Operations Management: A Comprehensive Review

This assignment delves into the field of operations management, examining its key principles, methodologies, and real-world applications. It encompasses various aspects such as production processes, quality control, supply chain management, service operations, and emerging trends in the discipline. The assignment requires a critical review of relevant literature and case studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of operations management's role in organizations.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................5
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers...............................................................5
P2. Examine roles of leaders and managers functions ...............................................................7
P3 Explain different models and theories of leadership..............................................................9
LO3 ...............................................................................................................................................11
P4 Describe role of managers and leaders in management operations.....................................11
P5 Significance of management operations in accomplish objectives......................................13
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................15
P6 Various factors of business environment impact on operation management and decision 15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18
..........................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
Every organisation should know the significant role of management operation and it is
referred as an area which is obsessed with managing and controlling the business operation in the
firm. Generally, it is the administration of business exercise which creates effectiveness in the
work that will help in carrying out tasks by company. There are various resources which are
available for the firm that includes raw materials, infrastructure, working people and some other
services which are used in a proper manner. All the activities and operations need to monitor
which is usually controlled by company managers who help in carried out different functions
according to implementation of plans and strategies accurately.
Founded in 1971, Mulberry is an iconic British design company and lifestyle brand, renowned
world-wide for its craftsmanship and quality. The Company designs, develops, manufactures,
sources and sells a range of women’s and men’s leather bags and accessories; luggage; soft
accessories and jewellery; women’s ready-to-wear; and footwear. Product design and
development are carried out at the Company’s London design offices and Somerset factories.
Leather bag manufacturing is primarily carried out at the Company’s two UK factories located in
Somerset, with the remaining products sourced from carefully selected suppliers in Italy and
other European and non-European countries.
The purpose of this report is how to manage and control the impact which directly affects the
leaders and managers business operations of the organisation and also company will try to
analyse the roles and responsibility of these people towards enterprise.

LO 1
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers
Leadership is the quality which helps in managing and controlling company’s employees
and also motivating them towards achieving desired goals and objectives. They have capabilities
and abilities to encourage people for reaching set targets of firm. The main role of leader is to set
goals and also provide right direction to their team members. They have skills and knowledge
which assist in getting set objectives. They have some qualities and abilities which make them
different from other persons. The performance of leader helps in increasing career development
process. Leaders have high skills of providing guidance to their team members in a better
manner.
Management is an activity which assists in managing some qualities and capabilities of
managers which support in performing different functions within an organisation. Business
operations refers that process which assist in managing enterprise functions and activities in an
effective manner (Alderton and Saieva, 2013). It is an art of managing resources which assist in
making all things organized properly. Organisation includes various departments such as human
resources, marketing, finance etc. All the activities and operations need to monitor which is
usually controlled by company managers who help in carried out different functions according to
implementation of plans and strategies accurately. Company managers are hired employees
within an industry for performing task or work in different departments. The main duty of
manager is to manage some resources such as infrastructure, money, time and other issues etc.
they should also combined all the factors which help in managing plan, preparing budgets,
controlling, optimising resources, time management, make accurate decision and solve difficult
issues or problems. HR will also motivate workers for accomplishing set goals and objectives.
Mulberry Plc manager make sound working environment for their employees within an
organisation (Slack, Brandon-Jones and Johnston, 2011). There are certain points which show
the difference between leaders and managers which are as follows:
Basis Leaders Managers
Definition A leader has some quality and
ability to lead other people
towards achieving set goals
A manager is an individual
who have ability to control and
manage all business operations

and objectives. They have
capability to motivate and
convince employees and
provide proper guidance for
reaching target objectives.
and functions. They also have
quality to divide work among
employees in a proper manner
This is used to manage all
work in right way.
Focus Leaders are mainly focused on
leading people and other team
members.
They usually focus on
controlling and managing all
work of employees in effective
manner.
Risk Leaders are risk takers. Managers try to reduce the risk
percentage.
Personality They are creative thinkers and
always develop innovative
products and services with
having excellent
communication skills.
Managers are mainly solving
task related problems and
issues. They have ability to
inspire people towards set
goals and objectives.
Strategy They mainly adopt proactive
strategy.
Managers mostly prefer
reactive strategy for managing
all employees of company.
Organisation Leaders has many followers or
team members within
enterprise who help in
achieving targets and goals in
better manner.
In an organisation, manager
has different colleagues who
work for them for attaining
goals.
Appeals Leaders are appeals by their
heart.
They are appeals with their
brain and convince people by
using different strategies.
Concern Leaders mainly doing right
thing.
Properly managed things in
right manner.

Vision Leaders have long term vision
within enterprise.
Managers have short term
vision in the firm.
The difference between leaders and managers are clearly discussed in the above table.
Managers have quality of controlling and managing company's activities and on the other side,
the main role of leader is to lead people by motivating them. Some qualities and abilities help in
reaching targets and goals properly.
LO2.
P2. Examine roles of leaders and managers functions
In an enterprise, there are leaders and managers who mainly depends upon different type
of department which present in the firm (David, 2011). This will show that individual person can
play an important role of managing and controlling at each level of management. Mulberry Plc
manager gives importance to their works and task by working for different resources that include
money, time and employee.

 Budgeting- There are various tasks which required to re-managed by manager in better
manner which will develop plans and strategy for preparing budgets within an
organisation department. Organising- It is that function which help in proper arrangement of resources and
management system in the firm. Mulberry Plc support in organising different functions
and activities to their managers (Krajewski, Ritzman and Malhotra, 2013). Planning- It is important for every organisation is to plan If cited firm want to open new
store in UK so that it is the manager who identify various resources which required in
business operations. Time management- Mulberry Plc requires to set accurate goals and objectives that they
desire to accomplish in future time. This is the duty and responsibility of manager is to
conduct all activities and functions in given time framework. Problem solving skill- Mulberry plc should hire that person who have ability and
capability to resolve all required issues and problem which are related to management
and operations. It is the duty of manager is to observe various things for better
coordination and cooperation between employees. They should listen workers problem
and understand that and then try to provide solution for specific issue.
 Decision making- In an organisation, it is necessary for taking accurate decision for
increasing growth and success of firm as well as employees. Wrong decision damage
whole functions of enterprise in badly manner.
A leader is an individual who are not born but he is made for doing best work for the
organisation. There are large number of people who follows the leaders and inspire by them for
achieving target goals and objectives (Ergun and et. al., 2010). There is various situation which
shows their roles and characteristics in Mulberry Plc which are as under: Vision- Leaders have certain vision which should be prepared by firm and also, they
desires to achieve them in proper manner. Every organisation has different vision that
include short term and long-term vision. For example, Mulberry Plc directors are decided
that they will restore all performance of each department of the organisation and also,
they should target goals and objectives for future time period.

 Motivation- It is the responsibility of leader is to encourage and motivate their team
members for achieving desired targets and goals properly. They became good leader by
understanding different situation of company employee and help them in performing
better within an organisation. He has power to influence people and also ability to
motivate person for eliminate all issue and problems which arises within an enterprise
(Slack, 2015). Coaching- This is the important part of an organisation where leaders are providing
coaching classes to their employees for understand work in better way. Mulberry is the
leading department which provide training and development sessions to their employees
for knowing the functioning of new technique and method.
 Make strong relationship- Leaders should develop strong relation with employees and
employers within an organisation. It is the duty of leader is to arrange daily feedback and
reviews sessions for understand workers issues and problem. Also, they try to remove all
barriers and misunderstanding between employee and manager properly.
P3 Explain different models and theories of leadership
Leadership theory and models are the key factors for understanding the basic concept of
leadership. There are different theories and models of leadership which will help in identify
whole functions and activities of firm manager and employees. Here various theories are
explained in detail which are as follows:
Great Man Theory
The great man theory was evolved in the 19th century. At that time no one was aware who
has the capability to be the great leader by scientific method. In this people thought great leader
are born and not made, leaders are by birth. At that time belief was that, in some appropriate
situation leader may rise (Baldwin, Allen and Ridgway, 2010). This theory was inspired by the
study of influential heroes of that time. The traits of leadership are intrinsic was assumed by the
Great man theory. Mulberry Plc Can Some theorist says that to be a leader they should not be
intellectually genius, but they must a special quality which is not common in all the persons,
leaders has right stuff to succeed.

Trait Theory
In this people are either born or made with certain qualities within them will make excel
in leadership roles. Trait theory thinks that qualities like intelligence, sense of responsibility,
creativity make a good leader. As the theory sees that more about analysing mental, social and
physical other combination of all qualities of leader which are common among leaders (Barratt,
Choi and Li, 2011). There were many shortfalls in this from the psychology and personalities
point of view, only characteristics which came in the front was all leader were slightly taller and
slightly more intelligent.
Behavioural Theory
In this theory leadership are classified as such all study is based on specific behaviour of
leader. This theory is important for analyse the behaviour of company employees towards
specific task or work. It will help in observing behaviour of workers towards firm plans and
policies.
There are two behavioural study
 Ohio state university
As a part of the study, it includes individual, students, their administration, working
peoples, private companies, it also includes army personnel. One of the main purpose of the
study was to know the common leadership behaviour.
 Michigan university
University of Michigan known the three characteristics of effective leadership, two of
which were studied by the Ohio state university, third was showed task and relationship were not
the major significance within the organisational psychology.
Transactional leadership theory
Transactional theory also known with the name of exchange theory of leadership. In this,
transaction is made between the leader and follower and this style is generally used by the
mangers. It focuses on the management process of organising, controlling and short-term
planning. For making the transactional theory more effective, the leader must use proper method
to give reward or punishment to followers, if his subordinate work according to gain reward must
be given and when not, accordingly punishment should be there for the subordinate.
Transactional leadership theory is more effective when work is in correct manner for individuals
and organisation.

Transformational leadership theory
Transformational theory is present at all level of the organisation, teams, department and
all the part of the organisation (Hamilton, Holub and Blunt, 2011). This type of leaders is
visionary, inspiring, daring, risk-taker also includes the charismatic appeal. But they also have
that personality for which is not alone enough to make change in the operation of the
organisation. Transformational Leadership theory states that leaders transform their followers
through their inspirational nature and attractive personality and rules and regulation are flexible
as per the leader group.
 Situational leadership- It is the another style of leadership refers that when manager or
leader of an enterprise can adjust their styles which must be developed in different level
of the followers that will try to influence the other persons. Mulberry firm also used
situational leadership for analysing various situations which occurs within an
organisation. This will help in handle and manage all functions and operations of the
business.
 System leadership- This is that leadership where managers and leaders implement whole
system in effective manner. It will assist in managing leadership resources which totally
inter linked with individual, aggregation and full system of leadership.
 Contingency leadership- Contingency leadership theory says that there is no single way
of leading people and every leader has different style of leading. In some situation, there
are people who perform maximum when they are works in organisation. Contingency
refers the expanded form of trait theory, as the followers are more responsive leaders also
likely to express their leadership.
Leaders and managers play an essential role within an organisation. They were help the
Mulberry Plc for growing business profitability and make accurate decision for enhancing
capital. They are assist in showing right direction to their employees in better manner. Company
manager allotted work to the leaders and leaders were equally distribute each work in their team
members and guide them for achieving set targets and goals. This is the responsibility of the
leader is to manage and control entire work which will assigned to him by the manager.

LO3
P4 Describe role of managers and leaders in management operations
An organisation wants to achieve target goals and objectives which help in increasing
work efficiency in proper manner (Chiarini and Vagnoni, 2015). They require to manage whole
functions and activities of the business. The motive of the leader and manager is to identify
different strategies which assist in fulfil customers’ needs and wants. Management operation is
an activity which has various inputs such as raw material, labours which are converted these
factors into finished products and services. Mulberry Plc must allotted task or work to leaders
and managers for taking some accurate decision for the welfare of firm. They can analyse the
different situation which help in satisfy demand and wants of customers in the market place.
Company will supply that goods which are desired by buyers. Generally, an enterprise will
follow appropriate procedure of purchasing raw material and converted it into finished goods. An
organisation has to different department which assist in performing task or work in effective
manner. It is analysed that managers have scarcity in the procedures of all functions and
activities which help in dealing competitive marketplace. Cited firm must know the significance
of these factors which are related to firm growth. An organisation will develop human resource
department and gives them duties for controlling and managing all functions and activities which
are performed within an enterprise (Subramanian and Ramanathan, 2012). It is important for
firm is to handle all work in the hand of manager and they only report on daily basis. Manager
should check that workers or subordinates are satisfied with their work and they are responsible
for hiring and appointing candidates who have skills and knowledge in proper manner. Each firm
develop different management operations so that managers and leaders should be analysed the
functions which organised within an organisation. Product based operations are beginning
operations which can be done by firm and they mainly deal in product development.
Though some attempt seem to have been made, consider answering this question from
this perspective.
Operation management- It refers to that preparation, coordinating and supervising the
production, manufacturing and various other services. This will ensures that organisation turn
input into output in better manner. There are various factors which includes materials,
equipments, technology and human resources like staff and employees.
There are various approaches of management operation that are as under:

Mass production- It refers to the production of large quantity of standardised goods, rapid
utilisation of latest technology and tools. This is that process where managers are develop mass
amount of same type of products in effectively.
Craft manufacturing- This is the another procedure of manufacturing methods and
techniques. Craft production means that manufacture of techniques which is implemented in the
hobbies of handicraft but it is the method for production in effective manner.
Flexible specialisation- It is the form of organisation in which firm is specialised in one
products and they are always change its features according to the demand and needs.
They should understand the requirements of market such as competitors, planning,
designing, controlling activities, making clothes, for increasing profitability and productivity. It
is the responsibility of leaders is to check that they should motivate an employee for doing hard
work and try to develop that goods which refers the latest trends. Managers were distributing all
task into different teams which allotted work in better manner. Some department are work for
buying raw material of clothes and other department will help in converting this material into
finished goods. All the company managers try to understand the requirements of training
members who have gain skills and knowledge by attending these sessions and training will help
in improving employee’s capabilities and abilities. It also assists in achieving set goals and
objectives in effective manner. This is very essential for managing budgets and accurate posting
of whole buying and selling details of products and services. Managers and leaders are backbone
of an organisation and they are performed all functions of business operations (Peng and Lai,
2012). They will make strong relation with each people so that they can help in making decision
in positive manner. Operation management support in managing all activities that they required
to conduct in the business. The main role of leaders is to motivate and encourage people towards
accomplishing goals and targets. They should listen issues and problems of employees which are
related to firm work.
P5 Significance of management operations in accomplish objectives
Management operation refers to that procedures which is effectively managed, and they
generally transfer necessary raw material into desired finished goods. This will help in
performing various functions of designing, coordinating, directing, controlling and managing all
required functions of an organisation. Manufacturing department of company will help in
investigating all these functions such as choosing raw material that will be used in producing

process and this will also include that the finished goods are developed in better manner. In an
enterprise, it will play an important role in the service sector so that firm will identify the
demand and wants of customers and try to satisfy them for providing them willing goods and
services (Akkerman, Farahani and Grunow, 2010.). This process will help in taking reviews and
feedbacks which easily analyse demand of specific products among buyers. Mulberry Plc has
launch new commodity in the market so that they required to satisfy and fulfil customers’ needs
and wants in effective manner. The major role of marketing department is to identify buyers
demands and also gather all necessary information which relates to products and services. They
should take reviews and feedbacks which help in analysing the desires and wants.
Role of operations manager in creating the value:
 Quality- The manager should maintain the quality of each products which are offered to
the desired customers in proper manner. It is important for production team is to mainly
focus on the quality and quantity which are serve in the market. This will help in
increasing profitability of the company.
 Speed- Operation manager responsibility is to maintain speed of earning profit which are
necessary for smooth running of business operations and functions in effective manner. It
will assist in processing the whole functions and activities which can be managed the
firm in appropriate way.
 Dependability flexibility- The manager are mainly depend upon suppliers and producer
by which they can easily earn maximum profit for creating values.
 Cost- This is the major factor which help in maintaining cost amount that is used in
performing various business functions and its operations. Company manager assist for
increasing firm productivity by provide them proper training programmes.
Operation management will assist in increasing level of growth and provide success to
the company. It is essential for satisfying all requirements of firm in better manner. Production
department will assist in reducing wastage of raw material and increasing profitability and
productivity within an enterprise. Mulberry Plc manager is responsible for maintaining resources
properly in organisation warehouse. This will help in decreasing cost of manufacturing of
products and manage other department such as sales and marketing that assist in increasing
number of customers towards goods and services. It is important for the firm is to manage all
business operations and functions effectively. The objective of management operations is giving

proper customer services and investigate all resources which required during production process.
They will ensure that buyer is satisfied by the operation management activities of products and
services of Mulberry Plc (Sheu, 2010). It is important for manager is to check that goods
provided to customers is fulfil the standard of quality and they will add some value which will
assist in easily analysed the regular operational management.
Mulberry try to improve their products designs, shape, size and colour according to the
demand of desired buyers. If customer will not have satisfied with their goods so that
organisation aim is totally dissolve, and their customer base are reduces in future time period.
Therefore, operational management will help in reaching with set goals and objectives in
effective manner. If any resource will not use in appropriate manner, then it can be enhancing the
cost of manufacturing process and also face difficult situations. Management operation can
manage various strategies and plans of Mulberry Plc and they requires to properly implemented
in the firm (Songand, Parola, 2015). This will assist in making effective products and services
which manage and control all functions that analyse customers demand and wants in effectively
and efficiently. This will assist in meeting accurate goals and objectives in the firm. It is
significant role for understanding customers choice and preferences. It directly effects on
business operations and management operations in accurate manner. The harmonise activities
that can help in coordinating various functions within an enterprise.
LO 4
P6 Various factors of business environment impact on operation management and decision
Decision making is that process which assist in taking accurate decision for increasing
company growth and success. Leaders and managers play a significant role within an
organisation and also they can easily make decision for enhancing reputation of firm. There are
various types decision making process which can be taken by firm for the organisation,
individual, group decisions and all the decision related to different strategies and policies which
is important for the company. These decisions are affected by various factors which are as under: Corporate social responsibility- This is that model which will not talk about legal and
economic factors, but it is only deal in social factors which assist organisation for
understanding external and internal environment. It is the most important function which
should be followed by Mulberry Plc. CRS model help in providing direct impact on

different levels of an organisation (Galindo and Batta, 2013). They have not any strategy
for maintaining activities and functions of enterprise and, but they will improve certain
components of the firm. It will support the leaders and managers of Mulberry Plc for
taking correct decision which are related to secure the social environment. Business morality- It is the duty of company is to investigate all necessary activities
which can be performed on daily basis. Business ethics should be understanding by
employees and employers and they will clearly evaluate that for making effective team or
groups.
 Stakeholders- They are the external people of the firm who can attached to the firm in
another way generally they are those stakeholders of the company (What is Operations
Management?. 2014). So that they have certain ability and capabilities for influencing
decision making process of the organisation which considered that Mulberry Plc required
to find out their perfect stakeholders and try to adopt various plans and policies which
assist in maintaining or increasing reputation of enterprise.
Mulberry is fashion industry firm which provide designer products and goods to their
customers in the large market place. The lack of dissatisfaction towards performance of
employees are directly affects the business operations and its functions. Decision making process
help in maintaining and controlling various functions for achieving desired goals and objectives
in proper manner. Quality of products is also major factors which help in providing quality goods
and services to their potential buyers. Second is supplier who is also responsible for taking
effective decision and operation management in better manner. This will assist suppliers for
providing indirect income by reducing cost of raw material. It will help in expanding cost due to
decrease in customers base at different locations.
An organisation has different culture which influence on various other operational
activities and make decision process. Firm will believe that all strategies and plans should be
implemented for enhancing growth and success of employees as well as organisation
(Importance of Operations Management. 2012). Every worker has different culture values, so it
is the duty of company is to take care of employee’s values and religion in better manner. The
culture of people will directly effects on business operations and its functional factors properly.
Impact of external and internal environment factors:

 Business responsibility- It is the responsibility of managers is to check that all workers
will followed all rules and regulations which help in making accurate decision. They
should also guide their employees for increasing reputation of company in the
marketplace.
 CSR activity- It is the most important function which should be followed by Mulberry
Plc. CRS model help in providing direct impact on different levels of an organisation.
This is that model which will not talk about legal and economic factors, but it is only deal
in social factors which assist organisation for understanding external and internal
environment.
CONCLUSION
From the above-mentioned report, it can be concluded that managers and leaders have
different roles and responsibilities which help in managing and controlling all business activities
and functions in effective manner. There are various resources which are available for the firm
that includes raw materials, infrastructure, working people and some other services which are
used in proper manner and organisation can have converted these resources into different
products and services. Management has play an important role in making and developing things
in right way. Leaders have capabilities and ability to encourage people for reaching set target of
firm. The main role of leader is to set goals and provide right direction to their team members.
There are different theories and models of leadership which will help in identify whole functions
and activities of firm manager and employees. It includes traits, contingency, transformational,
transactional, behavioural and great man theory. Manager should check that workers or
subordinates are satisfied with their work and they are responsible for hiring and appointing
candidates who have skills and knowledge in proper manner. So, it is important for firm is to
manage all business operations and functions.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
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Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A. and Johnston, R., 2011. Essentials of operations management.
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Slack, N., 2015. Operations strategy. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Krajewski, L. J., Ritzman, L. P. and Malhotra, M. K., 2013. Operations management: processes
and supply chains (Vol. 1). New York, NY: Pearson.
Ergun, O., and et. al., 2010. Operations research to improve disaster supply chain management.
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Online
What is Operations Management?. 2014. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.topmba.com/mba-programs/what-operations-management>. (Accessed on
1st November 2017).
Importance Of Operations Management. 2012. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/explain-importance-role-operations-
management-355104>. (Accessed on 1st November 2017).
1.