P3 Application of different theories and approaches of leadership

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of manager and leader.....................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Application of function of manager and role of leader in different situational context.........3
P3 Application of different theories and approaches of leadership............................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role that managers and leaders play.........6
P5 Significance and value of operations management in attaining business objectives.............7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Assessment of business environment factors and their impact on operations management
and decision making....................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Management is the term that is related with managing all functions and activities of firm
in systematic and structured way. Operations include all those activities by which inputs are
transformed into final goods. Operations Management is identified as an area that is concerned
with developing & controlling production process and redesigning operations for producing
goods and services (AbouRizk, 2010). A crucial role is played by this function in successful
attainment of goals and objectives on specific time. It is the responsibility of operations manager
to ensure that resources are optimally utilized so that cost can be controlled. The present
assignment is based on Marks & Spencer which is British multinational retailer of UK. This
report includes differentiation between functions of manager and role of leaders as well as its
application in different situations. Various approaches of operations management and its
significance & value in attaining business objectives is also defined. Apart from this, relationship
between management and leadership in contemporary business environment is included in this
project.
TASK 1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of manager and leader
Leadership refers to an art of influencing and motivating others to act towards
attainment of common goals (Ageron, Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2012). Combination of
personality and leadership skills are possessed by leaders by which they influence others to
follow the guidance and direction provided by them.
Management is defined as the process of managing functions & activities of firm in
planned and structured manner. It is an art of getting things done by others. Planning, organising,
directing, coordinating as well as controlling are the functions that includes in management.
Managers and leaders plays various roles and responsibilities within firm that assists in
successful accomplishment of goals and objectives. Managers manage all the activities & task
and leaders coordinate resources to ensure their successful completion on time. In Marks &
Spencer, manager is responsible to examine, monitor and control firm's activities and leaders
administer direction to their team members so that they get motivate and enable to attain
objectives and goals of company in an effective & efficient way. They both play significant part
in high growth and long term success of organisation (Alderton and Saieva, 2013). Some roles of
manager and leader are defined below:
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Roles of leader:
Motivator: Leaders are good motivators and motivate their team members for attaining
organisational goals. They understand and determine needs of manpower & fulfil those in order
to satisfy them. It helps in increasing motivation of employees and encouraging them to work in
more better manner (Ashby, Leat and Hudson-Smith, 2012). All this results in higher
productivity and performance of individuals as well as firm.
Team building: As influence power of leaders is good, they easily influence people by
their thoughts and actions. They believe in team work and put their whole efforts in creating
effective teams. Leader of Marks & Spencer motivate their staff members and encourage them
to work in team so that, goals can be attained appropriately.
Supportive: It is one of the important role that leaders play. They listen all the problems
or issues of their staff members carefully and provide them appropriate solutions for that. It
assists in boosting up morale of workers and they feels a sense of satisfaction while working
within firm. Whenever support is needed by team, they solicits it to them (Bozarth and
Handfield, 2016).
Roles of manager:
Formulation of plans and policies: Managers play essential role in developing plans and
policies for firm which administer direction to their employees for future course of action. They
also frame appropriate strategies so that predetermined goals and objectives of organisation can
be attained on specific period of time.
Managing activities: The main responsibility of manager is to manage all the activities of
firm in structured and systematic way. They coordinate with all the functioning departments of
company and monitor their activities in order to ensure its completion on time.
Motivate staff: By conducting various activities and programmes, managers motivate
their staff members effectively. They analyse performance of employees and administer them
proper training so that their skills can be enhanced and confidence level can increase which
results in their improved motivation level (Brandenburg and et.al., 2014).
Characteristics of manager and leader:
Positive attitude: Leader and manager carry positive attitude which helps them in
performing their responsibilities in well manner. Their positivity supports them in handling
challenges effectively and in attaining personal as well as professional goals.
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Decision makers: They both have ability to make effective decisions by their excellent
knowledge and experience. They take various decisions regarding attainment of objectives of
firm. Contribution of manager and leader in success of an organisation is very high (Carter and
Liane Easton, 2011).
Good communicator: Both, manager as well as leader are good communicators and by
their effective communication skills, they motivate their staff members. They effectively
communicate all the necessary informations to their employees by this.
Differences between manager & leader:
Manager Leader
 Manager of Marks & Spencer have the
responsibility to manage all activities
and functions of firm in proper and
structured way.
 They formulate plans and policies to
attain business objectives of company.
 In Marks & Spencer, leader influence
their team members by their thoughts &
actions and provide them proper
guidance.
 Leader ensures proper implementation
of plans and strategies to attain goals.
TASK 2
P2 Application of function of manager and role of leader in different situational context
There are various situations that takes place within firm on continuous basis (Chowdary
and George, 2011). In this, managers and leaders play crucial role in handling such situations in
an effective manner. They take various decisions regarding high growth and sustainability of
firm for long term. They apply their competencies and skills so as to attain set objectives and
targets of company. Some situations in which role of leader and function of manager is applied
in Marks & Spencer are defined below:
Decision making process: In the process of decision making, managers and leaders play
vital role. There are various situations takes place within firm in which it becomes highly
essential to take decision. Mangers play crucial role in taking decisions related to development of
appropriate plans and policies. Top management is responsible for deciding upon activities and
programmes that are being conducted within firm. Leaders are responsible for proper
implementation of plans. They design strategies and ensure their proper execution so that all the
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activities are completed on time (Clausen and et. al., 2010). They take decisions regarding
particular task or activity and ensure its timely attainment. Both, manager and leader evaluate
performance of company & measure it with standard so that targets and objectives of Marks and
Spencer can be effectively accomplished (Closs, Speier and Meacham, 2011).
Training and development: There are various situations arise in firm when existing skills
and competencies are not enough to handling these. In many tasks, more skills are required for
their successful completion. In such situations, managers and leaders perform their roles
effectively. They provide suitable training programme to their workforce so that their
competencies can be increased. Leader determine needs of workforce regarding training and
communicate it with manager. As per their skill requirements, manager design suitable training
programme and provide it to manpower. This will facilitate employees in gaining new skills and
knowledge that helps them in performing their duties in more better and effective manner. It in
turn, leads the firm towards attainment of goals and objectives (Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons,
2013).
Employee engagement: Participation of workforce in activities of firm is very essential
for effective working. There are many situations where it is required by employees to work
collectively and take participation in activities of company actively. They are the important
resource of an organisation that highly contributes in growth of business. So, their engagement
in working of company is necessary. Managers and leaders put their efforts in increasing
employee participation. They conduct various activities and try to maintain healthy work
environment so that workers feel happy and satisfied with their workplace. This will assist in
increasing productivity of both, employees as well as organisation.
Delegation of authority: It is very difficult to do all the work alone. So, it is required by
manager and leader to delegate their authority among all the members of team so that work can
be done in proper manner and completed on time. They assign work to employees as per their
abilities and skills so that tasks can be performed in an effective and efficient manner. In Marks
and Spencer, proper delegation of work by manager and leader helps in completing tasks on
specified time (Galindo and Batta, 2013).
Above mentioned are the situations in which manager and leader of Marks and Spencer
apply their roles and functions. It assists them in accomplishing their objectives on time and
attaining growth and success in market.
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P3 Application of different theories and approaches of leadership
Several approaches and theories are adopted by company in order to increase its
performance and growth. Implementation of appropriate theory assists in shaping functions of
company. Various leadership approaches applied by manager and leader of Marks & Spencer are
defined below:
Situational leadership approach:
Leadership is defined as the quality of influencing behaviour of others. One of the well
known model is situational theory (Hamilton and et. al., 2011, January). Hersey and Blanchard
develop this model and it is based on theory of life cycle. This theory can be applied by manager
and leader in every situation. 4 basis are given in this theory. These are job nature, personal
characteristic of leader, control the followers and nature of firm. In first dimension, firm
administer job to individual as per their speciality in respective are. Second one is related with
skills, abilities, knowledge and trait of leader that assist their follower in respect to decision
making of firm. Third one is an important dimension under which team members are influenced
by leader to become flexible that means they adapt themselves as per the external environment.
They ensure complete control over their followers. The last dimension is concerned with work
culture of an organisation. The firm, Marks & Spencer is known for work culture and team
working which assist them in timely attainment of goals and objectives.
Contingency theory of leadership:
This approach states that no single psychological personality trait set leads towards
effective leadership. In addition to that, there is an interaction among psychological profile of
individual, external conditions and traits of an individual which leads a leader towards an
effective leadership. The firm, Marks & Spencer emphasize on all the above mentioned
conditions so that competitive advantage can be gained in market and productivity of company
can be improved (Matta and et. al., 2014).
System leadership theory:
It is considered as collaborative leadership of various departments networks in such
manner that cooperative environment is ensured for significant change. It is often difficult for
leaders to fit in such surrounding where political and legal changes are frequently done. This
theory can be applied by manager and leader in particular situations only. The business of Marks
& Spencer is diversified at various places where leaders guides their team members so that they
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can perform their duties well and maintain their position in market in an effective and efficient
way.
All the above defined approaches are applied by leader and manager of Marks & Spencer
as per the situation so as to deal with them effectively and ensure successful attainment of goals
and targets of firm (Ronen, Pliskin and Pass, 2012).
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role that managers and leaders play
The concept of operations management facilitates manager and leader of Marks &
Spencer in managing their business operations effectively. Various approaches are applied by
them in order enhance process of production and ensure manufacturing of high quality goods.
Application of these approaches by manager and leader within firm also assists in controlling
unnecessary costs that occurs in production process. Some key approaches to operations
management are defined below:
Total quality management:
Application of this approach helps firm in attaining long term success. TQM is emphasize
on improving performance and quality of goods and services which assists in meeting needs and
requirements of clients in an effective and efficient manner. The firm, Marks & Spencer deals in
clothing, food products and luxury goods and offers various products to customers.
Implementation of this technique assist manager and leader of firm to offer goods of high quality
to customers. People generally prefers to buy such products that is different from others and have
some new feature in it. So, manager and leader are required to motivate and encourage their
employees which enables them to perform their duties well. It ensures production of high quality
goods. They need to determine potential needs of customers so that clothes can be manufactured
accordingly (Schroeder, Goldstein and Rungtusanatham, 2011).
Continuous improvement:
Another name of this approach is Kaizen which focuses on continuous efforts that are
made by firm improve their productivity, services & processes. This approach helps in
increasing consumer's interest towards products of firm which in turn contributes in improving
profitability of company. Application of this approach in process of production helps manager
and leader of Marks & Spencer to make constant improvements in goods. Firm manufacture their
products as per the changing needs of customers. Now a days, people are more choosy and
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specific in nature. Therefore, managers and leaders are require understand choices of customers
and develop their goods accordingly. It administer competitive edge to Marks & Spencer in
market and leads the firm towards increasing profitability (Schroeder, Goldstein and
Rungtusanatham, 2011).
Just in Time:
It is an inventory strategy that assists in improving efficiency and declining waste by
obtaining goods at the time they required. This technique is applied by manager and leader of
Marks & Spencer for reducing unnecessary stocks. Bulk quantity of goods are manufactured
only when demand comes. By application of this approach, enterprise maintain minimum stock.
It also help in reducing unnecessary inventory carrying cost of company.
Six sigma:
Effectiveness of business processes can be maximize by applying this approach in
production process of firm. Any change made in process directly influence the quality of
product, morals of manpower and profitability of organisation. Marks & Spencer utilize this
approach in order to eliminate chances of defects and reduce manufacturing waste. Manager and
leader of firm enhance quality of product by application of this approach which assist in
satisfying customers in more better manner.
Lean production:
This approach is applied by firms to reduce production waste without made any
compromise in quality. Main reason of generating waste is overburden & uneven workload.
Thus, manager and leader of Marks & Spencer is required to assign work to staff member as per
their abilities and expertise. It will assist in performing tasks in more effective and cost efficient
manner. This will in turn leads the company towards high productivity and performance.
All the above mentioned approaches to operations management helps in increasing
efficiency of production process. This will assist in producing high quality goods and offering
them to customers. Application of all such approaches supports Marks and Spencer in satisfying
consumers in more better manner. It helps in attaining goals and objectives effectively and
efficiently.
P5 Significance and value of operations management in attaining business objectives
Operation management is an essential concept that helps in growth and success of
company. It assists in reducing production cost by ensuring optimum utilization resources. It
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helps manager and leader of Marks and Spencer to improve quality of their goods (AbouRizk,
2010). Significance and value of operations management are understand by below mentioned
points:
Customer satisfaction: The concept of operations management ensures manufacturing of
quality products and services. This helps the firm in satisfying their customers in more better
manner by offering them high quality goods. In Marks and Spencer, this also helps manager and
leader in attaining high efficiency in process of production.
Profit maximisation: Main aim of every business firm is to yield high profits and sales.
Manager and leader of Marks and Spencer ensure to offer high quality product to clients.
Effective execution of business activities assists in making optimum utilization of materials and
resources as well as improving performance of company. This will leads the company towards
high productivity and profits.
Administer long term advantages: As operation management is concerned with
production process, it will assist in improving quality of goods. This helps in attracting large
group of consumers and render them benefits for long term.
Value and significance of operations management can be understand by the above
mentioned points. This helps manager and leader of Marks and Spencer in effectively attaining
goals and targets of company.
TASK 4
P6 Assessment of business environment factors and their impact on operations management and
decision making
There are different factors that exist in the environment that possess either direct or indirect
impact on overall operation and performance of the company. These factors can be classified as
internal and external factors. Internal factors are exist in within the work environment only such
as customers, employees etc. On the other hand external factors are available outside the
company that also impact functioning of the company such as political, technological, social,
economical etc.
Internal Factor: These are present within the company only and direct affect the business
operation. It further classified as:
Employees: They are the main asset of the company on which entire profitability of the firm
depends. Organisational success and growth depend upon how effectively and efficiently their
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workers work or contribute towards attaining business objectives. Therefore, it is primarily
important for any company to satisfy the needs of employees as well in terms of providing them
training and development, performance appraisal etc.
Customers: Customers are the king of market and entire profitability of the company depend
upon how effectively they satisfy their customers. The company needs to produce such goods
and services that fulfil customer need and want in an effective manner
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that operations management
plays significant role in improving productivity and profits of company. It is an essential
concept that assists in improving efficiency of production process. This will help in offering
better and high quality goods to customers. Managers and leaders play crucial role in various
activities and operations of company. There are various situations takes place within firm in
which manager and leader apply their knowledge and skills and handle those situations easily.
Various leadership styles are adopted and applied by leaders that helps in motivating staff
members and encouraging them to work in more better manner. Factors of business environment
needs to be considered by manager and leader which helps in formulating effective policies and
strategies.
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