Comparison of Roles and Characteristics of Manager and Leader

This article compares the roles and characteristics of a manager and a leader. It discusses different management theories and their applications in different contexts. It also explains the key approaches of operations management.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
P1. Comparison in between roles as well as characteristics of manager and leader...................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 Applications of role of leader & functions of manager in distinct situational contexts........6
P3 Apply distinct models & theories..........................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Explicate key approaches of operations management...........................................................7
P5 Explicate significance and values of operations management within attainment of business
objectives.....................................................................................................................................9
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6 Evaluate factors in business environment which influence operational management along
with decision-making..................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management refers to coordination as well as organisation of business activities for
attaining specified objectives. Basically, it involves process associated with administering &
controlling of affairs of organisation despite of their size, structure, type and nature. Operations
denotes the act of functioning or bring in effect (Addo-Tenkorang and Helo, 2016). Management
and operations denotes a formative practice of business that is being carried out for gaining
higher levels of efficiency. Managers have important role within planning, organising, leading as
well as controlling. Along with this, they are liable for developing, maintaining and allocating
resources for attaining goals of organisation. Leadership refers to the act for leading group of
people as well as organisation to create impact on their performance. Their role is to inspire trust,
formulation of vision, execution of strategies and coach potential. To understand the concept of
management and operations, Asda is being taken into account which is a British supermarket
retailer with more than 600 stores and their services comprises of general merchandise, grocery
and financial services. This report comprises of difference among role of leader & functions of
manager, their applications in different contexts and key approaches are being provided. Along
with this, significance of operations management will be illustrated. Furthermore, different
factors are analysed which creates an influence on decision-making.
TASK 1
P1. Comparison in between roles as well as characteristics of manager and leader.
Management theories refers to the set of general rules that are liable for providing
guidance to manage operations of an organisation. They aids employees of firm to efficaciously
relate with goals of business as well as its implementation in an effectual way for attaining them.
They can be utilised by management of Asda to deliver their services in an appropriate way
(Weinmann and et. al., 2015). There are different contemporary and seminal theories are
illustrated below.
Management by objectives (MBO): The strategic management model which emphasise
on improvisation of performance of firm by clearly stating the objectives on which employees
and management have agreed on. The management of Asda can opt for MBO as it will assist
their employees to affirmatively acknowledge duties, avoid unnecessary confusions along with
this, it avoids job mismatch (Swink and et. al., 2017). This will lead them to have employees
who are committed as well as highly motivated and formulates benchmark for them.

Classical management theories: The theory which depends on the belief that employees
only possess economic and physical needs is referred to as classical management theory (Barratt,
Choi and Li, 2011). This do not take into consideration job satisfaction or social needs but
emphasise on centralised decision-making and leadership by which maximum profit can be
attained. Management of Asda can opt for this as it will provide them with an hierarchical
structure, specialisation and incentives. Each will smooth-en the ways in which operations are
being carried out by their employees.
Behavioural theory: The concept which is liable for acknowledging dimensions of
human behaviour is referred to as behavioural theory. This theory is formulated as a response for
employee motivation as well as behaviour. It depends on the notion that managers will be able to
acknowledge the aspects of humans to their workers as well as treat their employees like a
crucial assets for attainment of goals (Grant, Trautrims and Wong, 2017). This can be utilised by
management of Asda to look after working conditions as well as satisfaction of their employees
so that overall productivity can be improvised.
Contingency theory: The philosophy which claims that there is no best way for
organising firm, to lead them as well as formulation of decisions is referred to as contingency
theory. In this case, the emphasis is laid on the effectiveness of management in terms of
dependence or contingent. This denotes that ways must be changed depending upon the
situations which prevails as one size will not fit all (Uhl and Gollenia, eds., 2016). This will aid
management of Asda to motivate their employees and consider all the probable factors through
which their productivity can be amplified.
Leader: The one who is in charge as well as convince other individuals to follow them is
defined as a leader. They are the one who are liable for inspiring confidence among them and
assist them to take actions (Swink and et. al., 2017). In context of ASDA, leaders will ensure that
team members are motivated so that they can work till their potential.
Manager: They are the individuals who possess charge of some tasks or subsets of a firm
are referred to as managers. They are liable part of an organisation, that is they manage the
organisation. The managers of Asda are in charge of specified departments and the individuals
who works within. They are liable for making sure that goals are accomplished, delegate jobs
and aids them (employees) if any kind of issues are being faced by them (He, Liang and Fang,
2016).

Difference between leader & manager:
Basis Leader Manager
Aim Leader of Asda emphasise on
growth as an individual in terms of
profit, brand awareness, etc.
Aim of managers of Asda is
attainment of overall objectives
of firm (Addo-Tenkorang and
Helo, 2016).
Focus They are responsible for focussing
on people which comprises of their
customers as well as employees
(Heizer, Render and Munson,
2016).
Managers of Asda emphasise on
procedures and processes which
needs to be followed by them as
well as their employees.
Change They aims at promoting change
according to the market.
Managers of Asda formulates the
strategies for reacting to the
alterations which prevails within
the market so that they can
acquire specified profitability.
Approach Leaders are liable for giving
directions for execution of plans
that are being build up by the
manager.
The approach that is utilised by
managers of Asda is to formulate
the plans.
Roles and
Responsibilities
Leader of Asda is responsible for
creation of vision and also posses
power to influence employees by
which it can be achieved.
Manager is liable for formulation
of goals as well as measure them
so by which they can attain
organisational objectives.
Management functions: Management denotes administration of organisation
irrespective of kind of organisation it is. Manager of Asda is responsible for carrying out
different functions which will enable them to achieve goals & objectives of firm. They are
responsible for formulation of plans which will act as a roadmap in terms of what has to be done
and how it can be attained. Furthermore, after planning, they organise these activities with

respect to the potential of individuals and their fields. This will aid both manager of Asda as well
as employees to work in an efficient manner (Slack, Chambers and Johnston, 2010). Apart from
this, managers control and direct overall operations of a firm to make sure that goals can be
attained within stipulated time frame as well as according to desired standards.
Theories of leadership traits, style & contingency: This is based on the assumption that
leaders are born and due to this they possess traits and qualities which are apt for leadership
(Hitt, Xu and Carnes, 2016). The trait theory depends on characteristics of leadership which can
be utilised for predicting effectiveness of leadership. There are different styles that are being
used by leaders of Asda to accomplish their responsibilities, they are shown below:
Transformational leadership: As per this theory, leaders of Asda are liable to work
with team for identification of changes that are being required, creation of vision for guiding the
alterations via inspiration and implementation of a change (Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-
Tabatabaei, 2015). This will enable leaders of Asda within development of decisions and take
risks associated with this as it will lead to bring something innovative within the market.
Through this, leaders of Asda are able to formulate the decisions as well as take risks for them.
Transactional leadership: Via this leader of Asda, emphasise on supervision, their
organisation along with performance. With respect to this, focus is on short-term goals,
formulation of structured procedures and policies opposed to change so that affirmative results
can be attained. Apart from this, it will render enhanced results to them as leaders can analyse
the activities which are being carried out within the organisation.
TASK 2
P2 Applications of role of leader & functions of manager in distinct situational contexts.
For attainment of growth and profitability in an organisation leaders as well as manager
possess important role. For an instance, leader is responsible for creation of vision, on the other
hand manager develops the strategies which will enable them to attain those (Weinmann and et.
al., 2015). Each have different role in distinct situations which can be understood by taking an
instance shown below in context of Asda:
Ways in which situations affect role of leader as well as functions of manager:
Conflict resolution: They can take place within any moment and there can be any
reasons like language barriers, working environment, cultural differences, miscommunication

and many others. Managers and leaders have different responsibilities depending upon condition
which exists. Leader is liable for defining as well as communication of mission and vision of
Asda to subordinates (Uhl and Gollenia, 2016). Here, they will be using their own expertise &
abilities for handling conflicts by looking into the root causes so things can be identified and
resolved before situations get worse.
On the other hand, Manager of Asda is liable for evaluation of entire situation and have
the perspective of each involved within conflict along with leader. Here, they can cooperate with
employees for a mutual resolution for a specified condition (Meindl, 2016). Opinions of each
will be taken into consideration by manager so that value of employees can be enhanced rather
than forcing decisions without taking into account their situations.
P3 Apply distinct models & theories
Situational leadership: This theory states that manager of firm can utilise distinct
leadership styles with respect to situations which prevails within the firm (Neelakandan, Tyagi
and Nagalkar, 2019). Leaders of Asda do not make use of any specified style instead of this
depending upon situation they utilise the most suitable.
System leadership: According this theory, design and frame a structure and create
conditions where people at all extents can work productively to their potential (Swink and et. al.,
2017). In Asda, the leader of the company can formulate plans and policies so that employees
can work and perform their duties and responsibilities in a systematic way.
Relationship or task oriented approaches: This approach consist leadership which
concentrate on the allotted task and the execution needed to accomplish the results by completing
that task. It is beneficial for the team members who are good at planning and organising as this
approach demands that administrator does al, the work and assign individual and communicate
with them about what they are expected to do (Slack, Chambers and Johnston, 2010). In Asda,
within the leader lead and guide the employees as per their assigned work so that they can
effectively attain the set objectives of it.
Applications of chaos theory and management by objectives: It is scientific principle
that describes the erratically of systems like weather patterns, eco systems and water flows. It
looks at certain systems that are very sensitive (Neelakandan, Tyagi and Nagalkar, 2019). In
Asda, if the management of the company will use this theory then they can easily adopt the
changes and capable to adjust in several situations due to the flexibility of the company.

TASK 3
P4 Explicate key approaches of operations management
Theories of operation and operation management
Six sigma- This approach is define as technique and tool which help in dominating in
attribute and info neurotic in approach. In Asda, it work as a philosophy of the organisation for
destroy imperfectness in an action. The management of the company can also used it to reduce
issues, make development in production procedure and prevent problems in the manufacturing
process (Slack, Chambers and Johnston, 2010). In this approach leader play an important role by
assisting in analysing and supporting participation of workers in manufacturing process.
Administrators assist in determining the utilization of this tool in manufacturing activity and
deliver reviews to employees and organisation.
Lean production- It is a production system which help in eliminating of wastage in
production system. In Asda, if the management of the company apply this model in the
production activity of the company then it assist in operation al management of the firm by
making improvement in the quality of products and efficiency in the maufecturing procedure and
minimising the use of human resource (Swink, and et. al., 2017). In it leaders play a crucial role
by enabling the workforce to understand their actual duties regarding lean production. Managers
monitor the usefulness of the material and conduct analysis about the effectiveness of products.
Queuing theory- The application of this theory is beneficial for the company because it
help in operation administration of the firm in terms of resolving issues which are based on the
scientific understanding of the problems. In Asda, it assist the company by suggesting the action
of the customers whose products and services are offered and recommending their needs of
workforce (Meindl, 2016). In it leaders help in finding out the activities and causes of the delay
in queuing lines. Managers assist in leading the workers in order to minimise the queuing delays.
Different operational management approaches
TQM- It explain as an act of monitoring the task with the purpose of maintain a expected
extent of excellence whcih considers formulation and application of quality. In Asda, it can be
mention as an ongoing action of analysing and reducing problems which are occurring during the
time of manufacturing process (Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, 2015). It basically
concentrate on the maintenance of the quality of the products so that the firm can retain its target
audiences till long time period.

Role of leader and mangers- The administrators play and essential role in term of
appraising continuous development of the business concern and fabrication of the activity.
Leader help in abolishing the measurement for manufacturing operations.
Just in Time- It refers to a technique and strategy that can be applied by the
administration of the firm to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness (Uhl and Gollenia, 2016).
In Asda, it can also implement by the company to reduce wastage by acquiring products when
they are required to manufacture from raw material acts.
Roles of leaders and manager- In it, leaders play an essential role by making assurance
that employees are effectively have information regarding responsibilities and duties of the entire
procedure (Hitt, Xu and Carnes, 2016). Manager play an effective role by maintaining good
relations with suppliers so that they can provide good quality material for manufacturing the
products and services.
Continuous improvement or Kizen- This approach can be implemented by the company
with purpose of making development in the functions and business of the firm. In Asda, this
approach can be used by the management of organisation to minimize the wastage in all systems
by developing standardised actions and process (Weinmann and et. al., 2015). With the help of it
they can encourage development of team work so that the company can attain higher levels of
quality and innovation.
Roles of leaders and managers- In it, managers play an essential role in finding out the
scope of a task and analyse the success of Kizen team (Heizer, Render and Munson, 2016).
Leaders play their duties by identifying that whcih employee will be in the group for a particular
task and work.
P5 Explicate significance and values of operations management within attainment of business
objectives
Operational functions
Process design- It is an operation management function which is beneficial to design and
improve manufacturing activity of the company. In Asda, it is crucial for the company because it
assist the firm in making melioration in the manufacturing producers per their target audiences
needs (He, Liang and Fang, 2016). It will be effective for the administration of the firm to meet
the designed goals in effective manner which help in maximizing the profitability and enhancing
productivity of the firm.

Logistic and inventory management- It is an essential function to the organisation
because without assistance of logistical, processed goods can not delivered at marketplace at that
time when there are high need of it (Grant, Trautrims and Wong, 2017). In Asda, with the
assistance of it, the management of the organisation can focus on inventory management to stock
the excess products of manufacture. It is good for the company because it enable in satisfying the
goals and aims of the firm to keep a effective supply of the goods which are produce by
involving the demands of target audience.
Scheduling- It is another crucial function of operation management which help the
company in the effective programming and allocation of the task as per the skills of the workers
(Addo-Tenkorang and Helo, 2016). In Asda, the efficiency of the scheduling procedure it assists
the company to complete an assigned task like manufacturing products in the set time so that
they can offer and serve to their potential client on time according to their needs and demands.
TASK 4
P6 Evaluate factors in business environment which influence operational management along
with decision-making
Corporate social responsibility
It is explained as a business approach that contribute to the sustainable development by
delivering economic, social and environmental benefits to all its stakeholders. In Asda, the
administration of the company can formulate short term objectives so that the workforce and
accomplish them adequately in set time period. This encourage workers and they perform their
tasks and allotted work by using their all effectiveness (Barratt, Choi and Li, 2011). It fix the
business organisation atmosphere and the determination devising of the firm because the
administration consider decision as per it and design plan of actions according to them. The
organisation also insure that huge part of their corporate social responsibility policy which are
formulated for offering advantages to local community. If the management of the company
develop the CSR policy of the company in positive way then it influence the determination
devising which is correct in existence and can be be beneficial for the development of the
society.
Culture- It characterized as thoughts, beliefs and social demeanour of the individuals of a
specific place. The culture of a particular area influence the the business environment of a

company favourably and unfavourably. It also play a crucial role in operation management
during the of operation activities regarding production of goods and services (Neelakandan,
Tyagi and Nagalkar, 2019). In Asda, if the administration of the company manufacturing
products by considering the culture, beliefs and needs of customers then it positively affect the
business of the firm in term of increasing profit ratio and productivity.
Values- They are explained as the standards and principle of individual behaviour. In
Adsa, they play an effective role by developed and modifying the goods and services after
monitoring the values the potential clients of a specific place (Addo-Tenkorang and Helo, 2016).
In decision making process if the administrators decide to manufacture products according to
values of customers then they favourably influence the business of the firm.
Ethics- If the company follow the corporate social responsibility then it must exercise
ethical business and assure that the actions of the firm do not affect the stakeholder of the
businesses and also the atmosphere (Grant, Trautrims and Wong, 2017). In Asda, the managemnt
of the company should perfom its CSR activities by considering the ethics so that they can not
harm the society. It also manufacture products effectively in order to meet the consumers need or
by considering their ethical and cultural needs.
Sustainability- It is explained as an approach that concentrates on fulfilling the needs of
consumers. It is an important function of each business because the objective of it saving the
resources which will b e needed by the firm in forthcoming (He, Liang and Fang, 2016). In Asda,
sustainability create an efficacious impact in the operation management in term of sustainably
ensure that the resources of the company are used in an efficient manner in the firm without
misusing it so that it assist in maximising the efficiency of the operations administration.
CONCLUSION
From the preceding information, it can be analysed that management is an activity of
administrating, planning, controlling, coordinating, determining the business of the firm.
Operation management help in motioning, determining and making control on the business
actions and and operation s like manufacturing of goods and services. So that they can
manufactured and produced in effective manner and able to meet the consumers needs in an
adequate way. Different leadership theories and approaches are beneficial to lead and guide the
employees so that they can perform effectively. Various business environment factors influence
operational management with decision making in different manners.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Addo-Tenkorang, R. and Helo, P. T., 2016. Big data applications in operations/supply-chain
management: A literature review. Computers & Industrial Engineering. 101. pp.528-
543.
Barratt, M., Choi, T. Y. and Li, M., 2011. Qualitative case studies in operations management:
Trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. Journal of Operations
Management. 29(4). pp.329-342.
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.
He, L., Liang, Q. and Fang, S., 2016. Challenges and innovative solutions in urban rail transit
network operations and management: China’s Guangzhou metro experience. Urban Rail
Transit. 2(1). pp.33-45.
Heizer, J., Render, B. and Munson, C., 2016. Operations management. Pearson Australia Pty
Limited.
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.\
Hoyos, M. C., Morales, R. S. and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, R., 2015. OR models with stochastic
components in disaster operations management: A literature survey. Computers &
Industrial Engineering. 82. pp.183-197.
Meindl, S. C. P., 2016. Supply Chain Management--Strategy, Planning and Operation. Tsinghua
University Press. wheat soybean others land for no use.
Neelakandan, S., Tyagi, A. and Nagalkar, D., Global eProcure, 2019. Robotic process
automation for supply chain management operations. U.S. Patent 10,324,457.
Slack, N., Chambers, S. and Johnston, R., 2010. Operations management. Pearson education.
Swink, M. and et. al., 2017. Managing operations across the supply chain. New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill Education.
Uhl, A. and Gollenia, L. A. eds., 2016. A handbook of business transformation management
methodology. Routledge.
Weinmann, R. V. and et. al., 2015. Fleet operations quality management system and automatic
multi-generational data caching and recovery. U.S. Patent 9,047,717.
Online

Different operational management approaches. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.cleverism.com/operations-management-definition-principles-activities-
trends/>.
Leadership Theories. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/careers/soft-skills/leadership-theories/>.