(solved) Management and Operations at M&S

MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
LO 1...........................................................................................................................................1
P1. Comparison between the roles and characteristics of manager and leader......................1
LO 2...........................................................................................................................................4
P2. Application of a leader’s responsibility and manager’s role in distinct organisational
context....................................................................................................................................4
P3. Application of different approaches to management and leadership...............................4
LO 3...........................................................................................................................................7
P4. Introduction and key approaches of operations management used in M&S...................7
P5. The extent to which key approaches are valuable and significant to operations
management...........................................................................................................................8
P6. Effect that macro environment factors put on the management decisions related to
operations...............................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
The process of effective administration of business procedures so that with minimum
efforts, highest possible outcomes can be gained effectually is known as management and
operations. It is all about getting the raw material as well as labour converted into final
products and services with an aim to gain higher profits and sustain business in the long run
(Hübner, Holzapfel and Kuhn, 2015). For present study, as per provided scenario, Marks and
Spencer (M&S) is the selected organisation with reference to which many concepts related to
operations management will be explained. There will be comparison on roles and
characteristics of manager and leader with specifying different situations using range of
management theories and concepts. Also, there will be discussion on the extent to which key
approaches to operations management are valuable as well as significant along with stating
the impact of macro factors on the decisions of leaders and managers.
LO 1
Introducing Marks and Spencer with its structure
M&S is one of the biggest British retail firms, operating in public sector that was
found in United Kingdom. The firm particularly deals in selling of home products, clothing
and luxury food items (M&S, 2018). The formal chain of command in M&S is flattened.
However, its regional management structure is simple so that responsibilities to store
managers can be delegated in a simple and effectual manner.
P1. Comparison between the roles and characteristics of manager and leader
Manager – Manager is one who has the tactic to get work done by employees in the desired
manner and to make them willing to perform their tasks to attain set targets on time.
Leader – Leader is one who influences the team or employees to perform their roles and
responsibilities through his own actions, guidance and direction.
Making comparison in between the roles of a Leader and a Manager
Leader Manager
In M&S, leader always speaks on the behalf
of his team members.
While, manager is responsible to be a
spokesperson on the behalf of whole
company.
One of the major roles that leader plays is to
monitor the way in which employees
perform their allotted tasks.
However, manager’s role is to keep an eye
on the performance of whole organisation
and in case of any deviations, he is
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responsible to search for the appropriate
ways (Danese, Romano and Vinelli, 2016).
In M&S, leader’s role is to tell employees
the way to reach at the set targets by giving
proper directions as per company’s set
standards.
On the other hand, manager basically plays
the role of negotiator in organisation. In
M&S, manager generally deals with the
external affairs only.
Team building is one of the major roles of
leader in M&S as he/she deals with the
matters of employees directly.
On the contrary, manager is a coordinator of
company. In M&S, manager gets the reports
on the performance of business with
reference to quality of products or services
as well as cost and profit of company.
Comparing Characteristics of a Leader and a Manager
Leader Manager
Leader is supposed to be very patient. In
M&S, leader patiently deals with all the
issues and behaviour of employees.
Manager also needs to be patient. Being in
the retail industry, M&S is usually in highly
competitive situations which manager needs
to deal with high level of patience.
At the time of bringing changes in M&S,
sometimes dealing with employees becomes
troublesome for which leader has to be keen
as well as accommodative.
However, on the other hand, basic
characteristics of manager in M&S is to be
creative and innovative as it is his
responsibility to effectually deal with the
competition in market (Wen, Choi and
Chung, 2018).
Communication skills of a leader should be
effective so that convincing employees can
be easy.
On the contrary, manager should be tactful
through communication to improve the
performance index of business.
The way managerial functions are distinct from leadership roles
Managerial functions and leader’s responsibilities along with management theories
and concepts are given as below:
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