Management and Operations: Roles of Leaders and Managers, Theories of Leadership, Approaches to Operation Management, and Importance of Operations Management

This report discusses the different roles and characteristics of leaders and managers in the context of different situations, theories of leadership including system, situational as well as contingency leadership, key approaches to operation management, and the importance and value of operations management. The report also includes a case study of Morrisons, a retail company in the UK.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
PART 1.......................................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.......................................................................................................................................................3
P1) Discuss different role and characteristics of leaders & managers......................................................3
P2) Apply role of leaders and functions of managers in context of different situations...........................5
TASK 2.......................................................................................................................................................6
P3) Discuss theories of leadership including system, situational as well as contingency leadership......6
PART 2.......................................................................................................................................................7
Task 3..........................................................................................................................................................7
P4) Explain the key approaches to operation management and role of leader and manager plays...........7
P5. Explain the importance and value of operations management...........................................................9
TASK 4.....................................................................................................................................................10
P6) Determine factors of business environment which also influences operational management and
decision making of leaders and managers..............................................................................................10
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................12
References.................................................................................................................................................13

Introduction
Management is about administrating all the necessary tasks at work place in an efficient
manner. It is about planning, organizing, directing as well as controlling different activities so
that pre-defined goals can be accomplished. On other side, operations is about managing daily
activities in well-define manner with installation of suitable operational tools. Management and
operations collaboratively help in managing daily operations as well as activities of business
efficiently (Kouvelis and Turcic, 2021). Morrisons is considered for the purpose of given
report. It is a renowned company of retail industry has headquartered in UK. It deals in groceries
and other customer goods such as electronics, home appliances, clothes and more. Here, role of
managers and leaders is discussed in context of different situation. Along with this, theories of
management & leadership is compared in the assignment. The second part of report discuss
about techniques and tools of operation management along with the role of managers & leaders.
It also comprises significance of operation management and the factor of business environment
which affect management & leadership decision making.
PART 1
TASK 1
P1) Discuss different role and characteristics of leaders & managers
Manager is a person who performs administrative tasks with an aim to manage different
business activities in best possible way. Manager is consid45tg ered as the key-person of
business entity who hold the responsibility of fulfilling all managerial and admin related tasks in
systematic manner. In context of Morrison’s functions of managers are mentioned as under:
Planning: Plans are prepared by managers of Morrisons so that they can face the un-
foreseen situation. Here, plans are prepared after detailed analysis of future circumstances.
Organizing: It is the another crucial function of managers where they organize different
activities systematically. It helps company in making optimum use of available resources
(Rönkkö, Tenhunen and Laatikainen, 2020).

Staffing: Here, managers hire potential candidates from different sources. In reference of
Morrsions, managers use internal as well as external sources in order to get right candidate
onboard with company.
Directing: At this, managers of respective company provide suitable direction to
employees so that they can perform assigned task with greater efficiency.
Controlling: It is the last function of managers wherein they control the outcomes based
on set standards (Bondik, 2021). In reference of Morrsions, they set standards in order to
compare the actual outcomes and take necessary corrective actions.
Leaders are crucial part of business as they set vision and also direct employees in order
to attain the vision within pre-decided period of time. In context of Morrisons role of leaders is
stated below:
Set vision: leader set vision for employees so that they get a proper direction. Setting
vision is important in order to align the effort of workforce in right direction. In Morrisons,
leaders determine vision so that individuals can align efforts for attainment of organizational
goals.
Communication: It is one of the major roles of leaders where they communicate with
employees. Communication is imperative in order to reduce down the ambiguity & confusion
amongst work force (Amekudzi-Kennedy and et. al., 2020). In context of Morrison’s, leaders
maintain proper communication with employees in order to facilitate better communication at
work place.
Difference between role of leaders and managers
Managers Leaders
 Managers have the people who work
for them. In Morrison’s managers
provide command to employees and
expect them to work accordingly.
 Managers are responsible to direct
people so that they work in an efficient
 Leaders have people who follow them.
Here, leaders of respective entity
influence people so that they start to
follow them.
 Leaders maintain proper
communication with team members in

manner. Iv addition to this, managers
prepare suitable policies & strategies
with an aim to direct workforce in
proper way (Vadari, 2019).
order to make maximum use of their
skills & potentials for success of
organization.
P2) Apply role of leaders and functions of managers in context of different situations
In organization, there are different situations occur at work place. Leaders & managers
are responsible to perform specific roles in order to handle the situation in an effective manner.
In context of Morrisons different situations are mentioned as under:
Situation 1: Product launch: Launching a new product is a crucial situation that is
useful in order to enhance the current level of profitability of company. It not only enlarges
current product portfolio but also inflate overall profitability (Mor and et. al., 2019). Morrisons is
looking forwards to launch a new product which is new range of herbal & organic products.
Managers of respective organization will launch new product which will help in enhancing
customer base. It will also enlarge the business thus profit margin will also increase.
Role of leaders: Here, role of leader is to undertake detailed market analysis in order to
gather necessary information. Further, they play a crucial role by communicate the information
to employees so that the whole production process can be carried out smoothly.
Functions of managers: In this, plans need to prepare by managers with an aim to avoid
any future hassle. They are also required to organize different activities in an efficient manner for
making the product launch successful. Apart from this, managers also need to hire potential
employees and also provide them direction to work in appropriate manner.
Situation 2: Conflict management: In organizations, several people work together
hence it is obvious to arise conflicts. Main reason of conflicts is the contradiction of thoughts,
opinions of two persons (Kopardekar, 2020). Sometimes, conflicts have really major impact over
organization that might hamper future performance. In reference of Morrisons, there are a lot of
conflicts take place due to diversify workforce. Employees from different culture, background
work together in organization that further give rise to conflicts. Here, it is required to handle
conflict in best possible way for future betterment.

Role of leaders: Communication is the best possible way to deal with conflicts. Hence,
leaders of Morrisons are required to facilitate proper communication at different levels of
organizational hierarchy. In addition to this, they are also required to provide adequate
motivation with an aim to minimize conflicts between superiors & subordinates.
Function of manager: In order to deal with conflicts, managers of respective
organization are required to provide proper direction to employees. It will provide clarity to
individuals about their roles which further minimize ambiguity at work place. Here, managers
also keep control over activities of employees in order to regulate the behavior of employees.
TASK 2
P3) Discuss theories of leadership including system, situational as well as contingency
leadership
Leaders are considered as the major part of organization and they also plays an integral
role in success of entity by providing appropriate guidance to employees. In reference of
Morrisons, certain theories of leadership are given underneath:
Situational leadership theory: It is a leadership theory wherein leaders adopt different
style of leading and guiding people in different situations (Marsilio and Prenestini, 2020). It is an
effective technique where leaders try to balance between needs of team and requirements of
organization. In reference of Morrison’s, leaders adopt this theory in order to deal with different
situations in rightful manner.
Telling and directing: In this, leaders of respective entity closely supervise the work of
employees and direct them to work in an appropriate way. They guide employees at each &
every stage for getting positive outcomes.
Participating and supportive Here, individuals are motivated by leaders to take part in
organizational activities. They also ensure to get support of employees with an aim to build
positive employer and employee relationship at workplace.

Delegation: Leaders of Morrisons delegate necessary task to subordinates based on their
skills, abilities and efficiency. Delegation helps in utilizing skills of employees in best possible
way. It also helps in maintaining positive relationship between leaders & employees.
System leadership theory: According to this theory, behaviour of an individual is self
regulated which can further improve through feedback and self assessment. It allows employees
to analyse their own performance and undertake systematic techniques to manage the project in
well define manner (Kulesza, 2021). In Morrison’s, managers adopt this theory with an aim to
keep employees motivated towards work. With the effective implementation of this technique,
they are also able to accomplish the project in proper and systematic way.
Contingency leadership theory: Environment of an organization is completely uncertain.
It is quiet difficult to predict what is going to happen in future. For this purpose, it is paramount
to analyze future circumstances which allows leader in order to structure suitable strategies. In
Morrisons, leaders are really proactive so they anticipate the future situation and adopt the
suitable ways to guide employees accordingly. This helps leader to handle the situation in best
possible way my minimising the negative impact of unforeseen situation which might occur in
future.
PART 2
Task 3
P4) Explain the key approaches to operation management and role of leader and manager plays.
Every business has been face different complex situation where it is based on operation
management and it has approaches that is use to manage overall different activities that happen
in organisation. As all activities has its own positive and negative implementation of Morrisons
company and has it own ability of business to attain better emphasis that explained as below:
Six Sigma: It is procedure with this better focus and having concern on statistical
developments towards better business process. It advocates for qualitative measurements for
better success over qualitative markers. In this process it generate various opportunities and
loopholes are better recognised through better customer satisfaction which better enhanced. This

is used in manufacturing procedure on which qualities is advances defects in appropriate and
systematic manner (Johnston and et. al., 2019). In perspective of Morrisons company the role of
manager and leaders would plays in Six Sigma process to create policies and provide proper
clarity of business objectives to employees. Leader would plays an important role where leader
would provide techniques, resources for successful about project completion.
Lean Principles: It is principles of operation management in which it concern is about
the reduction of wastage on which overall cost of production is minimised. According to this
approach where Morrisons company having suitable change which implemented in order to
satisfy customer. In this manager role is to create and evaluate budget to eliminate wastages
material and reduced overall cost of production. Leader would provide training and development
for develop the skills and knowledge that mapped better productivity attained.
Total Quality management: It is an approach with this continuous improvement is helps
to includes in manufacturing and production process as with the delivery is proceeds in
systematic manner (Rösler, Osterrieder and Friedli, 2021). It is mainly managerial prospect
through which certain level of improvement is induced through which quality of standard also
get developed. In perspective of Morrisons company which attain more efficiency and better
sustainability:
The leaders and manager having sustained roles with this better connectivity of
approaches within operational management as it explained below as:
Provide Direction: The leader will plays an important role to create all team members
would better supervised to employees. On the other hand manager would make assist employees
regarding with project completion on timely basis. In perspective of Morrisons company where
manager direction to other manager would perform few responsibilities with this all task
managed so as complete before time.
Bring Excellence initiative: In this specific segment leaders and manager would plays
different role to better appraise as it aid to develop better work quality of standard. This would
help to measure longer time sustainability in highly competitive marketplace. While, leaders
would enhance better level of commitment and manager uses different approaches better develop
operation management.

Evaluation:
As per above approaches of operation management Morrisons company would better
focus to use Total Quality of Management process. It is reliable for making process which
induces to enhance better customer satisfaction which develop and it make easy to grab attention
of marketplace. Therefore, Morrisons contribute their effort to make planning about to
accomplish 20% market share and also enhance to optimum utilisation of all essential resources.
P5. Explain the importance and value of operations management
Operational management is the process that generally plans, control and supervisors
manufacturing and productions procedure and better services quality. Operation management is
important is business organisation because where it help effectively manage and control. The
importances of operation management in perspective of Morrisons are:
 Product Quality: The first unit a typical firm that checks durability and reliability in
product is the operation management. The operation management sees the quality of
product and services which suits customers on the after delivery (Lenz and Schmid,
2019). For Morrisons Company they make sure that product and services which they
manufactures it contains better quality of product and services.
 Productivity: It is defined about ratio of outputs and it is only way for confirms
employees outputs. In this operation management ensures staffing of employees maintain
their resources to get maximum result. For Morrisons Company, their managers make
sure that their employees get proper training and development practices which
improvised better work productivity that attained better efficiency.
 Customer satisfaction: There is no feeling for manager where an employee’s where
getting utmost satisfaction ever. As for every business customers are major priority and
their satisfaction would generate more profitability in business effectively. In situation of
Morrisons company as they provide quality of product and services in lower cost but
there are many other who follows same strategy such as Tesco, Asda Stores etc. To
make customer satisfaction uplifted Morrisons provides discount offers in their product
that attract the customers.

 Reduced operating Cost: Through better productivity, quality products and customer
satisfaction where cost inured on product serving is maximally reduced. It is
significantly leads to increased revenue (Dixit and et. al., 2019). This can be possible on
the influence of operation management practices where in operating cost reduced there is
also waste reduction. Thus, Morrisons company also presumes this practise to mitigate
waste reduction from process of manufacturing because it will helps to increase revenue
and evaluate in flexible manner.
TASK 4
P6) Determine factors of business environment which also influences operational management
and decision making of leaders and managers
Business environment is made with ample of internal as well as external factors that have
the power to influence both operations of organization as well as decision making process. For
this, managers & leaders are required to align their decisions with surrounding business
environment. Certain external and internal factors that might affect overall operations of entity
along with decision making of managers & leaders are mentioned below:
External Factors: external environment is made with ample of external elements that
have a huge impact over business entity. Here, certain external factors of Morrison’s are stated
below:
Political factors: Government structured a lot of laws related to environmental protection
which will affect the performance of Morrisons. Being a food retailer, Morrison’s is highly
affected with norms related to waste management and environmental protection. They need to
analyze the political environment for making necessary modification in current policies.
Economical factors: Food industry of UK is highly influenced with seasonal prevalence.
In addition to this, Brexit is also affecting the current level of sales and revenue of Morrisons. In
current situation, lower purchasing power of buyers is also considered as the major influencing
factor for organization.
Social factors: Aging population of nation is influencing Morrsions in an efficient
manner. In order to survive in market for longer run, it is imperative to meet with requirement of

this particular category. In addition to this, they are required to produce products as per needs,
requirements of buyers (Jones, 2021).
Technological factors: In retail industry technology plays a crucial role to provide tasty
as well as quality products to final consumers. In contest of Morrisons, they are required to adopt
online marketing techniques with an aim to stay in competitive market place for longer duration.
Internal factors:
Internal factors are made with internal capabilities, resources of organization. These
factors have a major impact over operations as well as decision making of a company. In context
of Morrisons, certain internal elements are mentioned below:
Sustainability: In current time, sustainability has become a crucial influencing factor of
decision making as well as operational management of organization. Now, customers prefer to
purchase such products which are prepared with application of sustainable approach. For this
purpose, Morrisons is required to follow suitable operational management techniques such as
lean prediction, kaizen and more in order to ensure sustainable development for future growth
and development.
Culture and values: Culture is made with believes, values and behavior of employees of
an organization. It is the responsibility of managers to consider cultural factor while taking
business decisions (Jeyaretnam, 2019). In contest of Sainsbury, they need to adopt such
operational techniques which are best fit with the culture and values of organization. This will
help in creating synergy and maintaining healthy as well as positive atmosphere at workplace.
With above points, it is analyzed that it is integral for organization to examine external
&internal factors as these elements have major impact over entire working process of entity.
These factors will help Morrison’s in dealing with different un-foreseen situation in well-define
manner.

CONCLUSION
It is been inferred from above report of operation and management which summaries
where it is most basic aspect of business in leaders where leader and manager would plays an
important role and functions. There are different role prospect in motive of accomplishment with
different success and development that processed satisfactory manner. Leadership and
management which collectively advance in working of better business performance which
generate satisfactory manner. Leaders and manager tries to provide employee corrective path that
works to attainment of goals and objectives become not familiar. Furthermore, the operation
management also uses different methods as Six sigma and Total Quality Management in which
TQM would better for company because it improvised managerial aspect in better manner.

References
Books and Journals
Amekudzi-Kennedy, A.A., Clark, R., Wilson, J. and Singh, P., 2020. Transportation
Performance Management for System Operations: Development of processes, Tools,
Measures and Targets.
Bondik, O., 2021. FLIGHT OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ADAPTATION TO
FUNCTIONING IN INCOMPLETE INFORMATION CONDITIONS. Proceedings of
National Aviation University, 86(1).
Dixit and et. al., 2019. Integration of facility management and building information modeling
(BIM): A review of key issues and challenges. Facilities.
Jeyaretnam, T., 2019. Minimising future water management liabilities in mining
operations. AusIMM Bulletin, (Feb 2019), pp.36-38.
Johnston and et. al., 2019. Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Fatigue Management in Space Flight
Operations. In Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight (pp. 793-813). Springer,
New York, NY.
Jones MD, K., 2021. Optimizing the robotic surgery team: an operations management
perspective.
Kopardekar, P.H., 2020. Airspace Operations: Vision for 2045 and Beyond.
Kouvelis, P. and Turcic, D., 2021. Supporting operations with financial hedging: Cash hedging
vs. cost hedging in an automotive industry. Production and Operations
Management, 30(3), pp.738-749.
Kulesza, M.G., 2021. Revenue Management Perspectives in Small-Farm Winery Operations. The
Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 23(3), pp.160-177.
Lenz, H. and Schmid, D., 2019, September. Simulation Platform for Reduced Crew Operations
—A Case Study. In 2019 IEEE/AIAA 38th Digital Avionics Systems Conference
(DASC) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
Marsilio, M. and Prenestini, A., 2020. Operations management in times of crisis: The first 10
lessons learned by healthcare organizations. Mecosan, (113).
Mor and et. al., 2019. Framework for measuring the performance of production operations in the
dairy industry. In Managing Operations Throughout Global Supply Chains (pp. 20-49).
IGI Global.
Rönkkö, M., Tenhunen, H. and Laatikainen, G., 2020, August. Academy of Management (AOM)
2020 Professional development workshop (PDW): Common Methodological Problems in
Operations Management Research and How They Can Be Addressed. In Academy of
Management Annual Meeting: 20/20: Broadening Our Sight.
Rösler, J., Osterrieder, P. and Friedli, T., 2021. Service Operations. In Managing Industrial
Services (pp. 99-114). Springer, Cham.
Vadari, M., 2019. The future of distribution operations and planning: The electric utility
environment is changing. IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, 18(1), pp.18-25.