Operations Management and Sustainability

This solved assignment delves into the crucial field of operations management with a particular emphasis on sustainability. It explores various aspects of operations, including supply chain management, risk mitigation strategies, and the concept of the triple bottom line (environmental, social, and economic impact). The assignment draws upon academic literature and real-world examples to illustrate the significance of sustainable practices in modern operations.

Management and
operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Various roles and characteristics of a manager and leader...............................................1
M1 Differentiate between role and function of a leader and manager...................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Application of function and roles of a managers and leader in enterprise........................3
P3 Apply various models and theories including situational leadership................................4
M2 Strengths and weakness of various approaches...............................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches of operations management......................................................................6
P5 Value and importance of operations management in achieving business objectives........7
M3 Leaders and mangers improve efficiencies......................................................................9
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................9
P6 Elements of business environment which impact on decision making process of managers
and leaders..............................................................................................................................9
M4 Relationship between leadership and management affect business environment.........10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Operations management refers to the process of design manufacturing process in a way
so that efficiency can be achieve. Under this manager evaluate the current production process of
firm and if require, introduce some variations in order to make it more effective (Accomazzi and
et. al., 2012). This concept is also relate with the distribution process of enterprise. Basically, this
concept relate with the process covert raw material into final goods by effectively use various
resources and labour. Various elements and factor are there in an enterprise which affect its
activities and operations. Leaders and managers are the one who play a significant role in any
enterprise as these are the one who guide and encourage staff members to perform well.
Starbucks, a very popular brand which serves different type of coffee, tea and other beverages
products to its customers is taken under this report for analysis. Major roles which a leader and
manager play in an enterprise in different situation is all mentioned in this report. Further, key
approaches of operations management and importance of this concept in achieve set goals and
objectives is also given in this. In addition to this, elements which affect the decision making
process of managers and leaders is all describe in this.
TASK 1
P1 Various roles and characteristics of a manager and leader
There are many roles and duties which are required to perform by leader and manager of
Starbucks to manage the employees of effectively. This helps the company in completion of their
tasks and accomplishment of objectives. The roles of leader and manager are different. The main
role of leader is to motivate the members of team to perform their functions and development of
existing skills. They also provide the solutions regarding the problems which are faced by teams
members at workplace. Manager of organisation has different roles as they have to focus on
overall organisation and adopt various methods and process like training and development
programmes which helps in development of personality and professional career of employees.
Manager has to monitor the work of employees and identify the deviations which are reduces
their performance (Ageron, Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2012). They also includes the work
related to preparation of plans and strategies which are required to follow by all employees in
performance of their functions. While leader provides the direction and support to employees in
effectively adherence of such strategies and policies. Such different roles and responsibilities of
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leader and manager helps Starbucks in accomplishment of their desired results. Different roles
and characteristics of leaders and manager are define below:
Roles of leader
There are different roles of leader of Starbucks which are performed for accomplishment
of their functions and contributes in achievement of organisational targets. Build effective team: It is the duty of the leader to build effective team. This includes the
process of encourage team members to work in group with coordination to complete their
tasks within fixed period of time (Benjaafar, and Daskin, 2013). This helps in
development of relation among each other which creates trust and loyalty. This helps in
creation of positive atmosphere and supportive nature. Motivator: Leaders of Starbucks also have the role of motivator. This includes about
motivating the employees of company while performing their tasks to build their passion
and enthusiasm. For this purpose large number of methods and techniques are adopt by
leaders which helps in satisfaction of the different needs of employees. Supportive: Leaders have the role of provide support to their team members whenever
they face difficulties in their work. This includes about the process of listening of the
problems of employees and provide solutions. This helps in increase the morale and
productivity of employees.
Role of manager
There are many important roles are performed by manager of Starbucks. This helps in
effective regulation of the functions of organisation. Preparation of policies and strategies: Manager of Starbucks has the duty of preparation
of policies which helps to provide direction to employees of company while performing
their tasks (Childe, 2011). This helps in disbursement of roles and objectives to all the
employees. Provide training and development: It is the duty of manager to identify the different
needs of training and provide adequate programmes. This helps in development of skills
and personality of employees. This will work as motivating factor and helps to make
good relation with their workers.
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 Monitoring and controlling: This is the duty of manager to appraise the performance of
employees and provide benefits to high performer. This tactic will work as motivating
factor. This helps in control the employees and different important functions.
Characteristics of manager and leader of Starbucks
The important characteristics which are required to have by manager and leader while
performing their functions are define below: Positive attitude: To manage the operations of Starbucks effectively, both manager and
leaders have positive attitude (Drake and Spinler, 2013). This helps in removal of stress
and creation of familiar atmosphere at workplace. This contributes in creation of
innovation among the employees which increases productivity. Creative: This helps manger and leader to add on the creative feature in their products
and application of innovative ideas which saves the time and cost of operations. This
helps to attract large number of customers.
 Confident: Managers and leaders are required to have the quality of confidence while
taking important decisions. This helps the employees of company to believe on their
decisions and follow them in completion of their duties.
M1 Differentiate between role and function of a leader and manager
Leaders and managers both play an effective role in every organisation. Planning,
controlling, organising, directing, allocation of resources are the main roles of a manager. Roles
which a leader play in enterprise include encourage staff members, building teams, solve issues
of managers and many more.
TASK 2
P2 Application of function and roles of a managers and leader in enterprise
There are many functions are performed by manager and leader in organisation to attain
the success and sustainable development. Starbucks is multinational company and have large
number of business operations that can be achieved with the helps of employees. Both manager
and leader have the functions of guide and control the employees towards the achievement of
their individual and organisational goals (Gimenez, Sierra and Rodon, 2012). There different
functions are useful in different organisation situation to perfectly handle them with precision.
Such different roles and functions helps in balanced development of different departments and
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organisational situations. Application of different functions on different situations are define
below: Customers: This is the most important factor on which the profitability of Starbucks is
depends. Satisfaction of their different demand and providence of goods and services as
per their preferences helps in attainment of their loyalty and making of good relation with
them. In this regard manager of Starbucks has duty to monitor the quality of the goods
and services as per their preferences. They also have to make research about the market
to determine their views and problems and solve them with immediate effect. They also
have the duty to appoint the employees as per need to manage the functions. Similarly,
leaders have the duty to motivate the employees to use creative ideas to increase the
quality of products and make them more attractive (Griffin, 2013). Customer satisfaction
by Starbucks cab be achieved with the combine function of leader and manager. Employees: Employees are important assets of Starbucks as all the activities and success
of organisation id depends upon that. Both managers and leaders different function to
improve their performance. Managers have the duty of preparation of policies which
helps to guide the employees to perform their operations. They also provide training and
development programmes in development of their skills. Leaders have the roles regarding
motivation of employees and provides support.
 Society: It is important for Starbucks to provide CSR activities in development of
society. This helps in build their image in between the customers. Managers have the
duty to focus on providence of CSR activities ( Ham, Hitomi and Yoshida, 2012). This
includes the activities which adds on value, norms and attitudes. Similarly, leaders of
Starbucks have the role to guide the employees to perform work as per legal and ethical
norms.
P3 Apply various models and theories including situational leadership
There are different theories and approaches of leadership which need to be followed by
Starbucks. The manager and leader plays an important role in achieving desired goals and
objectives through providing direction and motivation to their employees. Therefore these
leadership theories and approaches help company to manage business activities in profitable
manner. These leadership theories and approaches are as follows:
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System leadership: This theory is beneficial for resolving problems and issues which
arise at workplace. For example: if Starbucks faces any any kind of issues or problems related
with business activities then it is the responsibility of the leader to resolve such issues in
effective and efficient way. The leader holds the responsibility of identifying various factors
which affects the business operations. In order to prevent such issues which make negative
effects on productivity of firm, the manager need to focus on solving such issues as soon as
possible otherwise it will harm the work environment at workplace.
Situational theory: This theory implies that leader need to focus on changing
environment and accordingly implement and adopt suitable style of leadership. This style of
leadership also known as flexible style of leadership (Tummala and Schoenherr, 2011).
According to this theory, one single style of leadership cannot be applicable in every kind of
situation in order to get positive result. Following are the some features of situation theory of
leadership:
 To complete allotted work, the employees need to develop unique techniques and
methods which help in maximising efficiency level in work. Under this theory, leader need to evaluate the changing situation in order to tackle
various issues.
Contingency leadership: As the business environment changes frequently which creates
difficulties for order to manage business operations. Therefore it is required for leader to develop
their ideas and opinions in order to execute business operation in more effective and efficient
manner. This theory help company in facing complex situation that may arise in working
environment.
Management theories:
Modern theory of management: The main objective of this theory is to enhance the
performance and productivity of employees which directly helps in achieving desired goals and
objectives (Accomazzi and et. al., 2012). It is important for manager to adopt innovative and
developed techniques and maintain healthy relation with their staff members so as to achieve
healthy work environment.
Classical theory of management: This theory of management provides the optimum
solution of completing allotted task within limited period of time. This will help company in
achieving future growth and profitability in competitive market. The manager is held responsible
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to find the economic and efficient ways to complete their activities in profitable manner which
directly help company in gaining competitive advantage.
M2 Strengths and weakness of various approaches
Contingency, system and situational ate the main approaches of leadership. Every
approach has its own strengths and weakness which affect the operations of company. Following
are the main strengths and weakness of these approaches.
Contingency: Main strength of this approach is that it help leader in collect relevant
information about various activities of business. Weakness is that it can be apply in all situations.
System: Strength of this approach is that it provide better control to leader over various
business operation. Weakness is that this is very complex.
Situational: This help managers in get about the training needs of workers but this
approach is less flexible.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches of operations management
Concept of operation management help and guide managers in manage various activities
of business especially related with production department. This help managers in doing planning
of future operations and ensure optimum utilisation of all resources (Kerzner, 2013). Major
approaches of operations management include the following: TQM (Total quality management): This is one of the most important approach of
operation management which says that every member of staff should do continuous
efforts to enhance its performance and quality of work. One of the main feature of this is
that it help organisation in produce and offer quality products to its customers and satisfy
them. To achieve the same, it is very essential for managers of Starbucks to offer training
to its workers. Just in time: This approach is use by enterprise to increase profits and productivity of
company. Under this, managers ensure minimum wastage of raw material and
equipments. Feature of this is that it increase quality of products and services which firm
offer to its customers and at the same time help in achieve efficiency in production
process. Lean production: This approach consists a step by step procedure which manager follow
to increase efficiency of business activities (Kusluvan and et. al., 2010). This help
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enterprise in offer quality products to its customers at affordable prices which increase
market share of company. Six sigma: Under this, managers use a mix of tools and techniques to improve features
and quality of products. Manager identify any kind of defect if exist in production
process and eliminate the same to make the process more effective. Various empirical
and statistical methods are use in this which helps in form a group of individuals
expertise in these methods. Main aim behind using this approach includes increase
profits, reduce cost, get satisfaction of customers and many more. This can be apply by
manager Starbucks to remove barriers form production process. Queuing: This approach guide and help manager in make the queuing of products
effective. This help managers in predict queuing time of every product.
 Continuous improvement: This approach of operation management ensure improvement
in quality and features of company's product on timely basis (Laudon and Laudon, 2016).
When company add a new and specific feature in its products then it help in better satisfy
the needs of customers and art the same time increase its profits.
Major roles which a leader and manager perform in an enterprise consists the following: Planning: Process of decide future action of an enterprise and identify the resources and
funds which will require to implement the same is known as planning. It comes under the
responsibility of leaders and managers of Starbucks to formulate plans and motivate
employees to work accordingly. Managing: Manger is the one who remain liable to manage every business activity. He is
the one who evaluate business activities and employee's performance and identify the
areas of improvement. Further, leaders direct and guide workers so they can achieve their
set goals and objectives in an effective manner.
 Coordinating: It is very essential that there must be coordination among every
department of company. This ensure minimum wastage of resources and at the same time
improves efficiency.
P5 Value and importance of operations management in achieving business objectives
One of the main reason why concept of operation management is important in today's
business environment is because this provide an opportunity to managers to identify the factors
that affect the business activity and at the same time remove uncertainty (Lewis and Brown,
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2012). This help manager in complete all business operations in minimum time. Overall the
concept of operation management provide various advantages to enterprise which is stated below
under the following points: Increase productivity of enterprise: Concept of operation management encourage
creativity at workplace and help staff members in find new ways to complete a work. In
addition to this, this help managers in identify and remove the obstacles form production
process and help in maximise the outputs. Development of various skills in employees
ensure effective execution of every business process and increase productivity of
organisation. Help in get customer satisfaction: Concept of operations management helps managers in
maintain quality of business products. This help in attract more number of customers and
at the same time increase profits of enterprise. This provide various long term benefits to
company. Minimum wastage of resources: To achieve set goals and objectives and efficiency in
production process, it is very important for managers of Starbucks to remove barriers and
obstacles from production process (Moutinho, 2011). With help of this, firm can offer
quality products to its customers at affordable prices. Further, this also provide
competitive benefit to company. Increase profits: Elimination of unnecessary obstacles and barriers from production
process increase efficiency and at the same time ensure optimum utilisation of all
resources. All this increase profits of company and provide various other advantages. Provide various long term benefits to company: One of the most important features of
operation management is that it enhance production process and at the same time quality
of company's products. This help company in serve more number of customers and
provide various long term advantages.
 Expensive but essential: Whole concept of operation management is very expensive as
this require expertise to manage various operations of company. A little mistake in
calculations results in huge losses (Nagurney, Masoumi and Yu, 2012). But
implementation of this concept in an effective way is very important as this provide
various advantages to enterprise.
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M3 Leaders and mangers improve efficiencies
There is no doubt that both leaders and managers play a big role in every enterprise.
Reason behind this is that these are the one who formulate strategies and implement the same at
workplace so company can achieve its set goals and objectives in an effective way. Not only this,
these are the one who guide employees and perform well which increase profits and market share
of enterprise.
TASK 4
P6 Elements of business environment which impact on decision making process of managers and
leaders
Huge number of elements are there which exist in business environment and affect the
operations of company. Basically, all elements are divided into two main headings known as
internal and external factors.
Internal elements: This heading consist the factors which exist internal environment of
company. Further these can be better understood by following points: Employees: Staff members working in enterprise and their skills, abilities, beliefs and
attitudes all affect the business activity and operation of an enterprise (Paryani, 2011).
When company has skilled workers then it provide large number of benefits to
organisation. For example: skilled staff members ensure effective execution of business
activities and help enterprise in find new and creative ways to serve customers. Suppliers: These are known as those individuals who provide raw materials to firm in
order to make finish products. Relations with suppliers and the quality of raw materials
which they offer to enterprise also affect business activity. Customers: These are the individuals for which company produce variety of products.
Whenever a variation take place in needs and preferences of customers then this affect
the business and production process of company.
External factors: This consists the factors which exist outside the environment of
organisation and are little controllable by firm. This consists the following: Political: Rules, regulations and policies formulate by government affect the
management of business operations (Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015). Every
organisation follow regulations for execute business operations and any kind of variation
in these policies affect functioning of enterprise.
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 Social: Society in which a business enterprise execute its operations and its norms affect
the decision which leaders and managers take. To achieve end goals in an effective way
and to earn more amount of profits is is very essential that all norms must be follow by
Starbucks. Environmental: Climatic conditions of a country in which company operate and the
material which company use for make its finish goods all affect its productivity and
profitability. Economic: This consists elements such as deflation rate, inflation rate and interest rate
which also affect the business operations of enterprise (Starr and Van Wassenhove,
2014). Legal: This consists the laws which government of country made to manage economic
growth of a nation. This also affect the decision and actions of leaders.
 Technological: In today's business environment, where needs and wants of customers are
changing at a fast speed. It is very important for every enterprise to use updated
technology to offer features products to its customers and to satisfy their needs in an
effective manner. Variation in existing technology or introduction of a new technology
affect the activities of an organisation.
M4 Relationship between leadership and management affect business environment
As Starbucks is operating in various areas so number of elements are there which affect
its business operations such as political, legal, social and many more ( Stevenson and Sum,
2015). It is very essential that all these factor must be study by manager before introduce a new
product in market or before take any big decision for company. In addition to this, employees,
suppliers and customers are internal elements which also affect the decision making process of a
company.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it can be concluded that concept of operation management
can be use by an enterprise like Starbucks in order to get efficiency in production process and to
offer quality products and services to its customers. Both leaders and managers contribute a lot in
success and growth of a company as these are the one who formulate policies and at the same
time guide employees top work well. Leadership also play a big role in affecting performance of
employees so it is very important that right style of leadership must be use by leader of Starbucks
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so staff members can do well. Number of elements are there which affect the decision making
process of managers and leaders so it is very important that those factors must be identify and
consider by them for take right decision.
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REFERENCES
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