Management and Operations: A Comprehensive Analysis of Leadership, Management, and Operations Management

This report delves into the intricate relationship between leadership, management, and operations management. It explores the distinct roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, examining how they apply in different situations. The report analyzes various theories and models of leadership, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and contingency leadership, and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, it examines the key approaches to operations management, highlighting their importance in achieving business objectives. The report also assesses the factors within the business environment that impact operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers, analyzing how these factors affect the wider business environment and community. Through a comprehensive analysis of these concepts, the report provides valuable insights into the critical role of leadership, management, and operations management in achieving organizational success.

Management and Operations
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Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................3
Task 1..............................................................................................................................................................................4
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.............................................4
a) Definitions of a leader and manager..................................................................................................................4
b) Comparisons of the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers giving examples within your
Organisation....................................................................................................................................................................4
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different............................7
c) Explanation of how the following apply in different situations using examples;......................................................7
I. The roles of a leader....................................................................................................................................................7
II. The functions of a manager within your organisation................................................................................................7
M1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying a range
of theories and concepts..................................................................................................................................................8
d) Explanation of how a manager you identified carry out his/her functions giving examples.....................................9
M2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work environment...........10
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and
contingency...................................................................................................................................................................11
e) Application of at least 2 leadership models (which could include situational leadership, systems leadership, and
contingency leadership) to explain how they are applied in the organisation by any manager....................................11
D1 Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given contexts.................13
Task 2............................................................................................................................................................................14
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play....................14
a) Explain the key approaches to operations management..................................................................................14
b) Explain the role of Amazons leaders and managers with regards to its operations management...................14
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives............................16
c) Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving Amazons business objectives....16
M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet
business objectives........................................................................................................................................................18
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision-
making by leaders and managers..................................................................................................................................19
d) Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon Amazons;....................................................19
I. operational management............................................................................................................................................19
II. Decision-making by its leaders and managers.........................................................................................................20
M4 Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community...............................21
D2 Critically evaluate the application of operations management and factors that impact on the wider business
environment..................................................................................................................................................................22
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................................................23
References.....................................................................................................................................................................24
2

Introduction
This unit of management and operations explains the various responsibilities and roles of the
manager or a leader. As same the comparison in between of the roles and characteristic of a
manager or a leader has also taken place in this unit in an effective manner. Many of the theories
and model has been explained in this unit to understand the aims and goals of the managers and
the leaders in an appropriate manner. The example of Toyota Plc. has taken in this study which is
a British automobile company of United Kingdom. It also includes the weakness and strengths of
the different approaches and theories in the working environment. The theories of situational
leadership, contingency leadership and behavioral leadership have explained in this unit in the
perfect manner. A proper differentiation in between of a manager or a leader has been stated in
this unit to understand it in the better manner.
3

Task 1
Introduction
This management report differentiates the characteristics and roles of a leader and the managers.
As same it also includes the various theories and concepts to understand it better.
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
a) Definitions of a leader and manager
It is well known that the leaders and the managers are two different characters. The leader is
known for focusing on the employees for motivating them to complete their work in given
deadline. A manager is the one who works into the required direction for achieving the
organisational goals in a complete manner. Both of these personalities a manager or the leader
works with the aim of accomplishing the mission and vision of the company.
b) Comparisons of the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers giving examples
within your Organisation.
Comparisons in the roles and characteristics of a leader and manager are well differentiated
below-
(Figure: Leader & Manager)
(Source: By Author)
4

Manager Leader
According to Sopta, et. al. (2017), a manager is
the person who designs and manages the entire
process or activities of Toyota Plc. A person
who performs for setting the objectives and
goals of a group or a team is known as the
manager. A manager is the one who decides
that which activity or task should get
performed by a person for meeting the
organisation goals and objectives as well. As
same he helps in accomplishing the
predetermined goals of the business in the
perfect manner. A manager of Toyota Plc.
establishes so many strategies or policies in
their workplace for better outcomes. At the
other hand manager mainly focuses on making
the employees and customers satisfied and
happy in each and every manner so that
organisation does not face any negative
situation. By managing all the functions and
activities of the business in the proper manner,
a manager tries to get their business on top. A
manager also helps their employees for getting
appraised by motivating them for towards the
hard work. As same they encourage them to
bring some innovations or creations in their
work which can add some extra advantages in
A leader is well known for creating a
motivational or inspirational vision for the
organisation or the employees. The main vision
of the leaders is to motivate the employee's
towards their work and to inspire them for
completing their responsibilities in the perfect
manner. Motivating and inspiring the
employees helps in making the business
successful in much broader manner. As same it
helps the employees to achieve their task or
mission in given time frame or deadline. They
always focus on the employees so that they do
not face any issues for maintaining their
performance and objectives towards the
business. It can be said that a leader is the one
who influences and inspires people for
increasing their efficiency and effectiveness of
the work. It has been observed very well that
leader mostly get their job and responsibilities
done by leading other people or by giving
orders to other people. As same they try to
increases the quality of the employees for
better outcomes.
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their results or outcomes (Sopta, et. al., 2017).
6

P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different.
c) Explanation of how the following apply in different situations using examples;
I. The roles of a leader
II. The functions of a manager within your organisation
According to Swink, et. al. (2017), managers and leaders play an imperative role in meeting the
objectives, mission, vision, and goals of the business. Both the leaders and the managers function
very attractively so that they can achieve success in their business by taking it on top. The
managers and the leaders are known for performing in the desired and accurate directions so that
risk or failure can take no place. The issues which Toyota Plc is facing in their business are the
decrement in the prices of the auto parts. These kinds of issues take the business into the
situation of loss or negativity. As same it also affects the goodwill of the organisation in the
target market. This kind of scenarios and issues requires performing some management functions
and the skills of leadership including effective and efficient strategies which can help in
increasing the cost or prices of the products and services in a well-behaved manner. These
strategies help in increasing the efficiency of the business and goodwill as well as the target
market. There are so many traits and styles of leadership which greatly helps the organisation to
function or perform in the proper manner. All those strategies also help in increasing the profit
and revenue of the business in such a great manner. Some of those theories of management have
well explained below, it also includes the simplifications of the skills of leadership for the
growth of the business (Swink, et. al., 2017).
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M1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by
effectively applying a range of theories and concepts.
Classical Management Theory Behavioural Management Theory
The classical theory of management generally
focuses on implementing all the process and
policies which can help in increasing the
production and quality of the products and
services of the organisation. As same by the
help of this theory manager motivates their
workers or employees for improving their
effectiveness and efficiency towards the
production and services of the organisation.
The classical theory of management greatly
helps in increasing the revenue of the business
by minimising the cost and situations of loss in
an efficient or effective manner.
According to Sopta, et. al. (2017), the
behavioral theory of management encourages
their workers and employees by following the
process and policies of the business in an
appropriate manner. This management theory
focuses on the style of transformational
leadership which includes the skills and
abilities of the leaders and the worker as well.
According to this theory, the superiors or
supervisor communicate with their employees
for defining all the policies and procedures of
the organisation of Toyota Plc so that business
does not get into the situation of risk or loss
(Sopta, et. al., 2017).
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d) Explanation of how a manager you identified carry out his/her functions giving
examples.
It has been well understood that the managers of any of the organisation are completely
responsible and answerable for functioning and managing all the activities of the business. As
same he donates certain duties and responsibilities to the employees or workers of the association
for completing the organisational activities. The manager of the Toyota Plc. is responsible for
completing some responsibilities and duties of the organisation, some of those are stated below
 According to Sayles (2017), the manager of the association will be ensuring to all the employees
about the expectations and goals of the business in the perfect manner.
 The manager will be setting the goals and objectives of the business to accomplish them for
achieving success in Toyota Plc.
 A manager will be responsible for preparing a structure of daily communication with his
employees or workers to discuss the activities and tasks of Toyota Plc.
 The managers will motivate their employees to complete their tasks and activities beyond time
and without any failure.
 The managers will try to improve the efficiency of the employees to perform better.
 A manager is a responsible person for organising, planning, managing and executing all the plans
for the business to achieve success.
 A manager will work hard to reduce the conflicts between of the employees or workers (Sayles,
2017).
9

M2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the
work environment.
According to Sarkis (2017), six sigma approaches helps the Toyota Plc in focusing on the
performance of workers and employees for improving the efficiency of the organisation. It helps
in planning all the strategies of the business in a successful manner. Six Sigma approach helps in
motivating the employees of the business to perform well and as same in increasing the efforts of
the entire team to work with efficiency.
Total quality management is well known for focusing on the quality of the products which is
getting provided by the business to its target customers. It focuses on making the customers
satisfied and happy so that business can get expand in the wider manner without facing any
negativity (Sarkis, 2017).
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P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership,
systems leadership, and contingency.
e) Application of at least 2 leadership models (which could include situational leadership,
systems leadership, and contingency leadership) to explain how they are applied in the
organisation by any manager.
There are so many models and theories of approaches which gets applied in an association by the
manager. Situational leadership, contingency leadership, and system leadership are well
discussed below-
System Leadership
Theory
According to Prabhakar (2017), the system leadership theory
motivates the leaders for controlling the works of employees by
taking care of them or communicating with them from time to
time. The employees and workers of Toyota Plc. work so
effectively for completing the actual need and requirements of the
business. The changes which are required for the betterment of the
organisation also get implemented by the managers. The managers
follow some strategies to improve the products and services of the
association in the well-behaved manner (Prabhakar, 2017).
Contingency Leadership
Theory
The contingency theory focuses on the strategies which have been
implemented by the organisation for its success. The leaders are
the most important part of the organisation for bringing the
changes in Toyota Plc. It has been observed that because of
implementing some changes organisation gets affected negatively
in terms of increase. It brings some changes in the organisation
which takes the prices of products and services down, it affects the
production and profitability of the business.
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Situational
Leadership Theory
According to Rhodes, et. al., (2017), the situational style of
leadership is well known for depending on the skills,
opportunities, and abilities of the employees. The style of
leadership focuses on their employees to complete their tasks in
perfect time without missing the deadline. It helps the organisation
in fulfilling their objectives and goals at the time. As same, this
style of leadership is also very helpful in maintaining the
efficiency of the business in the proper manner (Rhodes, et. al.,
2017).
Conclusion
This written report includes the various theories of management which helps in understanding
the functions and activities of a leader and a manager.
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D1 Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in
given contexts.
According to Nadine (2017), contingency theory is well known for applying the various
strategies in the business that helps the business in bringing some positive changes. It helps in
increasing the demands of the products and services into the completive market. But some of the
times changes also affect negatively to the business environment with the lower prices. On the
other hand situational leadership always influence their workers to perform better with
efficiency.
Situational leadership theory helps the organisation in completing the organisational tasks and
activities beyond time by influencing and motivating their employees in such a great manner. On
the other hand, contingency leadership theory helps in running the business successfully by
including some required changes time to time (Nadine, 2017).
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Task 2
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play.
a) Explain the key approaches to operations management
b) Explain the role of Amazons leaders and managers with regards to its operations
management
It is well known that operations management administers all the functions or activities of the
organisation for improving the efficiency and quality of the services and production. The
operations management tries to utilize all the resources of the business in an appropriate manner.
By this, it can get understood that the department is responsible for increasing the productivity
and profit of the business. Some of the key approaches to operations management that help in
maintaining the activities of the business in perfect manner are discussed below-
Total Quality Management
According to Kumar., et. al. (2017), this
management approach mainly focuses on
producing the products and services with
perfect quality so that customers can get fully
satisfied. It helps in increasing the target
customers which is very useful for increasing
the effectiveness of the business in the
competitive market. As same it also focuses on
the regularly required changes that can help the
business to improve more. The Amazon
applies this theory of total management quality
to meet the customer’s desires and
expectations. In this theory, manager applies
the strategies of KAIZEN which helps in
improving the standard of the business and
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motivating the employees in such a great
manner to perform with excellence (Kumar, et.
al., 2017).
Six Sigma Approach
According to Lee (2017), this approach mainly
gets used by the business of Amazon. The
main objective of this approach is to focus on
the employees or workers for accomplishing
their all business requirements and goals as
well. It generally focuses on completing the
task at the time which helps in improving the
performance of Amazon. It also includes some
better ways, plans, and strategies by the
managers to increase the better utilisation of
products and services into the business. Six
Sigma approach gets applied by the
organisation for improving the effectiveness of
the business in the required manner which
proves very beneficial for the organisational
success (Lee, 2017).
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P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives.
c) Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving Amazons
business objectives.
It is very well observed that operations department plays an imperative role in the success of the
business. The operations manager works for planning, staffing, controlling, organising, directing,
motivating and etc. The importance of the operations management is well defined below-
 According to Khan (2017), the operations department works with making sure that the demands
and requirements of the customers should get fulfilled into the target market in the perfect
manner. It also takes care of providing the services and products to the customers with easy
availability. The procedure and process help the business in expanding their market in a global
manner.
 The operations management also provides after sales services to its customers, which helps in
increasing the trust and faith of the customers towards the business. By this process, the issues
and dissatisfaction of the customers get reduced. Amazon also includes the facilities to return the
product in case of any problem or issue. It helps in increasing the goodwill of the business in the
competitive market.
 This department works with the two main objectives and goals which are better utilisation of
resources and the best customer service. These strategies are interrelated to each other and help
the organisation to meet success (Khan, 2017).
 The business of Amazon deals at both national and international level by including various
products and services. Managing all the activities and meeting the customer’s expectations in a
complete manner at a time is quite hard but the operations management work by maintaining the
proper balance in between of both. It includes so many activities within the business which helps
in increasing the efficiency of the employees and customers in an attractive manner. As same it
works for meeting the demands of both in a successful manner.
16

 The operations management works so hard in maintaining and arranging the financial resources
like investments, funding, a source of income and etc. It greatly impacts the development and
growth of the business. The positive condition of the operations management helps in operating
with some innovative ideas and creations which helps in increasing the demands of the products
and services into the target market.
 Some of the requirements of the business such as location, land, equipment to perform business
also get managed by the operations manager. Less resource affects the good number of
production, wherein the availability of all the required resources helps in increasing the business
with profitability.
17

M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational
management to successfully meet business objectives.
According to Gopee, et. al., (2017), leaders and managers play a vital role in the success of the
business. The managers and the leaders can include some attractive activities for the motivation
of the employees in the business. They can announce some appraisals, rewards, and recognition
for the employees, which will improve the attention of the employees to towards the business in
operations management (Gopee, et. al., 2017).
According to Imes, et. al. (2017), managers and leaders can try various ways for motivating the
employees towards the business by including some bonus points, arranging some games or
activities, which will increase their enthusiasm towards the organisation. All these kind of
activities will help the employees to become more energetic, active and dynamic as well. It will
also help the business to reach its goals and fulfilling the objectives (Imes, et. al., 2017).
18

P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by leaders and managers.
d) Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon Amazons;
I. operational management
The internal environment of an organisation includes some factors which impact the success of
the operations management and business. The internal operations are the key to success of the
business so it is important to manage all the internal operations in a well-behaved manner. Some
of those internal factors which affect the management of operations in both positive and negative
manner are well discussed below-
 According to Harrison, et. al. (2017), in order to meet the organisational goals, it is important to
check the strengths of the employees that if they are motivated or not. It has been observed very
well that the laziness of the employees affects the success of the business in such a negative
manner. Wherein motivated employees helps in meeting the goals of the business in a successful
manner.
 The role of the leadership is also getting considers as the essential internal factors of the
business. For the success of the organisation, operations management follows the structure or
formal data with the statement of vision or mission given by the association.
 Human resources like volunteers, target audience also help in managing the operations
department in an efficient manner. The target customers of the business help in achieving all the
targets of the operations management in the perfect manner by getting attracted towards the
products and services (Harrison, et. al., 2017).
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II. Decision-making by its leaders and managers.
It is a fact that the various factors of an environment of the organisation affect the decision
making of the managers and leaders both. Some of those environmental factors are discussed
below-
 It is true that money helps the business in improving its situation. Lack of financial resources
may take the business into the situation of loss. Most of the times it can also take the business to
end of it. Without money, no business can run for longer. The proper financial resources help in
improving the production of the products and services in a required manner. As same, the
dissatisfaction of the customers gets reduced in the proper manner. Working with less financial
resources affects the decision making of the leader and the managers as they cannot take any
effective decisions to meet the customer’s wants.
 According to Grant, et. al. (2017), the organisational culture such as values, attitudes, beliefs,
priorities and etc. also affects the business in both negative and positive manner. The raised
conflicts in between of employees of the Amazon sometimes take the leaders and managers
decisions in no ways. They become fail to take any decisions for the success of the business as
because conflicts in between of employees affects the peaceful environment and as same as the
profitability of the association.
 The strength of the workers also affects the decision making of the leaders and managers.
Working with the less number of employees it becomes very hard to implement some required
changes. For managing the business in the proper manner and maintain it at the wider level, it is
very important to have sufficient employees, so that employees can present some new ideas,
ways or thoughts to run the business in the successful manner (Grant, et. al., 2017).
20

M4 Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider
community.
According to Eacott (2017), there are so many factors that help the business in fulfilling their
needs and requirements in an efficient manner. A strength of the employees, human resources,
financial resources are some most important factors which greatly contributes to meeting the
organisational goals. Without having sufficient fund it is impossible to meet the demands of the
customers on time. Not meeting the demands of the customers negatively affects the
environment of the business. On the other hand, having the sufficient financial resources helps in
completing the organisational and customers requirements in a complete manner. As same, the
human resources also like having the good number of employees greatly helps in fulfilling the
demands of the customers at the time with quality.
Some of the other equipment like proper land and location, machinery, equipment is also the
essential factors which help in completing the business requirement in a successful manner. Not
having proper machinery and equipment affects the business environment in such a negative
manner. As the same land with good location increases the attractiveness of the business in the
competitive market and helps the business in reducing the chances of negativity and failure
(Eacott, 2017).
21

D2 Critically evaluate the application of operations management and factors that impact
on the wider business environment.
According to Bolander Laksov, et. al., (2017), the applications of operations management greatly
focuses on the strategic operations of management. It also helps in increasing the manufacturing
in both international and domestic level. It is very well known that the positive condition of the
business environment takes the business on top. Having proper resources like human, finance
and other equipment help in increasing the productivity and profitability of the business in such a
great manner. All these factors impact so positively on the environments of the business. On the
other hand, lacking behind with all these impacts the environment and success of the business in
a negative manner (Bolander Laksov, et. al., 2017).
According to Dalkir, et. al. (2017), the proper fund, a source of income impacts the business
environment in such a great manner by fulfilling the needs and requirements of the business
completely. It also helps in fulfilling the demand of the customers in a required manner which
impacts so positively on the environment of the business. At the other hands not having all these
proper resources available, takes the business into the situation of loss or failure (Dalkir, et. al.,
2017).
(Image: Operations Manager)
(Source: Operations Manager, 2015)
22

Conclusion
This study of management & operations helps in understanding the leaders and managers role in
the success of the business. It also includes various theories of management to understand it
better. The importance of operations management in running the organisation successfully has
been defined very well in this unit. It also includes the various factors which affect the decision
making of the managers or leaders in both negative and positive manner. As same it includes
different styles of leadership management which gratefully helps the business in meeting its
objectives. These styles of leadership management help in reducing the chances of loss or failure
form the business. Various ways of operations which help in increasing the profitability and
production of the business has been taken place in this unit in an attractive manner.
23

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