Unit 4 – Management & Operations in Marks and Spencer

Unit 4 – Management
& Operations

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction to the organisation and its management structure..........................................1
2. Define manager and leader, compare role and characteristics with organisation..............2
3. Differences between managerial functions and leadership roles by applying management
theories and concepts..............................................................................................................3
4. Roles of a leader and functions of a manager apply to different situation.........................4
5. Applying different management and leadership style to support and growth of organisation.
................................................................................................................................................5
6. The strengths and weaknesses of different theories and approaches stated above.............6
7. Managers and leaders make impacts on the organisation and make recommendations for
future improvement................................................................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
1. Introduction of operation management and the key approaches adopted by the organisation.
................................................................................................................................................7
2. Roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders in successful management of the
operation.................................................................................................................................8
3. The importance and value of the key approaches to operations management in achieving
organizational objectives successfully...................................................................................8
4. Managers and leaders could be effective in improving operational efficiencies to
successfully meet business objectives....................................................................................9
5. The impact of external business environment factors on operational management decisions
by leaders and managers.........................................................................................................9
6. Evaluation of the application of operations management to manage the factors that impact
on the wider business environment......................................................................................10
7. Recommendations for future improvements to be taken by the organisation..................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Operational management can be stated that business practices considered operate
significant advantages to create higher level of efficiency possible within an organisation. Thus,
it is concerned with converting input into output to introduce appropriate product in the whole
market. Marks and Spencer is a British multinational retail company which is selected for the
present study and specialised in retail sector operations in a successful way with concentrating on
creative work performances.
For gaining insight information of the present report, it covers roles and responsibilities
of successful management. It is also focussing on the business activities of chosen enterprise.
Furthermore, study will also consider function of manager, theories and impact of external
business environment. Moreover, factors are identified that impact on operational management
decisions. Main motive of firm is to detriment the working of manager and leader so that
organisational activities can lead in an appropriate manner.
TASK 1
1. Introduction to the organisation and its management structure
Marks and Spencer Group plc is a British multinational company of United Kingdom that
was established in the year 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. Company mainly
trades in selling of clothing and grocery products in all over the world. Marks and Spencer
currently has 979 stores across UK among which 615 cover only food products. Firm is growing
faster from 2010 and has 50 retail stores with expanded idea for the future.
Mark and Spencer has adopted hierarchical structure as it is helpful in terms of
determining the level of authority. It aids to maintain the managerial integrity between supervisor
and its subordinates. It works to define chain of command, authority of line, communicating the
rights and duties to employees so that activities of organisation can be conducted systematically.
Thus, this structure determines the roles, power and responsibilities of manager or leader in
organisation (Parisio, Rikos and Glielmo, 2016). Also, it helps in controlling and coordinating
flow of information between different levels of management.
Management consider process of planning, organising, directing and controlling to
accomplish organisational objectives and goals. In this regard, coordinated use of human and
material resources to increase performance of M&S. There are several characteristics of
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management such as it is goal oriented process, pervasive, multi dimensional activities,
continuous process, etc. Therefore, it assists to perform dynamic function at workplace. On the
other hand, leadership is the potential influence behaviour of others. It is also carried capacity
that influence group towards accomplishment of goals and objectives. Leaders are required to
develop their future vision and motivate people to accomplish visions. In this way, strong
communication, passion and commitment, positivity, innovation, etc. characteristics possess by
them to accomplish positive results at workplace.
2. Define manager and leader, compare role and characteristics with organisation
Manager can be defined as an individual responsible for planning, organising, leading
and controlling business activities in a firm. Manager of M&S needs to work in all directions and
help company to achieve its objectives effectually. His duties do not end here as he also need to
look after production of goods and services that fulfil customer needs (Algahtani, 2014). Thus,
manager constantly reviews organisation’s financial, budgetary and production goals. On the
other hand, leader is defined as an individual who directs and guides group of people to work
effectively. M&S gives training to their leader in a way that help them to influence his
subordinates to achieve a specified goal of company. Comparison between manager and leader is
discussed as below:
Basic of difference Manager Leader
Meaning Manager is person who
manager the activities of an
entity an d responsible for
planning, direction, control
and coordinating the things
effectively.
Leader is person who
performance as to influence his
subordinates so that that can
achieve one common goal.
Approach It is effective in terms to plan
details.
It helps to sets direction.
Risk In it, manager performs as to
takes the risk.
The leader works as to
minimise the risk.
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