Operations Management Research Papers

This assignment presents a collection of research papers exploring diverse facets of operations management. The papers delve into topics such as software process development, team creativity, environmental management in manufacturing, just-in-time production, knowledge management, freeway management, performance measurement, risk management in operations, and intelligent decision support systems for reservoir management. The readings offer insights into key concepts, challenges, and advancements within the field of operations management.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P.1 Roles and characteristics of a good leader...........................................................................1
P2- the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situation. ..................3
P3- Theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership and
contingency.................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4- key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play.. .5
P.5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives............6
P.6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders.........................................................................................................7
and managers..............................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
The report operation and management consist to understand the importance of the
operation in which the various key approaches can be implemented by the leader and manager.
The organisation chosen in the organisation is Mark and Spencer which is the multinational
organisation in the united kingdom deals in the retail sector well the serve sector. The different
role and traits of the leader and manager will help to boost the performance of the organisation.
The different style of the leadership try change the organisation environment. As lo some of the
factors are affecting to the business environment which can influence to the decisions of the
manager and leaders. To satisfies the customer the operation management is important.
TASK 1
P.1 Roles and characteristics of a good leader and manager.
The roles and characteristics of a good leader and manager under Mark and Spencer
organization are as follows:
Roles of a good leadership and Role of manager:
 Leadership required at all the levels of the organization
Leadership is essentially required at all the levels under the M&S organization either it would be
top level, lower level and middle level. The top level management is to governed down the plans
and policies under the organization and essentially takes decisions, middle level work is carried
out task and work done as per the directions of top level and execute the plans which prepared by
top level management and while lower level management is to follow their routine nature of
work and carried out the task which assigned by top level according to there efficiency and
capability(Cachon, and Terwiesch, 2009).
Manger have to use the resource of the organizations: In every organization manger need the
better resource planning in which they try to save the cost.
 Represents the organization on his behalf
Leader role under the M&S is to represent the organization and attended public meetings,
conferences, seminars press interviews and made effective communication with them.
 Formulate and execute the strategies and plans
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Under M&S organization leader is to formed the strategies and plans and execute those while
working and assigning task to the individual and provided time period to complete it so work
will be carried out and it also helps in improving the performance.
While manager will bring the better approach of the planning to accomplish organizational task
and try to manage the team.
 Reconciles his own goals with organizational goal
One more role of a leader under this organization is not to think about his personal interest and
integrate the personal goals of the members with organizational goals and try to coordinate with
others so the target can be achieved and objective will be accomplished.
 Characteristics of good leadership and manager.
 Leader is Honest with members
In our organization the characteristics of leader is that he will be honest with his staff and team
members and be open to others and truthful to other members.
Manager is work according to ethics and principle: in the organization manger have to
follow different rules and regulation and according that only they have to manager each and
every things.
 Flow of communication between team leaders and team members
Effective communication should be there under this M&S Organization between the leaders and
team members, so through that the target will be achieved and it directly meets the wants of the
organization this only possible due to effective and proper communication.
 Manger try to do Effective communication with employees: In the organization
manager have to communicate with each and every employees know their problems. In
the M&S manger will try to bring the effective communications.
 Flexibility
A leader should be flexible and should take decision and solve the problem according to the
situation and possibly right kind of decision should be taken by them by watching down the
stanzas that creates under the working environment.
 Consistent between words and actions
He should be consistent between the words and actions it means practice those only w hat it
preaches.
 Passionate
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A leader should be passionate in his working , whatever the work he is doing just be passionate
about it.
P2- the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situation.
As per the context of M&S the role of a leader and functions of manager is different
A)Leader is innovative thinker.
The both role is different under M&S organization the leader every time comes with the new
ideas and moves the organization forward according to that thinking process, his thinking is not
limited , whatever the thought process goes in his mind he applies those thought process while
working , develop new strategies and plans and his thinking based on future.
The manager administrates the organization
Manager is a person who administrates down the activity which goes under the organization and
maintain control the work and activity which performed by the employees, staff in the
organization otherwise there will be chances of disorder.
The leader inspires the person while the managers controls the organizational activity
The leader under M&S inspires the other people and motivate the other people and boost them to
carry out the work and performing task, so that motivation helps them in achieving
organizational objectives while the manager in our M&S and controls down the activity which
goes under the organization by helping them so they will be very useful and will be an asset to
the organization and also bringing down new talents time to time and manager creates a team of
such people who are talented, skillful and having ability to learn the new things and time to time
provide new opportunities to them and provide them reward in form of placements, promotions,
appraisal , hikes etc so it motivates team to do work with great energy and capability.
C) The ques regarding the leaders asks is “what” and “why” while the manager asks “how” and
“when”
Under this organization generally the questions which arising under the minds of leader is
“what” and “why” such type of questions is repetitive again and again and generally asked by the
leader from his team and lower departments and sometime raised questions for the superiors too
and that to be answered by them to the leaders and the manager questions raised upon “how” and
“when” and they generally asked the questions from the organizational people,, staff, lower
departments and other authority and there questions is generally based on it and such people who
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worked under the organizations have to give answers to the managers as per the questions asked
by the managers because manager is held responsible for the work which goes under the
organization and they know that rules ,regulations, policies and procedures are very important
under the organization and manager duty is to carried down such functions and essentially take
those while performing out work, then only the target will be achieved.
P3- Theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership and
contingency.
`Situational Leadership in context to M&S
Definitions:This theory defines the leadership style that based and work according to the
situation.
Explanation:This , theory tells that there is not any single leadership style which is correct and
would found effective for this organisation . It also tells that good leader is such person who
adapt it according to the situation and will work according to that only and perform down such
functions as per the demand of the situation and applying it while performing duties or carrying
out the task (Slack, Chambers and Johnston, 2012).
Applications: Leader should first considered the situation that exists and after considering it,
apply them in there working. For examples if the organisation have occurred any situation which
is not able to manage by the top management will help the such leader from the team members
and save organisation by damaging from the huge loss.
System leadership in context to M&S
Definitions: It defines as the rules and regulation with proper principle of the organisation will
be applicable these leader are called system leadership.
Explanation: This theory tells about that the leaders should have work according to the system
and fulfilled those requirements which demanded to him. It tells that leaders should follow the
rules, regulations, policies and carrying task as per the system demands. It focuses on the
managers, managerial team and the organisation. It aware the managers regarding the system
what is demanded and what are the changes to be bring under this, manager should improve the
system in such a way that possibly no errors will be arise out from that, manager should not have
to spent excessive amount on training, identifying the requirement and changes under leadership
style, work in a systematic manner.
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Applications: Applied in systematise manner and follow the norms and possibly having all the
answer related to the questions that are raising, removing the hurdles which arise in the
leadership process, balancing the issues that arise in the leadership and supply it according to the
demand situation, fulfilling the gaps and solved down the potential issues which arising under
the leadership process.
Contingency leadership in context to M&S
Definitions:It considered that there is not a possible method to organize a company, to
lead in front as compared to others or to take down decisions.
Explanation:The actions based on contingency factors that based on internal and external
conditions . It said that there is not a possible method of organizing but rather ,it depends upon
the atmosphere or working conditions that person who deals with (Radnor and Barnes, 2013). It
also says that the leader is essentially formed when members accept him and idealise him and
respect him.
Applications: It is applied when the leader have the various decision which can be influence the
operation without concept and theories have been implemented in organisations.
TASK 2
P4- key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play.
Every Organisation have different types of leaders and mangers that play the important
role to manage the operations. Leader will motivate their team to achieve the organisational
goals. While mangers try to solve the problems of different department to manage the operation.
Leader have to take certain decision form the betterment of the organisation while the manager
works according to the plans and polices made by the organisation. Sometime leader involve s
their team to take part in certain declension but the mangers will implement the decision by
managing the employees. The organisation like M&S is already a well establish organisational .
The leader and manger will play a major role in M&S to achieve the organisation goal and avoid
the conflicts situation. Some of the decision of the leaders and mangers have impact on the
organisation performance as well the employees. The various approaches of the operation
management such as follows:
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 To improve the inventory management: This the approach in which the operation
management will help to improve the inventory of the organisation in which the very
things in the organisation will be safe and place in a better manner. If any emergency
happen the inventory can be save so that the more damage of inventory can be reduce.
 Total quality management: in this approach the management try check the quality of
the operational and other production which are important for the organisation which the
customer satisfaction is important for the organisation and the operation management will
bring the better quality during the production so that customer satisfaction can be
achieve. Manger have to deal with various problem of the quality management is not
considerer during the production process. The quality management assure top give the
best possible products to the customer. Also the marketability can be increases if the total
quality management used in the M&S.
 Action centred approach: in this approach of operation manager the leader and manger
will try to take the rapid action to achievement business objectives. If the proper action
with best possible solution can not be taken that the organisation have to face the
situation where the low production can be arise. In the action centre approach the leader
and manger avoid the conflict situation.
 Functional approach: The operation management will bring the situation by
implementation the functional approach in which they have to focus on the function of
organisation. The M&S use this approach to management operational work in
organisation as they will focus on innovative way doing different task which can bring
the better outcomes.
P.5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.
For the every organisation the operation management have the some importance to
achieve the organisational objective in systematic way with the better resource. In M&S
management set some important objectives. The values of operation management will seen when
the customer have the deadline and the manage is not able to delver the service on time if the
operation management is not in systematic way then it is not possible to achieve the organisation
objectives (Seshadri, and Subrahmanyam, 2013). The productivity of the employee or to save the
additional cost for their production have some importance of operation management. Sometime
business objective is not only the organisation benefit but to make the brand image in front of the
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customer and other competitive at that time the organisational operation management play the
important role for various works.
 Inputs and Claimants: the inputs from the operation management will include the
manpower, business capital and managerial skill and other technical skill and knowledge
in the leader will have. In M&S leaders and manger try to implement different plans
form the betterment for the organisation so that it will be beneficial in the operation
management also. If the right kind of employee will hire in the organisation can
 Managerial transformation Process: This is also the impartation for the operation
gentleman to achieve the business objectives is to transformational managerial process
will bring the situation easy for the M&S as the right kind of managerial skill will help to
manage the operation. The organisational environment will be better in terms of the
managerial process will bring their change in organisation. Also an effective manager
will bring the better outcomes.
 External Variables: The effective leader and manager will always try to find the
external issues which can be avoided for the better operation in the organisation. The
importance to solve the external issue bring the value of operation management in which
the business objective c an be achieve.
 Outputs: the task of the manager and leader bring a situation where the more operational
work will get some outcome. Employee will help to get the better outcome but the
supplies and other key person will also have the major role to get the better tuition. If the
inventory is not proper than the manger have to solve the issues on time for the better
outcomes (Fuggetta, and Di Nitto, 2014). As a result the approaches are to bring proper
system in the organisation to solve the conflicts within stakeholders and also it is
importance to achieve the organisational goals.
Business objectives Operation management help to achieving
the objectives.
Customer services From the above objective that customer will
happy with the operation management which
can be the reason by the customer services. As
the customer services and better quality will be
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achieving due to the operation management.
Also the six sigma can be the example for the
better operation management is applicable in
the organisation which can be the help to
achieving the business objectives.
P.6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders
and managers.
In every organisation both internal external factor will affect to the business environment.
But most of the factor which are external have major impact on then business environment
because it is not possible to control by the management. Some factor affect the business
environment such as follows:
 Economic factors: This are the factor affect the business environment in such a if the
economy deals with the situation such as,unemployment, inflation, deflation, currency
rate, GDP and other economic crisis in the economy will affect the business. For the
organisation like M&S have to deal with such inflation in which the all the possible raw
material price will be high and the products price will also be rise due to high price in all
the process (Bryson, Daniels, and Warf, 2013). As lo the employee salary wages are not
able to mange if the economic condition are not better for the business. Once the
economic condition bring the better situation that then organisation have the change to
get earns the more revenue from the nation.
 Social Factors: the social factor will affect the business environment in which the
society taste and preference will change according to the availability of M&S products.
Some time the society play the major role in the organisation as the cross culture people
have the different mind set for the organisation. The management and leader decision
also influence from the society. The society needs the innovative product and every time
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they need the new things. So that the manage and leader try to bring make the better team
for the innovation and product development will takes place for the society.
 Political Factors: if the government will change any policy or some new tax reform will
be announce, it can be major impact on the business environment. Sometime the
government intervention have huge impact on the business bring then situation of
downfall of goodwill. If the business practice are not better than the politics involvement
have the impact on then business and after that the business objectivist can t be achieve
easily (Morey, D., 2012). So in that situation leader and manger have to take decision
carefully with proper rule and regulation of government made.
 Technological Factors: if any technologies have been change than operation cost can be
reduce or the production quality may can be affect if the new technology is not able to
give the same quality and the old technology machinery is producing. But due to
technology manger and leader can take de scion to save the time and cost involve in the
production.
 Legal Factors: the laws related the business can affect on the business environment,.
Such laws related d to the labour laws or the fixed wages can be heavily impact on the
revenue of the organisation as they've e to give the more compensation to the employee
with such laws (Arnason, R., 2009). At that time the leaders and manager have to take
their decision in context of such laws which will never influence on their decision as well
on the business.
 Environmental Factors: The environmental factor affect the business in such as way
that the huge loss ca n be arise if any epidemic have been arise or the floods and other
problems will always affect opt eh business environment. As such the leader and manager
have to take the decision according to the future perceptive so that such situational can
not make any huge loss fore the organisation if the precaution have already been taken by
the management .
Internal Factors: Inbound Logistic and Human resource management of M&S are the internal
factors that will affect on the management and operation.
CONCLUSIONS
It can conclude that under M&S leadership is an essential requirement because the success and
failure of any organisation is depends upon the qualities and attributes of leader. If leader follows
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all the functions,Fulfilled all his responsibilities, carried their work in a right manner then only
company will achieve its growth and sustainability and beat the competitors. As it already been
explained that the leader and manager both are separate and there mission and vision us also
different and both have to performed their obligation as per that only. Leaders have to work
according to the different situation and follow the different approaches while approaches and
models during leadership process. The,business related factors are also affecting the work
culture,so leaders have to plan all these things in advance.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Operational Research, 193(3), pp.741-751.
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Bryson, J., Daniels, P. and Warf, B., 2013. Service worlds: People, organisations, technologies.
Routledge.
Cachon, G. and Terwiesch, C., 2009. Matching supply with demand: An introduction to
operations management. Irwin Professional Pub.
Cronk, R.N., Callahan, P.H. and Bernstein, L., 1988. Rule-based expert systems for network
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Morey, D., 2012. High-speed knowledge management: integrating operations theory and
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