Operation Management and Quality Control

This assignment requires analyzing various references related to operation management, including articles, patents, and books. The provided references cover topics such as development processes, energy management systems, operation management apparatus, and total quality management. The task involves identifying suitable assignment titles, meta titles, and meta descriptions for publishing on a platform providing past papers and solved assignments.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
P1 Define and differentiate role and characteristics of leader and manager...............................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Explain how role of leader and function of manager differentiate in various situations.......3
P3 Illustrate different leadership theories used in the business organization.............................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Examine the approaches of operation management and the role of manager and leader......6
P5 Illustrate the importance and value of operations management in achieving business goal..8
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................9
P6 Present a factors in the external environment which affect the operation management and
decision-making of Leaders and managers................................................................................9
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is the administration of business practice to achieve highest
level of efficiency within the organization. It include all the activities from converting material
and labor to the finished good (Bealkowski, 2015). Marks and Spencer is a retailer company of
Westminster , London who deals in clothing and luxury items. They are world known for
providing qualitative product to the customer at a reasonable rate. This report include the
difference between manager and leader on the basis of role and characteristic as well as various
situation. Along with this it present leadership theories which manager and leader according to
their internal and external environment. It also provide different approaches which respective
organization use in order to retain their customer. Moreover, importance of operation
management is also discussed in achieving business objectives. Lastly external factors are
shown which affect the operation management and decision-making of Leaders and managers.
TASK 1
P1 Define and differentiate role and characteristics of leader and manager.
Marks and Spencer was started by the Michael marks and Thomas Spencer from the stall.
The company at present 979 stores approx stores in UK in which 615 only sell food products.
Marks and Spencer follow flat organization structure in their enterprise. Under this structure
supervisor does not put their control on the employees . It was taken place in the organization to
involve employees in the decision-making process.
Leader : They are person who guide their followers to achieve a specific goal. Leader by
his personality and leadership style able to inspire their followers in such a way that business
vision become their own target (Belbin, 2010). A leader is present at every department of the
organization which motivate, create team , innovative and develop trust among stakeholders.
Role of leader in the organization are described below :
Representative of organization : Marks and Spencer leader need to be attentive at
various seminars, meetings and conferences as they have to represent the enterprise to the
outside public .
Integrate organization goal with personal goal : Leader of Marks and Spencer by their
skills integrate personal goal of the employee with the organization goal. When employees see
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their personal objective is get linked with business aim then they work with full dedication which
increase firm efficiency.
Characteristics which leader should possess in his personality are as follows :
Honesty : Leader of marks and Spencer should be honest with their employees and work
so that their staff get motivated to perform their task with full efficiency and capacity. Honesty
is in respect of openness related to the task so that subordinates can conduct their work in
effective way.
Confident : The respective organization leader should have trust in his own abilities and
strategies otherwise subordinates does not follow his direction.
Manager : An individual who is responsible for performing various functions such as
planning ,organizing, directing , coordinate and control is manager (Chen and et.al.,2010) They
are the one who assign the work to the employee and make work done. Manager also have the
authority to hire or fire any employee.
Role of a manager in the business firm are as follows :
Planning : Manager of marks and Spencer should plan the activities, policies and
strategies of various department of the organization so that they can perform the work effectively
for the achievement of business objective.
Resource allocator : Concerned organization manager should fulfill the demand of
various department in the form of human and financial. They allocate the resources in such a
way that there is no scarcity regarding these among various departments.
Characteristics which manager should contain in their nature so that it can help in
achieving business objectives are described under :
Positive attitude : Manager of Marks and Spencer should show positive attitude in the
organization even in the adverse situation so that employees get motivate to not panic in the
difficult situation (De Anna and et. al., 2010).
Leadership : In respective organization , manager should have the leadership quality so
that they can motivate subordinates in improving their performance and working capacity for the
benefit of the organization.
Basis Manager Leader
Meaning Manager is an individual who Leader is the person who guide
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manages the business and
responsible for
planning ,directing,coordinatin
g and controlling.
their employee to achieve a
specific objective.
Aim Manager aim is the attainment
of the desired result (Fayol,
2016) .
Leader purpose is the growth
and development of
organisation and its
employees.
Respect Managers are followed by the
subordinates due to the
position they hold.
Leader are followed by team
members due to charismatic
personality.
TASK 2
P2 Explain how role of leader and function of manager differentiate in various situations.
Manager and leader both actions are directed towards the achievement of the business
goal but they perform different activities and task according to their job designation (Handschin
and Petroianu, 2012). Sometimes, there is a similar situation in which leader and manger react
differently on the basis of their duties and responsibilities of the post they are holding.
Basis Role of a manager Function of a leader
Planning Manager plan the activities for
the whole organisation
development and the growth.
Leader plan for the team who
comes under their control and
supervising.
Organise Manager organize the material
and resources for the complete
business enterprise (Hasegawa,
2014).
Resources provided by the
manager is used in the
organisation by the leader.
Staffing Manager assign the work to
the leader so that they
distribute it among the leader
Leader get the work from the
manager a lot that to their
employees on the basis of their
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on the basis of their post. capabilities and knowledge.
Control Manager control all the
activities of the organisation so
that if there is any variation
form the desired result ,
effective measures should be
adopted to recover from it.
Leader control the working of
their group so that they can
guide them at the time of
variation.
Innovation : Leader of Marks and Spencer always embrace change as they know it is
path through which success can be achieved. Manager of Marks and Spencer does not involve in
innovation they always stick with their work and adopt changes in the system to make it better.
Risk taking : Leaders of M&S always take risk without considering the fact that what
happen if they fail miserably. Manager of M&S always try to avoid it or control the risk and
never want to face it. Manager does not want to take responsibility of the damages which happen
due to taking risk.
P3 Illustrate different leadership theories used in the business organization.
Successful business person are those who contain various leadership style in their kit
which they use according to the prevailing situation (Lindström and et. al., 2012). Whereas there
are also business persons who follow one leadership style in their company due to which they are
not able to take maximum benefit of the opportunity prevailing in the external environment.
Here is a explanation of various leadership theory which business can use in order to maximize
their benefit.
Situational Leadership Theory: Situational theory explains different leadership styles
that should be adopted by leaders so that they can match different situations and contingencies
coming near. Theory states that no single leadership style is better and best for all situations. For
example; leaders of M&S should follow or adopt different leadership styles, as per dynamic
situations so that organizational objectives can be met.
Advantages: Most important advantage of this theory is that if leader adopts leadership
style according to follower's needs effectively, then work get done on time with more
effectiveness.
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Strengths and Weaknesses of Situational Theory: This theory has so many pros and
cons in various ways. Some of these are; first of all, this theory explains to provide a framework
to leaders in M&S so that they can adapt themselves frequently according to situations. On other
hand, as this theory provide higher flexibility to organizations this lead to shift them from present
& immediate needs. This is a weakness of this theory for M&S.
System theory of Leadership: System theory believes that every plan and policies should
be framed in a very systematic way in an organization so that they can make changes according
to dynamic elements of business (Lindström and et. al., 2015). Like, in M&S leaders take
decisions and make plans by taking consideration into external dynamic elements.
Advantages: Most important advantage of this theory is that it provides systematic
approach to subordinates that will help them to get work done in a more systematic way.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Systems Theory: As this theory helps organizations to
provide systematic framework for employees, that is a strength for M&S employees because if
they will perform whole tasks in proper and given way, this will lead M&S towards attainment
of organizational goals and objectives effectively and on given time. Coming to weaknesses; this
always needs a proper framework to start and complete a task which is more time consuming.
Sometimes it delays decision making too.
Contingency Theory of Leadership: As name suggests, this theory defines different
contingencies that come in path of attaining objectives in an organization (Lisi, 2010).. This later
examines leader's ability to adopt leadership style in different situations. It prevents M&S from
trap of lagging behind from competitors and provide competitive advantage, as well.
Advantages: This theory shows effective ability and adaptability of leaders in an
organization.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Contingency Theory: Following theory reads all facts and
aspects of external environment and take decisions after analysing all situations. On weaknesses
side, this is always not possible every time for leaders of M&S to consider every aspect of
external environment because of constraints of time, money, etc.
From whole discussion, this can be concluded that managers and leaders, both are equally
important to organizational success. Both performs different functions that are useful for both of
them and M&S, as well. M&S can take proper advantage of both of them to survive in long run
competition.
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Recommendations: Recommendations for M&S for future improvements are as follows:
 Sustaining long term growth needs strong operational foundations which means M&S
should reduce risks over them to sustain more profit.
 M&S need to invest capital intellectually so that more returns can be earned out of them.
 They are required to hire more skilled employees to regain their brand image.
 M&S can further ensure that every employee of them should engage in maximizing
profitability of company.
TASK 3
P4 Examine the approaches of operation management and the role of manager and leader.
There are various types of approaches of operation management which the respective
organization can use according to their structure and business suitability (Nakamura and
Yamane, 2015) . TQM ,six sigma ,JIT are the approaches used in making changes in the
company to enhance customer satisfaction ,profitability and competitiveness.
Six sigma : Six sigma is a statistical , data driven tool used in eliminating defects in
product and make improvement in the business process. It is a quality program developed by
the Motorola company in 1986 in order to reduce the manufacturing defects of their production.
It is beneficial for those businesses who use statistics ,financial analysis , project management
technique in order to improve their businesses process. It is done by the help of two
methodologies such as DMAIC and DMADV. It is a improvement Marks and Spencer can use
six sigma in order to eliminate the wastage and improve efficiency of the production.
Role of M&S manager is to plan the strategies which can bring optimum utilization of the
resources in an efficient manner.
The role of Marks and Spencer leader is to assign team work and effort for the betterment
of the organization.
By the help of six sigma business able to increase their performance and decrease in
process variation which improve the profit ,employee morale and quality of product and services.
Total quality management : It is process which support Marks and Spencer in detecting
and reducing or eliminating error in manufacturing and production so that customer experience
regarding company get improved. TQM is the approach through which management able top
achieve long term success as it helps in providing customer satisfaction (Nakayama, 2012). It
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pointed towards the business culture,attitude and organization which provide customer product
and services which satisfy their needs. By the help of this method manager able to excel in the
product and services which are liked by their customer.
Manager of Marks and Spencer applied this method in their system by performing
various things such as customer focus, total employee involvement ,process centered , decision
making and communication. Manager apply all strategies which focus on the continuous
improvement in the production.
Marks and Spencer leader role is to ensure that their team work and decision is in the
harmony with the quality needed by the customer.
(Source :Total Quality Management, 2018)
Just in time : It is a process which refer that material should be transferred from the
supplier only when there is need of the production (Neck and Manz, 2010). By the support of
this approach marks and Spencer able to increase the efficiency and eliminate the waste of
inventory in the business. There are various benefits which respective businesses got for using
JIT manufacturing in their company such as increase in quality, productivity and efficiency ,
improved communication and downfall in the cost and wastage.
Manager of marks and Spencer guide the operational and production department by the
help of different strategies so that they are able to keep inventory in control and improve the
production process of the organization.
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Illustration 1: Total quality management

Leader of Marks and Spencer evaluate the performance of their staff and inform the
production department regarding the time taken in the making of product demanded by the
customer.
P5 Illustrate the importance and value of operations management in achieving business goal.
The term operation refers to a process of converting the inputs into outputs. Whereas
operation management manages the resources of the organization which in turn helps in
producing the given output of an business (Pinkerton, 2011). Resources like technology , people ,
raw material , are used together in order to achieve the given objective of an organization. For
Marks & Spencer Ltd company ( M&S LTD), this operation management plays a very important
role in achieving the business objectives. Followings are the importance of operation
management as it is a Fundamental part for a M&S Ltd.
Optimization of resources: For a M&S LTD operation management helps in proper
utilization of resources like people , raw material , technology and information in order to obtain
the desired goal of a company.
Increase productivity: Operation is important for a particular organization as it upgrade
the general productivity. Ratio between the input and output is named as productivity which as a
result helps to measure the efficiency of an employees of an organization.
Ensuring job design: It aims in ensuring the job design,with consideration that all the
human resources of a M&S LTD company are in the company success. As its the human
resource who bring the organization toward successful growth in the market.
Failure prevention: One of the major benefit of operation management for a particular
organization is that it provide with mops and safety of stores which turn out in the form of
failure prevention(Chen and et. al., 2011).
Inventory management:Operation management prevent the exhaustion of product and
services for disposal. As a result helps in the managing of inventory level of a particular
organization.
Quality management:Monitoring and improving the quality of the customer service is
also important benefit if operation management for M&S LTD. Which in turn result in form of
increase in the quality level of an business.
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Operational improvements:Side by side it helps in improving and evaluating the
operational practices of a business. Along with this it maintain the genuine supply of chain of
product and services.
Increase in efficiency:By graceful wrapping of modern products it helps in increasing
the efficiency level of the product design .Additionally it also ensure of capacity management by
answering to the fluctuation of demand.
Timely delivery of products : Overall it aid in owing success by ensuring timely
delivery of products and services to the final consumers. Which in turn make it easier in
achieving the vision and mission of an M&S LTD company.
TASK 4
P6 Present a factors in the external environment which affect the operation management and
decision-making of Leaders and managers.
If a Marks & Spencer Ltd company wants to be achieve a successful growth rate in a
market, then it is fully mandatory for a company to understand what all external factors are there
who will it can impact the growth of the company (Takeuchi, 2010). List various external
factors which affect the operation management and the decision making of leaders and the
mangers are as follows :
Suppliers: Suppliers factor also an important resource for a M&S. If the suppliers does-
not supply the raw-materials on time or there is a shortage of raw materials with the suppliers ,
then the company have to suffer from loss, than it will impact on the business working and
manger and leader have to make changes in their decision. Company is totally dependent on
suppliers for the material as they provide the source for earning competitive advantage . Manager
and leader of M&S change their policies and decision of working when suppliers provide the
product at a high rate so that it can't be charged by their customer. When amount is charged from
the customer than they attracted to the rival firm.
Laws & Infrastructure: If there is a sudden changes in the government rules and
regulation in relation to a particular product that a M&S is producing and selling then it will have
a direct impact on the operation management of the respective company. Every organisation
have to follow rules and regulation in their business whether it affect in the positive or negative
way. Respective business leader and manger need to adopt changes in their system and decision
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according to modification of the law by they government. Marks and Spencer leader should
remain update about new laws and regulation of their product so that they don't have to face any
consequences regarding that.
Marks and Spencer can make improvement in their organization by providing proper
training to their employees so that they can support in the achievement of the business objective
and productivity. They should organize various events and programs in the premises so that
employees get comfortable in the internal environment and gave high performance.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it is concluded that management and operation is a important
because it support in increasing the productivity and provide quality standards product to the
customer. Through the analysis, it is known that manager and leader are the essential part who
perform various activities of the business on the basis of their designation for the achievement of
common goal. Furthermore, various types of leadership and operation approaches are
understandable which can use be used by the respective organisation in order to increase their
efficiency and market share. It also inform about the importance of operation management in the
business . Lastly , there is a presentation of various external factors which impact the operations
of the business.
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REFERENCES
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Fayol, H., 2016. General and industrial management. Ravenio Books.
Handschin, E. and Petroianu, A., 2012. Energy management systems: operation and control of
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Hasegawa, H., NEC Corp, 2014. Operation management apparatus, operation management
method, and program storage medium. U.S. Patent 8,645,769.
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software, service support system and management of operation. International Journal of
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Lindström, J. and et. al., 2015. Sustainable management of operation for Functional Products:
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Lisi, A. J., 2010. Management of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom
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method, and operation management program. U.S. Patent 9,031,703.
Nakayama, F.S. and Bucks, D.A. Eds., 2012. Trickle irrigation for crop production: design,
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Neck, C. P. and Manz, C. C., 2010. Mastering self-leadership: Empowering yourself for
personal excellence. Pearson.
Pinkerton, E. ed., 2011. Co-operative management of local fisheries: new directions for
improved management and community development. UBC Press.
Takeuchi, Y., 2010. CD-ROM on which a program for functioning as an IP telephone terminal
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(Bealkowski, 2015)(Belbin, 2010(Chen and et. al., 2011)(Chen and et.al.,2010) (De Anna and et.
al., 2010)(Fayol, 2016) (Handschin and Petroianu, 2012) (Hasegawa, 2014)(Lindström
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Online
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Total quality management .2018. [Online].Available through
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