This report analyzes the roles of leaders and managers in an organization, using Google as a case study. It examines various leadership theories and their application in different situations, explores the importance of operations management, and discusses factors that impact business operations and the wider community.
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Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1 TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.........1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager...............................................1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying a range of theories and concepts............................................................2 TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts.................................................................................................................3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership and contingency....................................................................................................4 Thestrengthsandweaknessesofdifferentapproachestosituationswithinthework environment............................................................................................................................5 TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6 Key approaches to operations management and the role of a leader and managers play.....6 Howleadersandmanagerscanimproveefficienciesofoperationalmanagementto successfully meet business objectives....................................................................................6 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives..............6 TASK 4............................................................................................................................................6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision making by leaders and managers.............................................................................6 Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community7 Evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on the wider business environment...........................................................................................................................7 CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
INTRODUCTION Operationmanagementisprocessthatinvolvecoordination,planning,organising, managing the process of creation of service and goods, supervising the manufacture and production (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018). Report will be based on Google which is an American multinational technology company that produce internet related services that includes search engine, online advertising technologies, software, hardware etc. It was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998. The report will define the role and characteristics ofleader and manager withcomparison.It willanalyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership likesituational leadership, system leadership and contingency. It willexplain the key approaches to operations management and the role which leaders and managers play. This report will evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives. ACTIVITY 1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager. Leaders and managers is an important key. Leaders are capable and able to lead a group of people in organisation. Leaders have goals to achieve shared goals by developing clear vision and share that vision with team members. Whereas, Managers are responsible to maintain and manage objectives, goals, vision and mission that is set by the leadership. Managers manage all the resources that is required to obtain goals. They contribute to increase performance and productivity. Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager Basis onManagerLeader ï‚·Empathyï‚·Manageris responsible to control oradministrate Google and its staff. Managers have duties torecruit,supervise, trainandappraise staff, manage budge, ï‚·Leadersareempathetic, theyunderstandwhat other person is trying to say. Leaders lead a group of people in Google with making a clear vision and share that vision with their teammembersby 1
maintain financial and statisticrecords.So they are practical in nature. providingthem knowledge,information and by building morale. ï‚·Focusï‚·Managersmeasure, manageandfocused toachievegoals (AnandandGray, 2017).They commandthe situations. ï‚·Leaderscreatevision, inspire and make effort to engageemployees towards goal. ï‚·Risksï‚·Managershaveduty to minimise the risks. Theytrytocontrol the hurdles and risks. ï‚·Leaders are creative and theytakerisktodo somethingnewifthey may fail. ï‚·Creativeï‚·Managers adopt their behavioursthatthey havelearnedfrom outside.Theycopy the competencies. ï‚·Leadersareuniqueand willing to be themselves. They are active, self aware to create unique brand for Google. ï‚·Focusï‚·Managers are focused onnecessary structuresthat requiredtoachieve andsetgoals.They workseparatelyto obtainobjectiveand goals. ï‚·Leadersemphasiseon creating relationship with theirteammembersto engagethemtowards goalsandkeepmaintain relationshipwiththeir shareholders to build trust and loyalty. 2
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Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying a range of theories and concepts. There are so many theories and model that differentiate the role of leader and function of managers. Here, some theories which are based on leadership. Situational Theory: This theory proposed that no single style of leadership is best. It depends on types of situations that occurs and according to that strategies, leadership and functions of managers are defined. Leaders adapt the style to engage their team towards goals as stated in situation while managers set structures that necessary to achieve the goals (Ansoff and et.al., 2019).Effective leaders inspire employees to be productive and efficient in order to achieve goals in various circumstances. ContingencyTheory:Thistheorysaystheeffectivemanagementisdependent, contingent, specific situations and behaviours. It defines importance of personality of leader and manager and condition that leader and manager operate. In unexpected situation leaders motivate and engage employees while managers command the situations and minimise the risks. System Theory:In this theory leaders create a condition, where employees are able to work at all levels productively. While managers creates flexible working conditions for them. Management by objective:according to this theory, managers have role to improve performance of organisation by defining clear objects to employees. For that Managers has to involve staff in decision making process. That helps employees to understand their roles and responsibilities. Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts. Leaders and managers have different role and functions in different condition and situation. Both play an important role in Google to achieve goals and profitability (Chiarini, 2015). Labour Turnover: Labour turnover is about employee retention that is to convince employees to remain in business. It can measure by percentage rate that is turnover rate. It is employees percentage that leave workplace during the certain period. Labour turnover increase due to dissatisfaction with personnel policies, working environment, wages, lack of transport facilities, medical and others.In Google employees are raising the ethical concern. Due to this, 3
company has faced labour turnover.In that case, leaders have role to motivate employees and counter uncertainty by communicate about clear vision of Google. Whereas managers have duty to remind employees their value by providing staff members necessary resources and tools and to develop maintenance schedule manager can work together with employees.They can also arrange training that help employees to improve their skills and knowledge. Conflicts: Conflict is a part of any workplace and occurs where morale to be lessened, decreasedproductivity.Conflictscanbebasedonworkstyledifferences,basedon interdependency, personality clashes, culture-based dissension etc.For instance for Google the employees are way more professionalised to open up with each other. Due to this conflict occur in Google.Resolving conflicts is important to enhance learning in employees, to gain positive outcome, including effective performance. Effective leaders have ability to resolve the conflicts via saying the right things. For example, if there clash between to employees, then leaders have duty to listen individuals’ side and not be biased to do right thing. Effective leaders are able to address the problem and resolve it, Whereas, managers are mediator to identify the conflicts. Managerscanhelptoresolvetheproblemsviafocusoneventsandbehaviournotto personalities, to work on each problem, develop a plan, prioritize the areas of conflicts and by identifying points of agreement and disagreement (Chiarini, 2015). Safe and Healthy Environment:Health environment refers to positive environment where employees feel valued and enjoy their work. Positive workplace includes facilities, location, culture, growth opportunities and interaction between employers and employees. It impacts hugely on employees' performance and morals and employees feel encouraged. Leaders can help to make positive environment via motivate, encourage employees, giving them feedback, positive reinforcement, showing gratitude, celebrating victory, encouraging positive thinking. While managers are responsible for setting goals for groups and organise activities and training understanding duties and responsibilities, developing staff as company assets, providing benefits and compensation, health and safety policies to employees and their families. These things help employees to engage them towards Google and create a healthy environment. Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership and contingency. Situational Leadership Theory: This model was given by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard. This theory proposes that managers or management prefer different leadership style 4
according to situation and condition rather than following a particular model Google.According to this theory leaders have to adapt the situational leadership style in manner of various circumstances.Situational leadership theory has two factors that is directive behaviour and supportive behaviour, and both are depended on its high and low rate.Together they form four primary leadership style that are. In this stage employees of Google are asked by leaders that how and what have to do. Leaders takes decision by themselves and do not take advice from other. In this style leaders of Google sell their ideas and involve group members to buy into the process. After receiving inputs they analyse it in own decision making. In this stage, leaders direct and allow entire team members to participate more with new ideas and decision making. This stage allow employees to take fully responsibility to make decision and team member are for what happen. Leaders do not take part in making decision. This model help Google to face various situations in market and improve decision making with managers ad employees. It develops effective communication between management and employees (Heizer, Render, Munson and Sachan, 2017) System Leadership Theory:In system leadership, Google have to build condition where employees can work effectively and enhance their potential. This leadership is defined across organisational and political boundaries, profession discipline. This theory when applied to Google it helps the managers and leaders to look across the political boarders and as well as stakeholders to change structure and system. This theory support to promote innovations and creativity in Google. It improves development and growth of Google which promote clear vision and plan. Contingency Leadership Theory:This theory states that the effective management is dependent, contingent, specific situations and behaviours. It defines importance of personality of leader and manager and condition that leader and manager operate. In unexpected situation leaders motivate and engage employees and managers command the situations and minimise the risks. Effective leaders apply their own style of leadership in different situations. This theory benefits in two way, it can enhance effectiveness and productivity or employees by developing positive work culture or it can improve relationship of workers and management in Google (Hill and Hill, 2017). 5
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The strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work environment. Situational Leadership Theory Strength:It helps to build motivation in employees as this leadership involves workers to select the best leadership style than following the same. It increases awareness in employees in order to apply leadership style. Weakness:There is lacked to understand the demographic difference due to lack of high quality experience in workers. It concentrates on short term strategies that target only current matters. System Leadership Theory Strength:It provides helps to understand different fields and frame work for the interpretation and presentation. It clarifies the dynamism and complexity of environment and help to build ideas. Weakness: it is not popular as the less acceptance by the leaders. This process is complicated and lengthy due to various interrelated parameters (Hitt and Carnes, 2016). Contingency Leadership Theory Strength:It is directly dependent on relationship of employees and management. It helps to engage employees towards Google. This leadership theory is flexible to structure a task. Weakness:it suffers from inadequately of literature. So that it is not spelled out adequately various types of actions that have taken in different conditions and situations. It is very complex to put in practical situation (Laudon and Laudon, 2016). ACTIVITY 2 presentation Key approaches to operations management and the role of a leader and managers play (Covered in PPT) 6
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How leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives (Covered in PPT) 8
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Key approaches to operations management and the role of a leader and managers play (Covered in PPT) How leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives (Covered in PPT) Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives (Covered in PPT) 13
Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision making by leaders and managers Business is affected by different factors that includesocial,economic,political, objective, internal relationship etc. Business environment is the total of all external and internal forces that affect the organisation andthebusinessoperations(Krishnaiyer, Chen and Bouzary, 2018). Employees-Employees are the main internal factor that impact upon operational management and decision making by leaders and managers. It involves different type of employees that if they are motivated, hard- working, talented, field of employees, age of employees etc. Leaders and managers make the policy and decision according to the needs and demands of the employees by that they feel respected and decreases the labour turnover which help in decision by leaders and managers. Sustainability-Sustainabilityis defines to meet the demands of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation. It is most important aspect of business. The main aim of google of sustainability is to save resources which willberequiredbythecompanyinthe future(BelvedereandGrando,2017).In ordertoprotecttheenvironment sustainabilityoforganisationisvery important.Ithasagreatimpactonthe operation management becauseit ensures effectiveutilizationofresourceswithout misusing it so that it helps in increasing the efficiency of the operations' management. Corporate social responsibility-It isdefinesasabusinessapproachthat contribute to the sustainable development by delivering social and economic benefits to its consumers. The CSR policy affects the decision-making system of the organisation asthecontentsofthispolicymakethe organisation to make the decision which are ethical in nature. Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community Thebusinessenvironmentgetslargely affected by the social responsibility policy asitimprovesthebrandimageofthe company and promote the company as a socially responsible. The sustainability as a whole impact the entire community because of sustainability, society feel beneficial due to the reduction in the over utilization of 14
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resources. It impacts the wider community and the business environment as its main aim is in preservation and conservation of naturalresources(CORNER,2016). Employeesbehaviourandattitudealso affect wider community as loyal and hard- workingemployeeshelpsorganisationin achieving the goals which directly impact on wider community as they get satisfied with the given services. Evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on the wider business environment Application of operation management focuses on the strategic management of operations and manufacturing in the companies. Some application of operation management are Control and distribution-Operation management do some activities regarding control like inventory control, quality control, storage and evaluation of processes. The main aim of control and distribution process of operation management is to improvement of products quality and customer services. It has positive and negative impact on the wider business environment is it is a smooth operation of the business. It is a time-consuming process. Transformation of raw material-Transforming the raw material into the finished goods is called the converting process of the production in operation management. It is important to add value and provides output for customers and clients. It is the quick process. Project scheduling- It is the most important application of operations management because it is responsible for controlling whole process and project. It impacts the wider community as without the proper scheduling of the project of the company it won't be able to reach the target customers. CONCLUSION From the above study it has been concluded that the roles of leaders and functions of managers of an organisation helped Google enhance efficiency and productivity of employees and business. Effective leaders supported Google to decreased labour turnover via motivate and encouragethemandleadersprovidedtrainingtodevelopandimprovetheirskillsand knowledge. Leadership theories and approaches guided leaders and managers to handler a problem according to situation and system. Factor has affected leaders and managers to sustain employees and corporate social responsibilities., while, operation management supported firm to control and maintain the distribution of products. 15
REFERENCES Books and Journals Anand,G.andGray,J.V.,2017.Strategyandorganizationresearchinoperations management.Journal of Operations Management.53.pp.1-8. Ansoff, H.I. and et.al., 2019.Implanting strategic management. Springer. Belvedere, V. and Grando, A., 2017.Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management. John Wiley & Sons. Bertsimas, D., Kallus, N. and Hussain, A., 2016. Inventory management in the era of big data.Production and Operations Management.25(12). pp.2006-2009. Chiarini, A., 2015.Sustainable Operations Management. Springer International Publishing: Imprint: Springer,. CORNER, C., 2016. Operations management. Heizer, J., Render, B., Munson, C. and Sachan, A., 2017. Operations management: sustainability and supply chain management, 12/e. Hill, A. and Hill, T., 2017.Essential operations management. Macmillan International Higher Education. 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. Krishnaiyer, K., Chen, F.F. and Bouzary, H., 2018. Cloud Kanban Framework for Service Operations Management.Procedia Manufacturing.17. pp.531-538. Laudon, K.C. and Laudon, J.P., 2016.Management information system. Pearson Education India. Mahadevan, B., 2015.Operations management: Theory and practice. Pearson Education India. Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018.Operations and process management: principles and practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK. Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018.Operations and process management: principles and practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK. Swink, M. and et.al., 2017.Managing operations across the supply chain. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. Online Rolesandcharacteristicsofleaders.2018.[Online].Availablethrough: <http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/leadership/leadership-meaning-characteristics-and- functions/53325>. 16