Operations Management and Policy Search Techniques

The provided document appears to be a compilation of research papers and articles related to operations management and policy search techniques. It includes studies on energy management systems, water reservoir operations, marketing strategies, and other industries. The document also touches upon the application of Six Sigma, simulation-optimization modeling, and differential games in various contexts. Overall, the content suggests an exploration of operational efficiency and effectiveness in different sectors.

Management And
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and manager..................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Role of leader and manager function in different situational contexts..................................3
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach in organisation.........................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches to operations management...........................................................................6
P5 Importance and value of operations management to achieve business objectives................9
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6 Asses factors within business environment...........................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Management operations refers to an area which comprises activities that are conducted to
accomplish goals and objectives within defined time. Designing of system, control production
process and redesign of business activities are various functions which are conducted by superior
for delivering adequate products and services in market. Along this, administration even require
to utilise resources that is funds, material and manpower efficiently for enhancing profitability
and establish appropriate position in market (What is Operations Management?, 2014). Present
report is based on ASDA which is a leading retail store having headquarter in United Kingdom.
Company offers groceries, home appliances, food items, financial services and so on to fulfil
needs of people and improve sales volume and revenue. This assignment defines roles of a leader
and manager function which differs with each other and require to conduct activities in respect to
situations. Different management theories and concepts are used by superior to make changes in
system and conduct operations effectively. Besides this, business environment factors are asses
by management to make adequate decisions which are beneficial for firm.
TASK 1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and manager
Manager and leader both plays essential part in organisation which is to direct and guide
employees to perform activities in systematic manner.
As per Bromiley and Rau (2016), manager responsibility is to formulate strategies and
provide duties to members to attain business objectives within defined time frame. Performance
appraisal is activity which is conducted by them to examine capabilities of staff by comparing
outcomes with standards, thereby provide duties and appraisement to staff.
Role of manager:
Informational role: Management communicate data to staff about objectives and
changes in system which are made to conduct business activities in according to achieve targets
within defined deadline. ASDA is retail store where employees are provided information about
variety of items and attributes to influence customers easily.
Decisional role: This is another role of manager is to conduct meeting and conferences to
make appropriate judgements and select things which are beneficial for functionality of
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company. In ASDA, modification in system are made by superior to deliver quality and
innovative items to buyers.
Characteristics of manager:
Decision-making skills: Manager require to have complete knowledge about market
conditions and system capabilities to make appropriate judgements and select things which are
beneficial for company.
Experience: Manager even need to have good knowledge about management theories
and models which are used to design system and conduct business operations to accomplish
objectives and goals within defined time.
According to Bujak, Carvalho and Sriramulu (2012), leader establishes and maintain
relations with subordinates to have motivated and dedicated staff in organisation. This help them
to acknowledge issues and conflicts faced by employees, thereby provide them appropriate
solutions to retain skilled and competent people for longer time.
Role of leader:
Required at all levels: Leader responsibility is to perform duties at middle and lower
level to have adequate members to perform tasks and deliver adequate products and services in
market.
Support and guide members: Leader provide direction and guidance to employees to
make them execute work effectively and complete targets within defined time.
Characteristics of leader:
Team building: Leader require to have good communication skills and capability to
make employees perform tasks in group. It is essential that subordinate’s conflicts and problems
are overcome by them to make them work in coordination (Thaler, Priest and Fuchs, 2016).
Influential: Leader increase morale and inspire members to make them work in efficient
manner. This help firm to have motivated and dedicated staff which complete work and attain
targets timely.
Difference between manager and leader:
Basis Manager Leader
Function Manager frame plan,
strategies, organise members
and redesign business
Leader provide direction and
guidance to employees to
perform tasks in proficient
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activities to attain objectives
and goals.
manner and complete targets
within specified deadline.
Characteristics Manager require to have
decision-making skills, time
management capabilities to
execute operations and manage
resources efficiently.
Leader need to have good
interpersonal abilities, team
building and delegating skills
to have adequate manpower in
firm (Slack, 2015).
Focus Manager aim is to conduct
business operations to
accomplish goals and
objectives.
Leader aim is to dedicate staff
to make them perform tasks
effectively and complete
targets within defined time.
Scope Manager is wider concept
which includes leadership
activity.
Leader is narrow tactic which
is part of managerial functions.
Similarities between manager and leader:
Basis Manager and leader
Role Both manager and leader provide duties and tasks to employees
to achieve business objectives and goals. It is necessary that
members are given information about targets and duties
required to be accomplished by them to deliver adequate
products and services to buyers.
Characteristic Both manager and leader require to have communication skills,
confidence, creativity and focused to design system and plan to
conduct operations effectively.
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TASK 2
P2 Role of leader and manager function in different situational contexts
Organisation is present in market which is dynamic and require transformation in system
that are made by top personnel to maintain firm position and reputation in market. It is necessary
that changes in system and strategies in according to situations prevailing in market. ASDA is
retail store which require to deliver quality and innovative products and services to people.
Along this, management even need to have adequate technologies and equipment’s implemented
in system to make it function effectively. These are different situations which manager and
leader require to redesign system and strategies are described beneath (Schwarz, Hall and Shibli,
2015):
Risk taking: This concept defined that companies require to conduct activities according
to market conditions. Along this, top personnel even require to generate adequate amount of
profit for providing return and revenue share to investors and members. Company have large
number of competitor firms which require modification in strategies and system to deliver
creative items in market and gain sufficient revenue from business. In this, manager
responsibility is to asses market conditions and make changes in system in according to rival
brands. Along this, employees are informed about modification that are made in products and
technologies to make them function accordingly. Leader role is to motivate staff and deliver
quality products and services to buyers to satisfy their demands and requirements. Along this,
meeting and conference are conducted by manger to provide information to members about
market conditions, so that appropriate business activities are conducted (Ravindran ed., 2016).
Market and financial analysis is conducted by manager to acknowledge future trends and risks
which might occur and will affect on firm performance. Manager is risk taker which require to
manage resources and utilise it efficiently to achieve business goals and objectives within
defined time. ASDA is retail store in which people come to purchase products and financial
services. For this, manager require to have skilled and competent people to provide quality items
to customers. In this, manager risk is related with proper utilisation of funds, material and
manpower.
Work culture conflicts: Ever organisation have workforce which have different values,
norms and belief which influence on their actions and behaviour. For this, management require
to provide positive working environment and facilities to members in firm. ASDA is retail firm
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which require good support of employees to provide quality products and services to customers.
In this, management duty is to communicate information to employees about policies and tasks
which require to be performed by them to influence buyer's decision-making. Along this, leader
establishes and maintains relations with subordinates. This help them to acknowledge issues and
conflicts, thereby provide them appropriate solutions to make members function in team.
Decision-making: This is another situation which define that management conduct
meeting and conferences to make judgements and select things to make system function in
according to rival firms and requirements of people. ASDA is retail store which require to
provide products and services in respect to choices and need of buyers. For this, management
conduct market research and take feedback from customers to acknowledge their requirements
and demands (Rani and Moreira, 2010). This help them to make changes in items and implement
advanced equipments in system to execute innovative and creative ideas in firm. In this, leader
role is to provide information to employees about transformation and involve them in decision-
making process. This help them to motivate and inspire staff members by giving value to their
opinions and thoughts.
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach in organisation
Each and every firm require usage of management theories and models to make system
function smoothly and systematic manner. ASDA is retail firm which require to have different
variety and range of products and services present in outlet in according to choices and demands
of people. For this, leader direct employees and provide them adequate information about items
to enhance sales volume and profitability. Henceforth. These are various leadership theories
which are choose by superior in according to market conditions are described beneath:
System leadership theory: It is a controlling leadership approach which specifies that
management design and redesign system that is implement advanced technologies and
equipments. For this, superior responsibility is to construct framework and provide information
to members about tasks and targets. This help administration to utilise resources properly and
deliver adequate products and services in market to fulfil demands of people (Pinto, 2015). Strengths: This tactic helps management to make alterations in system and execute
business operations to achieve goals and objectives within defined time. Along this,
superior are even able to establish competitive advantage over rival firms by execution of
innovative and creative ideas in firm.
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 Weaknesses: This theory even have demerit which are postponement in decision-making
activities and affect on business activities. Organisation success and goals
accomplishment depend upon system which determine quality of business operations that
are conducted. Along this, employees require to have skills and knowledge to work with
advanced technology and equipments. Otherwise this impacts upon production process
and profitability of firm which also affect market position and share.
Situational leadership theory: This concept was developed by Dr. Paul Hersey which
define that management require to make changes in system and policies for execution of business
operations in according to market conditions. Along this, administration even require to design
system and provide adequate working environment and facilities to worker. Employer have
subordinates which belong to different gender, caste, religion, language and require to work with
each other. For this, manager coordinate and make members work in team (Mendis, Muttaqi and
Perera, 2014). Strengths: This is efficient and best concept which help management to make system
function in respect to situations prevailing in market. This help company to position
higher than rival brands and sustain its position and image in market.
 Weaknesses: This theory have certain disadvantage which are management require to
have skills to have complete information about market conditions. It is necessary that
appropriate tools and techniques are used by superior which are time consuming and
expensive for firm.
Contingency leadership theory: This concept was propounded by Fiedler which define
that organisation functionality and employees work depend upon guidance and support of
superior. Leader style, nature and degree with which they control and design system to conduct
business activities effectively. It is essential that business activities are conducted in according to
market conditions, so that company is able to sustain its position and share in respect to rival
firms. Along this, management should have capability to make changes in system to overcome
problems and uncertainties which might affect functioning of firm (McPherson and Pincus,
2017). Strengths: This theory helps manager to make modification in system and policies in
according to market, as flexible system is designed by top personnel. This benefit firm to
sustain its position and image in market in respect to rival brands.
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 Weaknesses: This approach have certain disadvantage which are employees restriction to
work with latest technologies and equipments in system which affect on their work. This
impacts on functioning and quality of products that are delivered to people.
Therefore, from above leadership theories management of ASDA uses system approach
which help them to utilise resources efficiently and have adequate market reach and customer
base. It is essential that top personnel implement appropriate technologies and equipments in
system to manage inventory of products in store. Along this, firm even require to provide quick
services and quality items to buyers.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management
Operation management is concept which define that in organisation business activities
require to be conducted in such manner that goals and objectives are accomplished. Along this,
superior require to design system and use appropriate theories and concepts for execution of
operations systematically (López and et. al., 2015). ASDA is retail store which require to have
adequate variety and range of products in according to demands and needs of people. It is
essential that company provide quality items and quick services to buyers to maintain its position
and reputation in market in respect to rival firms. For this, management have different
approaches to use which are stated beneath:
Six sigma: This approach includes DMAIC which comprises activities that are conducted
by management to execute business activities effectively. For this, superior of ASDA design
system and implement appropriate tools and equipments to provide quality products and services
to people. Besides this, measurement and analysis are other activities which help superior to have
complete knowledge about capabilities of system and employees to implement changes in
system to make it function according to market conditions. This help manger to control and
protect firm from declining brand value which impacts on sales volume and revenue (Liu and et.
al., 2015).
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(Source: Six sigma, 2016)
Total quality management: This is another approach which helps superior to make long-
term success for maintaining position and reputation in market. For this, management require to
make changes in system and implement advanced technologies for enhancing production
process. ASDA require to deliver quality and innovative products and services to customers to
sustain its brand value. It is essential that market research and survey are conducted by manager
to have complete information about requirements and demands of people. Along this, rival firms
items are also acknowledged by superior to make changes in system to provide quality products
to people. This approach helps ASDA to provide quality products and services to customers to
satisfy them and sustain their position and image in market in respect to rival firms. Along this,
superior are also able to attract large number of customers to enhance their sales volume and
profitability.
Just in time: This is tactic which define that organisation require to have adequate
amount of products to fulfil demands of people and satisfy them. For this, management require to
establish and maintain relations with suppliers to order items and material according to needs and
requirements of customers. ASDA is retail store which provide variety of food items, groceries,
home appliances and financial services require to have sufficient amount of products in outlet.
Along this, company require to provide fresh groceries for which they uses just in time approach
which define that items are ordered in according to demand of people. For this, relationship with
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Illustration 1: Six Sigma

suppliers is maintained which help them to utilise resources efficiently and sustain its position in
market.
Function of manager: These are responsibilities which are conducted by management of
ASDA are stated beneath (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017):
Setting benchmarks: Manager frame plan and specify standards which employees
consider while conducting business activities. It is essential that staff members have information
about tasks and targets that require to be accomplished by them to sustain companies position
and image in market.
Performance appraisal: This is activity which is conducted by management is asses
capabilities of members by comparing outcomes with benchmarks. This help superior to make
changes in system and provide guidance and instruction to staff to make them function
effectively.
Role of leader: These are duties that are executed by leader are described below:
Coordinating: Leader establishes and maintain friendly relations with employees to
acknowledge issues and conflicts faced by them to provide appropriate solutions to members.
Along this, they even provide instruction to staff to coordinate their efforts and make them
function in team.
Managing: This is another role of leader which is to utilise resources efficiently by
providing direction and guidance to employees to perform tasks effectively; thereby deliver
quality products and services to people (Jørgensen and Zaccour, 2012).
P5 Importance and value of operations management to achieve business objectives
Operations management is refer to execution of business activities effectively for
accomplishment of goals and objectives within specifies time. For this, it is necessary that
superior design system and provide duties and targets to employees in according to their skills
and capabilities. This tactic is used by superior of ASDA to use modern technologies and
equipments; thereby deliver quality products and quick services to buyers. Along this, different
management theories and approaches are used by superior to conduct activities effectively.
Hence, these are benefits that operations management have on functionality of organisation and
in accomplishment of goals and objectives are stated below:
Enhancing sales and profitability: ASDA provides different variety and range of
products that is grocery, food items, home appliances and financial services to people. Along
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this, company have outlets in number of countries which determine that management have good
market reach and customer base. This help firm to enhance sales volume and generate good
amount of revenue from business (Handschin and Petroianu, 2012).
Quality improvement: Six sigma and total quality management are techniques which are
used by superior of ASDA to reduce errors and conduct business activity effectively. For this,
management have implemented advanced technologies and equipments in system to deliver
quality products and services to buyers.
Improving goodwill: ASDA delivers quality products and services to customers which
help management to satisfy needs and requirements of people. This help company to have strong
brand value to easily attract large number of customers to enhance their sales and profitability.
This also benefits company to execute creative and innovative ideas in system to deliver unique
products and services which are distinct from rival firms. Hence, company is able to grab
attention of buyers and make them purchase products to fulfil their demands and needs.
Role of manager and leader in objectives of operational management: Control and distribution of system: under this process, managers take responsibility to
organise effective storage and distribution of products and raw materials within an
organisation. along with this, they also ensure that commodities should be delivered on
right locations. Other than this, leaders in this regard are used to provide proper direction
to staff members so that they can understand in what way they have to do work. Conversation of raw materials into finished goods: Managers under this objective, are
used to manage overall process which convert raw materials or input resources into
finished goods. While, leaders concern more on how employees perform their work. It
will help in utilising the resources in proper manner.
 Profit maximisation: In order to maximise profitability, managers undertake various
responsibilities like organising, planning, controlling and developing effective strategies.
They also take proper decision for optimising resources. In context with leaders, they
help managers in interpreting as well as quantifying effects of planned transaction.
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TASK 4
P6 Asses factors within business environment
Management examine business environment factors to acknowledge and have
information about their influence on operations and firm. Internal and external components are
both considered by top personnel while conducting decision-making process. This help superior
of ASDA to select things and make changes in system to execute business activities in according
to conditions prevailing in market (Giuliani and et. al., 2015).
Internal factors: This tactic includes components which directly impact on business
activities are stated beneath:
Shareholders: Executive of each organisation require to have adequate funds and other
resources to conduct business activities and deliver appropriate products and services in market.
Firm increases capital with help of investors which grant money in return to get profit share and
decision-making power in company. For this, management require to design system and conduct
business activities to generate adequate revenue from business to sustain its position and image
in market.
Suppliers: These are another essential component of firm which provide material and
products that are required by management to satisfy demands and requirements of people. ASDA
is retail firm which require to have connection with suppliers to purchase adequate amount of
items and equipments for conducting business operations and deliver products to buyers in
respect to their needs and choices (Fayol, 2016).
Employees: Management require to have adequate manpower to conduct business
activities effectively and provide quality products and services to people. It is essential that
employer of ASDA gives duties and targets to members in according to their skills and
knowledge. Along this, staff require to have capability to work with technologies and
equipments that are implemented in system to deliver quick services and variety of items to
buyers.
External factors: This aspect comprises elements which indirectly affect on operations of
organisation are described below:
Political factor: Government formulate rules and laws for regulating and controlling functioning
of organisation. It is essential that management of ASDA register firm and take licensing to
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make system function effectively. This help company from alterations and misuse of assets and
brand by rival firms (Schwarz, Hall and Shibli, 2015).
Economic factor: This tactic includes interest rate, exchange rate, inflation and growth
which depend upon country's functionality. These components also affect on performance of
company which affect on availability of capital and system. ASDA have outlets in different
nations which determine that exchange rate and inflation influence on sales volume and
profitability of firm.
Social factor: Organisation require to provide products and services in according to
needs and requirements of people. For this, management of ASDA conduct market research and
survey to acknowledge choices and demands of customers. Along this, these techniques also help
superior to have complete information about rival firms to make changes in system and
technologies to deliver quality products to buyers.
Technological factor: This component define that management require to implement
advanced equipments and technologies in system to execute innovative and creative business
ideas in system. In ASDA, modern tools and technologies are used by firm to provide quality
products and quick services to customers (Thaler, Priest and Fuchs, 2016).
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be comprehended that management responsibility is to
conduct business operations to attain objectives and goals. It is essential that administration
design system and implement appropriate tools and technologies in system to deliver adequate
products and services in market to fulfil needs and wants of people. For this, manager and leader
plays important role in firm which is to provide duties and direction to members to make them
perform tasks effectively. Different approaches that is six sigma, TQM, lean manufacturing are
used by superior to utilise resources efficiently and deliver quality products to customers. Along
this, business environment factors that is internal and external are asses by manager to make
appropriate judgements and decisions for firm.
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REFERENCES
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Slack, N., 2015. Operations strategy. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Online
What is Operations Management?. 2014. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.topmba.com/mba-programs/what-operations-management>.
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