Operations Management and Its Applications

The provided assignment details a comprehensive overview of operations management, including its applications, research studies, and industry examples. It covers topics such as Lean management, behavioral operations management, project management, and energy management systems. The assignment highlights the importance of operations management in improving efficiency and effectiveness across various industries.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager...............................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Role of leader and function of manager apply in different situational contexts....................3
P3 Different theories and models of approach............................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches to operational management.........................................................................6
P5 Importance and value of operations management to achieve objectives...............................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Assess factors within business environment..........................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations defines designing and control of manufacturing activities
conduct by administration to deliver appropriate products and services in marketplace. It is
essential that superior redesign operations and utilises resources efficiently to make system
function effectively. Thus, manager manages material and direct manpower to accomplish goals
and objectives timely (What is Operations Management?, 2014). Present report is based on
Morrisons which is famous retail store established in UK. Company provides different range and
variety of food items, clothing, books and many other products. This assignment specifies role
and characteristics of manager and leader in different situational contexts. Superior uses different
theories of leadership and approaches of operations management which benefits firm. Along this,
they even assess business environment factors to acknowledge their impact on decision-making
and organisation.
TASK 1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Superior plays essential part in each and every organisation. It is necessary that business
operations are conducted properly which help administration to achieve objectives. Manager and
leader skills and abilities defines techniques used by them to manage employees and make them
work effectively. Morrisons is supermarket which require to have competent members which
deliver quality services to customers. This helps management to maintain brand value and
goodwill in market in respect to rival firms.
According to Kerzner and Kerzner (2017), manager is important part of every
organisation whose responsibility is to provide duties and tasks to subordinates to attain business
objectives. It is essential that funds and employees are utilised efficiently by proper
administration and control activities.
As per Mendis, Muttaqi and Perera (2014), leader plays an essential role in company
about direction and guidance to members for performing tasks and delivering quality services
and products to buyers.
Role of manager: These are different activities that are conducted by manager which are
stated beneath:
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 Informational: Manager frame strategies and goals to direct members and make them
conduct operations properly. They provide information to employees about policies and
targets so that they execute activities effectively. In Morrisons, employees are informed
about different variety of products and attributes so that they are able to influence buyers
easily.
 Decisional: Administration involve subordinates in meeting so that appropriate
judgements and things are selected which are beneficial for firm. Thus, in Morrisons
manager make modification in tactics to deliver quality and innovative products to
customers (Moghaddam and et. al., 2011).
Characteristics of manager: These are features of manager which are as follows: Experience: Manager uses different management theories and apply in business to handle
situations and make system function effectively. This help them to learn from past
activities, thereby make changes in policies and tactics accordingly.
 Communication skills: It is essential that manager has good interaction abilities so that
they provide appropriate information to members about duties and targets required to be
accomplished by them.
Role of leader: These are responsibilities of superior which are stated below: Required at all levels: Management formulate strategies and provide duties to members
to make them execute operations properly. In this, leader conduct functions at both
middle as well lower level. Employees of Morrisons require to get appropriate guidance
and information about plan and policies to make them conduct activities in proficient
manner.
 Support and guide members: This is another duty of leader which is to provide adequate
data to subordinates about targets need to be accomplished. Along this, they even provide
instruction and guidance to staff, so that they deliver quality products and services to
buyers (Schwarz, Hall and Shibli, 2015).
Characteristics of leader: These are features of follower which are as follows: Collaborative: Leader coordinate and make members work in team, so that resources of
organisation are utilised efficiently.
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 Influential: Employees are motivated and inspired by leader to make them perform tasks
effectively and complete work within defined time. This help manager to retain skilled
and competent members for longer period of time.
Differentiate between manager and leader:
Manager Leader
Manager frame objectives and policies to
direct members and execute business
operations effectively.
Leader inspire and influence subordinates to
make them conduct activities in respect to
strategies defined by head personnel.
Manager conduct meeting and conference to
provide complete information to subordinates
about tasks and targets required to be
accomplished by them (Liu and et. al., 2015).
Leader construct and maintains friendly
relations with employees to timely anticipate
issues and conflicts, thereby provide them
adequate solutions.
Manager direct employees and make changes
in system regarding to implementation of latest
technologies to deliver unique and creative
things in market.
Leader motivate and make staff dedicated to
perform activities efficiently and complete
tasks within defined time.
TASK 2
P2 Role of leader and function of manager apply in different situational contexts
Organisation exist in market which is dynamic and changes with time. It is necessary that
administration make modification in system and strategies to make system function in according
to market conditions. Morrisons is retail store which deliver variety of food items, clothes and
other products in market. It is essential that manager make changes in technologies and provide
goods in according to market trends. This help firm to enhance customer base and sales to
improve profitability. Thus, these are different situations in which both manager and leader
comprises essential role which are as follows:
Decision-making: Executive involve superior and subordinates in decision-making
activities, so that appropriate judgements are made which are profitable for company. It is
essential that strategies and tactics are formulated in according to situations prevailing in market
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(Thaler, Priest and Fuchs, 2016). Thus, both manager and leader plays important part in this
situation which is described beneath: Function of manager: Manager provide duties and tasks to subordinates to make them
conduct operations effectively and timely achieve objectives. In Morrisons, members
interact with customers and deliver products, thus they have appropriate knowledge about
their demands and requirements. Along this, manager conducts market research which
helps them to have complete information about offerings of competitors. Henceforth,
administration make changes in system to deliver appropriate items and services to
people. Role of leader: In decision-making, leader responsibility is to inspire subordinates by
making them realise that they comprises valuable part in organisation. Employees are
inspired and given appropriate knowledge about tasks required to be accomplished by
them. In Morrisons, leader gives fair and equal treatment to all members to make them
dedicated towards job (Balasubramaniam and et. al., 2016). Thus, superior overcomes
conflicts and issues faced by employees to retain skilled and competent staff for longer
time.
Work culture conflicts: Organisation has large number of manpower which have
different norms and values which affect on their behaviour and operations. Administration
require to provide appropriate working environment and conditions to members to make them
perform tasks in proficient manner. Employer divide staff formulate team to utilise workforce
and other resources efficiently. It is necessary that team members work with each other and
didn't have issues and conflicts with each other which will affect their work. Function of manager: It is manager responsibility to provide complete and accurate
information to employees about policies, tasks, organisation culture and environment.
Along this, they even need to communicate with members about changes in system and
technologies that are made to deliver innovative and creative products to buyers
(Lehmann and Joseph, 2015).
 Role of leader: Leader maintains relations with employees to provide them appropriate
information about culture of organisation and tasks required to be performed by them.
Morrisons has branches in different nations which defines that firm has members which
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belong to different belief, norms and values. Thus, leader responsibility is to coordinate
staff and make them work with each other.
P3 Different theories and models of approach
Management responsibility is to frame policies and provide duties to subordinates, so that
appropriate business operations are conducted which help them achieve objectives. It is essential
that organisation deliver adequate products and services in market. Morrisons is supermarket
which require to provide different variety of food items, clothes and many other products to fulfil
demands and requirements of people. Superior uses leadership theories to direct members and
make system function effectively. Thus, these are concepts which are used by manager are as
follows:
System leadership theory: This is controlling leadership approach which specifies that
manager formulate strategies and implement adequate tools and technologies in system to
conduct operations effectively. Administration construct framework to flow information to
members about activities required to be performed by them. Along this, they even direct
members and uses material and funds efficiently (Knott-Craig and et. al., 2015).
Situational leadership theory: This concept was propounded by Dr. Paul Hersey which
defines that skills and abilities of superior determine direction given to members and system
functionality. It is manager responsibility to execute business activities in respect to market
conditions. Along this, they even require to implement modern technologies in system to deliver
quality products and services to customers. Management conducts training and development
sessions to improve skills and abilities of members, thereby make them competent to perform
tasks effectively. In this leader provide guidance and support to employees, so that they are able
face challenges and complex situations properly.
Contingency leadership theory: This hypothesis specifies that manager uses market
research to identify various conditions that affect business operations. Internal and external
factors are assess by manager to acknowledge their direct as well indirect impact on business.
This helps administration to frame strategies and utilises funds properly. Along this, they even
take care that employees are skilled and have capability to handle problems and difficulties
(McPherson and Pincus, 2017).
Therefore, superior of Morrisons uses contingency approach to make system function
effectively. Manager formulate strategies and policies to direct members and make them execute
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activities and deliver appropriate products in market in respect to requirements of people. They
even uses different approaches and theories to deal with problems and difficulties which are
conducted in firm. Henceforth, administration is able to sustain position and reputation in
market.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operational management
Administration require to design system in such manner that goals and objectives are
accomplished. It is essential that funds, material and manpower are utilised properly by
Morrisons are deliver in market. Manager uses different approaches and provide variety of food
products in according to requirements and needs of people. Therefore, these are different
operational management approaches which are used by superior are stated beneath:
Six sigma approach: This tactic comprise five stages which are define, control, improve,
analyse and measure business operations. It is essential that management of Morrisons have
complete information about problems, compute performance of firm and anticipate reasons of
difficulties (Bromiley and Rau, 2016). This help superior to make changes in technologies and
tactics to execute activities effectively. Along this, they leader control and regulate work of
employees so that quality products and quick services are delivered to customers.
(Source: Six sigma, 2016)
Just in time approach: This is another strategy used by manager to utilise funds properly
by maintaining relations with suppliers to order products and material in according to
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Illustration 1: Six Sigma

requirements and demands of people. Morrisons is supermarket which provide different variety
of food items, clothes and other products to customers. For this, electronic machines that is
computer and internet is used to maintain record of products that are available in store. Thus,
items are purchased by management in respect to demands of people. For this, leader conducts
training to enhance skills of members and make them competent to work with technologies
properly.
Total quality management approach: This is another tactic which helps administration
to improve system by making changes in technologies and strategies. Market research is
appropriate technique used by manager of Morrisons to have complete information about choices
and requirements of public. Along this, leader involve employees and feedback of customers to
make transformation in system and deliver appropriate items in market (BujakCarvalho and
Sriramulu, 2012). This helps management to make improvements in technologies and adequate
judgements which are beneficial for firm.
Role of leader and manager's functions: These are activities which are conducted by
superior of Morrisons are stated beneath:
Planning- Manager frame strategies and program to direct members and make them
conduct activities effectively. It is essential that activities are conducted in systematic manner, so
that appropriate products and services are delivered in market. Both leader and manager provide
instruction and guidance to members to make them perform tasks effectively and complete
targets within defined time.
Managing- Manager provide duties and tasks to members to execute business activities
properly. They even require to utilise material and manage staff by providing them operations in
according to their skills. In this, leader role is motivate employees and inspire them to conduct
activities effectively and achieve targets within defined time (Giuliani and et. al., 2015).
Coordinating- Manager distribute members in team and coordinate their work to attain
objectives and deliver appropriate products and services in market. Leader also plays essential
role in making employees work with each other. Along this, they even asses conflicts between
members to make them work properly.
P5 Importance and value of operations management to achieve objectives
Operational management defines that superior formulate strategies and implement
appropriate tools and technologies in system to utilise resources efficiently. It is essential that
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manager provide duties and tasks to members to make them execute activities properly and
deliver adequate products in market. Thus, these are benefits that operational management have
on organisation performance and system functionality are as follows:
Enhancing goodwill: Morrisons have strong brand value which help employees to grab
attention of large number of people. Along this, loyal customers advantage firm to enhance sales
volume and revenue. This also benefits management to construct competitive advantage over
rival firms to enhance reputation and image in market (Katsikopoulos and Gigerenzer, 2013).
Quality improvement: Management of Morrisons uses latest technologies that is
computer, internet, electronic machine to deliver quality products and quick services to
customers. This help company to provide adequate variety of food products and clothes to
buyers.
Consumer satisfaction: Manager conducts market survey to acknowledge demands and
needs of people. Along this, they even identify offerings of competitors to make changes in
products and system. Morrisons deliver quality food items and clothes in according to market
trends to attract large number of people and satisfy consumers. This enhance reputation and
image of firm in market and help superior construct loyal buyers.
Increasing profit: This is another benefit of operational management which define that
organisation deliver different variety and range of products in market. Morrisons has quality food
items and market trendy clothes in store which helps manager attract buyers and purchase
products in respect to their demands. Thus, company is able to generate good amount of profit
from business (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017).
TASK 4
P6 Assess factors within business environment
Business environment comprises internal and external components which impacts on
business operations. Management require to have complete knowledge about market conditions
and system to frame appropriate strategies. Along this, they even need to implement modern
technologies to deliver innovative and creative products in according to needs and requirements
of people.
Internal factors: These are components which directly impacts on activities are stated beneath:
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 Shareholders: Management of each organisation require to have adequate amount of
capital to organise operations effectively. For this, investors are best tactic which help
Morrisons to have good amount of funds to purchase sufficient products in store in
according to demands and requirements of people. Employees: This is another factor which define that management require to have
adequate number of subordinates to execute activities and deliver adequate products and
services in market. Morrisons require to have skilled and competent members which
provide appropriate information to customers about products to influence their purchase
decision and enhance sales volume (Mendis, Muttaqi and Perera, 2014). Suppliers: This aspect specifies that organisation have adequate material and items
available in according to demands and requirements of people. Morrisons is supermarket
which need to have appropriate products in store. For this, manager maintains relations
with suppliers to order items in according to requirements of customers.
External factors: These are elements which indirectly affect operations are as follows: Political factor: This aspect defines that government frame legislations and laws to
regulate and coordinate functioning of organisation. It is management responsibility to
formulate policies and register firm to make system work legally. Morrisons is
supermarket which has licensing from authorities which help administration to have
strong image and reputation in market. Economical factor: This tactic specifies that state of country determine rate fixed by
authorities to regulate functioning of organisation. Interest rate, inflation, exchange rate,
growth and may other components depend upon conditions of nation. These are various
tactics which affect on availability of funds, sales and profitability of firm (Moghaddam
and et. al., 2011). In UK, there is inflation which determine that people have adequate
money to purchase quality and branded products from Morrisons. But, as firm has outlets
worldwide which define that exchange rate affect on business operations. Social factor: This aspect defines that organisation deliver variety of products and
services in market to fulfil requirements and demands of people. Morrisons is
supermarket which provide different range and variety of clothes and food items in
respect to choices and demands of public. Management make changes in technologies to
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deliver quality and innovative products in according to market trends and need of
customers.
 Technological factor: This tactic specifies that administration implement appropriate
tools and techniques in system to utilise resources properly and deliver quality products
in market. In Morrisons, modern technologies that is electronic payment and
computerised data about availability products in store is maintained. This helps manager
provide quality items and services to customers. Along this, leader is also able to
establish competitive advantage over rival firms to enhance sales volume and profitability
(Schwarz, Hall and Shibli, 2015).
CONCLUSION
From the above assignment, it can be comprehended that management executes business
operations to accomplish objectives and goals of organisation. Leader and superior both
comprises different roles and characteristics to design and make system function effectively. It is
superior responsibility to use different models and approaches to handle situations properly.
System, situational and contingency leadership theory is used by leader to execute operations in
according market conditions. Six sigma, TQM, just in time approach are used by manager to
utilise resources efficiently. Operational management tactic importance administration to
enhance productivity, sales and profitability. Besides this, internal and external factors of
business environment are acknowledged by top personnel to anticipate their impact on business,
thereby make appropriate judgements for firm.
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REFERENCES
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microgrids during islanded operation. Electric Power Systems Research. 137. pp.133-
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Lehmann, J. and Joseph, S. eds., 2015. Biochar for environmental management: science,
technology and implementation. Routledge.
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Katsikopoulos, K. V. and Gigerenzer, G., 2013. Behavioral operations management: A blind spot
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Mendis, N., Muttaqi, K. M. and Perera, S., 2014. Management of battery-supercapacitor hybrid
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Online
What is Operations Management?. 2014. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.topmba.com/mba-programs/what-operations-management>.
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