Supply Chain Management: Sustainability and Operations

This assignment requires you to critically analyze a collection of books and journal articles related to supply chain management. The focus is on two key aspects: sustainability within supply chains and operational efficiency in managing these complex systems. You will need to synthesize information from the provided resources to understand current trends, challenges, and best practices in these areas.

Management and operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1: Comparison of role and characteristic of leader and manager..............................................1
M1: Difference among role of manager and leader ...................................................................2
D1: Analysis of various theories.................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2. Role of a leader and the function of manager applied in different situational contexts.......3
P3:Theories of leadership and models (Unicorn grocery) .........................................................4
M2: Analysis of strength and weaknesses of theories...............................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4: Approaches to operational management...............................................................................6
P5: Important and value of operational management.................................................................7
M3: Evaluating leaders and managers efficiencies.....................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6: Factors affecting operational management...........................................................................8
M4: Analysis of factors upon business environment and wider community ............................9
D2: Application of operational management .............................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is generally, deals with the areas which is associated with
designing and managing manufacturing process of functional areas of an organisation. It is done
so to manage and lead cost effective and proper allocation of resources in formulation of better
end results. The current study present valuable comparison among various characteristic and
roles of leader and manager in Unicorn Grocery (Tayur, Ganeshan and Magazine, 2012). In
several phases, the functions of leaders and responsibilities of managers are discuss under this
report. There are various theories and techniques are explain with the context of improving
performance of company's performances. Impact of internal factors on the growth of business are
examine in more effective and efficient manner.
TASK 1
P1: Comparison of role and characteristic of leader and manager
Operation management is a techniques of designing, monitoring and controlling the
activities of production and planning business operations in the manufacturing products and
services. In every organisation, mainly two of the main parties are considered as most valuable
person that can help the business to attain the aims and objectives. They work in a team to
control there operation and move towards business mission. In order to accomplish goals of an
organisation the role of managers is to formulate and establish various effective strategies and
plan working of employees with the motive to increase future performance.
It is the responsibility of Unicorn grocery managers to monitor and control various
activities that are related with the organisation (Ashford, Coutu and Beasley, 2013). They help
in motivating staff so that they can work according to their capabilities and skills. Under this
firm, manager recruit and selects those capable workers for conducting business related events.
Such kind of person is also provide training for increasing their talent and working ability.
Leader is an another effective individual in an organisation. They are associated with leading
their team towards right direction. The role and of leader and manager are separated from each
other. But, both of them are delivering there role for the same objectives. The roles of a leader
and manager are mention underneath:
Role of leader:
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 Team building ability: It is effective role of leaders to make unite there team toward
same direction in which company is demanded. If they will work in a team the chances of
getting more better results can be enhanced.
 Supportive: Under this, leader helps to support each and every worker and employees
together to attain organisational as well as individual objectives (Fernie and Sparks,
2014). If there any grievances arises at the workplace, leader need to be more supportive
with them. Problem solving ability: It has been seen that requirement of leaders is arises at every
stages. They acts as a mediator in between employees and workers to remove barriers
those are arises to them.
Role of manager:
 Implementing strategies and programs: The primary role of managers is to implement
the plans and policies at workplace in more effective manner so that task can be perform
according to the set standard. Provide training: Another valuable role of managers is to provide proper training and
development classes to enhance there skills and talent.
Characteristics of leader and managers
 Creative: It is one of the most effective and useful feature of both that they always do
create work or plan to make work more pleasant and reliable.
 Positive attitude: In order to deal with the workers and clients, they need to carry
positive attitude so that they can guide them into right direction.
M1: Difference among role of manager and leader
Role of a leader Function of a manager
A leader need to have a skill to lead others and
generate a trust factor so that people want to
follow their leader.
A manager need to have an art to manage all
the processes and activities in a particular
direction more efficiently.
A leader have an efficiency to inspire others by
encouraging the change regarding new
principles and guidelines.
A manager have a task to manage the rules and
control the sub-ordinates regarding their work.
Leaders are developers as they think about to Managers need to create several goals to
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achieve something more beneficial for the
people and try to create the new vision for the
long term benefits.
achieve the single vision and maintain the
status of working.
D1: Analysis of various theories
With the help of effective theories and approaches performance of an organisation can be
enhanced. Every theories are entirely different from each other those are having there own
impacts on the growth and sustainability.
TASK 2
P2. Role of a leader and the function of manager applied in different situational contexts
Manager and leaders both are important for organisation and they involve different types
of aspect, skills and behaviour (Ham, Hitomi and Yoshida, 2012). Leader help Unicorn grocery
to achieve their objective by dividing work into different teams and also motivate employees to
give their best whereas managers organised resources for better production. Role and function of
both in unicorn are explained below:
 Decision making- It is important function of both and they play wide role in decision
making as they also have power of sharing their views and opinion in this. For deciding
anything accurate data and information is required and this help in accurate decision
making.
 Risk taking- opportunities itself bring risk with them they both are risk taker in
company. It is essential for every one company to learn the way to overcome from risk.
Unicorn faced many difficulties in rapidly changing environment and pervasive risk. It
imperative to long term growth at personal and organisational level.
 Problem solver- solving problem of employees in company help in maintaining healthy
and friendly relation between them. Main motive of solving issues are motivating
candidates to work well and for smooth working organisation if there are problems
between everyone in company then it effect unicorn reputation and production.
 Conflict resolution- If there are large number of employees and candidate in
organisation then there is chances of disputes in them this may disturb working
environment of company all with their reputation in market. Manager and leader helps in
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solving conflict or create environment of this types that their will be no chances of
conflicts (Moutinho, 2011).
 Management of time- it is necessary to complete work on time and deliver product or
services on the given period by customer. They have to manage task like that so that they
can complete work in proper manner on given time. Work on time help company in
earning profit.
 Training and development- enhancing knowledge and skills of employees are necessary
to achieve targets with latest updated technologies and skills it can be done through
training and development (Singhal and Singhal, 2012). It is of two types first is, on the
job it is given to employees while working in company like assign task, market research,
field work etc. second is, off the job it is provided by classroom study, group discussion,
conference some more like this.
 Help in achieving target- Every business have well define target and it can be some
times given to individual person also. Manager and leaders guide them give directions to
them for achieving their goal.
 Guide employees- good leader and manager explain task to employees, provide tools
required to complete and always their for personnel to guide them when they are in
problem.
 Setting a clear vision- it simply mean to influence employs to understand and accept
future state of organisation. These two help personnel to perform duties in manner so it
can help in achieving vision of unicorn.
P3:Theories of leadership and models (Unicorn grocery)
Every organization follows a leadership and it is different in various firms.Each uses
different models according to their requirements. There are different theories of leadership and
models are used by this company. It helps in completing of its activities and successful
completion of any project. The different theories used by this firm are -
 Situational theory - It means modification of traits,characteristics and behaviour
according to different situation and factors. So it checks the maturity of a leader that how
he can change himself (Ageron, Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2012). It helps them in
handling and adapting himself in every event. It increases his skills and knowledge as he
can manage every situation according to different events.
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 Contingency theory – It means there is no one method or plan to solve problems.
According to different situations methods,variables,policies can be changed. There are
two variables independent and dependent variable. Independent variable make changes in
dependent variable. Dependent variable depends upon independent variable. Managers
can evaluate different variables,factors to study problems of employees. So it influences
the productivity of employees and their results. As their grievances are solved it
motivates ,encourages them to perform better (Starr and Van Wassenhove, 2014). So it
give to good results of employees. Organisation can also achieve their objectives.
 System theory – In this there is use of different use of linked parts and interdependent
parts. Each parts affects another part. So organisation follows a system consists of
structure, methods, components,concepts and principles. Through this employees can
become disciplined,work efficiently and effectively. Organization also runs smoothly in
long run. It is important for success for future performance of firm.
M2: Analysis of strength and weaknesses of theories
Contingency approach
 Strength: It provides the valid approach to achieve the effective leadership by focusing
in the single direction and help to boost up the leadership styles.
 Weakness: There are some difficulties regarding the data having inadequate literature
and complex which is not sufficient for actions (SWOT Analysis, 2017).
Situational approach
Strength: It is a kind approach in which the leadership styles need to change according
to different circumstances so that it will be more effective.
Weakness: It is not applicable for the measurement of performance as the basic factors
of performance are fixed.
System approach
Strength: It provides the particular plan having certain activities with coordination and
concentrates on the results.
Weakness: It is not easy to implement on practical activities as it not specify the nature
of problems and interdependencies.
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TASK 3
P4: Approaches to operational management
Unicorn grocery follows system approach as it uses particular methods,techniques,tools
and measures. It helps in increasing the productivity of employees and they can work efficiently
and effectively as they know their goals,plans and methods (Bujak, Carvalho and Sriramulu,
2012). It also help in improving the performance and long term success of the firm.
Approaches to operations management:- There are different approaches used by firm
are :
 Dynamic approach – It helps in providing best solutions to leadership and different
sectors including private and public sector. It provides services in two sectors. First is
providing services such as coaching for leaders and firm's development. Secondly there is
to provide services for specific projects which include use of different technologies,
overall management and checking of other activities and their implementation of
organization.
 Just in time – It means the process of receiving the goods in minimum time to reduce
wastage of goods and other products. It helps in increasing the production and reduces
the production and operations cost (Closs, Speier and Meacham, 2011). So it increases
the efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing,production and delivery of goods.
Customers can satisfied as they can receive good quality products at minimum time.
 Total quality management – It means improving the quality of different
processes,activities, and other functions of different areas. It improves the performance
of processes and assures good quality of goods and services. It results in providing best
customer services by providing standard quality of goods and other services. It also leads
to efficiency in operations and manufacturing departments.
 Six Sigma approach – It tries to reducing the defects in different processes and services
for increasing production. So it measures quality of goods and services. Through this all
processes and functions are efficiently performed .It results in maximum satisfaction of
customers.
 System approach – It follows different principals,methods,techniques,plans and goals in
a firm. So it helps in maintaining the discipline of employees and they can perform better.
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Through this there is increase in production of employees .Thus it results in achievements
of organization's objectives and for long term success of the firm.
Leaders and managers through use of these approaches helps in managing the
processes,functions and activities of the firm. They try to reduce the cost and increases the
production of firm (Storbacka, 2011). It helps in improving the performance of employees. So
thus increasing efficiency of workers and organization and results in providing good customer
service.
P5: Important and value of operational management
It has been seen that for an organisation operational department is one of the key areas of
concern because it is related with the designing and controlling activities of production. In order
to manage operational department of Unicorn grocery, it is essential to use effective tools and
techniques that can be beneficial for the upliftment of growth and sustainability. In relation to
perform all the task in proper manner, this particular company can look over plenty of aspects
those are beneficial for them. Such as:
 Control wastage: In order to increase the productivity and reputation of the company, it
is essential that manager of unicorn grocery to target on reducing the wastage and
misconduct those are arises during production process.
 Profit enhancement: Another important aspects of operational management to make
plan in order to increase the profitability with proper utilisation of organisation resources
(DeHoratius and Rabinovich, 2011). During production process unicorn grocery is using
new and modern techniques to increase maximum profit.
 Betterment of quality in products: The target of the company to develop best quality
products that can satisfy customer needs and wants. If the quality is of better standard the
chances of getting more effective results can be more.
 Build reputation: With the good deliver of attractive products they can increase the
possibility of building good image in from outside the competitors.
M3: Evaluating leaders and managers efficiencies
 Inventory control: The firms need to identify the funds and investment which will be
implemented to operational activities so they have to control the inventory flow and
commands it into right direction more effectively.
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 Quality control: Quality is simply regarding the product or service which is provided to
the customers to fulfil the expectations to satisfy them by the attractive features.
 Supply chain management: Supply chain should be effective as they have a
responsibility to provide the product or service on time to the customers and they need to
apply fast technology to improve the coordination amongst the suppliers and pertinent
collaborators of the process.
TASK 4
P6: Factors affecting operational management
In every business organisation, there are various factors those are affecting the growth
and profitability at the same time (Ashby, Leat and Hudson-Smith, 2012). It consists of internal
and external factors those are directly or indirectly related with each other.
Internal factors: These are associated with the internal administration of an
organisation. Some of them are:
 Employees: They are the prime and internal aspects of the company. It is crucial for the
company is to provide all necessary benefits to employees in an organisation.
 Consumers: They are playing an important role in deliver better quality of product as per
the requirement of customers. It develop the positive impact, if they are getting superior
facilities form the company.
 Society: In the order to deliver better and safe environment they are planning to work and
provide eco - friendly goods to them. The products can be effective in keeping safe and
secure environment.
 Suppliers: The roles of suppliers is to render the superior quality in raw material during
manufacturing of product and reduce extra cost for the company.
External factor: These are those factors those affecting the business from the outside.
Some of them are:
 Political factors: Such impacts can be develop positive and negative affects on the
Unicorn grocery business (Golicic and Smith, 2013). Because of rules and regulation
also various changes are needed to be included into it.
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 Economic factors: Such factors can make impact on an organisation in heavy manner. In
this context, it is essential for the companies to keep the tracking of economic indicators
in order to monitor them in continuous basis.
 Social: The society cannot be ignore. If operations of an organisation is not perform in
ethical manner they company need to make contingency plan to remove all those
obstetrical those are affecting the profitability of an organisation.
 Technological factors: For business in more efficient manner, company's need to use
modern and latest technologies that can provide better results with the limited resources.
 Legal: According to the UK government, it develop various policies and regulation that
are essential for every manufacturing company is needed to follow so that chances
misconduct can be controlled.
 Environment: It is necessary for the company to make certain effort to maintain healthy
environment. The unicorn grocery can produce product keep all environment aspects in
the minds.
M4: Analysis of factors upon business environment and wider community
 Organisational culture: Different firms has their own rules and policies as well as style
of working depending upon the manufacturing of final product and the dress code of
employees.
 Human resource: It can be defined as the skills, abilities, and commitment of the
employees and the contribution of their strengths towards the company and the tasks will
be decided to do regarding the efficiencies of the employees.
 Customers: The standards of the firm is dependent on their customers as the success of
the product depends on the taste and preferences of the customers and they can only
define the future profits and desires of modifying the product regarding the needs of
customers.
D2: Application of operational management
It has been seen that there are various application those are effective in management of
department. It is essential for the company to focus on productivity and profitability so the best
outcomes can be generated.
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CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it has been concluded that management and operations
both are performing their role in effective manner in attaining organisation objectives. The role
and responsibilities of both leader and manager are essentially utilise in order to generate more
better outcomes. Use of there best effort in growth of business in various situation are discuss
under this report. Certain theories and methods are applied for the betterment of company's
bright future. All those impact which are affecting the profitability of an organisation are explain
under this project. The overall analysis is providing great chance of growth and sustainability in
coming time.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Ageron, B., Gunasekaran, A. and Spalanzani, A., 2012. Sustainable supply management: An
empirical study. International Journal of Production Economics. 140(1). pp.168-182.
Ashby, A., Leat, M. and Hudson-Smith, M., 2012. Making connections: a review of supply chain
management and sustainability literature. Supply Chain Management: An International
Journal. 17(5). pp.497-516.
Ashford, N., Coutu, P. and Beasley, J., 2013. Airport operations.
Bujak, A., Carvalho, W. and Sriramulu, R., 2012. Lean management and operations in the global
professional services industry. In Globalization of professional services. (pp. 95-104).
Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Closs, D. J., Speier, C. and Meacham, N., 2011. Sustainability to support end-to-end value
chains: the role of supply chain management. Journal of the Academy of Marketing
Science. 39(1). pp.101-116.
DeHoratius, N. and Rabinovich, E., 2011. Field research in operations and supply chain
management.
Fernie, J. and Sparks, L., 2014. Logistics and retail management: emerging issues and new
challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan page publishers.
Golicic, S. L. and Smith, C. D., 2013. A meta‐analysis of environmentally sustainable supply
chain management practices and firm performance. Journal of supply chain
management. 49(2). pp.78-95.
Ham, I., Hitomi, K. and Yoshida, T., 2012. Group technology: applications to production
management. Springer Science & Business Media.
Moutinho, L. ed., 2011. Strategic management in tourism. Cabi.
Singhal, K. and Singhal, J., 2012. Imperatives of the science of operations and supply-chain
management. Journal of Operations Management. 30(3). pp.237-244.
Starr, M. K. and Van Wassenhove, L. N., 2014. Introduction to the special issue on humanitarian
operations and crisis management. Production and Operations Management. 23(6).
pp.925-937.
Storbacka, K., 2011. A solution business model: Capabilities and management practices for
integrated solutions. Industrial Marketing Management. 40(5). pp.699-711.
Tayur, S., Ganeshan, R. and Magazine, M. eds., 2012. Quantitative models for supply chain
management (Vol. 17). Springer Science & Business Media.
Online
SWOT Analysis. 2017.[Online]. Available through: <http://www.business-to-you.com/swot-
analysis/>.
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