Impact of Managers and Leaders on Operations Management

The assignment requires analyzing the effect of external factors (PEST) on operations management in Marks and Spencer, considering their involvement in the wider business environment. It also involves evaluating the impact of different leadership styles on operations management and providing future recommendations to enhance productivity. The report concludes by highlighting the importance of effective leaders in improving overall performance.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1) Introduction and management structure of M&S...............................................................1
2) Roles and characteristics of manager and leader...............................................................1
3) Roles and functions of managers and leaders in management theories.............................3
4) Situational role of a leader and function of a manager......................................................3
5) Theories which effect the growth and sustainability of M&S...........................................4
6) Strength and weakness of theories.....................................................................................5
7) Impact of managers and leaders on organization recommendations for future improvements
................................................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
1). Operations management and its key approaches..............................................................7
2) Roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers in successful operation of M&S.......7
3) Importance and value of Key approaches..........................................................................8
4) Effectiveness of managers and leaders in improving operational efficiencies..................8
5) Impact of external business environment on operational management.............................9
6) Evaluation of application of operations management........................................................9
7) Suggestions for future improvements in M&S................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Management & operation is a process of managing design and process of production of
goods and services (Management Operations, 2018). It is used to maximize productivity of the
organization by cutting its inventory cost. In this report, Marks & Spencer is taken into
consideration to study different aspects of Management and operations. It is a British
multinational retailer headquartered in Westminster, London. It provides clothing, furniture and
luxury food having one of the largest retailers in the world. In this report, roles and functions of a
leader and manager are differentiated and appreciation of the roles of managers and leaders are
discussed in context of M&S. Apart from that different management and leadership theories are
also discussed in this report to to make organization grow sustainably.
TASK 1
1) Introduction and management structure of M&S
Marks and Spencer is one of the leading multinational retailer in the world which
provides services of clothing, luxury food and home products. Company was established in year
1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. It's size is big having 979 stores in UK including
615 stores which sells only food products. It has more than 60000 employees across the globe.
This company also sell its products in various countries of Asia, Africa and Europe. It has
opened its first foreign store in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1960 (Ahuja, 2017).
Company follows flat organizational structure in which all employees are engaging
themselves in decision making process. It offers more responsibility and accountability among
employees which helps them to explain and justify the decision made by them. Each and every
employee is assigned its job so to increase their performance.
2) Roles and characteristics of manager and leader
Leader
A leader in an organization is the person who sets goal, vision and mission for
organization. Basically it leads an organization from the front in which perception and wants of
leader are included. It also helps employees in order to achieve organizational goal. It sets way of
attaining target of company (Brandenburg, 2014). In the context of M&S, a leader should make
drafts and policies to attain the mission and vision set for company. They should motivate and
inspire employee working in their organization. The structure of organization is also set by
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leaders in which each and every employee is divided according to the capability and ability to
form a team or group.
Manager
A manager is a person who implements the task assigned by leader in order to achieve the
vision, mission and target of organization. It sets policies for employees to attain desires set by
the leader. It has a staff which report to manager (Cucoranu, 2015.). It is not necessary in a
company having a single manager. There are different managers in different departments such as
operations manager, financial manager, HR manager, production manager etc. In the context of
M&S, a manger helps in attaining goals and objectives of company. It has capability of
implementing idea of attaining desires of a leader.
Roles and characteristics of a manager and leader
Basis Leader Manager
Creativity A leader of M&S creates the
vision and mission of
organization.
A manager focuses on setting
up goals required to achieve
the vision and mission.
Style Leader of M&S should be
innovative and creative. They
have unique ideas to maximize
profit.
A manager of M&S have the
tendency of learning practices
from others which are common
to achieve target
Risk A leader has tendency of
taking risk for M&S.
A manager has duty of
implementing those risks
which are associated in M&S.
Thinking A leader has long term
objectives for development of
M&S.
A manager has short term
goals to attain pre set target of
M&S.
Development Leaders always grows
themselves from their views
and perception to enhance
productivity of M&S.
A managers is a good learner
to adopt skills to make work
done from employee in M&S.
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3) Roles and functions of managers and leaders in management theories.
Contingency theory of management
This theory emphasises on nature of leadership style to check whether style is task
oriented or relationship oriented. This is best theory in increasing productivity of M&S and its
employees. To analyse roles and functions of managers Henry Fayol's five functions are
discussed (Fernie, 2014). In such functions planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating,
controlling are exist. From such theories roles and functions of managers and leaders are
discussed.
Role of Leader
In order to increase the productivity of M&S, a leader should set policies and set of rules
to execute its policies accordingly.
Functions of manager
A manager has its functions of planning resources, organizing things, commanding its
employee, Coordinating whenever required and controlling as per needs. These are functions of
managers by which it can achieve aim and objective of M&S.
4) Situational role of a leader and function of a manager
In the context of Marks and Spencer, there are three types of situation arises in which role
of a leader and function of manager is discussed.
Moderate Situation
This situation occurs when average rate of changes takes place. Here technological can be
considered as an example because technology does not changes frequently (Gillen, 2015). In the
context of M&S, technological changes affects working of company. To handle changes which
can be beneficial for company, roles and functions are described here:
Role of Leader:
In M&S, a leader should be bale to check the technological changes takes place in market
so that changes according to need of changing technology can also be made in company.
Function of Manager
In M&S, role of manager is to implement changes which are required to compete
company among its challengers.
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Stable Situation
This situation comes when stability exists in M&S. Company policies can be taken here
as policies are mostly stable and does not changes. This will help the employees in working will
concentration. If changes occurs then role of manager and functions of leader are discussed:
Role of Leader
In above situation a leader should make other policies to increase faith among employees
of M&S.
Function of Manager
In this situation, a manager should manage its employee to take their views in side of
company so that perception of employee should not go beyond M&S.
Fast changing situation
This situation arises when need of customers changes frequently. In the context of M&S,
the clothing trends changes frequently. In order to handle this situation role and functions of
leader and manager are discussed here (Acquillat, 2016):
Role of Leader
A leader should make effective changes in structure of M&S so that it may meet
requirements of its customers.
Functions of manager
In M&S, a manager should focus on implementing new policies so as to meet needs of
customer.
5) Theories which effect growth and sustainability of M&S
There are three types of theories which effect growth and sustainability of M&S.
Situational Leadership
This type of leadership theory emphasises on the situation of a particular task. This
theory does not rely on any theory as it sense to use theories according to situation. A good
leader should focus on strategies which are best suited for task. It should be focused by a it of
M&S that what cues and factors are there which can be contributed to get job done. In the
context of M&S this theory can help in a great way. Since M&S is a large organization, therefore
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to execute a plan a specific time is required (Odoni, 2016). This theory can help in taking quick
decision according to situation.
System Leadership
This theory is implemented in condition of complex situation where sustainable high
performance is required. It enables leaders of M&S to create a system in which all employee can
work with their full potential. This theory helps M&S to a great extent because a manager of
M&S can create a system of working for its employees so as to increase their productivity and
efficiency. According to this theory, employees engaged will do their work in a full potential
(Chase, 2016).
Contingency leadership theory
This theory is emphasised on two ways i.e. whether it is task oriented or relationship
oriented. It helps in increasing productivity of M&S and its employees. It emphasises on
applying theories according to situation occurs. In M&S, this theory can help company since it
allows a manager to take decision-making accordingly. It does not suggest any specific theory as
it is situational.
6) Strength and weakness of theories
Situational theory
This theory can help employees of M&S to act according to situation of complex.
Strength:
 In this theory, there is not any specific style, therefore it excite an employee in choosing
theory according to situation.
 It motivates the employee as it give feeling of an important person to employee.
Weakness:
 If a odd situation comes which is not known by employee then this theory is not
applicable to them.
 It is a short term theory because it emphasises on a specific scenario.
System Theory
This theory cannot be used in M&S as it is very complex and rigid in nature.
Strength
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 It provides a presentation and phenomenon of realities.
 It clarifies complexity of task which helps in building framework for it.
Weakness
 Various interrelated parameters makes this theory complex and rigid.
 In case of risk, this theory is harder to implement.
Contingency theory
This theory can also be implemented in M&S as it helps in taking quick decision making.
Strength:
 This theory is ground able research, therefore it is highly used and implemented theory
from past.
 It provides data on leadership styles which helps organization to prepare information
regarding leader.
Weakness:
 This theory is not able to explain effectiveness of leaders in some situation.
 This theory focuses on description of other leaders to follow them.
7) Impact of managers and leaders on organization and recommendations for future
improvements
A manager and leader helps company to develop in several ways which are stated below:
Quick decision making:
A manager and leader helps organization in making quick decision. This can happen
because a leader make such policies and manager is able to implement them. In this feature, a
delay should be there to check decision made (Lummus, 2014).
Technological development:
The manager of M&S help company to adopt recent technology which is in market. This
happens because of applying act and rules to implement new change in company. These changes
are not frequent therefore applying these should be specific.
Motivation:
A manager and leader are able to motivate their employees time to time. This feature
helps in increasing productivity and performance of an individual and M&S. Every employee
should be motivated individually by giving them rewards.
Co-operation among team members:
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Another aspect of managers and leaders is to increase co-operation among team
members. This will help M&S to produce effective and correct output. The team members
should have collaborative nature.
Recommendation for future use
Although M&S has a bright future in its sector but if future recommendations are
required than it has to develop the pricing strategy of company. This will help company in
fixing the price efficiently. Another recommendation will be to develop technology, so that
company can deliver its products smoothly.
TASK 2
1). Operations management and its key approaches
It is process of planning, organizing and supervising production and manufacturing of
services. Since M&S is a grocery company which is dealing in clothing, luxury food and home
products. Therefore, every product before going to manufacture requires operations
management. It can be defined as order for manufacturing 2000 pieces of shirts is delivered by
operations department by checking requirements of market (Omansky, 2015). Thus, it has many
key approaches from which operations management is done:
Lean production
It is process of management in which product is manufactured by cutting wastes and
ensuring quality. This feature can help M&S by reducing time of delivering manufactured goods.
Cutting the wastages, help company to increase selling of its products which will increase
productivity of organization.
Six Sigma
It is a continuous approach of providing statistical data to improve quality of product.
Graphical representation shows analogue data by which information can be gathered. This
feature can help M&S in clothing sector by eliminating errors in product.
Total Quality Management:
TQM offers all employees of M&S to participate in development of product, process and
services. This theory defines long term success and customer satisfaction. It emphasises all
employees to continuous improvement.
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2) Roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers in successful operation of M&S
Manager and the leader of M&S play an important role in making effective policies,
attracting customers, achieving better outcomes, motivating employees etc.. All these are
essential in beneficial for the company to retain long rum sustainability at competitive market
place.
3) Importance and value of Key approaches
Total quality management:
In context of M&S, TQM plays an important role in maximizing profit by reducing
inventory cost and reduction of waste. This approach ensures high productivity of M&S. It is a
continuous process of improvement in operations management. Therefore, it helps M&S in
improving its performance and services to its customers. This will help in achieving
organizational goal successfully.
Six Sigma:
This process helps M&S in deriving data in a disciplined way to eliminate defects from
products to services, therefore it is very important for M&S (Martínez, 2016). This approach has
a standard quality in deriving data. The data driven can be measured to solve the problems arises
in the performance of operations management of company. Thus helps in increasing overall
performance of company.
Lean production:
This approach is useful for M&S because it helps in improving quality of product in
reducing its cost. This approach also helps in delivering products and services in time which
increase image of M&S in minds of its customers. Decrease in cost, enhance customers to
purchase product. This will increase overall productivity of organization.
4) Effectiveness of managers and leaders in improving operational efficiencies.
The managers and leaders can improve efficiency of operational management by using
following factors.
Designing programs:
A leader should design program and drafts to prepare employees in performing task. This
will help in defining task allotted to them. This will increase quality of products among
operational management. Designing program helps operational management in performing their
task over pre-decided draft.
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Asset management:
It is responsibility of a manager to manage assets, these could be workforce, financial
asset. The management of asset helps manager to perform its task on time and with quality. In
M&S, a manager should focus on managing such resources.
5) Impact of external business environment on operational management
The external factors which can affect operational management are:
Political:
This factor includes politics of a country in which business is operating. If political crisis
arises in that country, it will affect operation management very much. If a country increases
duties on product of M&S, this will increases cost of that product. This results in price rise and
thus reducing production and operation of M&S (Smith, 2017).
Economic:
In this factor economic condition of a country in which business is operating is included.
Since M&S deals in luxury food products which has high price, in countries where economic
condition of people is not good, product is not going to be purchased. This results to continuous
decrease in productivity of company.
Social:
These are factors in which customer's religion, family, wealth and lifestyle is taken into
consideration. Since M&S deals in luxury food products, therefore it should keep special
attention on religious facto of customer. Some customers does not eat non vegetarian food.
Therefore this factor leads to low productivity of M&S.
Technological:
Since technology changes from time to time. M&S should focus on delivering its product
online because people likes to purchase products online (Maull, 2015). If it is not done, this will
definitely affect productivity and selling of products.
6) Evaluation of application of operations management
Political:
Since political factor affect business of M&S, it has both aspects i.e. positive and
negative. The negative impact shows policies of government which harms productivity of M&S.
On the other way, positive impact of politics can be subsidies provided by government to
enhance business.
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Economical:
This factor also have two aspects: It can affect productivity of organization because
economic crisis reduce overall productivity of M&S. But if purchasing power of customer
increases this will boost productivity.
Social:
This factor can enhance productivity of an organization if company reduces its cost of
luxury food products. Otherwise it will affect productivity of organization.
Technological:
This factor also affect overall productivity in two ways. In one aspect, this feature can
boost selling of food items of M&S if they start to sell through online mode. Otherwise,
productivity decreases as described above (Song, 2018).
This factors can change the structure of company so it is the responsibility of manager
and leader to take all those necessary decisions that won't harm the life cycle of an organisation.
Here, managers need to do appropriate planning regarding all external factor where they need to
predict the environment changes and must interact with their customer. They need to change
themselves according to amended laws and regulations so the decision of manager should be
quick and innovative to survive in the market. When it comes to leaders, they need to provide
accurate knowledge regarding new technologies and must provide all those necessary equipment
for the purpose of safety to employees.
In context of M&S, Manager need to know what kind of taste can be suitable for
customers with no harmful chemicals. Managers must maintain good and healthy relations with
political parties. Every single decision of manager will decide the growth of M&S. They must
keep updating themselves by changing the taste of food in regular interval where as leader
should provide necessary product to their employee so that the quality of food products and other
trending style of clothes can be made according to the demand of customer. Leader need to work
harder just to enhance the working capacity of workers with better quality and taste. To manage
all this types of work the managers and leaders of M&S need to work as a teams just to achieve
the desire goal.
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7) Suggestions for future improvements in M&S.` Company can enhance its business by using
following suggestions.
Reduce dependability:
The company relies on UK market very much. Reliability of company should not be on a
single market. It should expand its business in Asian populated countries where there is a scope
of increasing customers.
Using all approaches:
Since company is using only three types of approaches, instead it should use all
approaches which can enhance its business to a great extent.
Lowering price:
The company should focus on reducing cost of its luxury products which can increase its
productivity.
Better Quality:
The quality of products delivered should be better to capture market.
CONCLUSION
In this report, the role of a leader and its functions are discussed in context of M&S. Role
and functions of managers and leaders are also discussed in context of situational, system and
contingency leadership style. Evaluation of managers and leaders that how they affect overall
performance of M&S. PEST is done to know about involvement of these external factors on
operations management. Apart from that, effect of these factors in a wider business environment
is explained. In the end, future recommendations are given to enhance productivity of
organization. The overall conclusion of this report shows effect of managers and leaders on
operations management.
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Jacobs, F. R., Chase, R. B. and Lummus, R. R., 2014. Operations and supply chain
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Management Operations. 2018. [Online] Available
through:<https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/operations-management.asp>.
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