Operational Leadership and Management in the Digital Era

The provided content comprises a collection of academic articles, books, and online resources that focus on various aspects of management, particularly in the context of operations. The topics explored include recent developments in disaster operations management, the future of operations management, group technology applications to production management, and the impact of TQM and technology management on operations performance. Additionally, there are discussions on systemic leadership theories, green operations, enterprise risk management, and hotel management and operations.

Management and Operations

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1...........................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................4
P.1Roles of leaders and managers in context of an organization................................................4
M.1Analyse and differentiate between roles and characteristics of leaders and managers.........5
P.2 Analysis of different roles of leaders and managers in different situations..........................6
M.2 Assessment of Strengths and weaknesses of approaches.....................................................6
P3 Application of different types of theories and models of leadership......................................7
D1 Critical analysis and evaluation the different theories and approaches to leadership............8
TASK 2...........................................................................................................................................8
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................8
P4 Explanation of the key approaches to operation management and the role that leaders and
managers play..............................................................................................................................8
M3 Evaluation of leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management
to successfully meet business objectives.....................................................................................9
P5 Explanation of the importance and value of operational management in achieving business
objectives.....................................................................................................................................9
P6 Assessment the factors with in the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision making by leaders and managers....................................................10
M4 Analysis of different factors which can affect the business environment and wider
community.................................................................................................................................10
D2 Critical evaluation of application of operation management and factors that impact on the
wider business environment......................................................................................................11
COCLUSION...............................................................................................................................11
COCLUSION...............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
A process which impacts on the arrangement of the people, machines and activities in an
organisation can be stated as a management, operational management is related to the employees
and business activities which helps to the management and organisation to increase the
profitability in their work (Wu, Olson and Birge, 2011). The present file is having on it's focus
on the Marks and Spencer which is a retailer company. This report is having content on the
managers and leaders features which helps to them to attain. Leaders and managers are having a
huge responsibility so they have to use proper leadership theories which are described under
here. Managers and leaders are having huge responsibilities to attain business objectives. So it is
essential for the managers and leaders to management and to make effective decisions on the
issues.
TASK 1
INTRODUCTION
This present task is based on the different roles and functions of leaders and managers in
the aspect of an organization. In this report, it has been assessed that leaders and managers play
an important role in the context of Marks and Spencer. Also, difference between leader and
manager has also been discussed.
P.1Roles of leaders and managers in context of an organization.
In an organization, the role of leader and manager is considered to be the most important
and vital in an organization. Leaders and managers are held responsible for creation and over all
development of company (Jacobs, Chase and Chase, 2010). In the perspective of Marks and
Spencer, which is one of the biggest company engaged in the business of retailing of clothes, it
has been evaluated that the leaders and managers of the cited company aim to manage the human
resources of company in such way that they can contribute in achieving of entire business
objectives and goals of business organization.
Leaders: They are those persons who have an ability to lead the employees and workers
of company in such a way, so that workers can become more work oriented. They have a power
of leading and controlling over its work force and also employees of company.

Managers: Managers are those persons who are taking responsibility to exercise control
over human resources of company by using effective skills of managerial administration. The
characteristics of managers in respect of Marks and Spencer are as follows:
 Managers of Marks and Spencer aim to conduct the business process in an smooth and
efficient manner.
 The managers are always depend upon his top level management to take decisions and
authorities.
Managers always listen to its employees but it does not involves each and every employee in
decision making process (Talk, 2016).
On the other hand, characteristics of leaders are as:
 Leaders of Marks and Spencer are full of emotional intelligence and he also apply it
to various streams so that they can conquer best work out of their employees.
 Leaders of the cited company always wants change in their company so that they can
achieve objectives.
M.1Analyse and differentiate between roles and characteristics of leaders and managers.
As, analysed, leaders and mangers are the most crucial part of an organization. The
management of Marks and Spencer Company are operated by leaders and managers of the said
firm. There are various theories which are related to management and leadership. Different
theories and approaches are as:
Management theories:
Administrative theory of management: This theory depicts that there should be various
elements in of theory which are related to effective management in the cited company (Childe,
2011). These are related to planning, organizing, commanding and coordinating of employees in
Marks and Spencer. Also, proper controlling should be ensured by the management of the
company over its employees so that their workers can be effective in their tasks and work that
has been assigned to them. According to this theory a management is called efficient and
impressive if it is properly planned and managed according the strategies.
Leadership theories:
 Situational leadership theories: According to this theory leaders adopts those theories
and approaches which are suitable according to the situation. It means that there are
different situations which required different styles of leadership. For an instance, the
leaders of the cited company are of opinion that different leadership styles should be
adopted in accordance with different contextual situations. It is also related to the concept

that there is no particular theory related to a particular situation. It is beneficial for the
company as it enables application of different leadership styles and approaches in varied
situations.
P.2 Analysis of different roles of leaders and managers in different situations.
It has been assessed that there are different roles and characteristics of a leader and
manager in the context of a company. In regard to the company namely Marks and Spencer, it
has been assessed that there are various roles and functions of managers and leaders in varied
conditions. These situations are assessed as follows:
 Relationship with customers: The foremost role of manager and leader in different
conditions is related to building a strong and effectual relationship with its customers and
consumer. The role of manager and leader extends up to the situation that is related to
have a close interaction with its customers by rendering good quality services to them.
Team building: The managers and leaders are accountable for making and formation of different
teams and department in the premises of company (Ham, Hitomi and Yoshida, 2012). It means to
assign tasks in each and every department of the company so that work can be effectively
managed and quality can be achieved.
 Suppliers: In the context of Marks and Spencer Company, the main function of manager
and leader is to create good relations with is suppliers. It can also be noted that there are
if there will be good relations with suppliers, they will provide super quality services to
the company.
 Decision making: Moreover, it has been assessed that leaders and Managers of the cited
company are answerable to take decisions regarding innovation in production of clothes
and luxury home products.
M.2 Assessment of Strengths and weaknesses of approaches.
There are different approaches used by leaders and managers in the context of Marks and
Spencer are administrative theory of management and situational leadership approach. The
strengths and weakness of areas:
Strength of administrative theory:
It is an effective theory which is easy to implement in the organization (Singhal and Singhal,
2012).
 It results in higher productivity and profitability of the company.
Weakness:
 It is still a human activity or in other words based on the application by human.

Mistakes and misrepresentation can also be occur at the part of human or managers and leaders,
which can hinder the performance (Naphade and et. al., 2011).
Strength of Situational leadership:
 It creates a positive environment I the company.
 Employees are able to adopt changes in accordance with the style of leaders.
Weakness:
 It creates and forms confusion in the premises of company.
 There is no fix criteria for adoption of leadership styles by the leaders of the company
namely Marks and Spencer.
P3 Application of different types of theories and models of leadership
There are different theories and approaches which are generally used by the managers in an
organisation. These approaches and theories are useful for them to maintain balance in an
organisation because situation in an entity is uncertain and dynamic. It can be changed at any
time. It helps in facing all such situations in an appropriate manner without violating anyone
interest. The formulation of these theories are correct and proper. Hence, organisational
situations are uncertain and unfavourable so, these theories are helping them to overcome from
these conditions. Following are those theories:
Situational leadership: According to this theory it is clearly defined that managers and
leaders have to change their working style or they have to change themselves according to their
employees behaviour. They have to find out an appropriate method in which they can get fit
easily. By using the given company reference, it is one of the largest retail outlet, so leaders
have to change their style. This is one of the best way to motivate employees and encourage
them to fit in any situation(Baldwin, Allen and Ridgwa, 2010).
System leadership: According to this theory, it is clearly stated that a leader is totally
dependent upon all such policies which are formulated by higher authority. They have to follow
such guidelines and rules on which company is running. This increase number of chances for
getting success. In M&S leaders have to force to their subordinates to follow such rules and
policies. Managers have to monitor all things that they are going in a systematic manner. This
theory is totally based on system(Barratt, Choi and Li,2011).
Contingency theory: In this theory researcher described that there is no one way of doing
all things properly and correctly. Managers and leaders have to apply their own theory in such
situations which are unfavourable. Mark& Spencer leaders and managers have to apply their own

theory and approaches which help them in any situation. So, that they can produce more and
more and satisfy their customers.
D1 Critical analysis and evaluation the different theories and approaches to leadership
All leaders and managers have to use appropriate technique at that time when it is
needed. This helps in increasing firms efficiency. Managers and leaders of given organisation
have to use suitable method according to condition. This helps in achieving goals and objectives
along with this it also helps in increasing business efficiency. Further more they have to work for
society and in welfare of their workers by using appropriate theory according to situation so, that
they can not be going to face any problem. By providing proper training organisation can satisfy
and fulfil demand of their customers(Krajewski ,Ritzman and Malhotra ,2013).
TASK 2
INTRODUCTION
As the Marks and Spencer is working in the retail sector and having affair in the
international market so they have to make proper a business activities as per the business
objectives (Wong and et. al., 2012). Mainly organisation is working in the retail selling and
online selling of products. they are having their supermarkets in the main markets of the UK.
P4 Explanation of the key approaches to operation management and the role that leaders and
managers play
Dynamic approaches: This approach leads to examine all lower and production level activities of
M&S. This is very effective approach because this method helps them in setting target and
promotes the result based solution. There are four major elements of this techniques which are:
knowledge, learning, contingencies and problem solving. Another important factor of this
approach is that it promotes to all the workers to get aware about new technologies and how they
can operate that so, result become effective(Hill and Hill, 2012).
System approach: This approach helps an organisation to find out all such elements and
factors which are going to affect profitability of business. Managers of cited organisation have to
use this method to analyse all such factors and have to start work on those.
Role of managers at operational management: Managers have to analyse and combine all
activities of organisation and use their proper and effective style so that they can earn better
result. M& S managers have to use their skills which helps them in effective result.

Role of leaders in operational management: Leaders are the backbone of an organisation
and their importance occur at each level in organisation. They are helpful in providing guideline
and path on which all business activities are running. They make their employees understood that
they have to combine their personal objectives with organisational objectives. Cited organisation
leaders perform these task and due to this they can attain target and objectives effectively. M&S
leaders motivate their workers and understand their interest also. This understanding helps them
to provide quality product to end customers. Hence, they are important and their importance can
be felt at every level(Jacobs, Chase and Chase, 2010).
M3 Evaluation of leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to
successfully meet business objectives
Leaders and managers are responsible for each activity of an organisation whether it is related to
production activity and at other level. They are helpful in providing best quality product by
working on organisational efficiency. So, managers of Mark& Spencer have to use convenient
methods which helps them in increasing organisational efficiency. This promotes in doing
everyday task and daily basis activities in a systematic manner. Their basic work is to manage
quality of all products which are deliver to their customers. Their another work is to analyse the
customers preferences for a product and have to provide such product to them. This helps in
consumer satisfaction which further more leads to calculate by the increase in sales. This leads to
increase their profitability. Thus, managers and leaders are helpful in success of cited entity.
P5 Explanation of the importance and value of operational management in achieving business
objectives
Operational management is having huge importance in attaining the business objectives
so managers and leaders have to make their focus on it and they have to use it in the organisation
(Galindo and Batta, 2013). It can helps to the managers to increase the working efficiencies of
the employees which are undertaken by them and it can helps to the managers and leaders to use
their resources effectively. It can also helps to the management to increase the effectiveness of
the employees against to the business objectives (Peng and Lai, 2012). Marks and Spencer is
having their object to increase their work cause they are having a huge market competition cause
many of the companies are working in this segment. By this they can increase their cost
effectiveness in the activities which can help to the managers and leaders to increase their
revenues and profits. Marks and Spencer is having target to provide proper customer satisfaction

so it can help to the company to increase the effectiveness to provide better quality work as per
the expectations of the customers. As they are working in the competitive environment so it can
increase the product development process (O'Fallon and Rutherford, 2011). As they are working
in the online and retail sales, it can increase the sales of the company at the cost effective prices.
P6 Assessment the factors with in the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision making by leaders and managers
As the Marks and Spencer is working in the international market, so it is essential for the
company to assess those factor which can impact on the operational management and decision
making of the management. Some of these factors are:
Revenues: As the Marks and Spencer is private ownership company so they are having focus on
the revenues and profits. It is the main objective of the company to increase the profits and
revenues as per the requirements. Each and every decisions of the leaders and managers are
having impact on the business activities. So it can increase and decrease the cost of the products
which can impacts on the annual revenues and profits.
Government: Rules and regulation made by the governments have to be followed by the
company. Mainly those decision which are related to the employees have to be take according to
the government rules and regulations (Jacobs, Chase and Chase, 2010). They have to make their
decisions which can increase the efficiency of the employees in the organisation.
Customer: Marks and Spencer is having their focus on the customers, cause each and every
decisions which are made by the leaders are having an impact on the customers. Mainly
decisions which are related to the [p5roducts and services have to be effective as per the
customers expectations.
M4 Analysis of different factors which can affect the business environment and wider
community
Customer satisfaction is the main object for the Marks and Spencer so it is essential for
the company to make their products and services in an appropriate manner by which they can
provide proper customers satisfaction either it can reduce the number of customers (Gunasekaran
and Ngai, 2012). Mangers have to analyse customers expectations by which they can improve
their products and as well as their services.

D2 Critical evaluation of application of operation management and factors that impact on the
wider business environment
Operational management helps a firm to reap the target by combining all the activities of
an organisation. Along with this they are the major determinant who helps in providing quality
number of goods to consumers so that they can attain maximum number of sale. Managers have
to adopt all such techniques and methods which help them in their achievement of goals and
targets(Kuruppuarachchi and Perera, 2010). Work of a manager is to provide flexibility to an
organisation and have to work on such factors which increase proficiency of an organisation.
M&S managers have to use such methods so, that they can provide flexibility to their firm which
leads to support in working all functions and activities properly.
COCLUSION
As the above presented report Marks and Spencer is having their affair in the international
market and they are having huge market rivalries so they have to maintain their business
activities. The management have to include their employees in the decision making process by
which they can increase effectiveness of the decisions as per the targets.
COCLUSION
The above presented report is has been concluded that management and operations is
essential part fro the organisation to increase their effectiveness. Situational, contingencies
leadership style can be helpful for the organisation to make effective business strategies and
policies for the organisation. Leaders and managers are having their separate roles and
responsibilities in the Marks and Spencer but they have to make their business activities as per
their mutual business objectives. Leaders are having vital scope to deliver their performance and
their decisions are having impact on the whole organisation so they have to make effective
decisions by which they can increase the working capabilities of the employees and as well as
they can attain their business objectives.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baldwin, J.S., Allen, P.M and Ridgway, K., 2010. An evolutionary complex systems decision-
support tool for the management of operations. International Journal of Operations &
Production Management. 30(7). pp.700-720.
Barratt, M., Choi, T.Y and Li, M., 2011. Qualitative case studies in operations management:
Trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. Journal of Operations
Management. 29(4). pp.329-342.
Childe, S.J., 2011. What are the hot topics in the management of operations?.
Galindo, G. and Batta, R., 2013. Review of recent developments in OR/MS research in disaster
operations management. European Journal of Operational Research. 230(2). pp.201-211.
Gunasekaran, A. and Ngai, E.W., 2012. The future of operations management: an outlook and
analysis. International Journal of Production Economics. 135(2). pp.687-701.
Ham, I., Hitomi, K. and Yoshida, T., 2012. Group technology: applications to production
management. Springer Science & Business Media.
Hill, A and Hill, T., 2012. Operations management. Palgrave Macmillan.
Jacobs, F.R., Chase, R.B and Chase, R., 2010. Operations and supply chain management.
McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Jacobs, F.R., Chase, R.B. and Chase, R., 2010. Operations and supply chain management.
McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Jacobs, F.R., Chase, R.B. and Chase, R., 2010. Operations and supply chain management.
McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Krajewski, L.J., Ritzman, L. and Malhotra, M.K., 2013. Operations management: Processes and
supply chains (Vol. 1). New York: Pearson.
Kuruppuarachchi, D and Perera, H.S.C., 2010. Impact of TQM and technology management on
operations performance. IUP Journal of Operations Management. 9(3). p.23.
Naphade, M and et. al., 2011. Smarter cities and their innovation challenges. Computer, 44(6),
pp.32-39.
O'Fallon, M.J. and Rutherford, D.G., 2011. Hotel management and operations. John Wiley &
Sons.
Peng, D.X. and Lai, F., 2012. Using partial least squares in operations management research: A
practical guideline and summary of past research. Journal of Operations Management.
30(6). pp.467-480.
Singhal, K. and Singhal, J., 2012. Imperatives of the science of operations and supply-chain
management. Journal of Operations Management, 30(3), pp.237-244.
Talk, O.M., 2016. Operations management.
Talk, O.M., 2016. Operations management.
Wong, C.W. and et. al., 2012. Green operations and the moderating role of environmental
management capability of suppliers on manufacturing firm performance. International
Journal of Production Economics. 140(1). pp.283-294.
Wu, D.D., Olson, D.L. and Birge, J.R., 2011. Introduction to special issue on “Enterprise risk
management in operations”.
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