Unit 4 - Management and Operations

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Define and compare the roles and characteristics of a leader and manager.........................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2. Role of a leader and functions of a manager applied in different situations.........................3
P3. Application of different theories and approaches of leadership...........................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play..............................................................................................................................6
P5. Explain the significance and value of operations management............................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6. Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making..............................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations is undertaken as the procedure which is used by business
concern for improving the performance and undertake various techniques and strategies which is
based on time. Company tends to put emphasis towards the use of needed resources so that
proper production is being processed in an effective manner (Reid and Sanders, 2019). For this
purpose, the management tends to represent the administration of business which is managed and
controlled by working effectively so that all the desired result can be achieved in an effective
manner. To carry a study on importance of management & operations , Debenhams is undertaken
in this project. It is one the British multinational retailer operating its store in UK and Denmark
with its franchise store in other countries. The report tends to cover the major difference between
leader and manager considering their roles and functions and with the help of effective
approaches significance of leader and manager is discussed undertaking the importance of
operation management. Lastly, it also assess the business environment factors that has major
impact on the decision making of operational management.
TASK 1
P1. Define and compare the roles and characteristics of a leader and manager
Management and operations is the administration of business practice that tends to create
highest level of efficiency within an organisation. It is related with converting raw materials and
manpower into finished goods and services in order to increase profitability. It is important in
terms of increasing the productivity and the ratio of input to output for effective result. For this,
both leaders and managers play an important role which is discussed below:
Leader: Leader are those individuals who motivate and encourage team to accomplish
their goals and objectives that are more sustainable. These are the one who tends to provide
proper direction and guidance to their team members to accomplishing their goals and objectives
within the stipulated period of time (Meredith and Shafer, 2019). The leaders of Debenhams
tends to use various leadership styles and approaches like transformational leadership, situational
leadership and so on that varied according to the requirement and demand of situation and make
sure that the objectives are accomplished with proper adequacy.
Manager: Person who tends to administer each and every circumstances which is related
with effective management and administration and also ensure that always best thing comes out
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from their working. Managers of Debenhams play significant roles and responsibilities and also
tends to ensure regarding the overall performance of employees for working without any barrier
and provide effective training and development according to the requirement.
Role of leader: Innovative vision: A leader used to provide clear and innovative vision to their
employees for achieving the goals and objectives within specific period of time
(Fahimnia and et. al., 2019). The leaders of Debenhams tends to offer transparent vision
and offer significant pathway for accomplishing more success in an effective manner. Provide effective guidance and training: A leader tends to offer lot of information to
their employees about the topic and by this they can easily help others for accomplishing
signifiant changes in an effective manner. Furthermore, the leaders of Debenhams has
higher working potential hence they could motivate others for persuading the working of
employees.
Characteristics of leader: Charismatic: The quality of a leader by which they can attract individuals towards them
and employees follow them for giving effective guidance and support. For this, leaders
provide clear path to their team members by which they can achieve desired result. Effective communicator: Its feature reflects the effective and significant skills of
communication. In regard of this, leaders transfer the clear formation and understanding
for eliminating complexities and redundancy.
Role of manager: Develop policies: The role of manager is that they tend to develop various policies that
can be followed by the employees considering the working ideas of business. It is useful
for offering transparency and equality at the workplace, as it is helpful in making
effective execution of action regarding the success of business (de Sousa Jabbour and et.
al., 2019). Authorization duty: For this, manager of Debenhams need to divide all the task into
various units and segments for enhancing the working capabilities and abilities among the
individuals. It is helpful in completing the working in the assigned period of time by
which the effective result that is being conceived.
Characteristics of manager:
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 Time management skills: For this manager tends to make sure that all the actions and
tasks are completed within stipulated time basis which is favourable ending is resulted in
an effective manner (Filimonau and Delysia, 2019). Effective interpersonal skills: This skill is used for making signifiant interaction with
other members in order to transfer the signifiant information to make balance in each and
every condition with effective suitability.
Difference between leader and manager:
Basis Leader Manager
Role Leader plays an important role in
providing effective guidance and
support to others so that
profitability can be achieved to
accomplish success. In regard of
this, they also tend to provide clear
vision and mission by which
followers can perform their job
role in productive manner (Cole,
Stevenson and Aitken, 2019).
Manager tends to conduct and
control the administrative functions
and also make sure that each and
every employee perform their roles
and responsibilities as per their
assigned task.
Characteristics Leaders are more influential
considering the interactive skills
that has charisma so that others
tends to influence easily to perform
their job role.
Managers tends to have strong
communication and effective time
management skills by which they
can observe each and every task for
making sure the effective ending.
TASK 2
P2. Role of a leader and functions of a manager applied in different situations
Retail operations emerged as the substantial segment for research in current years and its
various drivers are advent. Retailing is effective economical sector that changes in market,
organisations, procedure and commodities that occur rapidly. Retail operations are dynamic and
several situations are arises which is been faced by company to make their operations more
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effective and smooth. The major situations that occur in retail operations include effective
management in critical situations and conflict management as these are important for effective
functioning and smooth running of company. In regard of this, various situations are discussed in
which the role of leader and manager is discussed to achieve competitive advantage in an
effective manner (Clemm, Zhani and Boutaba, 2020). For this, the leader need to perform roles
that are mentioned as under:
Situation 1: Effective management of complex situation: This situation depicts the
arrival of complex and difficult situations that occur in retail operations considering the effective
management which is being controlled in order to get effective outcome. For this, the crisis also
been developed that can become threat which is generate from the stakeholders and also has
direct impact for eliminating sales and profitability. Considering the retail operations and
Debenhams, their leaders and managers tends to perform various roles that are mentioned as
under:
Role of a leader:
 Leaders of Debenhams study the overall conditions and situation of market and retail
industry and by this, they need to use situational leadership style that implies as per the
various changes undertaking the suitability of situation in an effective manner. Moreover, leader of Debenhams need to maintain effective records for all the transactions
of business as in retail operations various transactions are made in single day that leads to
make effective balance. Leaders tends to take effective decision making so that
productive accountability is addressed regarding the effective capability to solve
problems (Golroudbary and et. al., 2019).
Functions of manager:
 The managers of Debenhams, need to collect all the information of retail industry like
various situations that exist within the industry which is helpful in understanding
regarding the signifiant activities to schedule and plan. Moreover, they also design
effective plans that are being followed by others for coping up so easily from the difficult
situation. Here, the manager of Debenhams need to analyse the existing situation in retail industry
and then execute various changes respectively. They need to work for motivating their
individuals by offering effective training and development (Liu and et. al., 2019).
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Situation 2: New product launch: As per this situation, Debenhams need to perform
various functions by identifying the retail operations like effective development of proper
strategies and policies considering the market attractiveness that can be achieved in an effective
manner. Both the leaders and manager of Debenhams need to utilise their skills and abilities for
performing effectively and for this, signifiant roles and functions are mentioned as under:
Role of a leader:
 Leaders of Debenhams plays an important as it is quite easy to identify the overall
situation of retail industry and also develop effective report that can be circulate in
market area. Accomplishing clear ending it is required that effective vision is persuade in
market for the signifiant accessibility. Leaders of Debenhams need to make sure the effective assignment of task within the
retail operations to take effective participation in both post and pre launching. Moreover,
spokesperson enhances by which effective values can be addressed fore the retail
operations.
Function of manager:
 Manager of Debenhams tends to perform important functions undertaking the arrival of
new product in retail operations as they make sure that the packaging of product with on
time delivery to the customers is performed with effective perfection. Additionally, they
also make sure that profit margin is managed in order to increase sales and larger market
area.
 Manager of Debenhams make reliable recruitment by which they tends to maintain their
focus for hiring skilled and talented manpower. For this, working capability and potential
is increased considering the satisfactory mode.
P3. Application of different theories and approaches of leadership
The performance of business varied according to various situations as it tends to manage
and control with the effective support towards the management and leadership. Along with this,
several ideas are useful for Debenhams for proper observation and influence workers considering
the goals and objectives. Due to this, employees feel more inspired regarding the trends which
they use for the proper development and improvement in company undertaking the viewpoint of
retail industry. In regard of this, various theories and approaches are mentioned as underneath:
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Situational leadership: According to this theory, leaders use various leadership styles as
per the situation that occur in retail industry for developing their team by identifying several
situations. It is undertaken as the effective method as it is helpful for understanding the
requirements and wants of employees that tends to maintain balance in an organisation (Blossey,
Eisenhardt and Hahn, 2019). In relation with effective operations in retailing, the leader of
Debenhams need to resolve various situations by offering effective solutions. As per this,
leadership Hersey and Blanchard model is used: Telling: In this leaders of respective company take decisions and convey as per the
strategy to other individuals so that task is accomplished in an effective manner. Selling: For this, leaders of Debenhams present the ideas among the team members and
staff making proper support to complete their task. Delegating: For this, leader try to improve the maximum participation of team for
making proper planning and scheduling of actions.
 Participating: For this, leaders use this to motivate and influence the working criteria of
other individuals.
System leadership: This theory tends to make sure that both the leaders and managers
need to develop various conditions for their employees who work at the several levels in the
company. In this, prediction should be relevant for retail operations regarding the personality of
employees by developing effective and healthy system that tends to attract productive behaviour
of employees undertaking their aims and objectives (Behl and Dutta, 2019). For this, the role of
leaders of Debenhams tends to observe employees and also tends to communicate on the grounds
of various situations which is useful in order to encourage them in the company. Meanwhile, the
manager of Debenhams tends to undertake the prominent guidelines and norms to offer effective
things to their workers to make things right and effective. Moreover, managers of Debenhams
also tends to help leaders to develop signifiant strategies and plans undertaking the several task
of company.
Contingency leadership: According to this leadership, leaders need to make effective
changes regarding the undertake leadership style which is depends on the significant situation
that occur in the operations of retail industry. Moreover, it is described that here, leaders tends to
apply their own styles by effectively identifying the overall situation in making strategies
(Queiroz and et. al., 2020). For this, leaders of Debenhams within the retail industry plays an
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important role as they tends to influence the manpower to execute changes for company.
Meanwhile, the managers of Debenhams tends to understand the situation and reason behind it to
effectively deal with changes. Moreover, the managers also represent effective task that is
indicated by employees considering the prominent circumstances and capabilities.
TASK 3
P4. Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play
Operations management is undertaken as the important function for effectively managing
company and also useful in terms of designing the operational activities that are helpful for
company to accomplish their competitive edge. Moreover, operations management is the
procedure the prominently manage the process the effective distribution of products and services.
The effective approaches and various methodologies are discussed considering the operations
management which is used for effectively measuring and controlling the operations and
performance for Debenhams. Few approaches are mentioned as underneath:
Total quality management: It is considered as the continuous process which is helpful in
terms of reducing the imperfections from supply chain management and operational activities of
the operations of retailing that leads to enhance the customers experience by fulfilling the
preferences of customers. Company also make sure the enhancement of quality that is done by
workforce. Moreover, this approach can be opted by Debenhams in terms of fulfilling the
objectives and goals and role of manager is to apply signifiant strategies such as KAIZEN, TQM
etc. and also make plans regarding the focus of management for the continuous changes that
bring enhancement in the production and operations. Furthermore, the role of leader of
Debenhams is to encourage and motivate their employees by opting signifiant changes in
company and also enhance the quality of products by reducing the resistance of manpower at the
time of executing change.
Lean production: This approach is used in order to reduce waste without making
compromise with the quality and effective products and services. In relation with Debenhams,
company need to cut down their cost by concerning the additional production cost that leads to
maintain the quality and reduce wastage of products. It is helpful in order to improve the
efficiency of manpower of company.
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For this, leaders and managers need to perform various roles for effectively working that
can be defined as: Provide direction: Leaders of Debenhams tend to offer significant direction to other
employees so that they can perform their working in better and easy manner. For this,
managers tends to perform various responsibilities by dividing their task in various
framework considering the efficiency which can be developed in the processing
(Oloruntoba, Hossain and Wagner, 2019). Meanwhile, leaders give effective direction
and guidance to employees to perform their assigned task with full potential.
 Bring excellence: For this, the leaders of Debenhams try to improve the quality by
working with full potential and quality advanced manner. For this, mangers help in
achieving long term sustainability which is more profitable for accomplishing
competitive market. Meanwhile, leaders encourage and inspire employees that leads to
bring excellence and proficiency in the working pattern of employees that leads to
improve profitability.
P5. Explain the significance and value of operations management
Effective operations management depicts the term which is beneficial for company for
managing and accomplishing the efficiency of entire functions for achieve goals and objectives.
It tends to consider the significant values for the effective operations management that are
mentioned as: Process design: It depicts the capacity of employees which is useful and assemble for the
system of company. It is effective for Debenhams, as it is helpful for the management for
separate company considering the retail operations that tends to make improvement in the
development of products by undertaking the preferences and demands of customers.
Moreover, it is useful in order to fulfil the goals and objectives of company and also offer
fulfilment of the needs of customers (Riaz and et. al., 2020). Cost reduction: It is beneficial for Debenhams as by this company tends to enjoy the
operations management tools and techniques and other concerning methods considering
TQM and six sigma regarding the reduction of additional cost (Meredith and Shafer,
2019). Therefore, Debenhams can become the cost leader in retail industry by providing
effective products at the low prices in order to accomplish competitive edge for the
operational management techniques which is important regarding the development.
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 Control and design system: It is undertaken as the primary activity which is helpful in
order to control the operations management and also consider signifiant course of action
of commodities in order to execute the goals of an organisation (Fahimnia and et. al.,
2019). In relation with Debenhams, considering the capacity, organisation tends to
develop their effective and strong framework within the retail operations. With the help
of this, management of company can make effective control regarding the wastage of
assets which undertake various methods. Therefore, it is important in retailing to
undertake effective control and design of proper system for improvement in the
operations in retailing by eliminating wastage and ensuring the quality.
TASK 4
P6. Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making
There are several components that has signifiant influence on the decision making
procedure of company considering Debenhams and because of this, it is significant for
Debenhams to make reduction of the interference of the factors undertaking the working of
company. For this purpose, several factors that impact on its operational management and
decision-making processes are discussed as underneath: Corporate social responsibilities: It is a procedure that is followed by organisations in
terms of making improvement considering the market attractiveness and also tends to get
their work done with effective advancement in business. In context of Debenhams, their
managers and leaders tends to manage their working prospect considering various
practices. It is used to manage the brand reputation which is the responsibility of
managers so that maximum values are transmitted in market area. Moreover, company
also tends to take prominent precautions undertaking the waste which is manage and
eliminate all the signifiant alteration that is addressed. In relation with Debenhams, they
also tends to optimise effective path for making effective delivery of products and
services to customers. Ethics: It reflects the operations of retail industry and businesses by which effective
working procedure and efficiency is identified. It is undertaken as the priority which is
offered to stakeholders and customers so that prominent benefits are accomplished at the
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stipulated period of time. It is also uses in terms of eliminating the loopholes to develop
and eliminate working inefficiency. In relation with Debenhams, they tends to offer
proper opportunities to all the individuals in terms of working with effective balance and
also tends to maintain proper situation.
 Shareholders: These are the individuals who tends to invest their capital and funds
towards the functioning and operations of Debenhams. Operational management is
hugely influenced by the viewpoints and opinions of shareholders. For this, shareholders
are considered as the group that impact the operational activities of company and also
grant voice for the functions of retailing operations. In regard of this, each and every
individual has different perspective regarding the financial stake that influence the
operations and decision making of Debenhams. Therefore, both the leaders and managers
need to make good terms with shareholders because they take decisions regarding the
liquidations and acquisitions.
CONCLUSION
By considering the above discussion, it is identified that effective management and
operations tends to define the primary factor. As it is summarised by considering the business
functions and also tends to execute positive changes for earning profitable result. In regard of
this, both leader and manager plays an important role as they both have to manage proper
success and growth for sustaining and achieving business goals and objectives. Considering the
signifiant analysis and understanding it is identified that it is important to make things effective
and clear for the management and operations that is helpful for the goals and objectives of
company. Additionally, both the managers and leaders use various theories and approaches like
JIT, TQM, six sigma and so on by which they can make effective modifications. Lastly, it depict
the signifiant factors of business environment that has major impact on the decision making of
operations of company.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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pp.1001-1044.
Blossey, G., Eisenhardt, J. and Hahn, G., 2019, January. Blockchain technology in supply chain
management: An application perspective. In Proceedings of the 52nd Hawaii
International Conference on System Sciences.
Clemm, A., Zhani, M. F. and Boutaba, R., 2020. Network management 2030: Operations and
control of network 2030 services. Journal of Network and Systems Management, pp.1-
30.
Cole, R., Stevenson, M. and Aitken, J., 2019. Blockchain technology: implications for operations
and supply chain management. Supply Chain Management: An International
Journal. 24(4). pp.469-483.
de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L. and et. al., 2019. Circular economy business models and operations
management. Journal of cleaner production. 235. pp.1525-1539.
Fahimnia, B. and et. al., 2019. Behavioral operations and supply chain management–a review
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Filimonau, V. and Delysia, A., 2019. Food waste management in hospitality operations: A
critical review. Tourism management. 71. pp.234-245.
Golroudbary, S. R. and et. al., 2019. Sustainable Operations Management in Logistics Using
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Management. Procedia Manufacturing. 30. pp.627-634.
Holmqvist Larsson, J. and Tapper, F., 2020. Supporting Facility Management and Operations
through User-Centered Design.
Liu, P. and et. al., 2019. Bridging energy performance gaps of green office buildings via more
targeted operations management: A system dynamics approach. Journal of
environmental management. 238. pp.64-71.
Meredith, J. R. and Shafer, S. M., 2019. Operations and supply chain management for MBAs.
John Wiley & Sons.
Oloruntoba, R., Hossain, G. F. and Wagner, B., 2019. Theory in humanitarian operations
research. Annals of Operations Research. 283(1-2). pp.543-560.
Queiroz, M. M. and et. al., 2020. Blockchain adoption in operations and supply chain
management: empirical evidence from an emerging economy. International Journal of
Production Research, pp.1-17.
Reid, R. D. and Sanders, N. R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Riaz, M. and et. al., 2020. A Robust q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Information Aggregation Using
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