Literature Review on Operations Management

The provided document is a literature review on operations management, which includes a list of references to various research papers and studies. The topics covered include supply chain management, operations strategy, crisis management, servitization, and model management operations. The assignment is likely from an academic or educational setting and requires the student to summarize and analyze the existing literature on operations management.

MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Roles and characteristic of leader and manager................................................................1
M1 Differentiation between role of leader and functions of manager...................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Role of leaders and function of manager applied in different situational context............3
P3 Different theories and models of leadership.....................................................................4
M2 Strength and weakness of different approach..................................................................5
D2 Critical evaluation of different theories and approaches to leadership............................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role that leaders and managers play......7
P5 Importance of operations management in achieving business objectives.........................8
M3 Improvement in efficiencies of operational management for successfully meet business
aims.........................................................................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6 Impact of internal factors upon operational management and decision making.............10
M4 Influence of factors upon business environment and wider community.......................11
D2 Critical evaluation of operations management...............................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is an integral term of each and every kind of firm. With
assistance of this, manager can design process for their business, thus they can accomplish needs
and wants of their clients. Fundamentally, it assists to transform inputs into outputs through
utilizing required assets, such as crude material, human resource, plants, equipment’s and so on.
Moreover, essential purpose of this is to develop an effective item, hence they can satisfy
demand of their buyers i.e. domestic as well as foreign. Main aim of this assignment is to
determine role of manager and leader, as a result, they can easily manage circumstances of
company (Slack, 2015). A small association which name is Austin Fraser is a consultancy firm
and in addition they are working as a recruitment agency. They want to improve skills and
knowledge of an individual, therefore they can do their work in an appropriate manner. Manager
of organisation use various models and theories so that, they can deal with distinctive situations.
Instead of this, there are some intrinsic elements which can affect judgement procedure of firm
either directly or indirectly.
TASK 1
P1 Roles and characteristic of leader and manager
A leader can assist a person to improve their capabilities as well as knowledge, hence he
or she can easily lead team. Fundamentally, leaders are those individuals who are working as a
head of specific group. Along with this, it is must for them to treat equally to each and every
worker without any sort of differences (Binz and et. al., 2013). Several essential roles which are
associated with leaders, mentioned as below:
Required at each level: They are an important part of every sort of firm. Similar to this,
Austin Fraser wants to do their work in an effective way, thus it is must for them to appoint a
leader in each department. Therefore, they can accomplish their targets in an adequate manner.
Act as a representative of group: As they are an essential part of firm, so that they have
to act like an effective representative of team. Along with this, they are accountable to guide
their group.
Act as a friend, guide and philosopher: It is must for them to treat their subordinates
friendly. For above stated purpose, they can share needed data and information with them. It will
assist them to win trust of their employees.
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Several characteristics of leaders are mentioned as below:
Ability to resolve problem: This is an essential trait which must possessed by a leader.
They have to resolve issues effectively; as a result, they will do their work without any delay or
hurdle (Rose and et. al., 2013).
Politeness: They have to polite with their labours, it will aid them to build a proper
relationship with them.
Both manager as well as leader is totally differ from each other. Along with this, in
success of Austin Fraser their duties and roles are also different.
Roles of manager are discussed as below:
Management of whole organisation: It is must for an employer to run as well as control
entire activities of firm appropriately. Thus, it can attain their desired goals and objectives
within a specific period of time.
Job assigning: Their fundamental role is to appoint right person at the right occupation
as per their talent, knowledge and in addition skills.
Allocation of resources: If an association wants to develop inventive goods for their
clients, then they have to use resources effectively. Because, entire manufacturing is depending
on it.
Some of important traits of managers are stated as below:
Ability to reduce risk: It is must for employer to control hazard, thus all activities of
company will go in a smooth manner.
High level of patience: It is necessary for superior to control on their annoyance in every
circumstances. As a result, they can deal with their purchasers easily (Pohl, 2013).
M1 Differentiation between role of leader and functions of manager
Both aspects are totally distinguish from each other, because duties as well as role of
manager and pioneer is also different in context of company’s growth and improvement. Indeed,
there work is varying as per their knowledge and in addition capabilities.
There is some important difference amongst them, which are stated as beneath:
Role of leader Function of manager
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It is must for them to control and along with
this, manage entire group who are working in
association.
They have to run entire association and for this
they can develop some policies as well as
strategies.
Their duty is to improve learning skills
amongst their group members.
Whereas, a manager wants to improve learning
abilities of each and every staff individual.
Fundamental duty of a pioneer is to represent
their group in other firms.
An employer of company has to manage entire
resources and along with this allocate it in an
appropriate way. Thus they can complete their
work in adequate period of time and satisfy
needs and wants of their buyers (Binz and et.
al., 2014).
Moreover, it has been comprehended that both are different from each other in every
kind. They perform their own duties as well as obligations towards association. They do their
work in an effective way, so that they can attain desired targets in a proper manner. Apart from
this, manager of cited firm manager entire company; whereas, leader leads team. Hence, it has
been understanding that they both have to do their work separately (A point-by-point overview of
systemic leadership, 2017).
TASK 2
P2 Role of leaders and function of manager applied in different situational context
Manager and pioneer, both play an essential part in different circumstances and along with
this, they always try to resolve every issue with aid of their skills as well as capabilities. Austin
Fraser is a tiny association and operating their business in distinctive nations, thus they will face
many challenges while doing business. Therefore, it is must for manager to solve all problems
and for this purpose they will develop some strategies or policies (Brogi and et. al., 2015).
Moreover, there are some roles of leaders and duties of manager in context of various
circumstances are mentioned as beneath:
Decision making: Every department has their own leader and manager and they have to
manage entire firm. Additionally, both play an important role in judgement making procedure.
For an effective decision, they will gather some fundamental facts as well as figures. It will help
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them to take an adequate conclusion. In Austin Fraser, their staff members also take part in
decision making process which will boost their morale.
Risk taking: Leader and manager has to control hazard; thus they will accomplish targets
in an effective way. To reduce or eliminate risk from organisation, they have to remove
obstructions which are present in business. Along with this, by doing this kind of activity they
will run their firm smoothly.
Problem solver: It is essential for them to solve entire issues within a specific period of
time, therefore they can maintain healthy relations amongst labours. Additionally, it is must for
employer and leader to comprehend problems of their every worker at premises, as a result they
can solve it timely. Thus, it will cater growth and success to company.
Conflict resolution: As there are numerous workers at workplace, so that conflicts can
arise between them. If there is too much disputes raise up, then it can affect reputation of firm.
As a result, their revenues and market share will go down and they will lose their clients.
Management of time: It is essential for them to manage their time; hence entire
activities can complete within provided time span (Galindo and Batta, 2013). As a result, they
will accomplish needs and wants of their purchasers timely and enhance their profits.
Training and development: If there is any need of training in association, then it has to
be provided by manager to their staff members. It will work as a motivation and in addition it
will reduce unwanted cost. If they do their work in an inventive manner, then it will help them to
take advantages from their competitors.
Therefore, it has been concluded that both leader and manager play a prominent role in
organisation and perform their duty as per the circumstances.
P3 Different theories and models of leadership
Leadership is an integral term which indicates capacity as well as aptitudes of a people to
lead their group by managing colleagues towards amend way. Austin Fraser is a tiny association
and requires skilled and in addition knowledgeable people who are having administration quality
for driving a unit in a suitable manner (Brown, Bessant and Lamming, 2013). Moreover, there
are several number of hypotheses and models which can be embraced by firm, are stated as
beneath:
Situational leadership: This approach is essentially founded by Paul Heresy and Ken
Blanchard and at first it is known as leadership life cycle hypothesis in almost 1970 which was
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retitled as a situational authority leadership. As per this structure there is not a single leadership
which knows that how people can deal with various circumstances. Thusly this theory is more
appropriate as it can be fit in any condition. Therefore, each and every take will have
accomplished within a specific period of time without any delay. Along with this, situational
leadership is depending on a person’s presentation and group execution level.
Systems leadership: This method is firstly concerned with firm’s policies as well as
systems when manager deal with circumstances. This approach considers essential facts and in
addition figures, as it is basically related to management discipline. In other words, system
leadership believes to follow necessary rules and norms which are implemented by top level of
authority (Smith, Maull and CL Ng, 2014). As a result, manager can run business in an effective
and efficient manner.
Contingency approach: As indicated by this hypothesis, while leaders are going to take
an appropriate judgement then they have to consider both kind of element, either intrinsic or
extrinsic. This methodology is much reflected with situational leadership, as employer think that
no model is much adequate which can organise and manage association in a systematic way.
Hence, it is essential for leader to react as per the condition, so that they will take impressive
decision. Consequently, dependent leader always takes judgement as per their own, but it has to
be beneficial for company (leadership Theories, 2017).
M2 Strength and weakness of different approach
Leadership approaches which are described have certain pros as well as cons which are
totally distinctive from each other. Hence, several strength and in addition shortcomings of
various methods are stated as below:
Situational leadership:
STRENGTHS WEAKNESS
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 Individuals who are following this
methodology is accountable for their
act ivies as well as faults.
 Nature of leaders are very friendly, thus
group persons will easily develop an
effective relationship with them (Jones
and George, 2015).
 As behaviour of leaders are much
lenient, therefore it can affect growth of
company. Along with this, workers can
also be failed to attain their personal
objectives.
 This leadership hypothesis cannot be
apply in every sort of association.
System approach:
STRENGTH WEAKNESSES
 This sort of hypothesis consider every
rules as well as regulations when
manager is dealing with situations.
 This hypotheses is most discipline.
 No firm can do their work under lots of
rules as well as regulations.
Excessiveness of it can restrict in
improvement procedure.
 If in organisation too much strictness
then it will discourage staff members
and along with this entire association.
Contingency approach:
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
 This methodology will apply in every
circumstances.
 It can be easily adopt and in addition
apply by manager in firm.
 If employer divide work amongst their
workers then they can easily
accomplish their goals and objectives
within a specific period of time.
 Stress level is also very less in
superiors and subordinates.
 This approach does not work in
complex issues and obstacles as it
provides very simple ideas to employer
(Winter and Knemeyer, 2013).
 This method is not appropriate in every
circumstances or conditions.
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D2 Critical evaluation of different theories and approaches to leadership
All theories as well as hypothesis which are related to leadership is much adequate
because their nature is not much complex. Thus, it can be embraced by each and every sort of
company to solve issues. Contingency as well as situational hypothesis is much distinctive from
systematic. Employer can compare all theories with each other and utilize it to solve problems as
per demand of circumstance.
Fundamentally situational and along with this contingency theory is based on condition.
It acts as per the situation and never prohibit any labour. As indicated by these these leadership
hypothesis, no other theory is adequate as there are lots of alteration in intrinsic and extrinsic
elements which can affect growth of company.
Instead of this, system methodology is associated with lots of rules, norms, regulations
and so on, which is implemented by top level management while association is deal with
circumstances (Spandre and et. al., 2016). Indeed, styles which are connected to leadership is
disciplinary in nature and utilized by company, therefore they can secure their environment from
any kind of misbehaviour of staff members.
Hence, it has been comprehended that leadership theories as well as methodologies are
adequate for Austin Fraser. Thus, they can improve skills of their workers and attain their targets
within provided period of time.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role that leaders and managers play
Operational administration is like a procedure and needed capable employers, so that they
can control entire association adequately. Along with this, attain targets and goals of firm within
provided period of time. Hence it is essential for employer to manage entire actions of enterprise
and for this purpose they can use adequate style of leadership. There are several key attributes
which are associated with management operations are stated as beneath:
Dynamic approach: As per this method, firm is trying to solve their entire issues at a
single time. For this purpose, manager implement various kinds of methods as well as
techniques. This attribute is much helpful for Austin Fraser as by using it, staff members will
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complete their work within a specific period of time. Additionally, they utilize entire resources in
a proper manner (Kauppi, 2013).
System approach: Fundamentally, this hypothesis is based on certain regulations which
are implemented by top level management through considering required facts. Indeed, with
assistance of this approach, employer can develop surrounding which is totally free from any sort
of discrimination through applying effective policies on people.
Just in time: As indicated by this methodology, superior of Austin Fraser wants to
accomplish their work within provided time span. Fundamental target of using this attribute is to
reduce cost of inventory. This approach is also termed as pull method. Main motto of this
technique is to decrease production time frame.
Total quality management: Essential obligation of utilising this tool is to keep up
quality of goods and services of company. For this purpose, employer can use various thoughts
or methods. If it is effective then firm can easily attract numerous clients towards them. TQM
can be use by any form of association either small or large. Similar to this, it is opted by Austin
Fraser, thus they can maintain product quality and along with this compete their rivals at
competitive world.
Six sigma: This methodology is provided by Bill Smith in near 1985. It provides decided
methods to company, so that they can improve their working procedure. As a result, Austin
Fraser can easily enhance quality of their items (Stadtler, 2015). Fundamental target of using this
tool is to reduce unwanted time of manufacturing process. Thus, they can cater items to their
clients at reasonable price and can easily compete their contenders at marketplace.
P5 Importance of operations management in achieving business objectives
It is must for employer of manage their operational activities effectively, hence they can
accomplish their goals and targets timely. It will aid them to improve their profits and along with
this reputation at marketplace. There are various significance of operations management, which
are described as beneath:
Satisfy needs of customers: To know needs and wants of clients firm can conduct
survey, thus they can provide products to them as per their demand. It will help them to enhance
their revenues and in addition they can beat their rivals at marketplace.
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Revenue generate: It is must for manager to develop inventive items to get the attention
of numerous individual. Along with this, they will modify their current goods also to improve its
effectiveness. It will aid them to increase their profits and market share.
Attract minds of customers: Entire manufacturing is done by operational department of
organisation. Hence they are accountable to develop unique goods for persons. For this purpose
employer can provide training to their employees, as it will assist them to improve their work
performance (Braman and et. al., 2013). If items are unique then it can easily capture minds of
various individuals.
Appropriate use of resources: As indicated by this, it is must for superior to allocate
assets in a proper manner. Thus, they can reduce unwanted wastage from production procedure.
Additionally, it assists to eliminate unwanted cost also.
There are some additional importance of operational management, which are mentioned
as below:
 With assistance of an effective management of operations company can satisfy demands
of domestic and overseas clients.
 Organisation can easily improve their incomes.
 Company can attain their targets within a specific period of time.
 It will assist to keep up quality of items.
 Staff members will utilise resources in an appropriate manner.
M3 Improvement in efficiencies of operational management for successfully meet business aims
Operations management is essential for each and every kind of firm, therefore manager
can provide growth to entire company by removing errors. Along with this, Austin Fraser can
fulfil their targets appropriately by accomplishing demand of their buyers. Top level
administration can implement new tools and methods into production procedure, so that they can
improve effectiveness of their products and services. Both manager as well as leader plays an
eminent part to fulfil objectives of firm in many ways, which are discussed as beneath:
Motivate employees: It is must for employer or superior to inspire their staff members,
thus they can energize towards their professional as well as personal targets. Along with this,
they will do their work more effectively and efficiently (Kuklinski, 2014). If manager wants to
motivate their workers then they can use some tools for this, such as additional rewards,
commission, bonus and so on.
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Follow appropriate steps: By following adequate steps and process employer can easily
eliminate obstacles from their working process. Thus they will do their task within an
appropriate time span.
Prepare effective strategy: It is must for company to develop adequate plans, as a result
they can decrease risk and along with this face issues appropriately.
Therefore, it has been comprehended that both manager and leader are an important part
of association. They can improve knowledge and skills of their staff members with help of
various strategies. Superior can provide training to them, to enhance their work efficiency. As a
result, an enterprise can easily increase their reputation at marketplace.
TASK 4
P6 Impact of internal factors upon operational management and decision making
Management of operations is much important for each and every kind of organisation as
it is wide in nature. Intrinsic as well as extrinsic environment can influence it either directly or
indirectly. Along with this, there are some components which can affect judgement of manager
and leader, which are stated as beneath:
Stakeholders: They are most essential part of company and can affect the decision of
firm, positively as well as negatively. Shareholders take part in decision making process of
association. They invest their money, thus organisation can run their business effectively. If
company is gaining higher revenues then they can easily provide best returns to their
bondholders (Katsikopoulos and Gigerenzer, 2013).
Employees: They are most important asset for each and every kind of firm. They assist
employer to attain their desired targets and goals in an appropriate period of time. It is essential
for manager to provide task to them as per their capabilities as well as skills. Therefore they will
do work in an adequate way.
Political factors: Surrounding of business can get affected because of political elements.
As each and every country has their own rules and regulations. If organisation is doing their
operations in various nations, then it is must for them to know about the policies of that state.
Because it is required for firm to follow them, if they are following all rules then they are not
able to conduct their business in that country.
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Legal factors: Every business has to accomplish entire legal formalities which are
essential for them to regulate their firm. If they don't do, then their company will be illegal.
Instead of all of this, manager and leader has to take an effective decision for their
organisation, thus they will do their work effectively. Judgement which is taken by them can
highly affect the operational activities of company. Therefore, it has to be taken in adequate
manner, so that workers will do their work in provided time span and accomplish needs and
wants of their clients (McCrie, 2015).
M4 Influence of factors upon business environment and wider community
Both kind of elements micro as well as macro plays an eminent role to achieve desired
targets within a specific period of time. As they are much related with each other. There are
several factors which are stated as beneath:
 If manager of company implement many methods in business, then it will cater growth as
well as improvement to company.
 It is essential for firm to provide products and services to clients as per their preferences,
as they are final users of items.
 An enterprise wants success in global market, thus it is must for them to maintain healthy
relationship with clients (Kuklinski, 2014).
D2 Critical evaluation of operations management
It is needed for employer to manage their operational activities, as by managing it
appropriately they can accomplish needs and wants of their buyers. There are several
applications which are associated with operational management are discussed as below:
 Manager can utilize appropriate techniques to manage entire projects, such as project
evaluation approach, critical path examination and so on.
 They can produce qualitative items for their domestic as well as overseas purchasers,
hence they can fulfil their demands (Katsikopoulos and Gigerenzer, 2013).
CONCLUSION
As per above mentioned report it has been concluded that manager as well as leader
assumes an eminent role in company. They take judgements for betterment of firm, thus staff
members can accomplish their task within an adequate time span. As a result, an organisation
can easily improve their sales and profits. In this report, there is a description about several
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approaches which can be utilized by employer to solve issues. Along with this, it is must for
them to determine their surrounding effectively, as it can affect firm either directly and
indirectly. Additionally, while manager is taking decision for their business, then they have to
taken into under consideration their clients, stakeholders and so forth.
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REFERENCES
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operations in West Africa, 2008. Disasters. 37(1). pp.144-164.
Brogi, A. and et. al., 2015. Modelling the Behaviour of Management Operations in Cloud-based
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Brown, S., Bessant, J. R. and Lamming, R., 2013. Strategic operations management. Routledge.
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.
Jones, G. and George, J., 2015. Contemporary management. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Katsikopoulos, K. V. and Gigerenzer, G., 2013. Behavioral operations management: A blind spot
and a research program. Journal of Supply Chain Management. 49(1). pp.3-7.
Kauppi, K., 2013. Extending the use of institutional theory in operations and supply chain
management research: Review and research suggestions. International Journal of
Operations & Production Management. 33(10). pp.1318-1345.
Kuklinski, S., 2014. May. Programmable management framework for evolved SDN. In Network
Operations and Management Symposium (NOMS), 2014 IEEE). pp. 1-8. IEEE.
McCrie, R., 2015. Security operations management. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Pohl, B., 2013. The logic underpinning EU crisis management operations. European security.
22(3). pp.307-325.
Rose, L. and et. al., 2013. Genericity for model management operations. Software & Systems
Modeling. 12(1). pp.201-219.
Slack, N., 2015. Operations strategy. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smith, L., Maull, R. and CL Ng, I., 2014. Servitization and operations management: a service
dominant-logic approach. International Journal of Operations & Production
Management. 34(2). pp.242-269.
Spandre, P. and et. al., 2016. Panel based assessment of snow management operations in French
ski resorts. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 16. pp.24-36.
Stadtler, H., 2015. Supply chain management: An overview. In Supply chain management and
advanced planning. pp. 3-28. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Winter, M. and Knemeyer, A. M., 2013. Exploring the integration of sustainability and supply
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Online:
A point-by-point overview of systemic leadership. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
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