Understanding and Analysing Business Management and Operations: A Case Study of Toyota Plc.

Understanding and analysing business management and
operations
1

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Task 1 Individual written report.................................................................................................5
LO1 Leadership and Management Concepts.........................................................................5
1.1 Define and compare the roles and characteristics of both managers and leaders,
highlighting the difference between management and leadership (P1).............................7
1.2 By applying a range of theories and concepts of leadership and management, analyse
and differentiate between a leader’s roles and a manager’s functions (M1)......................9
Task 2 Written Report..............................................................................................................12
LO2 (Applications of the role of a leader and function of a manager)................................12
2.1 Give examples of at least two different situational contexts and examine how the
role of a leader and the function of a manager are applied in organisations (P2)............13
2.2 Explain how theories such as situational leadership, systems leadership and
contingency apply to the organisation and how these have supported growth and
sustainable performance (P3)...........................................................................................14
2.3 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different management approaches to
situations within the work environment of your selected organization (M2)..................15
2.4 Within the context of your selected organisation as an example, critically analyse
and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership discussed above in
terms of their purposefulness and utility. Identify any leadership gaps and suggest which
leadership approach would work better for the organisation and why (D1)....................17
Task 3 PowerPoint Presentation...............................................................................................18
LO3 (Leaders and Operations Management).......................................................................18
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play...................................................................................................................18
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives..........................................................................................................................18
M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational
management to successfully meet business objectives....................................................18
2

Task 4 Report...........................................................................................................................26
LO4 Leadership and management in a contemporary business environment......................26
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by leaders and managers..............................................26
M4 Analyse how different factors affect the business environment and wider community.
..............................................................................................................................................28
Conclusion............................................................................................................................31
References................................................................................................................................33
3

Introduction
The main aim and purpose of this report study is to analyse the principles of management as
well as leadership. For gaining of the in-depth knowledge and learning about effective
management and leadership an organisation has also been selected which helps in supporting
to a meaningful conclusion about the management and leadership concepts. The company
which is selected is named as “Toyota Plc.”. Toyota Plc. is an organisation that is responsible
for the marketing, sales and after sales function within the United Kingdom. The company
serves across worldwide and has a structured operations management. In addition to this, the
report study emphasis on the operations management within the selected company and
identify various theories, framework and others which is related to the real world example i.e.
Toyota Plc. The assignment comprises of the written report and PowerPoint presentation also
which provides the comprehensive understanding about the assessment of business
management as well as operations. Conclusion is also drawn at the end of the assignment.
Figure 1: Toyota Models
Source: (Toyota, 2018)
4

Task 1 Individual written report
LO1 Leadership and Management Concepts
Introduction
This section of the report describes about the brief knowledge and management structure of
Toyota Plc. has been discussed. Moreover, the comparison in between the features of
managers and leaders has also been highlighted under this section. Furthermore, relevant
concepts and theories relating to the leadership and management are also stated in this part of
the report study.
Introduction of chosen organisation (Toyota Plc.)
Toyota Plc. has been engaged in the national sales, marketing arm for the Lexus and Toyota
in the economy of United Kingdom. The company has been listed among top 100 companies
with Sunday Times in the year 2017. The operations management of the company contains
the function of sales, marketing, customer relationship and many others which are delivered
across various nations (Toyota, 2018). It is among the world’s leading automotive company
of the United Kingdom which has sold nearly 100,000 cars in the year 2016.
Key Aims of Toyota Plc.
 Encouraging the personal as well as professional development
 Empowering the best in people one can have
 To support career progression through appropriate milestones and developments
(Toyota, 2018)
Management Structure of Toyota Plc.
5

Figure 2: Toyota Motor Finance
Source: (Impremedia, 2018)
The Toyota Plc. has been segregated within three sub divisions such as automotive, Toyota
financial services and other businesses. The management structure of Toyota Plc. is very
vague and is according to the various countries and economies. Toyota Plc. has various
divisions and sub-divisions depending upon their operational and functional management
depending on the management and leadership level.
6

1.1 Define and compare the roles and characteristics of both managers and leaders,
highlighting the difference between management and leadership (P1).
Managers – The managers are defined as the persons of an organisation who are responsible
for the overall functioning and management of organisational work and are also responsible
for designing and framing strategies according to the pre-determined goals and objectives
(Ionescu, et. al., 2014). At Toyota Plc. for achieving the desired level of outcome and attain
the objectives and goals of the company the managers play the role of formulating strategies
and policies which is aimed at achieving the desired result through proper planning.
According to the views and thoughts of the author Ionescu, et. al. (2014), the managers also
play the role of analysing the employee performance appraisal through the regular interval
and time periods.
Leaders – The leaders are referred to as the personnel of an organisation who are responsible
for getting the organisational work done by the employees in a systematic manner which is
aimed at achieving the desired goals and objectives of the company. Leaders of Toyota Plc.
play a significant role in motivating and guiding the employee towards working
enthusiastically and support them in case of any issues and conflicts arising within an
organisation. The main motto of the leaders is to enhance, inspire and influence the
performance of employees towards a positive manner so that the productivity of the
organisation can also be increased (Avolio and Yammarino, 2013).
Comparison in between the characteristics and roles of Leaders and Managers
It is observed that the roles and features of a manager and leader are sometimes
interchangeable also. The managers also play the role of a leader and vice versa. However,
the functions of both the manager and leader differ from one another.
Managers Leaders
The manager formulate the aims and
objectives of a company
The leaders are the once who persuades the
objectives framed by the managers in a well-
defined manner.
7

Managers emphasis on the things of a
company and its resources
Leaders focus on the people of the
organisation i.e. employees or workers.
Manager transmit or communicate the
policies and objectives to the leaders
Leaders follow the policies and make the
employee or workers to perform according to
the set policies and objectives.
The main role of manager is planning and
organising of the organisational resources
Leaders focus on influencing and motivating
the employees and implementing the
management ideas and thoughts into the
reality (Avolio and Yammarino, 2013)
8