Analysis of Operations Management Research Papers

This assignment involves analyzing a set of provided research papers on operations management. The papers cover topics such as project management, smart energy management systems, network management, PPP arrangements in airport development, disaster operations management, crisis-management operations, adaptive supply chain planning, and more. The analysis will help identify common themes, methods, and best practices in operations management research.

MANAGEMENT
AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Comparison of different roles and characteristics of a leaders and a manager......................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Role of a leader and function of manager as per different situations....................................3
P3 Various theories and models of approaches...........................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P4 Key approaches for operational management with roles of leaders and managers...............5
P5 Importance and values of operations management in attaining business objectives.............7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Factors which have an impact on business environment and decision making.....................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations is an essential component which is required to run a business
in an effective manner. It helps a company to work according to the present market situations in
order to gain maximum profits for their organisation. Department makes sure that firm is
providing their customers with superior quality of products (Akkerman, Farahani and Grunow,
2010). Thus, its prime duty of firm to convert raw materials into final products so that it can be
delivered to consumers. It will gradually increase the sales and profit of organisation. Through
this, company is gaining higher position in the market area. Marks and Spencer is a multinational
organisation which manufactures household products, clothing and luxury items. Organisation
has almost 979 stores in the United Kingdom which includes around 615 shops that only sell
food items. Currently revenue and net income is approximately 10,622.0 and 115.7 million Euros
receptively. Other than this around 84,939 employees are working in different stores located at
various locations. In this report, various roles played by leaders and different characteristics of
managers are included. Theories and models of approaches are discussed in this assignment as
well.
TASK 1
P1 Comparison of different roles and characteristics of a leaders and a manager
Leaders and managers; both are important components for a M&S as they lead and
manage the whole work in order to achieve their task in specific time period. They perform their
work in an appropriate manner which involve guiding and showing the correct path that will aid
them in attaining their objectives. They take care of the business environment whether
employees are having any difficulty in performing their tasks or not (Barratt, Choi and Li, 2011).
Managers are the persons who manage work in between various departments according to the
capabilities of each sector. Role of leaders with characteristics of managers are mentioned as
below:
Roles of leaders
Encouraging and motivating their workers: Leaders are the great motivators, they guide
and encourage squad to perform their tasks in an appropriate manner. Leaders show them the
best suitable path through which they can achieve set targets and goals.
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Supporting and guiding their employees: Sometimes supports workers as a healing aid if
any person of a team is lacking behind. This assists them in performing their work effectively so
that all problems can be eliminated. Leaders show them appropriate path for completing their
tasks so that company's sales and productivity can get increased.
Forming a strong team: For achieving the set targets, it is important to build a strong
team that will help them in performing the task. They select those candidates who are eligible
and strong enough to work properly. Thus, it is a prominent role of management to choose
suitable employees while conducting the recruitment process (Binder and Edwards, 2010).
For Example: Marks and Spencer is using all these factors that are mentioned above so
that they can get or achieve their targets in specific time period. If any of its team member is
facing any problem than leaders are helping them out in resolving the same.
Role of managers
Introducing new policies and plan: After going through all the issues, managers
implement new plans and policies which will help their company in enhancing their
performance. They form rules and regulations which are as per the current market situations.
Giving training: Managers help M&S in providing new employees with different
training programmes. This aids them in improving their existing knowledge as per the current
trends in market.
Monitoring of the performance: Observing the carrying out action on a regular basis by
managers helps them in identifying and evaluating the behaviour of employees whether they are
happy working with the organisation or not.
For example: Managers of Marks and Spencer are giving proper training programmes so
that employees can attain their set targets in specific time frame.
Characteristics of Leaders and managers
Optimistic attitude: Work performed by managers are not that easy, as they have to look
out all the aspects of the company. For this, it is necessary to maintain a positive attitude in their
working which will assist them to tell about the work to other employees in a proper manner.
They should be able to transform all the negative forces into positive in order to do their work. It
also aids managers to boost the morale of their fellow workers (Chen and et. al., 2011).
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Different mind-set: Managers are the one who have a different mind-set and they are
creative in nature as well as use their creativity in making innovative ideas. This helps them in
gaining superior position in the market area.
Some of the comparison between leaders and managers are included in M&S:
Leaders Managers
 They lead their team with appropriate
path so that goals are effectually
achieved.
 Leaders guide their teammates in
performing their work in a proper
manner.
 They take all the team members
together.
 Manager can be said as a person who
manages the work in all departments.
 They make sure that there is a healthy
environment in between various sectors
of company.
 They explain all the rules and
regulations to new employees.
TASK 2
P2 Role of a leader and function of manager as per different situations
J. Kotter has given this approach in order to differentiate between management and
leadership which is mentioned as below:
Management Leadership
 They produce order which every
employee has to follow.
 Management uses those path which
are easy and relevant and give them
consistency results.
 Helps in introducing new plans and
agendas like setting up a time table
under which all workers have to
perform their tasks.
 Make use of proper resources in order
 Leaders generate changes through which
they can get better outcomes.
 They set a vision which will provide
them with bigger picture about their
goals.
 Use communication mediums to build
the team and for setting strategies.
 Encourage their workers to perform their
tasks effectively so that they can meet all
the needs and wants.
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to gain maximum benefits.
Hence, leaders and managers; both are essential for an organisation. They perform their
tasks as per the rules and regulations so that all the needs and wants will effectually get fulfilled.
The features are included below which that helps company in managing their task as per
the various circumstances:
Customers: Customers play a prominent role in organisations as they can have a huge
impact on sales and profit. Thus, it is the prime duty of firm to produce goods as per their
satisfaction (Chen and et. al., 2010). They can take feedbacks from their consumers so that
current trends and market situation can be known by the company. Managers make sure that all
the resources are used for making the best quality products in order to gain the loyalty of their
customers.
Employees: They are the one who turn raw materials into final products. So, it is
necessary for the managers to apply suitable training programmes where they can learn and
knowledge. Marks and Spencer has implemented all latest tools and techniques which is aiding
them in giving superior performance. For example: In many companies communication barrier is
a big problem so mangers and leaders plays a different role in resolving them. Managers will
give appropriate tools by which all the employees can interact with their subordinates whereas
leaders will solve by making face to face conversation, other than this they will include them in
all business operation so that they can give their views and ideas.
Management by operations process: This model was given by Drucker in order to define
the objectives with the help of models so that employees can work in an appropriate manner. In
this the approach is mainly focusses on distribution of work as per the capability of the
departments or individual. This type of management helps in improvising employees interest and
enhances their commitments towards goals and objectives. Although this models needs to be
supported by top management because it requires skills and proper training so as to understand
the objectives of management. Thus, active participation of employees will help the company in
attaining their objectives in a creative and innovative way (Cruz and Marques, 2011).
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P3 Various theories and models of approaches
There are a number of roles which are performed by an organisation and some of them
are explained by Mintzberg which has been classified into three categories and they are as
follows:
Interpersonnel role: It consider management relationship with workers within
organisation or outside. In this management ensures that all implications has placed in right
place. Thus, they work as a leaders so as to encourage and motivate their employees so as to
improve the performance and productivity. It establishes a better communication with other
workers in order to work effectively.
Informational role: Under this management monitor the performance of employees
along with disseminator. Managers distribute the task and responsibility which guide them to
understand the roles and objectives in appropriate manner in workplace.
Decisional role: To run a business in a proper way it is important for managers should be
capable of taking proper decisions which they can use to accomplish their work without any
difficulties (Galindo and Batta, 2013).
Model of approaches
System leadership: This kind of leadership style is adopted by M&S so as to complete
their work in a systematic manner (System leadership, 2018). They majorly focusses on to
producing goods as per the current market situation in order to increase their market shares and
values. Under this they ensure that messages are conveyed in proper way so that worker do their
work accordingly.
Situational leadership: This was profound by Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersy. They
basically work as per the present circumstances and make strategies respectively. For example: if
M&S is not getting benefits form the plans which they have applied than they can make
alterations as per the current market situations in order to get maximum profits.
Contingency leadership: Contingency leadership is somewhat same as situational
leadership as in this all works are managed and perform as per the circumstances. Through this
they can make proper decision related to economy, finance and marketing sales (Giegerich,
2010).
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TASK 3
P4 Key approaches for operational management with roles of leaders and managers
Operation management is one of the essential component which assist leaders and
managers to perform their work effectively. With the help of this they can make appropriate
decisions that will assist them in future plans and strategies. Through which they can attain
superior position in market areas. Some of the business process which Marks and Spencer has
adopted are as follows:
Six Sigma theory: This is an essential tools if a company wants to make some
improvement so as to achieve their set targets. Six Sigma theory was given by Bill Smith in
which he has explained about the process through which they can identify and obviate all the
factors which are creating problems in completing the work. In this certain steps are included
process like reducing process cycle time, methods by which they can minimize the effect of
pollution, reducing cost with fulfilling consumer's needs and wants. All these factors have been
included by Marks and Spencer so as to enhance their market value amongst their customers
(Ivanov, Sokolov and Kaeschel, 2010).
Just-in-time: As the name suggest, in this M&S tries to finish their final goods before
the time period given to them this aid them to manufacture a quality products in large numbers.
By this they can supply their goods to respective supplier so that customers can buy suitable
items form their stores. For this Marks and Spencer has included certain programmes in order to
enhance the skills of their workers. Through this they firm will increase their productivity and
sales in market area.
Lean Production: This approach is adopted by the company so that they can reduce the
wastage which is very important as per the current environment. It assist organisation to work in
a systematic way. Under this firms tries to eliminate all the factors which is not giving them any
market values. M&S make sure that quality products are manufactured with minimum cost. They
tend to divide the work amongst the employees so that they does not feel much pressure
regarding their work (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus, 2011).
Improvement on regular basis: Changes are required n a regular basis so that company
can make alterations as per the current market situations. For this it is important that their
employees accept all the modifications so that their company grows rapidly. Managers should
monitor their employees on a continuous basis so that they can identify and evaluate their
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behaviour towards their work. This will assist managers to make proper decisions as per the
action performed by employees.
Role of leaders and managers are mentioned below:
Planning: Planning can be said as the blue print which company follows so as to utilise
and work effectively. This guides them about how to carry out their functions even in difficult
situations. For this leaders and mangers look out for all possible outcomes before introducing the
plans into reality. The strategies which they made a not rigid, because of which they can make
some alterations and changes as per the circumstances.
Managing work: Managing work is not an easy task and managers are the one who
perform the task in an appropriate manner. For running a business in an effective way it is
essential to divide the work accordingly. They should distribute the task as per the capacity and
capability of an individual and department. It is essential for M&S to check the performance of
the workers time to time in order to apply suitable training programmes (Kang, 2010).
Coordinating: Coordination between employees is the basis requirements which firm has
to fulfil so as to maintain a healthy environment at workplace. Thus, managers should ensure that
workers are provided with best suitable environment where they can sit and work peacefully.
Coordination also assist employees to have a good relation with other workers. This aid them in
minimising the work load from individual's head.
P5 Importance and values of operations management in attaining business objectives
Marks and Spencer is a renowned company that manufactures products related to food
items, household products and clothings. There are around 976 shops which are running across
UK under which 615 are selling items related to food. As compared to previous years sales, a
rapid growth can be seen in their business. For establishing their business in a proper way it is
necessary that leaders and managers encourage their team on timely basis so that they are
boosted while doing their work (Lind, 2013). Operational management can be linked with
company's production that includes planning, designing, making changes as per the current
situations. They tries to implement those plans by which they can get maximum benefits with
limited resources. Department of operational management tries to utilise all the resources and
materials which are available to them. Purpose of operational management differs as per the
business operations like in service sector they focus on providing appropriate training to their
employees so that they can give better services to related customers. Under manufacturing
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sectors they design appropriate items as per the current scenario. But Marks and Spencer is a
company that belongs to retail sectors in which they basically focuses on providing superior
customer services to their clients in various areas. Main effects of all these factors are mentioned
below:
Maximum use of resources: M&S is using all the resources which are available so that
they can build their status in market area. This includes machinery, latest tools and techniques,
finance, raw materials which are required to be converted into finished goods etc., all these help
them completing their products on time. Gradually this will increase the sales and productivity in
appropriate way. Other than this they also focus on generating more revenues, resolving
conflicts, minimise the cost of productivity and many more (Mendis, Muttaqi and Perera,
2014).
Increases profitability: To remain in higher position for long period of time it is required
to for managers and leaders of Marks and Spencer to consider all the elements which they are
utilising for increasing their profits. They make sure that all the resources are utilised in such a
manner that they can get higher profits.
Increase the productivity of a company: Providing better goods and services will
definitely increase the productivity of an organisation. Thus, it is essential to introduce strategies
and plans which employees can easily understand before performing the task. They can
implement new tools and techniques which will provide them with better outcomes. Market
strengths, sales and productivity will be increased by using all the appropriate strategies (White,
2016).
Customer's Satisfaction: For sustaining in market areas for a long period of time it is
necessary to work according to customer's needs and satisfactions. Marks and Spencer are
making products as per the consumers wants which is assisting them in gainig sloyalty of the
company. For working appropriately they are gathering feedback and reviews through which
they can know where they have to make alterations in order to sustain in the society for a long
period of time.
Evaluating if it is giving them maximum benefits or not: Bot every plan and strategies
which is applied by the company provides benefits so, it is important to determine every aspects
for having better results. IF it is not providing them advantages than they must make changes in
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their plan for attaining their goals and objectives. Marks and Spencer have develop a separate
department where they sit and discuss the operations to work properly.
TASK 4
P6 Factors which have an impact on business environment and decision making
With development and expansion of business, it is necessary for all firms to follow
ethical standards in operational management. These ethical standards helps a firm in maintaining
values and ethics. It also brings sustainability in business. M&S Company uses these ethical
standards in its management and operations for improvement of customer’s relationship as well
as to gain their retention by providing satisfaction from its product and services (Nakayama and
Bucks, 2012). Business environment consists many factors which influences on activities of
management and operations. These factors include internal and external ones that affects entire
functions of an organisation.
Internal factors: Factors include in this business environment occur within the
organisation. It affects on employees, management, supply and demand of on organisation like
M&S. It includes:
Human resource: Business of M&S are mainly affect by its human resource. Abilities of
members associated with this company as well as their commitment and engagement effects
growth of its business in either positive or negative ways. Thus, management of this firm needs
to provide effective training program, performance appraisals and benefits for its employees in
order to gain their retention.
Organisational culture: Culture of business organisation governs with employee
behaviours that also effects a firm. Management of M&S needs to provide an appropriate
organisational culture in its workplace so that employees can work in a desired way (Shuxin,
2011).
External factors: These factors are directly impact on functional ability of a firm. These
factors are beyond control of an organisation. It includes:
Corporate Social Responsibility: CSR influences on organisational performance of a
firm as it directly interacts with total quality management. Management of M&S has invested
much on its CSR engagement in order to enhance customer value. This could be a potential drain
on profit maximisation also.
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Business Ethics: This factor mainly examining on ethical principles as well as problems
that arise in business. Business ethics help M&S to maintain better communication with
stakeholders as it includes norms, ethical and unethical practices. These practices is used to guide
its business operations also.
Trade laws: Trade laws regulate the import and export at international marketplace of
UK. It includes agreements, negotiations and various rules of trading as well as services supply
to customers. So, it effects businesses of all organisation including M&S (Akkerman, Farahani
and Grunow, 2010).
Suppliers and Distributors: Production of a firm like M&S, affect much by suppliers and
distributors. Suppliers supplies the raw materials and other resources to a firm and distributors
distribute its finished products to marketplace. So, both factors consider as main factors for
M&S. Its management need to maintain healthy relations with them.
Political factors: This is one of the essential factor on which company's performance
depends on all the rules and regulations formulated by the governmental bodies.
Economic factors: This element is essential in nature that can put impact on business
activities of an organisation. It has been analysed that changes in taxes which has been made by
government can affect in both ways positively and negatively.
Social factors: Consumers do belongs to this factor thus, it is mandatory for Marks &
Spencer to make changes in their products from time to time as per requirements of them.
Technological factors: New tools and techniques which gets updated in rapid manner at
marketplace. It is one of the external factor which needs to be taken care in a proper sort of
manner and adapt changes at right moment (Barratt, Choi and Li, 2011).
Legal factors: New rules and regulations, which is being made by management can needs
to be followed by every single employee without any failure
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that, by examining the discussion of
management and operations in this unit managers and leaders affects a business most. They take
complete responsibilities for managing the business operations of a firm. These responsibilities
are including planning, staffing, managing and organising the business activities. This unit has
described importance of management and operations in a firm along with different leadership
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styles. These leadership skills are discussing with various approaches with its strengths and
weaknesses.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Akkerman, R., Farahani, P. and Grunow, M., 2010. Quality, safety and sustainability in food
distribution: a review of quantitative operations management approaches and
challenges. Or Spectrum. 32(4). pp.863-904.
Barratt, M., Choi, T. Y. and Li, M., 2011. Qualitative case studies in operations management:
Trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. Journal of Operations
Management. 29(4). pp.329-342.
Binder, M. and Edwards, J. S., 2010. Using grounded theory method for theory building in
operations management research: A study on inter-firm relationship
governance. International Journal of Operations & Production Management. 30(3).
pp.232-259.
Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Chen, C. and et. al., 2011. Smart energy management system for optimal microgrid economic
operation. IET renewable power generation. 5(3). pp.258-267.
Chen, X. and et. al., 2010. DECOR: DEClarative network management and OpeRation. ACM
SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review. 40(1). pp.61-66.
Cruz, C. O. and Marques, R.C., 2011. Contribution to the study of PPP arrangements in airport
development, management and operation. Transport Policy. 18(2). pp.392-400.
Galindo, G. and Batta, R., 2013. Review of recent developments in OR/MS research in disaster
operations management. European Journal of Operational Research. 230(2). pp.201-
211.
Giegerich, B., 2010. Chapter two: military and civilian capabilities for EU-led crisis-
management operations. Adelphi Paper. 50(414-415). pp.41-58.
Ivanov, D., Sokolov, B. and Kaeschel, J., 2010. A multi-structural framework for adaptive supply
chain planning and operations control with structure dynamics siderations. European
Journal of Operational Research. 200(2). pp.409-420.
Jacobs, F. R., Chase, R. B. and Lummus, R. R., 2011. Operations and supply chain
management (Vol. 567). McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Kang, S. J., 2010. Management and Operation of Apartment Community Facilities and Post
Occupancy Evaluation-Focused on the R Apartments Complex in Daegu. Journal of the
Korean housing association. 21(4). pp.111-120.
Lind, A. O., 2013, June. Pipeline integrity management–from design to operation. In The
Twenty-third International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference. International
Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers.
Mendis, N., Muttaqi, K. M. and Perera, S., 2014. Management of battery-supercapacitor hybrid
energy storage and synchronous condenser for isolated operation of PMSG based
variable-speed wind turbine generating systems. IEEE Transactions on smart grid. 5(2).
pp.944-953.
Nakayama, F. S. and Bucks, D. A. Eds., 2012. Trickle irrigation for crop production: design,
operation and management (Vol. 9). Elsevier.
Shuxin, A., 2011. The Management and Operation Mechanism of Overseas Think Tank and Its
Enlightenment to China [J].Contemporary Economy & Management.5. p.021.
White, P., 2016. Public transport: its planning, management and operation. Taylor & Francis.
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Online
System leadership. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/topics/system-leadership>.
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