The Impact of Manager Network Centralities on Leadership

This assignment requires a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between manager network centralities, social power, and followers' perception of leadership. The student needs to examine the effects of these factors on effective leadership and provide evidence from various sources, including academic journals and online articles. The assignment aims to understand how managers can utilize their network positions to influence their teams and organizations more effectively.

OPERATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1 Define and compare different roles and characteristics of a leader and a managerial...........1
P2 Examination of role of leader and function of manager applied in different situations in
Brakes..........................................................................................................................................3
Different theories and models of leadership...............................................................................4
Key approaches to operation management.................................................................................5
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.............6
Factors impacting leaders and managers decision making.........................................................7
M1 Role of a leader and function of a manger with the help of relevant theories and concepts.
.....................................................................................................................................................8
D1. Critically analyse the different theories to leadership..........................................................8
M2 Strengths and Weaknesses of different approaches to situations within work environment.
.....................................................................................................................................................8
M3 Methods in which leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational
management................................................................................................................................8
D2 Critically evaluate the application of operations management and factors that impact on
the wider business environment..................................................................................................9
M4 Factors affecting the business environment and wider community.....................................9
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is the term referred to management of business programs
to generate a level of efficiency in organisations practices. It works into consideration of
developing raw materials and labour into goods and services effectively to maximize profit. It
focuses in handling strategies and issues related to workplace by implementing different
practices. It is related to controlling and designing the production process. It implements
responsibilities in fulfilling customer needs and makes sure that business operations are
efficiently undertaken. It relates to planning, organising, directing and controlling in relation
with production and services. The present report is based on Brakes (also Brake Bros Ltd) which
is a distribution company and supplying food, drink and other products to catering industry in
UK, France, Sweden from more than 70 centres, headquartered in Ashford, United Kingdom.
Further, the report covers different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
Difference between the leader role and managers function is analysed. Along with, importance
and values of operations and management achieving business objectives is explained.
P1 Define and compare different roles and characteristics of a leader and a managerial
Definition of a leader: Ability of an individual or an organisation to show path or guide to
others such as individual, team or whole organisation. A particular person who can influence
others and dominate them in a particular field.
Definition of a manager: A person who has the skills to manage resources and bring
outcomes with the available resources. Individual responsible to control or administrate an
organisation, a group of staff. A person who influence other employees to perform effectively in
the organisation.
Comparison between a leader and a manager in Brakes:
 Leaders create a vision, managers create goals.
Leaders makes a way for their people and paint a picture of what they see in future as possible
and inspire them to make it in reality. They think out of the box what an individual is capable to
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do. They think bigger and create examples for others. They make a good functioning team and
make them work together to accomplish goals. Whereas, managers mainly focus on setting goals,
objectives and achieving them by controlling and directing it(Abdelhak, Grostick, and Hanken,
2014).
 Leaders are change agents, managers maintains the quo.
Leaders focus on new innovations and embraces change and see that if things are working and
find new way to accomplish it. They accept changes and challenges redefining systems.
Managers stays with the work and system of work and processes to make work better.
 Leaders work differently, managers copy.
Leaders try to set examples and work by themselves. They take initiatives and build unique work
and differentiated by others. They stand out of their comfort zone and give better results.
Mangers usually try to mimic the competent behaviours and learn from others and adopt
leadership styles rather than exploring it(Ageron, Gunasekaran, and Spalanzani, 2012).
Roles of a Leader and a Manager:
Leader:
 Required at all level: Leadership is important at all levels of the management. In top
level, important to get cooperation for implementing plan and policies. In middle and low
level, required for operational and execution of plans.
 Representative of the organisation: A leader, can be anyone is said to be the
representative as he is concerned with organising meetings, conferences and seminars to
motivate employees for the enterprise.
 Solicits supports: A leader is a manager and besides that he supports and entertains and
provide cooperative support to his subordinates. With his personal and intelligence and
maturity he provides results.
Manager:
 Set objectives: Manager set objectives and establish goals that employees need to
achieve.
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 Organise: Organises tasks, distribute right work to right people and allocate resources.
 Motivate and communicate: In order to achieve outcomes they motive employees and
make cooperative teams and make arrangements according to it(Grant, and Alexander,
2013).
P2 Examination of role of leader and function of manager applied in different situations in
Brakes
Manager and Leader applies different leadership theories and approaches as per the
requirement of the situations. The situational theory embraces specific styles that perfectly suit
the situation. Thus, leadership theory emphasises on clearly understanding the situation and to
react as per the requirement.
Therefore, the situation may arise of giving training to the employees who are unable to
perform better. In such condition, managers and leaders will justify the need of training for the
employees. On this basis of justification, the training program will be arranged for the employees
to meet their needs. The classical management theory is best to justify the situation as it is more
helpful for the development of the employees(Ashkenas, Ulrich, Jick, and Kerr, 2015). Thus,
manager may assist better ideas that are helpful in encouraging for improvement. Moreover,
managers will make plans and try to control and monitor them with giving a proper direction to
the employees. In the above situation, the leader can use transactional leadership style that may
help the employees in encouraging them to perform better.
Another situation can be of conflicts, in this condition the employees would not be
feeling well in working with other in a team. At this situational leadership will be of most use
because the leader will be able to take decisions keeping in mind the situations' importance.
Leader takes the initiative to know the problem of the team and provide solution as per the
requirement. The contingency theory is as same as the situational where they focus on helping
more for the situation and create examples of being a good quality leader(Griffin, 2013).
P3 Different theories and models of leadership
The different theories of leadership are as follows:
 Situational leadership: This leadership theory is not based on any particular approach. It
is believed in this theory that leader need to adopt a leadership style that can match the
needs and qualities f the team members which he will lead. Therefore, the decision
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making power of the leader will be depended on various members on whom the major
decision will be affected. In case of processing food in Brakes, the leader need to
delegate work to different workers as per their skills and efficiency(Chiu, Balkundi and
Weinberg, 2016). At the same time, the leader need to guide and support his team
members in their working conditions. Apart from this he also needs to provide a good
communication to all the team members so that there is no situation of conflicts at the
workplace.
 Action centred leadership theory: This is a broader scale of leadership which cover a vast
scope. In the modern scenario, this leadership is best suited for organisations. In Brakes,
the company works in food processing business, it is known that they have many
departments who need to work together to provide better outcomes. It is necessary to
manage all the departments as the requirement of the supplier and the receiver. This
action centred leadership is best suited for achieving the goals, it covers three aspects
which is achievement of the objectives, managing team and individual management.
Thus, the tasks are distributed differently and according to their abilities. The manager
does the monitoring and coordination in different departments. Here, leader fixes
standards to make team work according to it(Abdelhak, Grostick, and Hanken, 2014.).
 Contingency model: This model states that it is the best style of leadership which can be
followed in Brakes. Its effectiveness and success of the company depends on its
leadership style. According to this, task oriented and relationship oriented is beneficial
because their efficiency depends and match with the situation. For example, to deliver
goods in perfect time there is a need of perfect leader – member relations and the task
structure should be developed according to the requirement. Leader must position power
to control his subordinates and provide rewards for them.
 System leadership model: It is a style where leader describes the organisation boundaries
with transformation of leadership style. Here, in Brakes leader communicates his
mission, vision with the team members and make a healthy relationship. Trust between
the employees is made to make sure that employees work efficiently(Liden, Fu, Liu,
and Song,2016).
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P4 Key approaches to operation management
There is an importance of operation management in process of production. The people
who work in production process have a special consideration in operation management where
they work systematically. In Brakes as per the required in the operation management to reach a
particular objective different strategies can be made. Brakes make strategies that can help in
achieving its goal. Some approaches in operational management are explained below:
 System approach: It refers that in the process of food processing procedure in Brakes a
systematic approach is used where the raw material is received and converted to wanted
outcome to be delivered to catering services. It also reflects that their existence in the
society is for different economic conditions. Thus, they work to match the different
business environment to coordinate their current situation(Indrawati, Salim, and
Djawahir, 2015).
 Dynamic approach: In the present global conditions the economy in the present
conditions wants organisation to adopt different strategies that can help them in meeting
current business needs. According to this approach, the company needs to develop
learning, knowledge and problem solving approach. By these elements the company is
able to make changes and acquire new technologies and environmental changes.
 Role of leader in operation management-
The leader sets the goals, vision, mission for the company in Brakes. The starting performance
needs more focus to determine their strategies. These statements need to be essential in their
daily line activities. The leaders make strategies to meet their goals and objectives in the
company. They also manage the team and develop them.
 Role of manager in operation management:
Managers follow basic structural rules and regulations of the company and set objectives and
goals according to it. They are responsible to give inputs and convert it to desirable outcomes.
Apart from this they focus on giving appropriate products and deliver results to compete in the
market. To maintain standards and quality of products they need to make a criteria so that they
can perform according to the expectation(Ashkenas, Ulrich, Jick, and Kerr, 2015).
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.
Operation management of an organisation is associated with the creation of highest level
of efficient possible. It is the set of activities that creates value in the form of services or products
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by transforming inputs into outputs. It aims on the careful management of all the business
operations from designing to production. This effectiveness of all the business components
ensure achievement of aims. This tool is important for the company because of the numerous
advantages possessed by it. Some of the roles played by it in achieving business objectives are as
follows:
Improved productivity: In this techniques, the ratio of output to input is aimed to be increase.
There are several actions which can assist in increasing the productivity of an organisation. The
tools of operations management that helps in boosting the fecundity of the entity involves
effective logistic management, market research and development tool, supply-chain
management, designing strategies, implementation of effectual policies, etc. (Hazen and et. al.,
2014). These factors ensures the productivity by strengthen the inputs. This tool also helps in
maintaining the flow pattern of a business that directly impacts upon the productivity. Besides
this, if all the functions will be managed properly then it will help the Brakes in gaining cost-
effectiveness, achieving quality of the products and services, resolving many errors at initial
level, etc. In addition to this, proper monitoring of all the processes is required to maximise the
profit of the company.
Operations Improvement by Total Quality approach: Total quality management or TQM is a
tool that ensures the quality of services along with increasing customer satisfaction. It serves the
company with the overall factors that are required in an effective management of the business.
There are various factors which are associated with this approach such as customer-focused,
involvement of all the employees, process-centred, consistent development and communication
(Kuipers and et. al., 2014). This feature further helps in gaining trust and loyalty of consumers
which will bring profitability to the organisation. Rather than focusing on a some element, this
technique emphasise on each and every business component. This concentration on individual
business segment helps in achieving the organisational objectives in a stipulated time frame.
P6Factors impacting leaders and managers decision making
There are many factors that affect the decision-making of a leader and a manager in
operation management of Brakes.
1. Internal factors :
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 Financial variables – The operational management and functions of the company are
dependent on the financial variables of the companies financial structure , budgets,
policies and their norms which highly affect the decisions of the company. So it is
required to look at all these factors before making decisions.
 Value system: Every organisation have their different values and culture, in which the
managers and employees and the organisational practices are done. Systems are
generated in which they have to work accordingly keeping their actual values. All the
workers are also made directed towards these systems to work together.
 Internal relations: Internal parties include employees, managers, stakeholders, owners
their relation in coordination level and their bonding which determine their ability to
make proper decision. In Brakes the manager will make better decisions when there is a
good relation within all members.
2. External factors :
 Suppliers : They supply raw materials to the company with all the required resources
which is helpful in making final products. So the company need to make contact with
many suppliers and relation to delay or breakdown in supplies.
 Competitors : The company need to formulate their policies and regulation in keeping
mind the rivals of the company. The competition is high in market so against it many
policies are made to sustain competition Beside this they need to have a brief check on
the market condition.
3. Market intermediaries : The company needs help from others such as third party who
produce their promotional strategies and promote goods and services. Although they also
help in distributing goods and services for the company so that it reaches its final
consumers.
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M1 Role of a leader and function of a manger with the help of relevant theories and concepts.
There are considerable differences between a leader and a manger present in an
organisation. A leader is a person who keeps a virtue to lead the employees by encouraging
them. He/She aims on achieving the trust and loyalty of the followers. Also, implementation of
new ideas, thoughts, innovations, etc. in the organisation are brought by him/her. In contrary to
this, managers are the persons who manages the activities of an entity by controlling the
workforce (Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015). Besides this, they do not believe in innovation
rather they are aimed on maintaining the stability.
D1. Critically analyse the different theories to leadership.
According to Great Man theory, leaders are born with the quality of leadership which can
not be develop (Winter and Knemeyer, 2013). However, the trait theory believes that these are
the traits of human beings that makes them a good leader and they can be develop with time. In
contrary to this, contingency theory states that there is not a single way of leadership rather the
quality of leading the group depends upon the various situations. Further, behavioural theory
explains that it is the behaviour of a leader as opposed to their social, mental and physical
characteristics that helps them in leading.
M2 Strengths and Weaknesses of different approaches to situations within work environment.
All the approaches that are mentioned for different situations have some strengths and
weaknesses associated with them. The conduction of training is beneficial, it will develop the
lacking skills of the employees which will result in the increased performance of the overall
organisation. However, the cost associated with organising the training programmes will hamper
the effectiveness of entity.(Love and et. al., 2014). Beside this, conflict management resolve the
issue between the workforce and comes their work on track. It may however be notes them
sometimes biased decisions affects the employees that can influence them to terminate.
M3 Methods in which leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational
management.
Effective operational management depend son the effectiveness of leader and mangers
working in the company. In context to the, Brakes the ways in which the efficiency can be
improved are as follows:
 By managing the logistics so that effective supply chain management can be perform.
This action is helpful for both the customers and the entity.
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 It is required to implement effective strategies with foreseeable results.
 In order to develop product, company should focus on all possible modifications in the
old one so that cost associated with entire development can be reduced (Akalin, Huang,
and Willems, 2016).
 Leaders and managers should ensure a consecutive flow pattern in the process of
managing the functions.
D2 Critically evaluate the application of operations management and factors that impact on the
wider business environment.
As per the views of Kalpakjian and Schmid, (2014), it is very necessary for Brakes to
manage all the business operations effectively. There are many advantages of it such as increased
productivity, increased sales that will bring profit for the firm, effective supply chain
management, total quality assurance, etc. All these factors helps in achieving the business
objectives. Also,internal environment becomes transparent and health by managing all the
functions nicely. In contrary to this, Dale (2015) said that despite that the implementation of
operations management in an organisation is beneficial, there are some factors that are not good
for the effective development such as cost associated with the management of operations,
complex structure formation due to the segmentation of tasks, etc.
M4 Factors affecting the business environment and wider community.
Internal factors does not only affect the business environment, their impact is wider up to
communities too. For instance; If there is low level of communication between designing and
production department then it will result in development of less effective product. This thing will
not only hamper the organisation's profitability but will also affect the needs and demands of
consumers (Van Der Aalst, 2013). In addition to this, if the employees are less skilled then also
they will harm the productivity of the business as well as present ineffective results to the
community. Similarly, the delays in the is affective for both the entity and the consumers.
Conclusion
The operation management is a complexed task where the managers perform their duties
to reach the objectives of the company. Here they need to systematically work and carry out
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production process. The managers and leaders have different roles, leaders build team and
motivate them and mangers implement on that team and set objectives. They perform their duties
by implementing different leadership styles which help them to coordinate with the employees in
the organisation. They take decisions as per the requirement and demand of the situations. Along
this the components that affects the business environment are also discussed in this report and
decision-making by leaders and mangers is also discussed.
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