Roles and Characteristics of Leaders and Managers in Operations Management

This report discusses the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers in operations management. It explores the different situational contexts in which leaders and managers operate and the key approaches to operations management. The report also highlights the importance and value of operations management in achieving organizational goals. The case study focuses on ASDA, a subsidiary industry, and its operations management strategies.

UNIT 4 - MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
P 1 Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers............................................................................3
P 2 Roles and functions of a leader and manager in different situational context....................................5
P 3 Leadership theories............................................................................................................................6
P 4 Key approaches to operations management.......................................................................................7
P 5 Importance and value of operations management..............................................................................8
P 6 Key factors influencing the business.................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
There must be good control and operations of functioning to have better efficiency and
higher level of achievements known as operation management. There is better planning and
helps in converting the input into output so that the objectives can be made which is done by
operation management. ASDA belongs from the subsidiary industry which was founded in 1949
in Wakefield. The company is having its headquarters currently in Leeds, West Yorkshire,
England. The products of the company are grocery, financial services and general merchandise.
There are 631 stores which the company has built and the operating income of the organization is
£791.7 million as of 2016. The report is going to consist of the roles and characteristics of a
leader and manager of a company and the theories, approaches and situations they have to face in
the company to make the organization get affected. There are different operation management
and values as well of the organization which are going to be discussed in the further report to
have better understanding.
P 1 Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers
Leaders have to take care of the employees which are hired, control them and make the
best productivity and creativity come out of them so that the objectives and goals can be
achieved. Managers are the administrative heads who not just control the employees but are also
responsible for the decision making of the business. There is a lot of different in the roles and
responsibilities which they have in a business so that there is going to be clarity in working and
the functioning of the company can be improved for the future as well (Grant, Wong and
Trautrims, 2017). Though they work together so that there is going to be higher results and
decisions taken for the productivity and operations are going to be beneficial for the organization
since the leaders understand the employees well. The follow report is going to help in
understanding the roles and responsibilities the leaders and managers of ASDA have in the
organization to make the company gain more profits and sales in the market (Thomé, Scavarda
and Scavarda, 2016).
Basis Leaders Managers
Roles  To achieve the objectives and  Since the managers are

goals the leaders have to control
and monitor the employees of
the organization which is going
to make the functioning better
and more effective.
 There has to be good and right
knowledge and skill which
needs to be present in the
employees so that there is going
to be good delegation of work
and the company can have
higher results in the market.
responsible for the decision
making which is why it is
very important for the
manager to have the right
knowledge so that the
strategies and measures
taken are going to be
effective (Machado and
et.al., 2017).
 To increase and maintain the
performance of ASDA the
managers hire talented and
experienced employees so
that the productivity of the
organization is going to be
higher.
Characteristics  The leaders are focused and
share a good relationship with
the employee which is why they
are aware of the guidance which
the employees will need so that
the direction of working is going
to be present (Hill and Hill,
2017).
 To have a good sense of
working there has to be good
communication measures a
swell which are present in
ASDA by the leaders so that the
company can have higher
competitive advantage in the
 There is a level of
confidence which needs to
be present in the manager so
that the decisions which are
made can be trusted by the
employees blindly. And the
employees must respect
them as well.
 The changes which are
coming in the market have
to be adapted by ASDA as
well which can be done
when the managers are
going to be experienced so
that the company will not

market. have to take risks to
implement them.
P 2 Roles and functions of a leader and manager in different situational context
Functions and roles of the managers and leaders are very different and separate from one
another which need to be understood so that the work is going to be smoother and functioning is
going to be efficient and effective for a long run. There are a lot of situations which leaders and
managers have to make the decisions and control the business to lose their loyal customer’s
satisfaction level and reputation in the market (Mišić and Perakis, 2020). Example, conflicts and
labour turnover are two situations which can affect ASDA’s internal environment which needs to
be controlled so that the organization will be able to operate and function effectively otherwise
the demands and needs of the customers are not going to be fulfilled on time. There are a lot of
measures and understanding which leaders and managers of ASDA will have to make so that
there is going to be effective functioning for the future as well.
The customer’s needs and expectations from ASDA are changing with the changes in
market as well which needs to be changed and adapted by the company so that the loyalty of
them can be maintained (Anand and Gray, 2017). The leaders are informed about the changes
and according to the talent and motivation level of the employees the leaders distribute the
working so that the efficiency of the company does not fall. Leaders must motivate them and
train them so that there are going to be less of conflicts in the company and mould the changes
according to the employees which are still focused on achieving the objectives. By providing the
employees with healthier environment to work in the turnover of the company is also going to be
stable which is good since the experienced employees are going to be sustained. Conflicts and
turnover can make the company have a lot of skills and productivity of the organization get
affected which is not a good factor for the company (Holweg and et.al., 2018). ASDA will have
to reduce the conflicts which rise when the leaders and managers have a common understanding
between them only then they will be able to implement the changes effectively in the
organization as well which is going to be profitable for the company to have in the market.

 Transformational leadership
This style can inspire the employees who are following the organization so that the changes
can come in easily. There is generally enthusiasm which is present and energy as well in the
leaders so that they can inspire well and make the organization be successful.
 Transactional leadership
The structure and orders of the organization are valued which makes the company have a
good functioning and operations for a better performance. The leaders focus on supervising and
group performance in the company so that there is going to be good functioning.
P 3 Leadership theories
Market is having a lot of theories for having good and effective leadership in the
company which is going to make the organization have effective functioning and smoother
efficiency. There are different methods which can be used by the organization to make the
company achieve their objectives and goals in the market which is going to get in competitive
advantage for a longer run.
 Situational Leadership
Decisions have to be made from time to time by the leaders according to the situation
which rises in front of them so that the company does not lose on anything and the operations
remain the same. It is the small issues which can make a bigger problem in the future which is
why the leaders have to make sure of ASDA that they are taking the right measures to be able to
solve them like motivation level so that the company can have a good workforce in the business
(Magon and et.al., 2018). With experience leaders of ASDA are able to take up the right strategy
for them to maintain the employees in the organization and solve their issues from time to time
so that the internal factors are going to be stable for the operations which are taking place in the
organization.
 System Leadership

There are capacities and skills which all the individuals have in business which need to
be used effectively by the leaders in the market so that there is going to be better performance
overall. Systematic leadership gets in a better sense of direction which is going to help the
company be able to achieve their targets and goals on time so that they can compete effectively
with their competitors in the market (Russell and Taylor, 2019). This is a practice which is very
good for regular base for the leaders which is going to make ASDA achieve their missions which
are decided in the market. The planning of the leaders is going to be better and the company is
going to have better responsibilities in the organization to make the company be able to operate
effectively as well.
 Contingency Leadership
This style is mostly opted by the managers of ASDA so that they can get in better clarity
of working in the organization and also be able to maintain the productivity which is going to
have a very good functioning of the business in the market. ASDA is very experienced than the
competitors who it is competing with effectively which is why the company will have tp have
better place for them in market (Nair and Reed‐Tsochas, 2019). Turnover of ASDA is controlled
by the leaders of the company which is helping the company have higher profit margins and
making the company have good investment in the technological aspect so that the functioning
can improve. Information technology is a new investment which the company has made so that
the risks are going to reduce and errors as well and the company is going to have a higher brand
image in the market.
P 4 Key approaches to operations management
ASDA is using different approaches by the leaders and managers so that the company can
improve their functioning and the outcomes are going to be better for the organization. The
further report is going to discuss the three approaches which are being used by ASDA to be able
to compete with their competitors in the market.
 Just in time

The leaders and managers of ASDA track the inventory of the organization so that the
required raw material can be orders and there is going to be no waste of extra raw material
coming in the company. The suppliers have a trust in ASDA because of the brand image and
reputation which the company has gained in the market (Kumar, Mookerjee and Shubham,
2018). It is the leaders who send the list of requirements to the managers so that the raw material
can come in the company on time. Managers must recheck the list so that the company can get
the required raw material and no extra is going to be wasted and expire in the company. This is a
very friendly on the economic factor of the company which can help in getting in higher
profitability.
 Six sigma
It is very important that the company is having a good and planning method to dispose of
the waste which is being generated in the company so that the reputation and portfolio of the
company can be improved in the market. There is a standard of ASDA in the market which is
why the company is working to have a zero carbon footprint measure so that the company is
going to help in environment improvement (Dias, 2017). Leaders make sure that the employees
are following this factor so that the company will be able to achieve their goals and objectives on
time which is going to be very good factor for the company for getting what they plan for in long
term.
 Total quality management
This is a very good approach which is being used in ASDA so that the quality of the
products is going to be improved and resulting in higher satisfaction level of the customers. The
higher satisfaction level of the customers which means the sales are going to increase and the
organization is going to have higher profitability. The company has to have high market share
and loyalty of the customers be have a good reputation and standards for themselves in the
market (Bromiley and Rau, 2016). The demands and needs of the customers have to be met so
that the company will be able to make the employees be motivated accordingly so that the
company can have higher profits and there are employee profits as well which ASDA is
providing.

P 5 Importance and value of operations management
To match the demands and needs of the customers there has to be effective operation
management which needs to be present for the company to be able to maintain the brand image
in the market. The company will be able to gain competitive advantage which is going to make
the company have a strong base and larger market share for themselves.
 Reduce Wastage
To give the best the operation management finds ways to reduce the waste outlets so that
the organization will be able have a good place for themselves in the market full of competitors.
Management of ASDA have already taken up a lot of measures in order to be able to achieve this
factor and the leaders have implemented them as well (Belvedere and Grando, 2017). Leaders
are making sure that the employees of the company are following them and the organization is
having a good functioning. There are better decisions which are being made by the organization
in order to compete and gain competitive advantage. Cost friendly and environment friendly
measures have been taken up by ASDA.
 Raising Employee Motivation
Being the backbones of the company who help in making the businesses in the market being
able to achieve the objectives and goals, ASDA makes sure that the employees have the best of
environment to work in. The leaders are helping, guiding and training the employees so that they
remain motivated which is good for the working of the company to achieve their objectives for a
long run. Motivation can help the company to have good quality maintenance and productivity
which can be stable for a long run.
 Raise Sales
ASDA is having a strong customer base because they are being able to maintain their
products quality and the end product is matching the lifestyle of the customers as well which is
increasing the loyalty (Lamba and Singh, 2018). The demands and needs of the customers
increase when the customers get what they need and expect from the company which is a product
matching their lifestyle and ASDA is focusing on this factor and making changes accordingly.
 Control and distribution systems

It is very important for ASDA to have this factor so that there is going to be effective
working in the company. There is going to be computerised control system which is going to
making the processing of the organization better and make the distribution of the organization
effective.
 Logistics and inventory management
There has to be good storage of inventory which needs to be present in ASDA so that the
company can have high productivity in the organization. There has to be right amount of
inventory so that the company does not waste their investment in this factor.
P 6 Key factors influencing the business
There are a lot of external and internal factors which have a great influence on the
working and productivity of the organization. The internal stakeholders of ASDA are executive
board, employees, shareholders, president, CEO, chief customer officer, etc. The company will
have to consider them as well when there are decisions which are being taken in the organization
so that there is going to be effective working in the organization. The expectations of the
stakeholders is to make the company achieve the highest sales and profit margins in the company
and by having a strong internal environment the company will be able to achieve those factors
and objectives of the organization as well. There has to be good maintenance in the business to
be able to compete with the competitors since ASDA is having high competition in the market.
 Culture
ASDA has gained a lot of experience over years which are why the company focuses on
the culture of the customers and the employees for the products and services of the business to be
maintained for the best. The internal factors do make a lot of difference on the business which
makes the company not be able to compete but ASDA has managed to get competitive advantage
in the market (Benjaafar and Hu, 2020). The objectives of the company are being met because
the culture is being followed and the leaders and managers make sure that it is this way so that
the loyalty of the customers can also increase. There is a strong internal working in ASDA

because of this factor which is good because the company has been able to operate effectively in
the market over time.
 Corporate Social Responsibilities
The lifestyle of the customers has changes because the GDP and unemployment rates in
United Kingdom have improved. The company will also have to follow them and make
improvements to be able to get in the right customers and match their lifestyles which make them
loyal as well. The pricing of the products are not going to be according to class but according to
the quality and products demand so that the company can have better functioning and the
organization will also be able to increase their sales in the market as well. The company needs to
understand the employees and the customers well and only then the leaders and managers will be
able to make decisions accordingly for the benefit of the company as well.
 Ethics
There is a level of ethics which the manager and leaders create in a business so that there
would be good discipline in the organization which is going to make the working improve.
ASDA has been able to make the right plans and decisions for the improvement of the company
so that the expectations of the customers are going to be matched for the best. ASDA has made a
lot of competitive decisions as well since the competition in the market is increasing which is
going to help the organization to be able to operate effectively for better performance (Meredith
and Pilkington, 2018). The expectations of the employees and customers have to be matched by
the leaders and managers of ASDA so that the company can have good functioning which is
going to help the organization be able to operate effectively in the market for a long run and the
sales of the company are also going to be maintained.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that the leaders and managers have a very
essential role to play in any organization. There is a better functioning and direction which
makes the businesses be able to achieve their goals and objectives very quickly in the market
which makes the company have higher profits. The company has to improve a lot according to

the change in market so that they will be able to compete with the competitors so that the
company will be making a place for themselves as well. The internal factors of the company will
affect on the customers which is why the managers and leaders work together in order to be able
to analyse and make changes in the company accordingly so that the company will be able to
profit from this. Decisions have to be made by the leaders and managers from time to time so
that they can make the productivity and operations of the organization improve which is going to
satisfy the needs and demands of the customers which is very important.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Anand, G. and Gray, J.V., 2017. Strategy and organization research in operations
management. Journal of Operations Management. 53. pp.1-8.
Belvedere, V. and Grando, A., 2017. Sustainable operations and supply chain management. John
Wiley & Sons.
Benjaafar, S. and Hu, M., 2020. Operations management in the age of the sharing economy:
what is old and what is new?. Manufacturing & Service Operations
Management. 22(1). pp.93-101.
Bromiley, P. and Rau, D., 2016. Operations management and the resource based view: Another
view. Journal of Operations Management. 41. pp.95-106.
Dias, J., 2017. Teaching operations research to undergraduate management students: The role of
gamification. The International Journal of Management Education. 15(1). pp.98-111.
Grant, D.B., Wong, C.Y. and Trautrims, A., 2017. Sustainable logistics and supply chain
management: principles and practices for sustainable operations and management.
Kogan Page Publishers.
Hill, A. and Hill, T., 2017. Essential operations management. Macmillan International Higher
Education.
Holweg, M and et.al., 2018. Process theory: The principles of operations management. Oxford
University Press.
Kumar, S., Mookerjee, V. and Shubham, A., 2018. Research in operations management and
information systems interface. Production and Operations Management. 27(11).
pp.1893-1905.
Lamba, K. and Singh, S.P., 2018. Modeling big data enablers for operations and supply chain
management. The International Journal of Logistics Management.
Machado, C.G and et.al., 2017. Framing maturity based on sustainable operations management
principles. International Journal of Production Economics. 190. pp.3-21.
Magon, R.B and et.al., 2018. Sustainability and performance in operations management
research. Journal of Cleaner Production. 190. pp.104-117.
Meredith, J.R. and Pilkington, A., 2018. Assessing the exchange of knowledge between
operations management and other fields: Some challenges and opportunities. Journal of
Operations Management. 60. pp.47-53.
Mišić, V.V. and Perakis, G., 2020. Data analytics in operations management: A
review. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management. 22(1). pp.158-169.

Nair, A. and Reed‐Tsochas, F., 2019. Revisiting the complex adaptive systems paradigm: leading
perspectives for researching operations and supply chain management issues. Journal of
Operations Management, 65(2), pp.80-92.
Russell, R.S. and Taylor, B.W., 2019. Operations and supply chain management. John Wiley &
Sons.
Thomé, A.M.T., Scavarda, L.F. and Scavarda, A.J., 2016. Conducting systematic literature
review in operations management. Production Planning & Control. 27(5). pp.408-420.