Key Operational Management Approaches for Enhancing Organizational Value

Unit 4: Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
SECTION 1 (LO1 & LO2) .............................................................................................................3
1. Provide definition a of a manager and a leader, analysing their differences in roles and
functions with reference to different situations within the organization selected.......................3
2. Apply different theories and models of approach in leadership, including situational,
systems and contingency leadership. Appraise the different approaches within the given
environment assessing their strengths and weaknesses. ............................................................6
3. Critically evaluate different contemporary theories on management and leadership like
management by objectives, behavioural or contingencies theories in the given context............7
SECTION 2 (LO3 & LO4) .............................................................................................................9
1. An introduction to the key operation functions of the organisation you have chosen............9
2. Explain the key operational management approaches managers or leaders can adopt to
enhance the organizational value and achieve objectives. .........................................................9
3. Evaluate the role of leaders and managers through different approaches so as to achieve the
organizational objectives more efficiently................................................................................12
4. Identify and assess different internal and external factors within the business environment
that impacts decision making for managers/leaders in operations management. ....................14
5. Continue to evaluate how operational efficiencies can be achieved to successfully meet
business objectives using appropriate management and leadership approaches. ....................15
6. Critically evaluate application of operations management theory and approaches and factors
that impact on the wider business environment........................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is mainly concerned with planning, organizing and supervision
of manufacturing, production and other provision of organisational aspects in order to ensure that
company deliver successful outcomes. In simple terms operations management is defined as an
area of management which is related to effective designing and controlling of process associated
to production and re-designing of operations of business in the production of products and
services (Donohue, Özer and Zheng, 2020). With the help of efficient operations management
an organisation can effectively ensure proper balance of costs with revenue through which they
can effectively achieve higher profitable outcomes. For this process both leaders and mangers
plays important role in assuring systematic operations of all activities while ensuring profitable
outcomes.
Present report has been conducted on Smith brothers (Contracting) Ltd, this company is
operating their functions as turnkey electrical engineering contractor in Elland, West Yorkshire.
Entity is offering wide range of services with highly trained fitter, electrical, wiremen and
jointers, project coordinators and back-office staff. In this report formative discussions has been
made in characteristics and roles of leaders and managers along with their roles applicable in
different situations. In addition to this, key approaches to operations manager and its importance
in achieving business goal in being defined in this report. Lastly, business environment impact
on decision-making and operational management is also covered in this report.
SECTION 1 (LO1 & LO2)
1. Provide definition a of a manager and a leader, analysing their differences in roles and
functions with reference to different situations within the organization selected
Smith brothers progressed their business from a small brand and emerged as one of the
trusted company in Elland, West Yorkshire. This entity is operating their services with highly
talented employees through which respective organisation assure higher customer satisfaction. In
addition to this, loyal staff effectively maintain performance and productivity of entity.
According to the evaluation it has been determined that power in organisational structure of

Smith brothers moves from top to bottom (Dhamija and Bag, 2020). For this leaders and
managers within company plays essential role that allows company to fulfil their objectives and
goals with great efficiency. Mentioned below there are wide range of responsibilities as well as
roles being performed by managers and leaders of respective company which is being defined
below:
Leader:
Leaders are those individuals who provide effective guidance and motivation to team and
individuals within entity with an aim to increase their performance for better workplace
productivity. As per the view point of John Kotter, it has been identified there are wide range of
roles being performed by leader of respective company through which they set proper direction
and direct employees towards the same in order to fulfil entity objectives. Smith brother take use
of positive attitude and confidence through which they encourage employees towards company
objectives.
Managers:
Managers are authorised with the essential role related to managing daily basis operations
and activities of organisation through which company can ensure higher profitability and long
term growth. In addition to this, they are also having responsibility related to identifying need of
resources in different departments and provide the same to them in effective manner as to assure
fulfilment of objectives in efficient way (Brito, Júnior and da Costa Diniz, 2020). Further it has
been evaluated in terms of Smith brothers that managers are authorised with the responsibility of
passing necessary and important instructions to top management to subordinates in order to
accomplish goals of company in effective manner.
Differences between Management and Leadership of Smith brothers
Basis of Comparison Managers Leaders
Behavioural characteristics Management of Smith brother
continuously engage in the
operations of innovation and
efficient decision-making for
Leaders within Smith brothers
mainly engages in the activities
related to offering effective
motivation and guidance to

higher growth and
sustainability of entity (Ren,
2020).
employees in order to
maximise their performance
for higher profitability of
company.
Authority and power Within Smith brothers,
managers are having power
and authority related to
management of task,
controlling of organisational
activities and decision-making.
Leaders are authorised with the
authority and power of
motivating employees with the
help of offering them various
motivating rewards in order to
increase their performance for
higher organisational
productivity.
Similarities between managers and leaders in Smith brothers
 Both managers and leaders however performing different roles and responsibilities but
have same objective which is related to maximise overall profitability and productivity of
organisation. In terms with Smith brother leaders and manager it has been stated that they
undertake different operational responsibilities but aim towards increasing company
brand image in respective industry at great extent.
 Leaders and manager of Smith brothers perform their roles and responsibilities with
different standards but effectively provide guidance and motivation to employees in order
to maximise their moral and confidence for higher performance in order to increase
productivity of company.
Smith brother have most important aim which is related to offering higher level
satisfaction to their customers. For this leaders within company performs different types of roles.
In addition to this, they are authorised with the responsibility of managing wide range of
activities for which they use innovative strategies for higher growth. While in terms of managers,
they are associated with the role of gathering required capital and resources in order to manager
smooth operational flow. Mentioned below there are some certain situations in which leaders and
managers play different roles:
Team-building:

Team is group of individuals in which different background, skills and interest of
individual are combined together for a common goal. In Smith brothers, managers ensure that all
the individuals are performing their responsibilities in a team as to accomplish objectives in time
effective manner with higher efficiency. Leaders of entity believes that by making employees
working in a team not only increases their performance but also maximises productivity of entity
at great extent. It has been evaluated that Smith brothers leaders take use of autocratic leadership
style and ensure trust and cooperation with subordinates in order to offer them positive and
healthy workplace environment for more productive outcomes. Further this has been evaluated
that leaders within company undertake use of belbin team role, in order to effectively allot roles
and responsibilities for each and every individual as per according to their potential and talent
(Kabyl, Abbassi and Li, 2020). It significantly increase workplace efficiency and overall
productivity rate of company.
Project management:
Management of project facilitate entity to fulfil their goals and objectives under set
standards and measures. In context with Smith brother managers, it has been evaluated that they
perform effective roles from starting of the project. In this they determine difficulty level of
project and underline skills and knowledge required for the accomplishment of project. In
addition to this, they are also authorised with the role of formulation of optimum strategy in
order to utilize resources effectively (Atasu, Huang and Toktay, 2020). While in terms with
leaders, they effectively allot roles to employees according to the underlined skills and
knowledge of managers. Along with this, they also guide and motivate employees during project
when they feel de-motivated in order to increase their performance for rewards and appraisals.
2. Apply different theories and models of approach in leadership, including situational, systems
and contingency leadership. Appraise the different approaches within the given
environment assessing their strengths and weaknesses.
Leadership is defined as an activity in which leaders are authorised with the roles and
responsibilities of leading, motivating and guiding individuals for more efficient performance for
higher organisational productivity. Leaders within Smith brother engages in the activity related
to sharing vision, information, and objectives of company to each and every employees in order
to align performance of all workers with high team spirit for more productivity and growth.
Different approaches of leadership is stated below: