Role and Characteristics of Manager and Leader in Operational Management

This article compares and differentiates the roles and characteristics of managers and leaders in operational management. It also discusses the application of different models and theories used by leaders in different situations.

Management and
Operations
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO1..................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Compare and differentiate between role and charatertsicks of manager................................3
LO2..................................................................................................................................................5
P2 Role and function of leaders in context of different situation................................................5
P3 Application of different models and theories of approaches used by leader..........................6
LO3..................................................................................................................................................7
P4 Key approaches of operational management and role played by both leaders and manager. 7
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achievements of objectives..................9
LO4................................................................................................................................................10
P6 Identification of several factors that impact on operational management and decision
making of leaders and manager.................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Operational managements can be termed as administrative of business practices like
ensuring optimum utilisation of resources, employees performance so that maximum value can
be delivered to customers. Thus, it is related to process of converting raw material into finished
products as effective and efficient possible for growth and success of organisation. Manager of
company is responsible for planning and controlling key actions so that desired outcome can be
get within minimum cost and time frame. This report is about ASDA that is British supermarket
retailer started its operation in 1949 to deliver products related to home, personal care and
financial services to end users. It covers comparison between role and characteristics of leaders
and function of manager. Different theories and model such as system, situational and
contingency leadership approached are also included in report. It has described about importance
and different factors that impact on of operational management of ASDA.
LO1
P1 Compare and differentiate between role and charatertsicks of manager
Manager of ASDA is responsible for deciding appropriate action, strategies that could be
used to influence individuals to work in team for common goals so that company can get
competitive advantages. Whereas, leaders guide, direct employees about the way particular task
can be completed so that they can easily perform task within limited time frame (Zijm and et.al.,
2019). There is a much difference between roles, charatertsicks of manager and leaders of ASDA
that can be illustrated as follows:
On the basis of role
 Manager on the basis of external analysis, trends and development set standard goals that
company needs to achieve in particular point of time so that it can retained its
positioning. While leaders of ASDA create vision so that plan can be turned into reality
and individuals are motivated to take several actions so that company can be achieve
desired goals.
 ASDA manager always plan strategies or actions that could be used to minimise risk and
maximum outcome so that firm can enjoy higher profit margin. On the other hand,
leaders are ready to incorporate some amount of risk or adopt new changes so that
organisation can attain its objectives. Thus, leaders of ASDA always wants to bring
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transformation within organisation or find new method that can improve process and
yield better results (Victorinomand et.al., 2018).
 Organisational structure, system and process or rules, regulation and procedure are set by
manager of ASDA so that employees are aware of their respective task and
responsibilities within firm. It designs job roles that need to be performed by specific
individual in order to gain best outcome. Whereas, Leaders emphasis on building
relationship with employees by understanding their respective problems and finding
alternatives method that could be used to resolve them.
 It can be stated that manager of ASDA mainly rely on existing skills and proven method
that have contributed in achieving them success. At the same time, leaders of ASDA are
highly motivated and interested to learn new and new things and encourage people to
think innovative idea that can be used to deliver best services to customers.
On the basis of charatertsicks
Leaders of ASDA have effective communication skills that helps them to quickly and
appropriately exchanged key ideas, information to wide range of employees about the
journey, goals and challenges that they might face in near future. Whereas, manager has
ability to direct resources, task that individuals need to required to complete particular task.
Managers have good management skills that help it to place right individuals at right
place, reduce conflict and motivate diverse employees to coordinate with each others or
work in team (Nikandish, 2016). While ASDA leaders have an inspirational personality that
helps them to influenced other individuals to perform specific task in particular manner so
that services can be delivered to customers beyond their expectancy.
Theories and approaches are used to understand differentiate between role of leaders and
manager
Transformation leaderships style: It can also be termed as relationship theory as this theory
emphasis that leaders by building and maintaining strong relationship with employees is able to
motivate them to put best for growth and success of organisation. Leaders of ASDA have make
use of transformational leaderships as they are high passionate, enthusiasm to work with their
team.
Bureaucratic management theory: Manager of ASDA has set strict procedure and regulation
that need to be abided by each individual while working in organisation. Standard procedure has
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contributed in optimum utilisation of resources and provides valuable products and services to
end user. Therefore, manager main role is to plan objectives, steps that can be taken to attain
specific goals and take corrective action for sustainability of enterprise for longer time frame
(Dierynck and Labro, 2018).
LO2
P2 Role and function of leaders in context of different situation
ASDA operates in external business environment so there are numerous factors that
impact on its strategy and operation. Company needs to accept this external changes or factors in
order to grow and sustain business in retail sectors and earn huge profit margin. Different
situational examples can be taken to understand the way role of leaders and manager are
different form each others. Such as:
In context of change management: With development in technology, maximum use of internet
by younger generation ASDA manager have planned to invest in digital technology so that
customers can be provided qualitative services as compared to other competitors. Therefore,
roles and functions that are performed by manager to accepts new changes or digital technology
are firstly it have set target or estimate overall cost or expense that company needs to occur in
order to invest in digital technology (Reid and Sanders, 2019). Then it has played several
strategies or key actions that may be fruitful in yielding better outcome or more productivity
within organisations. It has clearly state roles and responsibilities that have been to be completed
by specific employees thus eradicate chance of conflict and confusion among them. Arrange
resources, training and development program so that employees skills and knowledge can be
enhances and they can perform task in best possible way. At last it role or function is to ensure
that all action activities or performance of employees is as per set objectives of firm.
On the other hand, role and function of leader in context of change management is to
influence or motivate employees to accept changes rather than resisting to it. ASDA leaders have
provided proper guidance and support to employees about the way they can perform specific task
or use digital media. Thus, it has contributed individuals to put their best efforts so that company
can accept changes and gain competitive advantages in retail sector.
In case of conflict between employees: There are numerous situations when conflict between
employees arises due to difference in their thinking, point of view. So, it is role and function of
manager to maintain peace within organisation by reducing conflict between them. Therefore, It
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analysis and continuously monitor circumstance that lead to miscommunication and conflict thus
find best possible alternatives that could be used to coordinate employees. Such as organisation
of resources, provide healthy work environment where they can easily perform task and
contributed in growth of firm (Ren and Huang, 2018). Thereby, it can be stated from above
analysis of situation that manager function start form planning to controlling activities so that
best outcome can be yield. Whereas, leaders in case of conflict, tries to build strong relationship
with employees in order to understand several problem, challenges that they face while working
in team. After finding reason of conflict it inform manager of ASDA about the same so that it
can decided right remedies that can be used to resolve conflict and motivate them to work hard
for growth and success of enterprise.
Therefore, it can be analysed and interpreted from above information that both leaders
and manager plays important and differentiate role in removing conflict, motivating employees
to accept changes so that enterprise can sustain its operation for more time frame in retail sector
of United Kingdom (Abubakar and et.al., 2019).
P3 Application of different models and theories of approaches used by leader
Situational leadership-
This theory suggest leader to choose the best and most appropriate leadership forms that
can help to manage the performance of existing and new staff members as well as support
increase productivity level even better than TESCO, Aldi and other supermarkets. In this style
leader adapts their working styles that suits current working environment and situations in
workplace, which is really very important to do (Tortorella and Fogliatto, 2017). For example,
leader can use this style in change management as first situation occurs within company that
impact workers performance and productivity level. It can help them to solve workers problems
and let all staffs comfortable while performing his or her roles in chosen firm. Leader with this
style effectively handle situation where workers are not ready to except any change, it can in
return provide successful collaboration among group members. This help firm a lot in term of
identify workers needs and then allow leaders to coordinate with management for making
changes accordingly.
System leadership-
It is another leadership style that defines how a leader can lead across limitations, in order
to gain benefits in context of company. This allow leaders in ASDA to create a situation where
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workers at all departments can work effectively to his or her potential and abilities which turn
into increasing sales and generate revenue more than other brands, operated within retain
industry. Leader with system leadership style can get effective tools that he or she can use to
predict applicants behaviour in workplace (Gilson and Agyepong, 2018). This style also
contributes building appropriate systems which drive productive and positive nature and lead to
efficient realisation of company’s purpose. This leadership style is quite beneficial for progress
of ASDA supermarket, it make firm able to grow faster as possible as they can and allow
management to work productively. It play important role in bringing systems at workplace more
systematically. With this style leader can work effectively by using their competencies and skills.
It give workers access to perform even better.
Contingency leadership-
Just like above leadership forms, this style is also beneficial and helpful in regard to
ASDA as it help leader to be effective according to current situations like above two, which
make him or her stronger to deal with it and overcome on time without making any kind of
mistakes. Accordant to this concept, leader can become a great supervisor when he or she act as
per the workplace environment require because it can lead to inclusive work culture and positive
atmosphere where each applicants happily perform. This method or leadership style give
management ability to comprehend, knowledge and other forms and lets them take varied
judgements depend on several conditions. It permit firm to select the best leaders according to
their skills and work style in conflict or change management circumstances. Because of adaptive
nature, contingency leadership style allows manager to transform their existing policies, stay
flexible and change tactics as per the situational needs. Just because of this method leadership
scope can be widened.
LO3
P4 Key approaches of operational management and role played by both leaders and manager
Kaizen-
The rapid improvement and betterment of ASDA company function is defined as method
within work areas where operations improvements are made on entire work of firm. With this
procedure company and its management can remove wastes from venture system so that further
and current improvement can be done, which is quite beneficial in term of increasing sales and
improving quality. Manager role is to determine needs relate to scope of several tasks within
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company and also that to assure that workers are carefully aware of what employee are work on.
It helps manager to identify success factor and grab opportunities that are beneficial for
supermarket. Furthermore, leader role is to consider particular activities to be assigned to
specific persons. Second role is to assure that group of skilled applicant’s benefits from current
procedure and assist them within any challenging situations that are actually important. He or she
can take good care of ways to show to each worker so that people can work on it and according
to set goals which in return allow to obtain desire outcomes.
Six sigma-
The most effective approach of operation management is six sigma because it outlines as
technique that consider at varied functions that can make company able to remove or eliminate
errors in services or products production procedure across venture. Application of this method,
can eventually make firm capable to achieve highest consumers satisfaction and great experience
by isolate defects in target market that can allow to gain sensible progress within supermarket to
achieve business objectives and aims. Role of leader and manager in six sigma method is quite
different but beneficial. For example, leader need to communicate and coordinate workers in
order to assure that their work related problems will solve that can provide better work. Manager
role is to save money with this approach by setting right aims and review performance.
Lean manufacturing-
This process is define as effective and efficient approach of operation management that
leader and manager both concern in order to enhance performance of ASDA and its business
growth even better than other supermarkets (Auliandri and Alfiani, 2018). Management can
apply this method throughout manufacture that can assist workers in refining quality of each item
and morale of employees as it include overall venture monitoring that can support to better
process for target consumers. Manager role in lean production is to examine entire effectiveness
of goods and services offered by ASDA to customers and also to assure that no useful things are
eliminated in company that can add more value for each buyer. Like manager leader also play his
or her role in company with this approach by making workers able to comprehend what are their
accountabilities and roles in context of lean production better.
Just in time-
This approach is outlined in rule to maximize effectiveness of how ASDA can reduce
unnecessary and waste materials by accepting products that can only require in production and
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then product delivery process (Shen and et.al., 2020). Manager can play role in this method of
operation management by managing and supporting company in decreasing their inventory
space, which is helpful in term of less monitoring and saving a lot of time. This activity also
assure that by reducing investments in venture because of accepting items when it is not needed
can only maximize cost for ASDA to hire new staff or to train existing one. Leader within this
approach must assure that all grocery items can be used throughout manufacture procedure.
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achievements of objectives
Operation management in ASDA is more valuable and important because it gives firm
power to lead competitive situation and become a global leader. This procedure includes
planning, organizing, operating and managing production function of firm. It help in making an
maximize in ratio of profitability and sum it (Malagueño, Gölgeci and Fearne, 2019). Operation
management increase profitability of company and also help to expand their business even better
than other companies worked in similar sector. It support targeting and segmenting right target
market for organization which quite profitable for them. Effective operation management
provide many benefits to company in term of increasing sales, profit margin and allow firm to
generate revenue more than last few months or years. It is valuable for ASDA because it help by
conducting research of current market that permit manager to identify needs and trends that most
of people are now start following like eat and buy organic food products.
By conducing appropriate investigation firm can get benefits in term of determining
further demand of customers that can help management to cater products or services accordingly.
Operation management is essential and also valuable because it helps managing logistics and
inventory administration and procedure effectively (Ivanov, Tsipoulanidis and Schönberger,
2017). This type of management gives strength to supermarket in context of reaching at
international level where profitable and potential buyers are waiting to purchase quality products
from well known brand like ASDA. It allow firm to always concentrate on inventory process and
activities relate to it as it bring chance to enter into new market place with skilled and talented
workforce. The value of above term in organization is that it contributes in carrying out excellent
and most efficient use of different key assets such as workers, finance and raw material. Planning
for further growth and success is recognize as main function of concept and its value is that it
help in making things smoother or easier than before.
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LO4
P6 Identification of several factors that impact on operational management and decision making
of leaders and manager
Political factor-
There are ranges of political factor accessible in the world of business such as trade
policy, taxation rate, political stability and instability etc. that can put negative and positive
impact on business functions. In context of ASDA, change in trade policy is one of the factors
that put negative impact on operation management in term of increasing pressure to manage
supply chain process. Furthermore, this factor also affects negatively on decision making of
leader and manager by forcing them to reconsider their current plans or strategies which may be
needs further improvements.
Social factor-
When life style of people gets change it influence their buying and purchasing behaviour
that directly impact operations management process of supermarket negatively. For example,
consumer life style and behaviour change put pressure on manager to modify their production
tactic according to buyer needs that is really very important to do because it increase sales and
productivity in positive manner. Moreover, it impact decision making procedure negatively
because leader needs to guide people again and manager develop plan for training that improve
speed of each applicant in workplace to work even better and speeder.
Economic factor-
Unemployment is the most effective economic factor because it give ASDA operation
management chance to recruit or hire skilled and knowledgeable workers who can perform in
speed and ready to contribute in gaining competitive advantages. This element put positive
impact on manager and leader decision. For instance, manager can develop a plan to recruit more
people who need job and have required skills. It affects leader judgement by making them able to
restructure training programme as per number of applicants, it help to enhance performance level
of workers and increase profitability of ASDA even better.
Technology factor-
Advancement of technology and development of digital marketing platforms provide
excellent opportunity to ASDA in term of making them able to reach at global level and gain
attention of international buyers who can provide a lot of benefits in term of increasing sales and
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profitability of company. It out positive impact on manager decision by allows them to monitor
progress of workers. It gives chance to know more about consumers needs that has been changed
according to trends. It also affect operations management by permitting them to do all their work
by using advanced technologies that can save time and efforts as well.
Environmental factor-
Environment safety concern of consumers and government drive manager and leader
decision towards taking major step in regard to reduce carbon foot print that is important for
ASDA growth. In influence operation management positively for example, give them the most
profitable chance to reduce use of plastic and consider paper for packaging purpose. It put
positive impact on manager and leader decision.
Legal factor-
Change in Equality Act 2010 put high pressure on manager, leader and operation
management as it give negative experience to all of them who are stakeholders of ASDA. they
all because of this factor needs to make changes within employment policies, plan and strategies.
CONCLUSION
From the above analysis and discussion it can be concluded that leaders have special
charatertsicks or personality that helps them to understand views, ideas and opinion of several
individuals. Management have to perform different function such as management of people and
other resources, taking appropriate actions that can contribute in growth of enterprise. The report
has helped in understanding that operational management is important for organisation as it
contribute in making optimum utilisation of resources and satisfaction of customer’s
requirements beyond their expectancy level. It have also be analysed that there are several
approaches or leadership styles that are used by leaders of ASDA to accomplish their task such
as system, situational and contingency. At last it can be concluded from above report that
numerous factors such as changes in organisational structure, policies or taste and preference of
people directly or indirectly impact on operational management and decision making of leaders
and manager of ASDA.
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REFERENCES
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operations management. Foundations and Trends in Technology, Information and
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Gilson, L. and Agyepong, I.A., 2018. Strengthening health system leadership for better
governance: what does it take?.
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