Operations Management in Renewable Microgrids

This assignment delves into the complexities of operations management within the context of renewable microgrids. It examines various multi-operation management strategies employed in these systems, emphasizing the use of optimization techniques like Particle Swarm Optimization to enhance efficiency. The analysis highlights the challenges associated with managing a microgrid's diverse energy sources and integrating them with existing utility grids. The assignment also touches upon the role of intelligent control systems and real-time data monitoring in optimizing microgrid performance.

MANAGEMENT
AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 .........................................................................................................................................1
LO1..................................................................................................................................................1
P1 Evaluating different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager..............................1
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................3
P2 Role of a leader and the function of a manger in different situational context.....................3
P3 Different theories and models related to leadership..............................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches related to operations management and the role played by leaders and
managers.....................................................................................................................................6
P5 Significance and value of operational management..............................................................7
LO4..................................................................................................................................................8
P6 Factors with in business environment that affect on operational management.....................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCE ................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations are two important factors which play a crucial role in
conducting the business activities. Its main aim is to manage and control all the operations of
company so that they can effectively manage their business operations and achieve the objectives
for which they are working. In this, basically managers are given with the responsibilities to
handle all strategic issues that are prevailing in company and giving effective solutions to solve
it. Here, both leaders and managers play a crucial role as their guidance drive the employees to
work in an effective manner (Botton, Cavalletto, and Marmeggi, 2013). Company that has been
referred here is Marks and Spencer. It is considered as a big Multinational British retailing
company which is situated in London, UK. It is specialised in clothing, home as well as luxury
products and having 979 stores across the UK. This report will discuss about different roles
played by manager and leader while managing the business activities, various theories used by
them to manage the work operations, key approaches used by them in operational management
and the importance of operational management in achieving business objectives.
TASK 1
LO 1
P1. Evaluating different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
It is required for every organisation to have strong leadership and management skills so
that they would not face any issue in achieving their growth and objectives. Through this,
employees will receive guidance from the leaders which will help in enhancing their skills and
capabilities which finally leads to increase their productivity. If Marks and Spencer will have a
strong management and leadership activities then it will definitely support them in achieving
leading position in marketplace (Expósito and et. al., 2016).
A manager can be defined as a person who is responsible for managing all the
departments of business in an effective and efficient manner. They perform various roles in an
organisation like a friend, philosopher and a guide. They basically direct the employees towards
work they will perform in company. Marks and Spencer, being a top retail brand needs good
managers who will look after their various stores. Different roles played by the managers are:
ROLES OF A MANAGER
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 Team Development – Managers of Marks and Spencer are given with the responsibility
to make a good team inside company that will manage the work in an efficient manner.
This is important because it is said that work done in groups is always effective then
work done in individually (Eyal and Haim, Clarizen Ltd., 2014).
 Managing performance – It is an effective task that is to be played by the managers
because it is very important to look that whether the employees are performing as per
said instructions or not. This will help the company to know efficiencies present in
employees that can be applied in performing the work.
 Effective recruitment – It is a crucial role played by managers because if they will hire
skilled and competent employees then it will be very good for company as they will be
able to achieve their goals and objectives.
Source : Role of a manager, 2018
CHARACTERISTICS OF A MANAGER
 Good Communication – A manager should always be good in communication because
then only they will be able to connect well with the employees and know their issues as
well.
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Illustration 1: Role of a manager

 Knowledge – It is an essential factor as by using their knowledge only, they will be able
to handle all the activities and issues present in company in a proper manner.
 Experience – It is not always required but if the managers are experienced then it will be
very good for company as they will be able to manage all the issues maturely and can
guide employees in an effective manner.
Leadership can be defined as an activity that is performed by the leaders so as to guide
employees so that they can perform their work in a productive manner (Handschin and
Petroianu, 2012). In Marks and Spencer, leaders play an effective role in managing and
controlling large number of customers who are visiting their store.
ROLE OF A LEADER
 Representative of company – Whenever there is any kind of event in outside
environment and company is invited. Then these leaders acts as a representative of
company and attend these events. They go their and try to make an image of company in
external environment.
 Friend, guide and philosopher – It is always required that the leader should not just
order the employees but should behave like a friend to them because then only,
employees will feel comfortable (Johnstone, 2016).
CHARACTERISTICS OF A LEADER
 Visionary – It is an important factor because the leader has to lead employees to work in
a better manner. So, it is required that employees must have a future vision because then
only, they will be able to train the employees in right direction.
 Empathetic – The leaders are required to treat employees in same manner they want
themselves to be treated because employees will learn what they will see. So, it is the
responsibility of leaders to set a good example.
 Influential – It is required that the leaders should be influential but not a ruler or a
controller because then they will not be able to guide the employees.
LO 2
P2 Role of a leader and the function of a manger in different situational context
In Marks and Spencer, managers are also required to play the role of a leader so to
manage all the services provided by them to their customers. It is said that managers who work
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in Marks and Spencer should be capable in motivating the employees so as to improve their
performance and they should also involve some performance management techniques as well.
Through this , they will be able to manage the employee's work. Basically, manager's work is to
identify the roles and responsibilities of staff members but with this new role of a leader, they
can try to improve the performance of employees and make them goal oriented.
Also, managers are required to take various decisions in an emergency manner so at that
time they can make use of these leadership skills (Liu, Yin and Fu, 2011). Another situation can
be like ; Marks and Spencer are dealing with so many customers on daily basis who are having
different needs, so managers should make sure the store always have products that is required by
the customers.
It is also said that managers of Marks and Spencer have more control on budgeting so
they should always be ready to face any kind of situation in this department as well. For this,
they are required to be aware of financial terms so that they can use it to resolve the issues. The
various functions performed by leader and manager are:-
 Planning and Analysing – It is considered as the main purpose of managers to make
plans and policies for achieving the goals and objectives of company. They have to build
a strong relationship with employees and also motivate them to do their work effectively.
In this, the role played by manager includes assigning of work in between employees in
an equal manner so that no issues can be arise in future (Mendis, Muttaqi and Perera,
2014). Whereas it is the duty of leader to understand the whole structure of company and
thus apply their leadership styles accordingly. In Marks and Spencer , both leaders and
managers play a very crucial role in managing all the functions performed in the
company.
 Controlling and Coordinating – Both these factors play a very important role in making
Marks and Spencer a better place to work with. Managers are required to coordinate with
all employees so as to know the more closely as it will help them in knowing the issues
faced by them in the company. For maintaining coordination, they adopt various policies
and strategies which suits the company's objectives and help them in providing benefit to
the company as well. Manager perform role of supervising and guiding the employees so
that they can work with facing any kind of issue. Along with this, managers are required
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to direct the employees in a correct manner so that they follow all the rules and
regulations of company.
 Guiding and Directing – It is the duty of leaders and managers to manage the
organisation in an effective manner so that management can achieve at accurate results
(Moghaddam, Seifi and Niknam, 2012). Here, leaders motivate the employees and guides
them so that they can do their part of work in a more effective manner and also face all
kinds of issues as well. Also, for this good communication and leadership skill is required
inside the manager because then only they will be able to deal with different types of
people coming in the company.
P3 Different theories and models related to leadership
In order to do leadership in an effective manner, managers should know about all the
leadership approaches that can be used by them so as to make the company a better place to work
for. There are various types of leadership theories and models which are very effective in
managing all the functions performed in the company and increase the skills and competencies of
employees as well. It can be described as :-
 Situational leadership
 System leadership
 Contingency leadership
 Behavioural leadership
SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP : It is the most practiced and analysed approach of leadership
in most of the organisation. It is widely preferred by the leader as it helps the employees to
understand their skills and how can it be used in different situation as well (Moghaddam and et.
al., 2011). In Marks and Spencer, situational leadership approach is mostly used so as to get
success as a leader. This approach will also help the managers to interpret various situations
present in company so that they can redesign their plans and policies and communicate it with
their employees and customer as well. It has four elements on which it is dependent on. They
are :-
 Telling and Directing – Managers should essentially have leadership skills so as to direct
the employees in right manner about the work they will have to perform in company.
They have to make them understand about the importance of goals and objectives so that
they work with more dedication.
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 Selling and Coaching – Through this, the involvement of leader in the daily work
conducted in Marks and Spencer by the employees. Here, main aim is to manage
performance of employees by getting involved in their work.
 Participations and supporting the employees – It says that managers should get more
involved with employees by helping them in their work , guiding , supporting them all
the time.
 Delegation – It involves those kinds of employees who like to get more contribution of
managers by getting directions for the work.
SYSTEM LEADERSHIP: It is another approach that is preferred by most of the leaders. It
includes all those activities that should be performed by managers so as to provide benefit to the
employees and organisation. It says that employees should perform the roles and responsibilities
that are given to them by the management (Mohammadi and et. al., 2013). Through this,
company can easily judge the capabilities of people working in the company. Its benefits are like
:-
 It helps in identifying the best plan that will be applied in workplace,
 it helps in making employees more task oriented.
 It develops a strong bond between managers and employees.
CONTINGENCY LEADERSHIP: According to this approach , it is discovered that there is no
best way to handle a particular situation in a company (Nakamura and et. al., 2015). It is the solo
decision of leader about choosing the strategy that will be applied in the company at the time
when it is needed. So, that is why it is said that the managers should have leadership as well as
management skills so that they can use it in such emergency situations. Its main concentration is
on the leader's personality and the situation in which the leader is operating.
TASK 2
LO 3
P4 Key approaches related to operations management and the role played by leaders and
managers
In the current business environment, operational management can be considered as one of
the most critical issue. If companies will have good management then they will be able to
accomplish their goals and objectives in an appropriate manner. But for this, it is very necessary
to manage the operational activities and to do this they will require strong management who are
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equipped with good leadership skills. Every business is different so the work performed by them
is also different like the way they produce goods or manner of providing services etc.
Operational management includes planning, process management, staffing, monitoring,
making control over the product, service and employees. All these functions helps them in
showing their level of efficiencies to their customers so that they do more and more sales (Ruiz-
Alvarez and et. al., 2012). The various skills that are required to be present in an operational
manager are as follows :-
 They should be equipped with high level of leadership skills so that they can manage the
whole process,
 They should be able to built strong relationship with employees.
 Managers need to make the employees more goal and task oriented to their roles and
responsibilities they have to perform
 They should be capable of managing the performance of employees in a more effective
manner.
 Managers should understand the training and development programs that need to the
employees to improve their efficiency
The various approaches of operational management are as follows :-
 Top-Down strategic approach – It says that the management of Marks and Spencer
should have deep information about the vision, mission, goals and objectives of company
and then they should make their employees understand it as well. This will make them
more task oriented (Shuxin, 2011). Thus, it helps in taking decision in a more appropriate
manner and developing coordination as well. Here, managers from top level to bottom
level are combined together but most of the time bottom level managers works under the
strategies of top level managers only.
 Bottom-Up Approach – In this approach, it is described that before taking any kind of
decision, the management team shares their ideas and views in front of employees. It
helps in bringing stability between managers and employees. In Marks and Spencer, this
strategy should be applied as it increase the bond between employees and management.
 Market Requirements approach – This approach says that in Marks and Spencer, the
managers should understand the market demand first and then make any plans. These
plans will be very efficient and will help in running the business in a more effective
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manner. For this, managers will need to analyse the factors of external environment like
competitors, buying power of customers etc.
 Resource Capabilities Approach – This approach discusses about the capacity of
resources present in business which includes human capital,initiatives, resources, supply
chain management strength etc. so, managers need to understand the availability of all
these resources in company that can be used for production of goods and services
(Strande and Brdjanovic, 2014).
P5 Significance and value of operational management
In every business, operational management is very helpful for achieving the goals and
objectives. For this, operational managers make sure that they are involved in giving services to
the customers as per their demand and thus making profits as well. So, if Marks and Spencer
wants to run their business successfully they will have to design a good management structure
who are having good leadership skills as well (White, 2016). The major importance and values
of Operation management on Marks and Spencer are-
 It is effective in improving he business performance for Marks and Spencer,
 It prepares the managers to take decisions on immediate/Emergency basis,
 It helps in improving production level of business
 Through these skills and performance of employees are also improved.
 It also helps in understanding the capacity of organisation for keeping the resources
which will be used to produce the products and provide services.
The policies and strategies that are applied in Marks and Spencer helps in fulfilling the
needs of employees so that they perform well for achieving the goals and objectives of company.
It is a big company that provides various types of goods and services to their customers. So, it is
very essential for them to maintain the quality of goods they are delivering to its customers.
These activities helps in building image of company in market .
Apart from these, factors that will help in understanding the value and importance of
operational management are:-
 Capacity Management – It is considered as a process in which a company can manage
and plan its capacity of all its resources. Its main aim is to balance the resources in a
manner that it does not include much cost. It is the responsibility of operational manager
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to make sure that all the resources are fully used as after this only they will be able to
achieve their target in an effective manner.
 Quality Control – It is another major thing that management has to make sure about. If
Marks and Spencer will provide low quality products then they will have an effect on
customer's satisfaction (Botton, Cavalletto, and Marmeggi, 2013). They should make use
of Total quality management approach so as to gain long term success and making
customers satisfied as well.
 Customer Satisfaction - If the company wants to retain their customers then they will
have to satisfy the customers by providing them what they want as they will help in
increasing the sales of the company. M&S is providing best services to their customers
and thus they are successful in gaining their trust also which leads development of
business as well.
LO4
P6 Factors with in business environment that affect on operational management
Marks and Spencer are having their stores all over so there are various functions that are
performed by them. By doing operational management in a proper manner, they can achieve
their aims and objectives and bring success for the company (Expósito and et. al., 2016). The
various functions of Marks & Spencer are described as follow with their managers roles and
duties:-
BASIS Role of manager
Planning It is one of the major factor which is used by Marks and Spencer. In this
the manager choose a leadership approach through which better planning
can be done. Through leadership approach, Marks and Spencer will be
able to understand the market and the needs of customer as well.
Staffing If Marks and Spencer wants to do recruitment and selection effectively
then they will have to use the leadership approaches and skills to make
effective progress and manage the performance. It is also required that
management of cited company should know how to direct the employees
about their roles and responsibilities.
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Organising Marks and Spencer have to organise their activities properly in order to
which managers have to prepare their objectives and targets properly. It is
essential to make such strategies which manage an association to
accomplish all their targets and goals properly.
Directing and
controlling
Marks and Spencer are having various goals and objectives which they
need to achieve but for this they require correct direction to do their jobs
and maintain sufficient control on the activities. This duty is to be
performed by manager in a proper manner thus they are going to manage
operations in an appropriate manner.
Apart from this, another method that is applied here are PESTLE. Through this, Marks
and Spencer will be able to understand the external environment as well. The factors are
explained as under :-
 Political – It is very important for government of country to be stable in nature then it
will provide benefit to various business entities (Eyal and Haim, Clarizen Ltd., 2014). It
is the responsibility of Marks and Spencer to evaluate policies made by government
regarding tax rate, export and import rate etc. while designing new policies by the
government.
 Economical – In this, actual condition of country is specified. If UK will face issues like
Inflation , depression etc. then they will have an effect on the business activities as well.
 Social – Here, CSR is one of the main factor that company should work on as it will be
very beneficial for making their place in society.
 Technological – Marks and Spencer have to use new technologies in their operation
through which they can gain the advantage of competitive market.
 Environmental - Managers and leaders of Marks and Spencer have to understand the
environment or competitors in a proper manner and by considering and evaluating the
suitable strategies and also implement the action plan as well (Handschin and Petroianu,
2012).
 Legal - Manager of Marks and Spencer have to understand all legal terms properly and
implement them effectively so that they are going to manage activities properly.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that it is very important to manage the
operations of company if they want to achieve their goals and objectives. In this, both leader and
manager play a very important role in guiding the employees and motivating them to perform
their work in more effective manner. Here, all the functions and activities of organisation are to
be performed by following the instructions of manager so that no issues are arise in future.
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2014Handschin and Petroianu, 2012Johnstone, 2016Liu, Yin and Fu, 2011Mendis,
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