Approaches to Operations Management and the Role of Leaders and Managers

This document discusses the key approaches to operations management, including total quality management and six sigma. It also explores the role that leaders and managers play in implementing these approaches and ensuring the quality and efficiency of operations. The case study of Farmfoods, a British frozen food supermarket chain, is used to illustrate these concepts.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.........1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts.......................................................................................................3
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency.........................................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play..............................................................................................................................6
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives.....................................................................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by leaders and managers.....................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management is undertaken as the concept which is useful in terms of providing guidance
to company in terms of its effective operations considering its staff members as well. In regard of
this, organisation is considered as an administration which include the people, culture, structure,
goals and objectives in an effective manner (Burns, 2018). In terms of this, operations
management the procedure which is useful in terms of taking significant decisions that has major
impact on the performance and productivity of company and an organisation also gets influence
at the time of change. To carry forward this report, farmfoods is considered which is a British
Frozen Food supermarket chain situated in Cumbernauld, Scotland. In regard of this, company
also operate its functions in UK and also has around 300 stores. Along with this, report tends to
cover the functions of manager and role of leader as per various situations in order to get better
vision for the significant concept. Furthermore, it tends to cover several models and theories
considering the operations management with effective execution. It also undertake the
significance of operations management practices and undertake several factors that has major
impact on the decision making of leaders and managers.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leaders are those individuals who has the effective power that has major influence on the
mind and thinking pattern of employees according to them. Furthermore, these people has major
influence on other individuals in terms of work done by other (Gillen, Jacquillat and Odoni,
2016). Moreover, it is useful for the leaders to motivate employees and make significant
improvement in their working pattern regarding the effective achievement of targets and
objectives in an effective manner.
Characteristics of leader:
Positive attitude: It is significant for the leader to have positive attitude as it is helpful for
the followers in terms of increasing their morale in an effective manner and make things possible
within the stipulated period of time. Therefore, this attitude is essential among leaders in terms of
accomplishing their objectives and tasks in an effective manner.
Hard worker: It is undertaken as the significant characteristic of a leader as in this,
leaders influences others to work harder and for this, leaders need to set an example among its
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employees and followers as due to this, they can follow the pathway of leaders considering the
requirements and preferences.
Role of a leader:
 Leaders tends to offer prominent guidance and support in terms of encouraging their
employees as it is prominent to enhance the performance level of employees as it is
related to the work which is offered to them (Bozarth and Handfield, 2016). Additionally, leaders also tends to take decisions and provide guidance as per their goals
and objectives of the benefit of both company and employees so that there is no
employee who feel left over in company.
Manager are the individuals who is responsible for proper management undertaking
various tasks which is performed in company and by employees as well in an effective manner
regarding the achievement of objectives and goals of company (Ferguson and et. al., 2019).
Characteristic of manager: There are various characteristics of managers that are important for
the effective working condition in an organisation in terms of Farmfoods which is mentioned as
underneath:
 In terms of this, communication is significant characteristic of manager in which
managers need to immediately transfer the information to their employees and also tell
them regarding the responsibilities and roles of as by this they can work in an effective
manner. Managers also tends to assign power and duties to their employees as by this they can
also get motivate in order to improve their performance undertaking their objectives and
targets in company.
Role of a manager:
 Managers need to provide effective guidance to their employees as by this they can
prominently complete the work which is assigned to employees in an effective manner. Managers also need to monitor the overall working performance and progress of
employees in terms of taking better decisions to make effective enhancement for the
performance of employees.
Comparison among the leaders and managers:
Basis Leader Manager
Meaning Leaders are those individuals Managers are those who work
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who has prominent interest
undertaking the working
condition of employees and
performance of company
(Adebiyi, Oyatoye and Amole,
2016).
for the accomplishment of
goals and objectives within an
organisation.
Approach In this, leaders put emphasis
on the objectives and goals of
company.
Here, managers tends to
develop and assign prominent
policies and strategies in terms
of company.
Subordinate In this, multitudes are
undertaken as the
subordinates.
Here, employees are
considered as the subordinates.
Style Here, leaders follow
transformational leadership
style.
Managers tends to follow
transactional leadership style.
Decision These individuals are
responsible for executing
decisions.
They are responsible for
developing and making
decisions.
Aim Their objective is regarding
the accomplishment of goals
and objectives of both
organisation and individual.
In this, results are expected on
the basis of organisational
goals and targets.
TASK 2
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts
In this, the prominent objective of leaders and managers is regarding the effective
improvement considering various working methods and also tends to clear the path of company
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towards the method of accomplishment of objectives and goals that are accomplished in
prominent way. For this, various types of leadership and management styles are helpful as it is
possible to ensure for the effective functioning of company (Leiras and et. al., 2019). In terms of
Farmfoods, they could make effective use of various leadership and management styles in terms
of making prominent improvement within the overall working pattern in an effective manner
considering the result of company. Hence, few situations are described undertaking the roles of
managers and leaders that can exist within an organisation which is mentioned as under:
SITUATION 1:
Change management: Within the market area, there are various types of changes occur
due to the changes that occur in the preferences and requirements of people. For this, various
types of applications are helpful in terms of sharing information with others and also tends to use
various communication methods in terms of conveying the prominent information and data with
others (Reid and Sanders, 2019). But there are various situations that occur undertaking various
situations that tends to make leakage in information. Hence, with the help of proper initiative, the
executives of Farmfoods help employees and company in terms of developing their effective
application.
SITUATION 2:
Conflict management: It is the another situation which hugely influence the
performance of company and individuals. For this, the managers and leaders of company tends to
share any kind of information with their employees and peers and also has the possibility that
any group does not share any information and also has the possibility in terms of increasing
problems (Hitt, Xu and Carnes, 2016). Therefore, by this, using effective management and
leadership, Farmfoods leads to provide significant information as it is helpful in terms of
eliminating conflicts.
In terms of making enhancement in the situation, it is essential for Farmfoods to make
effective use of classical management theory. As it is helpful in terms of overseeing the
prominent data considering the offer which is useful in eliminating the conflicts and barriers in
information. Hence, with the help of transformational leadership theory, employees can have
proper control in the fast changing situation. Considering the help of managers, Farmfoods can
observe the change in any situation undertaking the progress and also satisfy the requirement of
people and employers.
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P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency
There are various ideas that are useful by Farmfoods in terms of effective observation and
the influence on workers undertaking their goals by which they feel much inspired and also tends
to use their efforts for the effective development and enhancement within an organisation. For
this, various theories and models are helpful that are mentioned as:
Situational leadership: This theory is used as per the various situations and concerning
circumstances. It is identified that this approach of leadership has prominent capacity and
effective actions that are performed by managers according to the situation (Radnor and
Bateman, 2016). This approach tends to undertake four prominent structure including, telling,
selling, participating and delegating. In terms of Farmfoods, company tends to develop plans and
use approaches according to the delegated work in which representatives can perform according
to the situation. Role of a leader: Here, leaders tends to assume regarding their job in terms of
considering proper plans and significant approaches which indicate various situations
considering the goals in which they can perform properly considering the
accomplishment of objectives of company.
 Functions of a manager: In this, the manager of company tends to help in terms of
taking estimate of prominent situation in terms of developing plans and norms which
indicate prominent situation which is beneficial for company regarding the development.
System leadership theory: It is considered as an effective approach which is used by
company in terms of working in an effective manner considering the objectives and goals which
is achieved in an effective way. Moreover, with the help of this, managers of Farmfoods tends to
develop secure and effective structure and culture in which the representative of company can
regulate within the obligations and also helpful for Farmfoods in terms of achieving prominent
steps which is developed by individuals for business. In this, managers of company leads to
pursue prominent configuration plans, arrangements and other techniques undertaking the
objectives that are delegated in terms of performing in an effective manner as per the situation. Role of a leader: Here, leaders provide safe and flexible working culture so that the
representatives can regulate their functions freely without facing any kind of issue that
helps in achieving objectives in given period of time (Nonogaki, 2016). For this, the
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managers offer prominent structure to subordinates concerning the goals in terms of
working in an effective way.
 Function of a manager: In this, the manager of Farmfoods leads to consider the
significant norms and regulations in terms of offering things to their employees with
effective rights in terms of making work in an effective manner. Managers also tends to
help leaders in terms of developing plans and strategies in an effective manner
considering various tasks of company.
Fiedler's Contingency model: This model tends to represent the estimation of significant
skills that empower the representatives of company. In relation with Farmfoods, company can
use this approach as the managers are present for motivating employees regarding their goals and
also make their investment for achieving their targets significantly. This method is used by the
managers as per the circumstances and abilities of employees. Role of a leader: In this model, leaders leads to improve the skills of representatives
undertaking their goals that can accomplish undertaking the working time period. Leaders
observe their employees undertaking the attitudes and abilities of workers (Fettermann
and et. al., 2018).
 Function of a manager: Managers depict those task which is indicated by their
employees undertaking the circumstances and abilities.
TASK 3
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play
Various approaches and methodologies are covered under the operations management
which is used in terms of measuring and controlling the operations and performance in
Farmfoods. For this, few approaches are mentioned as: Total quality management: This approach is useful in terms of ensuring regarding the
quality of products and maintain constant offerings towards customers. For this, the basic
objective of this approach is to enhance and manage the quality of services and products
which is provided by company (Choi and et. al., 2018). In terms of Farmfoods, TQM
depict the proper procedure in terms of managing the long term success. It is useful in
terms of enhancing products and services within the company. It also represent the proper
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requirement in terms of developing effective image of Farmfoods in marketplace.
Farmfoods deals as the retail chain and it is also important to put emphasis on enhancing
the quality of product which is offered by company. This strategy also put emphasis on
prominent policies and strategies which is useful in terms of effective improvement
undertaking the quality of products and services. Hence, it put positive impact on the
running and functioning of company and also provide effective satisfaction level to
customers. Six sigma: It is the statistical approach which is useful in executing and analysing proper
enhancement within the products and services of company. The basic objective of six
sigma is to make effective changes within the process in terms of making sure regarding
the quality. In regard of this, company need to make prominent improvement considering
the efficiency and working conditions that lead towards the elimination of cost and time
(Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018). Hence, with the help of this, company is able to
identify various problems and find their solutions in terms of enhancing the customer
experience.
 Lean production: This approach is used in terms of eliminating waste without
compromising the quality of prominent products and services. In relation with
Farmfoods, company tends to cut down their cost concerning the extra production cost
that tends to maintain the quality and eliminate wastage of products. It is useful in terms
of enhancing the efficiency of workforce in company.
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
Operations management represent the term which is beneficial for the business
organisation and also tends to manage in terms of achieving the prominent efficiency of the
operations of business for the accomplishment of objectives and goals of company. It undertake
the effectiveness and value of the operations management which is provided as underneath: Process Design: It represent the another capacity for the executives which is considered
as the helpful structure and tends to assemble system of company (Akalin, Huang and
Willems, 2016). It is prominent for Farmfoods in terms of facts which is helpful for the
management considering the separate organisation tends to make significant
enhancement in the development of of products in terms of gathering products which is
represented by the preferences and demands of customers. Furthermore, it is useful in
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terms of satisfying the goals of company and also tends to offer prominent fulfilment of
the requirements of customers. Control and Design system: It is the primary activity which is useful in terms of
controlling the operations management and also undertake prominent course of action of
the products in terms of implementing the objectives of company (Gibson and Parkman,
2018). In Farmfoods, with the help of this capacity, company tends to develop their
strong and effective framework. As with the help of this, management of company can
make effective control on the wastage and circulation of assets and wastage which
depicts several methods of elimination of wastage.
 Cost reduction: The significant benefit which is enjoyed by Farmfoods concerning the
operational management technique and other methods including TQM and six sigma for
the elimination of cost. Hence, Farmfoods can become the cost leader by offering
products at the low prices in terms of achieving competitive advantage for the operational
management tools which is essential for the prominent development.
TASK 4
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision-making by leaders and managers
There are various factors that has major impact on the decision making process of
company including Farmfoods and for this, it is important for respective company to make
effective reduction in the interference of these factors considering the working of company. For
this, various elements are mentioned as under: International competition: It depict the products and services in which Farmfoods deals
and also offered by various organisations and competitors that tends to make their
operations within the global level. Therefore, in terms of increasing the competitive edge
in market and over the competitors, it is significant for the company to make significant
undertaking the policies and strategies by which the operations management is highly
influenced (Meredith and Shafer, 2019). Political: It depict the significant consideration of the stability of policies undertaking
government, rules and regulations, consumer laws, taxation policy, foreign policy and so
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on that has major impact on various strategies of Farmfoods. Therefore, the decision
making process of company is highly influenced by the political conditions. Stakeholders: These are the individuals who have authority to influence the functions
and operations of Farmfoods. In regard of this, the major stakeholders of an organisation
are its customers for which company can do anything in terms of satisfying them and for
this, both leaders and managers adopt prominent practices including TQM and Lean
production in terms of making operations cost more effective by offering products at the
low prices (Gillen, Jacquillat and Odoni, 2016).
 Sustainability: This factor also has major impact on Farmfoods regarding its decision-
making in terms of management in market and also undertake the new trends in terms of
attracting people towards the sustainable products and undertake the prominent
development of suitable methods (Bozarth and Handfield, 2016). Therefore, Farmfoods
need to consider the significant phenomena which is fulfilled by both leaders and
managers in terms of saving cost and also lead towards the elimination of prominent
techniques like TQM, six sigma and so on.
CONCLUSION
By considering the above discussion, it is identified that the need of team leaders and
managers are required within an organisation in terms of making operations more effective and it
also useful in making people more competent and potential. Furthermore, undertaking the
significant analysis and proper understanding is required in terms of making things more
effective and clear considering the management and operations of company which is useful in
order to achieve goals and objectives within an organisation and also expect the desired outcome
considering the goals and objectives. Despite from this, objectives are accomplished and also
depict the significance of success and growth that leads to enhance the competition in market.
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REFERENCES
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management. Pearson.
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machines. U.S. Patent 10,176,095.
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