TABLE OF CONTENT INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1 P1 Role and characteristics of leader and manager.....................................................................1 P2 leader and manager role in several business situations..........................................................3 P3 Theories of leadership............................................................................................................5 P4 Operation management approaches........................................................................................6 P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.............8 P6. Factors within the business environment that can impact decision making of leaders and managers......................................................................................................................................9 CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10 REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
INTRODUCTION Operation management (OM) is the process that aids management in managing business activities in best possible manner and producing high quality goods to meet stakeholder requirements. Present study is based on IKEA, it offers furniture, homeware items to mass audience across the world (Chaudhry, 2018). Company has earned 41.3 billion revenues in the year 2019. Furthermore, it has employed 211000 employees globally. Current assignment will describe characteristics of leaders and managers. It will explain role and function of leader and manager in several situations. In addition, report will explain situational leadership theory, system leadership approach and contingency model of leadership. It will explain the uses of TQM, lean manufacturing approaches in operation management. In addition, assignment will highlight value of OM in the organisation and how approaches of OM help the company in meeting organisational goal. Study will evaluate factors that impact on overall operations of IKEA and affect operational efficiency of business unit. P1 Role and characteristics of leader and manager Leader is the person who is responsible for giving necessary direction to staff members so that they can understand their job role and can perform it in workplace comfortably. On other hand manager is the person who has responsibility to manage workforce (Shinde and Fleck, 2015). Each company hires people those who have good leading and managing capabilities. This skill of them make them different from other people in business unit. IKEA aims to retain its talented people in the organisation for longer duration and want to make them loyal towards the brand, for that it always ensures that their leaders and managers put best efforts and contribute well in accomplishing this goal successfully (Chiu, Balkundi and Weinberg, 2017).Difference between leader and manager are described as below: Leadermanager Leaders ask questions with the employees and ensure that all the employees are performing their task in effective manner. Managers are responsible for giving necessary direction to its staff members so that people perform duties well and they make minimum mistakes at workplace. Leaders make followers, as people admire their work and they start following their path which makes them able to finish their allotted Managers work at top level and they make subordinates those who manage work in the absence of manager. These subordinates are 1
with quality and on time (Hamilton, 2017).allotted work by mangers and they have to look upon the lower level employees Leaders implements motivational style where they encourage people and ask their opinion. This type of leading styles makes them able to gain trust of people and making them loyal. By this way they follow instruction carefully and perform well in IKEA. Managersalwaysimplementsauthoritarian style,theygiveinstructiontolowerlevel employeesandensurethattheywork according to given guidelines only. Managers do not give much power to employees hence sometimesworkershavetoworkunder pressure (Burgess, 2016). Leadersalwaysencouragenewideasand implement these ideas into working practices. Thistypeofapproachhelpthemin performing well in organisation and gaining desiredresultinIKEA(Rolffandet.al., 2019). Managers always have great ideas and all theseideasaresharedwithupperlevel authorities.Onthebasesoftheseideas decision are made in the IKEA Leaders encourage changes so that work can be done smoothly and can be finish with more quality. Managers do not really accept changes so easily, they face lots of problems hence they reach on changes Leaders create vision where all the employees areclearwiththisvisionandtheywork together to achieve this vision. Managers have to create goal and they set direct in such manner so that that set goal can be obtained. Leaders have unique ideas and they always work in a unique way that is why they give the best result to IKEA. Mangershavetofollowtheguidelinesor principle of higher authorities hence they just copytheworkingpractices(Denysiuk, Opryshko and Strzelecki, 2016). Leaders implements unique ideas hence they have capabilities to take risk, this risk taking ability makes them different from managers. Managers are responsible to make effective controloverrisk;theyalwaysensureto minimisemistakessothatnofuture complications take place in business unit. Leaders are the person those who have long term dreams and they work to accomplish Managers work for achieving short term goal of firm. 2
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long term objective of IKEA (Mehralian and et.al., 2017). Managers have good communication skill, this characteristics help them in interacting with rest staff members effectively and making them understand the given task so that they can perform it well. Confidence is another great characteristics of manager, this confidence develops trust of employees on managers and they get inspired with the working style of management in IKEA (Androniceanu, 2017). Leaders behave humble with other staff members that is the unique characteristic of leader. They lead people by giving different example so that they clearly understand the task and perform it well. Leaders have great experience of success and failure hence they continuously work to improve their existing capabilities. P2 leader and manager role in several business situations Leader and manager are the key player of business unit, both they work in different direct but to achieve the common goal of business unit (Kapur and et.al., 20170. Functions of managers in different situation are explained as below: Planning: Managers have to make proper plan in order to accomplish the future goals of business unit.They are responsible for evaluating contingences that might occur in future hence they make plan accordingly so that such kind of risk can be minimised. For example, if new technology is coming to the manufacturing industry and IKEA wants to implement it then due to technological changes resistance of employee might get increased which may create situation of high staff turnover. In this condition manager of IKEA has to make plan to systematically inform them about new technique and advantage of these equipment’s which will help in handling his situation in effective manner (Singh and Singh, 20180. Organising: This is another most import function of manager, manager of IKEA organise the employees in structural manger so that work can be completed on time. For example: if demand is high then managers will have to hire new people and will have to give them right job so that demand can be met. In this situation managers of IKEA will have to ensure capabilities of each employees and accordingly allot them work so that demand can be met (Guruchannabasavaiah and Shankar, 2019). Commanding:This is another function of manager where individual has to make strong command over operations so that mistakes can be minimised. For example if there is 3
sales decline then managers would be responsible for commanding over all staff members so that they put best efforts to raise sales of the company (Vo, Kongar and Suárez Barraza, 2019). Coordinating: managers have to interact with everyone, for example if HR leave policies are going to be changed then staff members might fail to perform their task effectively which may create conflict in the company. In this situation manager of IKEA has to coordinate the detail with them so that they can understand necessity of this changes and accept new policies properly (Bloom, 2017). Controlling: Mangers control over operations so that objective can be achieved time, this makes them able to meet the demand significantly. Leaders also perform different role in IKEA, they also have some different function that makes the firm able to gain competitive advantage. Role and function of leader in IKEA are described as below: Improving motivation of staff members: Leaders are more attach with employees hence they work to motivate people. For example, if staff turnover is increasing in company then leaders of IKEA has to encourage workers and build confidence among them so that they perform their duties well and stay in the firm for longer duration. This function of leader helps the company in accomplishing its common goal successfully and retaining staff in the business for longer duration (Function of leadership, 2019). Creating healthy workplace culture: Leaders of IKEA continuously work to create healthy workplace culture where all the employee feels happy. For example; if company wants to make changes in its policies then conflict may get arise but due to having great culture people will listen these new changes and they will start working in new changed atmosphere as well because of support of higher authorities and rest peer group members. Every one like to work in the place which is friendly and they can share their feeling. Hence changes can be handled effective when leaders of IKEA create healthy workplace culture (Denysiuk, Opryshko and Strzelecki, 2016). Giving Direction: Leaders’ function is to give clear direction to all employees so that they get to know what they have to perform. Right direction assist them in performing task with full efficiency and managing the work in efficient manner. But if workers 4
do not get correct direction then overall organisation performance can get affected. For example: if new technologies are being implemented by firm then leaders give direction to employees and make them understand how to work in new equipment’s. This raises their confidence and they become familiar with leaders (Chiu, Balkundi and Weinberg, 2017). By this way enterprise become able to manage changes in the IKEA in significant manner. P3 Theories of leadership Leadership is the skill of person to lead group of people and manage their work. Situational leadership This theory states that leaders are responsible for retaining staff and raising their working performance. Leaders have to react as per the requirement of different situations. Each company faces different situations which many times create problem for organisation. Style of leaders must be changed continuously by looking at current condition of business unit. Leaders have to behave in directive manner (Mehralian and et.al., 20170. Leaders have to supervise employees and leaders of IKEA has to ensure that employees follow their instructions carefully. Selling is another style in which IKEA’s leaders must get involved in each activity or in daily operational process. They have to coach them and have to guide them well so that confusions of employees canbeminimisedandpeoplebecomeabletoperformtheirworkinefficientmanner. Participating or supporting style must be adopted by leaders. Situational leadership states that if there is conflict situations at workplace then leaders have to give their support to workers and have to involve them in decision making process. This helps in gaining trust of staff members and making them loyal towards the brand (Androniceanu, 2017). This leadership theory focus on creating environment where employees of company can work comfortably. It ensures that leaders support staff members so that their efforts give best result to business unit. Situational leadership enhances awareness among leaders and they understand how to react in several conditions. But sometimes situational leadership fails to address the human needs properly, as it is unable to work better in the environment which is task oriented. This theory only concentrates on immediate needs rather than long term requirement of IKEA (Guruchannabasavaiah and Shankar, 2019). System leadership 5
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This is another leadership theory that states that leaders are key player of organisation hence they have to ensure that productivity level of company gest increased. Leaders must develop health environment where people feel happy. Effective system drives positive behaviour of employees which gives positive result to business unit. This states that each activity is depended on other hence leaders are required to understand business issues and develop working environment in such manner so that that issue can be resolved easily (Denysiuk, Opryshko and Strzelecki, 2016). System leadership theory is more flexible in order to adapt environmental changes in effective manner. As by implementing this leadership leaders of IKEA can make employees ready to perform the work in efficient manner. This model is very supportive in order to understandrequirementofchangesinthefirmbyconsideringmacrofactors.Effective coordinationbetweenallactivitiesisanothermainadvantageofthistheory.Butover conceptualisation sometimes create problem for organisation in managing human resource (Chaudhry, 20180. Contingency leadership theory This theory describes that leader’s effectiveness is much more depended upon how leader is ready to react on different situations. Leaders are required to understand requirement of several conditions and use the required style for that. Leaders those who are having great personal skills can develop healthy relationship with employees. This may support inretaining skilled people in business unit for longer duration. Task oriented leadership gives best result to theIKEA, people thosewho have high powermust implementthistypeof leadership. Relationship oriented leaders develop relationship with others which makes them able to make people positive towards the brand (Chiu, Balkundi and Weinberg, 2017). This theory has adaptive nature, leaders can easily evaluate each situation and can manage work effectively.It helps in determining situation in effective manner. But it is very difficult to react different because sometimes it makes workers negative towards the brand. P4 Operation management approaches There are various models and approaches which are used by companies to manage their operations in efficient manner. Total quality management (TQM) 6
This is considered as structural process that aids in measuring quality of products and make correction in existing production process so that firm can get advantage and can generate more sales in business unit (Denysiuk, Opryshko and Strzelecki, 2016). Principle of TQM states that consumers must be focused which may help in analysing their requirements. hence IKEA can make efforts in the right direction to get best results. Employee involvement is another principle of TQM that describes that firm has to ensure high employee involvement in business unit. This can support in creating great culture where all the people feel happy and they work together to serve to consumer well. Process centred is another essential principle of TQM which works to handle quality properly by utilising resources well. Leaders of IKEA always ensure to get innovative ideas so that continuous improvement is quality occur. Apart from this, leaders involve employees and ask their suggestion. Managers ensure participation of all workers in decision making process which aids in knowing more about consumer requirement. This model aidsIKEAinminimisingproductionerrorsandraisingqualityofgoodsandservices (Androniceanu, 2017). Just in Time Inventory (JIT Inventory) JIT inventory is the model which concentrates on decreasing wastage during production process, it uses input in proper manner and ensure to get desired output. This process is helpful in minimising inventory cost and raising profit of the firm to great extent. IKEA is taking support of JIT process in which it first ensures needs of consumers and ensure to get required amount of stock that may help in meeting consumer's demand. IKEA buy raw material from such suppliers that provides them high quality goods and services. This type of strategy aids business unit in managing the work in effective manner and meeting the quality standards. IKEA implements the strategy where it keeps the holding cost of inventory lower so that production cost can be managed (Guruchannabasavaiah and Shankar, 2019). Furthermore, this tactic of business aid in improving cash flow and minimising cash outflow in the organisation. By this way enterprise also get benefit to minimise dead stock that means effective utilisation of resources and inventories. One of the major benefit that IKEA gets by using JIT approach is that it reduced cost and wastage and improve productivity of company significantly. Managers keep records of inventory and supply chain activities whereas leaders ensure that each inventory is utilised in proper manner without wastage (Vo, Kongar and Suárez Barraza, 20190. Kaizen 7
This is the model which is also known as continuous improvement approach, this model works in the direction where people share their views that aids in making positive changes in business unit and meeting the quality standards. It works on several principles that are having assumptions, be proactive, look for the best solution. IKEA can get benefit by using this method, as this would help in getting employees involve in the decision making process which will aid in managing the work in effective manner and analysing mistakes as well. Furthermore, this methodisusefulintestingeachproblemandfindinggreatsolutionofsuchproblems significantly (Singh and Singh, 2018). Results of tests are analysed in proper manner and managers make positive changes in existing process so that productivity can be improved and wastage can be minimised. Leaders continuously talk with staff members and managers monitor each task so that problems can be identified timely. P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives There are various approaches of operations management that supports business in easily establishing and achieving their goals and objectives. Total quality management is one of the most important approach that can be used by IKEA. This approach can support organization in improving the quality of products by reducing waste. Good quality ofproductsalways gives everyorganizationa strong edge over its competitors. It also rewards the business with customer patronage, word of mouth andgoodwill. It is because of these benefits that totalquality managementhas become so important. In total quality management leaders can engage in bringing out the new processes of manufacturing and making them understand to people(Singh and Singh, 2018). They must motivate employees to be engage in doing quality work so that this can help in increasing the productivity as well as efficiency of firm. This can also support and help firm in growing. Maintain quality in services also help IKEA in meeting out the customers’ expectations. Quality of firm can also be enhanced by bringing out better training and development in organization. By better training the quality of goods provided by IKEA will also be improved(Singh and Singh, 2018). Just in time approach is the most important method which can be used by IKEA. It is the strategy which can help firm in maintain optimum amount of raw material. When leaders in IKEA make use of this strategy of approach they can effectively and efficiently make use of raw materials. This can also support firm in saving the operational cost by effectively making use of the raw materials. Just in time approach can also support firm in reducing the burden which can 8
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be faced by organization because of high inventory. It can assist firm in creating less wastage that can reduce their operational cost and they can save money which can be invested in other better opportunities(Singh and Singh, 2018). This is beneficial as excess inventory can result in inclusion of extra cost. If company will spend extra cost, then it will result in rise in price of materialswhich can reduce thesatisfaction level of consumers of IKEA. So leadersof organization need to lay emphasis that there is an effective use of raw materials. If raw materials are effectively used, then this can help in making the supply chain management better. So this will also help in increasing the satisfaction level of consumers. Kaizen approach is also one of the most important approach that can be used by IKEA to achievetheirorganizationobjectives(SinghandSingh,2018).Thismethodisrelatedto continuous improvement, so it can enhance the quality of services which is being provided by company. A firm that uses this approach therefore has to have a culture that encourages and rewards employees for their contribution to the process. Also leaders of IKEA should motivate employee to be engage in motivate employees to enhance their performance. This can help firm in growing and achieving their objectives and goals. This can help them in establishing their market share. P6. Factors within the business environment that can impact decision making of leaders and managers There are various factors like political, economic, social and many more that can lay impact on decision making of leaders and managers. Political factor-This includes various factors like policies and procedures given by government that can affect working of IKEA(Singh and Singh, 2018). It has been analysed that China and India have make their acts and laws liberal, so international firm such as IKEA can invest over there. Leaders and mangers can engage in framing proper plan so that they are easily able to establish their market in new areas. This will also help company in increasing their market share(Singh and Singh, 2018). Economic factor-This includes factors such as inflation rate, fiscal policies and many more. If labour rate in any country increases, then this can affect the operational aspects of IKEA. It can increase their operational cost. Economic condition of any market can affect the decision making of leaders and managers. In order successfully grow, they should be engage in making policies according to economic conditions of areas. 9
Social factor-This can include factors like value, belief, attitude and thoughts of people that can affect decision making process of leaders and managers.It is important to respect the social and cultural values of the local market. “Ikea has not always gotten these local nuances right. This can affect decision making of leaders and managers. So the leaders and mangers needs to make sure that they do not produce any product that can harm or hurt the sentiments of consumers. As this can negatively affect the image of IKEA. It can also hinder the growth of organization and reduce their profitability aspects(Singh and Singh, 2018). Legal factor-It includes the laws, rules and regulations that has been passed by authorities or government. Leaders and managers IKEA decision making has been affected by this. They need to make sure that company addresses all laws which has been given by government. Company must make sure that they provide safe and secure working condition to employees. This will also help them in retaining workers(Singh and Singh, 2018). It will create employee loyalty and also they would be able to attract more workers. It will also create goodwill of IKEA in society. Company must also engage in not discriminating among workers on basis of caste, colour, race or religion. Environmental factor-It includes all the concerns related to environment that can affect decision making of leaders and managers in IKEA. In this leaders and managers must engage in following corporate social responsibility (Denysiuk, Opryshko and Strzelecki, 2016). They must make sure that they are engage in donating 2% of profit to charitable organizations. CONCLUSION Above study can be summarised as operation management is the process that supports in improving production process and managing the resources in efficient manner. This application gives benefit in analysing problem in existing process and finding the best solution so that organisation can get the best result and can gain competitive advantage as well. Raising profit is great benefit that firm can get by using effective operation management tactics. Leaders and managers are essential part of business unit, both they have different role in the enterprise but they both work to obtain common goal. Their contribution in business unit gives benefit in improving process and eliminating mistakes in the workplace. By this way consumers can get quality goods and services and firm can raise their satisfaction level to great extent. Motivation by leaders and direction by managers support the company in retaining talent in firm for longer duration. using JIT approach reduces cost and wastage. It is helpful to improve productivity of 10
company significantly. Managers keep records of inventory and supply chain activities whereas leaders ensure that each inventory is utilised in proper manner without wastage 11
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