Asphalt Binder Fatigue Analysis

This assignment requires a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms leading to asphalt binder fatigue when tested using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR). Students will need to analyze data from the DSR tests, interpret results, and draw conclusions based on their findings. Additionally, students will be expected to compare and contrast their results with existing literature in the field of road materials and pavement design.

UNDERSTANDING AND
LEADING CHANGE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Various organisational operational strategies after making alterations in an organisation....1
P2 External and internal drivers of changes that affects leadership, team and individual
behaviour.....................................................................................................................................4
P3 Measures taken for minimising the negative impact of change on organisational behaviour
.....................................................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Different barriers of change and its influence on decision making.......................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Different approaches of leadership while dealing with changes...........................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Business environment is considered as a combination of two factors i.e. external
that are beyond ones control and includes micro and macro environment for example: political,
economic etc., and internal factors that exists within the organisation like value system , vision
and mission and many more, both can have an effect on the company (Aslan and Reigeluth,
2013). Therefore, it is essential that companies work according to the current market situations
for this, they must accept changes in an appropriate manner. Company that is taken in this report
is Marks and Spencer, is public limited company that deals in clothing, home products and
luxury food products. The assignment will throw light on comparison between two organisation
so as to know the strategies that firms are adopting along with this internal and external drivers
of change that can affect leadership, team and behaviour of an individual. Lastly, various barriers
for change that influence decision making is included in this report.
TASK 1
P1 Various organisational operational strategies after making alterations in an organisation
Working according to the current market situation always helps the company in making
proper decisions so that they can fulfil the demands of its end customers accordingly. Therefore,
Marks and Spencer is operating its business in an effective manner and as a result they are
enhancing the sales and profitability. Setting up a small target and objectives will not only
motivate the employees but also encourage them in performing the task in a better manner ( Bin
Taher Krotov and Silva, 2015). Company has incorporated latest tools and technologies for
manufacturing excellent quality products. Changes can be seen in context with sales and
profitability as by making some alterations in their strategies they have enhanced their
productivity and growth. Therefore, Marks and Spencer has gained a superior position at market
area.
Changes may sometimes provide benefits but it can have negative impact, so, it is
important that company accept modification after going through the current situation of the
organisation. Other than this, there are some factors that must be considered by the firm like
environmental, economical, political etc., as they play some or the other role for the organisation
so that they can operate their business in an effective manner (Brazer and Bauer 2011). Marks
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and Spencer is taking reviews and feedbacks from its customers and it is helping them in
delivering right products to their consumers.
Henceforth, as compared with other rival companies, M&S is providing better services
because of which they have sustained a good position in United Kingdom. Thus, comparison
between Marks & Spencer and ASDA is given below so as to understand in a better manner.
Marks and Spencer: Company was found in the year 1884, and currently they have
around 979 stores in which 615 are only food selling shops in United Kingdom. Approximately,
84,939 number of people are working in this organisation and they are helping them in
generating more and more revenues (Brisson-Banks, 2010).
ASDA: It is a British supermarket retail company and operate its business in around 642
stores in different locations. As a result the organisation was second largest supermarket chain in
UK according to the market shares published in the year 2014.
Strategies Marks and Spencer ASDA
Competence Changing scenario must be
looked out by an organisation
form time to time so that they
can have an overview about
the current situations. It will
help the company in providing
services as per the needs and
wants of customers. Marks and
Spencer is making their
products unique and for this
they are hiring people who are
experts in designing. This is
enabling them in pulling more
and more customers towards
their organisation.
Basically, ASDA is also
dealing in the same field and
they are operating their
business by providing suitable
products as per the demands of
its customers. For attracting
maximum number of people
they are giving discount
coupons and offers. This is
helping them in increasing
their sales and productivity.
Other than this, they have
implemented latest
machineries and technologies
which is helping them in
giving appropriate services.
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Strategies which are related to
pricing
Change in fashion is creating a
problem in making appropriate
strategies for a long period of
time. Therefore, managers of
Marks and Spencer are going
through the market situation
and with the help of expert
personality the are making
strategies and plan of action.
In some of the products they
have cut down the prices
which is aiding them in
increasing their sales and
profit.
As ASDA is not so popular
like Marks and Spencer. Thus,
they are considering the
strategies that are implemented
by other organisation so as to
have an idea about the current
scenario and work accordingly.
Advertising Strategies There are some of the common
advertising strategies that most
of the company adopt like
Marks and Spencer are giving
commercial advertisements in
Television as well as in radio.
Other than this, they are using
billboards and roadside
hoardings for displaying their
particular products that
company wants to launch
along with different schemes.
Apart from this, Marks and
Spencer is using social media
as number of people love to
ASDA, for pulling the
attention of number of people
they are using same kind of
strategies for advertisements.
Company is broadcasting
innovative commercial ads in
different television channels.
Unlike this, they are publishing
their information in
newspapers, magazines and
social media as well.
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share information through this
medium.
Process For manufacturing a quality
product every commodity has
to through the certain steps for
example: for making a fine
fabric first the company will
gather raw material from
different sources and then
convert this for making a final
products that can be delivered
to its end customers. For this
Marks and Spencer is using
latest tools and technologies so
that they can provide better
facilities to its end customers.
ASDA is providing maximum
amount of services and
facilities by manufacturing
goods and product as per the
clients so as to satisfy the
needs and demands. For
example: they have developed
commodities for making their
customer's life easier and
according to this they are
producing commodities.
Thus, for having an effective growth the company has implemented some changes in the
process of strategies as they are now manufacturing products as per the needs and wants of
customers. Henceforth, they are also focussing on stores in different locations and for this, they
have developed different departments (Brundrett and Duncan, 2011).
P2 External and internal drivers of changes that affects leadership, team and individual behaviour
Leadership: It is considered as a trait that lead and guide other individuals so that the
entire team can achieve the goals and objectives in an effective manner. A good leader encourage
and motivate the whole squad in order to maintain a healthy environment this help them in
creating a mutual understanding between employees. They encourage individual so that they can
push their limits in order to achieve the set targets and objectives in specific time frame. Leaders
of Marks and Spencer is implementing a proper activities that are related to team building as a
result it is helping them in developing a strong team.
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Internal Drivers: This includes certain factors like finance, working environment,
managers, employees relation all these have an impact on business environment and influence
the company. Therefore, it is important that Marks and Spencer consider all the elements before
implementing all the strategies. Other than this, it is prime duty of managers t make sure that a
healthy environment is given to all individuals where workers can perform their task in an
effective manner. Marks and Spencer is generating a huge amount of money by delivering right
quality products to its customers as a result it is helping the organisation in sustaining a better
position at market area (Coronel, Moreno and Carrasco, 2010).
External Drivers: Market share of Marks and Spencer's economy is totally depends
upon this factor. This can have affect the business operations as it can have an impact on firm in
a negative or in a positive manner. Economic policies and rules formulated by government are
the two main factors that comes under this. Therefore, it is essential that Marks and Spencer
makes strategies by determining all the elements so that company doesn't have to make more
changes for the betterment of the organisation.
Leadership linked with drivers of change
Leadership traits are those which differs form person to person it depends upon the
knowledge they acquire during their childhood or so on. Leaders boost the morale of every
member of the team so that they can accomplish the task. As the company Marks and Spencer is
a renowned organisation and to manage the entire corporation it is the prime duty of leaders, that
they give appropriate training to their fresh candidates and existing employees on a regular basis
in order to provide excellent services to its customers. It will aid them in sustaining the loyalty of
customers and gradually increase the sales and productivity. Apart form this, leaders shows
appropriate path through which they can achieve the set targets and objectives (Ellenbogen,
Berger and Batjer, 2010).
Goals and Objectives of a leaders:
Roles performed by a leader is not an easy task as they have to look around for various
factors and circumstances that can affect the entire process of business operations. Some of the
goals and objectives are given below:
Authority: Power of authority is not given to every person as performing with lot of
responsibility is not an easy task it requires a person who is skilled and have ample amount of
knowledge. If the team faces any difficult situation than they are the one who manage the
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problem and generate an easy way to resolve the issue. Although leaders have some sort of
authorities but they support the squad in every worse circumstances.
Control: As available resources are very less so it is important that employees optimise
the limited resources in an appropriate manner (Foltin and Keller, 2012). Therefore, it is prime
duty of leaders to keep an eye on the performance of workers so that all the wastage can be
controlled. Other than this, Marks and Spencer can hire eligible candidates who are very skilled
in their work and perform the task in an effective manner.
Ability of Showing the correct Path: It is considered as an basic role that leaders
perform, after considering all the aspects they chose an appropriate way that can give the
organisation maximum benefits.
P3 Measures taken for minimising the negative impact of change on organisational behaviour
Change is the factor that can affect the business operations in a positive or a negative
manner. Therefore, it is important for Marks and Spencer to identify those alteration elements
that will provide them maximum benefits. Thus, by encouraging the employees leaders can
motivate their worker to perform in such a way that all the negativity can be transformed into
positive outcomes. Henceforth, it is essential that to determine the psychological impact of
change on individual in order to make alterations respectively (Fullan, 2014).
Modification in business activities can create a huge impact on the behaviour of
employees as they may not accept the changes that are done by the organisation as a result a
decrease in sales and productivity can be seen. Therefore, it is important that a proper plan and
strategies are made so that an appropriate steps can be taken.
Creation of pathway: For attaining the goals and objectives it is important that an
appropriate communication between employees are made so that superiors deliver all the
message to its workers in an effective manner. It will help them in adopting suitable way for
completing the task. Marks and Spencer has incorporated advanced communication devices
through which they can interact with employees anytime from every where. Therefore, managers
should inform the respective roles and responsibility for getting an effective results.
Explantation of the whole plan: Making and executing plans for getting appropriate
results is very important. Both these elements are fulfilled by managers. Along with this its their
role to explain the plan in an effective manner so that all the clarifications can be done. A
transparency must be maintain between worker so that they doesn't hesitate in expressing their
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views in front of superiors. It will help them in making changes in their plans if the idea are
innovative and unique in nature (Hintz and Bahia, 2013).
Active participation in meetings and seminars: This is considered as one of the best
possible way through which all the negative impacts can be eliminated. Therefore, managers of
Marks and Spencer must conduct meetings and seminars on a regular basis this will help the
management in having effective interaction between employees and supervisors.
Managing the plan along with its implementation: Every person at workplace is special
and they perform their roles in an effective manner. Company should appoint skilled person who
can help Marks and Spencer in making appropriate plans which they can implement for having
benefits in future proceedings. Therefore, it is important that person who is making strategies and
plan of action must be very focused.
Henceforth, Marks and Spencer should make schemes with the help of others so that their
consent is also included. For this, they are optimising analytical tools which is helping them in
making alteration and modifications respectively. M&S is using Bruke Litwan model for
accepting the modifications that are according to the external and internal factors. This is
providing better results and outcomes to the organisation (Keppel and et. al., 2012).
TASK 2
P4 Different barriers of change and its influence on decision making
With the change in course of time chances of conflicts can rise and it is the prime
responsibility of managers to sought out all the problems that can act as a barrier in business
operations. The basic problem that a company can face is of cultural differences as there are
many person who come for different areas in order to get a suitable job. Apart from this, it
includes external and internal factors that can affect the firm in a positive or a negative way. As a
result organisation may not develop a mutual understanding between its employees.
Frequent changes in external and internal environment may affect leaders in making
appropriate decision making this may include product alterations, raised prices, supply chain,
implementation of new technologies and many more. Time and space provided to the
organisation is the another factor that must be considered by the enterprise so that they can
deliver the product to customers in a proper manner. For this, company can look out for best
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opportunities which they can grab for attaining their set targets and objectives in best possible
way (Latham, 2013).
Self-efficiency perception and resistance to change:
If any company wants to adopt certain changes for their organisation in order to get
effective results it is important that they take views because every person has a different
perspective of looking the situations. Some may not accept the modifications as they feel like it
will have a negative impact on their work. Therefore, they might oppose the situation and
gradually it may leads to barrier, changing this perception can be very difficult for managers to
handle. Therefore, making alterations in somebody's perception can a very difficult task.
Apart from the another problem that can arise while performing the whole business
operation is implementation of new technologies. In current market situation many new and
advanced technologies have raised because of which employees may find it difficult to
understand it in a better manner. So, it is essential that company provides proper training
programmes about how to operate these complicated machineries (Lawrence, 2015).
Force Field analysis
This model was introduced by Kurt Lewin and he mainly focussed on the fact that
conflicts always arises while making some changes and alteration in any business activities.
Leaders faces problems when they want to take tough decisions as the plan must be with the
concern of everybody's in the company. This will help them in maintaining a proper environment
at workplace.
Situational resistance to change
This kind of leadership style helps the organisation in making appropriate decision
according to the current situation that is present in the environment. This is very helpful for
completing the task in a limited period of time but some of the employees may not agree with
this and they can take this as a burden on themselves (Mayfield, 2014).
TASK 3
P5 Different approaches of leadership while dealing with changes
In order to work in an effective manner, managers of most of the organisation implement
different concepts and approaches so that they can have an effective growth in their business
activities. It helps the organisation in performing their task in an appropriate manner, as per the
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market situations. Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard are the one who has profound this situational
leadership style. This approach states that if company wants their employees to work effectively
than superiors must act in an directive and supportive manner. Some of the points are mentioned
below that organisation can adopt for effective growth:
Telling: In a company, leaders shows a low supportive behaviour with having high
directive action so that they can guide their employees for achieving the set targets in an
appropriate way (Mukherjee and et. al., 2012).
Delegating: This shows that leaders are the one who represent both the factor at a very
low level.
Selling: Under this, both the elements i.e. supportive and directive behaviour are
considered at high level.
Therefore, in the current scenario, leaders for motivating and managing their work must
adopt management style so as to perform as per the market circumstances. This assist the
superiors in handling the framing out the strategies for their business operations in an effective
style. For this, it is necessary that all the information provided by the them are done in an
appropriate manner, this will help the workers in performing the task as per the roles that are
assigned to them.
Therefore, leaders of Marks and Spencer are using situational leadership for attaining the
targets according to the situation and circumstances that are present in the market area. Further to
understand it in a better manner Kotter's 8-step model of change is explained and it is given
below:
Increase urgency: Under this, superiors mainly interact with all the employees so that
they can evaluate in what field the changes are required and for making this possible they can
take support of employees. This will assist them in identifying the opportunities and threat that
are present in the business operations (Saha and et. al., 2013).
Building a team: In order to achieve their objectives it is important that company makes
a strong team who can assist them in attaining the goals and objectives in specific time frame.
For this, managers tries to maintain a mutual understanding between employees.
Develop a vision: For considering the core values and setting up a vision company can
achieve a superior position at market area. Through this they can utilise all the resources that are
available to them (Kotter's 8-Step Change Model, 2017).
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Communicating the vision: For achieving the effective results it is essential that all the
information is communicated to its employees in an effective manner. Other than this, leaders
must make sure that the message is conveyed in a proper way.
Removing obstacles: Under this, company tries to see all the obstruction that can hamper
the whole business operations. For this, company can make strategies that can minimise the
chances of risks (Salmela, Eriksson and Fagerström, 2012).
Create short term wins: By making short term goals and achieving them company can
motivate and encourage their employees in order to accomplishing their task effectively. This
will reduce the chance of failure.
Build on the change: Some of the time most of the team fails because they celebrate
their victory too early without determining the consequences.
Anchoring change in the corporate culture: This is considered as an important factor as
it gives an overview about the alterations whether they want to do it or not. Therefore, Marks and
Spencer has implemented latest tools and technologies for getting an effective outcomes (Tang,
Lu and Hallinger, 2014).
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that, change in an organisation is very
important as it enable the organisation to perform their task according to the current market
situations. This help the firm in achieving their goals and objectives in specific time frame.
Leaders and managers plays an important role in assisting the changes that are to be done.
Therefore, company implement different models of changes for getting an appropriate results.
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