Operations Management Research Review

This assignment provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in Operations Research and Management Science (OR/MS) applications across various fields. It delves into topics such as green logistics, disaster operations management, TQM impact, technology management, supply chain risk management, sustainable supply chain management, lean manufacturing, and more. The assignment explores theoretical frameworks, practical applications, and research trends within the domain of operations management.

Management & Operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
P1 Roles and characteristics of leader and manager..............................................................1
M1 Difference between role and function of leader and manager.........................................2
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................3
P2 Application of function of manager and role of leader in different situations..................3
P3 Application of various theories and approaches of leadership..........................................4
M2 Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches..........................................................5
D1 Critical evaluation of different leadership approaches.....................................................5
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................5
P4 Key approaches to OM and role of managers and leaders................................................5
P5 Value and significance of operations management...........................................................6
M3 Improving efficiency of operations management by leaders and managers....................7
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................7
P6 Influence of factors of business environment on OM and decision making.....................7
M4 Influence of different factors on business environment...................................................9
D2 Critical evaluation of application of operations management..........................................9
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
The term Management refers to managing all the functions of an organisation in
systematic and planned way. Operations consist of all those activities which are included in
transformation of raw materials or inputs into final goods and services. Operations Management
is defined as an area which is concerned with developing and controlling the production process
and redesigning operations of business in manufacturing of products and services. This
department plays an important role in attaining all the objectives and targets of firm (Akkerman,
Farahani and Grunow, 2010). In the present assignment, chosen company is Unicorn Grocery
which is an independent wholefood products store in United Kingdom. Headquarters of the firm
is located in Chorlton, England and it sells processed, dried and fresh food and drink as well as
body care, household and other grocery items. The project covers different roles and
characteristics of leader & manager and its applications in various situations. Some approaches
and theories of leadership is also defined. Apart from that, key approaches to operations
management and their importance in achieving objectives of company are included in the report.
TASK 1
P1 Roles and characteristics of leader and manager
Leader and Manager, both plays a crucial role in attaining goals and objectives of an
organisation. They work with same motive of improving productivity and profitability business
and leads the firm towards growth and sustainability. Manager of Unicorn Grocery carefully
evaluate and manage all the activities & functions in systematic manner. Leaders influence other
individuals with their actions and administer right path to follow. They provide direction to
successfully complete a task and attain desired targets. Some roles of manager and leader are
defined below:
Roles of Leader:
Motivator: Leaders are good motivators. They motivate employees and encourage them
to work towards accomplishment of desired targets. They understand the needs and requirements
of team members and satisfy them by fulfilling their desires. It results in improving motivation
level of employees and they are encouraged to work in effective manner to attain individual as
well as organisational goals (Baldwin, Allen and Ridgway, 2010).
Team Building: Leaders have good skills to influence others by their thoughts, views,
actions, way of communication etc. It assists them in building effective teams and work
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collectively. They believe in group work with coordination and cooperation among all the
members of team.
Supportive: Leaders are supportive by nature as they always stand for their team
members. They listen all the problems and issues faced by employees at work place carefully and
provide them appropriate solutions. They solicits support to all the members of group whenever
they need.
Roles of Manager:
Execution of Plans and Policies: Managers plays an important role in formulation and
implementation of strategies and policies. Successful execution of plans leads the company
towards growth and success.
Provide Training: Managers evaluate performance of workforce and determine their
needs. They design appropriate learning programmes and provide training to employees in order
to improve their skills and abilities (Barratt and Choi 2013).
Managing Activities: Manager of the company is responsible for managing all the
functions and activities of firm in planned and systematic way. They make coordination with
every department ton ensure proper working.
Characteristics of Leader and Manager:
Positive Attitude: Both managers and leaders carry positive attitude which helps them to
attain organisational as well as individual goals. Their positivity reflects in their working.
Motivator: Managers as well as leaders, both are good motivators. They understand
needs of employees and motivate them by satisfying their needs.
Confident: It is an important characteristic of both. They have high level of confidence
that facilitates them to take up challenges and handle difficult issues in effective manner.
Decision Maker: Leaders and managers are known for their good decision making
ability. They take effective decisions and contributes in growth and success of the company.
Above mentioned are different roles and characteristics of manager and leader of Unicorn
Grocery. They both play crucial role in growth and sustainability of the firm.
M1 Difference between role and function of leader and manager
Manager Leader
 Managers manage all the functions and
activities of the company in planned
 Leaders influence others by their views,
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way.
 They formulate plans and strategies to
create teams.
 They involved in decision making of
firm related to all the activities.
way of communication and actions.
 They look upon issues and device
effective solutions.
 They take decisions regarding properly
and timely completion of tasks.
TASK 2
P2 Application of function of manager and role of leader in different situations
Leaders and managers perform many responsibilities and make various decisions in the
company. They both plays an important part in profitability and growth of firm. In Unicorn
Grocery, manager and leader apply their skills and knowledge in order to attain predetermined
goals and objectives of the company (Dekker, Bloemhof and Mallidis, 2012). There are many
situations that may arise sometimes at workplace and at that time, they both apply their skills and
successfully handle those circumstances by making effective decisions. Some of these are
defined below:
Delegation of authority: Managers and leaders plays important part in dividing their
responsibilities among employees as per their abilities and skills. In Unicorn Grocery, it is
necessary for both manager and leader to delegate work and assign duties to team members so
that work will be completed on time in an effective and efficient manner. Proper delegation of
work assists in completion of task in specific time period. It ensures improved productivity as
well as profitability of business. So, the managers and leaders needs to ensure that duties are
divided properly in order to attain objectives of firm in an effective way.
Decision making process: Managers as well as leaders, both plays significant role in
decision making process of an organisation. They take active participation in the procedure of
taking effective decisions. The only difference is that managers are completely involved in this
process while leaders play facilitative role. But, their decision highly contributes in increasing
profitability and growth of business. In Unicorn Grocery, manager takes decisions regarding
formulation of plans and strategies. Along with that, they also emphasize on proper
implementation of those policies. Leader take decisions regarding a specific task in order to
ensure its timely completion. They analyse and measure performance of employees and take
necessary decisions (Galindo and Batta, 2013).
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Training and development: At the time of providing training and development to
employees, managers and leaders plays important part. In Unicorn Grocery, it is necessary to
determine training needs of employees and provide them appropriate training in order to enhance
their skills and abilities. It is the responsibility of leader to understand and identify the needs of
workforce and convey it to manager so that suitable training programme can be designed and
learning sessions are conducted to satisfy their needs. It helps in improving the performance of
employees and increase their motivation level. Training administers clear understanding about
works and tasks done by workers (Kuruppuarachchi and Perera, 2010).
Above mentioned are different situations in which role of leader and functions of
manager are applied. It assist in attainment of set objectives of Unicorn Grocery in effective
manner.
P3 Application of various theories and approaches of leadership
Every business organisation adopts and apply different theories and approaches so that
profitability and performance of the firm can be increased. Functions of the company are shaped
by application of appropriate methods. Unicorn Grocery adopt different leadership theories in
order to attain objectives of the business. Some approaches to leadership are defined below:
Situational leadership theory: It is the approach which defines that both leader and
manager should follow leadership style as per the situation. This theory can be applicable in
every condition as it is flexible in nature. It is helpful in encouraging leaders to follow suitable
leadership approach. It also states that success of leader is based on their skills of selecting
suitable style of leadership. It is an appropriate approach that helps in attaining set objectives and
targets of the firm.
Contingency leadership theory: It is the theory which depicts that there is no particular
way to develop cooperation and make effective decisions. It fully depends on the internal as well
as external circumstances in which company operates. A contingent leader is one who have the
skill to examine the condition and put into use their own leadership form. This concept also
states that business is like an open system & it is required by the manager to carry off it carefully
(Peng and Lai, 2012).
Trait leadership theory: This is a systematic approach and depend on great man theory.
As per this approach, personal attributes of leader are the main key of successful leadership.
Leaders are emerged anytime whenever effective decisions are required. The values, behaviour
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attitude, morale, language etc. of a leader also affect decision making process. This approach
serves as yardstick contrary to the traits of leadership.
System leadership theory: It is a far reaching theory of organisation's development. This
approach is used by leaders and managers to optimize the effectualness of the company. It is
applied by the organisations in order to improve performance and achieve sustainability in
market place. At the time of developing strategy, this approach render an understanding base to
managers (Sheu, 2010).
M2 Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
Strengths: These theory render relevant information related to business activities. It
assists the firm in motivating employees by applying leadership approaches.
Weaknesses: Due to complexity of approaches, these are not applicable in every
condition. Determination of contingency plan is difficult.
D1 Critical evaluation of different leadership approaches
According to the viewpoint of AbouRizk (2010), application of various theories
contributes in profitability and success of the company. It helps in increasing motivation level of
manpower and encourage them to work in better way. These assists managers and leaders in
attaining business objectives.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to OM and role of managers and leaders
Operations management concept supports manager in handling all the business operations
effectively. It facilitates production process & ensures its efficacious implementation. Key
approaches to operations management are as follows:
Total quality management: This method is utilized by an organisation to maintain
quality of goods and services. This process helps Unicorn Grocery in eliminating unnecessary
hurdles from production process. The company focuses on offering high quality products and
services to its consumers so that they are satisfied (Stadtler, 2015). It is essential for the
enterprise to maintain good quality of its products in order to attract large number of customers.
Just in time: It is a strategy related to inventory and is used by the enterprises in order to
improve process efficiency and bring down wastage materials as they are ordered only when
needed in process of production. The main benefit of using this method is to cut down inventory
cost.
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Continuous improvement: It is essential for every business organisation to made
constant improvements in goods and services so that large group of customers are attracted
towards the firm. Application of this tool supports the manager of Unicorn Grocery in improving
its products and services and supply high quality goods to its consumers. For this, organisation
collect feedback from buyers on continuous basis (Subramanian and Ramanathan, 2012).
Role play by leaders and managers in operations management:
Leader and manager play vital role in managing and controlling operations of the
company. Managers device appropriate strategies and policies & leaders ensures their effective
execution. They motivate employees and encourage them to work in better manner towards the
attainment of organisational goals and objectives. They assign tasks to team members as per their
skills and abilities in order to ensure their timely completion. They both contributes in increasing
productivity as well as profitability of the firm.
P5 Value and significance of operations management
In existing competitive environment, OM plays vital role in sustainability and growth of
the company. It assist in cutting down production process cost of the firm. It also helps managers
of Unicorn Grocery to use resources in proper way and improve quality of goods and services.
Value and significance of operations management can be seen by following points:
Profit maximization: The main objective of every business concern is to gain high
revenues, profits and sales. It is required by the manager of Unicorn Grocery to ensure that high
quality services are administer to customers. Effective execution of all the functions and
activities of business ensures proper use of resources and improved performance of company. It
in turn results in high sales and profits (Tang and Musa, 2011).
Customer satisfaction: Operation Management assist in producing high quality goods
and services. It aids in satisfying needs of customers and attracts more consumers by fulfilling
their demands. It also facilitates managers in attaining higher efficiency in process of production
and providing quality products and services to customers.
Administer advantages for long term: The main advantage of concept of operation
management is that it assist manager to improve process of production and improve product
quality. It provide assistance to business enterprise in drawing attention of large group of
customers and gain benefits for long term.
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Above mention points determines the value and significance of operations management.
It facilitates the manager of Unicorn Grocery in successfully attaining predetermined objectives
of the company and contributes in growth and sustainability of the firm.
M3 Improving efficiency of operations management by leaders and managers
Leaders and managers put their efforts towards improving efficiency of firm's operations
so that targets and objectives can easily be achieved. By the way of improving efficiency of
production process and reducing production cost, objectives can easily be meet by managers and
leaders of the company.
TASK 4
P6 Influence of factors of business environment on OM and decision making
Their are different environment factors that affect both the operational management and
decision making process . It includes both the internal and external factors which affects
companies decision. Internal factors are micro level factor which is internal to organisation
within which company has full control and external factor are macro level factor within which
organisation has no control (Wu and Pagell, 2011). In case of Unicorn grocery which has a
renounced name in grocery sector affected by both internal and external factors:-
Internal factors:-
These factors are internal to organisation that affect at micro level and organisation has
control over such factors but ignorance of micro factors impact on operational management and
decision making. Some of internal factors are:-
Competitors:-
Market strategies of company influenced by the competitors. If company facing large
competition in market then they have include all the middle and operational level,So they get a
chance of expressing their opinion for better decision making and leads to competitive
advantage.
Customer:-
Customer satisfaction is a prime goal of every organisation. In case of unicorn grocery
which need to concern regarding fulfilment of needs,wants of customer because once they
succeed in establishing brand value in market that will help in getting premium price of their
products. This is possible through sound operational management and rational decision making.
Supplier:-
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Supplier are the important party who supply raw material to organisation. Sound
relationship with them provide long term benefits to company in the form of productivity. So
better relationship possible through proper operational management and better decision making.
Stability in this factor decide the future growth of unicorn grocery.
Employees:-
These considered as internal asset of company so better understanding with them help in
proper operational management and sound decision making (Yang, Hong and Modi, 2011).
External Factors:-
These are considered as macro factors within which organization has no control and
affect internally ,externally both . Some of the concerned factors are:-
Political-Legal factors:-
These dimensions include government laws,compliance, policies,government business
relationship and overall political legal situation of country. Business law set the legal limits
which company has to follow. Unethical business activity leads to cancellation of business
license. Proper comply of all legal rules leads to effective operational management.
Social-cultural factors:-
Ethical culture or moral practices adopted by company in respect of quality,price and
services of product and services create good image in the eye of society where company
establish. Unicorn grocery focuses on corporate social responsibility activity in establishing
brand equity in market (Yang, Hong and Modi, 2011).
Technological Dimension:-
External environment is surrounded with advance technology in business sector. So to
sustain in competitive environment organisation need to update with latest technology in both
middle and operational level. Investment decision must be accurate in new technologies and they
must be adaptable with them. Unicorn grocery adopt all the latest technology like providing
payment mode facility electronically, providing product online to costumer enhance quality of
service.
Economic Factors:-
These factors decide the overall economic status of company which include
inflation,interest rate and unemployment. Control on all economic factors balance demand and
supply of products.
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For better operational management and decision making Unicorn Grocery work on all
above factors.
M4 Influence of different factors on business environment
Various factors of internal and external environment of business influence the working of
firm. These factors include customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, political, social,
technological, economical forces etc. Existence of these factors affect the performance and
growth of business concern.
D2 Critical evaluation of application of operations management
According to the views of Carter and Liane Easton (2011), operations management
concept facilitates managers to manage and control business activities and eliminate hurdles
from production process. It helps the firm in providing high quality goods and services to
customers and capture large portion of market share.
CONCLUSION
As pet the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that operations management
plays significant role in growth and success of the business. It supports manager in attaining
targets and improving revenues and profits. Managers and leaders, both play crucial role in
managing activities and functions of the firm. They take effective decisions to handle different
situations at workplace. Various roles and functions applied by managers assists in increasing
motivation level of employees, administer them suitable training and encouraging them to
perform well. Leaders adopts various approaches to leadership as per the situation. Unicorn
Grocery use different approaches such as just in time, continuous improvement, total quality
management, lean production etc. so that quality of goods and services can be improved and
customers are satisfied.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Akkerman, R., Farahani, P. and Grunow, M., 2010. Quality, safety and sustainability in food
distribution: a review of quantitative operations management approaches and
challenges. Or Spectrum. 32(4). pp.863-904.
Baldwin, J. S., Allen, P. M. and Ridgway, K., 2010. An evolutionary complex systems decision-
support tool for the management of operations. International Journal of Operations &
Production Management. 30(7). pp.700-720.
Barratt, M., Choi, T. Y. and Li, M., 2011. Qualitative case studies in operations management:
Trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. Journal of Operations
Management. 29(4). pp.329-342.
Binder, M. and Edwards, J. S., 2010. Using grounded theory method for theory building in
operations management research: A study on inter-firm relationship governance.
International Journal of Operations & Production Management. 30(3). pp.232-259.
Brandon, C. J. and Mullan, P. B., 2013. Teaching medical management and operations
engineering for systems-based practice to radiology residents. Academic radiology.
20(3). pp.345-350.
Dekker, R., Bloemhof, J. and Mallidis, I., 2012. Operations Research for green logistics–An
overview of aspects, issues, contributions and challenges. European Journal of
Operational Research. 219(3). pp.671-679.
Galindo, G. and Batta, R., 2013. Review of recent developments in OR/MS research in disaster
operations management. European Journal of Operational Research. 230(2). pp.201-
211.
Kuruppuarachchi, D. and Perera, H. S. C., 2010. Impact of TQM and technology management on
operations performance. IUP Journal of Operations Management. 9(3). p.23.
Peng, D. X. and Lai, F., 2012. Using partial least squares in operations management research: A
practical guideline and summary of past research. Journal of Operations Management.
30(6). pp.467-480.
Sheu, J. B., 2010. Dynamic relief-demand management for emergency logistics operations under
large-scale disasters. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation
Review. 46(1). pp.1-17.
Stadtler, H., 2015. Supply chain management: An overview. In Supply chain management and
advanced planning (pp. 3-28). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Subramanian, N. and Ramanathan, R., 2012. A review of applications of Analytic Hierarchy
Process in operations management. International Journal of Production Economics.
138(2). pp.215-241.
Tang, O. and Musa, S. N., 2011. Identifying risk issues and research advancements in supply
chain risk management. International journal of production economics. 133(1). pp.25-
34.
Wu, Z. and Pagell, M., 2011. Balancing priorities: Decision-making in sustainable supply chain
management. Journal of Operations Management. 29(6). pp.577-590.
Yang, M. G. M., Hong, P. and Modi, S. B., 2011. Impact of lean manufacturing and
environmental management on business performance: An empirical study of
manufacturing firms. International Journal of Production Economics. 129(2). pp.251-
261.

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