Microgrid Operation and Management

This assignment delves into the crucial aspects of microgrid operation and management. It examines various energy management systems, focusing on optimization approaches to enhance efficiency and reliability. The integration of renewable energy sources like wind turbines and photovoltaic panels within microgrids is also discussed, along with considerations for power quality, protection, and active network management.

Management and
Operations
Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager...........................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 How the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational
contexts.......................................................................................................................................3
P3 Different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, System
leadership and contingency.........................................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play.....6
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving Business objectives...........7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by Leaders and managers................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is consider as an important process of creating the highest
level of efficiency within the organization with the purpose of maximizing profitability level.
Mainly it is concerned with converting material into final goods and services to offer in market
place. Operation management is a function which includes designing and controlling entire
business activities with the aim of attaining set goals and objectives in effective manner. In
addition of this, it is highly concerned with planning, organizing and supervising all the activities
of production process (Eghtedarpour and Farjah, 2014). With the assistance of this, firm can
easily enhance their brand image at market place and at the same time also build strong
customers base. Present report is based on Marks and Spencer, which is one of the famous retail
company in UK. It specializes in selling luxury food products, home product and clothing in
market place for satisfying customers’ needs and wants. Current project also covers role of
leader and function of manager in business organization. Along with this theories and models of
leadership approaches are also mentioned in this report. Key approaches of operations
management and its importance is discussed here which help in attaining set business objectives.
TASK 1
P1 Compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Marks and Spencer is British multinational company which deal in retail industry. It was
established by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in 1884. Company sell clothing, home
products and luxury food products to large number of customers with the aim of attaining their
higher satisfaction. Mainly, organization operate their stores globally and having approx 84939
employees and 979 stores in various countries. The main aim of this company is to provide
satisfaction level to customers by providing them quality products and services as per their needs
and wants.
Leader:
A person who have designation to monitor and direct their team members with the
purpose of making them able to perform well (Fayol, 2016). One of the main role of leader is to
provide better direction to staff members at the time of performing allotted task. Along with this,
they also have power to take decisions within the organization.
Manager:
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A manager is the person who has capability to manage and operate all the business
activities for attaining set goals and objectives in systematic manner (Difference Between Leader
and Manager, 2014). In context of Marks and Spencer, various managers such as project
manager, line manager and many more are operating all the business activities under distinct
departments. Along with this, they are also responsible for managing targets and aims for
attaining success.
Difference between leader and manager:
Basis Manager Leader
Meaning Manager is a person who
responsible for managing and
coordinating all the activities
within the organization.
A person who lead and influence their
team members to perform well and
attain set goals and objectives.
Risk Managers are responsible for
controlling risk factors within
the organization.
Leaders take risk with the hope of
attaining positive outcomes.
Aim The main aim of manager is to
attain all the required results in
appropriate time frame.
In this, the main of leader is to increase
growth and development of the
workers and company as well.
Function The main function of a manager
is to plan, organize and direct all
the activities that are performed
by the workers within the
company.
The main function of leader in Marks
and Spencer is to motivate and
encourage workers towards the
specific goals and objectives.
In addition of this, manager played vital role in handling entire business activities in
effective manner. It helps in improving overall performance level of Marks and Spencer. The
role of a manager are as follows: Provide training to new workers: For increasing productivity of the workers, manager of
Marks and Spencer is responsible to provide better training programs to their new
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employees. In this manager is responsible for making induction program to make them
able to perform their task (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus, 2014).
 Conduct development programs for existing workers: It is also important role of
manager to provide development session for their existing workers to improve their skills
and knowledge towards the specific area and activities (Johnstone, 2016). With the help
of this, employees of Marks and Spencer can easily enhance their productivity.
Apart from this, leader is also important for business organization as it provide better
direction to their staff members with the aim of making them able to attain set targets. In this,
there are some major role of leader in Marks and Spencer are as follows: Make alternative way to perform task: As Marks and Spencer operate their operational
activities in various location then leader is responsible for making alternative plans to
effectively perform all the task in effective manner.
 Motivate workers: It is one of the important role of leader in Marks and Spencer is to
make effective strategies to motivate their workers. By providing them incentives,
rewards and many more, leader can easily motivate their staff members to perform well.
TASK 2
P2 How the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts
In business organization various situations occur in which both manager and leader play
their role. Both are having their specific role to improve their performance level.
Planning: Manager of marks and Spencer plan the activities which are undertaken in
organization in order to achieve the business goal. They decide the advertisement
medium,distribution channel and the desired sales.
Organizing: Manager organize the resources and the manpower needed in order to
accomplish the desired outcome. Marks and Spencer manager organize his teams and material
for the fulfillment of their plan. For this they assign work and grant authority to the employees.
Staffing: When manager of marks and Spencer decide their need and aim than they
recruit,select and train the employees for achievement of it (Lindström and et. al., 2015). Human
resource is the most essential part of the organization without whom business not able to carry
out any activity and their goal.
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Directing : Marks and Spencer leader provide the guidance ,direction and support to the
employees for the accomplishment of the business goals. The manager coach ,assist and solve
the problem of the employees regarding their work.
Controlling : Marks and Spencer manager evaluate the current position with the desired
position so that variation can be removed which affect the acquiring of the target (Mendis,
Muttaqi and Perera, 2014). Manager continuously check the result against goals and take
corrective actions in order to remain the plan on the correct path.
In addition of this, there are some role of leader and function of manager in different
situation within Marks and Spencer:
Decision making: It is one of the important situation within the business organization to
make entire activities and process appropriate. In this, the main function of manager is to provide
all the information about policies to leader with the purpose of improving the chances of
attaining positive outcomes. Along with this, leader play vital role in taking final decision as per
all the data and information that given by manager. This will directly contribute in enhancing
overall performance of the company at market place.
Implementation of policies: It is also considered as an important situation in which
manager and leader are played their vital role because both are responsible for implementing all
the policies in Marks and Spencer. In context of manager function, they provide overall
performance of the company to leader so that they easily evaluate the way to improve the
chances of attaining positive outcomes. In addition of this, leader play vital role in determining
policies such as providing training to workers and many more. With the help of this leader easily
improve overall performance level.
P3 Different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, System
leadership and contingency
Marks and Spencer is already having a reputed image among industry they are dealing in
with because its managers are highly efficient and follows effective leadership theories
(Mohammadi, Soleymani and Mozafari, 2014). On the other hand, it has been found that because
of uncertain nature of business, Marks and Spencer have to make changes as per the
requirements so that to sustain at international market for a longer period of time. In present
context, some sort of leadership theories are given beneath:
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Situational leadership- Under this type of leadership, manager have to make alterations
among plans and policies as per the situation so that company may not face any sort of losses
(Palizban, Kauhaniemi and Guerrero, 2014). Here, it is duty of manager to take initiative and
make changes depending over the situation as per the requirements so that maximum benefits
can be gained. Hersey and Blanchard's leadership style is another name of situational leadership
style which carries four different style factors like Telling, Selling, Participating, Delegating.
Major advantage of this type of leadership is that a manager can make changes among
staff or policies so that to reduce risks to zero. On the other hand, main disadvantage of this
approach is that a team member may get dissatisfied because of removal of him/her from team
for specific goal.
System leadership- This theory is clearly mentioned and followed by manager of Marks
and Spencer at the time of making no mistakes. Here, a systematic format or structure is
followed by the manager so that goal or target can get attained right on time.
Major advantage of system leadership is that staff member mostly do not waste time to
think about new and innovative method as manager have already given them a path to follow
(Schulze and et. al.,2016). Apart from this, disadvantage of this leadership theory is that it does
not includes innovative ideas within the organization.
Contingency leadership- This leadership style emphasizes on developing certain solution
for the problem which can be used for handling every type of situation in the company. In
relation to Marks and Spencer, the firm focuses on using this leadership style as it is suitable for
business organization in every kind of situation.
Advantages: This approach is beneficial in dealing with the external forces of Marks and
Spencer. It is feasible for every changing situation in working environment.
Disadvantage: Contingency approach is not acceptable by the many employees as it
dissatisfies them at individual level. This impacts negatively on their performance level.
Impact of roles and leaders on organisation-
Leaders are important for Marks and Spencer as it helps them in them in improving
operational work of firm which results in increasing production level of the company. As a
result, it increases satisfaction level of customers (Radosavljević, Jevtić and Klimenta, 2016).
Leaders have strong influence over employees which motivates them to perform all assigned task
effectively
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Top management of Marks and Spencer is the required to opt democratic leadership style.
It has been analyzed that it is essential for company to avail authority to employees as it will help
them to take decision at the same time and it will also increase the accountability of employees
towards the company for their course of actions. On the other hand, it will also motivate
employees as they own authority now. Hence, they will give their best to organization which
impact on increase in productivity of employee’s performance.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play
Operations management is the main part of the company because it aids in making
working style appropriate and effective. Along with this, it also provides better guidance to the
workers at the time of performing their activities (Sedaghati and Kavousi-Fard, 2014). This will
help in making coordination among all the workers through which they can easily attain set goals
and objectives. With the assistance of this, company can easily enhance their productivity level
at market place. In this context there are some key approaches of operations management are as
follows:
Total quality management: TQM is related to reducing quality errors in production,
operations, supply chain and customer satisfaction. It is focused towards improving the overall
quality of management operations. In case of Marks and Spencer, leaders and managers act as
senior management to create process and implementing TQM in organisation. Leaders and
managers acts as change managers, involve each person of company and explain need of
implementing changes. They identify steps of change when one stage is completed then they
move to next stage of change to maintain quality. leaders delegates responsibilities for quality
improvement in organisation and provides required resources to management like funds,
training etc. for implementing changes.
Continuous improvement: This concept is related to contentiously improvement in
business process and operations. It will help company in achieving competitive advantages. In
case of Marks and Spencer, leaders and managers find opportunities for well-organized work and
lowering wastages.(Strande and Brdjanovic, 2014) Managers create plans which can improve
current operations. Then they execute their plan to implement changes and after this, leaders
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review their plans to see whether their plans are working in order to make changes in
organization. This will help in increasing productivity and profitability of company. It will also
enhance efficiency of effectiveness of employees that will reduce wastage of money, time and
efforts. This will also assist business in improving quality standards.
Lean production: This is an tactic by which management pays attention in reducing
waste and providing quality items and services to people (Tian and et. al., 2016). For this,
designing of system that is implementation of creative and innovative technologies are conducted
by manager of M&S. Production and distribution are other activities which are carried out for
delivery of products and services in market. In this leader responsibility is to direct and guide
staff members to perform tasks effectively and lower down waste level. Manage and leader both
focus on maintaining quality of products and services. Thus, they are able to maintain firm's
image and reputation in market in respect to competitors.
Just-in-Time: It is approach which is used by organization to improve system for
utilising resources and eliminating waste. For this, manager of M&S maintains relations with
suppliers which help them to order products and material in according to demands of people. In
this, leader role is to provide information to employees about needs of buyers to make them
function effectively.
Apart from this, there are some important role and responsibilities of leader and manager
through which company can easily enhance their brand image:
Manager and leader both play vital role in Marks and Spencer to established their positive
brand image at market place. In this context, manager have to be responsible for evaluating
market trends and customers preferences to make their policies accordingly. For reducing issues
and defects within the company, manager needs to provide better training and development
programs so that workers gain proper knowledge about new and innovative technologies. In
addition of this, by delivering authorities and responsibilities to worker’s manager can easily
complete all the task and activities within Marks and Spencer and at the same time also maintain
their quality products.
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving Business objectives
Operations management is an effective process which help in performing entire
operational activities in systematic manner (Wang and Cullinane, 2015). Mainly, it is important
for overall development of Marks and Spencer in market place through which company can
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easily enhance their productivity level as compare to its rivals. Along with this, it also help in
designing and controlling all the activities which support company to improve their brand image
and at the same time also capture larger market share. In this context, there are some importance
of operations management in Marks and Spencer to attain set goals and objectives. All these are
as follows:
Competitive advantage: Operations management is important for business organization
to improve the chances of attaining competitive advantage by making quality products and
services. As Marks and Spencer has various competitors like Tesco, Sainsbury's and many more.
Thus, it is important for company to make alternative plan and also modify their working style
for improving their performance (Webb, 2017). In addition of this, continuous improvement is
also an effective approach which used by Marks and Spencer to improve their quality products in
market place. This will help in reducing the unnecessary cost and at the same time also improve
brand image of the company at market place. This will directly contribute in attaining success at
market place.
Enhance profitability: Operations management is highly responsible for enhancing the
chances of attaining higher profitability level because it aids in making quality products and
services which consume by the customers as per their needs and wants. In context of Marks and
Spencer, manager of company gives responsibilities to their workers to perform their best with
the aim of attaining set goals and objectives. With the assistance of this, company serve quality
products and services and increase higher profitability level.
Improve performance: Operations management is an important business function which
is responsible for managing as well as controlling whole process of creating quality goods and
services. Mainly, it includes planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling all the resources
which directly help in improving goods and services. With the assistance of this company can
easily improve their performance level and capture larger market share from its rivals.
TASK 4
P6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by Leaders and managers
In market place, Marks and Spencer having strong brand image in which it is important
for company to analyses the whole market. With the help of this company can easily determine
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the affect of decision making process of Marks and Spencer. For attaining success in market,
company needs to analyses the business environment by using PEST analysis. All these are as
follows:
Political: This factors played vital role in affecting the decision making process of the
company because Marks and Spencer operate their business in various countries. It includes
government rules, policies and many more so that manager have to make policies as per this
factors. With the help of this, company may improve their positive performance and also
established their competitive brand image at market place.
Economical: It is also an important factor which includes GDP, interest rates of the
country. Thus, it is important for manager to consider all these factors within their activities to
improve the overall performance because it largely affect the product price of the company. By
considering this, Marks and Spencer can maintain their operational activities and improve their
performance also.
Social: These factors are related with taste, culture, lifestyle of the customers which
directly affect the entire decision making process of the company. In addition of this, change in
geographical region may affect the customers demand. Thus, it is important for Marks and
Spencer to evaluate the customer’s needs, market trends and preferences so that they can easily
serve quality products and services (Wright and et. al., 2014). This will largely affect the
decision making process of manager as they produce quality services as per customers
perspectives.
Technological: This factors is more important for company because changes in
technologies are rapidly take place which help in improving the entire operational activities of
the company. Thus, it is vital for manager of Marks and Spencer to implement the effective plan
and also provide better training and development programs to their staff members to make them
able to easily handle machinery. With the help of this, company can easily improve their overall
performance level at market place. Along with this, it directly impacts on decision making
process of the company that is taken by manager and leader of the company.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report, it has been analyzed that operations and management
played vital role in increasing profitability level of the company by managing and controlling
entire activities. In this manager and leader are also important for business to lead and manage
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all the working activities of the company and its workers as well. This will enhance the
productivity level of the company at market place. Along with this, various leadership theories
like system theory, situational leadership theory and contingency theory is also conclude in this
project which may aid in motivating as well as handling worker at workplace. In addition of this,
Six Sigma, continuous improvement, JIT are also summarized in report through which company
can easily improve their performance and at the same time also attain set goals and objectives.
Apart from this, PEST analysis is also covered, which evaluate the impact of external factor on
decision making process of the company. With the assistance of this company can easily
established their positive brand image at market.
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REFERENCES
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(pp. 533-535). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Johnstone, S., 2016.Labour and management co-operation: workplace partnership in UK
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Online
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Difference Between Leader and Manager. 2014. [Online]. Available
Through:<https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-leader-and-manager.html>.
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