Operations Management: Climate Change & Sustainability

This assignment delves into the crucial intersection of operations management, climate change adaptation, and sustainability. It draws upon key resources like the FHWA's Climate Change Adaptation Guide for Transportation Systems, exploring how operations management principles can be applied to mitigate climate impacts on transportation infrastructure and operations. Furthermore, it examines the role of resource-based theory in shaping sustainable operations practices within logistics and supply chains.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1 Define and compare roles and characteristics of leader and manager...................................1
M1 Differentiate between role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying
range of theories and concept......................................................................................................2
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................2
P2 How role of leader and function of manager apply in different situational context..............2
P3 Different theories and models of approach............................................................................3
M2 Strength and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work
environment.................................................................................................................................4
D1 Critically analysis and evaluate different theories and approaches to leadership in given
context.........................................................................................................................................5
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................5
P4 Key approaches to operations management in achieving business objectives......................5
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.............6
M3 How leaders and managers can improve efficiencies to operational management to meet
with business objectives successfully.........................................................................................7
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................7
P6 Factors within the business environment that impact on operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers..................................................................................7
M4 How these factors affects to business environment and wider community..........................8
D2 Critically evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on wider
business environment..................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is the administration of business practices that create the highest
level of efficiency in the organisation. It is also concerned to convert material and labour into
goods and services to maximise profitability of the business. In this consideration, every
enterprise able to make good use of their resources such as labour, raw material, money, etc. It is
very important to improve overall productivity at workplace (Choi, Cheng and Zhao, 2016).
Present study based on Marks and Spencer which is retail sector business in UK and deals in
different kinds of products and services to attract several people towards it. It is British
multinational retailer which specialise for several products in different areas of the world.
For gaining insight information of the present report, it covers comparison between roles
and characteristics of leader and manager. Furthermore, it includes role of leader and function of
manager which can be apply in different situational context. In addition to this, key approaches
to operations management and its value and significance in attaining business objectives are
included in the present report.
LO 1
P1 Define and compare roles and characteristics of leader and manager
Leader can be defined as a person who set direction or vision for a group that follow to
lead whole team with new direction. Furthermore, manager is a person who control or direct
people/resources in a particular group as per principles that established in business. In the Marks
and Spencer, leaders play roles such as create vision, execute strategy, etc. There are several
characteristic which leaders possess such as empathy, consistency, honesty, etc. On the other
hand, managers have roles such as managing people in business, responsible for setting
accounting in manufacturing, stocking, marketing, etc. They possess several characteristics such
as reliable, delegation, time management, etc.
Difference between leaders and managers
Roles of manager and leader
Leaders role Manager roles
Leaders of Marks and Spencer play role to
create a vision.
As compare to this, managers play role to set
goals with focusing on setting, measuring and
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achieving these with strategies
Furthermore, leader play unique role to
increase self-awareness and work to actively
participate in differentiated brand of Marks and
Spencer.
However, managers always do work with
mimic of competencies and behaviours as they
learn from others (Bromiley and Rau, 2016).
Characteristics of manager and leader
Leaders of the selected business adapt art of
emotional intelligence and it applies to attain
the best work out of their people.
As compare to this, manager of the chosen
business has characteristic to develop efforts in
systematic manner.
Moreover, leaders have characteristics that
they focus on change in the cited firm.
Beside this, manager has characteristic of time
management to done work at appropriate time.
M1 Differentiate between role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying
range of theories and concept
In order to determine effective results in Marks and Spencer, leader play very important
role to gain more significant advantages. There are several roles play by leaders such as create
vision, management of trust, etc. With this regard, trait leadership theory helps to lead people
naturally into leadership roles (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018). In this regard, trait theory
provides constructive information for leadership. It can be successfully applied by people at all
levels in the enterprise. In-depth understanding can be gain that affect people in enterprise. On
the other hand, manager of the chosen business play important functions such as planning,
organising, controlling and directing. It assists to increase participation of team members to
increase effectiveness at workplace.
LO 2
P2 How role of leader and function of manager apply in different situational context
Leadership is an action to lead people in the enterprise to accomplish goals. Leaders sets
clear vision for the business, motivate employees and guide them. It includes leading others to
accomplish goals and objectives. In Marks and Spencer, following are different roles of leader
and functions of manager can be apply in different situational context:
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Roles of leadership
As in the chosen business, products and services develop in new areas so that they need
to adopt new practices for development of goods such as increase employees performances,
setting goals etc. It assists to increase productivity and profitability of the business. In this
situation, following are certain roles play by leaders: Setting clear vision: In Marks and Spencer, leaders perform their functions to influence
staff members to understand and accept future state of the business. In this regard,
mission of the business accomplish in positive manner. Motivating employees: Furthermore, another role in situation of increase profitability of
the business, through motivate staff members to done well job. Hence, they communicate
to learn more about their needs and wants (Saucedo-Martínez, Pérez-Lara and Vasant,
2017). Guiding employees: Another role of leaders in Marks and Spencer is defined and guiding
employees as per their role. In this process, they provide tools to staff members which
needed to perform and participate with more efforts (Leadership: Leaders & Their Role
in Organizations, 2018).
 Building morale: Furthermore, another role of leader is to building morale which pulling
each person together to work towards common goals. In this consideration, Marks and
Spencer can focus on building morality with appreciate work to recognise operations of
the business.
Function of manager
In the selected business enterprise, technical supervisor recruited for development of
products and services in new areas so that there are several functions play by them in this
situation to accomplish goals and objectives in systematic manner. Different functions are as
follows: Planning: Planning is the basic step which is required to plan schedule and provide
blueprint to accomplish tasks. Manager of Marks and Spencer includes necessary details
with new project to start and implement resources with planning. Organising: Furthermore, manager of the chosen business comes to organising part in
which manager needs to synchronise to make sure that each thing consider as per plan.
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For instance, for software tester recruitment, venue, time and date must be assess with
eligibility of a person (Bromiley and Rau, 2016). Staffing: Staffing is also major function of manager in which grouping of people needed
in different teams with allocation of different tasks. When team members have some
disputes, manager of the selected business must make solution for it. For instance,
assemble new team for project.
 Directing and leading: It is one of the important manager's responsibility to guide
employees in situation to reduce conflicts and delay in tasks. Manager of Marks and
Spencer lead to staff members to get clear idea to do business. Therefore, they can
perform functioning in effective consideration (Harrison and Lock, 2017). For instance,
manager must look after each task completion to attain overall goals and objectives.
P3 Different theories and models of approach
In Marks and Spencer, there are different theories and models implemented successfully
that can be apply in different situations. They are as follows: Situational leadership: According to this theory of leadership, it can be stated that it all
depends on the situation at particular hand where best suited task can be accomplish to
focus on particular situation. This theory is best to contribute in getting job done in
effective manner at workplace of Marks and Spencer. System leadership: System leadership approach enable to leaders to create conditions at
all levels to increase work productivity. It not provides glossary in terms of framework
with phenomena and realities (Asam, Bhat and Gopalakrishna, 2015). Therefore, in
Marks and Spencer it contains some settings which is taken to imply more collective act
among people at variety of levels. Contingency theory: Contingency theory of management based on management
effectiveness. It relies on interplay between application of management behaviours and
specific situations. Hence, in Marks and Spencer it assists to manage change that depends
on certain circumstances. Transformational theory: This theory of leadership demonstrate leadership in which
leader works within a team to identify needed change and creating vision with
inspiration. In Marks and Spencer, it executes change which committed with several
members.
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 Transactional theory: Transactional leadership theory is a style in which leaders of
Marks and Spencer promote compliance with followers with reward and punishment.
With rewards and punishment system, leaders are able to keep followers motivated for
short term consideration.
 Action based theory: Action based theory describe how project or program is designed
and set up. Therefore, it considered better understanding with implementation of
program. Hence, it helps to evaluate work with theories of action in Marks and Spencer.
M2 Strength and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work environment
Situational approach
Strength Weaknesses
 Work with each kind of leadership style
 Simple and intuitive method
 Shift attention for long term goals
 Deals only on particular situation
System approach
Strength Weaknesses
 System approach helps in Marks and
Spencer to increase organisation's
adaptability within environmental
changes.
 Focus is developed with achieving
individual and organisational goals.
 System theory not be always practically
apply to lead in decision-making.
 It is not considered on small size
businesses
Contingency approach
Strength Weaknesses
 Contingency approach can be apply in
Marks and Spencer with flexibility of
management style.
 Contingency approach not consider and
based on situation.
 It is very complex approach so that
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 Flexibility also occurs in task structure. actions are taken with involvement of
large number of variables.
D1 Critically analysis and evaluate different theories and approaches to leadership in given
context
In Marks and Spencer, different theories and approaches of leadership can be
successfully applied in different aspects. In this regard, situational leadership approach can be
applied which work for each kind of leadership that assists to work as per situation. system
leadership theory work to accomplish organisational goals and objectives within the work
environment (Maylor, Meredith and Browning, 2018). It helps to increase organisation's
effectiveness in positive consideration to attain overall goals and objectives.
LO 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management in achieving business objectives
Operation management is concerned with controlling production process and business
operations in positive and efficient manner. In Marks and Spencer, it includes different kinds of
responsibilities that ensure that operations run successfully to meet with customers needs and
requirements. Therefore, operation management includes managing process by using raw
material, labour and energy that helps to convert them into final goods and services. Following
are different approaches of operation management implemented to achieve business objectives: Six sigma: Six sigma is approach that focuses on quality. It is disciplined and data driven
methodology to eliminate defects from the particular process of manufacturing in Marks
and Spencer. Therefore, the chosen business need to focus on customer, understand how
work gets done, manage and improve smooth work process. Consequently, business
objectives accomplish with elimination of waste material from the business. In addition
to this, manager need to set goals and objectives so that desired results will be accomplish
to achieve business objectives. Lean production: Lean production is an approach of management that focuses to cutting
down waste and ensure quality as well. This approach can be successfully applied in all
aspect of the enterprise such as design. Marks and Spencer minimise activities that not
add value in production process. As a result, the chosen organisation accomplish its goals
with reducing waste material from the process. Leader play role in this aspect is to reduce
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waste material which assists to focus on creative distribution of raw material. In addition
to this, manager need to set strategy with effective production of goods and services. Total quality management: Total quality management is one of the important approach
that is based on principles in which staff members of Marks and Spencer committed to
maintain high standards of work. In every aspect of company's operations it helps to
manage effectiveness and gain creative results at workplace. This approach helps to
accomplish business objectives to show effectiveness of product and services quality
(Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015). Craft manufacturing: Craft manufacturing is the process which adopted by Marks and
Spencer by hand without any tool or technique. In this term, common method is adopted
to regulate functions in the business to increase customer satisfaction. Leader have role in
this process is that to attain overall goals and objectives to lead whole team in systematic
manner. Mass production: Mass production is known as flow of production which is continuously
developed with standardised in systematic manner. In this consideration, Marks and
Spencer include large amount of products that produced in batch production. Leaders
possess role in this is to regulate appropriate functioning with leading whole team
towards delivery of right kind of product.
 Modern period approach: In this approach, leader need to set their goals and objectives
with global market with historiographical tools and techniques. Therefore, with post
classical history appropriate time frame considered in this process.
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
Operation management is one of the important aspect that assists to improve overall
productivity. In this regard, manager of Marks and Spencer play important role in handling
issues such as design, operations and maintenance of the system for production of goods.
Furthermore, it also includes planning, organising, managing, controlling and supervising
production and manufacturing processes. Main aim of an operation manager is to ensure that
products and services deliver on time with successfully conversion of raw material into finished
goods (Roth, Singhal and Tang, 2016). Following are certain importance of operation
management that assists to accomplish business objectives:
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 In the chosen business, operation management consider important role with increasing
value to improve overall productivity. It gives measure of efficiency to manager and
employees of Marks and Spencer. Available resources has been using in the best possible
manner to accomplish overall goals to improve productivity (Maylor, Meredith and
Browning, 2018).
 Operation management includes several business activities that takes place in enterprise
and contribute to align with customers needs and requirements. In Marks and Spencer, it
is heart of the business to control entire operations to cater needs of customers. Efforts of
the employees efficiently utilised and converted into several services that helps to
accomplish objectives in effective manner (Hitt, Carnes and Xu, 2016).
 Operation management plays important role to handle issues such as design, operations
and maintenance in the system which is used for production of goods in Marks and
Spencer. It is also found that manufacturing from qualitative raw material helps to focus
on desired level of results in significant manner (Choi, Cheng and Zhao, 2016).
M3 How leaders and managers can improve efficiencies to operational management to meet with
business objectives successfully.
There are several ways through which leaders and managers can improve efficiencies to
operational management that helps to meet with desired goals and objectives in successful
manner. With this regard, control and distribution system effectively managed in Marks and
Spencer with transformation of raw material into finished goods. Capacity management is
another operational function that helps to focus on managing effectiveness to improve
efficiencies to gain business objectives successfully (Song and Parola, 2015). Operation
management is obligatory to manage day to day activities that assists to make good use of
resources such as labour, raw material, etc.
LO 4
P6 Factors within the business environment that impact on operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers
In the business environment, there are several factors exists that create impact on
operational management and decision-making that develop by managers and leaders. In Marks
and Spencer, there are several dimensions of contemporary business environment that assists to
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focus on desired level of results at workplace (Saucedo-Martínez, Pérez-Lara and Vasant, 2017).
Following are certain factors exists that create impact on operational management and decision-
making: Culture: Different types of culture create major impact on the operational management
and decision-making by leaders and managers. This is because, in Marks and Spencer
there are several employees work together who are belonging to different culture (Grant,
Trautrims and Wong, 2017). Different culture adopting by staff members create major
impact on operational management. Therefore, leaders and managers unable to take
decision on time. Values: Effective leaders and managers of operation management of the chosen business
must assure that suppliers, materials, manufacturing and labour, all work together in
appropriate manner to reduce production cost. It is also impact on quality that assists to
manage effective results at workplace. When product manufactured poorly, customer
dissatisfied and it reduces value of the products as well (Bromiley and Rau, 2016). Ethics: In order to accomplish business objectives of Marks and Spencer, managers and
leaders both need to focus on ethics that are essentially implemented with different
business practices. This is because, poor ethical decisions can create impact on business
in variety of ways (Harrison and Lock, 2017). Poor employee performances create impact
on decisions so that leaders need to concentrate on increasing performance with ability.
As a result, following ethical rules and regulations must be consider to focus on
appropriate work system.
 Sustainable growth: Sustainable growth impact positively on business operations of
Marks and Spencer. This is because, it continuously develops significant advantages
which need to regulate different activities and tasks. As a result, positive influence of
sustainable growth assists to gain desired level of outcomes.
M4 How these factors affects to business environment and wider community
With respect to accomplish business goals and objectives, it can be stated that there are
several factors affect to operations and functions of Marks and Spencer in wider consideration.
This is because, these factors support to attain more systematic goals and objectives. For
instance, acquire raw material, convert this material into specific final products and deliver
products to final consumer. Supply chain management decisions helps to maintain efficiency.
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Increasing globalisation and shifting focus on competition among network of firms helps to
integrate process with several numbers of entities (Hitt, Xu and Carnes, 2016). Sustainable
operations' management focuses on sustainability of supply chain of the chosen business that
assists to make solution with maintaining efficiency and effectiveness as well (Asam, Bhat and
Gopalakrishna, 2015). Integrated process also assists to deliver final products to retailers and put
pressure on the businesses.
D2 Critically evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on wider
business environment
In order to accomplish goals and objectives, it can be stated that there are different types
of application of operations management implemented in Marks and Spencer to accomplish
goals and objectives. Furthermore, it also creates impact on wider business environment with
application of several activities and tasks. There are several applications of operations
management that is combined with several elements such as supply chain, quality control,
project management, inventory control, etc. As critically evaluate, there are several factors create
major impact on wider business environment which reduce effectiveness of the business in
systematic manner. Companies can cut costs by using internet to sell their products directly to
customers. As a result, it contains several advantages to maintain economic growth and
development (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018).
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that management and operation consist
important role in business success. In this regard, report included comparison between roles and
characteristic of successful leader and manager of Marks and Spencer. Furthermore, it
summarised about key approaches of operation management which influence managers and
leaders to take decisions in business. For instance, six sigma, lean manufacturing, total quality
management, etc. At last, it articulated about factors that impact in wider business environment
such as ethics, values, culture, etc.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Asam, S., Bhat, C. and Gopalakrishna, D., 2015. Climate Change Adaptation Guide for
Transportation Systems Management, Operations, and Maintenance (No. FHWA-HOP-
15-026).
Bromiley, P. and Rau, D., 2016. Operations management and the resource based view: Another
view. Journal of Operations Management. 41. pp.95-106.
Choi, T.M., Cheng, T.C.E. and Zhao, X., 2016. Multi‐methodological research in operations
management. Production and Operations Management. 25(3). pp.379-389.
Grant, D.B., Trautrims, A. and Wong, C.Y., 2017. Sustainable logistics and supply chain
management: principles and practices for sustainable operations and management.
Kogan Page Publishers.
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Hitt, M.A., Carnes, C.M. and Xu, K., 2016. A current view of resource based theory in
operations management: A response to Bromiley and Rau. Journal of Operations
Management. 41(10). pp.107-109.
Hitt, M.A., Xu, K. and Carnes, C.M., 2016. Resource based theory in operations management
research. Journal of Operations Management. 41. pp.77-94.
Maylor, H., Meredith, J.R. and Browning, T., 2018. Old theories, new contexts: extending
operations management theories to projects. International Journal of Operations &
Production Management. 38(6). pp.1274-1288.
Rosemann, M. and vom Brocke, J., 2015. The six core elements of business process
management. In Handbook on business process management 1 (pp. 105-122). Springer,
Berlin, Heidelberg.
Roth, A., Singhal, J. and Tang, C.S., 2016. Knowledge creation and dissemination in operations
and supply chain management. Production and Operations Management. 25(9).
pp.1473-1488.
Saucedo-Martínez, J.A., Pérez-Lara, M. and Vasant, P., 2017. Industry 4.0 framework for
management and operations: a review. Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized
Computing. pp.1-13.
Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018. Operations and process management: principles and
practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK.
Song, D.W. and Parola, F., 2015. Strategising port logistics management and operations for
value creation in global supply chains.
Online
Leadership: Leaders & Their Role in Organizations. 2018. [Online] Available through:
<https://study.com/academy/lesson/leadership-leaders-their-role-in-organizations.html>.
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