Operations Management at M&S Ltd.

This assignment examines the influence of internal and external factors on the business operations of M&S Ltd. It explores the role of managers and leaders in achieving company goals, highlighting the importance of operational strategies and direction from top authority. The analysis delves into PESTLE factors such as political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental influences that affect M&S's operations and decision-making process.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager........1
M1: Differentiate between role and function of a leader and manager.......................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2. Application of role of a leader and function of a manager in various situations..................3
P3. Apply various models and theories including situational leadership....................................4
M2: Strengths and weaknesses of various approaches...............................................................5
D1: Analyse and evaluate various approaches and theories to leadership..................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Key approaches of operations management and role of managers and leaders....................6
P5: Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives............7
M3: Managers and leaders can improve efficiencies of operational management.....................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6: Business environmental factors upon operational management...........................................8
M4: Factors that affects business operations and decision making process...............................9
D2. Application of operations management................................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
.......................................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is considered as a heart of company which contributes their
maximum efforts in converting inputs into useful output in order to provide extra value to the
targeted customers. Operation management focuses on performing operational activities through
implementing planning, designing, monitoring and controlling which help in achieving desired
objectives (Akkerman, Farahani and Grunow, 2010). The main purpose of this report to provide
the importance of role of manager and leader in achieving growth and success of an organisation.
Mark and Spencer (M&S) Ltd., which is one of the leading retail sector industry in UK is taken
for the purpose of preparing this report. It will cover various approaches and theories which are
applied in influencing the business activities.
TASK 1
P1. Defining and comparing different roles and characteristics of a leader and manager
Manager and leader both perform important and different roles in achieving the desired
goals and objectives. The roles of managers and leaders in M&S Ltd. are described as follows:
Leaders: It refers to the person who has skills and abilities to motivate their workers in
order to get work done from them in an effective and efficient manner. They are responsible to
create and maintain a healthy environment at workplace through providing guidance and
direction to achieve the desired targets. The main objective of leader is to influence and inspire
the employees in order to improve their skills and capabilities to perform well (Barratt, Choi
and Li, 2011). They mainly focus on bringing unity among employees members and
encouraging them to work as a team in order to bring maximum positive result. Leaders should
be supportive in nature and required to collect feedback and problems that their employees
faces during performing business activities and accordingly implement corrective measure in
order to resolve them in an effective and efficient manner.
Manager: It is the one who formulate effective polices and strategies in order to achieve
desired objectives of company. They are responsible to conduct training sessions and
development programs with a motive of improving their skills and knowledge so that they can
able to contribute maximum efforts in achieving organisational goals in profitable manner.
Manager of M&S Spencer Ltd. Are responsible to manage business operations and control
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unnecessary activities which can affect the performance of company in negative way.
Therefore both manager and leader of M&S Spencer Ltd. Contribute their maximum efforts
using their effective skills and capabilities to achieve desired goals within pre-determined time
period (Binder and Edwards, 2010).
Difference between the managers and leaders
As they both perform with the help of skills and knowledge to achieve common
objective of company but in different way. Manager is one who create policies and strategies
whereas leader is one who direct employees to follow such polices in order to achieve pre-
determined target. The difference between managers and leaders are explained as under:
Managers Leaders
He is the one set objectives of company which
need to be achieved within limited period of
time.
He is the one who follow such policies and
guidelines implemented by manager to achieve
desired target.
Managers are responsible to provide guidance
to to the groups.
Leaders are responsible to guide and direct in
team.
Managers communicate their employees to
perform their delegated task within limited
period of time
Leaders implements motivational programs to
their members to improve their skills and
abilities so that they can perform task in
profitable manner.
Manager is one who always ready to take risk
to achieve best possible outcome.
Leader should concentrate to follow various
methods and techniques to reduce risk which
can not affect the performance of company.
In M&S Spencer Ltd. A UK company which deals in manufacturing and selling
clothing, homes products and luxury food products. So it is important for management of
company to develop effective strategies in order to enhance productivity and profitability. The
managers of M&S Spencer Ltd. are responsible to establish standards wit a motive of
improving overall performance of employees as well as company (Burke, 2013). Leaders with
their effective and efficient communications skills motive its workers and direct them in order
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to get work done from them in better way.
M1: Differentiate between role and function of a leader and manager
They both plays an important and crucial role in different way in order to achieve
business objectives. Manager perform their role in terms of formulating effective plans and
policies to direct employees to perform their allotted task whereas leader should motivate their
workers to perform in an effective and profitable manner. Through performing different style and
approaches the manager and leader can effective perform their roles and responsibilities.
Leadership theories:
System leadership: This theory help in maintaining working system so that desired
outcome may be achieved in an effective and efficient manner.
Management theory:
Modern theory of management: This theory has main objective is to enhance abilities
and skills of their employees which help them in contribute their maximum efforts in achieving
pre-determined targets.
TASK 2
P2. Application of role of a leader and function of a manager in various situations
In M&S Spencer Ltd. Managers and leaders both perform their different roles and
responsibilities in different situations which help company to attain stable and strong positive in
competitive market (Chen and et. al., 2011). They both need to have effective skills and
capabilities to deal with different situations in such an efficient way so that the performance of
company are not much affected. Application of role of a leader and function of a manager
and leader are mentioned as under:
Customers: They are the one on which the M&S Spencer Ltd. should focus on in order to
attain huge profitability. As the company deals in manufacturing and selling clothing and
housing product which are an essential requirement of people. So it is important for company to
provide good quality product with a motive of attracting large number of customers. For this
manager need to focus on managing business activities and implement effective pricing strategy
which provides maximum satisfaction to their targeted customers. Leader also play an important
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role in motivate their workers to use their efforts in enhancing quality of product in order to
retain loyal customers.
Employees: Without contribution of employees the company will get no existence in
market world. So it is important for manager of M&S Spencer Ltd. To formulate training and
development programs with a motive of improving the skills and capabilities of their workers
(Chen and et. al., 2010). In order to create healthy environment so that their employees feels
motivated the managers need to introduce various incentive programs to maximise the interest
and satisfaction level of employees. Leaders guide their workers to produce quality products
through utilizing available resources at an optimum manner.
Society: The products sold by M&S Spencer Ltd. will create a huge impact on the
society. For example if M&S Spencer Ltd. Manufactures cloth only for male then it will create
bad impact on women group. Therefore it is important for a managers of company to concentrate
on all type of citizens and accordingly manufactures products which maximises the interest and
satisfaction level of every citizens living in UK (Cruz and Marques,2011). The leaders of
company need to direct the members of company to execute business operations without
harming ethical as well as legal values and customs.
Suppliers: It refers to one who supply or transmit raw materials to company on time
which enable company to perform further business activities. So it is essentially required for
manager of M&S Spencer Ltd. To maintain healthy relations with them in order to get input as a
raw materials on time with an effective prices that will help company in meeting the needs and
demands of customers in an effective and efficient manner. In order to get huge profit the
manager need to first analyse different suppliers and select one which is agreed to transmit raw
material with an effective price. Leader need to guide the employees to utilize raw material in
such an optimum manner that will bring maximum output while manufacturing process.
P3. Apply various models and theories including situational leadership
In M&S Spencer Ltd. There are various theories and models which are used in order to
pre-determined goals and objectives. Adopting such theories will motivate its workers to perform
well in order to get profitable result (Galindo, and Batta, 2013). Therefore it is essential to
understand such theories which bring positive impact on the overall performance of company.
Leadership theories:
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System leadership: This theory is applies with a motive of resolving all issues and
problems related to business operations through which company can achieve its desired goals in
an effective manner. For example if any dispute occur between the employees, or between the
manager and employees then this systematic approach need to followed in order to resolve such
conflicts in such a manner that will not harm interest of both involved parties. Leader is held
responsible to make proper analysis of working environment and implement corrective actions if
required, to maintain healthy environment. This will help M&S Spencer Ltd. to achieve desired
without facing any difficulties.
Situational theory: As the different situations are arises at workplace which affect the
business operation in negative way therefore it is important for a leader to adopt suitable style or
approach to deal with different situations. This theory indicates that one single theory is not
effective for handling every complex situations. The approach should be selected on the basis of
situation arise at working environment.
Contingency leadership: As business organisation operates its activities in environment
which is contingent in nature which affect business operation either in negative or positive way.
Therefore it is required for managers of M&S Spencer Ltd. to properly analysis such changing
environment and accordingly implement effective strategy in order to develop working style with
a motive of achieving desired goals ( Giegerich, 2010). A leader need to apply contingency
theory at working environment which help them in gaining competitive advantage.
Management theory:
Modern theory of management: This theory has main objective is to improve skills and
knowledge of their employees which help them in contribute their maxiLeadership theories:
System leadership: This theory is applies with a motive of resolving all issues and
problems related to business operations through which company can achieve its desired goals in
an effective manner. Situational theory: As the different situations are arises at workplace
which affect the business operation in negative way therefore it is important for a leader to adopt
suitable style or approach to deal with different situations. mum efforts in achieving pre-
determined targets. This will ensure the effectiveness and efficiency in business activities which
brings positive result for the company.
Classical theory of management: According to this, leader focuses on bringing
efficiency in work through finding easiest and economical way in order to generate huge profit.
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This theory will be effective if the leaders are having complicated task and need to be performed
in order to attain competitive advantage.Leadership theories:
System leadership: This theory is applies with a motive of resolving all issues and
problems related to business operations through which company can achieve its desired goals in
an effective manner. Situational theory: As the different situations are arises at workplace
which affect the business operation in negative way therefore it is important for a leader to adopt
suitable style or approach to deal with different situations.
M2: Strengths and weaknesses of various approaches
Contingency theory of leadership: Strengths: This theory help in managing and monitoring contingent environment through
adopting various techniques.
 Weaknesses: Sometimes manager are unable to identify contingent environment will
bring negative result in future.
System theory of leadership: Strengths: Through systematic structure manager enable to identify and resolve problems
occur at workplace (Ivanov, Sokolov and Kaeschel,2010).
 Weaknesses: As due to high complexity and contingency the approach may not be that
much effective.
Situational theory: Strengths: This theory help in maintaining and controlling different situation arises at
workplace through following systematic structure.
 Weaknesses: Absence of flexibility.
D1: Analyse and evaluate various approaches and theories to leadership
Leadership styles such as situational and contingent theory and management theory such
as modern and classical theory need to be applied by manager and leader to achieve pre-
determined goals of M&S Ltd. Company in profitable manner.
Leadership theories:
System leadership: This theory is applies with an objective of solving all issues and
problems related to business operations through following systematic way.
Situational theory: This theory help company indeal;ing with comoplex envrionemnt
through implementing new and innovative ways
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Above two, situational theory brings more beneficial result to company as such approach help
company in dealing with complex environment which may damage the business operations of
company.
TASK 3
P4. Key approaches of operations management and role of managers and leaders
There are different approaches which need to be followed and applied in order to bring
maximum output while operating business activities. Main approaches are described as follows:
Total quality management (TQM): As M&S Ltd. Offers variety of products such as
clothing, housing products etc. to its customers in order to attain huge profit. Therefore in order
to attain large customer strength the company need to focus on manufacturing quality product
which also help them ion attaining strong position in competitive market world. So it is
important for manager to conduct training and development programs in order to improve their
specialised knowledge and skills so that their workers get new effective ways to compete given
task within specified period of time (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus, 2011).
Just in time: This is an inventory strategy implemented by manager of company in
order to reduce cost and improve efficiency in manufacturing process through ordering raw
material from suppliers whenever the company needed to meet the needs and requirements of
targeted customers. For this manager need to first forecast the future demands of their products
in market and accordingly coordinate with suppliers to order raw material on time through
which they can produce quality products to fulfil customer's needs and demands.
Lean production: This method is used by manager during production process which
help them in reducing wastage that will directly impact on the price of company's product.
Therefore it is considered as an important approach which provide an opportunity to company
to offer quality products at low cost to its customers by which large number of customers are
attracted. This will help company to achieve more profit as well as attain large customer
strength.
Continuous improvement: This approach is useful for company in order to attract large
number of customers. By using this approach the managers should focus on making changes in
features of product as per the taste and preferences of customers. The manager need to first
identify customer's needs and requirements and accordingly add extra value to their product
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which maximises the level of satisfaction to their targeted customers.
P5: Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
Operation management is useful for company in terms of bringing positive outcome from
input used in production process (Kang, 2010). The main advantage of operation management is
that they mainly focus on adding value to the product which maximise the customer's satisfaction
level. The manager need to implement procedure and structure with a motive of improving
overall performance of company. Importance of operations management in achieving business
objectives are as follows:
Evaluations: The management need to first set benchmark that need to be achieved in
future and accordingly monitor business activities in order to reduce inefficiencies such as
wastage of raw materials, excess inventory etc.
Cost minimisation: It is prime responsibility of operation management to utilise valuable
resources during production process and brings maximum output. Proper utilisation of resources
enable M&S Ltd. to earn huge profit as well as attract large number of customer through
reducing prices on their products.
Financial and human resource management: As funds are necessarily required to
produce something by company therefore it is essential for M&S Ltd. Company to manage
financial resources in such a useful manner that will help later in facing financial problems. The
company adopt technology and tools which help them in adding value to its product only when
company have abundant financial resources.
Enhance performance: Management of company should have supportive in nature
which creates healthy environment at workplace (Lind, 2013). In order to get positive result
management of M&S Ltd company need to create a platform where they provide an opportunity
to employees to inform about problems or issues and accordingly taking corrective measures to
resolve them in an effective manner. This will enhance the satisfaction of employees through
which they can contribute efforts in achieving business objectives.
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M3: Managers and leaders can improve efficiencies of operational management
With using specialised skills and knowledge manager and leader bout put their maximum
efforts in enhancing efficiencies off operational management through which can achieve
business objective s within pre-determined time period in effective and efficient manner.
TASK 4
P6: Business environmental factors upon operational management
Business environment is related with conditions which exist at workplace or outside of
the company which affects and influence the business operation in either positive or negative
manner.
Internal environment:
Owner: It refers to person or group of person who attains ownership of business. They
carry important rights to formulate decision for the company and this can affect internal
environment within business organisation.
Board of directors: It refers to group of person which are elected by stakeholders of
company for the purpose of running business more smoothly. Qualified and skilled members
should be appointed who attain specialised abilities to take effective and crucial decision in
complex situation. Their decision may affect the business operations of company (Mendis,
Muttaqi and Perera, 2014).
Employees: They are the one who follows strategies and direction given by top authority
of company and contribute maximum efforts in order to achieve desired goals. Their
performance will directly impact on overall performance of company. For example if any dispute
arise between managers and employees then it will difficult for company to achieve desired
objective within specified period of time.
External environment:
It refers to external forces which affects and influence the business operations. They can
influence the decision making process as well as affect the business process.
Political factor: As UK government supports business operations of M&S Ltd. Company
through implementing rules and regulation in the favour of company's operations.
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Economic factor: It refers to an economic factors which affects the busies operation of
company. For example if the economy of UK rises then the purchasing power of customers are
directly increases which help in increasing company's sales and thus generate huge revenue.
Social factor: As the M&S Ltd. Company deals in manufacturing cloths to its customers
but due to changes in targets and preference and lifestyles of customers will influence the
decision taken by top authority of company. It is important for manager to understand the
requirement sand accordingly made some changes in order to attain competitive advantage and
huge customer strength.
Technological factor: It is important for company to adopt advanced technology while
manufacturing process which help them in improving productivity and lowering the costs of
products through which they can attain large number of customers.
M4: Factors that affects business operations and decision making process
M&S Ltd. Company operate their business in different countries because of which their
business operations are influence by many internal and external factors which makes difficulties
for them to survive in competitive market world.
D2. Application of operations management
There are several factors which make huge impact on the business operation either in
negative or positive way. Such factors includes political, economic, social etc. For example
inflation rate may increase the sales figure of company as well whereas increases in taxation rate
will influences the price of product.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above project report that with the help of operation
management company can achieve its best possible outcome from their business operations.
Manager and Leader are two important person who contribute their maximum efforts in reaching
company to their desired result. Various approaches and theories should be applied to direct and
motivate employees to perform their allotted task in profitable manner. It is also required to
analyse internal and external factors which affect the business operations in either positive or
negative manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Online
PESTLE Analysis, 2017. [Online]. Available through: <http://www.mbaskool.com/business-
concepts/marketing-and-strategy-terms/7249-pestle-analysis.html>.
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