while operating its management and operation functions. There are different situations are
defined as under and along with its is also elaborated that how leaders and managers deals in
these conditions;
Lasting situation : these are the situations which are considered as stable and constant stage in
organisation. Managers and leaders need not to pay any extra efforts to accelerate the functions.
This type of situations occurs during off peak seasons, high interest rates etc. managers do not
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take any crucial and important decision in these type of situations because there is no any kind of
impact fall upon these situations. Managers and leaders wait for right time to implement their
ideas and thoughts. Apart from it, if an organisation is working well and having positive
outcomes from its operations then also these situations happens. These situations are also
considered favourable in respect of managers and leaders.
Moderate situations : these type of situations occur, when an organisation is having constant
growth and no any kind of fluctuations are happening in organisation. Company get constant
result with its operational activities. Growth rate increases by very slow and minor percentages.
In this situation managers utilise there knowledge in finding out the factors which remain
worthless during operations. They replace the method and process which remain constant and
increase the time of deliverables. Operations and management functions are the major factors
which remains responsible to deliverables on time. Managers analyse the operations very
consciously and ask to leaders to find out the factors which affect management and operation
process and responsible for slow growth.
Marketing changes situations : technology and advancements are the key factors which create
market changing situations and unstable situations in an organisation (Ou and Hong, 2014.).
Management department remains responsible to opt best fit technology and method which helps
in emerging the business operation in effective manner. Manages prepare conference plans and
meetings with senior authorities and managers. They present the model and plan and explain
merits and demerits of proposed plan. They discusses about the plan and showcase that how this
plan would help in attaining the goals of organisation. There is huge kind of risk contains in new
advancement and technology. Managers also analyse the nature and views of its employees
whether they are satisfied and ready to accept the change or not.
P3 Models, theories and approaches of leadership in situational, contingency and systematic
leadership
Theories and approaches helps and enriches the scope of leadership and management in
organisational context. There are different theories and concepts of leadership defined as under :
Systematic leadership
This is a concept of operating and managing the system in effective manner. Systematic
leadership is allied in those organisation where business operations and process are related
interdependent (He, 2011). In manufacturing industries there are multiple process as
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manufacturing, finishing, packaging and labelling. These activities remains dependent to each
other and there is a process cycle creates in manufacturing industries. M&S is retail industry and
systematic leadership may help in set up the structure of organisation in multiple place and
branches of organisation.
Contingency leadership
Those situations and stages which remains unstable because of uncertain results of task
and project are covered in contingency leadership. Managers and leaders remain uncertain d
during performing tasks but even after they have to select one option and perform their task as
per their capabilities. They have to utilise their knowledge and experience to gain positive results
from uncertain situations. These situations occur when organisation implement new tactics and
changes in structure, change in marketing and advertisement techniques, opting a growth
developing plan etc.
Situational leadership
This leadership style helps in managing departments of employees in an organisation. To
analyse internal environment, mind set and mentality of employees situational leadership plays
very important role (Ahuja, 2012.). This leadership style helps managers and leaders in
maintaining healthy and good employee relations in organisation. With the help of situational
leadership managers get eligible to connect the internal environment of organisation with
external environment of organisation. Kenneth Blenchard and Paul Hersey formed this
leadership style.
Below are some theories are also defines in respect of leaders and managers
Theories Role of leader
Trait Theory Concept of this theory is centralised around
the dynamics and changes of person,
sociability, decision making skills, knowledge
and experience.
Behavioural theory This theory is detailed analysation of leaders
behaviour while working in organisation.
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Theories Function of manager
Human relations theory Healthy and good human relations are the key
sources of maintaining strong employee
relations in organisation. This theory is
centralised around getting desired outcomes by
maintaining good employee relations.
Chaos theory This theory provides a optimum and suitable
path to perform the tasks without impacting the
current tactics of organisation.
TASK 3
P4 Primal approaches of operations management and roles of managers and leaders
Management and operation approaches are supporting elements which lead functional
departments. These are some roles and approaches of leaders and managers are defined as
understand in respect of M&S;
Planning
This is one of the common approach which is used in every type of management and
operational level (Closs, Speier and Meacham, 2011.). Managers and head of departments
analyse marketing situations and business environment to find out optimum and appropriate
plan. This is one of the crucial task for managers and leaders of M&S which is performed by
managers. This is considered as important because all other departments would only be get
eligible to work after deciding the plan first.
Development and training
Organisations major strength remain centralised in its manpower. Manpower of
organisation contains employees, workers and employers. To increase and emphasise
performance of manpower organisation prepare training and development programs. This
programs not only help in efficiency of manpower but also increase profitability. Training and
development programs reduce the level of errors and improve quality of product.
Behavioural approachable
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Analysation of nature, culture, mind set and thoughts of employees this approach is used.
This approach helps in constructing strong and faithful employee relations in organisation.
Employees face different type of challenges and conflicts while performing the task. This
approach build a communication level to make employee approachable to management.
Object defining approach
It is very important to define the goals and objectives of organisation ( Kristiansen,
2013). Goals and objectives works as a destination and leaders and manager work as a sailor of
organisation. Objective provides a reason to employees and people of organisation that why they
are working and to whom they are responsible. It helps in maintaining discipline in departments.
As a motivator
This approach is used to encourage employees for better operations. Managers and
leaders appreciate and help employees to work in effective manner. They provide required
resources to operate the functions of business swimmingly and easily (Ronen, Pliskin and Pass,
2012). Giving prizes, award and recognition, appraisals and promotions, incentives and
emoluments are the elements which are used to motivate employees.
Supporting roles
A smart leader or manager works and support by combine efforts rather then giving
orders and mandates to team and staff members. Teams goals and objectives are only achievable
by combine efforts and help of management. Leaders and managers of M&S support its staff
members by becoming the part of team. They use their prior experience and knowledge and give
required suggestions and institution to teams.
Performance
Order management and measurement of actions are also one of the important task for
managers and leaders in organisation. Teams efforts are measured in respect of actual results and
outcomes. This also help in building self evaluation spirit and performance management to excel
the efficiency and performance of organisation.
P5 Value of management and operations in attaining organisation objectives
Operations management is an important part of any company as it plays crucial role in an
organisation's success (Barney, 2012). It is that area of management which is related to
production of products and services of the firm. This is challenging as well as vital field for
every organisation whether manufacturing or retailing or services. Operations management is a
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set of activities which includes in planning, organizing, and controlling of operations of the
company. It provides effectiveness and efficiency to the firm which leads the firm towards
growth and success and improves the financial position of the organisation. It also assists Marks
& Spencer in meeting competitive priorities of customers. There are some points which describes
the vitality of operations management in the context of organisation are defined below:-
Improves productivity: Enhancement in productivity depends upon the skills and abilities
to perform a task and its deliverables. In Marks & Spencer, evaluation of working effectiveness
is done on the basis of completing the predetermined targets within a financial year. All the
transactions related to finance and banking are recorded every year and evaluated the
performance of operations department on the basis of its sales ratio. Some tools are used by the
organisation which assists in identifying the overall performance of the individual and by this,
needs of training and development are identified.
Fulfilment of needs and wants of customers: The main objective of every organisation
is to satisfy its customers. The manager of operations management needs to understand the
requirements of consumers and produce according to their demands. The subject helps in
formulating appropriate strategies and policies as per the needs of customers. Flexible product
and services of the company helps in creating a positive image in the minds of clients and strong
position in the market. Procedures and policies should be accessible to the clients of Marks &
Spencer. The customer attracts towards its high quality and minimum priced products. The
manager needs focus on the improvement of processes to produce good quality products. It helps
the company in increasing its productivity as well as performance.
Minimize risk & uncertainty: Every operation involves some kind of risk and uncertainty
in an organisation (Sheu, 2010). The operation manager needs to formulate appropriate plan or
strategies to deal with it. Proper management of the activities of Marks & Spencer helps in
smooth running of its operations.
Efficiency measurement: Productivity is measured by measuring efficiency of employees
to use scarce resource in production of goods & services as well as manager's efficiency to
allocate resources. It is measured as a ratio of end product to input. Higher the value of ratio,
greater will be the efficiency.
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TASK 4
P6 Factors which impact upon operational management and decision-making by Leaders and
managers.
Business operations and management get effected by the decisions and judgement of
managers and leaders (Gimenez, Sierra and Rodon, 2012). Best results and outcomes are the
result of effective strategies and plans which are made by leaders and managers. Marks and
Spencer is one if the organisation which is considered as very extreme and high level of work
competency. There are some factors which are considered in mind while preparing decision
making policies and strategies.
(Source : External and internal factors affect strategic plaining, 2017)
Internal factors Organisation culture – Business operations and managements creates and corporate
environment in businesses. Culture of business is made of different tactics, policies and
rules which are followed by its employees. It indicates towards the theme, picture and
mentality of employees.
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 Human resource- Managing the workforce of organisation is key factor of human
resource management of organisation. Physical assets – Infrastructure of organisation, machineries, plants, loose and tools are
considered as assets of business which helps and support organisation to achieve the
goals and objectives of organisation. Profit and cash flows- business reports, and financial statements of company are the
source to analyse the situation and position of organisation in market. These records are
considered very essential in preparing and analysing the plans and in decision making
process.
 Managements- teams and departments are considered in this factor. Management of
organisation is made of managers, leaders, employees and workers. This factor plays vital
role in decision making process because these are the real people who deal with actual
situations of an organisation.
External factors Climate – Natural conditions and atmosphere of place also impact the infrastructure and
culture of an organisation. It is one of the factor which is found differ as per the nature
and geographical conditions of country. Economy – Economic conditions of a country are the factors which affect the business.
Growth rate, employment ratio, controller ship and foreign investments are the factors are
found in economy. Technology – Advancements and new tactics are the elements which are considered in
this factors. Political and democratic environment – Policies and legislations which are made for to
protect rights of employees and support the functions and operations of business(Tang
and Musa, 2011). Competition- there are multiple organisation and companies which deals in same product
and services. Combination of multiple organisations of same business nature are
considered in this factor.
 Fashion – Changes are the part of life an clothing industries have to face chances
regarding fashion, tendencies and interest of customers.
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CONCLUSION
This document defines the meaning and importance of management and operations in an
organisation and how it helps in achieving short term and long term goals of an organisation.
There are different techniques and approaches of leadership and control are defined in respect of
different situational context. This report is able to bifurcate the meaning leadership and
management between leaders and managers Administration and operation department of Marks
and Spencer are taken to understand this report. How management approaches and tactics are
implemented in this organisation and how its leaders and managers perform in different
situational context described here.
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