Unit 4 Management and Operations Assignment - Toyota

Unit 4
Management And
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers...............................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2. How are roles of leaders and managers applicable in various situations..............................6
P3. Applying different models and theories of approach............................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P4. Key approaches to operations management and role played by managers and
leaders.........................................................................................................................................8
P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.
.....................................................................................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6. The factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision making by leaders and managers....................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is a quite vast subject which deals in management
practices and functions that are related to production process undertaken in a business
concern and its designing and controlling as well. Basically, operations management is a
process where raw materials get converted into finished products and services. Also, it
has been noticed that leaders and managers play a quite important part in the functioning
of an organisation (Boyd and Dougherty, 2016). This report has been framed on a
Japanese organisation Toyota. It is basically a Japanese multinational automotive
manufacturer and car dealer with its headquarters in Toyota city, Aichi, Japan. Toyota is
sixth largest business entity in the world as per its revenue. In the present report, roles
and characteristics of leaders as well as managers has been specified. Also, the various
approaches of operations management have been mentioned. This report also throws light
on leadership approaches that are discussed here. Furthermore, pestle analysis also has
been done in this report which emphasises on effect of external factors.
PART 1
TASK 1
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers.
Leader: A leader is an individual who is meant to motivate and influence
behaviour of employees so that they can perform business operations effectively. Leaders
in Toyota are known to influence performance of their employees by using their
charismatic personality. This helps them in timely achievement of goals and objectives
(Ellitan, 2017). Also, they direct and guide employees for maintaining efficiency
standards.
Role played by leaders:
 Leaders provide a clearer view towards aims and objectives of a business concern
so that employees can function accordingly.
 They are known for maintaining effectiveness and efficiency in business
operations of Toyota by undertaking policies and strategies.

Characteristics of a leader:
 Leaders motivate employees by their influencing personality and set ideals for
their subordinates as well.
 Leaders of Toyota have a certain patience quotient in their personality which
helps them in raising desire level of employees.
Managers: A manager refers to an individual who is absolute authority for
managing tasks assigned to them and maintaining effectiveness in business functions as
well. Managers in Toyota take instructions from their employers and further pass it on to
subordinates. A manager also acts as a coordinating link between two and lower
management (Eraki, 2015).
Role played by managers:
 A manager main function is to control and manage functions in an organisation.
In case of Toyota, its manager acts as a figurehead and coordinator.
 A manager also communicates important data and information to its subordinates.
In relation to Toyota, manager acts as a monitor, spokesperson and disseminator
as well.
Characteristics of managers:
 Managers in Toyota have a very innovative and creative personality and they
further use this trait in forming policies as well.
 Managers should also ample amount of skills such as interpersonal, time
management, decision making etc. This will help in maintaining effectiveness in
an organisation.
Similarities between managers and leaders of Toyota:
 Both leaders and managers work towards a common goal i.e. growth and
profitability of a business concern (Fan, Liu and Zhang, 2015).
 Both leaders and managers work towards raising morale of employees and also
participate in decision making as well.
Differences between a manager and a leader
Basis of comparison Managers Leaders
Characteristics Characteristics of managers in
Toyota include time
Characteristic features of
leaders in Toyota include being