Role of Leaders and Managers in Operations Management - John Lewis

This assignment discusses the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers in operations management at John Lewis. It explores different theories and models of leadership and management approaches. The role of leaders and managers in different situations and the key approaches to operations management are also discussed.

Management and
Operations

INTRODUCTION
Management indicates to the process of administrating and controlling various things of
an organisation so that the business administration can effectively operate the business activities
and operations in an effectual and expeditious way. It can be a procedure which help in dealing
with the actions, operations and individuals of the company. Operations management indicates to
the procedure of administrating, scheming and dominating the activity of production of business
activities and operation in context of manufacturing goods and services (Choi, Wallace and
Wang, 2018). This assignment is supported on John Lewis Partnership Plc which is British
organisation and run its business through John Lewis & Partners department stories, Waitrose &
Partners supermarkets etc. This company was established in 1929 by John Spedan Lewis and
headquartered in London, England. It run its business with the help of clothing, watches &
Jwellery, giftwares, furniture and other different products and services. There are 83,000
employees who are making their contribution in running its business at different location all over
the world. This report will discourse about the function of a individual and intention a manager.
Further, will define about several explanation and conceptualization of trading operations
administration. Various components which that impact the decesion making of the leaders and
managers will also exposit.
TASK 1
P1. Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and manager
Leader
According to harry S. Truman, leader is an individual who can encourage people to do
what they do not privation to do, or do what they are overly want to do and equal it (Vijayan and
Pawar, 2018). In simple words, individual a person who help the company by motivating worker
so that they can perform their obligation and responsibility in efficacious way by showing their
interest.

Roles of leaders- There are different functions which are played by a leader in an administration
in context of organisational growth and success. In John Lewis Plc, some of roles are defined as
beneath:
Encouragement- It is the leading and important role of leader in which they encourage
and inspire employees and workforce of the company so that they feel encouraged and work
regarding their their duties so that they performed in effective and efficient manner (Copacino,
2019).
Setting vision- It is another essential character which is played by the individual in the
respective company so that the firm can attain its set business objectives. When employees are
working or performing in a task with in a team to accomplish a common goal then the leader set
a vision. Son that they can attain the goals of the task appropriately.
Characteristics of leaders- There are different effective qualities and characteristics of a leader
which make them effective leader (David and David, 2019). In context of John Lewis,
characteristics of leaders are as below:
Positive attitude- It is an effective characteristic of leader and with the help of this quality
they help the company in performing different in performing different situation by guiding the
employees and workers in positive way.
Hard work- It is another important diagnostic of the person and it assist them doing their
activity by using their all efforts and effectiveness. With the help of this quality, the leader utilise
their abilities and cognition for organizational improvement.
Manager
According to George P Terry, Administrator mentions to an individual who is answerable
to manage, power, supervisor and analyse all the operations and actions of the institution in term
of organisational growth and fulfil the objectives through the utilisation of people and resources
(Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018).
Roles of Manager- In John Lewis, there are various characters which are played by manager
with the purpose of betterment of the administration. Some of the are defined as beneath:
Administration- In the respective company, the administrator of the company help in
managing, controlling and operating business division of the organization so that they can
execute their obligation appropriately for the firm's growth.

Allocation- It is another important function which is played by the administrator in term
of assigning work and allocating resources as per employees abilities and skills so that they can
accomplish it on time effectively (Schönsleben, 2018).
Characteristics of Manager- In John Lewis, there are different characteristics of managers
which are essential for organisational development. Some of them are as under:
Delegation- It is a good quality of managers and with the help of it they encourage
people to show their delegation regarding the work and task by utilisation of their competencies
and cognition (Dykstra and Sun, 2019).
Communication- It is another good quality to an effective manager because due to have
good communication skill, they can deliver all the important an necessary information ton all the
employees so that they can aware with it and work accordingly (Erez and Hsu, 2018).
Similarities and differences among administrators and leaders.
Similarities and differences between leaders and managers
Particulars Leader Manager
Meaning Leader refer to a person who is
responsible for encouraging
people so that they can execute
their project efficaciously in set
time period.
Administrator refers to a respective
who is responsible to administrate,
control and monitor the business
actions and operations.
Approach Leader concentrate on
establishing business aims and
objectives.
Administrator work for formulating
plan of actions and policies to the
company (Saucedo-Martínez and et.
al., 2018).
Style These individuals follow
transformational style.
Managers work according
transactional form.
Aim The main aim of leaders are
success and development of the
firm.
The major purpose of the
administrators are accomplish the
required results.
Focus These person concentrate on the
growth and success factor of the
They focus on the effective
management of organisation's

company (Reid and Sanders,
2019).
activities and operations.
TASK 2
P2. Role of a leader and function of a manager apply in different situation
There are different functions of leaders and roles of administrators which are implement
and apply by them in different situation of the company. In John Lewis, both are played different
roles to accomplish the set objectives of the organisation in context of development and growth
of the firm. There are different motives of management and various styles of leaders which are
beneficial for effective running of the organisation (Feng and Shanthikumar, 2018). In the
respective company, there are various conditions generated in the business concern operations
and activities that are run by the people. For instant, the leader of John Lewis play different role
in the various conditions which are occurred in the company. Some of them are mentioned as
below:
Conflict resolution- In John Lewis, when the workforce are performing in a team or in
task then there are different kind of conflicts arise in the group cause of ineffective
communication and interaction with the teammates (Ferreira, Simchi-Levi and Wang, 2018).
This unfavourably affect the work and employees who are working in it. In this condition, leader
and manger both play an efficacious role by providing solution regarding problems and issues.
They form open abstraction with the all group members and offering opportunity form
engagement in the determination devising so that they can discuss their problems and get good
solution regarding them. If the issues of the employees will not listen by the seniors then it effect
the work and task which are performed by the employees and it negatively affect the
organisations performance. If the employees will not take part in decision making then they can
not share ideas and thoughts and the firm will ruin from good ideas whc9oh can be helpful for
the growth and development of it.
Rapid change situation- In present time, there are various kind of alterations fall out in
the taste, preferences and needs of the target audiences so they have requirement of those
products and services which are able to provide satisfaction to their needs and wants. For instant,
in John Lewis, the leader and manger play an important role in resolving this problem by
analysing and monitoring the skills and knowledge of the workforce of the company. So that if

there is any obligation of improvement than they can render preparation and development
sessions. This will help in improving their competencies and cognition and they help in
manufacturing goods and services as per devour necessities and postulation. If the company will
not adopt the change easily and quickly then it can not fulfil the need of its potential clients. For
example, if the changes are occurred in technology and the firm will not adopt it then it can not
provide products and services according its customers requirements and the chances of switch
can be high. This negatively affect the firm in term of sales, profitability, productivity and brand
image.
Classical theory of management- In the preceding characterized both conditions, the manger of
John Lewis can implement this concept to resolve the issues. This assistance of this theory, they
can effective direct and lead the workers which encourage them and use their all effectiveness
and efforts in their work.
Transformational theory of leadership- It is a leadership conception which is effective to deal
with the both above mentioned situation. In John Lewis, with the help of this the leader can make
change by motivating employees by and learn and get information about the new things so that
the situation of repaid change can be overcome in effective manner.
P3. Different theories and models of approach
There are various theories and concepts that can be utilized and enforced by the leaders
and mangers of John Lewis with the motive of effective administration and encourage workforce
so that they can make their participation for the maturation and improvement of the organization
(Gibson and Parkman, 2018). In context of respective company some of theories are
characterised as below:
Situational leadership theory- It refers to a formulation in which role and responsibilities are
played by the leaders according to the situation of the company. This conception was developed
by Paul and Harsey which consist different leadership style like telling, selling, participating and
delegating which help the individual of the company to follow leadership form as per to the
organisational position (Kapadia, Dong and Yang, 2018). So that, the framework, term and
conditions are explained to the employees and they can work accordant to them.
Strengths and weaknesses- This conception is good for maximizing the extent of
condition. This theory is beneficial to the workers because sometimes, it provide an opportunity
to them to brand engagement in the determination devising process which feel them special. The

weakness of this concept is that some it is not capable to offer data some leaders an may generate
misunderstanding with the administration.
System Leadership theory- It is an other leadership conception which refers to the leaders of a
organisation to design conditions within at all extent, the workforce can perform their obligations
in an adequate way. In John Lewis, this concept is for the leaders who in a structured manner. It
is beneficial fro creating a safe, healthier and friendly working environment where workers can
complete their work and execute their project in efficacious style without facing complexities
and problems. This concept can be utilized by the organisation to form improvement in the
organisation's execution.
Strengths and weaknesses- This concept is good because in it the work and task which
are performed by the employees of the company in a systematic or structured way in term of
accomplishing business objectives. But major drawback of this theory is that it is a complex and
lengthy procedure so there are assorted invariable which are involved within it.
Contingency Leadership Theory- This theory was formulated by Fred Fielder in 1964 to
sounded the skills, abilities and motivating the workforce of the firm. In John Lewis, this theory
can be utilized for the development of the administration of the company to encourage the
employees so that they can perform the planned aims and impersonal of the organization on
instance. This concept of position direct on a two flexure procedure in which skills of the leader
and condition of the company both are explained (Lamba and Singh, 2018). According to this
theory, there are various factors that are designed As an internal part of it like effectual work
artefact of a business concern organization.
Strengths and weaknesses- It is effective theory for the leadership of the respective
company because within determinations and ideas of the employees are considered by the
management in different situations (Magon and et. al., 2018). But due to lack of innovation,
creativity and morale, it is not able to encourage the employees.
If the company implement these conceptions and theories then it can improve the
efficiency of the firm. For instant, by adopting situational theory, the firm can work according to
the situation and frame all plan of action as per the situation. This will help in developing
efficiency. If the firm adopt system theory then the leader design strategies for the work and task
so that employees work in systematic way. In contingency theory, by analysis the skills of the
workers and allotted work as per them the firm can make improvement in the efficiency. Because

when the work assigned to employees according to their competencies then they can complete it
on time or in effective way.
TASK 3
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play
There are different conceptualization of trading operations management and in which
there are several functions are performed by the leader and administrators. In context of John
Lewis, there are different approaches are mentioned as beneath:
TQM( Total Quality management)- It refers to a continuant procedure of perception and
reduction or obviate issues and complexities from the manufacturing, streamlining supply chain
management, developing consumer experiences and ensuring that workforce are up to speed with
training. In John Lewis, it can be a continue process of monitoring and resolving problems from
production process of the company. This approach basically concentrate on the attribute of the
merchandise that it according to the neds of the customers or not. The major object of this
formulation is to keep all the firms and function which are refered in the manufacture activity for
total attribute of the goods and services. It is beneficiary to the administration of the firm because
it assist in developing the civilization of the company in which employees are performing.
Roles of leaders and managers- With the help of this formulation, leader are playing an
efficacious function of establishing the mensuration for the actions and operations of the
manufacturing. The managers are ensuring the constant betterment of the business and fiction
process.
Just-in-time- It refers to a instrument and tool which can be implement by the company to
maximize the skilfulness and reduce the waste by getting goods when they are needed in the
designing from natural substantial action. In John Lewis, this approach is beneficial in operation
administration to minimize the shortage of space (Neelakandan, Tyagi and Nagalkar, 2019). It is
also important for reducing the wastage of goods and manufacturing the products and services as
per consumers during the time of requirement.
Roles of leaders and managers- In the organization, with the help of this technique
mangers are play an crucial role of building and managing effective relations with the
businessperson who are provided raw material to the institution for manufacturing goods and
services so that they offer better quality material to it (Reid and Sanders, 2019). Leaders play

effective function by concerning that the employees have effective knowledge about their roles
and responsibilities.
Capacity management- It is another technique which indicates to an activity of assuring a
business concern maximises its anticipated operations and production outcomes in all situation
on time. In John Lewis, this approach can be implement by then management of the company to
entail working extra time, beginning business, buying extra instruments and selling mercantile
products and services. It is beneficial for the company because it assist the administration in
administrating the capacity and quality of the goods and services which are produced by the
firm.
Roles of leaders and managers- In it, managers are accountable for identifying the scope
of task and monitoring the success and growth of the group who are working regarding a specific
task. Leaders are answerable to find out that which worker will be in team or task to perform
their responsibilities.
P5. Importance and value of operations management in accomplishing business objectives
Operation administration refer to the procedure of administrating the business concern
functions, actions and activities which are performing by a company to run its business. In John
Lewis, procedure administration assess in monitoring and dominating the activity of manufacture
and program business concern operations in the production of goods and services. The quantity
and powerfulness of transaction establishment can be monitored by different utility, some of
them are defined as beneath:
Control and design system- It is an efficacious substitute in operations administration and
helpful to make power on production activity of the organization. In John Lewis, with the
assistance of this utility, the management can design a powerful power method. With the help of
it, the administration of the company can powerfulness the decrease and arrangement origins as
per the various process of making reduction in the wastage and producing goods & services
(Saucedo-Martínez and et. al., 2018). The management of the company can minimise the
wastage by getting information about consumers taste and preferences then producing products
as per their requirement which are able to fulfil their wants.
Process design- With the assistance of this function, the administration of the company can
design and create manufacturing activity of the firm. It is essential for John Lewis because with
the assistance of it, the administration can form development in the production process of the

company and produced goods as per consumers tastes and preferences (Schönsleben, 2018). It
will be helpful to the company by meeting the business objectives in term of offering products
and services accordant to their requirement. The effectiveness of this activity is good for the
company to enhance the productivity of the firm.
Logistics and inventory- It is an important; function to the organisation because without proper
support of the logistic, products can not be supply in the market when there are high need of
them in the market due to the customers. In John Lewis, with the assistance of this function, the
management of the firm can form concentration on merchandise administration to stock the
worthless product of manufacturing. It is crucial for the organisation because it assist the
company in maintaining an effective supply of the products and services which are manufactures
by the firm considering the requires or needs of the target audiences. By this producer, the
management of John Lewis can supply products in impressive manner on time which is allotted
to the production by following a systematic framework.
TASK 4
P6. Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision making by leaders and managers
CSR( Corporate Social Responsivity)
It describe as a business function and activity which make its participation in the
sustainable development by providing economic, social and environmental advantages to all the
stakeholders. In order to corporate social responsibility, leadership and management of the
company also play and effective and efficient role. In John Lewis, it also play an effective role in
determination devising by framing short period goals and aims so that they can be achieved by
the workforce of the company easy and effective manner or in set time period (Slack and
Brandon-Jones, 2018). It create impact upon the firm in term of formulation of the CSR policy of
the company which are effective in nature and will be efficacious for the welfare of the
stakeholders.
In John Lewis, the administration of the company formulate its CSR policy which is
beneficial to the stakeholder as well as the social welfare and environment. The management of
this company also invest it a small importation of its profit in the social work to make
improvement in the livings of the society by organising educational programs and others. They

are also operate their business is that it did affect unfavourably to the environment and society
because each and every business set up in the community (Vijayan and Pawar, 2018). The firm
always use good quality material and provide its products on reasonable cost so that there should
not be any fraud with the target audiences with it potential clients. The management also conduct
a better production process so that it will not harm environment in different negative term.
Value- It is considered as an essential factor of the business of a company because the
goods and services are manufactured by the company which consisting value and customers are
ready to pay for them. This factor affect the decision making of the leaders and management
because if the company produce good quality commodities which have some value then they
help in enhancing the profitability and productivity of the company due high sales of them. It
also negatively affect the determination devising when the products are produce but have no
value then no one will purchase them. In John Lewis, Decision making are effective function
because managers and leaders focus on developing a good culture in the firm so that the
employees can work by manufacturing products with value. If the company operate its business
by considering the values of the nation and manufacturing products as per consumer's value then
it positively affects the business environment.
Ethics- It indicates to the procedure of executing actions by involving culture and values.
If the management of the company provide healthy and friendly working environment to the
employees where they can perform their responsibilities effectively by following rules,
regulations and policies of the company. Ethical business defined as the business which is
operated by the administration by considering all the ethics and offer its different benefits to its
stakeholders. In John Lewis, if the organisation will not run its business efficiently the will not
help in providing benefit to the company and affect decision making negatively. If the business
of the company is operating by following all the rules and regulations or in ethical manner than it
favourably affect the business environs.
Sustainability- it refers to a component that focus on accomplishing the requirement of
the present generation without making any kind of compromises with the demands of upcoming
generation (Choi, Wallace and Wang, 2018). In John Lewis, it is important to the company so
that the customers can collect detail information about the organisation and the administration
can achieve its set business goals in order to save the resources which are required by the

company for forthcoming. It influence determination making at the time when fluctuation
occurred to attain present and forthcoming target audiences requirements.
CONCLUSION
From the above information, it can be analysed that administration is and effective
instrument and aspect for the efficient running of the company so that all the business operations
and activities can be performed in adequate way in term of accomplishing business objectives for
organisational growth. It is crucial to formulate strategies and policies so that the employees can
perform their work in structured manner. Different theories and concepts are effective so that the
firm can operate in different situations. There are different roles which are played by the leaders
and administrators for the correct trading operations of the organization and executing
employees. There are assorted components in business environment that affect operational
administration and determination devising of the leaders and directors.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
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