Management and Operations: Roles and Characteristics of a Leader and Manager

MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................1
LO 1...........................................................................................................................................1
P1. Comparing roles and characteristics of a leader and manager.........................................1
LO 2...........................................................................................................................................5
P2. Application of leader’s role and manager’s functions in different situations..................5
P3. Different theories and models of approach......................................................................6
LO 3...........................................................................................................................................7
P4. Key approaches of operations management....................................................................7
P5. Significance and value of operations management..........................................................8
LO 4.........................................................................................................................................10
P6. Impact of business environment factors on operational management and decision
making of leaders and managers..........................................................................................10
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations refer to the process of effective administration of
business procedures with an aim to gain the best possible outcomes with highest level of
efficiency and minimum efforts. This concept tells about gathering the raw material required
along with labour and then converting the same in final products and services so that higher
profits can be earned by the organisation (Bozarth and Handfield, 2019). In the present
report, as per provided scenario, Toyota has been chosen which is a Japanese car
manufacturer and one of the leading companies in automotive sector. Here, a discussion will
be made on roles of both managers and leaders along with difference between management
and leadership. Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to leadership and
management will be covered as well along with defining key operational functions. Further,
impact of external business environment factors will be explained that affect the decision
making of leaders and managers.
TASK 1
LO 1
Toyota and its management structure
Toyota is known as the gold standard of automotive industry and it reached success in
part with exceptional goodwill in market for the quality as well as customer care it is
providing. The management structure which is being followed in the firm is hierarchical and
it is having a rigid corporate culture. Centralized power structure is being followed in this
company which does not involve people working at lower level in hierarchy in decision
making process (Gregory, 2018). However, in order to deal with external threats, now firm
has brought changes in its management structure and at present, it has greater degree of
flexibility which facilitates business resilience and growth on continuous basis.
P1. Comparing roles and characteristics of a leader and manager
Manager – Manager is the one who gets work done by employees as per what is allotted to
them within stipulated period of time and in the desired manner.
Leader – Leader is the one who gets work done by his team by influencing them to perform
tasks willingly through his behaviour, guidance, support and direction.
Roles of a leader and a manager
Leader Manager
In Toyota, leader’s role is to put opinions, While, manager’s role is to speak for the
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suggestions and ideas of team members in
front of management.
interest of entire firm and on the behalf of
company. He needs to be a spokesperson.
Another role of leader in Toyota is to keep
observing and monitoring the way team is
performing their allotted tasks (Haksever
and Render, 2018).
However, to check and measure the
performance of whole organisation against
set standards is manager’s role in Toyota.
Leader in Toyota makes team reach at the
set targets with high efficiency by providing
them suitable and required instructions,
support and guidance.
On the other hand, in Toyota, manager’s
role is more of a negotiator as his task is
mainly to deal with the external affairs of
business (Rangarajan and et.al., 2018).
One of the most important roles of leader in
Toyota is of team building where with direct
interaction, he deal with employee’s issues
and any other related matters.
On the contrary, manager in Toyota plays
the role of a coordinator where he assesses
the performance of business through getting
reports on quality of products or services
along with business profit and expenses.
Characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leader Manager
Main characteristic which is supposed to be
possessed by a leader in Toyota is to be very
patient to deal with all issues as well as
behaviour of team members (Shevchenko
and et.al., 2018).
On the other hand, patience is required to be
there in manager as well. Being operating in
automotive industry, Toyota has to face
intense competition and so, manager needs
patience to deal with same.
Another characteristics expected from the
leader in Toyota are to be keen and
accommodative so that complex situations
like when conflicts occur in between
employees can be solved effectually.
However, basic characteristic which is
supposed to be in the manager of Toyota is
to be good at creativity and encouraging
innovation so that rivalry among firms can
be effectually dealt with.
It is important for leader to be good at
communication so that at the time of
bringing changes in Toyota, employees can
be easily influenced.
On the contrary, communication of manager
should also be good so that he can tactfully
improve the performance index of Toyota’s
business (Hazen and et.al., 2018).
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