Roles and Characteristics of Managers and Leaders in Operations Management

This report discusses the roles and characteristics of managers and leaders in operations management, including their efficient characteristics and the importance of their roles. It also examines different theories and models of approach in operations management.

Management
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................1
P1 Roles and efficient characteristics of a manager and leader.............................................1
P2 Examine examples of 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 ......................................................................4
P4 Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play5
P5 The importance and values of operations management in achieving the business objectives
................................................................................................................................................6
P6 Factors of business environment which impact the operational management and decision
that are made by the managers and leaders. ..........................................................................7
CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................8
REFERENCE ........................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Management is an administration of organisations and various functions which needs to
increase the profitability and overall productivity. It consist of organisation, direction and
planning which needs to be controlled and monitored. Marks & Spencer is one of the British
multinational retailer brand which has a headquartered in London. They are quiet specialize in
selling clothes, food products and the home products by having operations in an online and
offline mediums. For an organisation, operations are quiet helpful in enhancing the profitability
and efficiency. This report is based on the discussion of several roles that have been played by
the leaders, impact of leadership and management, concept and different theories. There is a
discussion which also includes operational functions with the analysis of external business
environment (de Chambrun, Bréchot and Combes, 2019).
P1 Roles and efficient characteristics of a manager and leader.
Concept of leadership: Leaders and their leadership is an important concept in all the
organisation which helps to influence the behaviour of employees and working in the
organisation. In relation with Marks & Spencer, there are many leadership qualities including
encouragement of subordinates, maintaining the personal relationships and leading the teams.
Concept of management: In an organisation, management helps in performing different
functions like planning, controlling actions and many others. Managers have to work and are
responsible for various roles and individual competence level.
Role of managers and leaders: The managers and leaders play a significant role in increasing
the success and enhancements in the organisation.
Role of Leaders:
 Motivate their team members and influence the employees by offering the financil and
non-financial incentives.
Role of Managers:
 Allocation of different responsibility with increasing skills and capabilities.
 In an organisation, managers have to organise, manager and are responsible for
controlling of actions and activities (Sugiyanto, 2018).
Characteristics of managers and leaders:
Managers & leaders posses characteristics as mentioned below:
1

 Solving various problems: Resolving the issues is the major duty of leaders and
managers. They assists their employees in developing and well maintained of the
organisation.
 Influencing others: Leaders and managers posses capacity to influence their
subordinates and to get the better insights.
 Communicating effectively : It suggested that the managers of Marks & Spencer
communicate more effectively. Hence there are the responsibilities of leaders and
managers to made decisions in functioning of the organisation.
Characteristics of leaders:
 Courage: To perform various functions and taking decisions, leaders have a courage to
take risks.
 Optimist: It has been suggested that leaders should be more optimistic in terms of doing
various opportunities and create a positive environment in the organisation.
Management functions:
Some of the functions performed in M&S are discussed below:
 Planning: In relation with Marks & Spencer, there is a need to plan different fubnctions
on the basis of planned objectives and there is a need to achieve it for the success and
growth.
 Organisation: The managers of Marks & Spencer needs to allocate resources according
to the availability of various resources to their employees.
 Directing: It refers to the way in which employees are receive guidance and support to
perform various activities and respective tasks.
Leadership styles:
 Transactional: It is one of the leadership style which states that there is a need to have
clear instructions to the leader so that they will provide them to the employees and
ensures the consistent performance to achieve profit in an organisation.
 Transformational: Marks & Spencer used this leadership style on the basis of values
and beliefs and helps the employees to increase their respective opportunities. The style
also helps in motivating the employees.
2

 Action centred leadership: This is a style that guides the way management & leadership
theories are applied in a organisation. In M&S managers can make use of such approach
for management of groups and ensuring high focus.
Comparison of leaders and managers
Dimensions Leader Manager
Goal focussed There is a need to have a clear
and a set vision. In relation
with Marks & Spencer, the
plan and procedure of overall
vision in this organisation is
followed by their subordinates.
This is a duty of managers to
motivate and manage work
which is assigned to the
employees working in Marks
& Spencer.
Delegation of responsibilities Leaders provide instructions to
the staff members.
Managers are delegating the
responsibilities by assignment
of tasks according to
competence level of
employee.
Management of workforce In Marks & Spencer, this is a
responsibility of leaders to
manage their respective teams.
Role of managers is to
organise working of whole
organisation so that all
activities can be carried in a
well structured manner.
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts.
Roles played by the leaders and managers are very crucial in management of conflicts and issues
that are faced.
Conflict theory: It states that organisation face conflicts that arises because of the possibility of
the barriers in communication, workforce and many other changes. Such type of situation can be
managed by the leaders and managers.
3

Role of leaders: Different leaders and the managers in HR department have responsibilities to
take such issues. Leaders in Marks & Spencer handle situations of conflicts and disturbances.
Role of managers: Managers are the immediate supervisors of such issues which helps in
formulating the policies by assistance of the top management. In relation with Marks & Spencer
managers ensures that there are high level of satisfaction to be given to the employees and
various opinions can be expressed.
Implementation of changes: It refers to changes which are necessarily take place in every
organisation. There are lots of changes which have been taken place on the basis of products,
places and services. In such type of changes
Role of leaders include: Leaders in the organisation create vision of employees and understand
the benefits. Leaders make sure that every employee must get proper training and guidance of
new technology which will be implemented (Yoon-Sik, 2019).
Role of managers include: They form policies, plan and procedures so that changes must be
adapted by the employees.
P3 Different theories and models of approach
Situational leadership: This type of theory suggest that leaders and managers adapt the style on
the basis of their current situation. The situation model of leadership focuses on the flexibility
and moral support so that leaders are able to adapt there needs according to the followers and
demands of the situation. There are many situations in which situational leadership is quiet
appropriate. For example, in relation with Marks & Spencer customers preferences in clothing
are verify on the basis of different taste and colours. It changes the sales of that particular
product and also changes the market structure. The model include four types of sub styles such
as
telling: Marks & Spencer leaders and managers guide their employees what has to be done.
Selling: Marks & Spencer leaders and managers sharing their ideas with their employees.
Participating: Decision making can be only possible by participating of all the employees.
Delegating: Marks & Spencer needs to provide the task to their employees delegately.
Systems leadership: This type of leadership refers to managers and leaders believe in results
rather than plans and procedures. This theory has been completely focuses on various activities.
These activities include implementing the plan in a right manner. Marks & Spencer is the second
4

largest and multinational confectionery brand which consist of different types of departments
with certain goals and objectives which needs to achieved at a certain point of time.
Contingency Leadership: This approach focuses on different situation which arises in the
Marks & Spencer Organisation. The team member of the organisation get a chance to resolve.
This type of model is being used on the basis of different paths in order to achieve success and
growth. According to this particular theory, an individual person in the organisation can be an
effective leader and this theory is very important and beneficial because specific situation gives
the potential for learning and influence the future management. The ability to adapt the changes
and external pressure is one of the great advantage in contingency leadership.
P4 Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play
To understand about the operation management in more functional and enthusiastic way
then key approaches are something which needs to be understand. Such approaches help the
organisation in taking various decisions and act accordingly. Such approaches are mentioned
below
Just in time: This approach suggest that the plan and procedure in a particular time period helps
to complete the set target in an organisation. There is a need to obtain the best suitable results. In
reducing the waste of resources or recycle the waste material is the process which include in just
in time approach. Moreover, machinery and tolls are being take care so as to make the
manufacturing with the correct desirable results. In relation with Marks & Spencer, just in time
approach helps in manufacturing stock holdings to a bare minimum. Managers focuses on
increasing the demand of clothing and accessories more accurately. Leaders are responsible for
reducing the wastage (Nałęcz, 2018).
Total Quality Time: It has been suggested that goals can be achieve by plan a particular
structure of work in longer duration of time. In relation with Marks & Spencer, The success
results that impacted because of the longer duration of time can easily access the earning of
profit. It helps in maintain the quality and price of the products and services. The leaders and
managers of Marks and Spencer generally focusing on improving the production by enhancing
the quality and improving the level of satisfaction given to the customers.
Lean Production: To get the best results and output, it has been suggested that lean method
approach is the best in all. It includes various factors such as reuse the waste material and use the
products with the potentiality and capacity. The leaders and managers make the employees aware
5

of the efficient use of resources and to reduce the wastage. This methods simply helps in
improving the production of works and improving the skills. Marks & Spencer uses this
approach to reduces waste material during the production process which helps in improving the
efficiency. In Marks & Spencer managers must be focus on achievements of changes by
implementing the changes to improve the quality and efficiency of system. Leaders have to
make sure that the small defects should not repeated and allocate activities to enhance the
efficiency for the whole process.
Six sigma: It is a process of eliminating the defects and focus on qualification of business
opportunities. There is a need to identify the variations so that high quality of products needs to
be created. Leaders in Marks & Spencer are responsible to make sure about how the defects can
be avoided. Managers in Marks & Spencer ensure that the techniques should be adopted by
employees and must be reflect in the performance (Oh, E. and Wang, 2020).
Queuing theory: It is a theory which suggest that the mathematical approach mus be based on
delays and the components of the waiting line. In Marks & Spencer Leaders are responsible for
analyse the needs and desire of employees, increase potential and productivity of workers,
leaders need to provide proper guidance and existence to achieve best results and output.
Managers usually focus on dealing with the customers queries and services, improving the
traffic flow and efficiently shipping of the orders from the warehouse (Buyvol and et. al., 2018).
P5 The importance and values of operations management in achieving the business objectives
In an organisation, the importance and values of management and operations are to be
understand in such a way so to achieve maximum benefits and satisfaction. The organisation
Marks & Spencer has to be understood and analyse the importance and values of operation in
achieving the business objectives and these are mentioned below.
 Finished goods are transformed from the raw materials: To maximise the sales and
purchases, operation management is a technique which helps in easily converting the raw
material into the finished goods. In relation with Marks & Spencer, it has been said that
the function of operation management helps in scheduling the proper plan and activities
and reduces the chances of delayed work. The important objective is to cross check and
verify the products (García-Triviño and et. al., 2019).
 Control & distribution system: This technique simply helps the organisation to work on
the basis of existing information and provide materials so that the production department
6

of the organisation is easily available. In relation with Marks & Spencer, the technique
operation management main agenda is to have the quality of high effectiveness and
improving the process of supply chain.
 Process design: This technique of the Operation management helps the organisation
Marks & Spencer to enhance the efficiency and it will automatically leads to achieve
goals and vision so that various activities will be performed enthusiastically.
 Capacity management: This system suggest that the business will be able to maximise
the potential and production of the organisation. In the capacity management system, the
organisation is measures in terms of how the products and services will be produced and
achieve goals and success. In this the objective of M&S to focus on maximum utilisation
of resource is achieved (Pruvost, Enae-Roscnblatt, and Haufe, 2018).
 Inventory and logistic management: This system is a systematic part of supply chain in
the management of the organisation so that it helps the organisation to easily move the
products and services from one particular location to another. Five major elements such
as shipping activities, storage techniques, tracking of the delivery process and network
designing can be maintained in an organisation by this technique. This helps in
maintaining of cost and reduction of storage cost that is ultimate aim that is maximisation
of profitability.
 Scheduling: It refers to the process of controlling various activities, optimizing the work
and arranging the work to be conduct in the organisation. In Marks & Spencer, human
resources planning, resources allocation and monitoring the production are all included in
scheduling. Assessment of factors in a business environment that has a impact on
operational process & decision making process.
P6 Factors of business environment which impact the operational management and
decision that are made by the managers and leaders.
The factors of business environment includes external and internal factors. These are the
factors which are responsible for decision making process in Marks & Spencer. These are the
factors which are discussed below:
Corporate social responsibility: To understand the effects of societal and factors will helps in
developing of the practices on an ethical level (Douketis and et. al., 2019).
7

Leaders must ensure that there is a need of tipple bottom line which needs to be achieve
to protect the organisation from environmental concerns and economic factors.
Managers are responsible for making the relationship with some other stakeholders. In
Marks & Spencer, there is a need to have sustainability to achieve success and growth.
Ethics : Ethics for the company is sates of standard principles which has to be followed by the
organisation in all the aspects of business which in return help the organisation to set a moral
value of its brand , increasing the customer loyalty towards the brand And the M&S company is
has highest ethical value in market and customer because of the chain management process.
Leaders work is to make sure that company value is increasing continuously so that it
will helpful for the organisation to get highest shareholders.
Manager work is to take care of every investor , shareholders, manager work is to
manage relationship, with shareholders.
CONCLUSION
The above discussion concludes that in every organisation, leaders and managers played
an important role to achieve the growth and success in an organisation. The leaders and
managers uses different leadership styles and way of working so that the employee will be work
more efficiently and in an enthusiastic way. Overall performance of an organisation can be
successfully achieve if work structure will be well planned and in an appropriate way. For the
purpose of analysing the situation there is need to consider various techniques such as six sigma,
just in time inventory, lean production and many others to help in dealing with such issues that
are useful to maximise the growth and satisfaction in Marks & Spencer. In addition to this, there
are internal and external factors which impact the Marks & Spencer. These are the factors
include CSR, values, sustainability and cultural that are taken into the consideration. All these
factors are part of responsibility of managers and leader's in a organisation.
8

REFERENCE
Books and Journal
Douketis and et. al., 2019. Perioperative management of patients with atrial fibrillation receiving
a direct oral anticoagulant. JAMA internal medicine, 179(11), pp.1469-1478.
Pruvost, H., Enae-Roscnblatt, O. and Haufe, J., 2018, October. Information integration and
semantic interpretation for building energy system operation and maintenance. In
IECON 2018-44th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (pp.
813-818). IEEE.
Oh, E. and Wang, H., 2020. Reinforcement-Learning-Based energy storage system operation
strategies to manage wind power forecast uncertainty. IEEE Access, 8, pp.20965-20976.
García-Triviño and et. al., 2019. Optimised operation of power sources of a
PV/battery/hydrogen-powered hybrid charging station for electric and fuel cell vehicles.
IET Renewable Power Generation, 13(16), pp.3022-3032.
de Chambrun, M.P., Bréchot, N. and Combes, A., 2019. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation in cardiogenic shock: indications, mode of operation, and current evidence.
Current Opinion in Critical Care, 25(4), pp.397-402.
Kim, J.S., So, S.M., Kim, J.T., Cho, J.W., Park, H.J., Jufri, F.H. and Jung, J., 2019. Microgrids
platform: A design and implementation of common platform for seamless microgrids
operation. Electric Power Systems Research, 167, pp.21-38.
Yoon-Sik, Y.O.O. and Lee, I.W., Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, 2019.
Apparatus for managing optimized asset of distributed resources and operation method
of the same. U.S. Patent 10,320,700.
Yılmaz, F., Kaplan, C. and Naebi, N., 2018. Anaphylaxis due to liver hydatid cyst during the
operation. Cyprus J Med Sci, 3, pp.112-113.
Deep, M.D., 2019. Internship Report On Credit Operation Management of IDLC Finance
Limited.
Nałęcz, A., 2018. Internet Traffic Management Under EU Regulation 2015/2120–The Need for
the Co-operation of Legal and Computer Scientists. In International Conference on
Information Systems Architecture and Technology (pp. 90-99). Springer, Cham.
Sahu, A., Baruah, K., Negi, S. and Deshmukh, O.D., Yen4ken Inc, 2018. Method and system for
content processing to query multiple healthcare-related knowledge graphs. U.S. Patent
Application 15/355,085.
Buyvol and et. al., 2018. Increase in the efficiency of the operation of vehicle inspection
companies. Dilemas Contemporáneos: Educación, Política y Valore, 6(Special).
Sugiyanto, E.M., 2018. Earning Management, Risk Profile and Efficient Operation in the
Prediction Model of Banking: Eviden from Indonesia.
9