Comparative Study of Energy Management Systems

The provided assignment requires a comparative study of energy management systems. It involves analyzing various types of energy management systems, including those for microgrids, smart grids, and renewable energy sources. The student is expected to discuss the benefits and challenges of each system, as well as their applications in different contexts. The assignment also touches on project management and operations research, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and optimization techniques in managing complex systems. By exploring these topics, the student gains a comprehensive understanding of how energy management systems can be designed and optimized to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONS
(Feedback :- in task 1:
improve in detail Qu 1,with diagram on the structure and qu 7
in task 2:
qu 2,4,6and 7 improve all these in detail with M&S)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Overview of the company.....................................................................................................1
1.2 Comparison between a manager and a leader.......................................................................2
1.3 Differences between leadership roles and managerial functions..........................................4
1.4 Functions of managers and role of leaders in various situations..........................................5
1.5 Implement different theories and models of leadership........................................................6
1.6 Strengths and weaknesses of different theories....................................................................7
1.7 Conclusion and recommendations........................................................................................8
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Operation management and approaches................................................................................8
2.2 Roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders..............................................................9
2.3 Value and importance of operations management................................................................9
2.4 Evaluation of the effectiveness of managers and leaders....................................................10
2.5 Business environment factors that impact on decision making and operations management
...................................................................................................................................................11
2.6 Critical evaluation of the application of operations management.......................................11
2.7 Conclusion and suggestions................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Management operations is the process of production which is controlled and designed by
higher level of authorities for meet targets and objectives within time limit. It is a management
responsibility to make proper use of resources, manpower and material which aid them to give
better quality of goods and services to their customers (Balasubramaniam and et. al., 2016). This
report is based on Marks and Spencer organisation. It is a retail industry which was found by
Thomas Spencer and Sir Michael Marks. They are giving employment to approx. 84,939 workers
in the company. Products of Marks and Spencer are luxury food products, clothing and home
items. In this assignment it include various theories and models of leadership along with that also
define the managers as well as leaders and its difference. Along with this, it also discusses the
value and importance of management operations.
TASK 1
1.1 Overview of the company
Marks and Spencer organisation is a retail industry. It has several branches all over the
globe to reach large numbers of customers and market. It specialises in providing home products,
luxury food items and clothing to fulfil buyer’s requirements. Marks and Spencer is following
the structure of functional which involve human resource, marketing department, marketing,
sales, research and development, purchasing and finance are the divisions made within the
organisation which is controlled by higher level authorities. This company follows flat
organisational structure where employees have given opportunity to communicate with seniors
directly. They can share their problems and views with upper level of management for giving
better performance. This would lead to reduce conflicts which may occur due to superiority and
inferiority at workplace as well as gain higher contribution of staff members for growth of
business.
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(Source:Flat Organisational Structure, 2018)
1.2 Comparison between a manager and a leader
Manager manage the employees by making strategies, distributing works to staff
members as per their abilities and skills. Along with this, supervisor monitor the results and
performance render by employees (Fayol, 2016). This will aid them in organising the programme
of training and development in order to improve skills of employees.
Leader plays a very essential role as they maintain an effective relations with their
employees to make them dedicated as well as motivated towards their job. They also have the
skills of solving disputes which take place among the employees. This give advantage to
organisation to retain competent and skilled employees for a long time.
(Source: Differentiate within leaders & managers, 2018)
As per above image, it shows that supervisor assign responsibilities and goals to workers
as per their knowledge and skills in order to perform work properly. Company purpose is to
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Illustration 2: Differentiate within leaders & managers
Illustration 1: Flat Organisational Structure

complete enterprise objectives and targets. On other side, leader give direction and guidance to
employees to make them work in an effective way (Giuliani and et. al., 2015). It will aid firm to
dedicated and motivate staff for retaining them for a long run.
Leader’s characteristics Communication: Leaders must communicate with supervisors and acknowledge their
thinking as well as thoughts. As they have to give proper directions and guidelines by
communicating with their team members. Trust & Honesty: For making a positive workplace leaders have to maintain trust and
honesty within the workers. They have maintain loyalty as employees can able to trust
their leaders while sharing their problems. Innovative: They need to be innovative as well as confidence while providing proper
guidance to their group’s members.
Manager’s characteristics Decision making: M&S supervisor have to make proper decisions of making plans and
policies within the workplace. It depends on managers which style they use within the
company while taking decisions. Knowledge: Management of organisation must have proper knowledge of concepts as
well as theories in order to take effective judgement and decisions of firms market
situation and objectives.
Comparison within managers & leaders
Leaders Managers
 They have to inspire and motivate their
teams to achieve desired objectives and
goals.
 Leaders require to maintain relations
and trust among the workers.
 Its main aim is to enhance its
development and growth of their team
members.
 They have to perform all the functions
and activities like as planning,
organising, directing and controlling of
the organisation.
 Managers measure employees by their
management skills.
 Their main target is to meet desired
results.
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There is difference between manager’s functions and leader’s roles which is understood
in a better way by implementing theories and concepts are:
In theory of leadership traits, Leaders should adopt method of democratic style in which
they involve their team members while taking decisions (Jørgensen and Zaccour, 2012). On the
other side, the main function of the manager is to take right decisions for achieving objectives
and targets on given period of time.
Transactional leadership refers to workers punishments and rewards through which
manager can easily motivate them towards the work activities. Transformational leadership
theory employs enthusiasm for stimulating their workers.
Action Entered leadership build their groups and also motivate them for accomplishing
their targets which assigned by managers.
Soft concept is a leadership skills which help in maintaining better as well as polite
relations with their workers at workplace. On other hand, hard concept is a management skill
which are strict and rigorous with its employees. In this manager give order to their workers to
perform their task in allotted time frame. If they are not perform well then they punish them.
1.3 Differences between leadership roles and managerial functions
Leader’s roles
In Marks and Spenser firm, role of leaders is to give proper direction of work to
employees. Some of leader’s roles are as follows: Communication: In this, leaders must have strong interaction skills while providing
directions to their teams. They also have to communicate about objectives, plans and
policies of organisation to all employees. Guiding workers: It is a duty of leaders to maintain strong relations with their team
members. So that leaders should have effective acknowledge and information about
problems and conflicts arise among the workers. Therefore, providing effective guidance
will aid in completing task within proper manner.
Manager’s roles
There are various different responsibilities are performed by supervisors in an M&S
company which are given below:
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 Decisional role: Managers and workers are involved in the process of decision making
so that they can take effective judgement and can select best options among all the
alternatives which will gave advantage to Marks and Spenser. It is important to make
changes in tactics and system made by managers in order to provide quality of services
and products to buyers.
 Interpersonal role: Management maintain healthy and friendly relations with employees
by giving them proper information about their goals and responsibilities so that they can
accomplish their work properly on time (Handschin and Petroianu, 2012). In Marks and
Spenser, conference and meeting are organised by managers so that they can periodically
communicate important information to their workers.
1.4 Functions of managers and role of leaders in various situations
Management assign the work to their workers and it is their responsibility to provide task
according to employees skills and abilities. This will aid in accomplishing their work in an
effective way within the limited period of time (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Supervisor and
leaders are very important part of M&S as it will assist in completing task properly in several
situation which will gave influence on business activities. There are certain situation in which
leaders as well as managers play different functions and roles which are given below:
Decision making: In this condition it include supervisor and leaders both in conferences as well
as in meeting to take an effective decisions of workplace. M&S is a retail business which need to
upgrade their products according to modern trends and market taste & preferences. For example:
firms have to take decisions in order to increase their operations for introducing a new item.
Manager functions in taking decisions
Supervisor’s functions is to take decisions in order to provide proper information to their
team members about their task and targets as well. It is necessary for Marks and Spenser to
create strategies as well as policies in order to guide workers. Along with this they also have to
motivate leaders for completing their task properly (López and et. al., 2015). Supervisors is
conducting a programme of training & development for enhancing employee’s abilities and
skills.
Leader’s role in decision making
In this, leader role is to involve their employees while taking any decisions of their
working system. Supervisor of Marks & Spenser connect with their customers as well as
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acknowledge buyers taste and preferences accordingly. They have to perform policies within
working by taking proper decisions.
Risk taking: In this condition, it refers that every firms is having several difficulties as well as
problems. Marks & Spenser organisation is having a limited resources which they have to make
a effective use of them. It is necessary for manpower to make an appropriate use of finance as
well as material effectively which will help in running an enterprise in an proper way.
Manager functions in risk taking
Supervisor of Marks & Spenser frame plan to eliminate the mistakes as well as
difficulties from system by organising enterprise operations as well as making workers function
in the context of defined standards. Along with this, market research will aid manager to assess
problems in the term of rivals which might impact on firm’s profitability and sales.
Leaders role in risk taking
In this situation, functions of supervisors is to analyse the internal and external factors
properly. Management concepts as well as theories are used in order to take effective solution
for managing a risk (McPherson and Pincus, 2017). Marks & Spenser firm is facing various
problems while implementing new technology within their workplace which will affect the
activities of enterprise.
1.5 Implement different theories and models of leadership
Supervisor require to run business functions in a proper manner which will help in the
development and growth of the organisation. It is necessary for M&S Company to manage all the
situation for maintaining reputation within the market. Some of leadership theories are explained
which are followed by the company within their working environment which are given below:
Situational leadership theory: In this, it is an existing firm within the market which keep
on changing rapidly. There are diverse peoples are working in company from different gender,
caste, family backgrounds, religion, language and so on (Mendis, Muttaqi and Perera, 2014).
Therefore, it is important for Marks & Spencer to use proper styles and tactics in order to provide
guidance to workers for running business activities properly.
System leadership theory: In this, it is management responsibility to conduct business
activities effectively in order to meet desired objectives and goals. It is essential for leaders to
provide proper workplace and facilities to workers for completing their task effectively. Latest
tools and technologies are adopted by company within their working environment. So, Marks
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and Spencer will manufacture a fast goods as well as services for their buyers which help in
enhancing company’s reputation within market.
Contingency leadership theory: This theory specifies its nature of functioning,
personality and many more factors which determine leaders system as well as functions. Every
people is having different taste as well as preferences of their customers along with this it also
changes dynamically (Moghaddam and et. al., 2011). Therefore, Marks and Spencer is facing
several issues which take place within the company along with this it help in maintaining
coordination within team members in order to overcome with issues.
1.6 Strengths and weaknesses of different theories
THEORIES MERITS DEMERITS
SITUATIONAL
LEADERSHIP THEORY
This theory will aid
management to adopt this
leadership style as per system
functionality and market
situation. So, that firm can
maintain stability within
business operations.
Management of M&S need to
have detailed information
about system abilities and
market situation. So, that
appropriate technology and
tools can be deliver quality
products within marketplace. It
is important for enterprise to
organise daily analysis in
market. It is very much costly
and consumes lots of time.
SYSTEM LEADERSHIP
THEORY
This theory of system
leadership is very easy to
understand as well as also help
in meeting effectiveness of
leadership.
In this theory it is having a
limited flexibility within this
style of leadership which is not
sufficient to deal with
changing business
environment.
CONTINGENCY
LEADERSHIP THEORY
This theory will aid in giving
flexibility within work
structure. Leader is using
There is no specific styles of
leadership which is used by
leaders. Contingency
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theories as per conditions
along with this remove the
unfavourable circumstances
within enterprise.
leadership theory is complex
within nature and leader
require to have experience in
order to implement this theory.
1.7 Conclusion and recommendations
As per this task, it has concluded that managers of M&S focuses more on improving
performance of workers. For this purpose, they have adopted contingency leadership theory to
motivate employees to give their best. But it has recommended to managers and leaders of this
company to apply effective leadership styles for developing and maintaining positivity at
workplace. This would help in increasing productivity of business through which higher
revenues can be generated. It will provide flexibility within the organisational structure.
Organisation can also adopt the contingency style of leadership within their working
environment.
TASK 2
2.1 Operation management and approaches
Marks and Spencer require to conduct the business activities effectively. So, that proper
products as well as services are acknowledged in working environment according to buyer’s
needs and wants (Pinto, 2015). It is necessary for company to manage the use of concepts,
models and theories in order to make effective utilization of resources for meeting its targets and
objective within a span of time. Some of approaches which are used by M&S management are
given below: Total quality management: This method give benefits to a company for a long run by
providing goods and services according to buyers wants and needs. It will assist in
maintaining Marks and Spencer goodwill within in market. Hence, it encourage workers
to take part in activities for better results. Six Sigma: This defines the managers to analyse the issues so that proper targets and
objectives are formulated for the company. With this, it also control the employees
performance and their results by using proper techniques like as management by
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objectives, cost accounting, 369 degree and so on. This will assist in enhancing workers
performance in workplace.
 Lean manufacturing: This approaches is a systematic process by making proper utilizing
of resources such as manpower, finance and materials for declining wastage. Mass
production is a proper tactic which provides benefits to M&S to give better quality of
services and products (Rani and Moreira, 2010). Lean manufacturing operate the plan
properly as well as assumes demands for making products available for customers
accordingly.
2.2 Roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders
Managers Roles
Management of Marks and Spencer has several duties in order to accomplish task
properly. They have to formulate a plan in order to make a proper programs as well as techniques
for running business activities appropriately. Managers also set desired targets for workers to
achieve targets and objectives within the span of time. In M&S, they take entire responsibilities
to create and maintain positive environment of workplace. Through this process, they can gain
support of employees for increasing efficiencies of production and operational management.
They also provide training to workers in order to develop their skills and knowledge for
providing better services to customers at its stores. They will also implement techniques by
which customers are attracted to acquire products of this company.
Leaders Roles
M&S leader’s roles is to manage the work by guiding as well as directing their team
members as per their skills and capabilities. Leaders motivate employees and resolve conflicts
which take place among the buyers. This will assist in coordinating with one another for
increasing productivity. In improving efficiency of operational management, the main role
played by leaders is to give a clear vision to workers. Leaders of M&S provide proper guidelines
to workers in what manner they have to work so that high satisfaction of customers can be
gained. They also monitor performance of each staff members and use techniques to improve
their weaknesses so that productivity of them can be increased.
2.3 Value and importance of operations management
In the company, management operation is essential to maintain effectiveness and
efficiency of the process of manufacturing. Operation management plays a very main role in firm
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as it will help in handling issues like as system design, maintenance and operations which are
used for manufacturing goods (What is Operations Management?, 2014). It is useful in
enhancing entire productivity of enterprise. M&S is adopting lean manufacturing, six sigma and
total quantity management to improve productivity as well as profitability within the working
environment. Some of values and importance of operations management are as follows: Quality improvement- Marks and Spencer main concentration is on satisfying demands
as well as needs of buyers by giving best quality of goods and services. This firm is
adopting a tool of continuous improvement in order to make best quality of products. It
will aid in grabbing higher numbers of buyers towards the organisation as well as
increase the level of sales. Reduce wastage- It is important for an managers to concentrate on eliminating wastage
as well as errors in the process of manufacturing. This will aid in raising productivity as
well as goodwill of the M&S. It will help in raising quality of products in an effective
way.
 Increasing profit- Quality of product develop the direct influence on the company profit.
Management of operations is useful in enhancing the quality of goods and services. It is
useful in grabbing higher numbers of buyers towards the organisation and its outcomes in
raising sales (Ravindran, 2016). M&S provide its goods online but they mainly
concentrate on quality of products. This will help in improving productivity and profits of
the organisation.
2.4 Evaluation of the effectiveness of managers and leaders
In operational management, Managers and leaders both play important role for increasing
efficiencies of production and operational activities. Manager of M&S use different-different
approaches like TQM, six sigma and lean production to reduce cost of production and offer best
products at marketplace. To manage this process, they monitor each and every activity of
operation to ensure that optimum utilisation of limited resources can be taken. Similarly, leaders
track records of employees and monitor their performance in order to evaluate if they are
working as per desired or not. Furthermore, both managers and leaders cooperate each other to
handle to ensure that employees provide best services to customers. This would help in
enhancing brand image of business.
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2.5 Business environment factors that impact on decision making and operations management
For running business activities in an effective manner management of Marks and Spencer
will concentrate on maintaining and bringing sustainability within working environment. In this
process, firms need to face challenges in various factors which represented the working
environment. It includes fluctuations in economic situations, technology development and so on
which gave influence in a negative and positive way (Slack, 2015). Hence, it is supervisor’s duty
to understand all the intrinsic as well as extrinsic factors which gave impact on making decisions.
In M&S organisation, there are some factors which influence on working systems are given
below: Corporate Social responsibilities: These factor is related to enhance the society in which
a company surrounds. It is a managers responsibilities to contribute some efforts towards
the society and environment development which aid in increasing country image. By this,
operational management of M&S will create the feeling of unequalled happiness within
the workers. Business ethics: It is a very important element for manager of the organisation which
need to bring effective ethical culture within their enterprises. M&S organisation have to
improve its strategies and policies by concerning more on giving benefits to stakeholders.
This term refers as a set of principles which are used by organisation in its policies,
strategies and decision-making.
 Values: These principles refers to internal environment that helps in organising relations
of business with its shareholders, stakeholders and all associated persons. In context with
M&S, it states mission and vision of business (Thaler, Priest and Fuchs, 2016). Managers
under this take decisions for communicating their values to its investors.
2.6 Critical evaluation of the application of operations management
As per views of Pinto (2015), it has examined that there are various factors present in
business environment which directly impacts on operational activities of a company. In context
with M&S, it operates business in many countries therefore, to make policies as per political
laws of different-different nations is really difficult for managers. This would directly impacts on
their decision-making procedures also as they have to concern both on benefits of stakeholders
and profitability of business. This would rise complexity when quick decisions are needed to be
taken. Therefore, managers and leaders of M&S work with each other to ensure that each factor
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of business environment (Political laws, economical situations, demand of CSR investment etc.)
would impact on organisation in positive manner.
2.7 Conclusion and suggestions
They had recommended that M&S should make a proper use of operations management
in order to eliminate wastage within the manufacturing process of products and services. This
will help in increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the company within the given period of
time. It is recommended to this company that it should bring some changes in organisational
structure and business strategies. This would help in run operational activities in more adequate
manner. Its managers should organise regular meeting with stakeholders in order to discuss with
them about how to improve functions of business. This would help in getting support of
stakeholders in increasing growth of business. In addition to this, it is further recommended to
managers of M&S to keep modification in business within changes in external and internal
factors. This would give advantages to gain high opportunity from business environment for
further expansion. But, before create any changes within organisation, it should organise
business meetings with Board of Directors, Stakeholders and investors to take their suggestions.
This would help in getting support of all associated members in running business successfully as
well as turn negative impact of external environment into positive.
CONCLUSION
As per above report it has been concluded that leaders and managers are very different
with each other. Operations management linked with the enterprise practices in order to develop
higher level of efficiency in the organisation. Along with this, managers also assign the duties to
leaders in order to provide direction as well as guidance to their teams. In this, also discuss the
methods of operational management like as lean manufacturing, six sigma and total quality
management. It is having various importance and values like as Quality improvement, reduce
wastage and increasing profit. There are various ethics of business which should be followed by
every managers of the company.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
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microgrids during islanded operation. Electric Power Systems Research. 137. pp.133-
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Fayol, H., 2016. General and industrial management. Ravenio Books.
Giuliani, M. and et. al., 2015. Curses, tradeoffs, and scalable management: Advancing
evolutionary multiobjective direct policy search to improve water reservoir operations.
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management. 142(2). p.04015050.
Handschin, E. and Petroianu, A., 2012. Energy management systems: operation and control of
electric energy transmission systems. Springer Science & Business Media.
Jørgensen, S. and Zaccour, G., 2012. Differential games in marketing (Vol. 15). Springer
Science & Business Media.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H. R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
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electric vehicles load shifting and vehicle-to-grid support. International Journal of
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(micro-grid) with back-up micro-turbine/fuel cell/battery hybrid power source. Energy.
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Pinto, J. K., 2015. Project management: achieving competitive advantage. Prentice Hall.
Rani, D. and Moreira, M. M., 2010. Simulation–optimization modeling: a survey and potential
application in reservoir systems operation. Water resources management. 24(6). pp.1107-
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Ravindran, A. R. ed., 2016. Operations research and management science handbook. Crc Press.
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Slack, N., 2015. Operations strategy. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thaler, T. A., Priest, S.J. and Fuchs, S., 2016. Evolving inter-regional co-operation in flood risk
management: distances and types of partnership approaches in Austria. Regional
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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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